"To imagine such a magnificent structure being established in less than a month…dare I ask how large the bill ended up being?"

Smiling at Implacable's perfectly valid question Richelieu replied, "Nowhere near as much as you are likely imagining. It turns out labor and materials are quite affordable when you look local."

As if on cue a group of Bulins rode a construction drone down a maintenance hallways, chattering excitedly about their next project.

"And that isn't exploitive? I mean they certainly seem happy to do this work but, well…"

Smiling at Vestal's concern the Iris Cardinal replied, "We had similar concerns but the Bulins seem genuinely excited and happy to take care of such tasks, never mind that quartz stone they were to work with rather than hardened concrete and such was available in great quantities."

"They have done quite the impressive work, at the risk of stating the patently obvious."

The Royal Navy carrier ran her gloved hand over the smooth and glistening walls of the mega church that had just been slated for opening, the island's natural resources being artfully combined with other plentiful or imported minerals to craft a truly resplendent home of worship.

"I do hope the confessionals have comfy beds, Cardinal~. After all, so many dedicated and passionate young men and women may - from time to time - require a bit of…release."

Awkwardly smiling at the woman's usual - and casual - seductiveness Richelieu was spared the trouble of responding as Vestal sternly replied, "I would ask that you not encourage too much debaucherous behavior, Implacable. Having to admit personnel into my ward for crushed pelvises or unplanned pregnancies is an additional workload that I would much rather not have to contend with."

"Afford me some credit, Miss Vestal, I know just the right amount of…'pressure' to apply when needed."

Inwardly sighing at the odd sisters of faith she had found herself in the company of they journeyed into the main auditorium, a colossal feat of engineering cast into ethereal majesty by enormous stained glass windows that would embrace its 15,000 possible occupants with refracted light, the structure seeming quite lonely with only a few of their sisters or other maintenance workers in attendance, the trio making their way over to where Émile was seemingly holding court among her fellow Orthodoxy sisters, Le Terrible, Le Triomphant, Painlevé, Suffren, Forbin, Marseillaise, Foch and Kersaint all clustered around her with a variety of expressions ranging from supremely entertained to highly embarrassed.

"I can't say with any genuine feeling that I approve of whatever tale she's spreading among her fellows."

"Speak for yourself, Cardinal, I sense quite the amount of innocent, maidenly intrigue directed at whatever stimulating story our dear dancer is relaying~!"

Resisting the urge to roll her eyes at Implacable's open interest she hoped it would be Vestal's turn to shoot down such a ridiculous focus but alas, the Repair Ship seemed rather curious herself, smiling as she remarked, "Well why don't we listen in for ourselves? If it has so many attentive listeners then surely it must be quite the gripping tale?"

Having a bad feeling where this was going Richelieu nonetheless found herself following in her companion's wake, ears picking up Émile's excited uttering of, "Alas, with such dastardly administrative details hounding his every step it fell to yours truly to free Commander Alexander from the grip of death by paperwork~!"

"And what was your grand plan to liberate him, dear sister?"

Le Terrible's clearly amused words spurred Émile on before she noticed the newcomer's approach, cheerfully waving as she greeted, "Salutations, Cardinal, sisters~!"

Hopping out of her seat and darting forward to plant kisses of greeting on their cheeks Implacable was swift to inquire, "You're sharing a story focusing upon our dear Commander, are you not? Would you have any objections if we were to listen in?"

"None whatsoever, although I should warn you, Miss Vestal and Cardinal…"

A maidenly blush and lewd giggle escaped the Cruiser as she cupped her face, eyes dancing with brilliant and glittering light.

"Some of the details may be a bit exotic."

Feeling more than a trace awkward - a situation made all the worse by both Vestal and Implacable seeming nonplussed by the admission - she instead looked to the rest of her fellow Orthodoxy brethren, asking, "And all of you remain free with no other duties to attend?"

"We have a day off, Cardinal. And it's not as if we're here just to gossip…"

Le Terrible offered a smug smirk, gently elbowing Le Triomphant and Marseillaise as she chirped, "We're also going to discuss the possibility of forming a permanent and rotating guard on the Commander, although we decided asking Émile for her personal opinion on such a matter before going too far."

Affixing Triomphant, Marseillaise, Foch, Suffren and Forbin with an arched eyebrow Richelieu idly commented, "And you intend to go against the Maid Corps over this assumed duty? They already aid him on a daily basis and would no doubt be unhappy to have their territory encroached upon, no matter how well meaning."

Suffren pounded her breastplate with great pride, cheerfully announcing, "They may have us beat when it comes to organizational and tea making fields but in battle? The Templar Knights are second to none~! No offense meant, Miss Implacable."

"None taken. Although…"

A clearly amused smile graced the nun's lips as she informed, "It is not technically the Maid Corps that act as a protective detail, even if they can assume the role in a pinch. It is actually Kirishima, Akatsuki and Kuroshio under Miss Kawakaze's direct supervision that act as his protectors."

The gathered Shipgirls paused, Forbin hesitantly remarking, "Well…perhaps we can take turns with Lady Kawakaze?"

"Indeed, there's no need to be confrontational about this…"

Shaking her head at Le Triomphant's understandable hesitation Richelieu reflected that it wasn't the trio of Kunoichi - lethal they may be - that brought about such a screeching halt but the taciturn Destroyer. Aside from being one of the survivors of the Siren War all the way to its conclusion her position as one of the Commander's unofficial favorites also added to her imposing presence as a figure that was hard to approach.

"...Wait, how does any of that pertain to what Émile was relaying to all of you? And how did you two become involved, neither of you are Knights."

Painlevé and Kersaint both seemed a slight bit embarrassed, the Carrier replying, "They sought for me to do a reading and discern whether their venture held a high chance of success…I became admittedly curious myself in sister Émile's tale."

"S-similarly for me. Minus the readings!"

Kersiant's timid response had Richelieu pinching the bridge of her nose, glancing at the dancer as she cheerfully replied, "My tale was to discern a time when they might best approach without having to face the wrath of the adorable silver fox."

Foch shook her head, dryly remarking, "It's hard to see how you can be so irreverent towards Lady Kawakaze…she makes the Ironblood and Parliament girls seem toasty in comparison."

"Ahh, but there is so much more softness to her than you see at surface level. But alas, to the remainder of my tale and Monsieur Alexander's daily troubles~!"

Despite herself Richelieu leaned in, admittedly piqued by this story - for entirely professional reasons - as Vestal and Implacable also gave Émile their full attention.

"I regret ever taking on this job."

"As much as it pains me to be the bearer of bad news, Shikikan-"

Akagi's cool and distant words accompanied a loud THUD as she deposited a hefty folder on his desk with a dismissive motion.

"-your task is just beginning. The distribution of saline purifying plants is about to begin and your final approval is needed before construction commences. Your public displays of negligence do little to further along this task."

With that the fox turned on her heel and returned to her desk without a backwards glance, Alexander idly watching as Shoukaku, Bismarck Helena, Hermione and Charybdis gave her unimpressed glares, the rest of the administrative crew either consumed by their own tasks or away on duty.

…He knew the Carrier's sass and borderline disrespect would have to be addressed at SOME point but quite honestly he was happy to kick that particular can down the road. Not only did Akagi come with a lot of past baggage that he was still in the process of learning that her work ethic was impeccable.

Procrastination was a winning strategy and he'd smack anyone who said otherwise.

"Shall I relay her disrespect to Nagato-sama, Shikikan-dono?"

Almost jumping in his seat at Akatsuki's silent mental whisper - the ninja skulking about somewhere he couldn't see - passed through his brain Alexander merely shook his head, letting the matter rest for the moment as he sent the folder before him a volcanic glare.

"No, if this problem is going to be solved it's going to be me solving it, not someone else."

"...Understood."

Sighing in resignation he flipped open the considerable amount of paper and ink to review he found himself almost having a heart attack as the door to his office burst open, admitting the stunning and cheerful force of nature that was Émile to sway inside with a merry hum, proclaiming, "Monsieur Commander, are you prepared for our date~?"

"...Huh?"

Experiencing an awful, horrible sense that he had just made a terrible social decision that would see him rightfully hung out to dry the male desperately tried to remember if he'd made any such promise-

-and blinked as Émile teasingly giggled, chirping, "As endearing your stunned and befuddled expression may be tis' not the crisis you believe it to be, Commander. For I have arrived to take you on your date~!"

"...Huh?"

Sauntering forward and primly perching herself on the edge of his desk Émile flashed him a megawatt smile, explaining, "Your staff was most accommodating and fully supported the idea that you are afforded some time off to rest your weary hands and mind, an eighteen hour reprieve has been designed and now I seek to whisk you away~!"

Robotically glancing towards the rest of his staff he was met with a bevy of expressions ranging from self-satisfied to sheepish to sour - the latter belonging exclusively to Akagi, surprise - as Hermione stated, "Rest and relaxation are a critical factor when it comes to leading an organization as large and important as Azur Lane, Commander. It's of far more use to have things be delayed a number of hours and you return reinvigorated rather than subside on a steady stream of gradually declining decisions."

"Why do I feel like I'm being strongarmed into doing something I kind of want to do?"

Slim fingers cupped his chin, Émile seductively whispering, "Because I can make this a day most pleasant for you, Monsieur Commander~?"

The suggestive words weren't lost on the rest of the command staff, a few blushes or awkwardly averted gazes leading Alexander to the conclusion that it was best to move things along, rising to his feet as he announced, "All right, then if you say I have eighteen hours then I'm going to take eighteen hours. Hold down the fort until I'm back, alright? Oh, and you're to patrol the area with the rest of my detail, is that clear, Akatsuki?"

Almost jumping as the Kunoichi was abruptly at his side she reluctantly stated, "If that is your command, then we will follow."

"Great, see you soon, then."

Strolling from the office that felt a lot more familiar than it probably should have been he glanced to the side as Émile happily skipped alongside him, the Aloadae only broaching his question once they were safely outside the confines of headquarters.

"As strange as this sounds, what did you have planned for the day?"

A playful wink accompanied the Cruiser slipping an arm through his own, trilling, "Unfortunately time is limited and you must find the hours to properly sleep, so we have only a single destination today…although it is one that carries within it an old friend~!"

"Alexander, how grand to see you finally visit!"

Blinking as Aurora pulled him into a tight hug the Shipgirl took a step back a moment later, sheepishly wringing her hands as she said, "Oh, my apologies, that was likely too forward of me, was it not?"

"In private? Not a problem in the slightest. How's Chester's new arm going, by the way?"

"Works like you wouldn't believe, Commander Curtis."

Approaching from where he'd been manning the front counter of the greenhouse Gavin Chester was a wiry man maybe thirty years of age, snapping a crisp salute with his prosthetic right arm that had been installed barely a month prior.

"Never thought I'd be able to hold my darling's hand on this side ever again. Sense of touch is still a little bit muted but better than the drumstick I had before."

He laced his artificial fingers through Aurora's, matching bands sparkling in the warm sunlight as the Shipgirl released a giggle that somehow managed to combine regal composure and schoolgirl giddiness as she chirped, "Alas, I now have to deal with a complete pair of wandering hands, don't I?"

"Ignore the bird, sir. If anything she's been the clingy one."

Aurora promptly shot out a teasing remark that Alexander honestly missed, instead feeling his lips pull into an amused and content smile, another small weight on his shoulders vanishing as if it had never existed.

He remembered the Royal Navy woman from before her revival, lost and speaking to her flowers, dying in battle alongside her sisters…now laughing and chatting with her husband, looking after a much more impressive collection of plants that was both an aesthetic retreat and nice source of local grown foodstuffs.

It was just one more confirmation that he had made a difference, made good on his promises to turn things around.

…

And it was relieving beyond belief to know that the Shipgirls were perfectly capable of finding partners outside of himself. He was already suffering serious bouts of guilt that he was cooped up in his office most of the time and unable to have fleeting conversations with his, well…lovers.

"Be that as it may you're here for something else entirely, are you not? Come, let me show you the greenhouse!"

Aurora was quick to pull Émile aside, Alexander raising an eyebrow as Chester drew himself up tight, stating, "I never got a chance to say this to you directly, Commander, but thank you for everything you've done. We were separated by the war and when I heard that Aurora had perished only after the fact, well…"

He quickly shook his head, instead snapping off a sharp salute.

"Words can't describe what you've done for me and the world. Thank you, Commander."

Idly reflecting that he was slowly getting used to the whole saluting thing as the gesture was automatic at this point Curtis merely nodded, responding, "It was the right thing to do. Carry on, apparently I've got quite the comprehensive tour to attend."

With a final nod the smaller man departed…the Aloadae immediately pondering, "Was that too informal? Goddamit, I wish I'd received a handbook or something on how distant and professional I should be acting. Every iota of the dockworker inside was screaming to openly thank him for relieving the pressure of another gal to satisfy."

Shaking off that train of thought he marched after Aurora and Émile, privately hoping that the Iris dancer didn't have anything too wild planned as it would honestly just make him feel bad, both Shipgirls glancing over their shoulders before quietly giggling to each other, Aurora stepping back before bowing slightly to the Aloadae.

"While brief it was a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Commander. Please feel free to visit whenever you have the opportunity, I'd be more than happy to give you a proper tour of my pride and joy."

"Isn't that what we were here for?"

Winking at him the Light Cruiser innocently mused, "A mere smokescreen, Commander. Émile will show you to your private room. Enjoy~!"

Pressing a picnic basket into his hands the Shipgirl happily went on her way, the Aloadae glancing towards the smirking Iris girl as he dryly remarked, "And what if I wanted an actual tour?"

"Then you will just have to make time in the future, hmm~? Come, come!"

Plucking the basket from his grasp Émile danced around him and began insistently pushing, Alexander humoring her efforts as he asked, "So what's the big secret?"

"And spoil the surprise? Nonsense, instead why do you not speak of the dynamic within your office? With so many of our most accomplished or diligent sisters housed within I imagine it is quite the fascinating and exciting experience?"

"It's…something, alright. Not everyone seems too happy about it, granted."

He felt Émile nod behind him, sagely remarking, "Miss Akagi is still unhappy, I take it? Harutsuki and Mutsu were speaking of it during one of our recitals and it seems as if the mistress of the Kido Butai is in a rather unfortunate state of mind."

Lightly shrugging Alexander replied, "If she doesn't shape up I'll have to do something about it…but I can understand where she's coming from, returning from the dead only to find The Commander gone and some other guy lording over the position with almost everyone else okay with that."

"Hmm…if you do not desire to confront her about it just yet then I will defer to your judgment, but would like to remind you that understanding an action and approving of it are two important distinctions to bear in mind."

Deciding to take the woman's words as gospel he settled for a nod as Émile abruptly spun him to the right, the Aloadae tilting his head as all he saw was an intricate braid of honeysuckles and nothing else, the Cruiser melodiously giggling as she gave him a playful shove-

-and he slipped past the brightly colored curtain, blinking as a tight and almost claustrophobic passageway of different flowers led deeper into the sprawling greenhouse, Émile dangerously whispering, "This leads to a private area where we'll have no shortage of privacy, Monsieur~..."

Practically able to taste the sex in the air Curtis dryly swallowed, keeping his tone controlled as he replied, "Well I'm not about to turn down a private lunch with a woman such as yourself, Émile."

The rest of the brief walk was carried out in anticipatory silence, the pair soon entering into an almost fantasy-esque setting that just about knocked the libido out of Alexander and replaced it with awe.

Vibrant roses, soothing hydrangeas, brilliant azaleas…a perfect mixing and matching of those three flowers that somehow managed to blend their respective strengths and allures into a mind-boggling display of beauty, all of it topped off by lush soapwort that coated the ground and was clearly intended to be walked upon.

"My god, I knew Aurora was good but this is…"

"Given time and the capacity to do as she pleases results in quite the magnificent display, hmm~?"

"That's putting it a little lightly. You could probably charge people to come here and make a killing."

"Not that our florist sister would ever do such a thing, would she?"

"I suppose not."

Cheerfully opening the picnic basket Émile began to pull out a variety of items ranging from Iris cheeses to Ironblood beers to Union pies, the male amusedly commenting, "I suppose the supply lines are flowing freely once again, never would have expected this much variety inside the Settlements, that's for certain."

"Then let us enjoy the fruits of such productive trade. Come, eat and drink your fill~!"

"Don't have to tell me twice."

Seating himself at the table and accepting Émile's offered glass of wine they toasted and proceeded to enjoy the idyllic atmosphere and excellent company, Alexander feeling yet another weight drop away from him as their conversation varied from topic to topic, anything and everything to be discussed or debated…at least until she dropped a sudden bombshell on him.

"Have you not considered marriage yet, Monsieur?"

Almost choking on his third glass of red wine and setting it aside along with the two other beers he'd downed - because no one was around to judge him for his taste, thankfully - the Aloadae carefully replied, "What do you mean?"

"Well would it not make more sense to properly formalize a union between my various sisters? It would only help legitimize and strengthen the perceived ties between our nations."

"Or it would run the risk of alienating a large portion of the world's populace, since I should really be coming across as being the ultimate impartial authority, even if I'm, you know…not."

"Would not a state of affairs be solved by marrying all of our leaders? Why, the dear Cardinal would swoon and faint if her savior were to grace her fingers with a polished ring~! She has trouble imagining life outside of her duty, you see…"

While the idea was vaguely amusing Alexander ultimately replied, "Émile? The majority of the nation's of the world are monogamous, remember?"

The Cruiser blinked, eventually huffing out a disappointed breath as she complained, "Such a restrictive mindset, should genuine love and affection not be allowed to blossom freely?"

"Most people aren't as lucky as I am to have several amazing ladies sharing space in his heart…or the mental connection and closeness to not murder everyone in a jealous rage."

Humming in contemplation Émile eventually polished off her glass, remarking, "A fair enough perspective, I suppose…on the matter of the heart, may I ask that you turn around and close your eyes, Commander?"

Blinking at the sudden request and having a fair estimation of where she was going with it Alexander slowly nodded, doing as requested as his throat jumped in anticipation…anticipation that only grew as he heard the soft and almost inaudible rustling of cloth and fabric, tempted to ask what brought about the sudden shift in desire and pace before deciding he didn't really care all that much, almost a minute passing in tense silence until soft and silky fingers danced across his shoulders, Émile seductively whispering, "Would you like for my assistance in disrobing, Commander~?"

"Well I can't see, so that would be appreciated."

A coquettish giggle reverberated throughout his head as the Iris dancer gracefully guided him away from the table, eventually lowering him onto his back atop a bed of soft flowers as she teased, "Remember, no peeking~!"

"Now that just isn't fair, Émile."

"Ahh, but I promise the reward will be all the sweeter for your delayed gratification…"

The words that wouldn't have been out of place slipping from a Succubus' lips coincided with the Cruiser undoing his shirt button by button, Alexander fighting hard to follow her instructions to not look early as the cool, soothing air graced his pectorals as with a satisfied giggle the last article of his upper body was tossed aside, Émile cooing, "You seem rather eager for me to divest you of the rest, Monsieur Commander…"

"Do you blame me?"

His stiffening crotch was already forming a bulge in his pants, the fabric straining as with deft and sure motions his belt was unbuckled and fly unzipped, the Iris woman humming with satisfaction as she observed his girth.

"Oh my, to think that something as impressive as this was pleasuring Shipgirls much smaller than I. Were their most sacred and intimate of places warm and tight, Commander~?"

Wondering where the hell this erotic and borderline corruptive side of Émile had been all this time Alexander didn't trust himself to do much more than nod, jaw clenched as his partner's fingers playfully and tauntingly danced over his groin, gradually and maddeningly pulling down his pants until his now fully erect length sprung free, leaving him laying bare atop the flower bed as he tried oh so desperately to not look as Émile withdrew…and with a joyful lilt to her voice the Shipgirl whispered, "You may gaze upon me, Alexander."

All too happy to follow through on the offer he let his eyelids rise, blinking away the dancing spots from keeping his eyes closed for so long…and felt an all consuming sense of both speechless awe and bestial lust.

Gone was her usual garb of dancer's tutu and accompanying ornaments, instead replaced with a series of shimmering blue and gold silk fabrics that looped over her shoulders, fell across her chest and then flared outwards like solar fire, groin barely covered by another loosely attached length of material as the Aloadae had to thickly swallow.

"That's, umm…wow."

"Struck speechless, Commander~?"

"Just about."

The unfairly beautiful female before him struck a killing balance between erotic Fairy and mesmerizing goddess, Alexander drinking in the sight as Émile spun on her foot, the dazzling display accompanying a melodious chirp of, "Albion and Centaur were kind enough to provide me with a few of their vestments for reference, it's gratifying to see it paying off. Now then~!"

Her spin came to an abrupt and perfectly poised end, brilliant blue eyes staring intensely into his own.

"Would you like me to dance for you, Commander?"

"Oh HELL yes."

Giggling with delight Émile drew herself upright and closed her eyes, beginning to gently sway to some unheard tune as the male watched with a transfixed gaze, her perfectly proportioned and gracefully muscled form swaying and gyrating with sensuous movements before slowly and suggestively approaching where he was laying on his back.

"Jesus…no one can ever know about this, I'd never maintain a shred of authority ever again."

The idle thoughts were largely set aside in favor of watching the Cruiser with something approaching worship, their floral surroundings and her shimmering dress affording the air a surreal tinge as his dick twitched and jumped in anticipation that was almost embarrassing in its earnestness, eyes locked firmly on Émile's body as she put on a show that he wagered was custom made to drive men crazy. Maneuvers and sets that caused her costume to flatten or cling to her skin in a way that made it seem as if it was painted on, raised sweeps of her legs or artful movements of her arms that revealed just the slightest glimpses of her intimate areas until she stood before him, kneeling and then leaning forward so that her hands slid up his thighs, the entire display reminding Alexander more than a little of a predatory snake closing in on its prey, said prey not leaking clear fluid JUST from the whole show as Émile came to a stop above his girth, ruby tongue flicking outwards to tickle his glans as the Aloadae braced himself for a long, tortuous exhibition of slowly mounting pleasure-

"FUCK!"

-and was caught completely and utterly off guard by the Iris Shipgirl opening wide and just outright swallowing him whole, his fingers tearing up a handful of dirt and flowers as he barely managed to follow the blonde's request and stay seated, a hum of delight from the sexy dancer causing his dick to throb from where it was nestled deep within her throat, Alexander meeting Émile's gaze as she arched a single eyebrow, seeming unperturbed by stuffing such a comparatively massive cock down her gullet as the male slowly and begrudgingly let his head rest on the soft ground, staring up at the ceiling as he was forced to simply feel what the Shipgirl was about to do to him, not watch.

And what he promptly felt was the utterly insane feat of someone making their mouth and throat dance.

A steady and maddening cadence of warm flesh, slathering tongue and silky lips assaulted his cock, Émile drawing herself all the way to his tip before altering her angle of attack, sometimes pushing his dick to the side of her mouth so that her cheeks bulged outwards, other times pushing his head into the underside of her tongue, a shallow movement that was nonetheless novel while other times she would violently deepthroat him, tongue swirling and caressing the whole time as he felt her body gyrate and sway atop his groin and legs, a full body dance accompanied by deliberately loud and messy sounds of gagging, slurping and breathing that in what he had no shame in admitting was barely two minutes had him tensing, balls squeezing and loins tightening as he just about reached his limit-

-and with a sharp movement of her head Émile pulled herself free of his twitching length, gasping for air before sultrily giggling as Alexander came to the sudden realization that the Shipgirl was playing with him. How she knew when he was about to blow? No damn idea but honestly he shouldn't be surprised at anything the Shipgirls did nowadays.

"Not yet, Commander~! I still have more, shall we say, techniques to show you…"

She entered the bottom of his vision, hair pulled to the side before nibbling teeth found his nipple, warm and firm thighs with the addition of a burning and slick slit engulfing his rod before bending it back and forth, rubbing up and down his turgid length as the Aloadae grit his teeth, growling out, "For all the charity and kindness you show it seems like you've got a mean streak, Émile."

The woman's only response was delighted laughter and a renewed assault on his body, the male almost groaning aloud as a whole new method of torture arose as the dancer began raising and flexing her hips so that his slick and aching tip kissed the entrance to her cunt, failed to find purchase before briefly poking at the rear door…and then the temptress would pull away, delightful friction and heat by no means unwanted but not even close to what he wanted, especially since the witch was keeping him dancing on the edge of climax as her pace abruptly quickened, the Cruiser contorting her body so that she was jacking him off with her thighs while simultaneously giving him a searing kiss-

-and pulled away yet AGAIN, leaving him with a very real and very mature urge to cry out in frustration.

"Ooh, are you feeling a bit pent up, Monsieur? Well since you have been so loyal and let me indulge…"

The Iris Shipgirl abruptly rolled off of him, Alexander following the movement of her body and fighting back the urge to throw her to the ground and go wild, her form now covered in a sheen of liquid that was both sweat and arousal, her attire sticking to her body in an unfairly provocative display that was only furthered when she cast a coquettish glance over her shoulder, fingers spreading her cunt wide as a throaty whisper was music to his ears.

"Is it not fair that you do the same? I look forward to your enthusiasm, Commander~!"

She received it, Alexander not bothering with any of the niceties or considerations he'd given the other Shipgirls as one hand grabbed Émile's arm, the other looped under her leg before latching onto a firm and gropable breast-

-and with an application of his altered height and strength yanked the Shipgirl onto his cock, blissful heat and pressure coinciding with a lyrical moan of delight from Émile as he split her wide, one hand mauling her chest while the other used her arm as leverage to ensure he had just enough of an angle to pound into her, the Shipgirl's free arm and leg uselessly flopping about as each and every forceful smack of their groins colliding shook her like a small animal in the jaws of a larger predator, the Aloadae not halting or slowing his pace in the slightest as he quickly closed in on his well deserved high.

And a high it certainly was, yanking his partner as deep as he could pull her onto his cock as with a clenched jaw and throaty moan from Émile he painted her insides white, shallow and instinctive follow up thrusts prolonging his pleasure before the two of them sagged slightly, Émile gently panting as she commented, "Monsieur, you certainly have passion aplenty to-eh?"

The Cruiser blinked, finding her body rotated around her Commander's dick in a motion that had her gasping with delight before staring up at him, heart skipping a beat as he stared down at her with something resembling bestial desire, legs hooked over his shoulders as she felt his nestled cock pulse and shiver with clear intent to continue.

"We're not going to be done anytime soon, Émile. Why don't I show you a few moves of my own?"

He pushed forward, the man's weight, her altered position and the sensation of his glorious manhood spearing impossibly deep within drawing a passionate moan from the Shipgirl-

"I-is this truly pertinent to the story?!"

Richelieu's scandalized cry broke through the spell the group had come under, Émile blinking and seeming to snap out of whatever trip down memory lane she'd embarked upon, cheeks pink and eyes glassy as she remarked, "Oh, my apologies, Cardinal. It's just that the entire day was so romantic and intense that I cannot help but vividly recall every moment. Well, events do become rather hazy right around the time Monsieur Alexander had me assume what I believe was reverse missionary…"

Painlevé released a noise not too dissimilar to an overheated tea kettle, abruptly rising to her feet with swirling eyes and a crimson flush as she stammered, "B-b-beg your pardon, but I should commence a reading!"

The Carrier hurried away on unsteady legs as Richelieu pinched the bridge of her nose, desperately hoping that her own reaction wasn't as transparent as her kin's.

Judging by the heat she felt around her dress' collar it was, the Shipgirl quickly glancing around at her sisters to see if they were reacting just as strongly.

Suffren, Foch, Forbin and Marseillaise were a bit pink in the face and shifting from foot to foot but still interested in the 'story', Kersaint and Le Triomphant seeming about a moment away from passing out from second hand embarrassment while Le Terrible was grinning mischievously…and not entirely hiding the way her legs were tightly crossed and shifting restlessly.

And of course Vestal - the medic not at all perturbed by the tale - bluntly inquired, "Miss Émile, were either you or the Commander wearing contraceptives? Judging by your reaction and rather descriptive recalling of events he ejaculated inside several times, yes?"

"But of course~! You need not worry though, Miss Vestal, Monsieur Curtis has assured us on many an occasion that his seed is incompatible with that of normal women thanks to his changes. Beyond even that we Shipgirls are, well…"

Here Émile's expression became a fair bit wistful.

"We lack the capability to reproduce as a Human does."

Without missing a beat Vestal dropped a rather significant bombshell, promptly stating, "Normal Human women, yes. And we lack the genetic capability to conceive with Human males, a few strands that ensures gestation and reproductive viability missing from our code. But in examining the Commander I discovered quite a few similarities in our genetic compatibility and am of the opinion that resonance between implanted Wisdom Cubes and shared genetic material may spontaneously result in the creation of new life. Now this is all conjecture, granted, but until we know for certain what repeated attempts - however unknowing - at impregnation may result in I would advise wearing protection."

Richelieu felt her world spin at the possibilities of that revelation, scarcely able to conceive - poor choice of words - at what it meant for both herself and her kin.

A state of affairs that wasn't lost on Émile, the Cruiser's expression practically sparkling with possibility as a lewd and entirely inelegant giggle escaped her lips.

"So the mating press that I was put into might very well be literal? Eh heh heh, the possibilities of such an adorable child that would result from a union of the Commander and I-"

THUD!

They all glanced to where Kersaint had finally fainted, the Destroyer's eyes rolling and expression flushed as she incoherently mumbled about 'babies', 'lewdness' and 'sin'.

"Err, perhaps we could borrow your assistance, Miss Vestal?"

The nun pinched the bridge of her nose, huffing out a breath before saying, "Ideally it goes without saying but until such a time that my conclusions are proved or disproved please attempt some level of restraint, I intend to spread the word to the rest of our kin as soon as possible."

Unfortunately the Cardinal's sisters seemed to have been infected by the idea, Suffren gathering her three fellow Templar Knights together before fiercely whispering, "Hey, if we can't guard the Commander personally then why don't we offer to protect his kids? There's more of us than there are ninjas and I'd rather do that then have to sit in an office listening to office stuff all day, right?"

Forbin decisively nodded, adding, "The honor of such a duty is nothing to scoff at either, would we not be in charge of our kin's future, the next generation that we had never considered a possibility?"

"Hey, that sounds pretty good!"

Foch's verbal agreement coincided with Marseillaise's silent nod, Richelieu hesitantly looking to where Le Terrible was whispering to a dazed Le Triomphant, "Say, don't you think Le Malin has been getting rather cozy with The Commander? If you're not careful you might just just end up being a godmother, Triomphant…"

"EH?! N-no, Le Malin can't become a mother, her child would pick up on her bad habits and then I would have to be strict with both of them!"

Ready and willing to shout for silence and order Richelieu found herself stopped by a soft hand resting on her shoulder, Implacable amusedly stating, "Let their imaginations run wild, Cardinal. They've just discovered the hitherto unknown privilege of young ladies fantasizing about what their darling child might look like and mean to them."

The Battleship frowned, remarking, "That's what I'm afraid of. And this kind of open speculation is hardly appropriate in a venue such as the one we currently occupy."

Despite her words Richelieu allowed herself to be guided out of the building by a smiling Implacable, the Carrier advising, "Passion and desire are perfectly natural aspects of our being, Cardinal. Denying them does us no good. And it sounds as if our Commander is quite the passionate one indeed~..."

Resisting the urge to groan as yet another of her kin was seemingly corrupted right before her eyes Richelieu elected to keep her eyes forward and mind pure…and she certainly did not imagine what a child of her own would look like!

So I just saw Godzilla minus one the other day and I gotta say it's a sign of how much Azur Lane has corrupted my image of old naval vessels since I saw the Yukikaze and Hibiki on screen and was momentarily surprised that there wasn't a bunch of half naked animal girls running about.

That aside as for the movie itself? Head and shoulders above the other Godzilla movies in terms of story and characters, it's good even outside of the kaiju genre which isn't exactly where great writing makes its home, would highly recommend although it's only in theaters for a short time as of posting this chapter.