Though Commander Thorson was thankful for the efforts of Captain Stevens' crew in his absence, he had no compunctions about kicking them out in order to discuss tactics, strategy, and the future with his fleet. Almost every ship on the base was in attendance, save Downes and Tennessee who were on prisoner guard duty, Ark Royal who was giving Yamashiro a much needed break from babysitting Mutsuki, Kisaragi, and Mikazuki, and Cassin whom Thorson presumed was napping somewhere.
"Thank you very much for gathering here," Thorson began.
"It's not like we were ordered to or anything," Shigure called out, earning her a swat on the ears from Yuudachi. "Hey, what was that for?!"
"Do you want to not have meat for dinner?" The black-haired destroyer's sister hissed. Shigure grew suddenly fearful at that possibility, as though she'd only just considered it. She pouted at the front of the room but managed to squeeze out an apology.
"Sorry, Shikikan."
"Look at you, swayed by something as simple as meat," Yukikaze teased.
"Can it, yuckikaze! You wanna go?"
"That's enough!" Thorson shouted, causing both Sakura destroyers to fall silent. "The two of you can sort it out after the meeting. Just don't destroy anything."
"I…didn't really mean it," Yukikaze whispered, earning her a comforting pet on the ears from Arizona who was seated just behind her.
"I know, sweetie. Now be quiet for Commander Thorson and we can go play on the swing in the Union dorm later, alright?"
"Ok! Thanks Arizona-san!"
"Shh," the battleship encouraged, restoring silence for her Commander.
"Thank you. Now let's get the hard part out of the way first. Southeast Asia has fallen to the Sakura. All ABDA ships in the region were destroyed or retreated either with us or, I presume, to India." If his harsh tone hadn't been enough to ensure a somber atmosphere within the room, the news itself was plenty. Thorson continued.
"We bombarded and destroyed two Sakura bases, airfields, and assets at Makassar and Bali, and engaged the combined fleets led by Jintsuu." There was some murmuring among the Sakura who had stayed behind at Jintsuu's name. "During the battle Rear Admiral Doorman of the combined ABDA forces was lost at sea. He went down with his ship. Thanks to Laffey, Downes, Tennessee, Arizona, Pennsylvania, and the rest of the fleet we fought to the cusp of victory against Jintsuu's battlegroup. However, our fleet was forced to retreat…by Kaga."
"Tono-sama!" Yamashiro yelped as hushed conversation swelled again. Shiranui could be seen whispering with Akashi, their faces grim.
"I'm fine, Yamashiro," he assured her. "Despite our losses we were able to save many ships and escort them home. Jupiter, Houston, Phoenix, and Langley, please stand if you would?"
At Thorson's request the four shipgirls stood to be recognized and identified by the ships of other nations. Jupiter was already sitting with the Royals and Houston was flanked by Cleveland and Portland, so it was mainly for the Sakura's edification. Smiles and greetings were exchanged, a lighter piece of news from the bloody battle.
"Additionally, many among the Sakura were persuaded to join our cause, swelling our ranks and bringing with them intact ships. They have all taken rigging and should be treated just as you would Yamashiro, Fusou, Akashi, Shiranui, Shiratsuyu, Yuugure, or Hatsuharu. Please help me officially welcome the following Sakura destroyers to our fleet: Asashio, Ooshio, Michishio, Arashio, Kasumi, Yuudachi, Yukikaze, and apparently Shigure."
"Wan!" Yuudachi barked as the aforementioned ships stood, some eagerly and some hesitantly. With most of them having already served for about a month alongside Union and Royal forces, the moment was more of an official sanction than a meet and greet. When all had settled, Thorson continued his speech.
"Finally, there are two prisoners of war on this base as of this morning. They are currently under guard of Tennessee and Downes, who defeated them in hand to hand combat."
"They did what?" Shiranui demanded skeptically.
"They defeated them in hand to hand combat," Thorson repeated. "It's not a joke. The two of them are Jintsuu-class cruisers and take the form of red and blue haired foxes. Their names are Naka and Jintsuu."
"You did what?!" Shiranui gasped, her tone now truly one of disbelief.
"Naka and Jintsuu were both taken prisoner in the chaos that erupted following Kaga's appearance on the battlefield. I'm asking all able-bodied ships to assist in keeping them under watchful guard. Thank you," Thorson finished, seeing affirmative nods from most of the Union. "That's probably enough about the past. Instead I'd like to summarize what's gone on here since our departure, with my apologies to Akashi and Brooklyn."
"Think nothing of it, sir," Brooklyn replied, having briefed him fully just before.
"Thank you. So there's only a bit of bad news, far as I can tell, which is that Langley and Phoenix will probably be leaving us soon. They are both still serving on crewed vessels and I'm sure that Pacific command will want them on escort and training duties respectively. Until then, please welcome them on the base. Now for the good news."
"About time," Cleveland called encouragingly. Thorson nodded her way.
"Indeed. I apologize for the necessity of being a downer before noon. Akashi reports that a substantial amount of work has been done on the base's infrastructure since our departure. The Sakura and Union dorms have been completed and furnished, and I've heard rumors of an...onsen, is that the word?"
"Hai!" Akashi affirmed excitedly.
"Yeah, so can we make this quick?" Pennsylvania added, making it clear with her tone and the look she threw his way that she was being loving and only half serious.
"I'll do my best to draw it out just for you," Thorson quipped. "In addition to the lodging situation, Yamashiro reports that a shinto shrine has been completed as well. That is the large, red structure atop the mountain behind the base. The remains of a British sailor very dear to one of our own are interred there, as well as the cube of Nachi, a Sakura cruiser who was lost in battle at our hands. I hope that it can become a solemn place of worship and healing where all are welcome regardless of faith or nation."
"All will be welcomed," Fusou assured him.
"Thank you, Fusou. All ships from the Union and Royal Navy, I hope you can understand the importance of allowing the Sakura to practice their old ways of worship here. Above all else, we fight against the sirens. The old gods of the Sakura are a powerful symbol in that fight. I thank you all in advance."
"Maybe Laffey will go pray for booze and sleep, yes yes."
"Maybe I will join you. Sleep sounds very nice," Kasumi agreed, leaving Thorson to wonder how he seemed to have attracted not one, but three narcoleptic destroyers.
"Recognition should also be given to the sailors of Captain Stevens' fleet," Thorson added. "They assisted in the construction of these various structures. Captain, I apologize for the restrictions on access to the onsen but given that the dorms will now be fully occupied I must insist."
"We'll be heading out soon anyway, Commander," Stevens demurred. "We had food, shelter, and a safe port of call while you were away, but given the situation in Asia I think it's safe to say this port and the surrounding islands are about to get real popular. We'll be in touch. Brooklyn and Shiranui have already compiled shipping manifests."
"Understood. Thank you all for your efforts," Thorson nodded, noticing that quite a few of his ships were shifting in their seats with agitation, looking at the doors. He smirked, knowing there had likely already been arguments over rooms and beds, to say nothing of yearning for a day at a hot spring after such a long sortie. "Only one more thing then. You will surely notice that a few stowaways accompanied us from Java, namely the bright yellow birds known as manjuu. They have not exhibited any violent or disagreeable tendencies, but please do your best to keep them out of the kitchens, warehouses, and laboratories. Unless there are any questions…Warspite?"
"I believe it is time for me to take my leave, Knight Commander." The straw-blonde battleship's unexpected line took all the air out of the room. Thorson stood a bit straighter, waiting for an explanation. She didn't disappoint, giving Sir Raleigh a little pet where he sat atop her head. "You will recall that my original purpose in coming here was to evaluate you as a potential ally of the crown and Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth. I have made my determination."
"And now you intend to report back," Thorson guessed.
"Indeed, Knight Commander, though I will certainly regret not being able to spend time at this hot springs. Perhaps when I return?" She added with a coy smile. "I'm sure the Queen herself will want to meet you, assuming we can beat those Ironbloods into temporary submission that is. In any case, Leander and Vampire, please make preparations for our departure. We will leave at noon."
"Hmm?" Laffey cocked her head as Javelin took her and Zed's hands tightly. Warspite looked their way.
"Javelin, you will remain here as a representative of Her Majesty and a token of our assurances that the Royal Navy seeks a deeper partnership with Commander Thorson and his fleet. Ark Royal shall remain as well. Jupiter."
"Yes?" The small destroyer seemed surprised to be mentioned at all in such a meeting.
"Please decide if you would rather remain here with your sister or carry onwards to home with me and the others."
"Oh. Uuuh…I do miss the evening telly."
"You little cutie," Javelin hugged her sister. "If you're going to go back be careful in the Atlantic, and say hello to all the other J-class destroyers for me, alright?"
"Alright sis. Love you."
"Love you too, Jupiter."
"We're sorry to see you go, Warspite, but I understand the need to complete your mission," Thorson acknowledged. "Speak with the chief bulin regarding your resupply needs. Our stores are open to you."
"I have half a mind to take Shiratsuyu with us. She is a fine cook. But I thank you, Knight Commander Thorson. We will see one another again; I am sure of it. Good fortune to you in the battles to come." Her message delivered, Warspire bowed cordially along with Vampire, Jupiter, and Leander, the latter of whom also made sure to give Cleveland an emotional hug on the way to the docks.
"Well, it's never a good time losing anyone, but I'm glad you'll be staying with us Javelin," Thorson said as his fleet accepted the fact that they would likely fight their next battle without the reassuring presence of the grand old lady on their side.
"Happy to be staying," Javelin replied in a chipper tone. "So about that hot springs?"
"Yes yes, you're all dismissed. And don't slip and fall!" Thorson yelled after them as almost all of his fleet bolted for the doors, laughing and shouting about who would get first dibs in a mess of tails, ears, and uniforms. He waved Akashi on. "I'll be by the onsen in the afternoon or evening. You go on and show the rest of them around, alright?" Akashi saluted and departed.
"Don't dally or all the clean towels will be gone Shikikan!" She warned happily. He just smiled after her before turning to Yamashiro and Fusou, both of whom had stayed behind.
"I'd like to see the shrine…and take a moment to pray," he murmured. They nodded, each shrine maiden approaching him and gently taking one of his arms.
"We would be happy to escort you, tono-sama," Fusou affirmed. "Yamashiro should be commended. It is a fitting and peaceful tribute to the gods."
"I'm sure," Thorson agreed as the younger sister tugged his arm gently with a smile, happy to be back in physical contact with the man she had pledged herself to.
"This way please, tono-sama."
As they neared the summit, Thorson had to agree with Fusou's evaluation. A grand stone pavilion stretched out before him with red, wooden gates towering overhead and beckoning him along a lantern-lit main path. That path led to a set of stairs that served as the final ascent to the shrine proper, which was situated atop the summit. The three of them took their time on the way up, taking in the scenery and appreciating the trees and bamboo that had been planted in the rich volcanic soil to shield the shrine from the winds at elevation.
"That is something," Thorson admitted as Yamashiro stepped forward a couple paces and opened her arms as if to present the shrine to him. She explained that it was built in the same motif as Nagato's shrine back in Japan, a large pagoda with ornate roofing and carved accents around the entirety of the square, wooden structure.
After removing his shoes and stepping inside, Thorson was greeted by the smell of matcha and incense. To his left he saw Nachi's cube, unearthed and resting in a small alcove along the wall where one could pray. His heart sank as he imagined that many more might join hers before the end of the war.
At the back of the room was the main shrine, a polished slab of jade carved with kanji he did not understand. Incense burned in a brazier at its base and there was ample room to pray upon the raised dais that featured small cushions on which one might kneel. Yamashiro took his hand to get his attention.
"Yamashiro asked one of the Union sailors to carve it for you, tono-sama. I hope it is suitable," she said, directing his attention to the right. Along that wall were more alcoves designed for wisdom cubes or other small items, but it was the most immediate one that held his attention. Larger than the rest, it was done in natural wood instead of the red paint, rice paper, or tatami of the rest of the temple. Within the alcove hung a carved crucifix, and between them Yamashiro and Akashi had somehow managed to acquire a King James Bible. After a moment of stunned silence he turned to her.
"Is it unsightly to hug a shrine maiden in her temple?" He requested.
"Only if you grope me, tono-sama," Yamashiro replied softly, her tone perhaps indicating that under other circumstances she would very much enjoy being groped by him. Her assurance given, Thorson took her into a tender and chaste embrace that he was sure would not offend his god or hers.
"Thank you, Yamashiro."
"You are welcome, tono-sama. Fusou-nee told me of what happened. I am sorry I could not be there with you."
"I needed you here, Yamashiro. Next time, you will be at my side," he promised.
"Hai, tono-sama!" She whispered happily, releasing him to join her sister. They both bowed to him and he saluted in return, feeling an official air inside the sacred structure.
"We will pray for those lost in battle now, tono-sama, and for fortune in the days to come. With your permission we would like to install minor shrines for Ooshio, Michishio, and their sisters. All save Kasumi were shrine maidens back in Japan."
"Whatever you need," Thorson agreed. "I'd much rather those alcoves be filled with shrines and incense than wisdom cubes."
"Thank you, tono-sama. We will leave you to your worship now."
Thorson nodded, taking just a moment to look after Fusou and Yamashiro as they walked to the front of the shrine. They rested against one another and twined their tails, happy to be reunited and in good health. The sight brought a smile to his face before he turned to the crucifix. He knelt and closed his eyes.
"Lord our Father, I come before you a sinner," he whispered. "I have killed my fellow man…and I have lain with my own comrades, taken them to bed. I ask for your forgiveness, heavenly father, and for your guidance as I wage war against the sirens. I am…doing what I believe needs to be done. If I die and am found wanting, if my way is one of damnation, then I humbly ask for your mercy. May the souls of the dead rest in peace, and may we the living find the courage and strength to soldier on." Thorson raised his head and made the sign of the cross. "Amen."
When Thorson and the Fusou-class sisters descended back to the base, they left him at his office. The rest of his fleet was surely enjoying themselves at the onsen or in the new dormitories, but his responsibilities were not yet finished. Seeing the stress on his face, Yamashiro pulled him into a soft hug, stroking his hair and the back of his neck softly. "There are private rooms in the onsen, tono-sama. Yamashiro would be happy to massage you in one of them if you like. Perhaps I can get some pointers from Ooshio."
"I…may take you up on that," he swallowed heavily. Instead of giggling she kissed his cheek as she'd seen Arizona do once or twice since their return.
"You do not have to, tono-sama. I know you have been with the others and may not wish to be alone with me in such a way. I just want you to be happy; we still have much to do in this war."
"You sound a bit like your sister," he chuckled. "You may be better off taking it up with them than me regarding their feelings on the matter. I'm only human after all and saying no to you…probably not in the cards. But thank you, Yamashiro. I'm very impressed with the base that I left in your care."
Yamashiro's ruby eyes glowed at his praise. "Thank you, tono-sama! Thank you very much!"
"Now go enjoy yourself in the baths. That's an order," he joked, bidding Fusou a similar farewell. They turned for the dormitories while he headed in the opposite direction, bound for his office. There he found both Shiranui and Brooklyn waiting for him.
"Ah, idiot Shikikan. I thought those two maidens would surely break your resolve and you would make me do all the work today."
"Well it's a pleasure to see you too, Shiranui," Thorson deadpanned. She developed an exaggeratedly shocked look on her face.
"But I complimented his ability to resist cat butts that would break lesser men. Where did I go wrong?"
"You were wrong from the start," Brooklyn chuckled. "Thank you for this, Shiranui. I will ensure that it gets to the right people when we arrive in Hawaii.
"See to it that you do. The war is coming," the ghost ship warned, floating towards Thorson who was still standing in the doorway. He made to stand aside but she just clipped through him. He didn't know what he expected contact with a ghost to feel like, but warmth was not it. He shrugged and glanced up at Brooklyn.
"I'll get started on an after action report."
"Let us work on it together, Commander Thorson," she suggested properly.
"I don't think that's really necessary, Brooklyn," he demurred. "Surely you have plenty to do with Captain Stevens preparing to depart?"
"You seem to forget that I still serve as one of your ships, Commander Thorson," Brooklyn smiled, walking over and taking his hand so she could lead him to the desk in the corner of the room. She retrieved one of the chairs from his office and sat beside him. "I listened to you during the debriefing today. You took a situation that would have resulted in total defeat for any conventional force and turned it into a stalemate. You captured an enemy commander alive. You destroyed enemy ships and material, and yet the way you spoke of it you sounded as though we had suffered total defeat. I am here to paint your actions in the best possible light, sir; to ensure that even those who may doubt your mission or our potential do not doubt your results. Now come, I already have ink prepared for the typewriter."
"We have a typewriter?"
"Akashi and Yamashiro were not the only ones who were busy," Brooklyn informed him, pointing over her shoulder to his office. Thorson's mouth dropped open as he realized the concrete bunker had been completely renovated. Gone was the harsh gray walls and metal furniture. Instead a simple but elegant varnished oak desk sat in its place and the wallpaper was a standard Union white. "I did not want to presume too much," Brooklyn continued with a hint of embarrassment as Thorson took note of the working ceiling fan that had replaced the single lightbulb on a wire.
"It's perfect, Brooklyn. Thank you," he replied honestly.
"Good, cause this room is next on my list when we get back!" She told him happily, adjusting her glasses and adopting an official posture. "Now then, shall we get started? Let's see, today is the sixteenth of March, 1942. Now Commander, when did you first encounter the enemy?"
"Air patrols in the Makassar Strait, February nineteenth. The port itself was destroyed around midnight. We captured four Asashio-class destroyers and their shipgirl operators shortly afterwards."
"Excellent," Brooklyn said under her breath as she began typing. "Operation began with a resounding Allied victory…"
Thorson and Brooklyn worked through lunch, gratefully accepting a plate of sandwiches from Hatsuharu around noon. With the kitchen well provisioned and an influx of new ingredients from Java, the quality of lunch had increased significantly. Instead of ham and cheese, Shiratsuyu and company had put together a close approximation of a banh mi, complete with pickled carrots and daikon, as well as spicy peppers. It was a testament to their cooking that the food was depleted long before Fredrick Miles arrived at the office. The young sailor stood awkwardly in the doorway until Thorson recognized him.
"You can take the plates and go. We're finished," he said curtly.
"Ah, pardon the intrusion Commander Thorson, sir, but I'm here regarding a transfer. Captain Stevens just delivered the orders, sir."
"I'll see them," Thorson agreed, accepting the piece of paper from the steward's mate. It laid out officially what he and Stevens had already discussed. "Very well, take these and leave us."
"Begging your pardon, sir," Miles replied. "I wasn't given orders on where to report."
Thorson wanted to snap about the kitchens, but he held his tongue, knowing it wasn't the boy's fault. His mind rebelled at the idea of him staying in either of the dormitories on account of the girls, but that seemed a mite hypocritical given that he still had his own room in the Sakura dorms, and likely had one set aside for him in the new Union dormitory as well. He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "You know Akashi?"
"Yes sir."
"Find her and tell her I've requested you be set up in a single room next to where we're keeping the POW's."
"I will sir. Thank you sir."
"I don't need your thanks. Those are your orders," Thorson snapped.
"I'm sorry, sir," Miles replied with a straight face.
"Let me make myself clear up front. Touch any of the girls and they'll grind you up themselves. I'll be sure they know they have permission. Hurt Hatsuharu and I'll do it myself. Now take these plates, get yourself to your new post, and report to Shiratsuyu in the kitchens. She'll be in charge of you going forward."
"Yes sir," Miles saluted, doing as he was ordered and departing rapidly. Brooklyn was staring at Thorson.
"What?" He asked at her frown.
"Racial animosity must be quite severe in the Union for someone like you to treat a man like him in such a way," she observed. The fact that she wasn't accusing him of anything somehow made it sting more.
"It's…just how things are," Thorson replied, wondering why his words seemed acidic on his tongue.
"You gave us a chance. Maybe you should give him one too? I will be sure to find you before we depart. Goodbye, Commander," Brooklyn bade him well, collecting the completed after action report and sealing it away in a manila envelope bound for Pacific command. She turned back to him in the doorway, her blonde hair fluttering lightly in a breeze. "You said it yourself, sir. He volunteered to die for his country."
Thorson was left staring at the surface of the desk and listening to the static of the radio. Only Warspite's notice that she and her escorts were bound to depart roused him to his feet sometime before dinner.
Given the evolving nature of the war, Stevens and Warspite had agreed to depart as one fleet, intending to 'share the road' as far as Hawaii or possibly even California in the interests of safety. The late afternoon had been a flurry of final preparations and goodbyes, with much of the fleet taking a break from their relaxation to send everyone off. Langley and Phoenix's captains had made the decision to depart as well. Ark had been disappointed to see her instructor of several weeks leaving her, but the seafoam-haired Union carrier insisted Ark had learned all she could teach her, and that her services were needed training more rookie pilots. Warspite had taken kindly to the news, however, and Thorson sat down to dinner with Downes, Tennessee, and others wondering whether or not the manjuus had decided to leave or stay.
"I'm sorry I didn't have the chance to come speak with you both. I had...more things to deal with than I'd expected."
"No worries, Commander," Tennessee waved him off. "Penny and Arizona will take shift after this meal. Bunch of the Sakura have volunteered too. Shouldn't be too much of a problem."
"You trust them?" Thorson asked curiously.
"Oh please, don't give me that," Tennessee scoffed. "You know well as I do that half those girls want to get in your pants and all of them will be shot if they go back to Japan. Even if they aren't motivated by the same things we are, we're on the same side."
"Come off it, Belle. You want in his pants too," Downes ribbed, earning her a quick punch to the shoulder.
"Do you ever shut up?"
"I'll take that as a yes! Man, this is kinda like the old times, isn't it? Just with a couple more Royals and Sakura running around, and you Zed!"
The Ironblood destroyer laughed quietly and nodded at Downes, leading Thorson and Penny to smile at her progress. She was doing much better after more than a month away from any hostile siren technology and had not had any night terrors for more than two weeks.
"It is good to be home," Thorson agreed.
"What will we do going forward, sir?" Arizona requested, her question gaining the interest of most of the assembled Union ships. The Sakura were seated at their own table.
"At this point I'm not sure we can go off on our own again, not after what happened in Surabaya," Thorson mused. We'll remain here and train until Brooklyn returns or we hear directly from Pacific command. With any luck we'll have our place in the next major fleet action, wherever that may be.
"I hope it's up against Kaga again. I'm ready for some payback, right Ark?" Cleveland called down the table.
"Sure, if I can get my planes off the runway," she grumbled.
"Don't worry about it! I wasn't a crack shot my first day out of the matrix either. You'll get it! P-40's got a sick paintjob, eh?"
"Yes yes, I'll admit they are visually appealing," Ark conceded. "Bloody hell trying to get them airborne though."
"We have time to work on it," Thorson assured her, glancing around the room. The trials had been difficult and much was still unknown, but Downes was certainly correct so far as he was concerned. It was good to be home, to see the bulins all at their own table, to see a table full of ears and tails for the Sakura. He was even willing to admit he was looking forward to his futon, though he had to wonder how the dynamic would change now that he and Penny weren't 'alone'. That and other thoughts occupied him until the end of the meal when Yamashiro approached him. Downes flicked her a thumbs up while Indy and Portland shared knowing glances, watching at how the Sakura battleship's pendulous bosom seemed to constantly threaten to spill out of the sides of her ornate kimono. She tapped Thorson politely on the shoulder and spoke in a homely, honey-sweet voice.
"Tono-sama, would you care to review the onsen with me?"