"All ships please come into dock in an even and orderly fashion before dropping anchor and awaiting orders. I will speak with the Union Shikikan about our next steps," Nagato ordered, taking Mikasa's advice that in the current situation more contact and guidance was appropriate than a normal combat or logistics operation. The massive fleet's approach had of course brought every remaining staff member on base down to the docks, and by the time Thorson's own ships dropped anchor and fenced in the Sakura fleet, something of a small celebration had broken out. At least as much of a celebration as the likes of Shiranui and Cassin were able to muster. Before he left the Arizona, Thorson took a final call from Nagato, assuring the fox-like kansen that after taking a report on the state of the facility, his first order of business would be to determine how to keep and house the large influx of ships.
"For now, I need all of you to remain at your stations and on alert," he told his ships. "I know we're at the home stretch but we need to get the prisoners sorted out first. You'll all be able to make it to the onsen tonight, promise," he laughed as several of his ships insisted that they would hold him to that promise. A few minutes later, Brooklyn arrived to ferry him back to shore. She was elated enough at his return that the wavy-haired kansen placed a kiss on his cheek as they stepped onto the docks.
"What was that for?" he wondered pleasantly. She smiled back.
"For coming home triumphant. Now, will this be the Sakura delegation?" Brooklyn pointed out to sea where Nagato with her unusually large rigging, Mikasa, Kawakaze, Kirishima, and Kaga were on approach. To Thorson's surprise and concern, he also noticed South Dakota was returning to shore as well. The commander quickly greeted Michishio and Ooshio with a hug, asking them to take the little ones back to the dormitories for the time being on account of impending negotiations.
"Oh, and Ooshio?" Thorson called out to her, the green and white clad shrine maiden turning back to him.
"What can I do for ye' Shikikan?" she asked in her usual country twang.
"Nothing. I just wanted you to know that Downes is alive and unharmed," he told her simply. His heart thrummed slightly as he watched her process the news and wipe at her eye.
"T-thank ye, Shikikan. I can wait for her a bit longer now, I'm thinkin'," she assured him before kindly gathering up the 'flavored kittens' and ushering them away from the docks. That left Thorson to deal with South Dakota, who was standing a respectful distance away with the shield portion of her rigging equipped on her left arm.
"Is there a problem, South Dakota?" he asked neutrally. She saluted him.
"On your orders I abandoned my duty as your shield when you went ashore at the Sanctuary, Commander. As I understand it, were it not for that white fox you would have lost your head on account of the masked battleship. I will not allow such a thing to happen twice," she explained. Thorson found himself unable to contradict or reprimand her, recalling the uncomfortable press of Kirishima's blade at his throat. Instead he nodded to her.
"Very well. Thank you."
South Dakota's face softened by a fraction and she moved to stand at his side, silent and at the ready. Shiranui joined them.
"So, you return triumphant having retrieved the true leader of the Sakura?" she asked in her monotone.
"Something like that," Thorson confirmed. "At least that's what I've been led to believe. The Sanctuary was destroyed."
"And Akagi?" the lapine ghost destroyer demanded icily.
"She was defeated and her shard was ripped from her body by none other than Akashi. It saved my life," he explained quickly, noticing out of the corner of his eye that Shiranui was expressing actual emotion for possibly the first time ever since he met her.
"Then I can rest… one day. Until then though, I think you would be lost without me. Coming home with a shard in your heart, idiot Shikikan," she summarized with a hint of affection before placing her own kiss on his cheek and floating off to the side with her head held high and a steadfast refusal to even look at Kaga.
"Thorson Shikikan, I am pleased that the rest of our voyage was uneventful," Nagato began. "Might I ask how Shiranui came to be here?"
"I believe that is a story she should tell you herself, Lady Nagato," Thorson replied deferentially. "Allow me to introduce Brooklyn, the lead ship of her class. She is one of my closest advisors and will be joining us for our negotiations this afternoon. I hope that we can come to a conclusion regarding the logistics of your fleet's surrender and stay here, at a minimum."
"It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Nagato, high priestess of the Sakura fleets," the little fox girl bowed, her rigging towering over them. Brooklyn returned the gesture.
"I am glad that my Commander was able to find you. This war has been a trying affair for all of us."
"It has, but it was not he who found me and convinced me to return. As Thorson Shikikan suggested, however, that is probably a story for another time. Where shall we proceed?"
"There are rooms in the Sakura dormitories built for such purposes. Shiranui, do you think you could ask Akashi to prepare some tea? It might be a while," Thorson said. The ghost ship shook her head.
"She and her crews will have more than enough work on their hands with the repairs to the fleet, Shikikan, not to mention the prisoners. I shall suffice for the time being. Nagato-sama, it is an honor to see you again, and a relief to find you well. If you would follow me?" she requested. It was not lost on Thorson that she refused to call him an idiot in front of the official delegation, and he silently thanked her as he, South Dakota and Brooklyn brought up the rear of the party. When they reached the top of the concrete stairs that led from the docks to the rest of the facilities, Nagato's youthful face broke into a wondrous smile at the traditional facade of the Sakura dormitories. Kaga still wore an impassive mask over her face, and it was impossible to tell what Kirishima was thinking, but Mikasa seemed to approve of both the Union and Sakura dormitories, nodding to herself as they proceeded into the first building on their right and into one of the meeting rooms.
"Please feel free to begin," Shiranui suggested as Thorson and Brooklyn sat on one side of the low table and Nagato, Mikasa, and Kaga sat on the other. Kirishima stood behind Kaga against the wall and near the doorway, while South Dakota took up a position opposite her and behind Thorson. The commander cleared his throat as the wooden door slid shut in Shiranui's wake.
"Brooklyn, in terms of the Pacific conflict itself, Lady Nagato has surrendered her fleets to us. So far as I know, that represents all kansen-crewed vessels of the Sakura navy. This follows the destruction of the Sanctuary and the Siren defensive structure that surrounded it, a mirror sea. So that I don't misrepresent your position, would you like to fill her in on your proposal?" Thorson asked of Nagato. The battleship, who still had her rigging out, nodded.
"Of course. Thank you, Thorson Shikikan. Miss Brooklyn, your Commander and I only had a short time to discuss the future with one another before setting sail for this installation. Under other circumstances I might be prostrating myself before you and asking for mercy. I still make such a request, but it seems to me that a less one-sided agreement might be reached in the interests of combatting the Sirens. My fleets have first hand experience in dealing with them both on and off the battlefield, and as far as I know Kaga is the only kansen to have killed one."
"You make it all sound like it was part of some grand plan. My understanding is that reality was quite different," Brooklyn remarked evenly. Nagato's amicable expression turned regretful.
"Such experience came at immense cost, yes. And while it may be tempting to blame Akagi and Kaga, I am the one who bears responsibility for abdicating my duties as spiritual leader of our fleets. Only recently did I fire my guns for the first time, and I can only pray that it is not too late. Even so, it is now my duty to negotiate on behalf of all Sakura kansen, to find a way to a future where we might exist as partners instead of enemies, like the Azur Lane of old."
Any reply from Brooklyn was forestalled as Shiranui arrived bearing a tray of clay mugs and two pots of hot water. They waited patiently as her spirit fires took up brush and matcha, whisking together the tea at a leisurely pace. She served Thorson first, followed by Nagato, Brooklyn, and the rest of the Sakura delegation. She was just offering a cup to South Dakota when a polite but firm knock came from the doorway. "Excellent timing. I thought one other should join us, Shikikan."
At Thorson's call, the door slid open to reveal none other than the Gray Ghost. "I'm sorry to interrupt, Commander Thorson, but I received a hail saying that you requested my presence here."
"Please, join us," Thorson offered, not commenting about the message itself. "I think it might do us good to have someone here to represent the Union navy that is not serving under my command. We were just beginning."
"Oh, thank you," Enterprise said as she was offered tea. "Excuse me."
Brooklyn waited until Enterprise had taken her seat and then spoke to Nagato. "Your words are rather optimistic for someone with very little bargaining power."
Kirishima moved slightly at Brooklyn's pointed comments, but South Dakota was watching her like a hawk. The shinobi remained silent and still as Nagato acknowledged the point.
"Oh yes, I won't deny that," she replied. "But Thorson Shikikan wishes us to join him in his fight against the Sirens, as I understand. An alliance would be formed much more strongly on the basis of equality than surrender."
"Are we supposed to trust you after everything we just went through?" Enterprise wondered, though her tone was not overtly hostile. "I don't know about you, priestess, but I lost my eldest sister at the hands of your subordinates. My friends lost their sisters too. Thousands of Union sailors are dead at Midway and Pearl Harbor. No doubt we gave better than we got, but you are barking up the wrong tree if you expect Union kansen to suddenly treat you as equals or partners. Especially her."
Kaga did not flinch as Enterprise turned her eyes her way. Nagato spoke again. "Much blood was shed and much sorrow brought into this world in my absence. It is my shame to bear, but I will do so now."
"And what is to prevent Kaga, Akagi, or some other powerful faction from usurping your leadership once again?" Brooklyn wondered, prompting Mikasa to place a calming hand on Nagato's arm. The young woman nodded to her experienced advisor with a gentle smile on her face and took a sip of her tea.
"These are all valid questions, Mikasa, as difficult as it is to hear them," Nagato acknowledged. "Such fears and suspicions are the precise reason that I proposed a marriage to strengthen whatever alliance might be formed by a treaty between us. It is my suggestion that Kaga be married to Thorson Shikikan as a sign of our faith and goodwill in combating the Sirens."
"Well, that explains your stiff posture of late," Brooklyn remarked, keeping her feelings hidden. Enterprise was not so reserved, almost choking on her tea.
"You want him to what?!" she spluttered. "Why would he do that? He defeated her, and her sister!"
Kaga's face was an impassive mask that Thorson was sure hid unbridled rage and anger, but the one-tailed kitsune sat silently and drank her tea. He felt the need to speak on behalf of her honor, if not the woman herself. "Akagi was brash and foolish, but Kaga almost killed us all. She's the reason we didn't steamroll their forces up and in from Java. I don't like it any more than you do, Enterprise, but having spoken to others from the Sakura fleets about this proposal I can assure you that it is not made lightly, nor would the message be frivolous. That is, of course, if we don't kill one another on our wedding night."
"You or your harem," Kaga finally spoke, her distaste evident. Thorson raised his chin imperiously at her.
"I don't recall asking for your hand or your approval," he finished before turning to Brooklyn. "So that's where we're at."
The light cruiser steepled her fingers in front of her mouth, silently reviewing the situation. "Lady Nagato, I believe you have overlooked one very important element of the equation," she asserted. "Commander Thorson is just that, a Commander. Yet he controls a naval force worthy of a Vice Admiral, or even an Admiral. Only a handful of us were ever assigned to him officially. The rest of us committed mutiny to join him, in the hopes of serving under an officer who would treat us as we deserve. I believe many under the banner of the Sakura will understand… similar sentiments. For many of us, though not I, that relationship includes sharing his bed. The fact that this state of affairs has continued for months without resulting in infighting or malice between us should speak for itself, as does our record in combat. Marrying Kaga would be a betrayal of the highest order, sacrificing the loyalty of his own fleet for that of yours. Though the final decision will of course lay with him, I cannot advise in good faith that he go through with it. Is there anyone else among your number, someone respected by those who follow you and those who followed Akagi and Kaga alike who might forge a bond of alliance instead?"
"There is," Kaga whispered, surprising them all as she placed two wisdom cubes on the table before them. "But she is long gone."
"And if I told you there might be a chance you and I could return her?" Thorson asked seriously. Kaga's reply matched his own tone.
"Then I would join what little power I have left to yours in good faith in this sole endeavor, Knight of the Union."
"You believe you could actually do such a thing?" Kawakaze spoke for the first time. "You believe Amagi-sama could be returned to us from beyond the grave?"
"No promises, but it's not the first time I've done it," Thorson told her, causing a pregnant silence to fall over them all. "I think it's worth a shot."
Silent glances and serious looks passed between the Sakura delegation as Enterprise looked down at her cup of tea. Yorktown's absence still tore at her heart, but she gave thanks that Hornet had been saved and wondered if she would have become like Kaga or Akagi if left to her own devices following Midway. "Then what would you propose, Thorson Shikikan?" asked Mikasa.
"This may upset some of you, but I'd like to put talk of marriages and resurrections on the back burner for the time being. I wish to formalize the surrender of your fleets and ensure everyone has a place to stay. That may seem a bit ridiculous, but I don't want to have to keep an eye on an entire fleet's worth of hulls when we could house you all aboard the island instead. I hope that lodging within this building here and a promise to do what I can regarding Amagi will form enough basis for an official surrender. Otherwise, everyone is going to be left aboard their ships and on edge, my fleet included," he explained.
Kawakaze let out an audible sigh before looking over at Nagato. "I'm loath to say this aloud, my Lady, but we didn't have a leg to stand on coming in here after all that's happened. A warm futon and onsen might win over more hearts and minds than forcing Kaga into his bedroom, assuming you trust his intentions at all."
"I think the fact that we're here at all should speak well enough to his intentions," Mikasa interjected wisely. "You wouldn't bother with all of this pomp and ceremony just to throw us in the brig, would you Union Shikikan?"
"Well when you put it that way," Thorson chuckled, finding that the seasoned battleship reminded him of both Ark Royal and Warspite to a certain extent. "It would be a bit silly on my part, wouldn't it? I want to be clear about the fact that I am not an Azur Lane… employee, scientist? I don't know what you'd call it. I'm still a Union sailor and my loyalty is to the Union. But my orders are to defeat the Sirens and, in doing so, I have found a use for kansen of all nationalities. That's the best I can do for now. With no disrespect to my arch nemesis, of course," he finished with a bit of a smirk thrown Kaga's way. Talk of a marriage delayed or canceled seemed cause for celebration, and she didn't regard him with outright hatred, which seemed a victory.
"Nagato-sama, I believe we should move on now," was all the carrier had to say. The fox-like priestess nodded.
"I appear to have overstepped my bounds, Thorson Shikikan. Your advisor speaks sense, as do my own. If we have your guarantee of safety and shelter here at this facility, we may discuss possible disarmament. Though this building does seem a bit… small for everyone."
"You have that much. And given my understanding of how we all got here, I think it's safe to say that certain individuals should be… separated," Thorson agreed, removing his cap and running a hand through his hair. He allowed himself a sigh of relief before turning to Brooklyn. "I guess we'll need to be giving Akashi a call."
"Did somebody call for Akashi-nyan?!" the kansen in question demanded happily, slamming open the door and strutting in like she owned the place, Shiranui in tow. The ghost destroyer threw a silent look at Thorson before smacking her friend on the back of the head.
"Our true leader has returned. Or did you really think she wouldn't be in this meeting, minty cat?" she wondered as it finally seemed to register with Akashi that Nagato was looking at her with a faint smile.
"I am relieved to see that you are as animated as ever, Akashi. Have you been plying your trade with the Union shikikan this whole time?" she wondered.
"Hai, Nyagato-sama! Do you have need of Akashi?" the cat-like kansen asked, throwing herself at the priestess' feet.
"What we need is for this dormitory to hold about four to five times more kansen… yesterday," Thorson elaborated tersely.
"Bulins are busy, will not be able to do it ourselves for a couple days, nyaa," Akashi replied.
"And what if we helped?" Nagato wondered. "Idle hands tend to be mischievous, no? And we need to be putting on our best impressions."
"That's definitely the best way to keep your onsen pass," Thorson chuckled as his bumbling merchant cat stood and pondered with a hand at her chin.
"Some of the fleet is very proud and stubborn, nyaa. They will not listen to Akashi, even though they listened to Akagi like children who have been dropped on their heads!"
"I believe that between Nagato and myself we can get it to work," Thorson reasoned. "Consider yourself promoted to head of construction. Get this done so everyone can come ashore."
"Rush jobs cost extra, nyaa!" she insisted with a salute, her too-long sleeves hanging over her eyes.
"Captain Stevens should be returning within the next day or two," Brooklyn informed them, taking a couple of memos for herself. "I'm sure you will be able to trade with him for supplies and we will send off a request for compensation as well."
"Mmm, this is acceptable, nyaa! We will need at least three stories and a jail cell for this stupid foxie and her stupider sister! Loyal ships get the nicest rooms closest to the onsen!" Before anyone, Kaga included, could protest, Akashi had dashed from the room to presumably raid the labs and storehouses for the necessary resources to massively expand the Sakura dormitories. Kirishima took a step forward but Kaga held up a hand.
"Leave her be, Kirishima. We're traitors now, remember?" she stated coldly. The shinobi cracked her neck slightly and stepped back against the wall.
"Oh what I wouldn't give to see the face behind the mask," South Dakota spoke quietly.
"I think we should draw up an official disarmament treaty before things… spiral out of control," Brooklyn suggested, standing from the table. "I will return shortly with my typewriter and some spare sheets of paper?"
"Please, go ahead," Thorson encouraged. He took a sip of his tea and looked over the rim of the cup at Kaga. "No guarantees, but I think we can arrange for something a bit more comfortable than a cell."
"Don't do me any favors. I will sleep where I am ordered by Nagato-sama," she replied curtly. Shiranui scoffed.
"He must have beaten you very badly indeed for you to allow yourself to be reduced to this. I wish I'd been there. While I wish this could go on forever as well, I would advise that we be ready with the terms the moment Brooklyn returns with her instruments. Something tells me that the retaining walls of this building will not last the night."
"No offense to Shiratsuyu, but I missed you so much Fredrick," Houston gushed as the young man laid a plate before her brimming with Southern cooking, or at least what was possible on a military base in the midst of an ongoing conflict. Both Thorson and Hornet considered the occasion appropriate to bring her crew ashore for a more elaborate meal, and between those hundreds of sailors and the entirety of the Sakura fleet, the canteen had never seen so much activity. Miles leaned close to his kansen lover in order to be heard over the din. "Are you sure it wasn't my cooking that you were feeling without, Miss Houston?"
"Mmm, I think it's safe to say both. So make sure you don't take forever cleaning up tonight, ok?" the pink-haired beauty encouraged before nodding her head at Northampton who she was seated beside. "Oh, and you met my sister, right?"
"Briefly. It's a pleasure to see you again, Miss Northampton," he said politely, serving her a tray as well. "Maybe we can get better acquainted once I'm done with the servin'. It's a lot of work on nights like tonight but I'm thankful y'all came home with something worth celebrating."
"It's nice to see you as well, Fredrick. Thank you for the meal," Northampton replied. Elsewhere at the Union tables more reunions were taking place, with Thorson's fleet finally allowed a bit of fraternization and lower alert with all of the prisoners needing guarding in one place.
"One for you, Ooshio. And one for you, Downes," Michishio giggled happily. "I'll be back with yours in a moment, Arashio and Asashio."
"And then you should join us. Saved you a seat even!" Downes told her, patting the small, open spot on the bench next to her with her free hand. The other was wrapped around Ooshio's plump waist and hips, and did not seem to be in any hurry to leave. Michishio gave them a beaming smile and left, off to find meals made for the Sakura kansen that consisted of lighter fare than the Union was enjoying that evening courtesy of Mr. Miles.
"You're sure you'll be alright with that?" Asashio asked Ooshio, looking dubiously at the plate of fried chicken, collard greens, and mashed potatoes that had been set in front of her. Downes was already chowing down, even with one hand out of commission.
"Well, Downes seems ta be likin' it quite a bit. I don' see the harm in tryin'," Ooshio replied quietly. Her adventurousness earned her a peck on the cheek from Downes.
"I mentioned how happy I am to see you again, right? Man, when we were in that mirror sea I was so fuckin' pissed. I was like, if I never see Cassin or Ooshio again I'm going to just launch so many shells and blow up everything and- well I guess we did that anyway, didn't we? And we came home!"
"Ye'll have ta be tellin' me the story later, all of ye. Me an' Michishio missed ye somethin' fierce," Ooshio confirmed, taking a small bite of the greenery on her plate. "Well that ain't so bad now."
"Guess the Union's an acquired taste, eh sweetie?" Downes teased, holding her close as the shrine maiden's sisters looked on, unsure whether to be happy that Ooshio had found a companion so seemingly enamored with her, or overwhelmed by Downes' naturally extreme energy and confidence. Michishio was more sanguine about interacting with the Union destroyer, however, upon her return.
"Downes, don't tell me my sister isn't enough Asashio-class destroyer for you! I still need to serve her highness so if you would please return to your food?" she encouraged, leaning over the table to present her eldest and youngest sister with their meals.
"Well, ya do have a rather nice figure, Michi-chan. Downes' just bein' a bit rude in her compliments," Ooshio explained. The 'Tiger of the Union' laughed loudly.
"You get me so well. Thanks babe!" she said, allowing Michishio to depart again and moving her hand just a bit lower on Ooshio's figure. Downes leaned close and lowered her voice substantially. "Spent way too many nights alone out there. Come stay with me tonight?"
Ooshio blushed all the way to her feline ears, but slipped her tail behind the two of them to rub against the small of Downes' back. "I can't imagine bein' anywhere else," she whispered, providing Downes with a light blush of her own. From a nearby table, Nagato and her advisors looked on with interest at the interaction, along with several others between Sakura kansen who'd served under Thorson's banner and their Union comrades.
"Does she also have a… harem would be an offensive word, wouldn't it?" the battleship remarked. Thorson almost choked on his food, coughing quietly before taking a quick gulp of water.
"I mean, I tend to not get involved in my fleet's… love lives?" he tried out, finding the statement strange as it rolled off his lips. "I can tell you that Downes and Ooshio have been together for some time. Don't know about anyone else. And don't worry so much about your words with me, Lady Nagato. I understood the thrust of your point, and you're not wrong. Such things would be considered improper or offensive back home, the taking of multiple lovers outside of marriage or otherwise, two women loving one another, a negro and a white woman sleeping together… we all have our weaknesses and war makes it worse."
"I did not mean to imply such a thing. Just the opposite, to be honest," Nagato clarified as Michishio arrived with a set of chopsticks for her. "Oh, thank you Michishio! It is good to see you again after so long."
"The honor is all mine, High Priestess. We are honored to serve you this evening. Thorson Shikikan, may I get you anything else?" the sandy-haired neko wondered.
"No, I'm good. Why don't you go eat now? I think the boys can get their own meals," he chuckled with a nod at the several tables that were taken up by Hornet's crew. He looked over at Nagato, who had just taken a piece of fish into her mouth. "You were saying?"
The Sakura leader swallowed quickly and took a sip of miso soup to clear her throat. "Yes, I was just going to say that I think we all fall short of expectations, especially those handed down to us from on high. I cannot speak for racial mixing, but women sleeping together, men or women taking lover after lover, it's all technically forbidden but happens again and again. I'm not sure how much I believe your advisor when she says that your relationships are a key to victory, but maybe it's impossible to have one without the other? I cannot be certain. All I know is that I would rather the kansen that I care for be held as lovers and allies instead of enemies to be slaughtered. Are there others among your fleet who have taken Sakura as partners? It seems… a most assured way to peace."
Thorson rubbed his face with a hand for a moment. "You may be putting a bit too much stock in the power of 'love' or what have you, but given our aims I agree that it's preferable to the alternative. Downes is the only one I know of, but I have not forbidden such things, nor would I. They aren't lovers, but all you have to do is look at Arizona, Pennsylvania, Yuudachi, and Yukikaze to see that such things can work out alright."
Nagato turned her attention to the table Thorson was indicating with a sweep of his hand. There she found Yukikaze curled up in Arizona's lap, sleeping off her dinner, while Yuudachi playfully demanded that Pennsylvania feed her bite after bite of meat, tail wagging at full speed. Kirishima looked utterly mortified, but Mikasa got a good laugh out of it which in turn put a smile on Nagato's face. "Thank you, Thorson Shikikan."
"For what?" he asked curiously.
"For showing them mercy, even the ones who would not fight for you. I will aid in the rebuilding efforts myself this evening," she insisted, a can-do look on her face as she continued to eat her dinner. The pause in conversation allowed Andrew a moment to look over at the Sakura tables, full of nervous, apprehensive, and dour looking faces. It was to be expected given that they were surrounded by triumphant enemy sailors and former friends who seemed to hold common cause with the fleet that had defeated them, but Nagato's statement gave him hope that even the schism wrought by Kaga and Akagi could be repaired. It was towards the end of the meal that Tennessee walked sternly over to the table that Thorson was sharing with Nagato and her advisors. She leaned close and whispered that he should follow her immediately. Knowing that Tennessee was quite unlikely to romantically ambush him like Yamashiro or draw him away unnecessarily, he excused himself and followed after her, nodding to Cleveland and Minneapolis who were guarding the main entrance to the canteen. South Dakota remained behind on account of Kirishima.
"Tennessee, what's the matter?" Thorson demanded, trying to keep up with the blonde bombshell as she strutted down the docks at a pace approximating a light jog. At the end of the empty pier he saw Kaga, her single white tail and similarly covered kimono bright in the moonlight. "Tennessee!"
"Give me one reason I shouldn't blow her into a million pieces and feed her to the fish, Thorson!" Tennessee commanded, summoning her rigging and pointing it directly at the kitsune's back. Thorson's sidearm followed shortly thereafter, aimed at Tennessee's chest. "You… you really are a fucking bastard, aren't you?"
"Explanation, now," he shot back as Kaga turned slowly to face them both.
"This is how you treat compliant prisoners, then? I should never have given you the benefit of the doubt. I'll be returning to my dinner now," Kaga told Tennessee, not a hint of fear in her voice. Thorson flashed a glance her way, meeting her ice blue eyes for a split second before returning them to his target.
"I can guarantee you that Kirishima and South Dakota would not improve the current situation. Tennessee, talk!" Thorson stood his ground as she rounded on him.
"Did you really think you could just throw us all away? Betray us?!" she screeched. "I… I was so fucking stupid. I thought you were different!"
"Tennessee, take about half a dozen steps back and tell me what the bloody hell you're talking about!" Thorson shouted back as Kaga slowly raised her brows, thinking to herself that she would cut down any of her own who showed her a fraction of Tennessee's disrespect.
"Don't you dare jerk me around, Andrew! I know about your little deal with the fox girl! The others might lay down and take it but I will not! I will not let you marry her! She doesn't deserve you! Or maybe she does, since both of you seem more than ready to throw away anything you no longer feel you need. Is that it?"
"No, that's not fucking it!" Thorson hissed, taking a step towards her. "How the hell did you hear about this anyway?"
"So it's true?! You son of a bitch! I should have let you die in that mirror sea!" Tennessee roared, firing directly at him. Kaga leapt from the docks at that moment of distraction, making immediately for the canteen and the rest of her fleet. Swimming was an indignation to be sure, but she refused to be party to Thorson's murder. Back aboard the docks, Tennessee was panting heavily, tears dripping from her eyes as she looked at the haze of smoke left behind. "I… I trusted you. I was maybe willing to share with them so long as there was a chance. But you made me do this. Why did you make me do this Andrew?!"
Tennessee's reply came in the form of a .45 caliber round piercing the flesh just below her right clavicle and shattering her scapula. Her rigging disappeared as she yelped in pain, clutching at the wound and staring at Thorson with bloodshot eyes. The man was examining his left hand as though he expected it to be burned or otherwise disfigured. "That's twice you've saved my life now, Akagi. Go figure," he whispered before closing the distance between himself and Tennessee. By that point a full procession of Kansen from both fleets was streaming out onto the docks. He rounded on them. "Pennsylvania, I need you and the other battleships to coordinate with Lady Nagato, Akashi, and Shiranui. All Sakura kansen will disarm, their ships' cubes kept under lock and key until we re-deploy and determine who will serve alongside us. Those willing to work on the dormitories can keep their shards. Those unwilling to give theirs up will be held as prisoners until further notice. I'm sure you know the drill by now. Get it done."
Pennsylvania needed but one look at her bleeding comrade and the expression on Thorson's face to realize that there would be no questioning and no negotiation. She turned to Colorado and her sister, all of whom already had their rigging out and at the ready. "You heard the man. Let's get to it. Lady Nagato, if you would direct your forces to the labs at the far end of the dock?"
"Of course," she replied calmly. "Akagi, Kaga, that means you as well. If you please? I'm sure we can find a towel."
"Are you alright, Akagi?" Kaga asked her brown-haired sister, who couldn't seem to take her eyes off of Thorson's back.
"Why?" was all she could manage. Ever since waking she'd felt so afraid, so empty, like something was missing from her soul. The woman who had commanded the Sakura fleets at Pearl Harbor and Midway seemed like nothing more than a furious memory, or a fever dream. "Why is he-"
"The Union Knight?" Kaga questioned.
"Akagi, Kaga," Nagato commanded quietly again. With so many kansen watching there was no time for them to stare.
"Come, sister. Let's go," the white-haired kitsune insisted, her kimono still dripping wet. "This is not something that any of us are meant to see."
Out on the pier, Thorson had taken a knee as well. His face was furious as he and Tennessee stared at one another. "Are you trying to get yourself killed, Tennessee? I'm not going to marry Kaga, you supreme idiot!"
"You, but you-"
"Nagato suggested the marriage, that's all. I've made no commitments to her or Kaga, but now you fucking shot at me and I shot you. So what the hell are we doing here, Tennessee?" he hissed. Her eyes fell to the dock below them, blood slowly soaking through her crisp, white uniform. "And heal your wound, damnit."
"Andrew…" Tennessee whispered, bringing her uninjured arm up and holding her head in her hand. "I thought-"
"You thought I was going to throw you away, like Hawkins," he cut her off. She nodded silently as he remembered that first day on Pearl Harbor's tarmac, the first time he'd ever seen a kansen. "Get up."
Tennessee grunted in pain as he helped her to her feet and supported her, walking them back towards the base. "Where are we going?" she asked weakly.
"I'm throwing you in the equivalent of the damned brig for attempted murder of your commanding officer… and then I'm going to figure out a way to secure the Sakura's aid and loyalty without entering into a political marriage," he finished, shaking his head. "Belle…"
"Please, don't. Not now," she insisted. He carried on regardless.
"You aren't giving any more orders tonight, Belle. You said you thought I was different… I could say the same of you. After that night I thought you'd at least give me the benefit of the doubt, or maybe wait to draw your guns for a few minutes. I didn't lie to you, except maybe about being able to use the onsen tonight," he murmured sadly, feeling her weight as she leaned against him more heavily.
"Andrew."
"I know, Belle," he sighed, looking up at the night sky as they walked along the docks. She wiped her eyes clean and looked at him.
"I… love you."
Thorson nodded.