My memories still remain vague...
Project Ghost is meant to be the ideal "Grey Ghost", an unfeeling weapon to be feared. That weapon didn't work well for humans...and it immediately turned against them. Much of the information about Ghost is still missing from my memory other than the fact it's practically a younger looking Enterprise with less emotions and extreme homicidal urges. Then there's me being casted out to another universe of shipgirls. Is this even part of the same universe with the Azur Lane I know?
"My mind is still foggy..."
I'm certain the fall didn't damage my memory like what it would do with regular humans because I'm not even injured from the impact, but my wisdom cube remained as damaged as ever.
"I can't use my full power..." I gently press my chest
The power of META granted me power far surpassing than the one I originally possessed, but the battle with the malicious clone scarred a permanent damage on my very core. As a result, a portion of my strength has to be sealed away or I would degrade much faster.
"There's no Iron Blood for me to lead and protect. Even so...the version of me in Azur Lane still has an Iron Blood to protect" Right now, I just sit by the wharf and stare at the quiet sea
One my last memory is a conversation between some of the survivors including me. Their words are rather choppy whenever I try to replay the event in my thoughts. It's no use to force it since all I've been doing right now is giving myself a pressing headache. Since I don't have much strength or recovered much of my gaping memories, I sit by their wharf and somewhat cherish this brief moment of peace.
"Guten tag" A stoic voice greets me
Another unfamiliar face approaches me with no wariness or hostility. They allowed a stranger in their territory and being hospitable as if I'm one of their own. Is this how they usually are in this world?
"...Guten tag" I couldn't muster enough energy to greet her back
"Are you alright? You look down" She approaches me without care
"I'm fine. You don't need to be concerned"
The Ircon cross on her uniform means she's one of the Kriegsmarine, the counterpart of Iron Blood in this world. They aren't made from wisdom cubes as they're warships reincarnated as ordinary humans. At least that's H-39's explanation to me.
"My name is Graf Zeppelin, the only aircraft carrier of the Kriegsmarine" She stops right behind me
"Graf...Zeppelin? That's a name I haven't heard in a long time"
"Why so?"
"...I meant you reminded of someone I lost a long time ago"
The one I know fell in battle trying to stall the AI long enough for the survivors to go into hiding. We're just a speck of dust to be swept away from that "Peacekeeper". Ashes or META are no different from anyone else. We lost several METAs trying to retaliate from it.
"Eugen said you keep insisting on calling yourself Nameless which is ironic"
"I have no name. Rather, I discarded my old name because I'm no longer worthy of the pride engraved in it" I lower my head
The old me would always hold her head high and never yield to anything. It's a the point in time where I believe might and pride are above everything else. How naive I was back then. My arrogance caused me my Iron Blood and my allies. Bismarck should be a leader, but I couldn't save everyone under me.
"You've been through a lot, haven't you?" Graf Zeppelin sits near me
"So much you couldn't imagine. That's why I'm far from who I was. My pride...became my downfall" I groan I'm exhaustion
"I'm sorry I asked something so personal. It's just that...you've been brooding since yesterday" This Graf Zeppelin is somehow worried about me
"I see. How about you? Do you not despise the world and curse God?"
"Eh? I mean my history is nothing but tragedy and dying a dishonorable death, but I don't hate humans or anyone. It just makes me want to be useful to my admiral and protect my allies"
Graf Zeppelin could only blink in absolute bewilderment for the natural reason that their personalities are nothing alike. The Prinz Eugen here is a cheerful, innocent, and kind girl whereas the one I know. No, I should have seen it coming since the beginning.
"Your Bismarck. What is she like?"
There's not much benefit in asking, but I'm still curious to what kind of Bismarck they have here. At least, I wish to know where does their Bismarck and I differ.
"She can be haughty at times and wants praises from the admiral, but she's a disciplined and a reliable flagship" Graf Zeppelin speaks of her with fondness
"You two...must be close..." I briefly turn behind
"We've been friends for a long time after all and partnered up several times" She cheerfully chuckles
Friends. That's right. The Graf Zeppelin I know is someone I trust and comfortable enough to confide. She once told me that not only she's keeping an eye on me as subordinate but as a friend as well. I lift my head in surprise back then since she's the first Iron Blood member to see me as both her superior and friend. Ever since then, I put my faith and trust in her. The same kind of relationship also applies to this world's counterpart.
"You're lucky everyone you love is still alive and cheerful. Don't let those moments go to waste" I advice her at least
"From the way you speak, you've lost a lot. You lost everything in a blink of an eye..." Right now, she's pitying me
"That's right. I lost everything...and I wasn't there to protect them. They were all wiped out while I was helplessly beaten and unable to move"
I close my eyes remembering some sort of wild energy surge. The Peacekeeper, in corporeal form, raised its hand and sprouted a plant on top of its palm. Then it accelerated the growth until it developed a purely white tree. That special tree is a projection of the real one so it's only in the form of white condensed energy. Just as I tired to push myself up, the mindless AI squeezed its fists and purged the entirety of Iron Blood. Concrete turned to rubble, flesh turns to dust, and lives vanished among the breeze.
"I was betrayed by someone I trusted..." Little anger flows in me
"Betrayal hurts the most because it's always from your allies..." Graf Zeppelin grabs her cap
"Even if what I struggled to protect is gone, I still find hope...in this timeline. I couldn't rebuild it, but at least I could prevent it from crumbling"
There's still hope for me. I can't take back what I lost, but I could prevent it from being lost. I know it's not the same, but this is a chance I mustn't slip by my hands. Iron Blood won't be sent to ruins as long as the world's primary defense isn't triggered. I have to make sure no one fulfills the requirement for activation.
This isn't the same past, but I will still protect it...
One hour later...
Ramen. I recall the Sakura Empire having this as a common and well loved dish. The commander used to make this with Akagi blissfully helping him. Some of us had a feast in the Sakura before after a successful operation...and we would all share a drink and laugh together.
"..."
I miss their hopeful smiles and wholehearted laughs. The night was dark but it was bright with how lively and how everyone is enjoying. It was a bit noisy with the shouting and chatting, but it's one I cherish every single moment. Ah, it's also a moment where I shared a toast with Hood and we talked about how we used to be mortal enemies in the open seas. Her and most of the people in that feast are long gone.
"Is something wrong?" The Z1 of this world tilts her head
"You don't like ramen? We could get you something else" Z3 looks concerned
They sit across me and already halfway done with their meal while I keep staring at my bowl of noodle soup. It's best to eat it warm but the steam is slowly fading away the more I reminisce the past.
"I'm not a picky eater, but it brought back some memories..." I pick up the chopstick
"Graf said you've been through a lot and you look like you've given up" Z3 speaks out
"Yes, I've been through a lot...but I'm still clinging to hope. The chance is here even if it's far away" I begin eating my ramen before it gets cold
"I have a question. How did you survive falling from the sky?" Z3 stops eating
"I'm just that resilient. My body is different from the people here after all"
It's not easy to explain wisdom cubes to people from another world, specially children. Those from Azur Lane aren't humans since our very essence is the wisdom cube. Our personalities and form are because of human emotions instilled in the cube. We're not naturally born or just reincarnated as humans.
"Dubroe utro, my comrades!"
A shipgirl with long grey hair and a scar on her cheek, staggers to even walk straight towards us. She's clearly drunk from her flustered cheeks at the empty bottle of vodka she's waving at us. The two destroyers are just speechless at her appearance, indicating this isn't the first encounter in that state of hers. It makes me question if it's a regular occurrence to be drunk in the middle of the day.
"Huh? Who's this fella? I haven't seen you before"
The shipgirl with a strong stench of vodka narrows her eyes in suspicion which is natural if she isn't so drunk right now. The drunkards back in Azur Lane tend to cause so much ruckus during a wild party that it always ends in a disaster and the commander having to deal with reconstruction.
"Nameless. Just call me Nameless" I politely tell her
"Is she for real?" The shipgirl asks the two destroyers
"Yes" They nod in unison
"You really don't have a name?"
"I don't..." I confirm it
"Gangut, her mind is still a bit...unclear. She fell off from the sky and landed into a container" Z1 tries to explain briefly
"Wait, so that's why I saw some guys fixing the roof and dragging out a damaged container"
It's as if the complete shock accelerated her current state into a sober one. Their Gangut isn't the first one to be surprised how one person survived a fall of that height without so much a scratch. The human personnel were also shocked to see when I walked out of the warehouse completely unharmed.
"Gangut, you're not bothering anyone, are you?" H-39 arrives at the scene
"Don't worry, I'm not. I'm just shocked this woman fell from the sky and completely fine. Plus she doesn't have a name" Gangut points at me
"Well, that's how it is. Come on, you need to take a bath. You reek of vodka so much your fairies doesn't want to get near you" H-39 grabs her by the back of her collar
When comparing, their Gangut here is smaller than the likes of H-39 despite being both battleships. The way she drags the half drunk battleship is no different from a parent dragging their child. If I hadn't known her name, I would have mistaken her for a heavy cruiser as she's the size of one.
"By the way, where is your Bismarck stationed anyway?" After Gangut leaves, I ask the two destroyers
"Bismarck is currently in Australia. Perth even sent a picture of her arguing with a kangaroo and punching the same kangaroo when it ran away with her cap" Z3 snickers
"..."
Ah, that's right. Despite being Bismarck, our personalities wouldn't match at all. Our appearance resembles each other, but other than that, we're entirely different people. It's no mystery why their Bismarck would be more lively and less strict than me.
"I wish I could explore the world freely" I solemnly wish
"You can't?" Z1 seems surprised
"I've gotten weaker ever since I fought someone...intangible"
There's no proper way to describe it. The "Peacekeeper" has no soul or will of its own, but it exists in a form a girl. Since my memory remains incomplete, I can't fully remember its full physical form. All I remember is that thing descending from a gateway from the sky and landing in a middle of the sea. It spared no time and immediately went to work with purging almost every living being in the world. The METAs and Ashes survived because of their enhanced strength while most of the regular kansen were helplessly wiped out.
"Aside from so-called Abyssals, there's no other enemies here?"
I need to know if Sirens have been present here or if the others are here. Knowing them, it's no impossible they would stumble upon here even by accident. Before being sent here, there's another person there...someone who appeared to be a human researcher. No, it's far from human seeing that faintly glowing eyes and circuit lines on her body.
"Aside from those tentacles crawling to your legs? No, there's nothing unusual" Z3 shivers, possibly from a past experience
"I see. So no one is firing lasers or missiles at you? Abyssal-like creatures I mean. Pale skin and bright glowing eyes"
"No. No sightings have been reported of Abyssals shooting lasers or missiles" Z1 tilts her head in confusion
It should be obvious why there's no sighting. The Sirens are either still not present here or keeping a low profile with the possibility of the AI being triggered. No amount of miracle or believing in hope could ever defy the natural order itself. That thing was built as a countermeasure in case human conflict becomes uncontrollable like a hunter gunning down a species that exploded in number. It's to prevent the world from overloading and being overrun.
"The Sirens have nothing of interest here or perhaps that thing doesn't apply here" I keep mumbling to myself
Even if I go against the Sirens, there's no guarantee I would win against several Arbiters at once. I have to limit my power since the forced transport here used a large amount of my energy and the failed attempt against the AI caused permanent damage to my body.
The next day...
In place of manjuus, they have fairies who helps with their human personnel. Rather than chickens, they're miniature humans who are incapable of speech yet intelligent much like normal humans. It's fascinating how they help operate the riggings like human crews do.
"Guten morgen~ Are you back in full health now, Bis - I mean, Nameless"
This world's Prinz Eugen greet me in an innocent and cheerful tone much like a child. She's the type to harbor great hope for the future and goes about her day with optimism. The one I know is usually playful and mischievous that I have to remind her even in battle. She's difficult to control that I have to observe her most of the time or she will cause trouble for either Iron Blood or the commander.
"The other day, H-39 said your name was Bismarck META" Prinz Eugen nonchalantly approaches me
"...That's because I don't have a name for myself. Rather than use someone else's name out of resemblance, I prefer to not have a name for now" I try to make an excuse
Lying isn't my forte, but I have to divert her attention to how I'm not another Bismarck. I'm certain they don't fully believe I'm from another world, but they would have their suspicions since I have no record here no matter how heard they look.
"Haven't you tried thinking of a name for yourself? Everyone should have a name" It looks she will insist
"You're a pure one. It's something that would take time for me to get used to" I avert her innocent gaze
"I just noticed you don't seem comfortable around me..."
"It's just someone I know you remind me of. She...disappointed me"
I know this Prinz Eugen is an entirely different person since this isn't Azur Lane or anywhere near Azur Lane. The kansen here share the same name and background as the ones I know, but they're still far different when it comes to our origin. More importantly, their timeline is different as the war between humans have been over for decades so there are no split factions.
"Where are you exactly from?" She curiously asks
"Far and outside. It's hard to explain, but where I truly came from is long lost. However, I could still what I have here" I gaze on the horizon
"Where exactly?"
"Somewhere far. I can't return there yet because I'm still far too weak since my last battle" I clutch my left arm
Even after a whole day of resting, I still lost at least seventy percent of my full strength. The damage was too great to recover so I would only recover either fifty to seventy percent of my original strength. Pushing it to eighty percent would gradually damage and break my already weakened wisdom cube.
"I want to repay your hospitality. What is it I can do?" Of course, I remember my gratitude
"There's no need. H-39 said you can stay as you wants remember? It doesn't look like you have anywhere to go" Prinz Eugen immediately waves her hands
"Still, I feel shameful being a freeloader here. It's not much, but I could lend you my strength if needed"
"P-please don't push yourself or anything. You literally just fell from the sky yesterday"
"I see. Then I won't bother you anymore..."
They're way too kind for a suspicious stranger like me. They point out how odd it was that I got dropped from the sky, survive unharmed, and possessed no definite name...only to brush it off not long after. Graf Zeppelin says it's because I'm human and 'German' like them, so they would naturally treat me kindly. Their claim that they're always like this to strangers who aren't spies or Abyssals.
They're relaxed compared to Iron Blood. Then again their nation's ideals have changed over time...
Damn it hurts. I tighten the bandage around my left arm and have some of my medical crew fairies plaster bandage on my open wounds. This should be done on the infirmary, but I'm currently busy going through the reports inside the briefing room.
"You got beaten up badly" Graf Zeppelin worries seeing my fresh wounds
"Someone ambushed and I only got away when it ran somewhere. I don't know who it is, but I remember seeing a flash from a distance extend heat grazing to my skin"
At first, I see a figure in a distance then the outlines of the rigging brighten. It's not on the surface but hovering in the air. If anything, it's similar to a hammerhead shark mounted with large caliber guns. A pale girl is riding on top of it and waved at me before open firing. The wound on my left is not from the shell because the sensation is extremely hot like fire and not like burning steel.
"So how's our nameless shipgirl doing? I've been busy the whole day" I worry about Nameless next
"She's getting along with the shipgirls temporarily stationed here. I'm still surprised she isn't the least injured from her fall" Graf Zeppelin isn't joking when she says it
After the fairies finish covering my open wounds on my forehead and shoulder, I focus on arranging the Kriegsmarine's recent reports all over the world. The Americans are busy dealing with some sort of sea monster so the Kriegsmarine have to lend a helping hand to everyone as well.
"She's not an ordinary human, but not an Abyssal either. Maybe she really is not from here...which explains why she called herself Bismarck at first" I have my suspicions
"The world is full of mysteries, but not all of them are for us to pry" Graf Zeppelin has little interest
When I open the folder, she takes some of the files and spread it in an organized row while I just take about three files, one being from the Maizuru fleet. Their fleet there had a close call during their last operation due to an unknown interference.
"Speaking of mysteries, do we know anything about the mysterious aircraft carrier? The reports are inconsistent" I point out on some lines
"One even say they saw someone with rabbit ears disappear almost immediately the other claims seeing a heavy cruiser" Graf Zeppelin looks annoyed
"This may be connected to Nameless. She's bene worried ever since she arrived here" I don't suspect her badly
"Nameless isn't too happy remembering facing someone and mentioned to have badly lost against it. Still, we don't know who threw her out of the sky"
"Let's wait for her to fully recover. Wait, does she even need to? She's up and running without a problem"
Being shot multiple times and falling from the sky is different, but I'm wounded from near misses and she hasn't broken a single bone from her fall. I wish I could have the same durability as her, so I don't need to keep holding the pain of the burns I received earlier.
"One of our fleet found something in the seabed. It's a part of the ship, but the hull is extremely durable. We tried to use blowtorch and even circular saw, but not even a scratch on it" Graf Zeppelin's mood turns serious
"A hull? From which part?" I raise my eyebrow out of curiosity
"It's a range finder. The structure isn't resembling modern ones and speculated to be advanced. Not to mention, it's enormous that not even the actual Yamato or the H-class could fit it"
A range finder from an unknown ship far larger than the battleship Yamato. I wonder if the old Germans made a ship larger than any battleship known to man and destroyed it before anyone could find it. This has my curiosity more than the unknown Abyssal who ambushed me.
"Speaking of unknown ship parts, I heard some divers found a snake-shaped how last week. It took a lot of effort to raise it from the sea floor"
"Isn't that illegal?" Graf Zeppelin looks a bit angry
"It's not even ancient. The part is brand new that there's not a single rust or moss growing on it. It's like that part just sank on the same day it was found"
"Then some old historians are flocking on it?" She giggles
"Some researchers from other navies. They get off seeing discoveries of unknown ship parts"
They're intelligent and talented on their field, but they're way too passionate with discovering anomalies regarding warships. It's none of my concern, so they could fight for custody of it as much as they want.
"Where are these ship parts coming from?" Graf Zeppelin shakes her head
"First, inconsistent sightings of strange shipgirls and now indestructible ship parts. What in the world is going on?" I forget the pain on my fresh wounds
"I feel like there's trouble ahead with all these mysteries"
"This isn't part of my job. Well, I would investigate it if the admiral orders me to do so"
It's just an excuse that I'm concerned on what I would find once I set out there and track the source of these new mysteries. There may be threats that not even I could handle, and I learned that after the unknown enemy who attacked me then disappeared shortly after.
