I completely did not know how many words per chapter I was putting into this story. But eh, whatever. Enjoy it.


Chapter III: Sakura Welcome Party

After breakfast, he wore a clean uniform and went to the port. It was too early for anyone to walk around yet, but he at least wanted a brisk walk in before the sun came up. Karl had a lot on his mind before being attacked by god knows what. Between the port's issues, Azur Lane's high command insistence on rapid deployments and learning his position at the port were already demanding and all-consuming. Granted, he had dealt with less ideal situations in Niflheim running a skeleton battalion. Though he felt this was more difficult in that the shipgirls were beginning to take effect on him as people.

Karl couldn't help but think about Belfast on her trip with the Queen and praying to whatever god he could think of for their safe passage. The encounter with Roon and his small interactions with Dido made him believe, and a warm feeling seemed to have developed in his heart. It was odd for the old soldier, who hardened his heart due to events he would instead not think about. But what he didn't understand were the voices… Usually, when he would hear them, it was Claudia or one of the witches communicating with him directly. But these felt like memories or something of the like…

A headache began to rip through his psyche, and the world started to feel slow. Two hours of sleep wasn't something he could operate on here. There wasn't enough parrel to justify his extra exertion. "Just keep moving. Just keep moving. You ain't gotta sleep if you just keep moving." Karl sings to himself in cadence with every left step. "You ain't gotta sleep if there are shells incoming. You ain't gotta sleep if there are shells incoming."

The walk from the main port to the Sakura Empire area was rather long, prompting him to think about a vehicle of some kind. The map at his office showed they even had their own lake area built on the mountain's western side that towered over the port. It made him wonder if he could take time to fish and enjoy a simple outing in the woods.

"Fuck me, I'm tired." He curses as he looks over at the nearby Asian-style buildings coming into view over the trees. Too much of his surprise, the port was very accommodating to each faction. The academy and stores on the main port were in the center of the base, along with all the combat-related buildings, while all the more mature ships lived in faction-centered dormitories. The younger ships lived in college-style dorms near the academy to prevent any issues of tardiness and accountability. The Sakura dorm was no exception, with a plethora of traditional Japanese architecture and the luxuries of a home with traditional buildings, cherry blossom trees, and coy ponds. There were rumors there was a hot spring here, but he never had the chance to confirm it.

"Maybe just being around is the best advice to follow here." Karl began to ponder again. Arrogant as he was at times, he had to give credit to Belfast. It was a selfish interpretation of the maid's advice as Karl thought of the hot spring. He felt a sourness in his chest at the idea and remembered the Sakura Destroyer, Ayanami, wariness of him.

A face with long black hair flicked in his mind as he thought of the destroyer's hesitation. The look was of a young woman with bright eyes and a warm smile, he didn't recognize her, but he could almost feel her presence. It, too, like Belfast, was friendly and confidant, granting him safety and even a form of care. Another flashed before his eyes, another girl with long white hair and a severe yet playful expression.

Stop calling me bunny! She playfully yelled at him.

The mix of sour and sweet emotions left him conflicted, and he tried to clear his mind as he reached for the cigarette case in his pocket. The buildings appeared more into view, but no one was around. He felt like he was in an old Japanese ghost town out of an old movie.

"I shouldn't be smoking here either… Fuck." Karl laments as he remembers how old Japanese buildings were mainly built of tinder. "Forget about them… Forget about the smokes too. But I can't… Z won't let me forget."

The sound of flowing water caught his attention as he spotted a creek between the tiny Japanese houses and a handful of more prominent and grander buildings. The dirt path changed to neatly laid stone, leading to decorative pedestrian bridges. Beautiful Japanese fauna decorated the grounds of what he began to think of as a village almost. He was aware that the factions did return to their homelands for any reason under the sun. Wither it was for leave, business, or for training with the regular naval forces of their respective factions. Though most of the girls preferred to stay here in the company of other ship girls. Some higher-ranking ships were in and out of the port, like Enterprise, Musashi, Bismarck, and Queen Elizabeth, but they still maintained a residence there at port.

Looking back at his watch, he is surprised to see that it is only seven in the morning. He didn't think many of the members of the Sakura Empire would be awake just yet. Maybe he should walk around to kill some time? He thought to himself. The creek seemed to call to him vs. the decorative housing built on the mountainside. As he walked the creek side, the relaxing sounds of running water made up his mind. Karl followed the creek until the village disappeared, leaving a small walking path flanked by trees next to him. He took the course road after the edges of the stream weren't viable to walk on.

The path took him across the creek and to a humble lake house overlooking a beautiful freshwater lake. His better judgment told him to avoid walking up to the home at this hour, but his tired mind drew him closer to the lake, where a stone pathway led to a large pagoda. A strong feeling took him over to the pagoda, and he walked to the path.

Little did he know in his altered state that he had the audience of a certain fox…

The pagoda was beautifully crafted and painted with care. The craftsmanship impressed Karl greatly and reminded him of the architecture he saw in South Korea and Japan. The Sakura Empire was undoubtedly this world's version of that part of the world. Karl's mind began to wander more as he sat on one of the benches under the pagoda to watch the sun peak over the trees. He took his hat off and gave a big yawn.

"This would be a beautiful place for anything," Karl says as he looks across the lake. With a heavy sigh, he took out his cigarette case once again and debated having a smoke. The Commander felt alone for the first time in a while, and, hopefully, he could figure out some things in his mind. He sits the case down with a heavy yawn as his vision grows black around him. Folding his arms around him and leans against one of the posts before falling fast asleep.

*Cough Cough*

The fox girl smiles as she finds the Commander sleeping soundly against the pagoda. His easy breathing showed her that he had slept in awkward positions before, Though she wasn't keen on him doing so. Folding in her umbrella, she sits next to the sleeping commander to admire the beauty before them. "You're right, SKK," The Fox girl agrees. "This is a beautiful place. It almost reminds me of the home island. But this is truly home for me."

He moves slightly unconsciously, causing him to slide closer to the Fox in red. She notes this and pulls on his uniform top to bring him gently to her lap. The fox coughs again, showing a slightly delicate first impression, but for her to pull over and control the fall of the 210-pound Commander showed that the frail outward demeanor was questionable at best. Laying on her lap, the Commander slept soundly without bothering the fox in red. To make the spot more comfortable for the two, she took her umbrella out and opened it to keep the sun out of their eyes but still allowed her to enjoy the view.

"Amagi-Nee-Sama," The harsh voice of Kaga, her half-sister, says to her. "I've brought your morning tea for you."

"Thank you, Kaga," Amagi replies as she takes the cup from Kaga. "Has Akagi awakened?"

"No Amagi-Nee-Sama," Kaga responds as she spots the shiny black boots of their Commander. But the respectful Kaga kept to herself and did not ask about him.

"Please keep her busy today, if possible." Amagi requests. "It appears SKK did not sleep at all last night. I believe we might have visitors at our home port."

"Yes Amagi-Nee-Sama." Kaga says, understanding completely what her beloved sister would do with a sleeping Commander. "Should I prepare more tea for SKK when he awakens?"

"Yes, please," Amagi says, gently brushing the Commander's hair. "But later, I don't believe he will be awake for another couple hours. Would you join me in the meantime? Akagi will not be awake for another four hours after her night training."

"Of course I will." Kaga agrees, taking a seat next to Amagi. The colder white fox adjusts herself and her tails briefly before looking down at the snoozing Commander with mixed feelings. "SSK did not ask you to do this for him, did she?" Kaga's voice was slightly tainted with contempt for him.

"I found him like this," Amagi says flatly. "He was sleeping against the post for less than a minute before I came to enjoy my morning tea."

"Then you were not covering for him, Amagi-Nee-Sama," Kaga replies with a slight smile. "SKK is too independent to ask for a luxury such as this."

"From what the young ones say," Amagi begins as the Commander adjusts his arms for comfort. "SKK is a diligent worker. The cruisers noted this as well. My friends in the Royal Navy say he doesn't use the maid at all, at times."

Kaga smiles approvingly, "Then it seems Akagi might have a chance with him… As well as Taihou."

"Don't promote a conflict between those two over SKK, Please," Amagi says sweetly.

"It will happen in time, Amagi-Nee-Sama." Kaga replies, her smile turning semi-sadistic. "It does, in fact, amuse me."

Amagi giggles lightly, "We shall see then."

"The storm was rather intense last night." Kaga remarks as she pours herself some tea. "Lightening even touched into port."

"I saw," Amagi says, taking a drink. "The intruder came in during this storm. I felt her."

"Siren or one of them?" Kaga asks her bluntly.

"Sirens are too far away from here to interfere," Amagi replies coldly. "After our action in the second Siren operation, they are in no position to commit to any worthy wild attack. But that doesn't mean that the META ships are restricted by any of that."

"Those girls are stronger than anyone could ever believe," Kaga says with admiration. "The META version of Junyou was more than a worthy opponent for me in the SA Ocean. It was a pleasure to fight by your side that day, Amagi-Nee-Sama."

"I never thought I would have to fire my guns on a fellow countryman, regardless of faction or form," Amagi says with regret. "But I had to defend my little sisters."

Kaga swallows her feelings and keeps a stoic expression, "Thank you, Amagi-Nee-Sama."

"Junyou… I won't forget… Go..." The Commander mumbles. His face contorted in a concerned expression.

His eyes open quickly, and he attempts to jump right up, but Amagi, to the surprise of both the Commander and Kaga, keeps him down and shushes him to calm him. "Please, SKK, be at rest. You are among friends." Amagi says calmly.

The battlecruiser's soothing voice takes Karl aback, as did her gentle hands on his chest. "Did I fall asleep?! I didn't mean to fall on you, Ms."

Amagi silences him again with her gentle voice, "You did nothing wrong, SKK. I let you lay in my lap because you were sleeping against the post. Please lay back down, I insist."

To an outsider, it was a simple request, but Ms. Amagi was terrific at reading people and the battlefield, and she knew the Commander was too tired to be walking around. The fox kept him down, and Karl figured it was in his best interest to do so as her gentle hands held a powerful energy he could feel through them.

"Amagi-Nee-Sama," Kaga begins. "Please excuse me as I prepare tea for SKK."

While reluctant to lay down on the lap of a high-ranking Sakura Empire Shipgirl, his body overrides his mind and his instincts say this is acceptable. "Ms. Amagi," Karl says smoothly, hiding a smirk. "I didn't mean to make this my first impression."

"This is, by no means, your first impression of the Sakura Empire," Amagi replies. "I do not mind having you on my lap for the time being."

"Have you been watching me as well, Ms. Amagi?" Karl asks, wondering what she means.

"The Sakura Empire has strong personalities," Amagi says flatly. "I am, after all, the older sister of two of them: Akagi and Kaga. We are observant of our leaders, SKK."

"Ah, I see," Karl replies, all the while thinking of the warning of Akagi and Kaga from Edinburgh. "I don't know how I feel about that."

"There is nothing to worry about here," Amagi reassures him. "What brings you to the Sakura Empire area?"

"I came to get to know you all, and I'm looking for two shipgirls: Atago and Takeo," Karl says honestly. He does this due to a feeling that he simply couldn't lie to her, both due to her hospitality and a strange feeling that she could see right through him.

"Unfortunately, Atago and Takeo are on sortie until the end of the week." Amagi regretfully informs him. "Akashi required a heavy cruiser escort for cargo from the Dragon Empery and Sakura Empire home islands. Some of our more elite destroyers are also on this mission, including Light carrier Junyou that you spoke of in your sleep."

"Junyou?" Karl asks her, visibly puzzled at the name. "Ah… Junyou… Oh, Junyou. Ugh… I guess I'll be waiting for a while for Atago and Takeo."

Regret lingered in his voice, and the expression of it was blanketed on his face. The name of the odd light carrier seemed to have a strange effect on the Commander. She noticed this with the name of the oldest sister of the Takeo Class: Atago. "Fuck." He says, clenching his mouth and looking at Amagi. "My apologizes; I don't mean to come off so rude."

"You didn't," Amagi says flatly. "You are a soldier, Not a seaman. Soldiers are usually rougher than naval officers."

"Looks like you've done your research, or you're good at guessing," Karl replies with a snicker.

"The uniform is the giveaway," Amagi noted. "The former Commander wore a lot of white."

"It's not my color," Karl says bluntly. "Nor is blue."

"A striking appearance for sure," Amagi says. "Are you uncomfortable? Your expression is worrisome."

Karl shrugs, "You are very comfortable, Ms. Amagi. I'm just embarrassed still. I didn't think this would be our first meeting with Kaga of the First Carrier Division. I couldn't imagine Akagi would say either. I feel weak right now…."

"Amagi-Nee-Sama." Kaga says, "I brought us some tea. Akagi is still sleeping soundly."

"You made us Tea, Kaga?" Karl asked her. Surprised that the rather cold-appearing Kaga would do such a kind thing. It helped ease his anxiety about the whole situation as he worried about his impression. But again, he felt like Amagi could see past it and into his soul.

"Amagi-Nee-Sama and I make tea for each other most days," Kaga admits humbly. "Though making it for you is, in fact, a first."

The comment wasn't aimed at him as an insult, but he felt it cut into him. More so, he thought himself cut into himself. He maneuvers himself upright and moves closer to Amagi and Kaga to get his tea. "Thank you. I appreciate this." He says with a genuine smile. Kaga only gives a Monalisa smile and sips her tea.

"Thank you, Kaga," Amagi says before returning to Karl's comment. "There is no reason to feel weak when one has collapsed with exhaustion."

He sighs as he takes a sip of tea. It seemed that warm green tea filled his soul and body with happiness. Leaning Forward, Karl looks towards the beauty of the lake before him. He slowly releases a deep breath, allowing his body to relax. Karl then felt a hand on his back and looked back to see Amagi warmly smiling at him with a gentle look on her face.

"You are among friends. You are safe here." Her expression read to him.

Karl looks at her with some apprehension and raises his brow, "Are you sure?" His look read.

Kaga picked up on the conversation and looked at him with a subtle expression, "Trust her."

"Yeah… Yeah.." Karl relents, accepting the wise fox's words. "You are right."

Amagi smiles, "I feel Akagi awakening."

"Commander," Kaga says to Karl. "I would consider-"

"Com~man~der!" The giggle-filled singing of Akagi echoes from the lake house. "I knew your scent from anywhere!"

"Oh no." Kaga groans, her face growing sour.

"Behave." Amagi snaps in a calm tone to Kaga. "We have guests."

"Yes Amagi-Nee-Sama." Kaga replies reluctantly as Akagi reaches the benches in hast. The fiery fox approaches the Commander first, expecting him to attempt to run or something of the liking of the former Commander. But he doesn't and sips his tea calmly.

"Ms. Akagi," Karl says formally and scoots over to give room between him and Amagi for her. "Would you care to sit with us? Kaga made tea for us."

"Of course, I would love to enjoy tea with my three favorite people in the world," Akagi replies as she takes the seat. "Of all days it takes for us to meet, it is here. What brings you to the Sakura Empire's dormitory?"

"Meeting you all, to begin with," Karl says coolly to Akagi as her eyes ogle over him. "I've been working like hell since I came, and I'm feeling…. Well, I'm feeling a bit tired, it seems. Trying to just see everyone and make myself known."

"And you come to Akagi," Akagi says with a smile. "The perfect choice."

Her tails began to tickle him as she scooted closer to him. As he's about to tell her the second portion of his reasoning here, the other two Foxes shoot him a glare telling him to keep silent. Karl then yawns, "My apologies, I didn't sleep well last night. Nightmares, I believe."

"Then, My Commander," Akagi begins. "Please let Akagi pamper you."

"Bootlicker," Kaga says under her breath as she stands up. "Amagi-Nee-Sama, I'm going to go to the training area."

Amagi punches her in the arm, "Be nice and enjoy your time there."

"Bye, Kaga," Akagi says happily as her tails encroach on the Commander more. Karl finishes his tea and sets the cup down with another yawn as Kaga leaves.

"Commander," Amagi begins. "You said you were having nightmares?"

"Nightmares?" Akagi asks, putting her hand on his thigh. "Nightmares about not being with Akagi?"

"No," Karl replies as he rubs his temples. "I don't know how to explain it. People are just taunting me about… Matters."

"Please, Commander," Akagi begins tapping her lap for him to lie down. "Let Akagi's lap be your place of comfort and love."

His smile was deceiving, as was his gaze as he looked at Akagi and Amagi. Amagi nods; how could he not trust her? Then lays down in the fire fox's lap. Akagi's hands then directly went to his temples and massaged them.

"Matters, Commander?" Amagi asks as Akagi gets lost in her massaging of the Commander.

"I've been… Around." Karl says vaguely. "The Special Purpose unit put me to work rather frequently during the first war and this one. Matters of self and matters of the port. But we, as a port, are overcoming all of this. Though I'm worried about what happened last night in the storm."

"The storm was beautifully powerful." Akagi remarks as she moves to massage his jaw. "It would have been romantic if you were there, Commander."

"Why were you in the storm?" Karl inquires as he tries to recall the figure in the night.

"I was training with the 2nd Carrier Division in night carrier operations," Akagi replies, her tone transparent and honest. From his gaze, he could read Amagi's face as Akagi being truthful. "Eagle Union pe- I mean allies, we're testing new night fighter planes the night before. Akashi was happy to supply the 2nd Carrier Division and me with new aircraft for testing."

"Hmmm…" Karl responds, thinking of the name 2nd Carrier Division. Who were those ships?

"The report is in my room," Akagi says, smiling. "I was planning to visit you in your office. But you decided to surprise me with this wonderful gift."

Karl noted this and smiled; maybe this was what Belfast meant by 'Being around.' He guessed that being here in her lap was the equivalent. "Let's worry about the report later," Karl says as she runs her hands through his hair.

"Keep doing that, and I will have to return the favor," Karl says lightly to himself. But Akagi's heightened earing caught it, and her face turned red.

"I'd love for you to play with my hair too, Commander," Akagi admits gleefully. "My tails are always available to you, as is the rest of me."

Amagi coughs roughly to get Akagi's attention. As she sipped her tea, the disproving glair was all Akagi needed to straighter herself out in her presence.

"I'll check out the report here in a moment," Karl replies calmly as Akagi's massage puts him at ease. Amagi noted this change in aura beginning as a relaxed sigh escaped him. "Right now, I just want to enjoy this moment… I haven't had anything like this before… Thank you, Akagi. Thank you, Amagi."

The Foxes smiled, "You are welcome, Commander." They say in unison.

"Did you sleep well?" Karl asked Akagi with a dreamy expression.

Akagi nods, "I did. I just wish I had some company during the storm. It was rather aggressive."

"Did it give you trouble on your return to port?" Karl continues as Akagi pauses to pour more tea for the trio.

"No," Akagi replies genuinely. "We braved the storm with no issues, As expected of Sakura Empire shipgirls."

He looked back at Amagi to check her out, and again, he sided with Amagi's judgment. "Thank you for worrying about the Sakura carriers and my well-being, Commander. You do care about your Fleet as well as your personal fleet carrier."

"The second shipgirl to say that." Karl begins thinking about what Dido said to him. "The nothing to report portion, not the personal fleet carrier."

Akagi's heart skipped a beat, and she nearly let some jealousy show in front of Amagi. "Who did you speak to first and why?" She asks, attempting to mask some insecurity for concern.

"Dido, the doll-carrying Royal Navy girl," Karl continues. "We talked this morning when I was having breakfast with the Royal Maids. I made them breakfast as a thank you for helping me out in the meantime here."

"Ah, you are a cook as well as a warrior?" Amagi asks, interested.

"We learned to cook over time," Karl replies with a contemplative grin. "I wouldn't call myself a cook. I'm much better with a weapon than a cutting board."

Karl continued. "Dido was on night patrol at the time. She saw nothing as well. I don't understand how a Siren would have got into the port without alerting you or the night patrol…."

"The siren's portal technology is too brazen," Amagi interjects. "Operation Siren II showed this fault in their plans."

"Commander," Akagi asks, concern clearly on her face. "I'm slightly lost."

"I was attacked last night after having Dinner at the Iron Blood dorm," Karl said flatly, obviously omitting his run-in with Roon smartly. "I don't know who… I just know whoever it was had long black hair and burned clothes. They came from the storm above."

Amagi and Akagi looked at each other questionably. Clearly, a conversation was being had between them that he wasn't privy to. Akagi appeared concerned to a high degree, while her sister Amagi seemed calm and collected.

"Meta?" Akagi asks.

"I'm not sure," Amagi replies. "Your favorite Carrier, Taihou, is on commission till tomorrow. I don't foresee her attacking him."

"If she did, I would turn this port into ash," Akagi says, scarily calm.

"Enough of that." Amagi scolds her. "You know she wouldn't, and so do I. That only leaves Meta."

"What about Fredrich?" Karl interjects, noting the word Meta.

"The Terror?" Akagi replies, only to get a thump on the head from Amagi.

"Her name is Fredrich Der Grosse, Akagi." Amagi says flatly. "She is… Interesting, to say the least, but she means well. I don't think she would attack you without a legitimate reason. Though she does a love for mentally challenging the former commander."

"Hmmm…" Karl notes, thinking about what she did to the former Commander.

"The burning clothes do make me wonder who this could be," Akagi says, concerned. "None of the girls would light their own clothes on fire for any reason… Because I would do more than that if those harlots wish to tempt my-"

Amagi punches Akagi in the arm somewhat hard. Karl showed considerable surprise at the speed of the ill battle cruiser. "If that is the case, then the only ones that would appear with burning cloths would be the Meta ships." Amagi points out.

"Define Meta ships," Karl asks, moving his hand to massage Akagi's sore shoulder. The foxy shuttered, and a warm smile took over her face as she sighed happily.

"Meta Ships are Shipgirls who have 'Ascended' in power," Akagi replies as she returns to playing with his hair. "Enterprise has accessed this, as has Bismarck. The ascension can be temporary, or it can be permanent, depending on the ship and time. We've encountered some of these Meta ships from another timeline or something. I've fought with Scharnhorst's Meta counterpart, post-Siren 1. Her power was…. Breathtaking."

"Does that mean we have a Meta ship in our fleet?" Karl asks, hoping for a trump card in the event something crazy happens later on.

"No," Amagi replies. "The Meta ships are a mirky topic; no one knows where they stand. Some fight against the Sirens, and others fight with us on occasion. There have been others that simply do whatever they want. I believe one of them fought with the old Commander because she paid her; I believe it was… Ugh, I don't remember. She wasn't with us for long."

A heavy sigh escaped him, "Fuckin Hell, Shipgirl's freelancing? And here I thought side jobs were meant for people like me. Hell, that's not good."

'I need to sneak away and talk to Mr. Z about that.' Karl thinks to himself. Of course, there was an ulterior motive for Z to send him here.

"Side Jobs?" Amagi asks him innocently.

"Mercenary," Karl says bluntly. "Anyone with a lot of combat experience and not a whole lot of anything else will usually go to a side job of being a gun for hire. A shipgirl going that route is as dangerous as a rogue elephant."

"How can someone work for something as earthly as money?" Akagi asks innocently, truly not understanding why a mercenary exists.

Karl looked away in shame; neither of these girls could understand why a merc would do what he did. How he wished he had that innocents or ignorance that they possessed.

"No idea," Karl says quietly. "I'd have to dig through our files on Meta ships today."

A long yawn escapes him, only for Akagi to blush and caress his face. "I believe you mean you will spend the day with Akagi as she pampers you." Akagi corrects him.

A tried chuckle leaves him with a warm smile. The tea helped his headache, but he was sleep-deprived, and Akagi's lap was comfortable. The carrier gave him crazy eyes filled with dancing fire, but he had been given worse looks and relented.

"I must be sleep-deprived," Karl says as he investigates Akagi's eyes. "I completely butchered that sentence. I am here to be pampered by my fleet carrier. Hehe."

The fiery fox was filled with glee. Amagi sighs in worry for the commander, but he shoots her a calm look. "Maybe I should take it easy today." He says to Amagi.

Later that day…

The Commander and Akagi spent the early morning hours relaxing by the lakeside. The carrier enjoyed having the Commander on her lap, sleeping soundly till he finally awoke. After more tea, the two bid Amagi goodbye for the day and decided to observe Kaga at the training grounds as she taught a class on special attack methods. The two watched from afar on the shore of the Sakura Empire side of the port as Kaga and three other Sakura Empire carriers took part in the exercise. They had set up a nice spot with a blanket and umbrella to relax on the beach.

"I'm going to assume that's the crane sisters and the latter being an older carrier of some kind," Karl observed. Kaga treated the older carrier with great respect from what he could surmise from her body language.

"Ah yes," Akagi said tiredly with hints of contempt. "5th Carrier Division and one of our training carriers, Houston"

"That contempt for the crane sisters or Houston?" Karl asks her as he rolls up his pant legs and removes his socks and boots.

"Houston is a respected member of the Sakura Empire and a great teacher of the carrier division's tactical wisdom. I have no hatred for someone who taught me the intelligent side of being who I am." Akagi says humbly with hints of admiration for the training ship. This shifted towards a more arrogant, nose-in-the-air attitude when speaking of the crane sisters, Shoukaku and Zuikaku. "The 5th Carrier Division girls could accomplish a lot if they showed more respect for their seniors, though that could be said for all the Carriers in the Sakura Empire, excluding those of the 2nd Carrier Division."

Akagi followed suit and removed her sandals. The two buried their feet in the coarse sand of the beach. He soon removed his top, revealing his sleeveless undershirt showing some of his tattoos and a couple of scars. Karl opens his legs and pats in the middle of them, "Let me return the favor for letting me sleep on you."

Within the blink of an eye, Akagi was lying on him, and her tails flanked him. The expression on her face was priceless, and he wished he had a camera to capture it. But a thunderous crack echo from above as the sight of Kaga being thrown back toward the ocean catches their attention.

"It appears the crane has outsmarted the fox." Karl remarks as Shoukaku takes a triumphant stance.

Akagi growls, "Not if I hav-"

"No." Karl insists. "Let them train. Ego has no place in the training area."

"My sister is in-"

"She is not in danger; she is training." Karl stonewalls her. "Let's watch this."

Akagi was used to getting away with a lot by being tense with the last Commander. But this one was calm and collected with her attempts at pressuring him. "Look at what the Cranes are doing," Karl points out to her. "Kaga is tense, and her moves are erratic. Shoukaku's calm and calculated, as is Zuikaku. Kaga obviously is used to fighting against groups. Just look at the distance she's keeping from them. Though she's used to fighting opponents that don't speak or have nothing to say during a fight. The cranes are taunting the fox to distract her, Classic."

"Kaga will be victorious regardless of whatever tricks they have," Akagi said firmly, albeit she unconsciously wrapped herself around the Commander in worry. "Even with those new planes of theirs."

"She just needs to back up." Karl remarks. "If she keeps charging forward or trying to dig in, she'll leave herself vulnerable. The new kit is nice, but not if you don't know how to use it. They need to train more with it than running in with swords."

The shipgirls stopped, and the training carrier took center stage, speaking to both parties before taking a break. "Care for something to drink, Commander?" Akagi asks him.

"Sure." Karl smiles.

As Akagi pours the drinks, Sakura Empire Saki looks back at her sister and the other members of the Sakura Empire. Firefox loved four things in this world: Amagi, Kaga, The Commander, and the Sakura Empire. Her rivalry with other carriers in the Sakura Empire was in good spirits, depending on who you ask. But, even in training, she worried about her sister. Looking back at the Commander for strength and love, she hands him the drink. Her Commander takes it gently from her with a gentle smile that radiates confidence. Though his eyes spoke of something else that was much darker.

"Is my Commander thinking of another woman?" Akagi's insecurity caused her to put her foot in her own mouth. It seemed.

"Just the girl who attacked me," Karl says bluntly with a dark laugh. "When I find her… Well… I don't think that's appropriate; I apologize."

"Pest control is my specialty, Commander," Akagi says as harshly thoughts of burning the woman who dared harm her Commander.

"I'll make sure to find you when I catch her," Karl replies coldly, offering a toast.

"I would love that," Akagi says, toasting with him and taking a drink. "Fighting with the love of my life would be one of the moments I would treasure forever."

Karl winks at her flirtishly. The Saki burned lightly down his throat and the fox's tails began to engulf him. Her laughter, while scary, was beautiful. "You shouldn't think of that witch who tried to harm you. Just think of Akagi's love and embrace."

The fluffy tails and her loving giggles began to overtake him. The fiery fox girl had him cornered, and Karl was enthralled with her beauty. He puts down the cup and wraps his arms around her. Akagi was primal, as was her sister, and so was he. The girls primarily thought of the two as pure animals with how they presented themselves on and off the battlefield. The fire and high-grade perfume aroma filled his nose as she blanketed them in her tails.

"Does Commander think of Akagi in his dreams?" Akagi asks softly. "Or do your nightmares keep you from thinking of Akagi?"

He began playing with her hair and rubbing her ears as he began to think. "The nightmares keep me from thinking about a lot of things. But they are slowly going away."

Akagi relaxes more as she receives his massage. The walls began to fall as she began to feel what she assumed was the Commander's love. "Akagi will always take care of you, Commander. No one else will ever love you like Akagi will." She says sweetly.

With a sad expression, he looks at Akagi. He felt a large amount of guilt in his chest as Akagi gave a sweet face as he played with her ears. "Thank you, Akagi…." He says quietly, feeling unworthy of this honor.

"Commander?" Akagi asks, feeling a tear fall on her face from the Commander.

"I'm fine… Just a little… Overwhelmed…" He says, feeling the weight on his shoulders of things he wishes he could tell her.

The fox did not hesitate and sat up to hug the Commander. Her tails and body engulfed him with love and fur. She kissed him softly as he hugged her.

"AKAGI!" Kaga yells as she appears in front of them. "Stop trying to fuck the Commander! We've spotted a fleet of Sirens heading for the port! We have to go now!"

Akagi is taken aback, and Karl begins putting his boots back on, "Alright! 1st and 5th Carrier Division, you're up for Sortie! I want the quick reaction force on the double Kaga! Be ready to sail in five minutes!"

With his boots on, he throws on his top and picks Akagi off the sand, "I'm sorry honey, but we got to move. I hoped that our first date was a bit more romantic, but its-"

Akagi kisses him deeply with her tongue dancing forcibly with his, "You get to experience the Unrivaled Ones in person, and I get to do it for you, Commander. Please sail with your Personal Fleet Carrier."

"Perfect." Karl smiles because of the Fox girl's kiss and the highlight of Combat.

10 Miles out at Sea.

From Akagi's Carrier form, he stood with her on the flight deck, looking at the Siren fleet on the horizon with a high-power set of binoculars. The carriers were preparing a series of Japanese aircraft of the Zero, Judy, and Kate variety. The QRF (Quick Reaction Force) joined Three Royal Navy maid ships of Dido, Edinburgh, and Sirus and two Eagle Union cruisers, Cleveland and Portland.

"Commander," Akagi says, handing him a communicator. "A Commission fleet is returning from the Sakura Empire led by the Great Veteran and Lady Nagato. It would benefit us to have an audience. Hehehehe."

"Battleships, yes?" He asked. "Ah yes, they are, Perfect. Get their position and have them engage the Siren fleet, I want the sirens busy while we hit them from behind. CHECK YOUR FIRE! This will be a hammer and anvil battle. I want not a single ship afloat."

"Of course, Commander," Akagi replies, smiling as she informs Lady Nagato via radio.

"Prepare the first wave." Karl orders after she finishes. The engines of the planes roared to life, filling the air with the aroma of aviation fuel. Akagi caught a spark in his eyes as he gazes upon her aircraft. To her, it was love for her and the power she displayed between her sister. Over the communicator, he calls Nagato to inform her of the plan further. After explaining this, he called out to everyone on the channel: "Launch the first wave!"

The first Judy and Kate bomber aircraft took to the skies above. Zeroes from Kaga provided combat air patrol for the whole of the fleet as the 5th Carrier prepared the second wave.

"Commander," Nagato says over the communicator. "We are beginning our bombardment."

"Roger that." Karl continues. "First wave is en route. Watch your triple-A."

"Carriers! We have friendly air in the area! Work together and give these sirens hell!"

"Yeah!" The 5th Carrier division shouts gleefully over the net.

"With Pleasure, Commander," Kaga says coldly. "I've been hungry for too long."

"Curb your bloodlust, Kaga," Karl replies. "Communicate. I want clean kills, no target overkill. Copy?"

"Target overkill?" Cleveland asks over the net.

"Spending rounds into an already dead target," Karl says. "Make your shots count and conserve ammo."

"Second wave is preparing for operation!" Zuikaku announces. Karl looks over and notices some fruits of his labor: N1K4 Shiden KAI 4 fighter planes and C6N Saiun KAI bombers. His modernization of the carriers was slow at best, and only a handful of carriers wanted the newer equipment. Sakura Empire's 5th Carrier Division jumped on the proposal from what Akashi had told him, as had Taihou. That damn cat gave him some bad news regarding the other carriers who were reluctant to upgrade. But, lucky for him, this event allowed his fruits to be used and, hopefully, a push for modernization.

The new planes took off at surprising speed as a sea of green livery aircraft began to overtake the white of Kaga and Akagi's older generation planes. But his attention was grabbed by the fox who hugged him from behind.

"Are you feeling OK?" She asks him bluntly.

"At the moment, yes." He says as he turns to face her.

"I never thought I would see my Commander tear up before me," Akagi tells him. "Akagi would like you to know you are always welcome to speak to me. My love for you, regardless of anything, is absolute."

I mourned the day that you left… I mourned the days you were gone… I will mourn till the world burns, and you return to me…

"I'm just… Hurting." Karl says vaguely. "It just hurt… I don't know why either…."

He puts his hand on his head as a headache strikes him. More voices fill his head, more voices of girls yelling what felt like anger, sadness, and scorn. They went from echoes to outright attacks sending throbbing pulses across his mind.

"COMMANDER!" Kaga shouts over the net. "ASHES! The ASHES are here!"

Pushing through the headache, he moves into action and gets on the net. Reading the urgency in the voice, he acts: "Attack! Engage the Ashes!"

The sight of black aircraft catches his attention as the thunder of anti-aircraft fire from the nearby ships engages. Akagi takes to the fight and launches a furious fire attack at the planes. Shoukaku appears in the air across from him and reaches out her hand, "Akagi Sempai needs her rigging commander! Come with me!"

He had no choice as the carrier began to disappear into red sparks. Grabbing her hand, he felt himself levitate into the air. She pulls him off the disappearing carrier and watches as it forms into a burning scroll to the left of Akagi. Kaga's carrier does the same, and the two begin attacking the locust-like cloud of black planes.

Zero's and George's fighters raced by them to engage the planes. Engines, Cannons, and artillery roared around them, but between him and the crane sister, he felt blissful peace as they moved effortlessly through the chaos. The bliss was brief as she sat him down on the flight deck of her carrier. More fighters were being rushed to the flight deck for wave three to overwhelm the sirens and their allies. The furball of black, green, and white planes consumed his attention as the chaotic sounds of the communicator of kill confirmations, losses, and contact reports mixed into a different language that only he could understand.

"The commission fleet is reporting another one of the Ashes!" Shoukaku reports.

"It's Ember! It's Ember herself!" Nagato shouts as static fills the communicator.

"Who the fuck is Ember?" He demands over the net, breaking discipline completely.

"Elite member of the Ashes. Shes… She's merciless." Shoukaku says fearfully.

Karl, feeling desperation, calls Kaga and Akagi, but the signal is jammed. Then to the commission fleet once more, but only to static. The QRF fought valiantly against the black aircraft swarms and knew they couldn't do anything to aid the fleet. It was do-or-die time, and his aggressiveness didn't allow him to sit around to ponder a plan. Turning to the George fighters on standby, he felt them calling to him.

"I've flown before…." He says to himself. "But that was when I was young. Maybe I can do it again?..."

"Commander, you can't-"

Shoukaku was ignored as he rushed to the nearest George. Leaping onto its wing he threw open the cockpit and placed a headset on his head. He knew little Japanese but knew enough about planes to get it started and locate the basic controls, including its guns.

"Shoukaku! Zukikaku!" Karl calls over the net. "Follow my lead! We're going to bail out the Commission fleet!"

"Commander, you can't be serious!?" Zukikaku shouts over the net. "You're only a man! You can't fight with Kansen!"

"Watch me," Karl says defiantly. Throwing the throttle forward, he sends the fighter ahead at high speed. The aircraft levels on the deck and soars off into the sky. Raising the landing gear, he calls out for the planes of the third wave to follow him.

"1st Carrier Division and Commission Fleet, This is the Commander. I am coming with reinforcements! Stand fast!"

Aircraft and the Shipgirls of the 5th Carrier Division joined him, The latter being reluctant to allow him to fly head-on into the fray against the Meta ships. The girls looked into the cockpit to see a cold and focused expression on his face as he spotted another swarm of black aircraft. Climbing into the clouds, they pressed the advantage and came screaming down onto the enemy below.

Akagi looked above to see a green cloud of aircraft from the 5th Carrier Division. The lead aircraft caught her attention as it aggressively rolled and fired on all enemy planes. With her keen vision, she could see the Commander was flying one of the planes.

"You didn't just stand by…. You came for us… For me…" Akagi says tearfully as she summons another collection of planes. Feeling rejuvenated, she presses her attack and fights on with Kaga against the black plague of enemy aircraft. The source of planes sneers, but it quickly disappears as more planes in white livery interrupt her dance with the 1st Carrier division. She could hear the commitment in the Commander's voice but swore it was just her imagination playing tricks on her.

Ember cuts Nagato's shells into pieces before the little fox. The Meta ship sneers briefly before returning to a mute expression. She sheaths her sword and crosses her arms, looking at the little fox girl and the ancient pre-dreadnaught before her. The Great Veteran held her own as best she could against the Meta ship but was defeated simply by being too weak to fight and to slow run away. Here was the Great Veteran, bloodied and battered like the fleet she destroyed decades ago. The little fox, Nagato, was modern enough to hold her own and save the old shipgirl but wasn't comparable either to her might.

"Evil." She mutters. "Nothing but evil. Nothing but pain and suffering caused by people like you."

Nagato fires another volley only to be cut down by another swordswoman with purple hair. Ember isn't phased and looks at the purple-haired swordswoman blankly. "Focus on the 1st Carrier Division planes. I have a business to attend to with these two." She says to the swordswoman.

"I'll protect my friend regardless of orders." She says to Ember. The other swordswoman wore a short black dress with black wrapping around her arms. Her face was covered with a black scarf, with only her red eyes visible to the two before them. "First Carrier Division isn't that tough."

"Arrogance doesn't win battles, Falcon," Ember tells her with a deadpan tone.

Falcon doesn't reply and only nods. But their conversation was interrupted as Falcon looked to the sky to see a George fighter ripping apart several of her black aircraft.

"Strange." Falcon begins. "I feel as if I know those movements."

"Must I remind you of your true past?" Ember belittles her.

"No," Falcon snarls. "The 5th Carrier Division is in the area. It seems they have learned some tricks from someone we know."

"You must be having another one of your laps of memory." Ember dismisses her turning her attention back to the fallen Sakura Empire battleships.

"My strays…" The growl of a siren echoes from behind the battleships. "Return to us, and all will be well."

From the sea arose a woman in white with a flaming throne. She appeared bored and irritated at the two META shipgirls before her. Falcon bowed before she and Ember drew her sword, anger taking over her face as she took a fighting stance.

"These two and I have personal business to return to, Empress," Ember says to Empress Siren.

"Personal quarrels will not bring about the world we wish to reveal," Empress says to her.

"I seek revenge against them and humanity for turning against us!" Ember shouts, losing her composure completely. "If I must kill you to avenge my honor, then so be it!"

"Enough of your tantrum." Empress dismisses her, waving her hand arrogantly. "Stand down and finish your little quail with Azur Lane."

The Empress gazes at the two wounded at the edge of her throne. Rolling her eyes at such archaic things as these, KAN-SEN was beyond such a perfect being as herself. She could only laugh wholeheartedly at them and their inferiority.

That was until a maelstrom of 20mm cannon fire prepared her for a screaming George to smash headfirst into her…

Meanwhile…

From above, he felt invincible as he treated the Japanese fighter like a biker chick: Throwing her around and treating her roughly. The black planes fell against his wave until they were nothing. He threw the George towards a grouping of three figures surrounding two fallen shipgirls below. Karl could see the third figure sitting on a large throne of some kind.

"That's the Empress class Siren!" Shoukaku says over the net. "We aren't prepared for something like that!"

"It's just a throne," Karl replies bluntly. "A pellet gun could kill her."

"Her shielding will stop all but the most powerful battleships!" She protests. "Our planes can only do so much just to her. But two elite Ashes will only end in us sinking!"

"We can't hit them without hitting our allies!" Zuikaku shouts. "We have to find a way to hit them.

"There has to be something we can do!" Karl shouts with rage. "I'm not losing them to these sirens!"

"Commander," Akagi says weakly over the net. "They ripped through my planes. We have to fall back or wait for reinforcements… I have 2nd Carrier division and others on the way to assist. We can hold—"

The net went silent from Akagi's end abruptly. His heart dropped, and a scream echoed in his mind. Tormenting him from his mind all the way to the depths of his soul. "Not again… Not again…. Never again. Never again. NEVER AGAIN!" He slammed his fist into the gauges and looked at the ammo counter, roughly a second or two of ammunition left.

"I'm going in." He says coldly over the communicator.

"Commander, that's suicide!" Zuikaku responds franticly. "You can't engage her without backup! Her shield are too powerful to be breached by aircraft cannon!"

"I'm not going to use the cannons," Karl says boldly. "Only a divine wind will save us in this time…."

"Commander, you can't be thinking of such drastic measures! That's stupid and suicidal!" Shoukaku scolds him.

"Either we lose all our friends, or I do what's needed." His last words echoed through the net, followed by static.

Karl crushes the communicator in his hands, snap rolls towards the direction of the Siren, and places the siren in his crosshairs.

Shoukaku and Zuikaku take his flanks, screaming into the communicators, "STOP STOP STOP! WE CAN DO THIS ANOTHER WAY!"

"Commander! This isn't the way! We can hit them with our planes!" Zuikaku shouts franticly.

"Don't you FUCKING go out like those stupid foxes!" Shoukaku growls, her face turning red with rage.

He could read their lips and hear only short mumbles as they tried to grab the wings of the George. Rolling the aircraft, he gets them to break off, only for Zuikaku to try to cut the wings.

"SHE'S MINE!" Karl shouts, pointing at the Siren. Throwing the throttle all the way forward, he activates the supercharger sending the George into a course for destruction. The siren and her servants ignored him as the sides of the George spewed flames from its exhaust ports.

Never again.

Never again.

NEVER AGAIN!

The crane sisters were in shock and pursued him the whole way down.

The cannons and machine guns roared to life for one last defiant assault, riddling the siren with shells before the plane smashed headfirst into her. Falcon and Ember could have felt the plane's fuselage above them, but luckily it missed them completely. Though Empress wasn't that lucky…

The impact sent a wave of ocean water into the sky, temporally blinding them. But Falcon recovered first to see Empress ripped into pieces across the mangled fuselage. Oil and siren blood floated above the water but didn't catch fire, thankfully. Whichever shipgirl made such a desperate move was either a fool or a coward not to have wanted to face her or Ember face to have, she thought to herself. But then something odd happened…

From what she could see was a person inside the aircraft!

"Human pilot?" She asked aloud as the cockpit was thrown open. A battered man in camouflage stood up from his seat with a pistol in hand, firing into the lifeless body of Empress.

The battered and bloody figure turned to them with his pistol pointed directly at Ember. But he didn't fire. The pistol was pointed straight at the two and motioned for them to drop their weapons, a bold proposition from a mere man.

"Drop your weapons! It's over!" He shouts at them, barking like a madman.

"There is no way…." Falcon mutters aloud. "Impossible."

But it was as he stood in front of her in the flesh and his weapon of choice pointed square at them.

He fires only for Falcon to cut his bullet in two, but he persists and fires at her blade, directly chipping the perfect edge.

"I have to be seeing things," Falcon says to Ember as she gazes at her chipped sword.

Ember sheaths her blade and pulls her teleporter module from her belt, "We are done here." Ember says sharply.

"Our targets are-"

Falcon is interrupted by a sharp gaze from Ember and quickly silences herself. The two cross over into the portal. The purple-haired Falcon looks back at him and raises her right hand to imagine holding him in her palm. "Till we meet again, Commander."

Karl collapsed into the cockpit as the adrenaline wore off completely. He felt sore over every part of his body, with blood oozing from his forehead. The straps of the seatbelts dug into his shoulders and chest cutting him. Blood dripped down his uniform and stained it horribly to the point he would have to throw it away. The corpse of the elite siren lay hunched over the engine cowl, covered in its own strange yellow blood. Eight pistol shots into its head and chest drained enough of its blood to paint the cowl yellow.

"Fuck you." He growls, pulling out his cigarette case and lighting a smoke for the first time in a while.

Anxious voices echoed around him as he stared at the dead siren. He couldn't take his eyes off the corpse as he thought that none of these girls could kill one without serious planning. But I guess that's because this bucket of bolts didn't expect to have someone with a death wish crash a plane into it.

"COMMANDER!?" Akagi and Shoukaku. He doesn't respond and stretches out his arms along the sides of the cockpit.

Two figures appear at his left and right, Akagi and the beautiful crane Shoukaku. The two begin to argue with one another in an instant, but Karl ignores them as the high of combat and nicotine begin to fade. He began to process who the two META ships might have been, but his mind drew a complete blank.

Little did he know the computer-controlled Siren's eyes were still transmitting…

Elsewhere…

"Interesting." A woman with lengthy black hair remarks on a large screen. "It seems you were correct, Falcon."

"His presence was… Uncanny." Falcon says honestly.

"I had my doubts…." The woman lamented. "I was certain it wasn't him who I attacked that night. But here he is, killing an elite siren in a rather ridiculous way… Naughty naughty. What a waste of a Siren drone."

"Ember isn't sure it is truly him." Falcon continues. "She is sure that was just a regular pilot."

The woman moved away from the screen and let Falcon fully absorb the sight of the Commander as he stared hatefully into the camera. "Tell me that man is a regular pilot. After seeing him at that awful place in the Agatha sea, tell me that is not him. She doesn't want to admit I was right after my enthusiastic walk in the rain."

The woman's voice was full of hurt and anger. Falcon could see the sorrow in her voice amid the pain and anger, but she couldn't elaborate on it with her for simply it wasn't her place, or did she want to incur her wave of emotions. The light carrier had to learn how to be stoic over the years, but she still was human, no matter how much it pained her to be reminded of it. Now here they were, looking at that pain personified. She, too, wanted to lash out at him, but it didn't seem real at the moment.

"Ta- Ember," She corrects herself. "Is blind to what is standing in front of her. Now here we are…."

The woman nods, "Indeed… Azur Lane has had significant issues over the last year following Siren II, but so have the Sirens and our organization. This might be our break in the standstill between our factions."

"A united Azur Lane is a scary thought," Falcon recalls, remembering a timeline where they were all under one flag at the end of days. "But that was a rare occurrence."

"Imagine if this Azur Lane had what we had in the Agatha Sea?" The woman asks Falcon.

Falcon lowered her head and turned away, "I do not wish to speak of this anymore, My Lord."

"It is an unfortunate turn of events that we speak of such things." The woman says, pondering, resting her chin between her thumb and index finger. "But we have to come to terms with this and the past. Though I'm surprised, he has entered the fray."

"Has he come back for us?" Falcon asks her, her voice hopeful.

"I don't foresee that." The woman replies harshly. "He's addicted to war. Sex and War are his only pleasures, like the animal he is."

"He's a man, after all," Falcon says dismissively with a sigh.

"He WAS a man." The woman continues. "A beast breed and trained for war. A beast that we will have to either break or kill."

Falcon sighed and turned away, "I don't wish to think of that day to come, My lord."

"We must do what we must." The woman affirmed. "Like the use of the drone today, we must make sacrifices."

"Drone was realistic," Falcon said, impressed, "It performed brilliantly for the ambush."

"Though they escaped." She said, turning to Falcon. "But there was a bigger fish in the area, after all. Crippling the Sakura Empire faction would have been wonderful, but without Musashi, we couldn't completely take them out of the equation."

"Pan the camera over, Raiden." Ember interrupts the conversation from afar. The powerful samurai leaned against a doorway with her arms folded judgingly. "I want to verify the condition of the Veteran and Foxes."

Raiden, the woman's code name, smiled. "Of course."

Panning the camera over, she watched as the Commander removed himself from the cockpit to stand on the wing. Akagi appeared slightly wounded, but she would heal in no time. Kaga, Shoukaku, Zuikaku, and the other QRF seemed fine. But Mikasa and Nagato were worse for wear with significant damage, but they could pull themselves together for the moment. Raiden herself could see it in his eyes but didn't act on her emotions. Karl turned and spoke to the two rivals for a moment to reassure them, only for both of them to attempt to hug him and end in a light catfight. The girls stopped them, and the notable personalities of the 5th Carrier scolded him for flying.

"It was either the plane or these two." She could read from his lips.

He then picked up the wounded Nagato and held her like a child in one arm. "We can chew my ass later. Let's get off this X and go home. Commission Fleet, we sail together. Drinks on me."

"He hasn't changed." Raiden remarks as he picks up Miskasa as well on his other shoulder. The dreadnaught tried to argue, but she gave in as one of the carriers appeared to transport them back to port.

"This complicates things greatly," Ember says to them all. "But we will achieve victory regardless."

"I've scanned the area with the submarine variants," Raiden begins to reassure Ember. "They've reported back nothing of note besides Azur Lane's shipgirls. Hadrian isn't in play or the rest of that Organization."

"Hmmm…." Ember replies, pondering this information. "Continue the search for possible interjections. The upcoming operation needs to go off without a hitch. If there isn't the possibility of interdiction from Hadrian, then I want the timeline moved up by two weeks."

"My Lord," Falcon interjects. "Additional ashes and mass-produced ships will be needed. I recommend the additions of Fuso and Yamashiro to the fleet; they do not have a history with the Commander."

"Denied," Raiden says forcefully. "Typhoon, Hiryuu, and Souryuu will lead the main fleet with Ember, me, and you are the Vanguard. Begin training for this at once!"

"Yes, Ma'am!" Falcon shouts, saluting Raiden before rushing off.

Once the two know they are alone, Raiden drops the display and rewinds the feed to center on the Commander. "We'll meet again, Sweetie," Raiden whispers. Ember comforts her with a hug and looks at the screen with fire in her heart.

"I'll kill him slowly," Ember promises her.