As Thorson's battle fleet left the mess, he addressed the ships that would remain in turn.
"Tono-sama?" Yamashiro looked to him with confusion and hesitation.
"I will bring Fusou home, I promise," he tried to assure her, kneeling next to where she sat in one of the chairs that had been assembled for the brief meeting. She reached out and took his hand.
"Does tono-sama not trust Yamashiro?" She wondered.
"I do, very much," he replied, glancing over at Brooklyn. "You and Brooklyn, along with Captain Stevens, need to hold down the fort when I'm gone, alright? You're the biggest guns, and you'll be the eldest Sakura."
Yamashiro looked like she was about to cry, practically falling from her chair and ending up entwined with Thorson in a heap on the ground. "I will serve as you ask, tono-sama," she whispered. "Just please make sure both of you return to Yamashiro!" She sealed her request with a tender kiss, brief and full of longing. His body thrummed as her curves pressed against him in her efforts to stand up.
"I can't think of a more compelling reason to come home alive," Thorson assured her, brushing himself off and straightening his uniform. "Brooklyn, Stevens, I'm designating you the lead from the Union while I'm gone. Captain, your crew should feel free to use the mess facilities, the beach, the gym, whatever they like. But I have to insist that they not use the dormitories and stay away from the labs. Those are for my fleet."
"Shouldn't be a problem, Commander. They all have bunks on my ships. We thank you for your hospitality," Stevens replied. Brooklyn stood and stepped forward, her heels clicking precisely on the floor.
"How very far we've come," she began softly. He smiled for her.
"Yeah, it still feels like a dream, like I should have died back in Hawaii."
"None of that talk before a sortie, Commander. Just tell me one thing."
"What is it, Brooklyn?"
"Does your command office still look like a great war bunker?" She asked pointedly, casting a knowing look at him over the top frame of her glasses. Thorson rubbed his hair and looked away.
"I've uh...been busy."
"Then maybe spend a bit less time in bed with Cleveland," she tittered. "Oh well, it can't be helped. Akashi, dear?"
"Hai, Brooklyn-san?"
"Since you will be remaining here as well, do you think you could assist me in sprucing up that dusty old radio tower?"
The minty kitty tilted her head and waved her tail back and forth. "Mmm, Akashi was going to work on many things, nyaa. But she can assist Brooklyn-san!"
"I would appreciate that very much," Brooklyn replied sweetly. "There's an entire fleet of strapping young sailors out in the bay. Perhaps they can help you with you projects in turn? I hope I'm not being too presumptuous," she finished, turning to Stevens.
"Sometimes I wonder when she became Captain of my convoy," Stevens admitted to Thorson with a booming laugh that had Brooklyn blushing to the tips of her ears.
"Captain! I would never suggest such a thing and-" Brooklyn's protests were forestalled as Stevens rested a hand on her shoulder. The size comparison was almost comical, with him easily twice her mass.
"Did that sound like a complaint to you?" He asked her, throwing a glance at Shiranui as the ghost ship let out an audible groan at the idea of another pairing.
"No, Captain," Brooklyn whispered as Thorson looked on with delight, finally not the center of shipgirl and human drama. "I just didn't want to-"
"I think it's best to give the lads something to do while we're stuck here. Idle hands cause only mischief," the captain declared, shifting to address Akashi. "Once the more time constrained preparations are completed, if you'd like to discuss your work with me I'm sure my men can lend you a hand. And as usual we are open to trade."
"Good, Akashi somehow needs to furnish that new Union dorm, nyaa! Can they follow orders from Akashi and the bulins?" She questioned.
"Within reason, of course," Stevens chuckled.
"Then Akashi accepts, nyaa! Maybe now the shrine and spa will be completed!" The moment the words left her mouth she clapped her gigantic sleeves over her lips. "Shikikan heard nothing, nyaaaaa!"
"Oh no you don't!" Thorson leapt into action, snatching her by the back of her coat and hosting her up with both arms so they could see eye to eye. "Akashi, is that why more than a dozen ships and I have been sharing the same bathroom for almost two months?"
"Aaaah…yes? Nyaa?" She replied, looking at his cap so as to not meet his gaze.
"And you're building a spa."
"Yes, nyaa!"
"Why?" Thorson requested, only to suddenly find a rather miffed minty kitty grab him by the cheeks.
"Does Shikikan need a reason to have a hot spring on the base, nyaa?! Every ship who is lucky enough to touch Shikikan knows!"
"I consider myself very fortunate to not be able to touch him," Shiranui piped up, though Thorson knew well enough she could if she wanted to.
"What do you all know, Akashi?" Thorson demanded.
"That tono-sama is super stressed and his muscles are always stiff!" Yamashiro added triumphantly as Akashi dared him to contest the assertion with her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest and pouting will still airborne.
"Akashi is correct, Shikikan."
Thorson closed his eyes and took a calming breath. "I'm fighting a war against an alien power most people don't even know exists. This is just the reality of the situation."
"But Yamashiro-sama and Fusou-sama will get their shrine?" Akashi pressed as Thorson finally set her down.
"They will. Please help Yamashiro when I'm gone," Thorson affirmed.
"And why do they get this shrine, nyaa?" Akashi continued unperturbed, playing the role of an overly inquisitive child as the other ships in the mess remained quiet.
"Because it's a necessary step in the war effort. It will prove that we're all here for the same purpose and that Sakura ships don't have to fear us. It's something we need."
"And Akashi had made the executive decision that spa is something you need, Shikikan, not to mention the ships who will fight for you. Will you feed them shards after every battle to heal them, nyaa?" Akashi pressed, forcing Thorson to consider that eventually, a battle in which he didn't win a flawless victory.
"I...don't know."
"Shikikan Thorson told Akashi he didn't know what he'd do without her on the base. Trust Akashi, nyaa," she pleaded. Thorson looked at Stevens.
"I see what you mean, Captain."
"You're just along for the ride, Thorson," he agreed.
"Very well Akashi, carry on," the Commander agreed. "But I need one of those food replication machines on the Pennsylvania by the end of the night. Shiratsuyu, assist her please and gather whatever you'll need to prepare meals for the fleet during our voyage. You'll have the entirety of the Pennsylvania's galley to yourself. Sound good?"
"Yes, Shikikan. I'll make preparations immediately!" She replied, stumbling as she rose to her feet and finding purchase as Akashi helped her steady herself.
"Let's go see if we can make a portable shard version!" Akashi suggested, leading Shiratsuyu off to the labs despite protests that she should pack her cookware first.
"Hatsuharu, Yuugure, you two will be in charge of the kitchens until our return. If you need help don't hesitate to ask Brooklyn or Captain Stevens, alright?" Thorson continued.
"Yeah, we can do that! I'll make tea for everyone," Yuugure answered for them both. Hatsuharu looked nervously at Stevens who waved back. She shrunk back behind her sister.
"Give her time, Captain. She's a shy one," Thorson advised. "And Shiranui?"
"Yes idiot, lecherous Shikikan?" She replied.
"Keep them safe," Thorson said simply. The ghost ship turned and began floating away, calling over her shoulder.
"For them, I will."
With the remaining forces given orders, Thorson looked between Yamashiro and Brooklyn. "Be safe while I'm gone, both of you. I need to go speak with the departing fleet."
"Hai, tono-sama," Yamashiro said softly, indulging in yet another hug. "Yamashiro must get in many many hugs before you leave since it will be days before you return!" Thorson breathed out heavily, slightly disturbing her hair. He brought a hand up to rub her ears. She nuzzled him affectionately.
"Yeah…"
As Thorson walked along the docks under increasingly cloudy skies, he came to his destroyers first. Laffey, Javelin, Vampire, and Downes were all watching carefully as bulins delivered shells and oil by the truckload, towing the supplies behind some of the Jeeps on the base. The tiny, white haired mechanics had developed a hair raising system to control the human sized vehicles. One would steer, a second would work the pedals, and a third would call out orders from the passenger's seat. Thorson considered the idea of bulins driving to be even more terrifying than Akashi and Laffey, but lo and behold no one had died and the resupply was proceeding apace. Fairly sure that no one was going to perish in a motor vehicle accident, he couldn't help but take his time looking over the new Laffey, a ship that seemed pulled from some sort of futuristic dystopia.
"Glad that boat's mine," he muttered. Laffey's ears twitched and she walked up to him.
"Laffey needs to care for Zed, but Laffey and her ship belong to the Commander. Don't forget when you are sleeping with Cleveland," she requested. He gave his affirmative in the form of a long, gentle headpat.
"How could I forget my first ship? Gather around everyone," he commanded. "Thank you. Just wanted to let you know about our cruising formation. The four of you are my most nimble ships, so when we aren't engaged I want you outside the battleship shell and providing recon."
"Knight Commander, praytell, what is this battleship shell of which you speak?" Vampire requested from under her parasol.
"Yeah sorry," he replied with a chuckle. "I guess I did make that up. Basically I plan to have the five battleships in a pentagon formation surrounding Ark Royal and our other more fragile ships. You lot are fast enough to weave in and out."
They all nodded with general understanding as Vampire spoke again. "The symbol of night and the forces of darkness, the pentagram. Thou hast my approval, oh Knight Commander mine."
A moment of silence followed as everyone looked at her and Thorson raised his brows. "I guess if the forces of darkness want to help against the sirens that'll be that. Anyway, everyone generally understand?"
"Yes, Commander!"
"Excellent. Javelin and Vampire, the two of you have the most anti-submarine experience, so please always be on opposite sides of the formation keeping your sonar online. Laffey and Downes, you two focus on surface threats."
"Will do! You got a flagship yet?" Downes asked excitedly.
"It'll be Penny for this mission."
"Damn, you really have a death wish! Oh well, that does make sense and all. Just don't forget about us little people!" Downes carried on, her mood not dampened in the slightest. It buoyed his own as he looked at Z23.
"Zed, it's your choice. You can sortie or remain here. If you do choose to come along, inform me which ship you'll be stationed on. I'm glad to see you're doing better today."
"Today has been a better day, Kommandant. If it's not too much trouble, might I spend this voyage with you aboard the Pennsylvania?"
"Shouldn't be a problem. I'll inform her. Any further questions?"
"Nope, all clear Knight Commander! Thanks for coming to speak with us; I'm totally pumped up," Javelin said with enthusiasm.
"Hang onto that fire. We'll need it. I'm off to check with the cruisers."
"See ya, Commander! Let's blow shit up!"
Further down the line Thorson found Indy and Portland together as always. Cleveland and Leander were close by, the two girls forming bonds over discussions of their sisters. It was then that Thorson considered they were both the lead ships of their class, the responsible big sisters. They waved as he approached.
"Good morning to you, Knight Commander!" Leander called.
"Good morning. Do you all have a second to speak about formation and tactics?" Thorson requested. They gathered around as he related his ideas for the shape of the formation. "The four of you will be moving in the area between the battleships and Ark Royal. Your most important job, Indy, will be providing defensive shielding for whatever portion of the formation is under heaviest assault.
"Got it," she said with confident simplicity.
"Indy!"
"Sister please."
"Portland, you are on offense as well as defense order when we need it most," Thorson continued.
"Anything for you and Indy, Commander!" She beamed, bouncing a bit on her feet as she seemed to ignore the fact that her prodigious chest was on full display. Leander and Cleveland were looking at her black, starry bikini top with jealousy, but Indy seemed uncharacteristically unconcerned. Thorson refocused them.
"Leander, I need you ready in the event of submarine warfare and...if things get really bad."
"Knight Commander?"
"If we need to retreat under heavy fire we will need your smoke. Make sure it's always at the ready."
"Oh, yes of course!" She replied with a sudden salute that ruffled her skirt just a tad. He returned it with a smile before turning his attention to the woman who had shared his bed the night before.
"They send aircraft at us, send them to the bottom," he ordered simply.
"Anything for you," she promised, causing his stomach to twist into a nervous and excited knot as Portland wrapped Indy in a tight hug and cooed at them.
"Isn't it so wonderful, Indy?! Commander is so cute, but not as cute as you!"
"Sister, please be quiet," Indy said with a look of apology to Thorson.
"The four of you all have a different role to play out there. Let the big ships deal the damage if you have to make a choice of where to spend your energy. Once your ships are loaded and ready you have the rest of the day free."
"Thanks Commander! Will you be with me for this one?" Cleveland requested. He shook his head.
"Pennsylvania will be the flagship for this operation."
"Can't win them all, I guess," Cleveland reasoned, gazing at her hull. "But I'll always have last night."
There was nothing Thorson could publicly say in reply so he saluted instead. They returned it. "I need to head on down the line."
"Understood, Knight Commander. We will be ready," Leander promised.
Finally Thorson came to his largest and most powerful ships, explaining to them his plan. Warspite looked confused, but Tennessee picked up on it.
"You want us to be a floating fortress," she deduced. "Force them to throw everything at us if they want to score a kill while all our other ships can fire back."
"Exactly," Thorson confirmed.
"As long as we take the punishment, it'll work," Tennessee continued, fixing him with a hard look.
"This is the best plan I have to ensure no one is picked off. We'll all come home or we'll all sink," he replied honestly, understanding the weaknesses of his plan.
"Commander, what if we established a rotation?" Arizona suggested. "We can maneuver pretty quickly when we're in battle mode. If one of us takes damage, another can move in and cover for her."
Thorson glanced to the skies, waving a finger in the air as he considered her suggestion. "That's a thought. That's definitely a thought. It would slow us down, but in a fight if the five of you constantly rotated around the formation like sharks they'd have to surround us, and you'd never have to turn your guns around. Arizona, nicely done. I'll ruminate on this as we travel. Oh, and the hairpin suits you."
"Thank you, Commander," she replied with a slight bow and a blush. Thorson turned to Warspite.
"Acceptable?"
"Indeed, Knight Commander. I won't forget the fact that you're sending us on a mission to help my country. We will be in contact."
"Of course. Radio the Pennsylvania with any concerns. She's the flagship."
Tennessee smirked and punched Penny in the arm as the elder Union battleship stared at him with open mouth.
"I'm...what?"
"You're the flagship for this operation, Penny."
Thorson watched closely as a host of emotions played over her face. "I would very much like to speak with you soon...alone. I accept this command appointment."
"Thank you all. Any questions?"
"What of my sister, tono-sama?" Fusou pressed.
"She's been given authority as the lead Sakura element on the base. Her orders are to defend the base and to proceed with construction of your shrine."
"You honor her with your trust, tono-sama. I'm sorry for my own mistrust."
"No offense taken. Will you be alright without her?" Thorson asked carefully, not wanting to imply he thought Fusou was weak. It was quite the opposite.
"I will, tono-sama. I will be surrounded by comrades and friends," Fusou assured him. "With your permission I will see to my resupply and spend some time with her."
"Of course. Thank you all."
"Yo, Belle! Let's hit the gym!" Downes suddenly intruded on their conversation, having sorted her affairs.
"Belle?" Thorson asked curiously.
"I will kill her and then you," Tennessee warned quietly as Arizona and Pennsylvania looked ready to lose it right then and there.
"Aww don't be that way! I know you need a spotter," Downes offered.
"Why do you suddenly care?" Tennessee spat.
"I mean, Commander here chose Cleveland, right? Stands to reason he's got a thing for athletic girls. Just you wait Commander, I'm gonna have a six pack before you know it! Just gotta make sure these new limbs work the same way under stress…"
"How can one pint sized destroyer be so insufferably energetic," Tennessee wondered, strutting forward and throwing Downes over her shoulder like a sandbag. "Fine, but we're doing this my way!"
Downes laughed delightedly and waved back at Thorson and the other four battleships as she was carried off.
"Well, that just happened," Thorson declared as Fusou and Warspite took their leave as well. "Arizona, I think it would be a good time for Penny and me to talk."
"I understand Commander, of course. Although…"
"Yes, Arizona?" Thorson asked with mild concern as the younger sister glanced away, playing with the hem of her uniform.
"If it's just you and Penny I think...I'm scared of battle, Commander."
Thorson and Pennsylvania shared a brief look. Judging by her face he couldn't be sure Arizona had broached the subject with her before. "It's alright, we'll all be there to protect you and-"
"Not that, Commander. I died once. That fate is no longer as frightening as it once was. I'm frightened...terrified really, of losing you or losing Penny."
"Ari," Pennsylvania whispered, reaching out and wrapping an arm around her sister. "You can't change war."
"But I can't lose you!" She cried, causing a passing bulin to look their way. Thorson rested a hand on each of their shoulders.
"Now isn't the time," he replied. "Arizona, I've said it over and over, we will all fight together and all sink together. I've been studying every book on ancient siege tactics I can find, every treatise on medieval warfare and classical naval doctrine that's in that library down in the school building. Your abilities are going to change naval warfare forever, and I'm going to do everything I can to ensure that each battle we fight is one that we don't just win, but one where we crush our enemies without mercy."
"I'm sorry. You're right, Commander. I just can't imagine going through what you and Penny did," Arizona replied softly, shaking her head as if to dispel the evil thoughts that suffused her mind. Thorson couldn't feel anything but compassion for her, marveling at a heart that would rather pass on than have to live without its sister. He didn't think himself worthy of being on that list. The Commander watched as a single tear formed at the corner of her eye; he reached forward with his left hand to brush it away. The tiny, shimmering bead rested on his skin for a brief moment before spreading over his knuckles and vanishing. In its wake his raw and broken skin knitted back together in an instant. Her voice seemed to sing within his head. He felt sick with the sensations but he couldn't deny what had just happened as he flexed his fingers.
"Ari, what in the world did you just do?" Pennsylvania asked, awestruck.
"I don't...know," she replied, equally confused. Thorson studied her carefully, wondering if the polished stone teardrop in her hair was glinting brighter or if it was just his imagination.
"Well, we appear to have the gift of the angels on our side," he whispered with utmost wonder. "Not sure how you lose with that ace up your sleeve."
Arizona gasped as he took her hand and ran his thumb over the back of her palm. Penny laughed.
"Take the compliment, sis. He never calls me an angel."
"Valkyrie isn't enough?" Thorson joked.
"Makes my heart flutter, you damn romantic."
"Arizona, go enjoy yourself today," he ordered. "When battle comes for us we'll be ready."
"I will, sir. Thank you for listening to me," Arizona replied, feeling her face and cubes burning with emotion as lightning raced from where he'd touched her straight to her core. She could barely hold steady on his blue eyes. After another moment of silent contact they broke away, with Arizona walking slowly toward the dormitories. Thorson turned to the elder sister.
"Did you know that Vampire has teeth, drinks blood, and can heal wounds like that?"
"No, sir. Sounds freaky as hell. What does that have to do with my sister?"
"If vampires and aliens exist...why not angels?" Thorson questioned the universe. Pennsylvania didn't have an answer for him.
"Let's head to my bridge. Sounds like I'll be hosting a few people."
"So the little doggy cook and the broken Ironblood," Pennsylvania said. "And you, of course. What a motley crew we'll be. Makes sense though. Pretty sure I'm the only one with crew quarters left."
"I apologize for the imposition," Thorson said respectfully. She looked at him with a surprisingly hurt expression.
"I get you practically alone for days on end. It's not a problem."
"Penny-"
"Just shut up and let me get it out, Commander! Please…"
Thorson nodded and seated himself in the captain's chair aboard the bridge. Penny rested her butt against a console and looked out at the activity on the docks below. "As you wish."
"I thought I could handle it. If it was Ari I'd be happy for her instead. That Fusou girl is so deep that she needs you to pull her out of the pit those bastards put her in. I wouldn't begrudge her your love."
"What do you mean?" Thorson requested sharply.
"You don't think we just talk about you, do you? Not even Tennessee thinks you're that vain."
"Course not."
"Well that woman put her sister in a situation that, without our intervention...your intervention, would have condemned that cute little Yamashiro to death...or maybe an undeath as the siren's thrall. Watch her closely Commander, she's far more fragile than she looks."
"Understood."
"And then of course there's me," Pennsylvania said with exasperation and disappointment in herself. "I must be the most fucked up of all of us, getting my main batteries bent out of shape over a cruiser." Thorson said nothing, resting his chin on his fist and propping himself up on the steering gear before him.
"I mean me, the ship that couldn't stand the idea of a sailor getting anywhere near my hull for years! Look what you've done to me!" She screamed, her green eyes burning bright behind a curtain of her slightly curly black hair, some of which hung in front of her face thanks to her agitated movements. "How the hell am I supposed to kill multiple Sakura carrier divisions if one man is enough to get me like this?" She lamented as Thorson found himself unable to contribute anything useful to her tirade that seemed more directed at herself than him.
"I think about you with her, making her scream like that. And it just makes me blush, my heart flutters, and I want to blow something up all at once. And now I need to spend ten days with you alone. Not really alone but pretty much alone cause this ship is big and if that little destroyer is hanging off of you 24/7 I'm going to-"
"Just hit me already," Thorson said, standing and offering his palms like a boxing coach.
"I don't want to hit you, I want to-" Penny clapped her mouth shut before stepping forward and slugging his palm hard as she could. It stung like anything but Thorson bore it.
"Damn you Union boats are strong. I approve," he smiled, flicking his hand at the wrist to get the blood flowing again. Penny was pacing. "What?"
"And now that you've decided fucking us is ok I'm worried you're going to do me just to get me to settle down."
"Point of clarification," Thorson raised a hand. "I made love to Cleveland. I didn't fuck her. No plans to fuck you either, unless that's what you want."
"I don't know what I want!" She yelled at the top of her lungs. "You...you changed everything! You and that upbeat little cruiser...the hell is wrong with me?"
"Nothing. It's just jealousy," Thorson replied, crossing his arms over his chest as Penny stood straight and did the same. "We have time, let it out."
"You want this?" She asked, fully unbuttoning her top and letting him look as long as he wanted.
"Damn right I do."
"Alright. That'll...thanks, Commander."
"What, that's it?" Thorson asked with sudden surprise as Pennsylvania turned away.
"You think I want to be some pity fuck? You probably still smell like her. For now we have other things to discuss, Commander, like how you intend to use me and my sister."
"You mean...on the battlefield, right?" Thorson ventured carefully. She threw her head back and laughed.
"Of course. Or are you thinking with your other brain right now, filthy Commander?"
"You should like Shiranui."
"And the mood's very much gone," Penny declared with a shake of her head. "You intend to use us as a steel wall. Why?"
Thorson accepted her question and walked to stand beside her, gazing down at the docks. "A long time ago, centuries back, most ships would fight in close quarters. The most surefire way to disable a ship was to board and sink or capture it. Eventually, the weapons we could mount on ships became so powerful that was no longer necessary. Offense has long been more potent than defense. You and the other battleships are changing that. Remember Pearl Harbor, when you blocked that bomb?"
"How could I forget?" She recalled. "I saved your life."
"You did."
"And then you saved my sister."
"How many could you block now?" He demanded, returning them to the discussion at hand. A shield shimmered around Penny as she activated her rigging with practiced ease.
"Dozens," she growled in promise. "So what's your plan?"
"From what I can tell, and I intend to keep observing our battles for confirmation, each of you has to make a choice in battle. During times of serious stress you surprise me, but mostly there's a trade-off between attack, defense, and utility. Am I wrong?"
"No, that does sound about right," Pennsylvania agreed, considering her own cubes and their particular fluxes when she was in the middle of a fight.
"So let's say your fleet comes up against a ship that's capable of taking an immense amount of punishment. What would you do?"
"Hit it hard and fast, destroy the superstructure or its steering, wear it down and don't let her shift to offense," Penny answered confidently.
"And what if there was an entire fleet behind that screening ship?"
"I'd be fucked, sir. And not in the good way. So that's our job, eh? Take the hits and let the others destroy them?"
"Work as a unit and achieve victory," Thorson reframed the situation. "Laffey has a siren weapon on her ship now. We have extraordinary firepower outside of you and Tennessee at long last."
"And the royals are no slouches either, I'm sure. Well I'm convinced, Commander. They won't get past us," Pennsylvania promised. "Just know we can only take so much."
"I know. Akashi's working on it," Thorson replied with a disbelieving laugh.
"How so, sir?"
"Apparently we're getting a spa."
That evening the fleet assembled on the docks. Stevens' crew had decamped to the base for meals and in return could be seen milling about at the direction of the bulins. They'd quickly discovered that the little mechanics were big fans of being petted on the head, and so the games had begun. Those sailors who put in hard work were allowed to give them attention. Those who slacked where whacked with large wrenches. With the constant activity in the background, Thorson watched as his fleet said their goodbyes to friends and sisters. Downes and Cassin were hugging it out while Yamashiro and Fusou conversed in hushed tones off to one side. Shiratsuyu was giving Yuugure and Hatsuharu some final pointers on cooking, and the kittens were saying farewell to Ark Royal, who gifted them with another lemon drop each.
"Take care of them, please," Thorson requested of Stevens and Brooklyn.
"No worries, Commander. We've both made very clear to the crew what's acceptable and what isn't. I think having Brooklyn and Cassin along for the ride has really opened their minds to what these girls can do, while acknowledging they're still young women," Stevens explained.
"You have my thanks," Thorson replied, taking Brooklyn into a chaste embrace. "You've grown so much since I let you go."
"And you've grown since I left. You'll always be my Commander. Fair winds and calm seas to you, Commander Thorson."
"Thanks Brooklyn. No sense waiting any longer I suppose. Alright!" He raised his voice. "Say your final goodbyes. We're heading out!" With a cheer from those nearby, Thorson's fleet said farewell, activated their rigging, and headed for their vessels. The Commander, Zed, and Shiratsuyu headed for the Pennsylvania where she was docked. Sailors waved their caps and Yamashiro called out to him as the fleet sounded their horns and moved out in formation. After situating the other two passengers and ensuring they were alright, Thorson made his way to the bridge. Zed was right on his heels. Pennsylvania looked them over and nodded before turning back to the open ocean as darkness fell.
"Set our heading, Penny," Thorson ordered.
"Aye, sir," she replied, turning east and forming the front left point of the formation. Her rigging shimmered to life and she hailed the fleet via radio. "All ships form up on me. Let's show Big E how to really go to war."