On the morning of the fourth full day of their voyage, February the 13th, Thorson emerged from the interior of the Pennsylvania to cool temperatures and calm sea breezes. With sunrise still on the way he felt himself shiver a moment, walking towards the bow as he waited for the tropical sun he'd been getting accustomed to. He wasn't particularly surprised to find her there as well.
"Did you sleep?" He asked, checking up on her as Pennsylvania turned her head enough to glance at him out of the corner of her eye. To their right they could see the proud hull of the Tennessee slicing through the ocean her many guns on display. Behind them trailed the rest of Thorson's fleet, holding formation as they carried on through long, boring stretches of open water that no warring nations bothered with.
"Enough," she replied, standing a pace to the left so he could join her despite already ample room on deck. Above their heads one of Fusou's seaplanes flew off towards the western horizon, joined by a handful of Fulmars from Ark Royal. With friendly waters left behind, Thorson had ordered air patrols. "Good. Last thing we need is getting caught out," Pennsylvania nodded approvingly.
"Last thing I need is heroics like what you pulled getting everyone here from Hawaii," Thorson said, wondering if Penny even felt the early morning chill. Her sleeves were rolled up and her uniform was just as open as always. If anything, Thorson thought she was intentionally giving him reason to look.
"Downes and Cassin would have died," she explained simply.
"And fortunately, no one is in danger of dying right now," Thorson clarified. "Seriously Penny-"
"I'm fine!" She cut him off, closing her eyes as the first direct rays of sunshine warmed her face from the east. "Commander, I'll be ready when the action finds us, you know that."
"And you know I care about more than the status of your weapons systems," he replied.
"You should know damn well that you're the reason the rest of me is...like this!" She snapped back, unable to really put into words the exciting and detestable tension in her chest whenever she saw him. The Commander hung his head and peered down into the dark blue chop below, allowing Penny to look him over without the added complications of eye contact.
"Yeah, sorry," he muttered.
"You know, I actually believe you," Pennsylvania scoffed, looking out to sea herself. "I don't think even someone like you is dumb enough to intentionally piss me off like this."
"You're starting to sound like Tennessee," Thorson ventured, perhaps not fully awake enough to avoid danger.
"And you're one step away from being thrown into the Pacific. But…" Penny trailed off and looked at the few clouds above them that the sun was painting orange. "I guess there's the other half of you that came out here and decided to keep me company."
"Wasn't intentional," Thorson offered the out.
"I don't care. You stayed."
"Kind of romantic, in a naval warfare sort of way?" He chuckled ruefully under his breath. She turned to him.
"It is romantic, Andrew." Penny didn't know if she started it or not, but her lips were on his in an instant. The fact that Tennessee and possibly her own sister could see her only made her cubes sing louder. It was a significantly more fulfilling kiss than the ones they'd shared atop the island. Those had been awkward in one moment and desperate in another. She didn't even know if they were in love or if the gesture meant anything at all beyond the fact that they both derived physical satisfaction from one another. The active movement of his lips on hers, the way his tongue caressed her own, that was proof enough he was enjoying her. She enjoyed him right back. For a moment Pennsylvania considered that perhaps there was not need for much else. The thought was a comforting one. Not as comforting as the feeling of Thorson's hand circling her waist and holding their hips together, but comforting nevertheless.
"For the record...I didn't start that," Thorson breathed when Penny finally let him up for air.
"You finished it though," she replied with a hint of hunger in her confident tone, giving her Commander a satisfied smile. "Guess it's a good thing one of us is so honest."
"Guess so," Thorson agreed, unable to say much else. Pursuing her on an operation felt wrong. But accepting her felt very right.
"Oh yeah, cause that's what every woman wants to hear after a kiss at sunrise," Penny remarked sarcastically.
"Taking you to bed would be irresponsible," Thorson murmured. It was enough to put a contented smirk on her face. He wanted to, it was just an issue of 'responsibility'.
"Is this what 'it's complicated' means?" She teased.
"Complicated doesn't even begin to describe it," Thorson clarified, nevertheless placing an arm across her shoulders and holding her to his side.
"Well, we established you want my body and you like kissing me. Doesn't sound too complicated," she countered, turning to face him and leave a brief peck at the corner of his lips. "I'm doing better, Commander. We've all had some time to talk, get the royals comfortable with Fusou, that sort of stuff. Cleveland's a different woman now. You made her happy and the way she talks about her sisters, wherever they are...she's more hopeful than I've ever heard."
"Doubt sleeping with me had anything to do with that," Thorson demurred, fiddling with his cap with his free hand.
"Maybe not directly," Pennsylvania acknowledged. "But it's plain as day to the rest of us. We've known her longer than you, Commander, a lot longer. That night the two of you shared together was good for her. That's all I'll say."
"Sorry you have to get caught up in it," Thorson tried.
"Don't you dare. I'm not weak like that. If I wasn't interested you'd know very well," she insisted. "When the time comes...and don't give me that look. I know it will unless we die in Java."
"Penny…"
"Shut it, just covering all my bases. We die? Well then we die. If we live, then when we sleep together you'd better use your mouth on me like you did her. Girl won't shut up about it."
"Oh dear lord," Thorson groaned in embarrassment. Penny laughed boldly.
"You're too easy to play with, Commander. Just stay focused on what it meant to her, yeah? You and I? We'll figure our own way."
"That is...thank you," he said earnestly. It wasn't that Thorson regretted his night with Cleveland, but it was undeniably an inexorable step into a different world with a different fleet dynamic. Doubt accompanied that decision as it did all other major decisions he made. Having Penny there to reassure him was more than enough to compel him to give her a final kiss, this one on her temple. "This does feel easy, doesn't it?"
"Maybe one of these nights I'll work up the courage to throw Zed overboard and share your cabin myself."
Thorson looked at Penny for a long moment, unable to weigh the seriousness of her statement. She rolled her eyes right back. "I know it's necessary; has nothing to do with your body and everything to do with what those bastards did to her. Doesn't change the fact. Breakfast soon?"
"I was going to help her out today actually," Thorson replied, happy for the change of subject. "I can't read about tactics all day."
"Find anything good?"
"Maybe, we'll see. You going back to the bridge?"
"In a moment. I'm enjoying the sun."
"Then I'll see you at breakfast. Later, Penny."
"See you, Andrew."
Thorson couldn't help but glance back at her before walking off across the deck on his way to the galley. Those verdant eyes never left him.
"Oh, good morning Shikikan!" Shiratsuyu called as the door to the galley opened and her breakfast preparations were paused. "Just give me a moment!" The young dog morph quickly washed her hands before checking on simmering rice and approaching him.
"Good morning," Thorson replied politely, wondering why Shiratsuyu was staring so intently at him. The answer became clear when she held out her arms tentatively. Her slowly wagging tail began to whip back and forth as Thorson agreed to her gesture and took her into a hug. Her ears tickled his chin as he waited, allowing her to experiment a bit with what many others in his fleet did on the regular. "I was hoping I could assist you today. Do you need any help?" He asked, trying to move things along.
"I think breakfast is covered, Shikikan, but I could use help preparing for lunch. The girls are always very hungry."
"We have been making good time but I guess battleships can only move so fast. Can't be helped. What do you need from me?" Thorson queried, releasing Shiratsuyu to tend to the rice again while he approached a large crate of eggs. A wooden spoon struck him on the arm.
"I need you to wash your hands and not disturb breakfast," she told him, making every effort to appear in control of the situation, that was until she realized what she'd done.
"Uwawawa! I just hit Shikikan! I'm sorry I'm sorry!" Shiratsuyu's sudden panic was alleviated by a gentle hand on her head, a tactic Thorson was quickly discovering worked far better on the Sakura than other factions. He blamed the animal traits.
"I've had far worse. I'll stay out of your hair. What should I do for lunch?"
"I was going to make some curry, serve it with whatever rice is left after breakfast. You can cube vegetables and chicken, and please be sure to wash everything."
"I appreciate your dedication to cleanliness," Thorson smiled.
"I prefer the mess hall at the base. It's very clean with plenty of light," she replied, pausing and looking at the ceiling as though she'd forgotten something very important. When whatever it was came to her, she immediately returned to her stove and tended to breakfast. With his orders given, Thorson set about gathering the things she'd set aside for that afternoon's meal.
"Are your sisters excellent cooks like you?" Thorson asked after a few minutes of comfortable silence. Shiratsuyu lifted a pan of frying eggs from the stove before throwing him a sad glance.
"No, Shikikan. Shigure and Yuudachi are more likely to eat you out of house and home than prepare you a meal. I suppose I might as well include Yukikaze too. She's a Kagerou class destroyer and a cat, unlike us Shiratsuyu class girls...but she has always been with us."
"You miss them," Thorson replied, the truth more than evident in her voice.
"Of course, Shikikan. They are my dear sisters and friends."
"And now you serve the enemy," Thorson added darkly. To his surprise Shiratsuyu didn't seem worried about that.
"There are many ships who fervently follow the fox sisters. Atago and Takao, Ayanami, Hiryuu and Soryuu, Kongou and Hiei, Haruna and Kirishima. The list goes on, Shikikan. Many of them fight for strength, honor, freedom, and other grand causes. The sirens claim to offer us this. I was never sure. My sisters though? They do not trouble themselves with lofty ideals for the most part. Yuudachi loves meat, eating, and fighting. Shigure loves pranks and playing around with Yukikaze. She was good friends with Yamashiro as well. Both of those two claim to be blessed by the goddess of fortune. They're simple ships, all of whom are more powerful than me when they decide to actually fight. I just hope we don't face them."
"Wouldn't you want to see them again?" Thorson wondered. Shiratsuyu placed a plate of food in Akashi's device. In the future, he would definitely credit the minty kitty as having a hand in inventing the microwave. After a brief moment the plate was replicated thanks to a generous helping of crude oil. The young chef turned to him and wiped a tear from her eye.
"I remember what happened to Nachi. You thrashed us without a single battleship. I would rather my sisters never met you, Shikikan. I believe in your fight, but that doesn't change reality," Shiratsuyu whispered.
"And if they do find me...how do I get them to surrender?" He pressed. She smiled weakly.
"Food? Playtime? Belly rubs? I don't know, Commander. It may not be up to them. Traitors are shot."
"Like Shiranui."
"Yes, Shikikan."
Thorson and Shiratsuyu spent the rest of their time in silence, with the young Sakura soon heading out to deliver meals to Penny and Zed before using the radio to summon the rest of the shipgirls to the Pennsylvania to get their share. With the fleet cruising along, placing their hulls on 'autopilot' for a few minutes was not a big deal for the girls who used their rigging to skate back and forth between vessels. Thorson was left behind in the galley, taking out his anger on vegetables and chicken parts as he wondered how to save three more ships who he should only have considered enemies.
Another five days passed without great event. Occasionally Vampire or Leander would radio in possible sonar contacts, but they were not engaged by any forces. Fusou and Ark Royal would send daily reports based on their scout planes, but it remained clear that wherever the action was in the Pacific, Thorson and his fleet were not yet there.
Shipgirls would come and go from the Pennsylvania, visiting the Commander and Penny, retrieving meals, and generally remaining social as they approached Southeast Asia. Even Zed was getting some time with Laffey and Javelin, with the two of them showing up every day to carry their friend away over the waves to play or skate around with their rigging.
The three friends had just departed the Pennsylvania on the evening of the 18th, watched carefully by the Commander and Penny as the sun set in the west. With not a cloud above, the sky was content to turn its shades of yellow and indigo without much fanfare. It was of little consequence to those on the bridge. They had other more pressing concerns.
"She's like a different person," Thorson whispered, watching a now very grown Laffey carrying Zed off for some quality time. Penny stood next to him with her arms behind her back.
"Just on the outside, Commander. It's still the same somnolent destroyer on the inside, the one we all know and love."
"She absorbed siren tech!"
"And beat it with your help! We're all siren tech, Commander. Don't say it like that," she urged. Thorson closed his eyes and nodded.
"I'm sorry, Penny. I truly forget sometimes."
"And I think we're all thankful for that."
"To business?" He asked, gesturing to a table in the corner of a bridge where a flashlight rested on a map. They took up positions on two sides.
"It should be about a day more," Pennsylvania advised, bending over the chart of the Pacific along with Thorson. "And just get your staring out of the way now. I'm not buttoning my top."
"Did you hear me complaining?" Thorson demanded with a smirk. She returned it.
"No, but your eyes should be focused on Java, Commander."
"Fair enough, though I doubt even the tropical landscapes will ever hold a candle to your body. Way I see it we have to options. We'll be entering the area around the Philippines any moment, which means high alert from here on out."
"Sending the order now," Penny replied with fluttering eyes, receiving input from Warspite, Fusou, and all the Union vessels. "All ships are at full detection capability, sir."
"Good. Thank you," he said, making her chest swell with praise. "So our choices are navigating the islands of the Banda Arc, or punching straight through the Celebes Sea and the Makassar Strait. You haven't been able to contact any Union or allied installations?"
"No sir. I've been trying to maintain a low profile but...there's nothing."
"Then we go through the Makassar Strait," Thorson declared.
"Sir?"
"If the allies still hold it, we can use it for resupply and to offer our assistance in the area. If Zed and Warspite were right and the Sakura have conquered more territory here...well...let's just say I don't mind sending a message."
"Tennessee says she likes the way you think, sir," Penny declared with a hearty laugh. Thorson cocked a brow at her. "I'm not sharing everything, but that was too good to pass up. Permission to disagree, sir?"
"Granted," Thorson replied curiously. "Go on, Penny."
"We should avoid both areas and travel around the north side of the main island. In the open ocean, Tenn and I would take on a hundred destroyers, but against the Sakura in those narrow confines…"
"I see what you mean. You're tough, not invincible. And in those sorts of engagements it would be difficult to rotate damaged ships. Not to mention you lose your range advantage," Thorson muttered, running through the logic himself. "Counterpoint."
"Go ahead, Commander."
"For starters, technically if we can slip within the activation range of enemy torpedoes we will regain the range advantage. The closer we travel to the mainland, the more we expose ourselves to land-based aircraft. You all performed splendidly against that siren attack force, but I get the sneaking suspicion that they went intentionally easy on us. The Japanese air force won't. Borneo was under Sakura control before we even left port. If anything the situation has deteriorated. Additionally, if we sink or capture an enemy destroyer, that's worth more to me than a wing of bombers," Thorson added.
"You're that confident?"
"Surrender or die is usually an easy choice," he replied softly. Pennsylvania nodded.
"I don't know how you'll do it, but if you can...we need more escort ships. Four destroyers for five battleships?"
"I know, it's not ideal against the Sakura and their torpedoes," he agreed.
"Look on the bright side, we'd win any slugfest with the Ironblood," Penny reasoned.
"Wrong theater," Thorson chuckled. "But it's what we've got. More artillery than the Sakura armies have in all likelihood…" Thorson's face darkened. "I just can't help but think we're falling into a bear trap."
"What do you mean, sir?"
"This is the Sakura's back yard. They control the seas and they want these islands. The Union has no ground forces here yet and we're probably the only major Union fleet with any capital ships for hundreds of miles. I'm beginning to wonder why we came here at all and why no one has tried to stop us."
"Now is definitely not the time for those thoughts," Penny warned. "Worst comes to worst we fight our way out, flee south to Australia and head home. We'll crush this trap if it springs."
"Then let's go. Radio the instructions and tell Cleveland to keep her eyes peeled. She's our best detection against air and surface ships."
"Yes sir...orders received by the fleet," Penny eventually supplied. "You can hear the pride in Cleveland's voice by the way. So now...we wait."
"Lord only knows what tomorrow will bring," Thorson declared solemnly, contemplating sailing straight through territory covered by Sakura air patrols. At least he had his own carrier.
"Hey, come here," Penny demanded softly, walking around the table and embracing him tenderly. She frowned. "Your heart is beating too quickly, Andrew. We've got hours before any sort of action. It'll be alright."
"You weren't there when we killed Nachi…"
"How do you intend to fight a war without killing?"
"Rather poorly," Thorson admitted, resting his head against hers and breathing deeply. She smelled like the fjords his family had visited once, a soothing blend of spring flowers and sea breeze. "I'm not sure if I'm ready to give orders that will kill dozens or hundreds of men. I was a nobody until a couple months ago."
"You must be ready, or I...we will all die," Pennsylvania promised. "We were made for war, Commander. We will not look poorly upon you for doing what must be done."
Penny's words of compassion had Thorson pulling back to gaze at her lovingly. "Thank you for sharing the burdens of command."
"If you want to kiss me…I'd like that," she told him. The quickly darkening bridge seemed like a perfect setting. Their lips had just brushed together when the door to the bridge slammed open and a cacophony of voices interrupted them.
"Knight Commander!" Javelin shouted as a small, blonde, Ironblood missile slammed into Thorson's side and began hugging him for dear life, apologizing all the while.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"
Thorson was about to request an explanation when Laffey spoke up, standing quietly beside her friend. "Zed thinks something is out there. Laffey could not sense anything."
"Javelin?"
"Nothing definite on sonar either, Commander. We spoke with the others on the way here. No one had anything."
"I'm sorry!" Zed continued to sob, prompting Thorson to shift his attention to her.
"It's alright. You're safe. The fleet is safe. I'm here," he assured her as Penny looked on silently. Her disgruntled expression at being interrupted had changed quickly to one of pity as she looked down at the terrified girl in Thorson's arms.
"Laffey, Javelin, the both of you should return to your ships. We're almost certainly within the range of land based air patrols. From here on out you should consider us in enemy territory. We'll be in radio contact," he promised, knowing how hard it would be for them to leave her. The two of them nodded and saluted.
"Yes, Knight Commander."
"Laffey will go now. Take care of Zed please, Commander."
He waved to them a final time before they departed, casting a quick glance at Pennsylvania before returning to Zed. "Hey, what happened out there? You're safe now."
"I know, I know, I just-" she rambled, taking pause to breathe rapidly. "There was something out there!"
Thorson had no way of knowing if Zed was right or not. She had no rigging and no ship to aid in detection. His fleet wasn't detecting anything nearby. But that didn't mean sirens couldn't spoof them.
"I'm really sorry, Kommandant!"
"Stop with that. He's not caring for you because he pities you," Pennsylvania said sternly, reaching out with her hand in what she thought was an attempt to comfort the young destroyer.
"Please no!" She shrieked as Penny drew too close. Any happiness Thorson had derived from Zed's apparent improvement was shattered. There was still plenty of road to be traveled, apparently. Her comfort with him and her best friends did not extend further. He wrapped an arm around Z23 and rested a hand on her head, removing her beret so he could soothe her scalp directly. She quieted and buried her head into his chest in an attempt to disappear. Penny and Thorson looked at one another.
"It's alright, Zed. Penny is part of this fleet and a good friend of Laffey's. She won't hurt you," he promised, motioning with a jerk of his head for Penny to rest her hand on his. Slowly they comforted the destroyer until her crying was reduced to the occasional quiet sob and Thorson allowed Penny's fingers to slip between his own. Over time and with repetitive motion he withdrew his own hand. Penny's remained to ensure comfort until his was finally free. He hugged her with both arms as Zed gasped, now more than aware that she was being touched by two people.
"It...it's good," she whispered. "Thank you. Please continue."
With Zed traveling aboard the Pennsylvania, Thorson had considered it prudent to make the older shipgirl aware of what had been done to Zed during her years in the Kriegsmarine. They both understood her need for the touch of trusted individuals. Over time as darkness fell outside the two of them could slowly feel Zed's shoulder and core muscles relaxing as she got to experience the warmth and comfort of being between Penny and Thorson during a hug. The battleship looked sternly at her Commander often, saddened by the thin state of the destroyer's body. Three warm meals a day were doing wonders, but as with her mind, only time would fully restore her body. He didn't know how long they all remained there like some dysfunctional family, but eventually Zed stood straight and they allowed her freedom.
"Danke, mein Kommandant. And you as well, Pennsylvania. I am alright now."
"Good. Don't…" Penny scratched her chin a moment and looked to the ceiling. "Don't bear everything by yourself. That's part of being in a fleet."
Thorson beamed at her as Zed bowed shyly. "I'll remember that. For now I think I'll retire to our cabin, Kommandant. I'm sorry, and thank you again."
The two 'adults' were left in silence as Z23 politely closed the door behind her.
"Put Kriegsmarine High Command on my list," Penny growled.
"That would be the sirens now. High command is dead."
"Fine by me. The worst part is the apologizing…"
"I know…"
"Almost felt like, I don't know," Penny said, resting against Thorson like a familiar lover in need of a shoulder after a long day. "That was hard."
"I'm here."
"I know." She allowed her arms to envelop his broad back and sighed with comfort as he did the same. "Andrew."
They remained in that embrace until their legs stiffened and their feet became sore.
"I don't think I want to take the chance we survive this, Andrew. Spend the night with me? Make love to me?" Penny requested proudly, softly. Thorson nodded silently, almost two weeks of growing closeness and physical interaction reaching their desired and perhaps inevitable conclusion. Her green eyes seemed to smolder in the dark. Thorson had a vision of dragons.
"Not here," he murmured.
"But she…"
"It'll be fine, trust me," Thorson insisted, fairly familiar with Zed's sleeping patterns. He took Penny by the hand and led her from the bridge. Down into the bowels of the ship they went, electricity sparking between their clasped palms with every step. The excitement Penny felt within her chest was tempered only by their time with Zed and the fact that war loomed on the morning horizon. When they reached the crew quarters they found Zed fast asleep, her bed a few feet from Thorson's. Pennsylvania followed as he approached and got her attention before stroking Zed's head affectionately. The young woman murmured 'Kommandant' and turned over in her sleep, far away in dreamland. Penny whispered to him.
"Is this…what women feel for their children?" Her voice was heavily conflicted, curious, and uncertain. Thorson shook his head.
"I'll never know."
"You'll be a father one day."
"If I survive…"
Without another word Penny rested her hands against Thorson's chest and pushed back gently, unbuttoning his uniform on the way to his own cot. It was completely unremarkable and not big enough for comfort but it was his bed, and he had opened it to her. After his shirt and pants fell to the floor Penny undid her own uniform, allowing him to watch in the almost darkness. She discarded her heels, jacket, and the leather harness she wore at mid-thigh. Her movements were precise with a hint of seduction, but mainly conveyed a desire to bare her body to him gracefully. Thorson felt his arousal grow as his eyes trailed over her thigh high stockings, black lace panties and bra, but once his eyes met hers again he found it relatively easy to remain there. He shifted back to make room and she snuggled up next to him, her hair partially obscuring her eyes as they kissed, touched, and committed taboo.
"I love you, Andrew Thorson," Penny's breath whispered over his lips before she turned on her other side, pressing her toned butt against his pelvis and pulling her underwear to the side. Thorson took the clear invitation, holding her body firmly and kissing her rigging mark gently. It was in the shape of a winged helm and he couldn't help the words that spilled from his lips into her ear as the two of them became one. She clutched the sheets tightly between her fingers as he filled her completely and returned the dedication of her heart.
"I love you, my Valkyrie."
More than an hour later, Penny finally felt herself drifting off to sleep, warmed by Thorson's body both around her and still within her. Her cubes thrummed contentedly and she felt she now understood in no uncertain terms why Cleveland seemed different of late. She was truly a woman now, one who had used her body not just for war, but to receive and give pleasure. At dawn she would go to battle with her man, completed. "When the sun rises," she whispered, closing her eyes.
"When the sun rises," he agreed, planting a final kiss on the nape of her neck as she seemed to accept him fully and without reservation. They fit together, perfectly. His feet brushed her toes and her thighs rested warmly against his. His arms circled her comfortably and he had just the right height advantage to get a comforting face full of her silken hair. A contentedness settled within Thorson that he had not felt with Cleveland, the sense that he had bedded a woman very much his equal, a partner who would stand by him to the bitter iron bottom of the ocean. Thorson refused to say the final words aloud. We go to war.