"Are ye sure this is alright, Shikikan? I'm not…Christian or anythin' like that. Oh I shouldn't have mentioned all this and that and-"
"At ease, Ooshio," Thorson assured her with a comforting hand between the ears. They were scaling the steps to the shine on April 5th, Easter Sunday. That Friday Fredrick Miles, along with moral support from Houston, had requested leave from his morning duties in the kitchen to pray. When Thorson checked the calendar and realized what day it actually was he had granted Miles' request, even accompanying him to the shrine and explaining to Ooshio and Asashio why the two of them were there in their best uniforms on a Friday. Upon hearing the tale of Easter, the death and resurrection of Jesus, and the symbolism of rebirth and a renewed promise for mankind, Ooshio had been delighted. As near as Thorson could tell, the young shrine maiden had made a connection between her own gods, those of fertility and wellness, and the rebirth that Easter represented for Christians. The result was a beautifully decorated shrine that greeted them in the early hours of Easter morning. The maidens had clearly been hard at work sweeping and cleaning the day before, and upon entry Miles and Thorson noticed that the alcove containing the crucifix and bible had been accented with tropical flowers that Ooshio had scavenged from around the base.
"That was a mighty fine thing of you to do, Ooshio," Miles offered quietly, having become more familiar with the Asashio-class sisters thanks to working side by side with one three times a day. He was slipping back into his Texas accent too, thanks to Ooshio's particular company. The black neko maiden's manjuu popped out of her kimono to tweet his thanks at the young man. Thorson couldn't help but nod in agreement.
"I'm not sure that my pastor back home would be happy about either of you," he began. "But that guy had one foot in the grave the day I took my first communion. I've…I don't know. I don't want to speak for God or his son, but I don't think either of them would mind," Thorson concluded. Fredrick took a risk and met his eyes, having to glance upward slightly due to Thorson's height. The Commander drew his face into a neutral frown and nodded at him. "There will be time for all that other stuff when the war is over and won. Today we're here for the same purpose."
"As you say, sir. Will you do a reading or…"
Thorson blinked twice at the request, not having fully thought through the concept of an Easter morning service without a pastor. Beyond the shrine maidens of the Sakura, none of his fleet had shown much interest in religion, so the two of them were on their own. A small ember of shame ignited in his chest as he found himself unsure of what passages might be appropriate for Easter worship. It had been a long time since his last Bible study. "Why don't you pick, Mr. Miles?"
It was the young cook's turn to blink rapidly and silently, but he did not protest the Commander's orders. As Thorson took Ooshio by the hand and escorted her to the alcove she'd so nicely prepared for them all, Miles took the Bible in his hands, flipping gently through the pages until he arrived at the passage he'd been looking for. "A reading from the book of Mark…so Joseph brought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock…"
While the "service" atop the base had been a somber moment, Thorson found that down in the mess things were quite different. News of a holiday had spread rapidly throughout the base, likely from Ooshio to her sisters as well as Houston, and soon all of his ships were curious as to the celebration of 'the resurrection'. When Thorson finally managed to quiet them all down enough and explain that it involved a communal meal, friendship, and a day of rest, the room practically exploded with happiness. Akashi and the bulin crews went about scrounging the best plates and silverware they could find, while Shiratsuyu, Michishio, and Yuugure listened attentively as Fredrick explained the finer points of southern cooking and they collectively devised a plan for Easter brunch on a military base. Yamashiro and Fusou took to making tea for the entire fleet, and the Union ships did their best either to help or stay out of the way of those doing work. About an hour later, thanks to the magic of Akashi's various culinary inventions, brunch was served.
"I like Easter," Indianapolis said sweetly as Yuugure placed her plate in front of her. It featured grits and collard greens, cornbread and deviled eggs, and whatever cured meat was left on the base. Oppenheimer the manjuu could not help but coo appreciatively at the spread. Brooklyn and Captain Stevens were due any day with fresh supplies, but the meal prepared was still undeniably special. Portland held her sister close and was about to dig in when Thorson stalled her with a kind gesture of his hand from across the table.
"Please wait until everyone is served, including the kitchen staff. Then we'll say grace," he informed them. Portland and Cleveland looked at one another with mild confusion, but they were content to wait for a few minutes while the remainder of the Union and Sakura tables were served. In the interests of participation, Shiratsuyu and her sisters in arms had adapted Fredrick's recipes to be used with rice, fish, and other more familiar flavors for the Sakura palette. Even Jintsuu and Naka were given full meals. When all had left the kitchen and were seated, Thorson stood. His posture was enough to quiet the room as he took the hands of Downes and Arizona, the two ships seated on either side of him at the long table. The rest of his fleet quickly caught on, and soon everyone had closed their eyes and bowed their heads, the majority of his ships eager and excited to experience the novelty of a purely human tradition. As Thorson closed his own he caught a glimpse of Miles and Houston. He couldn't help an ironic smile. "Lord our Father, on this day, the day of your son's resurrection and ascension to your side, we humbly ask that you bless this base and this fleet with your grace and mercy. We thank you for this bounty given to us in times of war, and we thank you for shepherding us safely now and in the future. By your hand may our hulls remain unbroken and our shells fly true," he added, hoping to include his girls in his prayer. He could hear a few of them chuckling or humming affirmatives. "We ask this of you, oh Lord. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
"Amen," came a confused chorus led by Fredrick, who promptly dug in as Thorson was seated and the meal was on. The Commander had just taken a swig of coffee and a mouthful of cornbread when Downes elbowed him in the ribs. Despite her small frame it was still plenty hard to hurt. He coughed and took a massive gulp of water to wash everything down before turning an accusatory look at his spunky destroyer.
"Downes, I'm right next to you. You don't have to-" Thorson fell silent at the shocked look on her face, turning in his seat to see what had gotten her attention. All around him the room fell silent as every ship, bulin, and human looked at the Sakura fox with flaming red hair. Naka had stood from her solitary table with her sister and was looking around the room uncertainly. Jintsuu hissed at her.
"Nee-chan, what are you doing?!"
Naka faced her sadly, a tear in her eye. "Nee-san…there is another way," she whispered before turning to look at Downes, the one Union ship who had reached out to her first with fists and then with kindness. The ashen-haired girl was tugging on Thorson's uniform urgently.
"It's happening. It's happening!" She whispered, practically vibrating in her seat. With no shard left to speak of, all it took was for Naka to walk around one of the long, empty tables to finally stand before Thorson and Downes. She held herself with grace and poise, but he could see her ears shaking with nerves. Before either of them could say anything, Downes was shoving her hips into his, forcing him to scoot over so that space could be opened up between Tennessee and herself. Thorson gave Naka a final warning.
"You understand what you're doing?" He demanded.
"Yes," she squeaked, unable to look back at her sister who was caught somewhere between despair, confusion, and anger. Thorson nodded.
"If there was ever a day for new beginnings, today is the day. Be seated, Naka."
"Woohoo, red foxy has joined the good guys!" Downes shouted as Tennessee took the young woman's tray and allowed her to be seated. Fusou began clapping politely, leading Yuudachi to begin pounding the table with her fists and shouting congratulations. The shrine maiden was about to scold the rambunctious canine, but she was completely outnumbered as Maryland, Cleveland, Pennsylvania, Downes, Portland, and eventually the rest of the Union joined in.
"Welcome to the team," Arizona called from Thorson's other side.
"Hell yeah, we need another escort!" Penny agreed.
"How good is your AA?" Cleveland wondered eagerly as Portland and Indianapolis debated whether her ears were softer or coarser than those on the Asashio-class ships.
"More ships is good, yes yes. This fox is cute, but not as cute as Laffey, no no. There is no problem. Commander will still have plenty of kisses for Laffey, Javey, and Zed," the lapine destroyer nodded sagely as Zed placed her head in her hand and Javelin nodded in agreement. Naka was nothing short of shell shocked.
"I…what's going on?" She asked of Thorson. The man could not have looked prouder of his ships.
"There's power in forgiveness," was all he would say on the matter. "After the meal come to my office. We will speak of your new duties and arrangements."
Naka looked at him for a long moment, her amber eyes awash in confusion and a feeling as though she'd been capsized by a tsunami. But she was very much alive and as the strange Union commander had said, it was apparently a day for new beginnings. "Yes…Shikikan."
From the Sakura table, Yuudachi felt the need to interject anew, her mouth full of food. "Take that, Kaga! We got another one, wan~!"
Without rigging or a ship, there was not much for Naka and Thorson to discuss following the meal. The fox had suggested that she might serve as a sparring partner or trainer for those willing to learn martial arts among the Union. Thorson had agreed, and after assigning her to help the bulins with the maintenance of the Sakura dormitories, the two of them headed over to the Union dorms where the entire fleet was spending their Easter Sunday together. Such a gathering was made possible by a stroke of genius on the parts of Akashi and Cleveland together. During construction of the building, a colonial homage to the founding days of the Union with white clapboard siding, black window frames, and a candle in every window, Cleveland had insisted on an annex.
That annex had taken the form of a colossal red-washed barn, complete with two lofts in each of the inner corners, ample open space for recreation, and tables and chairs for socializing in the sheltered open air. Laffey, Zed, and Javelin had since 'claimed' one of the lofts as their own, moving their mattresses, pillows, and blankets there the first day they'd been able. The other loft was set up for reading and other quiet pastimes, while Downes and Tennessee had lugged their punching bag out of the stuffy gymnasium to hang from one of the large openings on either side of the barn. From the other door hung a swing made of rope and wood, which was often shared between Yukikaze and the youngest destroyers on the base. On that day Yukikaze was granted free reign of the swing as Mutsuki, Kisaragi, and Mikazuki colored leftover eggs with Miles, Houston, and 'Auntie Ark'. As they came upon the scene, Thorson placed his hand between Naka's shoulder blades and gave her a little push. "Go on, it's your fleet now too."
The ruby-furred fox nodded and approached Downes, Tennessee, California, and South Dakota, all of whom were congregated around the punching bag. Downes was up, while the Tennessee sisters did stretches and South Dakota observed. They welcomed her without reservations as Thorson waved to his cruisers, who had occupied the second wooden loft to chat and watch the goings on from up high. Despite the comfortable atmosphere, accentuated by Yuudachi and Shigure's delighted yelling as they played with Arizona, Penny, Fusou, and Yamashiro, Thorson noticed something was missing. He walked up to Ooshio and her sisters, who were all sipping tea while the shrine maidens went about maintaining their elaborate garments. "Shikikan, hello. How can we help?"
"At ease, you all. Just looking for our new arrivals. Have any of you seen Colorado or her sisters?" The assembled ships looked between one another and shrugged.
"No, Shikikan. Not since brunch," they replied. Thorson nodded. He was about to head inside to try to track them down when the three of them entered the barn of their own accord from the double doors that led into the dormitory proper. West Virginia, a ship who he still knew very little about on account of her reserved nature, had a guitar in her hands. To his great surprise, Indy and Portland immediately gravitated to her, hopping off the loft and not bothering to use the ladder as the pale battleship grabbed a chair and sat herself down. She gave them a small smile from over the lip of her coat's collar and strummed the instrument a few times, tuning her strings. South Dakota left the workout gang and joined her. They nodded to one another.
"Shall we try the whole thing this time?" West Virginia asked. South Dakota looked around at the other ships.
"It would be sad to disappoint them," she agreed. Without any further ado, West Virginia began plucking the strings in a melody Thorson had never heard before. To his great surprise and scientific delight, his new arrivals proved they were not just capable of mayhem, destruction, and sex appeal, but also art.
"Almost heaven, West Virginia," they began as Laffey bobbed her head and ears from on high, peeking over the railing of her loft. As the song carried on, one that was clearly inspired by West Virginia's trip to her home state, Thorson couldn't help but tap his own foot absent-mindedly. His small grin broke into a full, toothy smile once South Dakota and West Virginia hit the chorus. Cleveland and the others may not have known the lyrics to the whole song, but they joined in then.
"Country roads, take me home. To the place, I belong!" They all sang, an ode to a place Thorson and the rest of them had never visited. Upon reflection, as music makes a man wont to do, Thorson found it easy to acknowledge that he had never felt better than that moment since Pearl Harbor. He, and all of his girls, now had something concrete to fight for. The day was made complete as a certain woman snuck up behind him, accompanied by the sound of friendly horns from the harbor.
"That's a beautiful song, Commander."
"Welcome back, Brooklyn. What news?" He wondered, accepting a small hug from her.
"It can wait," she assured him. "I missed this place."
All around her was the fanfare of activity, cannon fire and the clashing of steel, the shimmering of the barrier that protected the Sanctuary from the outside world, the hum of engines, the calls of the Sakura navy, and that subtle vibration deep in her bones that was the call of the sirens. She was sure that most of those around her by that point were thralls of one form or another. For most it was unwilling, out of sight, and out of mind. She wondered if any of the Chosen had ascended yet. Given that she did not see any sort of mythical Atago or Ayanami sailing around she supposed not. It was a disappointment but nothing unexpected. It certainly would not overshadow her glory as she sailed from her flight deck over the peaceful waters to one of the main islands. The occasional sakura petal landed in her hair and tails as she moved, the fleets around her all doing their best to impress their leader.
"Dearest sister, you have returned." Kaga the snowy kitsune greeted Akagi with a shallow bow as she stepped onto the stone of the island. "I am glad you're well."
"And you, my sister. I hear that you fought against the Knight of the Union. I hope you found time to play with your food," she grinned.
"And I hear that you won a great victory in the East," Kaga replied curtly. "Let us walk."
Akagi accepted her invitation, both of them knowing that the discussion of war and tactics was not something to be done out in the open where they could be watching. "I am glad that you are well, sister. Truly, I am."
Kaga and Akagi met eyes for a moment, and in those few seconds the tension of fighting the sirens, the Union, and each other melted away. They were alone at the top, and so they were together against the world. "And I you, Akagi. Please, come. I'll make us some tea and we can speak of the future."
"Lead on, sister…"
After a short walk across one of the Sanctuary's many islands, during which Akagi sternly greeted many of her fellow warships and underlings, the two of them entered Kaga's private chambers, an immaculately curated room barren of all ostentatiousness. Akagi seated herself after bowing to her host, and allowed her eight tails and spirit fire to burn bright while Kaga busied herself with matcha and water. Her blue fires smoldered as well. "The wards are up, sister."
"Ah, blissful silence," Akagi sighed, looking out of the open doors to the sea, sky, and shimmering force field beyond. A solitary bonsai adorned the wooden table before her. "I wonder if any of them even hear the call anymore…"
"Those who did were brought to the Hall of Sculptures, Akagi. The rest are but thralls who will serve the Sakura as we command. Kirishima is the exception…and Fusou," Kaga whispered.
"What did you say, sister?!" Akagi hissed.
"While you were out destroying pitiful resistance with far more ships than necessary, the Knight attacked our operations in Java, as you well know. Fusou was with him, as well as Shiratsuyu. The little dog is apparently a cook now."
"Despicable. Pitiful!" Akagi fumed, incensed at the idea of a proud Sakura ship cooking food for anyone, much less a Union officer.
"And yet Yukikaze and Yuudachi saw fit to defy me in the heat of battle following the defeat of Jintsuu and Naka in hand to hand combat. They went to join that despicable and pitiful mutt…as you said, Akagi." Kaga concluded by joining her sister at the table, sitting cross-legged on the tatami floor and handing her a cup of soothing tea. "Akagi, this war can no longer continue in this manner."
The brown-furred kitsune glared at her sister, but she took the point as presented, her fires flaring with her anger. "They were all supposed to die or disappear, not fight us at the behest of some Union nobody. If that…thing of theirs is real, all we need is one or maybe two of us to reach ascension and gain the favor of the Creator. The seas will run red with Union blood, and she will be returned to us!"
"We chose the path of the strong, survival of the fittest. I was able to crush his forces, but not score a deathblow while capturing Java at the same time. One day this rag-tag band of castoffs and ancient dreadnaughts may be enough to threaten us. This wound cannot fester. We should strike, and strike hard. Our submarine scouts report the Union is massing for a major offensive."
"If Fusou and her sister survived…you're sure it was her?" Akagi asked. Kaga nodded softly.
"You know as well as I do that her ship is unique. It stands out like a beacon on the seas. Talismans, charms, and tokens of the old ways flutter from every open space on her pagoda and rigging. She has taken upon herself the mantle that Nagato refused before her disappearance. By the way, did I mention that all of our Asashio-class destroyers have gone missing following the Java campaign?" Kaga asked in a carefree tone that was meant to convey anything but.
"You've made your point!" Akagi snapped. "With each of our own victories the ranks of the army and navy swell and our morale rises."
"And for each useless victory you obtain our enemy rallies Sakura and Union ships to his side! This war is no longer us against the Union, sister. The women who fight for him…"
"Is that fear I hear in your voice? You're afraid of what should be chained up and used for our pleasure?" Akagi teased, honing in on the faintest scent of weakness. Kaga shrugged.
"Had you seen what that woman…that barbarian did to Jintsuu, you would be afraid too, Akagi. If they ever get past our air wings...she tore Jintsuu's rigging limb from limb and used her own to destroy her shard at point blank range. This woman was remorseless and extraordinarily powerful despite her ancient and useless vessel. One of his destroyers defeated Naka. A destroyer, Akagi! Something is happening that we do not understand and it must end. That was the last I saw of Jintsuu or her sister. I told Sendai. She has redoubled her training and I am instructing her in battlefield tactics."
"Irrelevant. Where is Nagato?" Akagi demanded. "If there are two factions within the Union then we must unify our own."
"Zuikaku and Shoukaku returned from their expedition empty-handed," Kaga informed her, suspicion lacing her every word. "I sent them to reinforce the invasion of New Guinea."
"Foolish humans. They should have consolidated their gains along the Malay barrier and what I handed them on a platter in India. The Union will not allow Australia and its supply lines to fall so easily."
"But maybe we can be rid of those crane sisters in the crossfire," Kaga mused.
"What happened to unifying our forces, dear sister?"
"I do not consider traitorous birds among that number," the snowy fox snapped. "They know something; I know they do. But they refuse to return to the Sanctuary proper. If the Union does not kill them, I will do it myself."
Akagi grinned sadistically. "Understood, Kaga. In that case I believe our course is clear. Our power grows by the day. Once I learn to harness the Siren machines as you did we will be unstoppable. It is time to go on the offensive once again. Pearl Harbor was just the beginning."
"Our target, dear leader?" Kaga deferred, keeping her thoughts on Akagi's potential to herself. The leader of the Sakura's Siren faction contemplated her nails, sharp as claws. Her tone was consumed with the ecstasy of coming conflict.
"Those battleships of his will be useless in the open seas. We will force a confrontation with the Ghost herself after we smash that island facility to dust...I will paint my nails with his blood when we meet at Midway."
"As you say, sister," Kaga agreed. "I will notify the troops and we will redouble our training. We will…we must break them before they grow too strong."
"We will, my dear sister. We will…and the Creator will be forced to acknowledge our power."