"Are you sure they'll be alright?" Thorson asked of Fusou, who had just returned to the docks from a final review of the shrine and its remaining attendants, Michishio and Ooshio. She bowed to him, glancing up as he looked her over. They smiled at one another, knowing where each had been looking.
"If and when this is finished, I will sate your appetite and my own until neither of us can stand, tono-sama," Fusou promised. "Until then you have a commitment to Arizona and, more importantly, to your country. The shrine will be well attended in our absence. Ooshio and Michishio are shy and docile, but they are competent young women."
"Then I think we should be on our way," the Commander responded, looking out to the rising sun in the east with tired eyes. "Any advice on the remaining prisoners?"
"I'm sorry, tono-sama, but I do not have anything more. They have heard my stories about what Yamashiro and I were subjected to. They have seen your way of fighting. All that remains is for them to make a decision. I do not blame Kongou, Suzuya, and the others for their inaction. Soryuu will be the linchpin. If you can win her loyalty, you will win Hiryuu's as well."
"It won't help with this battle, but you never know what the future will hold. Thank you, Fusou. You can head out to your ship."
She smiled sweetly at him and closed her vibrant, teal eyes before leaning against his body and claiming a small but soft and sensual kiss. "I know I made my promise, but in case the worst happens you should know that I love you, tono-sama. May the seas be smooth for our journey and may the gods watch over you, and all of us."
"Thank you, Fusou," he whispered, allowing her to let go of his hand and depart. It was only a moment before Arizona was at his side, slipping her hand into his still warm palm. He tried not to let his surprise show. "How long were you watching?"
"Long enough, Commander. But I'm used to it by now, not to mention I consider Fusou something of a sister at this point. Doesn't mean I wish to hear about whatever sweet nothings she whispered to you. Have you spoken with Brooklyn?"
"I have," he affirmed, turning back to take in the base that had become his home over the last half a year. The bulins were loading the last few barrels of oil that the Akashi could reasonably fit aboard, where some of the most competent in Thorson's fleet would watch over the prisoners while operating their hulls remotely. "Assuming we come back, I'm sure it will still be standing."
"No matter what happens I will be at your side," Arizona promised. He squeezed her hand gently.
"Thanks for not trying to tell me going up against the Sakura Navy in their home waters and possibly the sirens too will be 'just fine'. But that does comfort me. Shall we?"
"Most of the fleet is ready to go," Arizona relayed, using the tower on the back of her rigging to communicate with her sisters in arms. "Can I offer you a ride?" she asked as they approached the waters of the base's docks.
"This is more comfortable than your sister's rigging, but don't tell her I said that," Thorson laughed, causing her to giggle back at him. Arizona's large replica of the front of her hull was long enough to seat the two of them, zipping them across the still waters to where her behemoth of a hull awaited them. "I will never not be amazed at how you can control something like this."
"It's because I am my ship," she explained affectionately, resting a hand against the steel as they climbed aboard.
"I'll take your word for it. When you're ready, give the order, Arizona. We sail for Ogasawara and the Sanctuary."
"Aye aye Commander," she replied, her medals gleaming in the light of dawn as they headed to her bridge. "The standards are raised. I got one from the girls of each faction. We can proceed."
Before heading up to the command deck Thorson looked up, finding the Union flag flying above that of the Royal Navy, the old Imperial Navy war ensign, and the banner of the Sakura rebels. "Quite the motley fleet we have here," he remarked affectionately.
"I'm glad you found something to review other than my backside," Arizona tittered at him from up the stairs. He reached up and swatted that same backside, knowing it was only the two of them aboard.
"And when did you get so cheeky?" he wondered with a smirk that she eagerly returned.
"Well, sometime around when you asked a shy young woman to be your flagship?" she suggested. "You ah… made your point quite forcefully."
As his fleet steamed north and west out of the harbor, Thorson realized he would have to focus very intently in the event he wanted to get anything done during the voyage ahead.
Several days into the voyage, which up to that point had been uneventful, Thorson paid a visit to the Akashi to review the prisoner situation. He found South Dakota, Minneapolis, and the Asashio sisters there on guard, with Kasumi cradling Minnie's head in her lap. He looked down at her in particular.
"What?" Minnie asked as her body shrugged for her. "It's comfortable down here and the little one is rather gentle."
"I presume all is well inside then?" Thorson requested. To his surprise, Asashio answered instead of Dakota or Minnie.
"There is great uneasiness, Shikikan, but there have been no incidents. Hiei is awake and able to speak once again. It has defused a significant amount of tension."
"We're decidedly within Sakura territory now, even after their retreat following Midway. Be on your guard and be ready to fight at a moment's notice."
"Yes sir," South Dakota replied, her medal gleaming and glinting in the sun from its place in her hair. She was still barely clothed from the waist up, so he presumed that state of affairs would continue for some time.
"I hope this battle will be easier on you," he offered. She waved his worries off with a brush of her hand on his shoulder.
"You should concern yourself only with victory. Let the evils of doubt and trepidation not fall upon you. We shall be your instruments."
"Instruments can be discarded. That's not my way," Thorson explained in a tone devoid of passion. "Sounds foolish, I know."
"Foo says that we will be stronger together, and that many can overcome even the strongest warrior if they work in unison," Kasumi offered.
"She's right Dakota, you know," Minnie agreed. "If you have business with the prisoners you'd best get it over with Commander, unless you want to be caught on this ship during a battle. Pants around the ankles isn't a good look outside of your shared cabin with Arizona, I'd say?"
"Oh haha, very funny," Thorson replied as even the typically stoic Dakota smiled at the jab. He composed himself, straightening his uniform. "My love life aside, thank you all for your work here."
"You are welcome, sir. Thank you for coming to check on us," Dakota replied for the small group, allowing Thorson past her and into the infirmary aboard the Akashi that also served as long term quarters for the prisoners taken both at Java and Midway. He had barely stepped foot inside when Soryuu spoke to him, the tall, lapine carrier leaning against the bulkhead just on the other side of the wall from South Dakota.
"Not your way, is it?" she asked, earning the barrel of his Colt in her face in reply. Their eyes met and he lowered his weapon, taking a deep breath as his heart recovered from the surprise. "I approve more of your reaction to perceived threats than your treatment of your soldiers."
"Well it's a good thing I don't yet evaluate my job on the basis of your approval. You don't talk to me unless you need something, Soryuu. What do you need?" he demanded. She frowned and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Nothing. The end will soon be upon us one way or another."
"You still have a chance to determine how this ends," he insisted, glancing to his right and noticing that both Hiryuu and Kongou were paying close attention to the goings on. "Just not on your own terms, admittedly."
To his surprise, Soryuu didn't so much smile as smirk in reply. "That would honestly not be much of a change."
Thorson didn't know how to reply to her, so he simply turned away and walked over to Hiei's bedside. Her scars had not healed, even those on her face, but she was awake and alert. "Do you think this would help you?" Thorson asked, offering her a couple of shards. Many kansen looked on as she silently took one and closed her singed hand around it, but the small, blue crystal refused to assimilate with her being.
"I suppose not," Hiei replied sadly. "Who are you?"
"The man who led the forces that defeated yours at Midway. I am sorry for what happened to you. I didn't know this was possible," he stated truthfully. "Are you able to eat?"
"I am, though I cannot eat the same sort of meals as my sisters now. Akashi has seen to it. I don't know the details," she explained, looking him over warily. Thorson's mind was full of theories, but he didn't have the faintest of ideas why she would become more human-like in response to what he considered was a broken wisdom cube. He motioned to her sister, though given the difference in hair color and complexion, he figured adopted sister might be a better term.
"If she needs unique care, let us know."
"Why won't her wounds heal?" Kongou demanded. Thorson could only shake his head and guess.
"If I had to give an answer, it's because she's essentially human now. We don't… we can't heal things like that. That being said, living with such an injury is more than doable. Time permitting, we can discuss this more when the battle is over. I hope there won't be any more like her. I'm sorry, there's nothing else I can say."
Kongou's facial expressions were pained and angry, but she was levelheaded enough to understand Thorson could only do so much given the situation. He turned his attention back to Hiei. "If my force survives the coming battle, I will help you find a new purpose. Your blade was recovered and remains in my office back on the island. In the event your side prevails, you will find it there."
With everything said that could possibly be said given the realities, Thorson stood and reviewed the rest of them, most of whom averted their eyes. He didn't blame them. Hiryuu was an exception, of course, and he smiled her way. She frowned back. "When you're ready to fight again, let me know."
"Bastard."
He chuckled to himself. "Yeah, I know. But someone had to stop you. You were too powerful to remain our enemy." Walking back to the doorway to the exterior of the ship he paused, contemplating what to say to the more cerebral sister of the second carrier division.
"You should go, enemy Shikikan. Battle draws nearer," she said quietly. He bobbed his head in agreement.
"If we lose, this will likely be the last you see of me. If we win… I will require your aid," he told her, departing past the guard force before she could give him an answer.
"Shoukaku, Shoukaku!" Zuikaku radioed frantically. One of her scout planes had picked up a large formation, soon corroborated by a second aircraft to be a massive combined fleet of Union and Sakura ships sailing west. "It's them, the fleet that drove us out of the Java Sea. The Ghost is with them! They're heading for the Sanctuary! Shoukaku?!"
"I heard you, Zuikaku-nee," the silver-haired elder replied, looking calmly up at the evening skies as many of her own scout aircraft returned. "Destroy or recall your planes. I think it is finally time for us to make our move."
"We're headed south, right? We're going to join the battle?"
"We are not," Shoukaku corrected, resting her hand on the still warm engine casing of one of her Zeros. "Unless you wish to die shielding Akagi from her inevitable fate?"
"Of course not!" Zuikaku spat. "But Kaga-sama and the others-"
"Have made their choices, just as we will make ours, Zuikaku. My loyalty remains with Lady Nagato-sama, as it always has. If the Sanctuary comes under direct assault I have no intention of letting such an opportunity go to waste." Shoukaku's crane-like kimono billowed in the wind on deck as she began turning her ship, adjusting her heading due north. She placed her flute to her lips and began to play, conjuring a fog to blanket the noise of their engines and to obscure them from view of anyone else watching. "The time has come to liberate the rightful leader of the Sakura from her supposedly self-imposed exile."
"But Shoukaku…" her sister protested meekly, nevertheless turning to follow after her.
"I know, Zuikaku. Your youthful heart burns for revenge against those who killed Shouhou. But against that fleet you will only meet your doom. If we can deliver Nagato-sama and her guardians safely to the conflict, we may be able to prevent more from suffering the same fate."
"That's- We're going to surrender?!" the brown-haired sister spluttered indignantly.
"We might," Shoukaku admitted as she finished her melody. "But that die was cast when the decision was made to attack Hawaii, and again when the main force struck at Midway. If you regret remaining out of that battle, by all means go and throw your life away for those kitsune."
"Could you not be such a jerk about it?" Zuikaku pouted, heading inside and seating herself in a chair on her bridge. "I just don't know how I'm going to live with myself after all of this."
Instead of teasing her further, Shoukaku sighed deeply and played a mournful note on her flute. "I know, dear sister. Let us devote everything we have to succeeding in this mission. If we succeed then maybe, just maybe, we will be able to hold our heads high as the Sakura Empire crumbles around us."
"And if we can't?" Zuikaku wondered morbidly.
"Then we die proudly and go to our rest knowing that we did so as free women, not siren thralls," came Shoukaku's stoic reply. Her sister drew her blade and began her ritualistic honing of its edge.
"Yeah, I can live with that."
"Alright, so we're all agreed? The next time anyone shares the commander's bed for the night they need to tell us all the details! I didn't realize you were so brave, Zed!" Javelin gushed as the three of them held a 'secret meeting' aboard Laffey's ship.
"Laffey cannot believe Nimi would be first, no no. Commander has much to answer for, yes he does."
"Mein Gott, Laffey please?" Nimi pleaded, her cheeks bright red as they took shelter from the sun and heat in the shadow of one of Laffey's torpedo mounts. "I just… I don't know what came over me."
"Oh stop teasing her, Laffey," Javelin insisted with a smile. "The commander saved her life. Don't you think it's super romantic? The two of them looking in each other's eyes and becoming one as she gives herself to the man who rescued her. It makes my cube just flutter!"
"Laffey and the commander drink together, this is also romantic," the lapine destroyer insisted as Javelin swooned and Zed tried to disappear, looking out at the sea. "Laffey wonders where Ayaya is."
Javelin and Zed glanced at one another sadly. The Ironblood removed her beret and allowed the breeze to ruffle her blonde hair. "I tried, but I was never able to find any intelligence on her. The Ironblood seems to be operating in accordance with their own interests, and have little concern for allies all the way on the other side of the world."
"Well if Yuudachi and Yukikaze were willing to join up, hopefully Ayanami will too," Javelin suggested, trying to dispel the ominous cloud that had hung over the three of them since departing on the mission to destroy the Sanctuary.
"Laffey will kill them all if they do not give Ayaya to us."
"Laffey! If you do that don't you think Ayanami would be very sad?" Zed reasoned. "The battleship you attacked is awake now and alive, but anyone less powerful would have been obliterated!"
Laffey hung her head. "Laffey does not know what to do. Laffey was given power to help the commander, but then when Laffey uses it everyone is scared."
"Laffey," Javelin said supportively, hugging her friend. "These things happen, but maybe save the big guns for the sirens?"
"Mmm ok," she agreed before tilting her head. "Nimi says the battleship is awake? Laffey will go now."
"Wait, what do you mean you're going? We're on your ship!" Javelin pointed out. Laffey turned sleepily, shrugging on her vest so she wasn't just wearing a skimpy white bikini top.
"To find Ayaya."
Hiei moaned softly and opened her eyes as she sensed a weight on her bed. Her burns didn't extend that far, but she hated the feeling of tight and uncooperative skin as she moved. Her heart beat quickly as she took note of her visitor. "You."
"Hey, you get away from her!" Kongou shouted only to find one of the sleepy bunny's pistols pointed at her face.
"Laffey is not here to hurt the pretty battleship again, but Laffey will do it if you force her to. Laffey is sorry."
"You, are what?" Hiei whispered.
"Laffey finds many Sakura battleships to be pretty like Yamashiro and Fusou. You are pretty too, and Laffey did a bad thing to protect her commander. But Laffey is not sorry to have protected him, just to have hurt you permanently, yes yes."
Hiei raised her hand to calm Kongou, who was clearly debating just how far to push her luck. Pennsylvania was observing the goings on from the doorway. "I think it's fine, sister. What do you want with me, little one?"
"Where is Ayaya. Tell Laffey where her friend is so that Laffey doesn't have to hurt anyone else," the destroyer insisted in her still tired voice. Hiei looked around at her fellow prisoners with a confused look on her face. Soryuu spoke up.
"Give up, fellow usagi. Ayanami has gone where you cannot follow. She sleeps forever, dreaming in the Hall of Sculptures, ensnared by the Creator. Maybe one day she will prove her strength and return. Maybe not," the carrier summarized. Laffey turned her way, her face still sleepy and relatively unresponsive.
"Ayaya is in trouble?" she asked, barely understanding what Soryuu had told her.
"She is beyond trouble. She is beyond this world, at least so far as I can understand," the carrier clarified. Laffey hung her head and wiped her nose. To the shock of many, she began to cry softly.
"Laffey will save Ayaya, Laffey will do it," she promised herself before standing to leave, the differential between her sweet, somnolent exterior and internal fury making everyone nearby nervous. "And Laffey will hurt whoever did it much more than the pretty battleship."
"Commander, what brings you to my neck of the woods?" Hornet wondered, greeting Commander Thorson with a tip of her hat as he disembarked, courtesy of Arizona.
"We've been picking up multiple contacts on sonar, and based on navigational data we'll be at the Sanctuary within twenty four hours. I wanted to stop by and make sure you and your crew are ready," he explained.
"So they know we're coming but haven't engaged us? Well, my scouts haven't seen anything on the surface so I guess those subs are playing down below," she deduced, leading him through the bowels of her ship up towards the command tower as Arizona followed politely behind them.
"For now I suppose so. But yes, our movements are undoubtedly not a secret at this point. Not that we've tried to hide, either. We still need to take the heat off of the Union."
"No arguments here, Commander. We were outclassed at Midway and, between you and me; I don't much fancy the idea of taking a torpedo to the face a second time."
Thorson nodded approvingly at Hornet's ability to brush off death. "I think we can all agree on that count, Hornet. Your crew?"
"They're ready and raring to go, sir. They want revenge for Yorktown, same as Enty. Has she spoken to you much lately?"
"No, she's been rather quiet," Thorson confided as they reached the bridge and looked out over Hornet's operations. A couple of Hellcats were returning from their latest sortie. Hornet's brow furrowed with worry.
"Do you think you could stop by and have a chat with her then? I make sure to radio every so often but she's never been one for long conversations. That said, I still know something's different, being her sister and all."
"You both just lost your other sister, it's understandable," Thorson agreed, thankful that Hornet didn't seem to be too broken up. He considered that having her crew with her likely helped, placing their needs ahead of descending into a grief spiral. "I'll head over after this, speak with her in person."
"I'd appreciate that Commander, thanks much," Hornet said, looking out over the Pacific. "So any last words of wisdom or encouragement?"
"I think I already mentioned no heroics, so that just about covers it. That said," he continued, running a hand through his hair. "It's not like that stopped anyone at Midway."
"Yeah, I heard the stories about Tennessee cleaving that carrier in half. Must have been one hell of a sight!" Hornet replied almost eagerly. "Think she'll do it again?"
"Given what I've seen of the kansen who was operating it, Hiryuu, I doubt Tennessee will be given another chance to pull something like that. Think you can handle the enemy carriers without overextending?"
"Sure, Commander," Hornet replied, summoning a tiny Dauntless in her hand. "I've been bouncing ideas off of Ark lately, sounds like she scored some kills by out-turning the enemy. A Hellcat isn't exactly a P-40, but I bet you I can still push mine harder than those Sakura can push a Zero, you know?"
"I was on a submarine before this assignment," Thorson related. "So I can't say I do know, honestly, but I trust Ark Royal and I trust you. Have there been any incidents or concerns you want to bring to my attention?"
"I assume you heard about Yuudachi and Shiratsuyu?" Hornet asked.
"I heard Penny had to drag her kicking and screaming off of this boat," Thorson replied, raising his brows. Hornet chuckled.
"I disciplined the whelp hard, don't worry sir. The rest of the lads like her a lot, lots of celebrating when the little pup shows up to cook! What happened to Yuudachi? I hope Penny wasn't too harsh on her."
Thorson shook his head. "Given Penny's opinion on Union sailors I'll bet she congratulated Yuudachi more than anything. But I'm glad that's the most of our worries. When this is done there will be time for you and your crew to get accustomed to this life, hopefully on less stressful terms."
"This is what we were trained for, sir. We're ready," Hornet insisted. Thorson saluted her, knowing he could only hope for the best now that he was committed.
"I thought I was trained for this too. You have an excellent group of escorts, Hornet. I look forward to seeing you all in combat."
The carrier nodded and looked past him to Arizona. She winked at her. "It's quite the honor being assigned some of your favorite battleships, sir. Got room for one more in that club of yours?"
After a few moments of silence Hornet dissolved into laughter. "Oh you should see your faces. Alright alright, I guess my former Captain and I had a different kind of relationship when it comes to jokes like that. Sorry Ari, not trying to horn in on your man, yeah?"
"Oh goodness," she groaned at the pun. "Commander, perhaps we should go speak with Enterprise? There is no telling when the enemy might engage."
"Agreed. Hornet, thanks for your time," Thorson said. Hornet saluted them as they made their departure.
"Anytime you two. Ready and willing to bring it home!"
Thorson looked back at her, unable to miss the Medal of Honor gleaming on her chest. "I've no doubt, Hornet. We're ready to see what Union airpower can really do.
"I miss Yorktown," Hammann whispered, giving in to temptation as she rested her head in Enterprise's lap and allowed the carrier to pet and scratch lightly at her ears. It had been impossible for Enterprise to miss the way that the Sakura felines treated the petite destroyer. Upon confirming her cat-like accessories were in fact part of her anatomy, it had been all too tempting to slip into a mutual dependency based on the therapeutic nature of pets.
"I didn't get a chance to know her very well, but it sounds like the Union lost itself a fine sailor and a kind sister," Thorson said as politely as he could, rapping on the side of Enterprise's command tower to announce his presence. He and Arizona had located the two Union kansen taking shelter in the shade there. Hammann promptly leapt to her feet with balled fists and her tail on end, accusing Thorson of being a stalker and a pervert. Enterprise exhaled audibly and stood next to the irked kitten, rubbing her head and tweaking her ears.
"Apologize to the commander before you get us both in trouble, Hammann."
Arizona could not help but place a hand over her lips and smile at Hammann's fearsome pout. "She has a hotter temper than Yukikaze, but is no less cute!"
"Why did you get to come back, you and Hornet but not Sims or Yorktown?" the destroyer demanded. Thorson gave Enterprise an understanding look.
"I wish that I knew," he replied solemnly. "All I do know is that they're at peace. It's very obvious when dead Kansen don't want to stay dead."
"But why would she want to leave me?!"
"I don't know why she doesn't want to come back. Maybe she didn't even consider it to be possible. But I'm sure that leaving you behind isn't something either of them would have wanted," he tried to comfort her.
"If Yorktown told Grim to leave, then I'm sure she knew it was her time. Hornet, of course, would never accept something like that as the youngest. It's… fitting," Enterprise summarized sadly. "Why did you come here, Commander?"
"I just paid your sister a visit and wanted to check in with you as well," he explained. "We will likely make contact within the day. You aren't the most senior carrier in the fleet but I think Ark would not hesitate to nominate you the most powerful. I know the wounds are raw, but I want you to use your aircraft defensively when the engagement begins, at least initially."
"You wish to test their defenses and possibly draw out a mistake?" Enterprise deduced. Thorson nodded. "While I never engaged them directly before Midway, I think it's pretty clear I'm known to them and that they see me as a priority target. I will be happy to draw them into a trap if possible. What will you do with them?"
"Kill them, right?!" Hammann suggested immediately, horrified that that solution wasn't immediately on everyone's lips.
"If this war were just about the Union and the Sakura, I would execute them, yes," he confirmed. "But they are unfathomably strong, too. Neither of you saw what we saw. They can command fire itself. Now I'm not saying any of us need to do that to beat them, but the sirens need to be dealt with. What better… ally than someone who knows something about them?" Thorson reasoned.
"I don't like this commander at all."
"Hammann!" Enterprise finally raised her voice, a bit of the emotion contained within slipping through. "Commander, is that really necessary?"
"I wish it wasn't, Enterprise. But again you weren't there at Pearl Harbor, nor were you at the facility when we were attacked by the Sirens. Though I get the sneaking suspicion that incident was merely a test, given the extent of their technology. My orders are to find a way to deal with them, and if that includes binding those damn carriers to our cause then so be it. If they refuse you can kill them yourself, Enterprise. Not sure I could bring myself to execute a woman."
"Is that what it would be, sir?" Enterprise demanded quietly. "A gun to the head?"
"Hiei survived Laffey's so called annihilation mode. That is the most powerful single weapon at my disposal. The only way they will be weak enough to kill is if they are removed from their ships and perhaps even divested of their rigging. By that point, yes, there will be no indirect methods. I don't think they would allow themselves to be drowned like… that one ship," Thorson theorized darkly. Enterprise and Hammann looked at him with new expressions.
"For a pervert, you tell very sad stories, Commander," the neko said. Thorson held out his hand as Enterprise looked ready to toss Hammann in the drink for insubordination.
"There have already been many sad stories in this war, Hammann. And while the label isn't exactly wrong, I'd prefer you keep that opinion to yourself. I am still your commander, after all. Enterprise, do you need anything from me or the fleet?"
"No sir, I'm ready for battle. You are… quite up front about your proclivities, though."
Thorson shrugged. "I was embarrassed about it for a while too. A few self-interested but rather wise kansen talked me out of it. I'm up front about it because the alternative would be even worse. For the record, many of the most decorated kansen at Midway have no relationship with me beyond commander and subordinate."
Enterprise's confused and slightly disappointed expression didn't fade, but she did nod briefly at him. "I understand your meaning, Commander. Thank you for coming to check in with us today."
"You're welcome, Enterprise. Formal combat orders will be given once we have a visual on the Sanctuary. Until then do your best to relax and get some rest," he suggested.
"Yes sir, we will."
"They are coming, Akagi," Kaga whispered, placing a cup of matcha on the table in front of her adoptive younger sister as fierce rains drenched the night-shrouded sanctuary. "Even with the rains there is no mistaking their approach. Our submarine fleets have confirmed it."
"And you ordered them not to attack," Akagi replied quietly, taking a sip. "No matter, if one of them sunk the Grey Ghost I would probably kill her myself."
"You think this is about your personal vendetta anymore, Akagi?" Kaga snapped suddenly, even as she calmly drank her tea. "The fifth carrier division can only be considered to have defected by now. We lost several powerful kansen and dozens of escorts at Midway. And before you say something foolish about the strong surviving and the weak perishing, neither you nor I are strong enough to destroy the Union in its entirety. We are strengthened by our fleets. And our fleets dwindle with each engagement as his grows. The Knight of the Union comes for us, Akagi. And if you believe Enterprise will still be using human crews in this engagement you are an even greater fool than I thought."
"You dare speak to me in that way, sister?" Akagi simpered dangerously, her tails glowing softly in the low lantern light. Kaga's icy eyes did not waver.
"The Hornet sails with him," she reported. "Our only victory at Midway was just cut in half, Akagi! Your lust for Enterprise's head may have already doomed us all. We were forced to display the extent of our powers to them and did not even scratch his base of operations!"
The supreme commander of the Sakura fleets was silent across the kotatsu from her sister, violence practically radiating from her being. "When the Creator witnesses my strength; when I am granted the power to bring back Amagi, I will be sure to kill you before she returns so that she does not weep over the body of her weak, spineless protégé. Why are you laughing, Kaga? Does that amuse you so?"
Kaga shook her head sadly. "Your belief that any of us will be left alive for you to kill is what amuses me, little sister. Enjoy the rest of your tea. I will make my preparations tonight, alone. I may not have lived as Amagi-san wished for us, but if I am to die tomorrow then I will die with honor, and join her among the gods. May the Creator show you mercy, Akagi. The gods and ancestors of the Sakura Empire will not."
Akagi's face remained stoic as Kaga stood and walked quietly from the room. As soon as she could no longer hear the sounds of her wooden clogs on the tatami, the teacup in her hand shattered into a dozen pieces. The kitsune could barely feel the scalding water on her fingers. "When I am victorious, alone, I will not need their mercy."