Chapter 7
* Liam's Training Journal - Entry 001
Sept. 3rd, 2023(earlier that day):Don't get me wrong, it's not like I had no clue what virtual reality was or anything like that. I mean, it's been around for at least two or three years now but, it still costs an arm and a leg to buy even a cheap set up though. Yeah, still too much of a luxury for my eternally broke ass. Anyway! No, those headset things were nothing like the full-dive simulation rooms I watched the girls use.
Seriously, I thought the existence of the shipgirls (as much as I adore them mind you) was bullshit enough, but then I saw the Liberty, learned it could fly, and then met/named its AI... All made with reverse engineered Siren tech no less. Yeah, you'd think I'd be even a little used to all this by now, but a guy can only suspend his disbelief so long before he starts to doubt his own sanity. which, usually leads to me getting zapped by a cute little blonde who barely says anything while being laughed at by her green haired, cat eared best frenemy. Ugh, I know they mean well but goddammit!
Anyway, now it's my turn to experience the sci-fi VR bullshit firsthand. Honestly though? I can barely stop myself from squeeing like a dumb bitch.
...
...Oh, right. This is technically gonna be my first battle too. Man, I really, really hope I don't fuck this up.
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September 3rd, 2023 - Later Afternoon, in the now very crowded observation room-
"So yeah... What the hell was up with the Liberty's ether cannon output? Wasn't that thing, like, way too freaking overpowered!?" Liam asked, addressing the obvious elephant in the room. "And, how the hell didn't we get torn apart from using that damn monster of a weapon!?"
It wasn't just him either; everyone who watched from the observation room, or was present during the exercise itself, wanted to know the same thing. Understanding that she messed up, Akashi couldn't help but sheepishly scratch the back of her head, her cute cat ears twitching slightly in clear embarrassment.
"...Nyahahaha...! Er, yeah. Sorry about that... I uh, left the Liberty's power output values close to their theoretical limit," admitted the verdette as she pulled up various data screens on the large monitor. "On the left are the Liberty's theoretical output values, while the right shows the real world values Metis and I confirmed after several startup tests. As you can see, the cannon's power was a lot more extreme than I anticipated, but what happened in there still gave us a lot of valuable data to work with nya."
"Really?" Liam asked.
"Hai, nya. Having more combat data samples means better fine tuning for when we eventually use the 'real thing'," Akashi explained. "Sure, I might have went a little overboard, but that little blunder will actually better let me and Metis design more accurate stress tests, simulations, and limit protocols so that we don't push the Liberty too hard or far. After all, it's still a mostly untested prototype with zero real field experience. It would've been one thing if we had the Hyperion's data to work with but sadly, we don't. The best we can do is make do with what we have and test things out ourselves. It's not ideal, but still better than nothing, nya."
"...Well I guess that makes sense. I mean, aside from you and Metis, it's not like the rest of us really understand that stuff," Liam conceded. "But, doesn't that mean that we'll need to run more drills using that updated combat data soon then? I mean, we only have a few days left to get everything ready, right? Or should we hold off on that for a bit longer and work on something else?"
Metis shook her head. "Unfortunately, we can't really afford to put things off for much longer I'm afraid."
"Why's that?" New Jersey asked.
"While I was busy going over and organizing the intel I managed to collect since coming online, I have come across reports from various sources of increased Siren patrols in the area not far and to the west of us. Their reasons are still unknown at present, but regardless, it's led to more local island ports being locked down... which isn't good for us or our short and long-term plans. More specifically," she then brought up a map of the surrounding area in question and highlighted a certain patch of islands. "they seem to be expending a fair number of resources and forces in preparation for something big. What exactly that 'something' is, however, is anyone's guess."
"Do you think that it has anything to do with us?" Eugen asked.
"Not likely, at least not for the time being anyway," Metis replied.
"Oh? And why is that?" asked the buxom silver haired Iron Blood shipgirl, slightly arching a delicate eyebrow.
"Because, despite the area in question being relatively close to where we are, the Sirens still don't seem to be aware of our existence yet and their strange increase in activity has been going on for just a bit longer than when the Commander found the island and started using its facilities."
"Um, wait if they're really that close by, then shouldn't we be laying low then?" Saratoga asked, a little confused on why they would 'want' to expose themselves to danger like this if the situation was really that precarious.
Metis shook her head again. "Firstly, we don't really know how long the Sirens will be there. Secondly, many of the islands in question have settlements too. Thirdly, who knows what the Sirens are doing to the locals under their occupation. And fourth, we still can't rule out that whatever they're doing out there 'isn't' related to looking for this island base either. In the end, we don't have any other alternative here but to act."
"Heh, a 'damned if you do, damned if you don't' scenario, huh?" added the magical girl/pop idol themed petite pinkette, an oddly predatory smile on her normally cute and angelic face. "Yeah well, I'm not exactly the patent type anyway, so I say screw it and go all in."
I agree. True we'd be announcing our presence to the whole world, but that'd still be a whole lot better than staying here only to get screwed over later," Liam added, looking more closely at the map Metis brought up. "Plus, maybe a showy and flashy entrance wouldn't exactly be a bad thing in this case, y'know? Besides, we can't really ignore people who might need our help either, right?"
"Well, that and we really do need more live combat data nya..," added the cat eared verdette.
"...So, fight?" Eldridge asked looking up at Liam from her seat atop his (very comfy) lap.
"Yup," Liam replied with a smile, gently patting Eldridge's head and eliciting a very happy hum from the petite, zap happy blonde.
"And we're totally going to kick so much ass too~!✩" Saratoga chirped up with a wink.
"Pinky's right. We're totally going to show the whole world what we can do!" added New Jersey loudly while giving Eldridge a confident thumbs up, eliciting excited, happy sparks from the little blonde.
"...You know, I never get tired of seeing her do that. It's like watching a little fireworks show," Eugen commented. "Oh, looks like those two are about to go at it again!"
Prinz Eugen really did love to watch the pair's usual little spats whenever the little blonde's let out even the tiniest of sparks.
"...Nya!? hhiiissss! How many times do I have to tell you not to do that, nya!"
"..." *zap, zap, ZAP!*
"HHHIIIISSSSS!"
Thankfully Belfast, ever the swift Super Maid that she was, quickly moved to keep things from escalating too far.
"Now, now. Miss Eldridge, Miss Akashi. If you two intend to continue, then please choose: Do you want me to take away your snack privileges? Or, would you like to have another special training session with me after this instead?"
"...!" '...Scary, nya! Another training session with her!? No way nya!'
"...No snacks!?" Eldridge visibly paled at the thought. Next to Liam and pestering the Green Cat, snacks were her life! But, but the Maid was just, too scary and powerful for her to mess with.
Belfast, quite pleased with the pair's quick compliance, smiled before asking her own question about the situation. "What about the Liberty?"
Akashi, having now fully recovered from the shock of yet another dreadful training session threat nodded and cleared her throat. "No worries nya! Metis and I have been busy working on it as we speak nya! ...Well mostly Metis, but still!"
"Wait, really? Liam asked, surprise and a hint of disbelief in his voice.
"I am a highly advanced AI you know," Metis replied rather nonchalantly while cycling through several data screens of the island and its features before stopping on the image of a round, almost trashcan looking robot on wheels. "Well, it's also thanks to these little ones that Akashi and I got so much done so quickly."
"Mmhm!" nodded Akashi in total agreement. "They might not look like much, but boy do they come with a crap ton of nifty, built-in features and functions. They're actually the reason why the island's facilities were still in such in such great shape, nya!"
"And they make fore surprisingly good eyes and ears as well," Metis cheerily (for her at least) added.
"So you hacked/reprogrammed them or something?" Liam asked, as he spotted one of the futuristic trashcan looking droids in question moving about doing, whatever it was supposed to be doing. 'That's honestly both really cool, and kind of scary. Man I'm really glad Metis is on our side!'
"Yup yup! It's thanks to Metis-chan and her hijacked army of trashcans-"
"Hey!"
"-that we'll be good to go when the time comes to toss you out to sea, Shikikan!"
"...Ahem! Right then, that's enough about my wonderful helpers, yes?" cut in a thoroughly, if hard to notice, embarrassed Metis who quickly changed the subject. "After all, we still have a lot to go over before we break for dinner so," she then turned to three Royal Maids training to be the Liberty's bridge crew. "Let's start with you three."
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After dinner, in the privacy and comfort of the Royal Maids' shared living quarters-
"W, Well? How is it?" timidly asked the smallest of the three blondes. "I, um. I had Miss Belfast help teach me how to prepare one of her special tea blends."
"Oh yeah? Wonder which one..," Liam asked as he took the cup Enterprise had just set down before taking a sip. "Mm! It's her honey chamomile. Good stuff, and you even added three sugars, just the way I like it! Nice!"
"Yes! Miss Belfast mentioned that you have something of a sweet tooth when it comes to drinks."
"Yeah, I guess I do, haha," Liam acknowledged as he took another sip of his warm tea. "Still, I thought you'd have me reading books with you."
"...Well, that actually was the plan, but then I thought about earlier and well, plans changed. Or you know, something like that."
"So what did you have in mind then?" Liam asked, genuinely curious.
The shy, book loving maid softly smiled as she adjusted her glasses. "Studying!"
"...Huh?" Of all the things Liam could have imagined, that was... honestly pretty far down the list. And, if he were being really honest here... he actually kind of hoped that she had something a little more, 'exciting' (read: naughty) in mind. Oh well, there's always next time, right? "Studying? Really?" ' mean, if that's what she wants, then that's what we'll do then.'
"..Um, yes. But, but don't worry! It, it's not like you won't get a reward th, though!" Enterprise quickly added with a light blush.
"...A reward?"
Enterprise nodded. "Yes. Um, it was actually something Sheffy suggested. S, See. We'll be giving out points based on h, how well you do and... and reward you... based on your total score!" Her voice trailed off there at the end as she explained, cheeks now a dark red as she held up a point card.
"The better you do, my dear worthless bug of a Master, the more... 'fulfilling' the reward, for all of us," clarified the usually stoic and expressionless maid to his right, speaking softly into his ear for emphasis, sending a pleasant shiver down the poor man's spine.
"Do you best, my Honorable Master~! " followed up the buxom, doting maid to his left before giving him a soft good luck kiss on his now beet red cheek.
Liam's response? Simple. The poor fool just dumbly nodded, doing his level best NOT to let the girls see the results the effects of their 'encouragement' had on him. Sure he was a pervert, but even he had his pride. Or, at least he hoped he still did. 'God I'm pathetic...' Shaking his head to clear away his less than pure thoughts, the flustered Commander looked up and asked in as calm a voice as he could muster. "S, So, what's first?"
Seeing the determined, if a bit embarrassed, look in Liam's eyes, the three Royal Maids nodded as Enterprise spoke up first.
"We want to know just how much you remember about what Miss Akashi taught you about us shipgirls and the First and Second Siren Wars."
"From there, will be a basic breakdown of our ship classes, roles in combat, and related specialties," Sirius continued.
"Lastly, it'll be a brainstorming session for a basic operation outline that you can present to the others tomorrow," said Sheffield last but not least.
"Huh. That's, not a bad idea actually," Liam said as he thought about the girls' suggestions. "So, how's this going to work exactly?"
"Simple, we'll grade you on how well you can summarize the key points about each section. It's a lot of info to cover so no need to be too detailed," Enterprise explained before holding up her tablet with a smile. "Metis gave us a set of detailed notes on each subject so we can help out if you get stuck on anything, 'kay?"
Liam chuckled. "Sure, no pressure, haha." He then cleared his throat and psyched himself up. "So, right; from the top then. Okay, so everything started in the late 1930's, early 40's with the discovery of the world's first sample of solid, crystallized ether later dubbed the 'Origin Cube'. Research began not long after, but was slow due to the ongoing 'Great War', eventually being completed about two years after the war's end in late 1951 and shortly before the start of the 'First Siren War'.
Enterprise nodded, smiling as she checked off the notes on her tablet. "On the surface, at least as far as official records go, the causes of the 'Great War' were attributed to a breakdown in relations between the nations of Europa when the then ultra-nationalist and expansionist Chancellor of Iron Blood took advantage of the assassination of a certain country's head of state to invade it with the aid of the Sardegnian Empire. The Crimson Axis was formed when the Sakura Empire joined them later that year, officially declaring war on Azur Lane. The real reasons, however, were rooted in which faction could gain control over the 'Origin Cube' research which, ironically enough, served as one of the major factors that led to Azur Lane and the Crimson Axis eventually reconciling and later forming the current Azur Lane Alliance druing the First Siren War."
"Right, the 'First Siren War'," Liam said, picking up where Enterprise left off. "While the exact reasons why the Sirens invaded are still unclear even today, what is known is that they entered our world through unique spacetime distortions that, for whatever reason, manifested only over bodies of water and were later dubbed 'Mirror Seas'. The war began when several merchant ships being escorted by the Azur Lane Maritime Patrol near the Britannian Royal Islands were sunk by the first recorded humanoid 'Elite' Command Unit Siren. After that, and for nearly a full decade later, mankind found itself on the losing end of a barely held stalemate against the unknown invaders. One theory suggested that the Sirens came here to test us for some reason, though nobody knows if that's really true or not. Well, whatever their reasons were, mankind was able to use the results of their research on 'Origin' and 'Wisdom Cubes' to develop and deploy the 1st Generation Shipgirls in the latter half of the war. It was because of them and their Commanders that we finally succeeded in driving the Sirens off in early 1970."
"Correct again," Sirius praised while looking at the notes Akashi gave her over on her own tablet.
"...Too bad they still wiped out all of us Shipgirl fleets in the end though..," Sheffield quietly and bitterly muttered.
Liam nodded. "Yeah, which was one of the reasons why we got our asses handed to us when they came back..."
"There were two major reasons for that," Sirius began to explain. "For one, the world had just come out of another global conflict that, unlike the 'Great War' before it, had very little publicity until very recently. For another, decades had passed since the war's end and caught everyone by surprise. Still, the fact that the Azur Lane Alliance hadn't ever stopped its research was a sign that they at least tried to remain vigilant."
"Ah, you're talking about the research and development into AI and android technology," Liam said, remembering how much he wanted to get his hands on an android of his own too. "Right. Considering the very particular steps needed to not just produce shipgirls, but maintain and lead them as well, Azur Lane Alliance and the research partners who knew the truth about the 'First Siren War' instead opted to use a simpler but hopefully just as effective option using humanoid combat androids, automated drones and conventional AI assisted warships. They weren't anywhere near as advanced or powerful as Metis or you girls, but they were still cutting edge and served its militaries pretty well for awhile... at least, until the Sirens came back anyway."
Sirius nodded solemnly. "The 'Second Siren War', yes."
"Nearly half a century of peace and they suddenly returned with a vengeance. Sure, things started off similarly enough to the first war, what with surprise attacks through their strange 'Mirror Seas'. But then all of a sudden, around 2011 I think, the Sirens began launching direct attacks against mainland targets and even began seizing and occupying them like an actual invading army. We put up a good fight but, it didn't take long for the Sirens to not only adapt to whatever we threw at them, but overwhelm us with numbers that stretched our forces and supply lines to their breaking point. In short, we couldn't keep up with them and they wore us down and beat us in half the time as the first war..."
"Sadly, nothing aside from us shipgirls, other Sirens, or Siren derived technology could've put up much of a real fight," Enterprise said. "After all, 'Mirror Seas' and the strange jamming devices they deployed on land operations rendered everything but those three things completely useless. This was why the Azur Lane Alliance desperately scrambled to recreate us kansen."
"Incidentally, and on a not unrelated topic, Metis learned a bit about the two other Commanders. One's fighting in Europa, though there's very little information about him other than that he hasn't died yet. As for the other? He's young and new, but already highly respected for helping to keep the Sakura Islands and surrounding areas as safe as they have been lately. People have even nicknamed him 'the Unbeatable Magician' due in part to him never having lost any of the few battles he's fought. Though, most of those battles ended in a draw rather than scoring any true victory," Sheffield clarified, a bit impressed at the man's service record. "Frankly, I'm curious as to why the Sirens haven't put more pressure on either of them though. Honestly, if I were them, I'd want to get rid of such a powerful threat as soon as possible."
"Which just goes to show you that we really don't know very much about the Sirens, or what it is they really want," Liam admitted, scratching the back of his head. "I mean, yeah, they completely crushed us the second time around but, just like during the first war, they didn't do more than they had to. Even when they attacked the mainland, they seemed less interested in killing us all than making sure we didn't put up any resistance and/or use us for labor. Not sure if they saw humans as just another resource to exploit or what, but the overall losses of noncombatants, outside of collateral damage, was weirdly low despite how fiercely they attacked us..."
"Even if that's true, Honorable Master, don't forget that they wiped out all of the 1st Generation kansen along with their commanders. Never mind everyone else unlucky enough to get caught in the crossfire," Sirius reminded.
"But they could've just wiped out the labs where they were produced if they really wanted to be rid of them, right? Hell, they even left behind technology for us to study," Liam pointed out. "Otherwise, the Liberty and Metis wouldn't even exist. Anyway, I think we've gotten off track here. So? how did I do?"
"...Overall? A perfect score. Tch!" Sheffield admitted none too happily, but inwardly, she was completely ecstatic and wanted nothing more than to hug and praise him. Unfortunately, she had an image to maintain as a stoic and near totally unapproachable ice queen. 'Don't worry though, my dear worthless bug of a Master, I'll be sure to reward you every so properly later tonight...!'
"Still though, we still don't really know anything about the Sirens other than that they are incredibly powerful, have nigh inexhaustible numbers on their side, and seem to have some unknown agenda driving their actions that's also keeping them from outright destroying humanity," Sirius said.
"...I mean, if a total nobody like me could come to that conclusion, then shouldn't someone else have thought about that too?" Liam said, a bit doubtfully.
Enterprise shook her head. "Everyone was too busy fighting the Sirens. And with the way the Sirens changed up their tactics I'm not really surprised that nobody noticed. Plus, whatever their real goals might be, the Sirens still pretty much conquered the world here."
"Anyway, what do you think we should do about the Sirens searching those islands to the west of us? I mean, we're gonna get noticed the moment we get too close. I think fighting is going to be unavoidable," Liam said, not exactly very happy that he may have to put his girls into danger way sooner than he'd have liked...
"Well, seeing as a fight is going to be unavoidable regardless, I say we make use as many of our forces as we can deploy," Sheffield suggested, bringing up the map of the region in question up on her tablet's holographic display.
Sirius nodded her agreement. "It's a gamble, but I agree that numbers will be our best bet and just need to work on the finer points so that we have something a bit more solid to present to everyone tomorrow."
And from there, Enterprise had whipped out a pen and notebook from who knows where. "Don't worry, I'll keep everything nice, neat and organized!" 'Man I am so glad I took Miss Belfast's advice and suggested this!'
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- Elsewhere, unknown time and location -
On the ocean and looking up at the clear, starlit sky above stood a pale beauty with long, slightly wavy light blue hair wearing what looked like very revealing, black armor-like outfit that left absolutely nothing to the imagination. Her beautiful face remained impassive and expressionless as she looked up into the full moon with her bright, amber gold eyes. She didn't move or say a word as several of her subordinates, lower level humanoid executor units, moved about setting up everything they would need for their upcoming operation even as they continued observing the local population of the islands they were currently occupying.
"...Hmm?"
[Explorer Unit 323 to Operations Leader Tester: Patrol of area C-013 complete; no suspicious activity or anomalies detected.]
[Operations Leader Tester to Explorer Unit 323: Understood. And the local human population?]
[Explorer Unit 323 to Operations Leader Tester: Aside from what can be observed as mild fear and apprehension, they have made no hostile movements and have so far not disobeyed our commands to not venture outside of their usual trade and fishing routes, as well as to avoid the areas marked for patrol or designated for the upcoming operation.]
[Operations Leader Tester to Explorer Unit 323: Good. Any word from the long range Lurker and Assassin units I dispatched?]
[Explorer Unit 323 to Operations Leader Tester: No change in the target's movements. Based on the Lurkers' latest reports up to now, and assuming that nothing unforeseen occurs between now and the day of the operation, they should enter the operation site within the next two or three days.]
[Operations Leader Tester to Explorer Unit 323: Alright. Remember, do not unnecessarily provoke the local populace while in the midst of carrying out your duties. Dismissed.]
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A/N:
And that wraps things up!
This chapter is more or less setup for both Liam's first mission and encounter with actual Sirens!
That and a little review and worldbuilding. Nothing too detailed. Just enough to establish some key points about the world up to now.
Well, Aside from wanting to work on my other story and get it closer to where this one is, I'm happy inspiration struck me when it did and that editing and cleanup didn't take as long as it normally does!
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed and until the next release!