Intermission 1
- Some time before the girls began working on their virtual battle simulation drills -
"Well? What do you think?" asked the pale, white haired, blue eyed electronic fairy to the floating screen in front of her from within the privacy of her virtual space of her dedicated terminal server housed aboard the Liberty.
"Honestly? I think it's pure madness nya. But then again, nothing ventured, nothing gained nya," replied the cat eared verdette from the comfort of her dorm room, trusty tablet in hand. "After all, we shipgirls wouldn't even exist if humans hadn't dared to jump off the deep end and do the impossible. Still, do we even have any androids lying around lying around nya?"
"About that. Here, have a look," Metis said before bringing up several more 'screens' for Akashi. On the leftmost screen was information on a certain and very well known manufacturer based in the northeastern part of the Eagle Union, coincidentally in the same area of the country still free of Siren occupation. "It's also one of the companies contracted by SNRI, specifically creating the androids and other automated systems meant to help manage and maintain the island's various facilities."
"...Tetra-Line Inc. nya?"
Metis nodded. "And it just so happens they left a small batch of inactive androids behind too. Not just Tetra-Line either, but models from Elysion and Missilis Industries as well."
"What about the Fairchild Group nya?"
Metis shook her head. "Fairchild only helped with constructing the Hyperion Class Aerial Combat Support Carriers. Everything else the island needed was handled by the 'Big Three'."
"...Next you're going to tell me that we have Britannian knightmares or Iron Blood wanzers too, aren't you? Shikikan was right. This whole place is just plain ridiculous nya!"
"Sadly, we don't. Still, it would be quite the sight to see Liam pilot one though, no?"
"...That would be... AMAZING NYA!"
"Unfortunately for us knightmares, and Ashford Heavy Industries for that matter, are privately sponsored by and under the exclusive use of the Crown solely in defense of the nation. Same goes for Iron Blood's wanzers too. Really, I think that's the case for any country that possess 'Mobile Assault Frames'," Metis explained, suppressing her urge to laugh at the now depressed and pouting tech obsessed cat eared shipgirl. "Anyway, we're getting off topic. The point is, we have exactly what we need to begin our mad little side project."
"So what do you need from me then nya?" Akashi wasn't quite sure what would come of Metis' crazy project, but she also couldn't deny it was just too exciting an opportunity to pass up either and would leave the consequences and all that for later, maybe. Irresponsible? Oh, most definitely. Did she care? No, not really. After all, Akashi was going to need a little bit of insanity if she was going to help Liam and her fleet sisters survive even one day longer and, if they were lucky, win their war.
"Two heads are always better than one and I can only do so much on my own, even with a veritable army of drones."
"I'm guessing you already have the programming side of things taken care of then? I mean, we're sort of pressed for time as it is."
"While it is true that we have a lot on our plate at the moment, we should still be able to complete something that we can show Liam and the others using what we presently have."
"Details nya."
Metis pulled up a list onscreen. "This island contains all the necessary production, manufacturing, and R&D facilities needed to be entirely self-sufficient. Granted, there are limits to the scale of what we can produce, but it's still more than enough for what we need using some 'Wisdom Cubes' and the inactive androids I mentioned earlier as the foundation of the project along with Siren derived nanomachines we can replicate using samples from the Liberty to modify them as needed."
"Nanomachines nya?"
"Yes. Apparently, it was something SNRI's Lab XIII was working on at the same time as the Hyperion Class and its companion AI. Essentially, the purpose of that project was to try and see if they could replicate the abilities of the natural bio-organic nanomachines found in you kansen using reverse engineered Siren technology," Metis explained.
"Oh, right. They're what allows us to connect with our riggings, helps lets us use our powers and takes care of the general maintenance of our bodies nya," Akashi said, very thankful that their bodies came with such a supremely convenient feature. "But yes, I can see why you'd want to use them since unmodified androids just wouldn't be able to safely be integrated with a 'Wisdom Cube'. I'm guessing you want me to take care of the labor and modifications while you handle the programming and creating the necessary information vessels?"
Metis nodded. "I've already run countless simulations already, but still need a real life test case and an extra set of hands to make sure nothing goes wrong. As for the test case? Well, there's only one readily available AI we can use to use as the base for 'information vessels'..."
...
"Wait... Are you seriously telling me that you're going to use your own AI code nya!?"
Metis once again silently nodded, prompting another very long pause which, reluctantly, Akashi finally decided to break first.
"...You know there's only one of you, right? If something-anything-goes wrong, you could get seriously damaged or even erased... Like, do you even have a method to (safely) pull it off? Oh, and there's convincing Shikikan for the go ahead and his help to use the 'Construction Site'."
"About that. The Commander said he'd only agree if I managed to convince you to help first."
"You really want to make this happen, don't you nya?"
"...It was the only solution I could reach given what was available. Anyway, just hear me out before deciding anything since I'll need your extensive knowledge on both shipgirls and engineering to have even a remote chance of making this work and not fry myself in the process."
"...Alright, then start talking nya."
"Thank you." Metis replied gratefully, happy that Akashi was willing to at least hear her out.
"It's nothing nya. Honestly, I really should be more hesitant about all this, but even so..."
In the end, and just as has often been said many, many times before: 'necessity is the mother of invention', 'variety is the spice of life', and 'there's a fine line between genius and madness'. Then, after one long explanation and Q&A session later...
- In the dorms the shipgirls were using, mid-afternoon the day after their first training battle -
At a table in a surprisingly crowded dining area-
On one end sat a tall, buxom and silver haired, twintailed Iron Blood beauty known for her teasing and playful personality. On the other sat a petite, taciturn and normally expressionless light lavender haired twintailed beauty. At first glance, both seemed as different as could be but, on closer inspection, both Eugen and Laffey were much more alike than one would think, especially when it came to drinking.
"Hey, are they really gonna do this now?" half asked, half whispered a very curious Kii to the Iron Blood twintailed ravenette sitting next to her. "I mean, I don't really see either one of them losing here, trust me."
Strasser just gave a light shrug, drink in hand and small smile on her usually very serious, no nonsense face. "Who knows, but that's why we're here, no? To see which one of those booze hounds goes under first? Speaking of which... Do you wanna place a bets?"
"Huh? Wait, seriously?"
"Why not? And I'd be lying if I said a part of me didn't want to see Eugen lose to that small little Union rabbit," Strasser shamelessly admitted before taking a good long drink of her own beer.
"Wow, that's kind of messed up. Aren't you two, like best friends or something?""
The other long, black haired beauty just lightly chuckled.
"Well then!" New Jersey suddenly cut in. "If that's how it's gonna go, then I'm putting my money on little Laffey taking down Miss Eugen! Dunno how long it'll take, but I just don't see that little cutie losing when it comes to drinking!"
"...Hoh? Any other takers then?" Strasser asked as she saw the others react to the tall bluenette battleship's loud declaration of support and seeing an opportunity to make things more exciting, and maybe win some cash too if she's lucky.
"Hey, betting on the two alcoholics is all well and good, but what do we even bet with?" asked New Jersey, eliciting many a nod from the other shipgirls now gathered around.
The super drunks in question, meanwhile, were just too busy trying to out drink the other to care about anything else around them.
"...That's, actually a very good question. Any ideas girls?" Kii asked, looking around.
"...U, um... Does it, does it have to be money?" Unicorn shyly asked, holding up and hiding behind her stuffed Uni.
"Hmm? Well, no we don't 'have' to use money, but...," Strasser began before trailing off, somewhat at a loss herself.
"Well, if we can't use any local currencies, then let's just make one up and use that for the time being," suggested Vampire, glass of wine in hand and legs crossed in both an elegant and seductive manner befitting her somewhat risque personality. "That should work for what we need it for here on the island, no? And, once we start interacting with whoever might still be out there, we could even see about making it our own 'official currency' in exchange for our services," she suggested before taking another sip of her wine.
"...That's, actually a pretty good idea. I mean, it's got a lot of details to work out, but definitely worth exploring," Strasser acknowledged, seeing the possible merits of having their own currency, at least here on the island. "But, what would we even use?"
And, much to everyone's surprise, save for the two warring booze hounds in the background now on their eighth or ninth mug anyway, came a solution from the most unlikely of sources that they almost forgot was even there with them in the first place... Anchorage!
"Pretty card!"
"Huh?"
"Eh?"
"...A, card?"
Landing on their table was a simple white plastic card with a single large dark blue feather in the center surrounded by two larger equally dark blue circles. Needless to say, Strasser, Kii, New Jersey, and (mostly) everyone else were quite pleasantly surprised/impressed by the overly innocent, almost childlike blonde's card.
"Money~!" was all Anchorage said, smiling happily without a care in the world.
"Where did you find this?"
"...Hmm? Anchorage didn't find this pretty card though...?"
"Wait, did you actually make this yourself then?" Saratoga asked, examining the simple yet admittedly very pretty plastic card in her small hands. "What made you think up something like this?"
"Oh, um... Teach was um, going over some name ideas to call home with Anchorage, and... and one of them was, um... 'Outer Heaven'! Anchorage didn't really get it, but it sounded pretty, so Anchorage wanted to make something for Teach based on the pretty name...!"
"...'Outer Heaven', huh? Ya know? I think that name actually really suits us!" Alabama said, offering up a toast before downing her own mug in one go "I mean, it describes this place pretty well, in a way. And it sounds hella cool too!"
"...But, didn't he just get that from another video-game though? 'Metal Gear' or something like that? I mean, don't get me wrong, it does sound pretty cool, but still..," Javelin said, remembering Liam had introduced Ayanami to said game a little while back.
"Yeah, yeah! Metal Gear was so cool!" Anchorage happily cheered, remembering watching Ayanami play it as well. Sadly, Anchorage herself kept dying, like really early on too.
"Leave it to that dork to use something from a video game," New Jersey said with a fond smile and a hearty laugh. "But that's our Liam for ya!"
"Still, the place did need a name," Saratoga said. "I mean, we can't just keep calling it 'the island' or whatever. From a game or not, Outer Heaven's as good a choice as any. We've been so busy lately that it honestly slipped my mind."
Strasser, Kii, and the other shipgirls nodded.
"You got a point there, and me? I don't really mind it myself. Kommandant could've done much worse," said the Iron Blood ravenette before turning to Anchorage. "I think it's exactly what we needed, but did you show Kommandant Liam yet?"
Anchorage shook her head. "...Wanted to surprise Teach later, when he wasn't busy."
"Alright, let's do that. For now, I'm betting twenty credits on Frau Eugen pasting the little rabbit then!"
"...'Credits'?" Black Prince asked, finally joining in on the conversation after her interest overpowered her general shyness.
Strasser shrugged. "Ja. I figured why not keep it nice and simple?"
Nobody really had anything to say to that. After a moment, the others shrugged as well and decided to just roll with it.
"Well then, thirty-five credits on the rabbit!" New Jersey declared.
"Thirty on the little rabbit for me too!" Kii said, joining in.
"...Umm... fifteen on Miss Eugen then," Black Prince said, almost in a whisper.
Soon enough, the room filled up with the voices of bets shipgirls while Eugen and Laffey simply kept downing mug after mug of amber colored, liquid courage. Incidentally, everyone made sure to come to an agreement that a cut of the pot would go to whichever one of them ended up winning in the end.
- In a large gym behind the dorms while Eugen and Laffey were busy trying to outdrink each other -
In order to collect more raw non-rigging related combat data as well as to test the base physical abilities and limits of shipgirls, two of the most violent and volatile aircraft carriers in Liam's fleet were currently in the midst of a rather intense sparring session.
"AHAHAHAHAHA~!"
"...Fufufu...~! "
Sparks flew out again and again as their vermilion and ebony clad figures danced around each other, vying for supremacy with each missed attempt to cut the other down. It was such a close and heated display of elegantly refined violence that everyone present could only watch on in silent awe wondering which one would come out on top in the end. Thankfully, one of the three presently spectating was ever the consummate professional and didn't forget to do her duty even as she watched Akagi and Taihou continue their little 'waltz'.
"I'm sure that Miss Akashi will have plenty to work with by the match's end. Still, I must say that even I didn't expect how skilled we could be even with such conventional forms of combat," quietly observed the silver haired super maid as she adjusted the tracking algorithm on the specialized cameras Akashi had given her.
As for Akagi and Taihou? Well, things were much simpler. They just wanted to see who was the better aircraft carrier.
"...Wow~!" Eldridge's eyes were positively sparkling and literally crackled with excitement as she took in the sight of the pair of buxom Sakura Empire shipgirls exchanging blow after blow. The little blonde zapper jumped up and down as she witnessed Akagi deftly parry Taihou's fire enhanced tessen strikes with her own katana while Taihou deftly evaded Akagi's rapid slashes by the barest of margins and smallest of movements. Meanwhile Jean Bart, who was no slouch with a blade herself, was busy trying to learn whatever she could from them.
'I knew we came pre-loaded with all sorts of combat data, but to think that those skills would really come so naturally like that, or is it because those two are especially huge battle junkies? They hide it well, but the sheer amount of blood lust and killing intent those two smiling maniacs are giving off is insane. Though what's more impressive is their ability to keep it trained solely on their opponent and no one else. Hmm. I wonder if I could get them to show me how to do that...'
While Jean was preoccupied by those thoughts, Akagi and Taihou found themselves in a heated 'blade lock' while trading a few verbal jabs.
"Ara? Is that all the little fox is capable of against little old me and my tiny little fans..~? Oh me, oh my~! Akagi-chan dear, aren't you glad dear Shikikan-sama isn't here to see such a pitiful display!" playfully taunted the ever smiling Taihou in her usual calm and sweet voice... that was definitely dripping with utter condescension and arrogance.
"Fufufu~! Oh, my dear Taihou-chan... You know just exactly what to say... to really piss me off, don't you...~?" Akagi replied just as cheerfully as her best frenemy before her eyes blazed with the crimson light of pure, focused violence. "But yes. I'm very, very glad that our dear Shikikan isn't here. After all, we wouldn't want him to see you looking too hurt when I win, now would we?"
"...What are you talki-"
Taihou's words died in her throat the instant she saw Akagi's already oppressive aura flare up as the nine tailed vixen quickly sheathed her katana and lowered her stance while pushing her back with the force of her killing intent alone before suddenly vanishing in a burst of speed only to reappear right in front of her again, drawing her blade at nearly the same time.
*SSHHIINNGG!*
'...Kuso! Too close! Far too close! Tch! So the Vixen can use speed enhanced quick draw techniques can she? Fine! If that's how you want to play then don't blame me if your fur gets more than a little singed!'
Narrowly avoiding getting horizontally bisected, Taihou barely managed to get away with only her yukata slashed a bit, exposing some of her midriff and even drawing a little blood in the process. In response, her two golden tessen began to radiate even more heat before being covered in crimson flames which she didn't hesitate to swing forward in retaliation, unleashing a torrent of flame towards the now stunned and wide-eyed Akagi.
"What!?" 'That bitch! So help me, if she singes even a single hair on one of my gorgeous tails I will skewer her on my blade and roast her on a spit like the piece of fatty poultry that she is!'
Meanwhile, back with Eldridge and Belfast-
"...Hey, Super Maid?"
"Hmm? What is it, Miss Eldridge?"
"...Um, is this okay?"
"Is what okay?"
"...The two Big Sisters. Um, alright?"
"Oh, they're quite alright. Things might 'look' serious, that's true. But look, see how they're smiling? It might be a little hard for you to understand right now, but that's just how friends are sometimes."
"...Like, with Green Cat?"
Belfast nodded. "Exactly. Sometimes friends can't help but tease and push each other's buttons. I suppose that's just the nature of especially close friendships are, I suppose."
"...Oh," was all Eldridge said before nodding in understanding. "Yeah. Green Cat is mean sometimes... and keeps trying to take Commander's lap. My lap!"
Belfast giggled a bit seeing the normally stoic looking shipgirl ever so slightly puff out her cheeks thinking about her best frenemy. "And that's probably how those two see each other as well. Don't you think, Miss Jean Ba-"
"...Gone?"
"Not quite. Look."
Apparently, while the maid and the zapper were having their little chat, a certain Vichya Dominion Battleship's combat instincts were pushed a little too far and, before she knew it and with cutlass in hand, Jean Bart soon found herself jumping into the fray. Belfast, finally noticing what had happened, could only let out a quiet sigh.
"...Well, the more and varied the data, the better, right? Regardless, I'm sure Miss Akashi and Metis won't mind too much. After all, ." With a resigned shrug, the ever professional silver haired super maid simply grabbed another recording device. 'Thank goodness I had the foresight to have Miss Akashi prepare a few spares.'
- Outer Heaven central berthing dock: aboard the Liberty's bridge -
"Tomorrow's the big day nya. Are you three nervous?" Akashi asked while typing away from her seat at one of the consoles by the captain's seat.
"Hmm? Well, I can't speak for the other two, but I don't see any reason to be especially worried," Sheffield replied without looking up from the guns she was busy cleaning. "After all, everyone agreed with our proposal after making small adjustments to it, right?"
"Heh. True. Still, I was surprised that you and Shikikan could come up with a formation plan like that so quickly nya," Akashi said, remembering the meeting they had yesterday morning. "It was solid setup and made use of all the forces we currently have."
"Indeed! Myself, Sheffy, Enterprise and the Honorable Master put quite a bit of work into it!" Sirius proudly declared while puffing out her ample bosom, much to Akashi's envy filled chagrin.
"...Ugh...!"
"Hm? Miss Akashi? What's wrong?"
"...I think I get it,"Enterprise said, looking down at her own meager assets.
"Enterprise?"
"Don't worry about it Srius. It's nothing serious," Sheffield reassured.
"..."Alright then?"
"..." (x2)
A few minutes and some more banter later later.
"Oh, looks like it's almost time for dinner," Sirius said, looking at the time displayed on her own console.
"That reminds me..."
"Sheffy?"
"...I wonder who won that drinking match between Lady Eugen and the rabbit. You know, about what Miss New Jersey was talking about over the 'joint tactical network' earlier."
"I'd put my money down on Laffey myself nya!" Akashi declared.
"...Lady Eugen," said Enterprise and Sheffield at the same time, totally certain that the silver haired Iron Blood shipgirl would win in the end.
...
"...I um, would put my money on them both passing out in the end..," Sirius admitted, scratching her cheek and looking a little bit embarrassed.
"...Wait, that's a thing you can do nya!?" Akashi asked, genuinely shocked that she hadn't thought of that option.
Sirius just nodded. "...If you've ever seen those two drinking before, then yes. Perfectly valid choice."
"Well, we'll know when we see them, so let's hurry up already," Sheffield said before speeding up, secretly hoping that she could take a picture and maybe hold it over their heads later or something.
xxx xxx xxx
A/N:
And that wraps up the story's first intermission!
The goal here was to introduce some of the more non-Azur Lane elements of this story's world while showing off some random moments just between the shipgirls while Liam isn't around.
Ah, just to reiterate, Liam will NOT be piloting a mecha, as cool as that would be. Remember, he was just a former office grunt nobody before finding the island and meeting the shipgirls. I will confirm however, that since magic does exist in this world, Liam (and most people really) can use magic to some degree or another, but nothing too big or even remotely close to the level of a real mage or anything like that. It's more on the level of having stable ESP and psychokinesis, basic strengthening, low key stuff like that. Fireballs and barriers require WAY more prep time and ceremony. Don't expect to see a lot of it for awhile.
Anyway, next chapter will see the satart of Liam and the girls' first real operation and encounter with the Sirens.
Hope you all enjoyed it and see you next update! Hopefully, I can get it out before the month is out since I've already started writing it.