ap3910996: Yup. 1 review per chapter. My guess? To prevent spamming.
Guest: Indeed I did! I am a huge fan of both TLotGH and Yang Wen-li myself! Easily one of my favorite characters in the whole series!
To everyone else! Thank you for the suggestions in the comments/DMs! Much appreciated! But man, these Pasta shipgirls are really popular, huh?
xxx xxx xxx
Chapter 20
xxx xxx xxx
Mirror Sea Corridor.
"...Dammit! Too close! That was too fucking close!" grumbled a less than happy and still unable to move Purifier currently being carried on a very tired Tester's back.
"Hey, at least we still got out of there in one piece, right?"
...Tch! Wait, what happened back there... That, that was definitely a META's interference, wasn't it?" Purifier quietly asked with much more seriousness than she typically had.
"I'd like to say 'no' but... yeah, probably. Anyway, just shut up and rest for now."
"...Yeah, yeah."
xxx xxx xxx
Unknown place and time, in a 'room' seemingly made up of shadows where several figures gathered around a small figure and her taller partner.
"...And, that's the end of our report," finished the taller of the two.
"...I see," acknowledged the apparent leader of the group in a calm, measured and quiet voice with a hint of coldness before turning her attention to the smaller of the two figures. "So? Why did you directly interfere?"
"..."
"I'm not angry with you, just curious."
"...Commander, was there. That's why."
...
"... Commander? Well, it was reported that there were at least two Commanders battling the Sirens. One Yang Wen-li among them, but still. That was no reason to interfere was it?"
The smaller figure shook her head. "... No, not him. 'Commander' was there."
The questioning figure quirked a slender eyebrow in slight confusion. "That still doesn't explain why you-"
"-Hmph!" interrupted the smaller figure a bit more fiercely, small red sparks of bio-electricity dancing around her body. "Our Commander was there!"
"..."
Silence fell upon everyone in the 'room' of shadows.
"... Are you saying 'he' was there? I mean, absolutely sure?"
The smaller figure nodded. "... Yes."
"... Even if you say that, it doesn't mean that...-"
"-'I' was there too. That's how I know," the smaller figure interrupted, bright red spark flaring.
The questioning leader then turned to the taller figure. "... And what are your thoughts?"
The taller figure simply shrugged her shoulders. "Who can say. But, if there really was a 'resonance phenomena' involved, then we really can't afford to ignore what's happening whether we want to or not, especially not after already making a move. Besides, a resonance would mean that they could've sensed us as well. Not to mention..."
"...Thanks to your partner, the Sirens have, without a doubt, confirmed we were in the area too."
The taller figure nodded. "Right. And, more importantly, since we personally got involved they might feel the need to accelerate whatever it was they might be working on already."
The questioning figure sighed, rubbing her temple. "...Fine. Then let's just, focus on what to do next then now that we've already come this far..."
xxx xxx xxx
Back at the (still) unnamed island settlement, four days after Liam's second battle with the Sirens - morning, Mayor Mason's house.
"I know I've probably said this more than enough times already, but really. It's crazy how crowded it's gotten... Thankfully, most of our new guests have been incredibly beautiful shipgirls so there haven't been too many complaints about it," the mayor said with a slightly less than upright smile on his face.
"...Yeah, sorry we've taken up so much space," Liam apologized, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. ".. 's just, the girls need to unwind and relax after such a hard battle. Plus, Admiral Yang's people and I had a lot to talk about and go over..."
Mayor Mason shook his head, an understanding grin on his face. "No, it's quite alright. After all, it's thanks to all of you that not only did we get to have such an exciting combat demonstration, but we even got to meet a real life war hero like Admiral Yang Wen-li! Plus, you kept your end of the deal we made and protected us from any Siren attacks too. All in all, you've done great work for us!"
"...You know I'm not that big a deal, right?" Yang (unconvincingly) protested.
"Hah! Says the guy called the 'Unbeatable Magician'! Plus, shipgirl Commander aside, you're the Azur Lane Alliance and Eagle Union Navy's youngest admiral in history aren't you? I mean, aren't you only twenty-nine? Your unique circumstances as a shipgirl Commander aside, even the Eagle Union Navy's previous record holder, the late admiral Elmo Zumwalt, was still a good twenty years older than you are now when he made admiral!" Mayor Mason explained before finishing with a hearty laugh and patting Yang on the shoulder. "And all that's on top of the reputation that gave you your nickname as the man who all but singlehandedly kept the Sakura Islands free from Siren occupation, at least for the time being anyway."
"...That's really putting it on a little thick here. I had a lot of help you know," Yang countered, a slightly awkward smile on his face. "Really though, it's mostly thanks to all of my crew and shipgirls, as well as the Sakura Empire's support that I've gotten this far."
"Always so humble, aren'tcha!" Walter, who was sitting next to Yang, said with a hearty laugh. "But hey, it's just as much thanks to you and those crazy plans of yours too y'know. Team effort and all that."
Mayor Mason nodded. "Right, right! Just as shipgirls need their Commanders and vice versa, good plans and strategies need those skilled enough to make them work, let alone succeed."
Liam nodded. "That's right. I mean, Metis and the others are the only reason I've made it this far myself... and that's only because I've been lucky so far, like really lucky."
"Hahaha! Lucky is right! Each and every one of you Commanders have definitely got some kind of crazy high luck alright!" Walter said with another chuckle. "Anyway, you're gonna be heading back to... wherever it is you call home to get ready for coming to the Sakura Islands, right? Since that's where the people and action are out here in the Pacific."
Liam nodded once again. "Yeah, and besides, staying any longer than we already have might actually end up putting the people here in even more danger in the long run. Besides, I really wanna get back to the others."
"Ah, that makes sense. Alright then, you gonna head out now then?" Walter asked.
"Yeah. You and Admiral Yang are gonna be staying around to take over guarding the place and finish up your own investigation, right?"
"Yup! Plus, my boys need a break to relax and unwind for a little longer yet."
"Oh, right," Liam then turned back to Admiral Yang and Mayor Mason. "Thanks again for all the hospitality you've shown us til now and I'll try not to take too long, but it'll still probably take about a week."
Yang shook his head. "No worries. We'll also need some time to get things ready on our end too, especially since we're going to be delayed a bit ourselves, so just take care of yourselves and don't feel the need to rush."
"Thanks. And we'll be meeting at the Imperial Naval District west of the Imperial Capital on Akitsushima, right?"
"Mmhm. That's right."
"Alright, I'll be off then."
"Right. Take care."
After confirming where the two Commanders and their fleets would meet up again later and exchanging a few more words with the mayor, Liam left.
"Heh, he's a pretty interesting guy, that Liam," Walter commented with a smirk. "A bit awkward but he's pretty tough, that's fur sure."
"Well, he'll be a strong ally if nothing else," Yang replied. 'Though, I get the feeling he'll work better as an independent force than as a part of a larger, more formal organization like the Azur Lane Alliance. Well, having a wild card like his fleet has worked in the Europa front so I don't see why it wouldn't work here as long as we make the right arrangements.'
- With Liam's shipgirls in the midst of their preparations to leave the island -
"Have you and the others finished loading the supplies we received from the Hyperion, Enterprise?" Belfast asked.
"Yes. Sheffy and Sirius' groups already finished loading their shares, and my group is just finishing locking our share down and double checking to make sure we didn't miss anything," replied the bespectacled, blonde bibliophile.
Belfast nodded. "Alright then. Master should be heading our way soon too."
"What about Lady Eugen and the others?" Enterprise asked, wondering where the rest of the Head Maid's fleet were.
"Ah, Lady Eugen said she wanted to talk to her counterpart about something, and the others just wanted to tag along, most likely out of pure curiosity or to talk to the other Commander's shipgirls while they still could before we left."
"But, won't we be seeing them again soon though?"
"While that is true, there's no real reason not take advantage of any opportunity to learn even just a little more from our fellow shipgirls while we can, yes?"
"Ah, that makes sense," Enterprise replied, nodding in understanding.
"At any rate, we should go find Sheffy and Sirius so we can help your group finish up and go to greet our Master."
"Right!"
xxx xxx xxx
On the way back to the Liberty.
"So, your Kommandant was just a plain, video game loving low level office grunt before all this happened?"
Eugen(silver) nodded. "Ja. Though he did mention briefly thinking about joining the Azur Lane Alliance but didn't really say much more about it. The rest, from his escape to how he found the means to construct us, were all one string of dumb luck and coincidences. At least, according to him anyway."
Eugen(blue) chuckled. "But can you really call all that 'luck' though? That sort of thing doesn't normally just conveniently happen, nein?"
"Well, we live in a truly ridiculous world filled with literal magic currently being invaded by mysterious entities from who knows where who can create mini pocket dimensions and possess unbelievably advanced technology humanity only thought they'd ever see in fiction, with their only truly reliable means of fighting back against them by using technology they barely understand and that needs a certain type of man as the center of complex shipgirl summoning ritual that you could only call a genuine miracle. The world's full of bullshit like that, so I think we can let a man being a little luckier than normal go, ja? Besides, I don't wanna hear that coming from a shipgirl under the command of not only the youngest admiral in both the Azur Lane Alliance and Eagle Union Navy's history, but one who's earned enough of a reputation to be called the 'Unbeatable Magician' thanks to his military genius and skill in defensive battles that make use of thinking outside the box," Eugen(silver) deadpanned.
"... Okay, fair points," Eugen(blue) conceded with a shrug.
"Ah, speaking of the absurd and inexplicable. Who or what do you suppose intervened at the last minute of our battle?" Eugen(silver) asked.
"Ah, you mean with the red lightning?" Saratoga asked.
"...Hmph! Eldridge's zapping, is better...!" Eldridge pouted, arms crossed and cheeks puffed out.
"...There there," Anchorage said, gently patting her friend on the head. "...Snack?"
"...Yes...!"
"...Anyway...!" New Jersey cut in, frankly just as curious.
"Hm? Oh, right. Well," Eugen(blue) began, thoughtful finger to her chin as she 'seemed' to mull the question over a bit.
"It's just, I get the feeling you might have more of a clue about it than we would, nein?" Eugen(silver) pressed, ever so gently.
"..."
"Eh? Whatcha mean by that, Eugen?" Alabama asked.
"... Even if I did, it's not something I have the authority to talk about," Eugen(blue) finally and slowly said after something of a small but noticeably tense pause. "I think that's something that only our two Kommandeure can discuss, and only if yours asks first... Though, I imagine that admiral Yang will want to talk to him about it when you all come to the Sakura Empire either way."
"Well then, I suppose that I'll leave it at that for the time being."
"Danke."
...
"...Psst! Uh, hey. Sara?"
"Hm? New Jersey? What's up?"
"...Why'd it get all serious between those two? Like, do those other shipgirls really know something about what happened a few days ago?"
"It's likely because of how much longer the other Eugen and her fleet sisters have been active compared to us and how whatever it was that attacked only did so against the Sirens," Saratoga quietly explained.
"...Ooohhh!"
"Anyway, it was more like a guess since our Eugen wasn't sure," Saratoga clarified. "Though, based on how the other Eugen reacted, it's a safe bet that they at least have an idea about it but is still something only Liam himself can get answers to."
"Ah, gotcha."
'Still, not the biggest fans of all these mind games though..,' Saratoga thought with a sigh as she took one last glimpse back at the two Prinz Eugens.
- Liberty -
On the bridge. Specifically, within the ACSC's AI terminal mainframe.
"Alright. Transfer complete. That should keep the others back home informed ahead of our return later today," Metis said to herself after she finished packaging and sending out the latest sitrep over to the partition she left behind. "Now then, let's have a look at what my 'sister' sent me."
Deciding to kill some time while waiting for the others to arrive, Metis materialized into the real world using the ship's many, many high fidelity holo-projectors and comfortably 'seated' herself atop Liam's command chair while opening up several windows filled with information on the current state of affairs in the Pacific while idly thinking how nice it would be to experience what sitting down on something 'actually' feels like. 'I really can't wait until I get a physical body of my own...!'
About twenty minutes later.
"...Well, that was certainly informative. A lot more about the local culture and customs than I expected, but that's not a bad thing, at least for the Commander and the others in prepping for our upcoming trip to the Sakura Islands anyway. Now then, what about their current military situation..."
Another fifteen or so minutes later, right around when the Liam and the others had entered the bridge.
"Hm? Oh, Commander. Everyone. Welcome back."
"Good to be back. Heh, you look comfy there Metis. Reading something interesting?" Liam asked with a smile on his face, the four royal maids behind him greeting her with a silent nod before moving over to their respective bridge posts to begin getting ready to launch. Belfast, who had joined them on the bridge as well, was busy checking in on the other shipgirls.
"Ah, well. I was simply going over some of the information about the Sakura Empire Aigis sent over."
"Aigis?"
"Hm? Oh, right. Aigis is the name of my sister aboard the Hyperion."
"Oh, cool. So what kind of info did she send?"
"Notes about the country's culture, customs, and current military situation," Metis replied. "Just the usual sort of things we'd likely want to know to help us prepare for our trip there. Incidentally, there were a lot of little notes she added in too."
"Huh, looking forward to the highlights later then. Well, I've always wanted to go myself but until now...well, y'know. Right then," Liam then turned to Sirius, Sheffield, Enterprise and Belfast. " Are we ready to head out? Or do we need a little more time?"
"The fleets not currently scheduled for escort duty are onboard and everyone else is prepared to leave at any time, Master," Belfast replied.
"The supplies Admiral Yang and Mayor Mason gave us have been safely loaded and locked down," Sirius added.
"Engines are ready, the seas and sky are clear, and there are currently no other issues preventing us from launching," Sheffield reported.
"No Siren activity detected within range of either the Liberty or the Hyperion," Enterprise finished.
Liam nodded. "Right then. Let's go home everyone!"
"Yes!" x4
xxx xxx xxx
Unknown time and place within the 'room of shadows'.
"So, did you hear what Command decided?" asked the taller META.
"...About, who to send?" replied the smaller META.
"Yeah," nodded the taller. "There was a lot of debate over it, but they finally decided that two fleets would be sent to observe and, if necessary, support the target Commander."
"... Who is being sent?"
"Littorio's and our fleets were the ones chosen, so don't worry."
"...Why two fleets though?" asked the smaller META, genuinely curious.
"About that..."
"Hmm?"
"Originally, it was only going to be just our fleet since you'd do more than throw a simple, harmless fit if they 'didn't' assign you to go. That being the case, Command felt they needed to make sure you didn't go overboard out there because of who the target Commander appears to be. Also, Littorio volunteered, or rather demanded, she'd be dispatched as well. Likely for the same reasons as you," explained the taller META. "... To be honest, I think most of us feel the same way you do though, to one degree or another."
"..." The smaller, silver/platinum blonde and tanned META shipgirl simply nodded.
"At any rate, we've also got it on good authority that the Sirens might be planning something big soon, likely based on how more active they've been lately, especially in the areas where other confirmed Commanders are being monitored and the higher ups don't want to take any chances."
"... Right, makes sense. But, still. This world is strange... Commanders, actually still exist here."
The taller META nodded. "That's true. In most worlds, at least the ones we've observed and/or interacted with at least, they either died off in the past or were wiped out during the Sirens' usual second assault on any given world and leaving them either dead or unable to continue service... So yeah, in that sense, this world really is odd. I mean, even how the Sirens have fought up til now deviates somewhat from their usual patterns... at least as far as the dozens, if not hundreds, of past records have shown anyway."
"...Hmph! Doesn't, matter! This time! this time... will be different for us, for Commander..!"
...
"...Right."
"So? When do we leave?"
"...Ah, about that."
xxx xxx xxx
At one of the newly constructed Mirror Sea bases currently being used by the Cluster 66 Siren fleet assigned to the Pacific.
"So? How's your body feel?" Purifier asked as she entered the training simulation room.
"...Still needs some more time before I fully adjust but overall, not bad. Luckily, I only needed a few component replacements and readjustments so I should be back to one-hundred percent before too long," Tester said as she flexed her newly repaired left arm. "But never mind that. How are our preparations for the next operation coming? And what did the others say about the last battle?"
"Honestly? Other than being mildly surprised by the existence of the other, as of yet still unknown Commander... no changes."
"Not even with the appearance of the META type kansen?"
Purifier shook her head. "They didn't seem too concerned about that actually. Not really all that surprising considering that it was only a matter of time before they acted. Frankly, I'm amazed it's taken them this long to act, if anything."
"...And if the unknown fleet and/or any META type kansen decide to show up during the operation?"
Purifier shrugged. "That's why we've been given more resources than usual to work with this time around. Our goal may not be the death of this world, that still doesn't mean that we'll make it easy for them to save it either and, if their world ends up dying in the process, then... we move on and hope the next world we go to does better. Might be cruel, but it's the only option we have that we know even remotely works."
"...I know."
"Hey. None of us like doing things this any more than you do, but it's too late to turn back now."
"...Yeah. Anyway, I'm going to get back to training and then go check over our forces. What about you?"
"Observer is going to do some scouting of the Sakura Empire's main island soon and asked me to come along as an escort. So yeah, infiltration time!"
"I see. And if you should run into any kansen?"
"We'll be in disguise with some heavy duty suppressors on but... we'll cross that bridge if and/or when we get to it. Might sound like a half-assed answer, but there's really nothing else I can say."
"Fair enough. Just let me know if anything comes up so I can either come and support you or get you both out of there, whichever comes first."
"Thanks. Don't worry though. I know how important the next 'level raising' operation is, so I'm not going to needlessly pick any fights or blow our cover if I can help it. No promises if any kansen attack us first though."
"Right. So when are you both leaving?"
"Tomorrow. We're gonna need a bit more time to work out the last kinks in our disguises."
"Alright. I'm sure you won't have any problems and that Observer will keep you in line and make sure nothing too unexpected happens but still, be careful."
"...Yeah, yeah."
xxx xxx xxx
Island settlement, a little after Liam and the others departed - aboard the Hyperion's bridge.
"So, have 'they' contacted you yet?" Walter asked, hands in his pockets and standing to the left of a seated Yang as he was busily going over the latest patrol reports his shipgirls sent over.
"Hm? Who?" Yang asked back without taking his eyes off the tablet in his hand.
"Who else? Those odd, shipgirls who show up sometimes. The small, tanned platinum blonde one and her taller brunette partner in the red Dragon Empery style dress."
"...Ah. Well, even if I did have a clue, there's no way I can actually answer that. They're the type to show up whenever they want anyway."
"Still, if it was them, why do you suppose they acted when they did, especially when the Sirens looked like they were on the verge of retreating anyway," Walter asked, not sure what to make of their strange actions back then.
Yang sighed. "If I had to guess, I think something about the battle situation itself was what made them act, something they simply couldn't ignore. And, the only thing I can think of that even remotely fits is..."
"...That other Commander, right?"
Yang nodded.
"But, why would there being another Commander there make them act though?" Julian asked.
"Who knows," Yang replied with a light shrug. "But, it's the only thing I can think of that makes any sense. I do think the whole thing was a little too convenient, but my guess is that they were already there observing the area even before the Sirens or us arrived and that they only acted when they confirmed the situation and felt that they had to act."
"But, Admiral. As plausible as that theory sounds, didn't they themselves tell us that they wouldn't interfere with us unless we were about to be destroyed?" Frederica asked, recalling their very first meeting with their shadowy 'allies'. "I mean, it looked like we were winning and that new Commander doesn't know anything about them right?"
Yang nodded. "Right. I asked if he'd ever heard the term 'META' in private the day after our battle actually. Not only did he deny knowing anything about them, he looked genuinely confused too. Also, Aigis herself confirmed with her sister that no shipgirl identifying herself as a META had come near or attempted to make contact with them the entire time Liam's fleet has been active, so we can safely rule out anything on their end... which brings us back to square one..."
"...That our 'friends' know something about Liam that no one, not even the man in question, knows about, right?" Walter guessed.
"That's my guess anyway but, who can really say. After all, it's not like we know very much about what their goals are either so it could be something else altogether for all we know," Yang clarified. "Still, it's safe to assume that Liam is at least a person of interest to them as well, which makes it all that much more important for us as well, especially since he'll be cooperating with us for the foreseeable future. I get the feeling that he'll be the key in learning something about our 'friends' as well."
"You think so?" Frederica asked, slender eyebrow slightly raised.
"Just a gut feeling really," Yang replied with a shrug. "Or at least, that's how it feels anyway."
"Nothin' wrong with that!" Walter said with a chuckle. "Anyway, it'd be nice if we could just call 'em and ask though, haha!"
"That would be nice..," Julian agreed, a bit frustrated by the elusive nature of their 'allies'.
"Admiral?" Frederica asked with a hint of concern, noticing the thoughtful look on her admiral's face.
Yang shook his head. "It's nothing. Just that I get the feeling we'll see them again before too long, that's all."
"Do you think the Sirens will make another big move soon then?" Frederica asked.
"I do, yes. While we didn't get much information about why they were here, we did learn that they have been busy transferring a large number of resources and troops out of the occupied Dragon Empery mainland only to then seemingly vanish shortly after being spotted. It's a bit odd, but we've seen that exact kind of behavior from them once before, remember?"
"Ah!"
"...Right. The large scale Europa offensive operations that took place about six months ago!" Walter said, suddenly recalling those hectic days.
"That's right. The ones that effectively cut us off from Europa ever since," Yang added.
"Then how come we only just noticed their odd movements now then?" Julian wondered, finding all of this a bit hard to believe.
"Because we were too busy keeping the Sakura Islands safe and only had so many forces to do it, that's why. The Sirens took advantage of our lack of manpower and sent out a number of decoys to throw us off and buy time to build up their own forces. At least, that's what it looks like when considering their past actions compared to what we've seen recently," Yang conjectured.
"...Okay, so assuming all of that's true... do we still have time to mount an effective defense?"
"It'll be cutting it close, but considering we've been shoring up the country's defenses ever since we took command of the IMSDF already it shouldn't be a problem... but only if we leave now or tomorrow, have another week to ensure our a solid defensive line, and have Liam's forces to help cover the areas we can't."
"...That's, a whole of 'ifs'. Too many for my liking actually," Walter quietly muttered.
Yang chuckled. "Frankly, even if we still did everything right on our end, it's still no guarantee that it'll be enough. Still, luck's been on our side ever since we met Liam, so I have confidence that things will work out so long as we move quickly so here's what I'll need everyone to do. First..."
xxx xxx xxx
September 12th, 2023 - Late afternoon, edge of the patrol zone just outside of Outer Heaven's western perimeter.
"...Hmm? An incoming IFF confirmation request..."
[400-chan? What's wrong?]
...
"...Ah! It's the Liberty! Shikikan-sama and the others have returned!"
[Wait, really!? ah, crap! Alright! Go and buy me some time to go let everyone else know so we can get our little surprise ready! Ooh, I can't wait to see the looks on Shikikan-sama and the other's faces!]
"...Not half as much as York-nee, right?"
[Haha, maybe. Anyway, give me five or so minutes, okay?]
"I'll, see what I can do. Best of luck, 401-chan."
[Right! Leave it to me!]
'Oh, I better make sure to have my tablet's camera ready too, hehe~!'
- Outer Heaven, Akashi's lab -
"Hm? Oh, it looks like they're back. My 'main body' is requesting data transfer and network reintegration."
"Nya? Wow. I wonder what took them so long... I hope nothing too crazy happened. Anyway. I just need to double check everything before getting our notes ready to present to Shikikan. Good thing we had a few more extra days to work out the kinks in the simulations and trial tests, nya~" Akashi said after hearing that Metis(partition) was going to merge back with the main AI.
"Alright, then I'll be off," Metis(partition) replied before waving her cat eared verdette friend farewell for now.
"Yup! Thanks for all the hard work, and see you soon, nya~!"
- Aboard the Liberty -
"Man, it's good to be back home!" Liam muttered as he took a look out of the window to the area where the still currently camouflaged island base. 'Still crazy how the whole island is cloaked though... Really though, you'd think I'd get used to all this high level sci-fi bullshit already though but I guess, humans are just stubborn about the dumbest things like that...'
"Master, incoming call from I-400. She is requesting to come aboard," Sheffield reported, bringing Liam out of his little reverie.
"Eh? Is it just her? Well, whatever. Sure, she can come aboard if she wants. I mean, it's been awhile since we've seen each other, right? Actually, I wonder what the others are up to right about now too..."
xxx xxx xxx
A/N:
And... Ch. 20 is FINALLY complete! Ah, it feels good to properly write a chapter after so long!
I was personally surprised by how popular the Pasta girls were. I kinda feel like this is some subtle sniping at me for denying the main Sardegna Empire to be part of Liam's fleet! I'm onto the scheme you bastards! All joking aside, you will get a full pasta focused META fleet! There! HAPPY!? You lot damn well better be! Hmph! Ah, but seriously, I have some fun ideas for Littorio META...! I'd say look forward to it, but... nah. I've seen Vento suggested a fair bit, but I'm personally leaning towards Impero myself... if only bc I like her sleepyhead personality more. We'll see. Maybe I'll coin flip it.
Anyway, the first major arc has concluded and everyone is back home! Meanwhile, various other parties and factions are making their moves!
Anyway, some extra notes:
- Yes, the Yang Wen-li here is inspired by his counterpart from TLotGH (The Legend of the Galactic Heroes), though drawing a bit more from his modern Die Neue These interpretation, meaning he's a bit more serious and introspective than in the original OVA series. He is 29 and has the rank of Admiral, which corresponds to his age and rank shortly after the events of the FPA's failed invasion into the Galactic Empire in late UC 796 right before his promotion to Commander of Iserlohn Fortress in early UC 797. It's a pretty big moment in his history. This Yang is no less impressive since he is the youngest current serving Azur Lane Alliance/Eagle Union Navy officer ever promoted to the rank of full admiral since Elmo R. Zumwalt.
- Elmo R. Zumwalt Jr. (Nov. 29th, 1920 - Jan 2nd, 2000) was the youngest US Navy officer to achieve the rank of admiral and serve as CNO (Chief of Navy Operations) in US history at the age of 49 in 1970. He's a pretty big deal whose reform programs, semi-officially called 'Z-grams' helped to modernize the navy, with 87 of his 121 'Z-grams' even being incorporated as standard directives even after he retired and his programs, at least in name, were canceled. He has, according to my research, even been hailed as the navy's most popular leader since WW II as well as championing so many progressive reforms through his 'Z-grams'.
Anyway, thank you all so much for your patience, engagement, and continued support. The upcoming Sakura Empire arc is going to be a big one! Or, at least, that's the plan anyway. Alright, until next Ch!