"There's nothing wrong with commander Igo. Physically, if I may add." Vestal comment after examining me for an hour or so. Hey, do you know that Vestal is actually a shipgirl? Yeah, I did just now! I probably should've expected this when I see her in the same ship as Stella, who is the Fleet Admiral of Azur Lane. "But may I ask what happened earlier? It may help me determine which part of commander Igo that I need to check further."
"He touched a wisdom cube," Stella says behind her desk, watching my examination really, really sharply. "and some bright roots start glowing and growing on his arm until it covers his entire body. Me and Belfast tried to pull his hand multiple times but with no success until we finally got lucky and managed to pull him out."
"Huh?" Vestal's bewildered face was stupidly cute but it was understandable. I, myself, haven't come to term with what Stella and Belfast saw. But then again, what I see in those visions are probably crazier than whatever Stella is describing so I guess I am just the weird one for coming to terms with that. "I-Uh… I don't understand."
"Belfast, could you explain it better than me?"
"I am sorry master, but I believe your description is the best we can mutter at the current moment." Belfast is standing behind me. Just far enough to allow Vestal to move freely around my chair but still close enough to respond if something weird starts happening to me. "I am sorry but this is also my first time seeing this phenomenon. I could request the help of the maids if you want me to find out more about this."
"No, I could ask but it would just be a wild goose chase." Stella puts her hand up with her palm facing toward Belfast and moves it up and down. "Igo, you are the one in the middle of this. Do you remember anything?"
"Well, I remember touching the cube." I tilt my head down, close my eyes and start thinking. Of course I remember everything that happened when I was inside that cube, the question is, should I tell them? I could tell them but will it be helpful though? Will they even believe me? Probably would since Stella and Belfast were also there to see some weird magical thing that happened to me. "And the world turns white, pure white and then all these crazy colors start glowing like those auroras in the north before my vision returns back to the place."
Hey to be fair, I wasn't lying. The scenery and everything that was there are technically made up of all the colors in the world and I also tell them that the world turned white. I just didn't tell them everything including my copycat-mannequin thingy. I don't think there's any advantage in telling them that. It would just make them more concerned and afraid and I don't want them to prohibit me from touching those wisdom cubes again since I am honestly still intrigued about it. I want to touch them again and continue on. It feels like that one interesting or fun dream you had but it suddenly got cut out because you wake up and you spend the entire morning trying to sleep again. Yeah, it feels like one of those dreams.
"You aren't hiding something from us, right?" Stella's voice feels like it's choking me. Her expression isn't helping either. It feels like it was my first time lying to my mother. It feels dirty, sinful and deserving a lightning bolt to the face.
"I hope. It feels like a dream. No matter how hard I try to recollect any memories of what happened, I can't." If the saying 'liar liar pants on fire' is true, I would've spontaneously combust right now.
"I see." Vestal said but from her tone she doesn't understand. She starts checking my right arm and traces her finger down my arm. "Could the damage be mentally instead of physically? Are you feeling something, commander Igo?"
"Um… no…? I feel normal."
"This is perplexing since I am not the best when it comes to psychological treatment." Vestal let my arm go and put her hand on my head. She's probably checking my temperature but I don't feel a rise in temperature or anything. "Uhmm… this is hard. I am sorry but I'm not detecting anything wrong with Commander Igo."
"It's okay Vestal. You did your best. Belfast, could I ask for a cup of tea?"
"Right away master." I hear the sound of pouring water behind me and not long after that, a cup of tea was handed to me by Belfast. "Here is your tea, master."
"Thank you. You should have one Stella."
"Sure, my mind isn't really in the best place right now. A cup of tea would help."
"Great. Vestal, I assume you also want one."
"Well, if you insist." Belfast quickly pour two cups of tea and hand them to Stella and Vestal. "Thank you, Belfast." Vestal took the cup from Belfast's hand and put it in front of her mouth. She then proceeds to lightly blow it a few times which is CUTE! Everything she does is cute honestly. "By the way, commander Igo, can I ask you something?"
"Yep?"
"How can you be so calm?" Hm? That's an interesting question coming from Vestal. She's probably used to her patient being a little bit on the panic side of things when they are hurt. "I have a 'special' patient that does that. She was calm and collected even when her entire body was battered beyond reason. I hope you are not like her commander."
"Enterprise right?" Stella gives a snarky comment in the middle of sipping her tea.
"Yes, she can be a handful most of the time." Vestal let out a dry laugh which made me wonder what kind of person this Enterprise is. To even make an angel like Vestal to let out that desperate laugh, she must be a piece of work. "She likes to push herself beyond her limit. She is strong but she is still human." Push herself beyond her limit huh? Is it her limit or limit that other people put on her? Now that's a question I would like to ask. "I don't think I can handle another hard patient."
"It's okay, I am not that kind of person. I am just used to crossing paths with death. Fighting something that I have no chance of winning on a daily basis in the army really builds my mind." I don't know whether it was building it toward the good side or the bad side, but building is building. We used to joke around about our weapon that we carry as an infantry since they are practically useless on the battlefield other than being used for suicide. I have been there, emptying all of my magazines on an enemy tank and it didn't even catch its attention. Hell, the anti-tank rifle that we use in the army is nothing more than a toy to catch their attention. Even when it manages to put a hole on the tank's armor, it doesn't matter anyway since the enemy tank is a drone and putting a hole wouldn't do anything if you didn't destroy its inside. "Then again, I don't even know whether the experience earlier is near death or not."
"I see… Do you need a hug?" Stella, the fuck are you asking? You're also a military personal, shouldn't you be thinking that this is normal? "A normal hug, with nothing behind it." Okay, now you just make me suspicious. What does she want by hugging me? Revenge?
"Yeah, no. By the way, what will we be doing after this?" I ask to no one in particular. I just want to get away from the awkward atmosphere Stella created.
"I believe the patrol fleets should be coming home soon." Belfast said as her eyes darted out toward the orange sky outside. "It'll be best for us to welcome them, masters."
"I guess you are right. Let's go Igo, we are going to the dock. I assume you are going back to your clinic, Vestal?"
"Yes, commander." Vestal drank the rest of her tea up and put the cup back to the trolley. She then waves us goodbye before exiting the office.
"Well, let's go." Stella said as she stood up from her chair. I let her walk past me before I stand up from my seat and follow behind her. I glance back and see Belfast does the same thing as me and follows behind me. We exit the office building and walk down toward the dock.
I have officially spent an entire day here. The orange sky, the salty air, the slow wind blowing on my face, the sound of girls merrily talking to each other as they exit the tactical school and the normal school, it feels kind of nice and distant to me, somehow? I don't know, having been living in warzones for 7 years definitely did something to me. I know that this place is also a warzone but it feels too nice. I mean, I am not saying that there isn't happiness and smiles in the army. There is plenty actually but I don't know. Well, whatever. I am going to adapt to this place sooner or later. I just need to make sure that I don't space out and overthink everything.
"I see them." Stella said out of nowhere which makes my head turn everywhere to see the patrol fleets. "In front of you, you big dummy." Huh? Oh yeah! I see a bunch of girls skiing on the surface of the water, moving toward us. Should I call it skiing or sailing? Since they are ships, technically they are sailing but they have the body of a human and they look like they are skiing.
"There's a lot of girls for some patrol fleets. This is more like a mob honestly and those mass produce ships behind them." Yep, the number of mass-produced ships behind them could probably reach the hundreds. "Are those ships empty?"
"Yes, those ships are empty. They are unmanned vehicles that the girls control. We are patrolling the Pacific Ocean, you know. It's a huge ocean, six girls wouldn't make it."
"Guess you are right." I then turn my head to face Belfast. "Can you control any kind of ships or just mass produce one?"
"We can only control ships from our class. For example, I can only control the Town-class light cruiser while lady Illustrious could only control the Illustrious-class aircraft carrier." If I translate it to the human body, it's going to be like I can control my clones while the clones are giant tanks. Am I right on that? Probably.
When we were busy talking, all the girls have landed on the port and are currently walking toward us. Each and every single one of them is so different from each other that it looks like they don't belong to a single unit. Like the army has their own uniform, the navy has their own and so does the air force, but these girls, even when they are a part of Azur Lane, don't wear a single unifying uniform. Huh? I guess each of their own.
At first they were waving their hands at Stella before their eyes landed on me and their expressions immediately turned to surprise and confuse one. "Do I have some sort of big presence or something? How did they immediately find me? I was trying to stay still and camouflage myself."
"Wearing a white uniform is a bad idea if you are trying to camouflage, isn't it master?"
"Exactly! Stella."
"No. I am not going to let you wear some stupid outfit just so you can camouflage yourself."
"Aw~~ Belfast, can you help me here?"
"No! Belfast don't! I would personally rip whatever stupid clothes you made for Igo." Stella said before she returned her focus back on the oncoming girls. "Welcome back, Enterprise. How is it?"
So this is Enterprise huh? The one that causes so much headache for the angel, Vestal. She has purple eyes and long white hair. She also wears an admiral cap on her head with a little eagle in the front. She is wearing a white sleeveless shirt with gold buttons. She wears a belt under her chest, which supports her breast so it would look firm on her body and a black tie that has an eagle medal on the tip. She also wears a black coat with red inside and some gold ornaments. Well, I said she wears a coat, it's more of it hanging on her elbows, leaving her shoulder and upper arms bare for me to witness. On the lower body, she wears a short black gathered skirt with gold hem. She wears black thigh-high stockings that were secured on her thigh by a pair of white belts. Any more belts on her body and I would assume she is into BDSM. She also wears a pair of black knee-high boots. Is she going through an emo phase or something? Most of her color palate is black and white with black dominance over the white.
"Everything is fine, commander. My fleet ran into some sirens on the way but nothing that we can't handle." She reports to Stella. Her eyes then darted to me as she asked. "Commander, who is he?"
"Oh, I haven't introduced him yet." Stella said all gleefully. Why is she so happy? What the fuck is she planning here? "Attention everyone, this being," I am going to forcefully fuck her again and this time, the train ain't stopping once. "will be your new admiral. Please be careful near him." I am not going to bite any of them. Besides, won't it feel like I was biting steel or something?
"There are some parts of your words that I don't like but I am going to let it slide, for now." I speak out loud and I see Stella giggling. She is definitely going to get what's coming to her.
"Uh, hello commander. I guess I have to introduce myself." Enterprise walks up to me so I instinctively stretch out my hand and invite her to shake it. She seems to be confused at first before finally catching up on what I want to do. "Ah yes, a handshake. I am sorry." She immediately takes my hand and shakes it, very violently.
"Igo, be kind to her. She may be one of our strongest ships but she is the strongest in the combat related part only." Stella says from behind Enterprise and I could see Enterprise's face start to red up. "Her social skills on the other hand though, might need some work, isn't that right Belfast?"
"Commander!?" Enterprise yells out in embarrassment. CUTE! SHE IS FUCKING ADORABLE!
"Yes, just like master Stella said." Belfast answered Stella's request. "I remember her earlier days where she was so gloomy." "BELFAST!?" "All she ever talked about was war and fighting. She was quite a handful for myself and miss Vestal." "Stop!" "She always likes to be alone, being all moody. When I ask her why, she will just say, 'to prepare for an incoming attack' or that sort." "Please~~ stop!"
"No, no, no, no. Keep going." I said to Belfast when Enterprise was shaken to her knees in front of me. "I understand now why Vestal had a huge headache when she told me about you."
"She did?!" Enterprise's face was getting redder by the moment. "I am sorry, please forgive me." She said to no one in particular, probably talking to the imaginary Vestal in her head.
"It's okay, Enterprise. You have grown." Stella once again said. "And Igo here can help you with your little socializing problem." Wait a minute, that wasn't part of my job list. "He may not look like it, but he is the best womanizer I have ever met."
"Belfast, if you find Stella's dead body in her office tonight, please don't check on her tea okay? There is going to definitely, I mean absolutely not, be poison there."
"Of course master. Anything you wish."
"Hear that Stella. You are dead to me and Belfast." I could hear a loud smirk coming from behind Enterprise. That is definitely Stella's smirk. "By the way, Enterprise?" "Yes?" "You can let go of my hand now."
"Ah, sorry!" She let my hand go. I am not sad or anything that she held my hand for such a long time, it was actually quite a nice feeling of her smooth skin rubbing against mine.
"You haven't introduced yourself yet." I send out a remark out of playfulness. "I guess I need to start it. You can just call me Igo or you can add prefixes if you want to, I am fine either way. From now on, I am going to be an admiral in Azur Lane."
"Then I guess it's my turn. I am Enterprise, the second ship of the Yorktown-class aircraft carrier. You may call me Enterprise or Enty, whichever suits your taste." Enterprise huh? Now that I think about it, she has a cool name. "Pleased to meet you, commander Igo. If you have something to ask or request, please just ask."
"How about we continue this in the office?" Stella said as she signals her hand to some of the girls. "It's getting cold here. All flagships, come with us while the others can go home."
""YES MA'AM!"" Most of the girls walk away from the port to each of their own destinations, leaving five girls plus Enterprise there.
"Let's go." Stella walks toward me and pulls my hand as she walks past me. "As the fleet admiral of Azur Lane, I have a responsibility to keep the girls safe. From both enemies and friends, that's including you, Igo."
"I will not do anything dangerous."
"Yeah, sure." Sarcasm is unbecoming of you. That's my thing. "Girls, make sure you don't fall for this bastard! He is mine!" Ok, I have to make a mental bucket list of fucking every shipgirls here in front of Stella at least once. Better start from now eh?
.
.
.
"Okay, start by introducing yourself before giving me your report." Stella said to the 6 shipgirls that are sitting on the sofa with cups of tea in front of them. I don't know where Belfast got those many cups but hey, she is the maid.
"Guess I am first then. I am Pennsylvania from the Pennsylvania-class battleship. You can call me either Penny or sister Penn." Penny is a tall, serious looking woman. She has a black side ponytail hair with a little cobalt blue sailor hat on her head. Her green eyes exert this office-secretary vibe and combined with the cool battle scar on left cheeks, make her look intimidating to me. She wears a cobalt blue shirt and a black bra that covers a nice pair of racks. How do I know that she wears a black bra? Well because her shirt is fully open on the front before being pinned together in front of her belly button. I don't know whether it is a continuation of her shirt or she just wears a cobalt blue pencil skirt, but there are some clothes with white hem below her black belt. By the look and my observation, it's the continuation of her shirt which makes me wonder, does she wear anything underneath that? What I know is that she wears a pair of black see-through thigh high stockings that disappear under her clothes. There's also a pair of black leather garter belts on her thighs. Is that garter belt or does she wear a thigh belt just like Enterprise? Her clothing is finished by a pair of black high-heel. "My fleets only encountered small scouting siren fleets. Nothing that we can't handle."
"Good, can you tell me where you encounter them? There might be a fort or a mirror sea somewhere around there." What? Sirens? Fort on the sea? Mirror sea? The fuck are those? "Igo, I am going to explain everything later. Sirens are what we call those enemy ships. What do you call them in the army?"
"Piece of shit, Asshole, Motherfucker, basically every bad word you can throw at it. What? Do you really think we care what those enemies are called when we are facing their turrets head on? We will probably be dead, full of holes before we actually remember what they officially called it."
"Oh yeah I forgot. The army has it rough huh?"
"Everyone, honestly."
"The army huh?" Penny gives me a thorough stare. "I thought commander Igo was from the navy."
"Well technically I am. I've been in the navy for seven months before this woman," I point at Stella and she just waves her hand happily. "forcefully pull me here. Before that, I was in the army being conscripted or 'enlist' as they like to call it, for seven years. Pretty fun if I might add, except for the part where you are always in constant danger of getting roasted by the enemy laser."
"I see…" Penny's tones and voice volume turn down. Did I piss her off? She probably doesn't like someone from the army to be her admiral right? Yeah, I understand that. She probably thinks I've no idea what I am doing and she is almost right. The only good point I can give her is Elizabeth's tutoring me for that 7 months, but I guess that won't make it. Huh? This is going to be hard. I need to earn her trust and respect if I want my voices to be heard. I need to prove myself. Just because I am Stella's 'boyfriend', that doesn't mean I am a capable person. And I bet most people here, also think like that. Sigh… I know not everyone here will just accept me.
"Penny, do you have anything more that you want to tell or ask commanders?" A woman, who is sitting next to Pennsylvania, asks her in a soft voice.
"No, you can go ahead Rodney."
"Thank you, Penny. Well commander Igo, my name is Rodney and I am from the Nelson-class battleship." Rodney here, has a magenta-ish white long hair with purple eyes and a face befitting of a mother. Her expression and vibe is so nice and peaceful, I am actually having a shock from how different Penny and Rodney are. On her neck, she has a gold necklace with a huge purple gem. I wonder if I can steal it and sell it off to a pawn shop. I am probably going to get a good price for it. She wears a mostly-white sleeveless princess vest with a lot of gold accessories and gold hem. The vest also shows a generous portion of her upper boobs. When I say generous, I mean generous. If her clothes line goes any lower, I could probably see her areola. She wears a long blue navy coat that starts just below her chest. She also wears a pair of baggy white hand stockings that end on her elbows and let her shoulders free for me to see. On her lower body, she wears a white mini box pleats skirt that has a gold line going through it just above the hem. She wears a pair of thigh-high white heeled shoes with white soles. On her waist is a brown belt where her scabbard is hanged. I don't know what kind of sword she is carrying, but by the look of her mostly gold hilt, it's either a rapier or a broadsword. "Just like Penny's fleet, my fleet also encounters some enemy scout fleets and not like Penny's fleet, we encounter two enemy main fleets."
"Who got hurt?"
"I believe Kent and Kinugasa received some light injuries. I told them to go straight to Vestal's clinic after we landed on the port earlier. I could only hope they did what I told them."
"Kinugasa probably will, she is a good girl that cares for everyone's health including her own. Kent on the other hand, she probably forgets and just bolts of playing." I don't know about you, but I like this Kent girl already. She sounds like a walking dumbo and I couldn't wait to meet with her. "Sigh, Belfast."
"Yes, master. I will tell her immediately after this."
"Oh my~ that girl." Why does she remind me of Illustrious? Her way of saying 'Oh my~' is really similar. The way her upper boobs are shown for me to see are also similar. I wonder which one of them is bigger, tastier and plumper? This is the question of the centuries! This is an important science I am doing here. "Well, since Penny has asked you something. I guess it's my turn, commander Igo."
"Go ahead."
"Has commander Stella been treating you well?"
"Rodney, what are you asking him?"
"Thank you for asking Rodney." I fix my sitting position and speak in the saddest voice I could muster. "Not many people ask that about me." I look up at the sky, trying to look like I was lamenting something. "It began when we were in high school."
"Igo, if you tell a bullshit-full story just to make me look bad. I swear you'll never see the light of day ever again." Oh wow, an ultimatum. "I am sorry Rodney, but we will skip your question. NEXT!"
"You see how harsh she is being with me. I've to endure that for years after years. Oh how painful my life was." Yes, I sound dramatic. Yes, I am getting the reaction that I was aiming for, which annoyed Stella. "Just ask Belfast here. In one day alone, I have experienced an uncountable amount of harassment, Isn't that right Belfast?" I turn my head upward until I see Belfast who is standing behind me. I give her a playful wink and she just smiles, holding her laugh.
"As a maid for both masters, I couldn't deny nor confirm master Igo's statement." That's good enough.
"Belfast, I am questioning your loyalty right now."
"What are you talking about? She is loyal to the Fleet Admiral."
"You are not the Fleet Admiral, Igo." "Not yet." "If I die because of poisoning, please check Igo as the first suspect. Rodney, we'll skip your question. Igo will just use it to slander my image."
"Yes, commander." Rodney nods her head before letting out a little giggle. "I hope we can have a cup of tea after this commander Igo. I would love to know more about you."
"NO! No one will be talking with Igo after this." Stella said before she pointed to the woman next to Rodney. "Souryuu! Your report now! I don't want to hear Igo's voice anymore!"
"Yes, commander Stella. My name is Souryuu, an aircraft carrier from the Sakura Empire." Souryuu has a black long hair with, what I can only assume, two long bunny ears on her head. Is that real? It is moving but I have never met an animal-girl before. I honestly don't know they exist. Is every single girl from the Sakura Empire an animal girl? I never went to the Sakura Empire and now I am regretting it. I look down and see her wide forehead. Damn, that's big. Could probably land a helicopter on her head. She has a pair of sky blue eyes hiding behind her circular glasses. She wears a strapless white blouse and a black tube top with a metal belt? That supports her breasts and makes them look firm. I know Enterprise wears a leather belt under her boobs but this woman wears a metal one and it's slightly bigger. On her belt? Can I call it that? Is a gold four clover leaf and two anchors, on her right and left side. On top of her blouse is a short ocean blue color jacket with huge cape sleeves. Like, won't wearing an actual cape be more advantageous and less annoying? She wears an ocean blue box pleats mini skirt. Her legs are covered by black thigh-high stockings and a pair of blue ocean shoes with high red heels and high red soles. "Our fleet managed to defeat five scout fleets and three air fleets. We are trying to scout further but we are running low on ammunition and ships."
"Good, do you have a question for Igo? Just like the other two."
"Yes but for the best result, I am going to ask commander Igo in private."
"Yeah no, not going to happen." Why is she so territorial? And I am not even her territory, I am Mia's territory. Souryuu let out a little smirk before sarcastically nodding. "I'll be keeping my eyes on you Souryuu. Enterprise, your report!"
The Dork E, yes, I am going to call her the Dork E. She is cutely dork and I love her for that. She told me when we were walking how she was before. I conclude that she went through puberty, all that darkness talk, war, human's life worth, whatever, is all too familiar to me. Seeing her face turn redder and redder as she remembered her past almost made me squeal because of how cute she was.
"Yes, commander Stella. I have introduced myself earlier, but it's only fair if I introduce myself again. I am Enterprise, the second ship of the Yorktown-class aircraft carrier." Yes dork E, I am keeping my eyes on you, you don't need to stare at me to make sure I am paying attention to you or not. "My fleet seems to be targeted after most of the scout fleets were destroyed by the other patrol fleets as my fleet encountered seven main fleets and three air fleets." That's a lot of fleets. "We ran out of ammunition and most of our mass-produced ships were destroyed."
"Who got hurt?"
"San Diego is pretty beaten up physically, but she was still smiling and laughing cheerfully and before I could tell her to visit Vestal, she was gone." San Diego huh? Isn't she the VIP girl that Stella made a special box for? I want to meet her. "Portland and Indianapolis were also pretty beaten up. I believe Portland was dragging Indianapolis to Vestal's clinic the moment we landed."
"Sigh… San Diego… I am going to talk to her tomorrow." I am loving this San Diego girl already since she causes sooooo much headache for Stella. "Good job, Enterprise. I am going to give the Eagle Union the materials needed to make new mass-produce ships. I'll tell Saratoga later."
"Thank you commander Stella, and commander Igo." "Yes?" "Are you free tomorrow?"
"I am?" I nod my head slowly. "Is there something that I can help you with?"
"Yes. Since you're from the army, you must've worked with the Air force right?" Ah, she is an aircraft carrier. Of course she would be interested in the air force's jets, right? Or is there something else that she wants to ask me about the air force.
"Yes, I did. Can I go with her, Stella?" I ask Stella teasingly, she won't be jealous that I am dating Enterprise, right? Well, it's not like I am dating her. I doubt Dork E has any weird motivation other than she wants to know about the air force.
"Work only."
"Sure~~~ 'll be waiting tomorrow near the fountain." I said to Dork E and she nodded at me. "I guess Enterprise is done, so I guess next?" I glance at Stella to seek her affirmation and she nods. "Next!"
"Hmm, I guess that's me. My name is Weser, an aircraft carrier from Iron Blood." Huh? What a calm and relaxing voice she has. Weser has a bob candy-red hair with frilly ends and a pair of beautiful eyes with the same color. She wears a white suit with a white left-lapel and a red right-lapel and she has a black cross medallion that has a pin on her left-lapel. I don't know whether she wears a black shirt or black t-shirt inside her suit because there is a white tie blocking where the buttons would be if she was wearing a shirt. Oh, and there is also another black cross medallion on her tie just like the one on her left-lapel. On her lower body, she doesn't wear a skirt or pants, instead the hem part of her suit turns to a pencil skirt to fill the role of the lower clothing. She wears a pair of black-and-white pump shoes with a metal little anchor, presumably accessory, on the throats of the shoes. She is wearing black thigh-high leather stockings that are strap to a leather garter belt with the same color. The interesting part about this garter belt, other than it was made out of leather, is that she wears it on the outside, below her boobs. Probably to support them just like Enterprise and Souryuu. There is also a white rose accessory on the front side of her garter belt. Lastly, she wears a cape with red inside and black outside. "My fleet only encountered three small scouting fleets. We tried to follow an enemy signal and before it suddenly disappeared."
"I see. Could it be a mirror sea?" Stella put her hand on her chin. Again, mirror sea. The hell is that? Is it like one of those mirror houses in a circus? "Weser, can I ask you where the last reading from the signal was?"
"Yes, I think I can. While for commander Igo, could you accompany next week? There is something that I would like to do." Sure. I nod at Weser's request. I am just wondering, why the weekend? "As to why the weekend, I want to give you enough time to interact with other girls and I believe it would give me enough time to prepare." Prepare? Prepare what? I am just going to nod and let my future self be surprised by not asking. "Thank you, commander."
"I regret letting you guys talk to Igo." Stella puts her hand on her face and shakes her head lightly. "Howe, please report yours and you don't get to ask or request anything from Igo." Well, look at that. She's angry.
"Master, I believe it's not fair for Lady Howe. Would you reconsider your tantr—I mean your command." She was about to say tantrum right? Belfast just about to say Stella's having a tantrum right?! I am not deaf right!? She definitely said that!
"… fine… and Belfast, take a break tomorrow. Don't come to the Office building. Can you tell Gloucester to come and replace you for tomorrow?"
"Yes, commander." Belfast just closed her eyes and lowered her upper body while stretching her skirt. I glance back at her and see her happy face. I guess we both like to tease Stella huh? "Well, since I am free tomorrow, would commander Igo accompany me after you're done with Miss Enterprise?"
"On second thought, NO! You will work tomorrow, Belfast." Well, she kicks that brake paddle harder than she ever could. "Howe, your report please."
"Yes, commander Stella. I am Howe from the King George V-class battleship." Howe has long blonde hair with a little side ponytail on the left side of her face that is tied by a little gold crown. Her face is, gorgeous. Like holy fuck, GOD DAMN! Her beauty is on another level! That jade green eyes and the red mascara around her eyes are absolutely astonishing. I mean everyone is beautiful here, don't get me wrong, but when it comes to beauty because of beauty sake, Howe takes the cake. Talking about cake, she has got a nice pair on her chest as well. She wears a red short trench coat that has a somewhat modest boob window and white and gold cuffs. Unlike most people who showcase their upper breasts here, she wears a transparent black skin suit underneath her coat. She has a black ribbon around her neck that is used to support a white cross medal. She wears a pair of short brown gloves. She also wears a white fur collar that looks extremely fuzzy and warm. Now onto her body, boy does she have a shit ton of accessories on her. Medallions, ribbons and leather black belt boobs, yes I am going to start calling a belt that is positioned under their boobs a belt boobs from now on. Why do they need belt boobs anyway? Isn't a bra supposed to make their breasts look firm? Whatever. On her thighs, I could see black leather straps with gold clips securing her black full stockings. I could make out either a black miniskirt or black short below her coat as her lower clothing. Her shoes though, she wears a white knee-high shoes with a stupidly long shoelace and red high soles and red high heels. Oh yeah, she also has three pairs of black belts on her lower legs. Lastly, just like the other Royal Navy ships, she has a sword, a short sword I believe. Her sword of course is kept inside the scabbard which is mostly dominated by the color red. "I believe we encountered five main fleets before their trace disappeared into the air."
"Sigh… They always do these kinds of things. Good job, Howe. You can give Igo your cookie if you want to."
"Eh?! How did you know?!" Cookie? She has cookies? Hey, I am not going to reject it. "Uh, commander Igo. Would you like some cookies?" Howe said cutely as she brought up a bag of cookies that was neatly tied by a little red ribbon.
"Sure." I get up from my seat and take the bag from Howe's hand before sitting back. I undo the little ribbon and see the content of the bag. Oh wow, these are some high-class high-quality cookies. The smell and the looks are just *CHEF KISS* perfect. "Can I eat these here? They look and smell absolutely delicious."
"Would you share it with everyone, Igo?" What? Who are you? My teacher or something.
"Pfft! Hell nah! Go get your own Howe cookies. This is mine." Stella tilted her head to the side and turned her face to me. She looks like she is looking at a little child. Look, who in the right mind would deny a good cookie? Not me. "By the way, Howe, you are a KGV-class battleship right?" She nods at me. "Cool. I was stationed in one before this woman forcefully dragged me here."
"Can we stop calling it forcefully? I can feel my image worsen in the girls' minds."
"Before this woman kidnapped me." All the girls grow a smile on their faces. From their POV, my interaction with Stella is cute and I believe Belfast is also thinking like that. In reality, yeah, our interaction is more like old friends rather than a lovers one. Although, we had experience in the latter as well.
"So you're saying, you rode Howe before."
"PHRASING!" I could see Howe's face fall into confusion after I suddenly yelled at Stella. "Howe, don't ask! As your new commander! That is my first command! And the rest of you stop giggling! Including you Stella!" I was pointing my finger here and there at all the women.
"Well, I guess now that all of us have our date scheduled-"
"Except for Pennsylvania."
"Yes, except for her. Well, do you want to schedule your date, Penny?" Rodney was talking before I interrupted her by saying the fact that Penny is the only one who hasn't scheduled her 'date' with me. Although, I never expected a date nor Stella by the look of her face. Penny was shocked to say the least.
"Do you want a date with me commander? I never thought you'd be looking at me like that." Yeah, I can guess by the look on your face, Penny. I wonder why wouldn't she think I am into her? Maybe because she thinks I am Stella's boyfriend and she doesn't want to get on Stella's bad side. "Sure, I can give it a chance."
"I never agree to any of you dating Igo."
"Well, I agree."
"Igo shut up! I'll deal with you later!" Oh wow, the lioness is baring her teeth at me.
"Fine, I guess we are just going to hang out." Stella squints her eyes at me. "Come on! I am their new admiral! I at least need to have a connection with them."
"Suuuuuuurreeeeeee…" She is not buying it. Okay, plan B.
"Belfast, is it time for dinner yet?" Yes, plan Belfast. Use her whenever it is necessary to escape.
"I believe it is." I don't know whether it was actually time for dinner or is she helping me here, but thank you, Belfast. "How about we make our way to the canteen? I believe the food is being served as of now."
"Good." I stand up from my seat and the other shipgirls follow soon. "Come on! I am hungry." All of us walk out of the room, leaving Stella alone there. "You don't want to eat?"
"Igo, you're lucky." Stella said to me and I could just answer her with.
"I am."
XxX-XxX
"Oh my~ commander Igo. You sure have been through a lot." Rodney said in her kind tone. Right now, we are having tea with Illustrious and Hood in an empty canteen. We were having dinner a couple of minutes ago with a lot of shipgirls. It seems that I was a hit in the base. I am a new commander after all, so it's understandable. As to where Stella is, she is back in the office. She has something that she needs to do and has to leave the tea party early, reluctantly of course.
"Well, it is a lot but I believe most people have the same experiences as me. Some probably have more experience." Actually, I believe only infantry have the kind of experience that I have. Running through rubble, dodging freaking laser beams and all sorts of that. The armor division and artillery division definitely have it different since one has armor protecting them, even when it could be easily penetrated, while the other works from afar. "I am just lucky that I am alive."
"By your stories' account, I believe most of the success you had is because of your skills, commander." Hood says elegantly after sipping on her tea. "Or are you telling us fake stories?" She said teasingly.
"No, all of it were real, but it's only from my point of view." And I only told them the less hellish stories. I don't want to darken the mood by telling them stories where all I see is the massacre of my battalion. People's heads get chopped off, people getting crushed by falling debris and all that fun stuff. If I contemplate about my army campaign, it's because of pure luck I managed to survive. "No stray lasers, no falling debris to the head, no falling jets, nothing. I can be considered lucky if you ask me."
"Hmm? Then following your logic, I guess you're also calling us lucky since we haven't been sunk yet."
"Aren't you?" I respond to Hood's tease with another one.
"Ooooh~ I guess it's also luck that brought you to us, isn't it commander?" Does Lusty ever open her eyes wide or does her eyes always look closed like that? And her tone makes her sound weak and if I ravage her, she wouldn't resist.
"No, that's Stella's doing and she is a menace." All the girls, or should I start calling them women, giggle. "Don't tell her I say that."
"We won't."
"I believe Lusty and Rodney, but not you Hood." Hood turns her head at me, her face shows a genuine happiness while faking a curious expression. "I am keeping my eyes on you. If Stella found out, you are the first person I suspect."
"Oh my commander, don't you believe in me?"
"No."
"What sins have I done to you that make you suspicious of me, commander?" You know what you did! AND that smile of yours isn't helping your case here! Stop being so pleased with yourself!
"Well, I guess it's time for us to return back." Rodney said out loud as she finished her tea. "We excuse ourselves, Lady Hood and Lady Illustrious. Come now, commander Igo." She said as she stood up and bowed her body forward.
"Oh yeah!" I hurriedly drink down my tea and stand up. "Remember Hood! I'll be keeping my eyes on you!" I said to her as I walked out of the canteen. I point my fingers at my eyes and turn it toward her. Hood's face was still a happy smile but I can tell she is trying not to laugh with her shoulders trembling.
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.
.
"Commander,"
"Hm?"
"May I ask what Lady Hood did that makes you suspicious of her? For all I know, she is an honorable lady that would never run her mouth wildly."
"Promise me you won't laugh."
"I will try." Hmm… I guess there is nothing wrong with telling her. I started telling her what happened earlier and how I feel about it. Of course I don't tell her about me eyeing all the Royal Navy girls and my disappointment with the queen's and her sister's bodies. As much as I want to believe Rodney is on my side, there is no guarantee that she wouldn't be offended if I said that I was disappointed with her queen's body. I just tell her how the girls tease and 'humiliate' me and destroy my image to nothing but a pervert womanizer who likes little girls. And of course, Rodney laughed.
"You promise me you won't laugh!"
"I am sorry commander. I truly am sorry." You're not! You are still laughing at me! "I now understand why you didn't believe in lady Hood earlier."
"You better keep this a secret or there will be dire consequences!"
"You have my words, commander."
"I want more than just your words Rodney. I want all of it."
"Oh my~" Her Lusty side is back. Why is she 'oh my'-ing? "I wouldn't expect you to be that bold commander, but since you're my commander, I guess I can't deny your command." Huh? What? What the fuck is she saying? "To think that the commander would like me to hand over my body on our first outing. I guess the commander really is a pervert." WAIT A FUCKING MINUTE! THAT IS NOT WHAT I MEAN BY EVERYTHING!
"Don't put words in my mouth woman! What would the children think if they heard you say it!?"
"And now the commander is aiming for the little child, I guess you really like little girls." NOT WHAT I AM GETTING AT!
"Stop! You are just like all of them! I thought I could trust you!"
"I am sorry but you really are cute. I understand now why the ladies like to tease you!" Grr! I just added her to my mental note of revenge. Be prepared!
XxX-XxX
"Sigh… Their position is too space out from each other so that it's hard to determine where the center of it all is." Stella massages her temple after she examines the map that was laid bare in front of her. All the girls have pinpoint the position where they meet the enemy fleets but, just like Stella said, it's all random. "Even after knowing where they are originally heading to, I still can't see any patterns. This is annoying. Can you help Igo?"
"No, I don't think I can. Unlike land battle, sea battle doesn't have a naturally generated terrain." Cliffs, hills, mountains, rivers, etc. Those landmarks on land have definitely altered the course of thousands of battles and wars throughout history. Just like us, the enemy would prefer to go through valleys or flat lands rather than going through mountains. This information has been helping the army to strategize and maximize power and advantage. But on the sea, those kinds of things don't exist. It's all flat water. "I am going to order the table computer to help us with the computing."
"Please do. Go write a request letter and I will sign it." She picks up a piece of paper from the table drawer and hands it to me. "Oh yeah, buy yourself a phone and a laptop to help with your job." She hands me her phone, probably for me to do research with. "I am going to think about this for a moment."
"Is there something that I could help you with, master?"
"Could you make invitations for the flagships of each faction for the monthly meeting? And Igo, I want that table computer to be installed in the meeting room by later this month."
"You want me to replace the huge table in the meeting room?"
"Yes. Can you do that?"
"As long as the computer arrives before that date then I can try." I look up the larger version of the table computer and my wallet will be crying blood if it sees the price. "Are you sure you want me to replace the big table one? It's going to cost a lot, like a shit ton of a lot." I show the lowest price to Stella and she just scoffs and presses the screen. When I saw the screen back, it was displaying the most expensive and technologically advanced table.
"Don't worry, the government will pay for it." Nice, I like those words. I am on a shopping spree, might as well buy my phone, my computer and my laptop on the highest spec possible. You know, for work. Definitely for work! I write down all the components that I am going to need and hand it to Stella. Her eyebrows perk up when she sees the paper. "Are you sure you need all of these?"
"YES!"
"That's a no master."
"Belfast, don't you have something to do?" I hushed Belfast away. "Don't listen to her, Stella. Which one do you trust the most, your boyfriend or a maid?" Belfast almost let out a laugh when I finished my sentence. I hear the 'PPFFT!' coming from her mouth. "Come on now Stella. Your handsome, brave and manly soon-to-be fiancé or a long white hair succubus?" Did I just call her a succubus? FUCK! Her body is so sexy that I couldn't help myself to think like that!
"Oh my commander." Here comes the teasing! BELFAST! "I never thought you would look at me like that. I truly am flattered by commander Igo's flattery." Yeah I can fucking tell! "Does commander Igo want me to wear less clothing for work? Or does the commander want to see me naked? It's a maid's job to fulfill her master's request."
YES! I WANT TO SEE HER NAKED! But Stella probably going to fucking kill me if I say that. Right now, I need to hide my boner. "Interesting proposal Belfast, but your other master here is planning to kill me. So could you please stop. I don't want to die this young." There, I fucking said it. I miss my chance of getting Belfast naked and doing a lap dance for me so can you please stop staring dagger at me, Stella.
"As you wish my master." My one and only wish right now is for Stella to go away from the room so I could ask Belfast to strip off. And for Mia to not know about this. "But, if master Igo ever fancy to taste this body of mine, please do tell. I will gladly give you all of me." Taking a mental note right now! I just need to know Stella's schedule and BAM! I get to fuck Belfast. Hopefully. Doubt it will be that easy though, she is probably just teasing me.
"Belfast, you're so close to being scrapped right now." I believe that is considered a death threat, Stella. And the worst part, this is coming from her fleet admiral. "The only people he will be seeing naked is me!" Yeah, I already see her naked but that doesn't mean I don't want to see Belfast naked! Of course I want to! "The electronic components that you'll need will come next week Igo. So you won't have time to see Belfast naked." We'll see about that. And next week, she is signing a same-day shipping letter or something?
"Next week? Sure! I hope my computer and laptop arrive at the same time. Kinda need them to program the table. Oh by the way, you haven't talked about our enemy, the Sirens? Is that what you call them? Yeah I forgot. I am going to need to add their model to the table computer so it can be displayed on the computer."
"Yeah, I haven't told you that yet, huh?" Nope, unless the enemy that we are fighting is the same like what the navy is fighting. I assume yeah, but if that's the case then why make a separate force? "I bet you already know about the mass produced siren ships right? Those ships that have black armor and red light." I nod at her. We never call them sirens but it's probably what she was talking about. Elizabeth, the granny one, had taught me a lot about them. "So, imagine them as girls?"
.
.
.
.
.
"What?"
"They're similar to our shipgirls." Okay, I am starting to understand it. "Except that they are evil. All black and yellow."
"Wait, so you're telling me there is an evil Belfast out there?" Evil and alter Belfast. If she is evil, then could that mean that she is the master in our current relationship. This Belfast is a teasing master than that Belfast is a BDSM master. This Belfast wears a proper maid outfit then what will the alter Belfast wear? Nothing? Leather bikini? I WANT TO KNOW!
"No master, I believe you have the wrong image on your mind." Eh? What are you talking about? Stella definitely said that there are evil shipgirls out there! There is a sexier version of you Belfast! "They are the shipgirls' version of their own ships, the mass-produced one."
"Wait, they are mass-produced shipgirls? And not our shipgirls?"
"Yes." So there is no SEXY BDSM MASTER MOMMY KINKY HORNY LEWD BELFAST! NNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO~~~! Why did my inner voice sound like Darth Vader there? "I am sorry if I am being rude but I am sensing that you're disappointed in something and it somehow involved me." YES! IT HAD TO DO SOMETHING WITH YOU!
Sigh… Guess I have to let that dream go. Goodbye, Alter Belfast. "So, is there something that I need to know more about these sirens? Like how they look or something?"
"Their riggings are black and yellow." Figure. If they are the girl version of those cool looking ships that I fought a week ago, then their riggings probably had the same build and color like the ships. Well, with yellow replacing the red. "They have human bodies just like the shipgirls but I think they are more integrated to their riggings, I think. Not quite sure about the last one."
"More integrated? Belfast could you show me yours. I have never seen one with my own eyes. I also want to know what Stella means by 'more integrated'."
"Gladly master, but I would suggest doing it outside as wearing our riggings would cause somewhat of a disturbance and it's also quite large. Hence, this is why you don't see us walking around with our full riggings out."
"Okay, let's do it tomorrow morning. I want to make sure I can examine these 'riggings' carefully and I want to see a proper demonstration of your riggings."
"As you wish master Igo."
"Cool now that it's sorted out, I want to ask the obvious question. Have you tried capturing these sirens?"
"Don't think I never thought of doing that but… Sigh… I have to give respect where it deserved, they are pretty stubborn and would rather die." Aren't they a patriotic bunch? Choosing to die rather than letting the enemy have any information. Or are they forced to die?
"You mean suicide?"
"Yes and they are mass-produced so no matter how many sirens you destroy, you would just see another one tomorrow or something. Sometimes I wonder, are they willingly pulling the trigger to destroy themselves or is there someone pulling the string?"
"Do they cry before they explode?"
"I believe most of them do not, master as I have not seen them expressing any kind of expression. This type is also the most common one. The one who does show a resemblance of emotion is somewhat harder to deal with and harder to kill. They are also rarer but they still have the attribute of mass-production. Whilst the one that does show expression and is somewhat special, is an enemy that would take a fleet of girls to deal with." Well, since it's Belfast, I guess I can categorize that as a fact. I want to ask more about the one that does but from her description, she rarely sees them which means we have less information about them. And the one who is special is probably one of a kind and I doubt we have any kind of information on them other than the fact that they are present. "We tried to strike a conversation with them but they never respond or just talk gibberish. They seem to be focused on doing their task, whatever it is."
"So we know that there is someone standing higher than them?" Belfast nods at my question. "Could this higher up be responsible for controlling their armored division on land?"
"We have no clue or lead to that question but we can only assume that they are separated since the difference in tactics and environment." Stella has a point there but this is a being that could control highly advanced shipgirls and produce them at insane amounts so I can't really put them at the same level as us. Whoever they are, they must be really smart and powerful beyond humans. Guess I just need to research more about it. "We can't close the door to the conclusion that they are the same person though."
"Fair enough. Okay last question, where is the bathroom in this place?"
"There's one in your bedroom, right?"
"What? Where?"
"Next to your bed. You didn't see it?"
"No. There's nothing there."
"Okay, I'll show you after we are done. For now, let's wrap this up. It's getting late and there's nothing to gain from torturing ourselves by staying up late." Stella said as she wrapped up the map in front of her. In response to Stella's action, Belfast put her pen down and tidied up the stack of invitation letters in front of her. She then puts the stack into a drawer before she starts tidying up the whole room. "Thank you Belfast. I will tell Igo where his bathroom is, so you could wait for me outside when you are done."
"Yes, master."
"Let's go Igo." Stella says to me as she walks to the door. I soon follow her but before I exit the door and follow Stella, I wave my hand and say good night to Belfast in which she responds by waving her hand too and saying good night to me in a very soft and soothing voice. I quickly walk up the stairs and follow Stella to my bedroom. "Okay, see that right upper corner. The one farthest from the door."
"Yes, there is nothing there."
"Not yet." Stella enters my room and walks to the right side of the bed. She then presses a button that I thought was for the light. The moment she pressed the button, 2 glass walls descended from the roof and slowly made a tiny room on the corner of my bedroom. There's a glass door on the side that was facing the left side of the room. "Come here." She waves her hand to me and I walk up to her. "There are some buttons and knobs on the wall, you see?" I nod at her. Yes, there are some of those things. "Those buttons are for the mods while the knobs are for the water temperature."
"Holy shit this is overly complicated! Just build me a normal bathroom would you?"
"Shut it! There is no room here to build you one, so just accept this." She presses the button again and all this stupid contraption retreats back. "Be grateful that I spend my time installing this for your comfort."
"Yes, thank you Stella." I said to her sarcastically, "Now go home and get a good night's sleep, it's getting late just like you said earlier. You don't want that beautiful face of yours to grow wrinkles right?"
"I know, I know. There will be no one in this office building except you so don't do anything stupid, okay? I won't lock the door, so feel free to take a walk once in a while if you aren't sleepy yet."
"Okay, honey. And Stella."
"Yeah?" I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her close. Before she could say anything, I pushed my lips onto hers and gave her a good night kiss. At first she was surprised but soon, she joined the action by wrapping her arms around my neck and putting more effort on her tongue.
"I am going to be thinking of you before I sleep."
"Your flattery isn't working, Igo. I know you would be thinking about Mia."
"Well, I can change that." I move my hands lower and grab her butts. "These lovely meats could use some poundings."
"Hey now!" She pushes me away. "No, lewd act before bed. I couldn't stop myself from masturbating if you keep that up."
"How honest… I guess I just need to jack off to you then to return the favor."
"We both are lewd people but I think I am better than you since I am not a cheater."
"Okay, I am going to jack off to Mia then, I bet she wouldn't mind." She giggles at my retort. Hey, it's not a laughing matter. For men, jacking off is a matter of life and death. "Go home now. I bet Belfast is waiting for you."
"Okay, but one last kiss."
"Sure." We kissed again but it's more light this time. No spilling saliva, no ass grabbing, no boobs sucking, just pure love kisses.
"I am going now. Good night Igo." She says as she walks through the door and vanishes after turning right. I could hear her footsteps, walking down the stairs before the sound of the main door being closed echoed through the building.
Sigh… I am all alone now. Well, since Stella has shown me where the bathroom is, I guess I need to take a bath. I smell like a witch cauldron to be honest with you. I mean it's not like I always took a bath when I was in the army but hey, there is nothing wrong with using the facility that they give you right?
I press the button on the side of my bed again and take a sweet, nice, warm bath. The warm water coming out of the shower head washed down all of the fatigue that I didn't know I had. I can feel my body becoming lighter and lighter as I spend more time inside the bathroom. I could also feel the drowsiness starting to attack my eyes as it was getting harder and harder to keep them open.
After showering for what feels like 10 minutes, I finally exit the bath, feeling more fresh than I've ever been and I almost fall asleep the moment I see my bed. I open the drawer and pull up a T-shirt and shorts. They fit on my body so well that it starts creeping me out for how well Stella knows about my body. I shake my head and end my thought process and decide to lay down on my warm and fresh bed, the same bed that I fuck Stella earlier. I can't believe I fuck Stella on this bed earlier and now it's already clean. Belfast really works fast, doesn't she?
"Hm?" Did I just hear the sound of the door creaking from downstairs? Probably Stella. Maybe she forgets something in the office, a phone or a document. "Stella, is that you?" I asked out loud but I didn't receive any kind of answer, not even a 'no'. I hear footsteps ascending the stairs right next to my room. Whoever they are, they aren't exactly being stealthy. "Belfast? Stella? Girls? Who is it?" I sit up on my bed as the footsteps get louder and louder.
Suddenly, the footsteps disappear in front of my door which is an evidence that whoever that is knows that I am here. A little creak on my door knob makes me stand up from my laid position and be ready. Belfast warning about how there are 'special' girls in Azur Lane arise in my mind and cause me to tense up.
Click
The door slowly opens up, leaking out my room brightness out to the dark hallway. The door keeps on slowly opening, automatically. I don't know if I can do that. I have to open it manually, god damn it! The door finally opens up fully and out of the darkness, a little girl with pale white skin walks into my room.
"Do you know where my house is, C.O.M.M.A.N.D.E.R?"
"Do you need some assistance, commander?"
"No, I state my question clearly. What are you?"
"Azur Lane has quite the eye for toys."
"Are you done yet?"