Wichita raised her hand, Knocking on the door. She forced her features into the all-too familiar professional look despite the questions she had.
"Come in." The commander beckoned through the door. Wichita stepped into the office, gesturing with a well-practiced style.
"Sir. We've recovered the sources of these fleeting signals." She began. "Outcome was the best we could hope for, She... was retrieved. And the fleet withdrew without taking severe damage. They are as of present recuperating and undergoing repairs. We should expect them to be ready again shortly." She crossed her arms after delivering the report.
The commander let out a sigh, leaning back into the chair. "Well. That is a relief." He said, A slight smile. "How is our new friend?"
"According to Kent and the fleet, Intact with superficial damage but was suffering from massive physical exhaustion and sleep deprivation." Wichita reported. "She's presently undergoing repairs. They'll give her a debrief on the circumstances when she wakes up."
The man shook his head. "Ask them to delay the debriefing, Call it an feeling. But I feel our new friend will need the rest."
Comet stared at the now softly sleeping battleship. Well, She made it far enough under her own power to follow them all the way back to their base of operations at least.
Then she made the error of listening into the gossip and winced at how long the time might be. The repairs were nearing completion but she had been out for a long time and wasn't stirring awake. Ouchie.
Then again, Considering the amount of precious electronics and sensors that shouldn't be surprising. It did highlight how vulnerable she was out there by herself. though, If they hadn't shown up when they did. Chances were that it could have been much. much worse, Especially if she ran into a heavy fleet alone.
But she was here. Guarded by the finest Azur lane had to offer and a picket fleet arrayed and consisted on a rotating roster of patrol units.
"Hey, Comet-chan!" Craven called. "You gonna get in~? You keep staring at her like she's gonna... gonna hurt herself!"
"R-Right! I am sorry!" Comet replied, quickly wading into where Craven was.
As the commander continued. He decided to ask something. "Did our new friend give a name?"
Wichita made a thoughtful face. her professionalism cracking slightly. "She did, Her name was Norfolk but she also said she was Alsace. I believe she has to be the actual Norfolk but her hull suggests otherwise. Quite frankly, she is very anamolous in her own way." She sighed. "And from what i heard, Dorestshire. her sister seems to be having a hard time taking all of this in..."
"She has to be a H39, right?" Maury offered with a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "She looks like she has the right general characteristics to be one."
"Huh, What!?" Kent half-shouted trying to process what she just heard. "I saw her with my own eyes and she is no H-class! Have you seen her yourself? She practically looks like a destroyer even though she is not one! And there was no H-class built!"
"And her speed also means she's not one either." London replied. "Considering what the fleet reported her position from, There's no way she is slow either like almost all of our battleships as she had the agility of a large cruiser."
"Maybe she's a Iowa-class?" Repulse hopped up. "I mean, She seems to be similar in most ways. and there were a few planned ships... She could be one!"
"She may look similar at first glance but secondaries say she's not." Langley pointed. stopping that idea in its tracks.
"Um, Uh..." The sudden appearance of someone got everyone's appearances. "But what are you all arguing about?"
Maury leaned forward. almost crouching. "Trying to figure out what class Norfolk is, I still think she's a H39 but... Now that i think about it..."
Dorsetshire's eyes shot wide. "A..Are you talking about my sister i've been waiting to see?"
"Any theories we may have?" The commander grunted.
"A few, Commander." Wichita admitted. trying to think of anything that might give a hint to her true nature. "However. We will not know for sure until she undergoes further examination once she wakes up. In the meantime, The fleet has taken to calling her Alsace until we understand what exactly is going on."
The high-ranking man sighed and adjusted his cap. "It will have to make due for now." He straightened in the seat. "See if we can get her living quarters cleared and prepared for when she wakes up, We can't risk a misunderstanding of making her more stressed than she already is."
"Yes. sir." Wichita nodded and memorized it. reminding herself to find out what exactly the girl was.
"Will that be all. Wichita?" That got her attention as she stared back.
"Sir, Actually. I believe we may have more." She said. this time not really able to contain her mirth and questions as a smile slowly made its way across her features. "You see, Sir. When the fleet returned. we had ran a brief analysis and examination on her before she was sent for repairs. Details are scarce and fleeting but, according to Kent. It seems that she possesses a highly advanced suite of armaments and sensors that are much farther ahead of what we have been able to achieve. Among her guided missiles and anti-aircraft screen. She has sensors and radars that appear to be highly advanced even compared to the Union's."
"In addition, Comet also mentioned that she possessed regenerative-like abilities of some kind. And it was confirmed when some of the damage in the previous battle did not even seem to be there. as well as other mysterious powers."
The commander eyes looked shocked. nearly staring off at nothing. All he managed to mutter before a heavy silence fell in the office was a tiny, quiet "What?..."
Unfortunately, I had to do this in a hour while I was not fully concentrated. Purple shift and Tricolore of the stars will slow down for a bit as i need to focus on other stories before I return to them.
Also, At this point. My class could still change. I.e from No2 to No3 and such. And there might still be a second Norfolk depending on what everyone says. Leave a review if you took interest!