Authors note. "Alright, picking up where we left off, the aftermath of an attack, and Aggy being a prisoner!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"No, no no no!" Warspite yelled as she sped toward the base in a panic. Behind her were the others that had been on patrol with her, or under her lead, and even from where they were they could see plumes of smoke rising away from the base.
"Warspite, I know it looks bad, but if you are too tired you won't be of help!" Jamaica exclaimed as she, Juno, Norfolk, Musketeer and Matchless followed behind her, the five of them having no issue keeping up with Warspite's speed due to their differing classes as ships.
"There is no sound of gunfire or combat, whatever has happened is past," Warspite said hurriedly as she continued to move as fast as she could across the water toward the base.
"Then why are you-"Musketeer began to say, only to stop when she could see Warspite lips moving and moved closer herself, allowing to hear what Warspite was saying.
"Please be alright, please be alright, please be alright."
Everyone heard her words now, and as such no one said anything else as they moved.
It took a mere five minutes for them to arrive at the base, Warspite leaping onto the docks and un-equipping her rigging as she dashed into the base itself. Initially she ran towards the royal Dormitories, but stopped and instead ran toward the R&D areas when she noticed that that was the only place aside from the base harbor that appeared to be smoking.
When she arrived, she found the R&D building little more than a pile of rubble and turned to rush back to the dormitories.
"Warspite."
Only to stop and turn when she heard the commander and found him standing a few feet away, looking very tired, but whole. "Commander, what happened? Where is Aggy?"
"Taken," The commander said simply, before sighing heavily. "Come, I shall explain the situation to you from the source," he then said as he turned and began walking toward the islands center and the main building.
Warspite said nothing as she followed him, but she did notice work crews already removing rubble from many places. Most of it seemed be around the harbor, but there were concerning sights of crates near nonmilitary related buildings, and one of the dorms for the regular civilian contractors on the base, for cooks and the like, looked like it had taken at least one bomb or shell to the front of the building. Worst was that she could see some signs of blood stains on some areas of the base.
In a few mere minutes they had arrived at the main administrative building and went up to the commanders office, and when they arrived Warspite was surprised by who she saw, as Hood and Sheffield were present, looking rough around the edges, while Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth was sitting on the one couch and looked like she just lost a fight with a bear. She had bandaged on both legs, one of her arms in a cast, and bandages around her head, making her hair push up and look absurd.
"Your majesty, what has happened to you!?" Warspite asked in shook as she ran over to Queen Elizabeth's side, worried for her longest friend's health.
"I tried to do something that needed to be done, and failed," Queen Elizabeth said solemnly as she shook her head and looked at Warspite. "I am sorry, it is my fault."
"What?"
"This morning, I went to the R&D building, hoping to speak to your daughter and, perhaps mellow things between us. To, try to make her understand my view, and to hear her own," Queen Elizabeth began to say as she held up her scepter, which was broken in four places and held together with hope and prayer and a little bit of wire. "I wished to speak to her alone, and so Hood, Sheffield, as well as the doctor and Jervis and Belfast acquiesced to my request and left us alone. As we spoke, and after I retuned the shard I held to her, a Sakuran girl, a Destroyer I believe, came down out of the vents as the raid sirens went off. She was armed with a great blade larger than her or I, and it became clear to me that she was after Agincourt, so I tried to hold her back."
"Melee combat is hardly your strong point your Majesty," Wartpsite chided.
"Yes, but it needed to be done. Even if I did not, and still do not, think highly of your daughter and what she means, she is still your daughter, and it was my duty to protect my friends progeny. Something I failed at," Queen Elizabeth said as she cast her gaze toward the floor.
"The one who captured Aggy broke out of the building and ran past us," Hood spoke up, continuing the story. "We attempted to stop her, but she was very quick, and we could not fire on her in case we injured Aggy. The base was also being bombarded by long range battleship fire, as well as hundreds of aircraft that began bombing the base, and in some cases strafing into it specifically to impede us from following the one who took Aggy."
". . . So, my Daughter was captured by the Sakura Empire as they declare war upon us?" Warspite asked carefully.
"Yes, that is correct, in part," the commander said, prompting Warspite to turn around and grip the door handle. "What do you think you are doing?"
"Going to save my daughter," Warspite said seriously as she pushed down on the handle, only to find it was now locked. "why-"
"I cannot allow you to do that at this time Warspite," The commander said as he sat down at his desk, and continued speaking as soon as she whipped around to face him, her eyes filled with outrage. "The entirety of the Crimson Axis has declared War on Azur Lane. While our base was struck, many bases on the west coast were struck, as was the Royal islands and the shored of the Iris Libre and our allies by the Ironblood. We are now in full blown war, and we need to consolidate our forces and repair before we can even consider a plan of attack, let alone attacking the Sakura homeland."
"What, what does their homeland have to do with saving my Daughter!?" Warspite demanded, her voice rising to a level that surprised everyone in the room but the commander.
"Because, Sheffield managed to tag her kidnapper with a tracking mark. It stopped transmitting right before you returned, but it showed itself making a straight go toward the Sakura main island," Hood spoke up.
"Indeed," The commander said with a nod. "We know where she is being taken, and can plan, but nothing can be done now that would give us a good result."
"You, want me to do nothing as those Sakuran Monsters do who knows what to my daughter?" Warspite said as she began to shake in worry and fear. "If they captured her explicitly, then they must know what, what she is. . . . What she could mean for all of our kind. And you are asking me to do nothing?"
"No," the commander said seriously. "I am telling you. And that can be made into an order if it needs to be. I am not saying this lightly, I am saying that we cannot go and get her right now, because it would cause more problems than it is worth at this time. As soon as we have the proper forces, and opening. We will get her. I promise you that Warspite."
Warspite looked like she wanted to argue, to act, to do something, but merely glanced downward instead. A pained look painting her face. "How do we know, they won't try anything to her?"
"We don't," the commander said bluntly. "However, I do not believe they would do anything to seriously harm her considering what she could mean. And, I do not believe they will find her subservient or easy to deal with."
"Why?"
"Because, when we were to enter the R& building, she asked about if we felt something strange about the building," Hood spoke up. "At the time I thought little of it, but since then, Sheffield and I have spoken about it, and believe that perhaps she is gaining an understanding, possibly an ability, to utilize her Shipgirl gear even though her vessel itself has not manifested yet."
"That. . . . Is that possible?"
"We do not know, but it does give us some possible ways to approach this," the commander said.
"How many?"
"Several, however, they cannot be spoke of right now when they are merely theory crafting. For now, the base needs to be repaired as do many Shipgirls, and you look like you need rest as well. For now, we simply will need to trust in her, and that the Sakura Empire will not do anything untoward to her."
Warspite wanted to make a comment about how they couldn't be trusted as they attacked and kidnapped her without even declaring war, but she held her tongue and instead found herself looking at the window, hoping Aggy was alright.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Akagi of the Sakura empires First Carrier Division Strode down the hall of the Sakura Empires Headquarters building, other Shipgirls bowing to her and moving out of the way. After all, she had just returned to the homeland victories against Azur Lane, and everyone knew it.
Which made her very sudden summons to meet Nagato not even five minutes after the first and Second carrier divisions had retuned, to be a surprise to many.
Reaching the room itself she found the door silently slide open for her, revealing that it was not just Nagato and Mutsu awaiting her, but also Shinano, Musashi, Amagi, and their closest retainers as well, sitting in a triangular formation, facing the doorway and her.
"Akagi, enter," Nagato said stoically from where she sat. "You must answer for your actions."
"If you refer to our strike, it went exactly as planned, and as reported," Akai said as she entered the room and knelt down I front of those she was before. "Perhaps, did you wish for greater details of our victory over Azur Lane?"
"No, what we would like to hear is why you chose to kidnap a noncombatant during the attack," Amagi said from Akagi's left, her eyes looking at her in worry.
"Ah, the girl," Akagi said, inwardly wondering who that was under her command for the operation had tattled on her actions. She had hoped to have a few more days before that was discovered. "Our spy that was getting us the location of Azur Lanes defenses came across her, and her existence was far too important to leave to Azur lane considering what is to come. So I made sure to have her secured."
"And what about her makes you, so sure that she is so important?" Musashi asked, her sharp gaze looking straight at Akagi's eyes, and seemingly into them.
"Because, she is the child of a Shipgirl of the royal navy, and a human," Akagi stated knowing that such a piece of information would guarantee she would still be in control, regardless of what Musashi or Shinano tried to do.
"You truly, believe such a thing, could be, truth?" Shinano asked sleepily, her head bobbing down a bit with each word, as if she could fall asleep in an instant. "Never once, have I dreamt, of such a possibility."
"Ayanami made very sire that she was not wrong," Akagi said as she took out a small data disc. "the information she acquired and copied is on this."
"Why would you not simply report such a thing Akagi?" Amagi asked in concern. "you are already running project Orochi, and now you catch this girl to, I would assume learn from her?"
"I am fully capable of running multiple projects," Akagi responded simply. "And I could not let such a useful piece of information be left in Azur Lanes incompetent hands. Not with what ending awaits them."
"We understand. Very well, we shall not argue this point further at this time," Nagato stated simply. "Where is she now?"
"Kaga brought her to the cells when we arrived."
"Is she awake?"
"I, we kept her under as we traveled with charms, but I do not know if she has awoken yet," Akagi answered, not liking where this was now going.
"Very well. Go check up on project Orochi, and please have her sent up here. I wish to speak to the prisoner personally."
Akagi tensed nearly imperceptibly for a moment before nodding, knowing she could not argue in this matter. "I will do this, but she is from Azur Lane, Specifically the Eagle union I believe. She is likely to brutish and rude."
"Be that as it may, we wish to meet her," Nagato said simply. "You are dismissed."
Akagi bowed before getting up to her feet and leaving the room. And as soon as she knew she was far enough away from the room she turned down a hallway, made sure it was empty, and straight up hissed in annoyance. "Dammit, I am not letting this slip out of my fingers, there is now Nagato will use her to the full extent she should for the Sakura empire, only I can-" Akagi took a moment and drew in a dep breath, realizing that she was utterly losing her calm. After a few seconds she pulled out a talisman, and as it lit on fire, spoke. "Kaga, it seems Nagato wishes to meet our prisoner. Have someone escort her to Nagato."
"Of course sister," Came the tone of Kaga to Akagi. "What will you be doing?"
"I must check on the Orochi's progress. I will speak to you later," Akagi answered before cutting the call and moving down the hall, musing to herself as she went. "Hmm, I wonder if my ally is around the Orochi today? Perhaps she can shed some light on the girl I caught?"
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Aggy opened her eyes to the sight of wood. For a few seconds this seemed unimportant.
Right up until she remembered what had last happened. In that instant Aggy bolted upwards, finding herself on a wooden floor of a simple room of wooden walls, ceiling, and a wooden barred doorway. Like that of a cell. She looked around again, finding a unrolled foam sleeping roll against the wall behind her, as well as a toilet against the far wall, but aside from that there was nothing else.
"They, kidnapped me?" Aggy said to herself, in a sort of shock. She recalled the attack, as well as Queen Elizabeth trying to protect her against a foe who was clearly better prepared for melee combat, she even recalled trying to escape, but then everything went black.
An ache from her back reminded her of why that probably was, and then her memory made her immediately reach down to her chest, feeling for her pendant that was, thankfully, still underneath her shirt.
"So, they kidnapped me. Specifically," Aggy muttered as she began clicking some things into place. "That Sakuran in the cloak must have been in the building already, so, they know who my parents are. Shit, they went after me for some kind of sick experiment or something didn't they?" Aggy swore as she crawled over to the bedroll and sat down on it; continue to think out loud, but quietly. "How, how did I know something was inside that building though? It felt, like I just knew . . . actually, why do I feel so good right now?" she asked herself as she looked over her arms. She looked uninjured, but she felt weirdly good. Like some sort of warmth was filling her muscles with capability. "Not that feeling good will let me escape. I don't even know where I am."
The sound of a footstep, light and perfectly spaced, made Aggy tense, and in a moment of strange ability she could tell where they were coming from, her eyes locking on the hall outside her cell as they came closer and closer.
And then two girls came into view. One was short and lithe, with a thin frame and a short skirt and tanktop. She had long metal horns atop her head, and she looked sort of sleepy. Behind her was a woman that looked like a perfect stereotype of a Sakuran priestess. Tall, black hair, a bountiful body, all wrapped, or barely wrapped in some places, in a kimono of black and red. The fact she had cat ears and a tail did not detract from her looks, but the calm expression she wore pissed Aggy off something fierce.
Both women's expression turned to surprise as they stepped closer and realized Aggy was glaring at them. The white haired girl seemed uncertain of what to do, but the black cat girl stepped up beside her, smiled down at her, and then had the gall to smile at Aggy!
"Good morning, I hope your rest was not too uncomfortable?"
"Die," Aggy responded her tone cold as stone as she realized that she did not know a whole lot about Sakuran Culture. She never considered herself racist, but she really wanted to know more just so she could really let her tongue let loose a lashing. She would just have to get creative.
"That, is rather rude," the black haired catgirl said in surprise, clearly not expecting such words to come out of her mouth.
Aggy said nothing as she centered herself on the bedroll and scooted backwards until she was close to the wall, tucking her legs under her body as much like a spring as she could.
"You could at least apologize for being so rude when I was genuinely curious how you were," the catgirl said, and when Aggy said nothing but glare at her, she let out a sigh. "I'm opening the door. Ayanami, could you please bring her out.
The white haired girl, Ayanami, nodded but said nothing as the catgirl moved forward and opened the door. Both of them stared at Aggy as she did this, clearly expecting her to do something. When she did not, the cat girl opened the door and Ayanami strode in right up to Aggy and offered her a hand, seemingly expecting her to take it.
"Come," Ayanami said after a few moments of silence.
The catgirl watched as Aggy still did not move and sighed. "Please do not make this difficult. Lady Nagato wishes to speak to you, and we should not keep her waiting."
"Choke on catnip," Was Aggys response as she tensed and scooted back.
"You-" the catgirl stammered, seeming unable to speak for a bare second before sighing. "Ayanami, she appears to be intent on rudeness, please bring her out."
Ayanami looked back at her and then nodded before turning back to Aggy, hand reaching out and grabbing her arm. And in that moment Aggy tensed her legs, rolled her head down, and pushed with her legs, catapulting herself upwards, and bring the top of her skull right into Ayanami's face.
"Ayanami!" the catgirl said in shock as Ayanami fell backwards to the floor. She moved to the doorway to Block Aggy, but then found herself staring at Aggy as she stood on the bedroll while Ayanami was gripping her nose on the floor. "You can't escape."
"Does it look like I am trying to?" Aggy said in a mocking tone.
"Then, then why would you do that to her?" the girl asked as she glanced down at Ayanami, who clearly had a bloody nose, but was managing to get to her feet.
"Why?" Aggy asked in turn, her eyes staring daggers at the girls eyes and making her flinch for some reason she could not understand. "You are asking me, why?"
"Yes, we have done nothing to you to-"
"She kidnapped me," Aggy said as she pointed at Ayanami as she managed to fully stand up in time to look at her in surprise, making it clear that Aggy had guessed right. "And while she did that, you and your kind attacked Azur Lane!"
"It was not our call, we merely followed the orders of our superiors who decided-" the girl tried to explain, only for Aggy to loudly interrupt.
"You think the phrase, you were just following orders, lets you get away with unjustified attacks and deaths!? You are all to blame, every, single, one of you, for every death that happened in that attack!"
The girl seemed taken aback, but Ayanami came up to her side and nudged her while still holding her noise, making her words come out strange. "Fusou."
"Yes, you are right," the now named Fusou said with a sigh, looking somehow hurt from Aggy's words as she took a pair of old style wooden manacles out from somewhere and held them in front of her. "We are taking you to see Lady Nagato. Put your arms out. Or we will force you."
Aggy glared at Fusou as she slowly raised her arms up, her gaze never shifting from her. The manacles were clasped over her wrists, and then Ayanami took out a thick rope and connected I to the manacle before handing it to Fusou, who took it without a word to her.
"Ayanami, are you good to come along?"
"Yes, the bleeding has stopped. . . I think," Ayanami said uncertainly.
"Good," Fusou said as she looked at Aggy uncertainly. "You will keep pace, or, or we will make you. Please do not make this difficult."
"I'm not the one who started a war. And kidnapped people unrelated to it," Aggy said in a venomous tone.
Fusou looked hurt but quickly turned away and began leading the way out of the cell, rope in hand. The trio, with Aggy in the middle of the two Sakuran women, was lead down the hall of the cells, past many that were the same as hers but empty, and up a flight of stairs into a building with a small kitchen and living area, likely some sort of guards quarters.
They then left that building and came out into the open street of what Aggy assumed was a Sakuran City. The buildings seemed to be made exclusively of wood, ornately carved in many cases, while the roads were very well made out of stone brick. There was a sort of floral scent to the air, likely curtesy of the pink petals that seemed to flit through the air and sit on the edge of the trees and buildings. Worse was that she could see women of many ages and body types, including many who looked to be mere children ,walking around or playing as if they had not a care in the world. All of them had animal ears and tails, or something similar, making it clear to her that most if not all of them were Shipgirls.
Shipgirls who were acting as if they were perfectly safe, as if they had not just done something horrible. As if they were untouchable.
It made Aggy feel sick, made her wonder how it would feel to see their fancy wooden homes to be on fire.
Aggy slightly shook her head and tried to stifle such thoughts. She was already being far to aggressive to the people who had captured her, and it wasn't like she would likely be able to see such thing. No, she had more important things to worry about, like the fact she was being taken to see, who she assumed, was the Sakuran Leadership. That thought was somewhat sobering, but as the was led through the streets like an exotic animal, earning the glances and stares of many Sakuran Shipgirls, she could only glare at each and every one of them, her mind returning to dark thoughts, like how their faces would contort in sadness as everything around them burned, or how they would feel if they had just been attacked unjustly.
They walked quiet a distance toward a grand almost palace like looking structure of wood that was covered in balconies all over it, and the closer they got to the building the less Shipgirls were milling around aimlessly. The inside of the building seemed different as well. The wood it was made of was darker, and the whole building had an almost tranquil feeling to it.
Though Aggy did take silent enjoyment that the few Shipgirls they passed seemed to lose whatever smiles or expression of tranquility they had as they caught sight of her. Finally though, after ascending no less than seven flights of long and somewhat shallow stairs, they came to a hallway that felt drastically different. The air felt cool yet warm, had a faint hint of floral and salt to its scent, and was utterly silent. Not the sound of a bug, or even their footsteps upon the floor made noise. They tuned around one corner, and came to a stop before a pair of paper doors, wide and covered in a watercolor mural of a great tree scattering petals over the ocean.
And to Aggy's surprise, Both Fusou and Ayanami then knelt down on the floor to either side of her in front of the door, their heads nearly touching the flood as Fusou spoke. "Lady Nagato, I have brought the prisoner as requested."
Aggy had to hold herself back from scoffing at Fusou's flowery language and claiming she was requested and not ordered.
"Thank you. Please bring her in," Came a small and petite sounding voice, barely heard even despite the quiet of the floor.
Both Fusou and Ayanami stood up and then opened their own door, allowing Aggy to see some of the room, before she was then gently pushed by Fusou in further. The room was quiet like the whole floor, and seemed to simply be an empty room with some sort of balcony at its rear. In the center of the room however, organized in a loose horseshoe shape, were 4 ships girls who were sitting on the floor as if awaiting her arrival.
Directly in front of her she saw the smallest girl she has ever seen, but also the most regal looking of the four. She was smaller than Aggy, with tall pointed animal ears atop her head, and was wearing a very regal oriental dress of red and white, along with a transparent veil hanging off her shoulders around her arms.
To Aggy's left, and the little Shipgirls right, sat a very mature looking woman in a dark kimono with a red overcoat. She had foxlike features including multiple tails, and her gaze seemed very calm yet analytical.
Similarly the two women to Aggy's right were also fox women, and so busty it made her cringe in a way. One was wearing a black outfit that showed off a near obscene amount of her breasts, black fur lining its edges, while the other was wearing a blue outfit that was just as showy, but without the fur lining. The one in black had similar colored hair, while the one in blue had white hair. And while Aggy could tell the two were likely related somehow, their expressions were very different. The black haired fox looked curious; while the white haired one merely looked sleepy.
"Thank you for bringing her here," the small fox in front said calmly. "You may both leave now."
Both Ayanami and Fusou bowed and left the room, the door being near silently slid shut behind Aggy.
"So, you are the one who Akagi kidnapped while undertaking her mission," the smallest fox in front of Aggy said. "I am the Battleship Nagato, leader of the Sakura empires Shipgirls and Priestess of the Great Sakura. To your left is Amagi, one of our greatest strategists, while to your right are Musashi and Shinano."
Aggy said nothing as she glared at the small fox in front of her, the supposed leader of the monsters that surrounded her.
It was then Amagi who spoke up next after silence reigned for over a minute. "Will you not introduce yourself to us?"
Aggy blinked, caught off guard by Amagi's words, but then felt anger well up in her body once more. They kidnap her, and then want her to pleasantly introduce herself? "No"
" . . . .Pardon?" Amagi asked. "I am not quite sure I heard your words from here."
"I said, no." Aggy said again, much louder and clear, much to the four foxes visible surprise.
"Why, would you deign not to introduce yourself so that we might speak properly?" Musashi asked, her tone an odd mix between curious and wary.
"I have nothing so say to barbaric animals like you who attack unprovoked and kidnap people," Aggy stated as venomously as she could while holding her language in check. She'd have lots of chances to use Union slurs and insults in the future.
"While rude, I will state now that your kidnapping was not part of the plan, it was an act undertaken by Akagi alone," Nagato spoke up, seemingly trying to dissolve Aggy's anger.
"You think that fucking changes anything!?" Aggy swore in response. "People are dead, and now war is happening because of you bitches! You think you can just say it was one of your subordinates faults and that makes it all better!?"
"It does not," Nagato answered instantly. "However, we merely wish to speak to you to discern a few things about this situation. Can we not have a pleasant conversation with you?"
"Yes, so pleasant to be kidnapped away from my allies and friends to the enemy land, chained up, and then interrogated. So pleasant," Aggy deadpanned.
"Such a thing would not be pleasant in itself, but you can improve that for yourself by showing some respect, do you not think?" Musashi asked in an odd, almost chastising tone.
Aggy scoffed. "Shut up with that holier than thou attitude. You started a war no one wanted for your own selfish reasons, so not one of you is deserving of respect," Aggy said before spitting on the floor in front of her. "I'm not telling you shit, and I hope your whole country burns to the ground!"
All the Sakuran women were taken aback by Aggy's fierceness, though Amagi managed to speak up rather quickly. "You will not even introduce yourself to us?"
"Come closer and I'll use these manacles to bash my name into your skull if you want to know so badly."
"Very well, if we cannot come to an understanding then we shall try another time," Nagato said with a sigh. "Mutsu, please bring her back to her . . . cell."
Mutsu, a girl who looked very similar to Nagato, came out from behind her somewhere and nodded happily as she walked over and grabbed Aggy's wrist, her grip like a vice as she dragged her out.
Leaving the four women alone again.
"Goodness, I had not expected friendship from her, but I was not expecting such aggression towards us," Nagato said with a sigh.
"Yes, I believe we should perhaps speak with those who were part of the strike force," Musashi spoke up with a hum. "Despite her words to the contrary, I believe that Akagi may have done more than merely strike Azur Lanes defenses to prove their weakness and inability as was the plan."
"I, would like to believe that Akagi would not lie to us about her missions results," Amagi said slowly. "However, I shall speak to her, to make sure."
"Please do. We may have started this war, but blindly causing destruction is not our goal here," Nagato said as she looked to Shinano. "I know it may be presumptuous of me, but would you be able to see anything of the girl to confirm Akagi's suspicions of her, perhaps?"
"That, may be . . . possible," Shinano said in a slow, sleepy tone mixed with worry. "But, she is . . . odd. A rarity I have, never before seen, in any dream."
"I understand," Nagato said with a nod, before a look of worry crossed her face. "Do you believe we should perhaps, have someone look after her constantly? One who is not chosen by Akagi?"
"May I decide upon that? Amagi asked calmly.
"You wish to test her, before allowing her access to her prisoner?" Musashi asked with a grin.
Amagi said nothing, but that alone was an answer as well.
"Very well," Nagato said with a nod. "Confirm whether we can trust Akagi in this matter," she then sighed. "I hope the girl is willing to speak to us soon. We cannot make her understand the situation if she is not willing to listen."
"Yes despite what Azur Lane believes, this is the best for all of us," Musashi said with a nod. "That does remind me however. Our allies from the Ironbood should be arriving this evening. What, if anything, do we tell them of our guest?"
"That, is a good question," Nagato said with a sigh, making it clear she was unsure.
"Perhaps it would be best that it is simply not told to them, unless it is brought up somehow?" Amagi suggested.
"A good plan, but we will need to plan what to say if she comes up in a conversation," Musashi spoke with a hum.
"Perhaps, the truth?" Shinano spoke up with a yawn.
"You mean to tell the Ironblood that we have kidnapped a girl who is possibly only half Shipgirl?" Nagato asked, finding the idea a little bit dangerous.
"No. just, they were captured, by Akagi, during our strike," Shinano explained.
"Hmm, that, would likely be best and lead to the least amount of questions," Amagi said with a nod. "Then, may I have your permission to leave to find Akagi and speak with he on the situation?"
"Yes. This meeting is adjourned," Nagato said simply. And as she stayed sitting down, Amagi, Musashi and Shinano all got up and left, leaving her alone in the room. "I do hope, we can make that girl understand that this is all for the best. Otherwise, things may become far worse."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Here you go! Be nice and stay here for now!" Mutsu declared with a smile as she pushed open the cell door, tossed Aggy into the cell, closed it, an then wandered off.
"Ow, that girl has too much energy," Aggy grumbled as she got up, her hands still manacled together, as she recalled being quiet literally dragged though the Sakuran base and city. While annoying, and rough, it hadn't been that bad honestly though, as speaking to those fox women had been so much worse. "Uegh, why did I use that kind of tone?" Aggy asked herself in a disgusted tone. "Sure, I didn't want to tell them anything, and they deserve nothing but hate for what they've done, but being that directly rude is a bad idea. Dammit, it's just like it's been since I came to Azur Lane, why do I keep going overboard like this!?"
No one, or thing, answered Aggy's questions, a d the cell block she was in was utterly silent, with not even the sound of wind, or water to be heard.
"Uh, this sucks," Aggy grumbled as she tried to reach up and scratch her head, only for her manacles to get in the way. "Grrr, come one, I just, want to scratch, dammit these stupid things are in the way!" Aggy yelled as she thrust her arms out and stare at the wooden manacles. "who the hell designs these things anyway? Is this island stuck in the twelfth century? Who use wood for this in the first place?" She complained as she shook her arms around, hoping the manacles would slip off. Instead she misjudged her balance and fell forward, quickly brining her hands down to catch herself, and crashed the manacles against the floor.
They then broke apart into dozens of pieces with a loud crack.
"Ah!" Aggy squeaked as she flinched from the sudden noise. When she opened her eyes the manacles were broken on the ground before her, and to her surprise, her wrists and hands seemed utterly unaffected and undamaged. "Uh, shouldn't that have hurt?" Aggy asked herself a she looked over her wrists, and then picked up one of the pieced of wood in a hand.
It was hard and solid, likely oak or some other hard wood, yet it had splintered and broken so easily. It didn't feel excessively dried out or anything either, and when Aggy gaze it an experimental squeeze, the wood crushed in her hand, splintering in every direction.
"What?!" she exclaimed as she open her hand to find that, yes it was destroyed, and no, there were no slinters in her skin. Looking at the other pieces of wood she then picked one up and crushed it in her hand, then took a splinter and tried to poke herself with it to draw blood.
Only the splinter snapped as she pressed it against her skin, instead of piecing it.
"This, this is impossible. It doesn't make sense," Aggy said in shock as she looked at her hand. "Did those Sakurans put some kind of messed up oriental spell on me? . . . or-" Aggy looked down and pulled out her pendant, finding the gem within shining while the whole thing felt comfortably warm and inviting, as if filling her limbs with energy and power "Well, that's odd."
