Down the Rabbit Hole - A Kancolle RP (IC)

[Fantrum]

VIS Fantasy
A fate worse than death

When the world exploded, Fantasy had been thrown onto her back several meters away from where she'd been held. It was the perfect moment, one that made her heart hurt to pass up. There was a kanmusu somewhere under the waves, and while she might have to work on her aim, it was actually comforting to know her side was still out there for her. Or as comforting as one could expect in this, her most trying of times.

Instead of trying to run, and risk being killed by the damnable abyssal aircraft, Fantasy hadnt even bothered to move more than to sit up. Even that much had taken great willpower out of her. Simply put, everything hurt, and she doubted she would make it very far under her own power before sinking. She wanted so desperately to check on her surviving convoy mates, make sure they were ok, but she couldnt even fight the impy little destroyer that heafted her onto its back.

Instead, she hung her head in shame as she was once again proven too weak to stand up for herself. She hadnt been able to stop the attack, she hadnt been able to escape. What good was she? Half her convoy was dead because she had relaxed. It was her fault they'd sailed right into an ambush, and she couldnt even do anything about it now. She'd all but settled on blankly staring at the passing ocean when the obnoxious headgear that stupid Wo wore obstructed her vision.

Despite herself, Fantasy hacked a bloody cough in an attempt to laugh. "You feel loss?" She tried and failed to adjust herself on the destroyers back, instead just sitting there limiply, "All abyssals do is kill, and for what, just for the fun of killing." She coughed again at the strain of speaking, "You murdered three good ships, they were my friends, my charge. And in the blink of an eye, they were all gone." Fantasy didnt like this side of her, she was normally a little ditzy, but easy going and fun loving, but something had changed in her. Something fundamental had snapped after witnessing the destruction of her first and only command, "Youre all monsters." She muttered. She hated the abyssals, wanted so desperately to make them pay for what they had done, but she couldnt. She was utterly impotent.

Then again, something struck in her mind about what the Wo had said. "W-what was her name?" She refused to look at Wo while she asked, but her tone softened as she asked about the sunken heavy cruiser.

VIS Kindred Spirit
In her office

Kindred was utterly taken aback to the point of speechlessness. Instead she simply listened to his exotic accent as the gears in her head screeched to a halt. "I, um." She stuttered, but then she found purchase and shook off her surprise, "Youre not here for Turmfalke?" She hazarded a guess. Standing back she reexamined the talk man, "Im sorry, with everything happening as of late, Ive been drawing more conclutions than normal." She waived for him to come in and retreated back to her desk.

Having been a merchant for her world's leading exporter, Kindred just so happened to be well versed in the many accents from aross the world. His had that certain dutch zing to it that made it stand out from German. And while she could still barely understand the weird way he spoke english, barely was better than not at all.

"Im going to assume I understood what you said," She started off, her flared temper gone as fast as it had come. "And no I was just catching up on some paperwork, I assume youre on an expedition for tomorrow?" She didnt make the duty rosters, but the Expeditions fell under her purview as Quartermaster, and they were to report to her before departing each morning. The only question she had was why this fine gentlemen had seen it as appropriate to try reporting in half a day early.

It didnt piss her off, only inconvenienced her. And she could deal with being inconvenienced. It was when her time was wasted that she had a problem. "Youre a tad early for check in arent you?"

[Virshia]

VIS Fantasy
A fate worse than death

When the world exploded, Fantasy had been thrown onto her back several meters away from where she'd been held. It was the perfect moment, one that made her heart hurt to pass up. There was a kanmusu somewhere under the waves, and while she might have to work on her aim, it was actually comforting to know her side was still out there for her. Or as comforting as one could expect in this, her most trying of times.

Instead of trying to run, and risk being killed by the damnable abyssal aircraft, Fantasy hadnt even bothered to move more than to sit up. Even that much had taken great willpower out of her. Simply put, everything hurt, and she doubted she would make it very far under her own power before sinking. She wanted so desperately to check on her surviving convoy mates, make sure they were ok, but she couldnt even fight the impy little destroyer that heafted her onto its back.

Instead, she hung her head in shame as she was once again proven too weak to stand up for herself. She hadnt been able to stop the attack, she hadnt been able to escape. What good was she? Half her convoy was dead because she had relaxed. It was her fault they'd sailed right into an ambush, and she couldnt even do anything about it now. She'd all but settled on blankly staring at the passing ocean when the obnoxious headgear that stupid Wo wore obstructed her vision.

Despite herself, Fantasy hacked a bloody cough in an attempt to laugh. "You feel loss?" She tried and failed to adjust herself on the destroyers back, instead just sitting there limiply, "All abyssals do is kill, and for what, just for the fun of killing." She coughed again at the strain of speaking, "You murdered three good ships, they were my friends, my charge. And in the blink of an eye, they were all gone." Fantasy didnt like this side of her, she was normally a little ditzy, but easy going and fun loving, but something had changed in her. Something fundamental had snapped after witnessing the destruction of her first and only command, "Youre all monsters." She muttered. She hated the abyssals, wanted so desperately to make them pay for what they had done, but she couldnt. She was utterly impotent.

Then again, something struck in her mind about what the Wo had said. "W-what was her name?" She refused to look at Wo while she asked, but her tone softened as she asked about the sunken heavy cruiser.

Wo took a few moments to respond, before looking up at Fantasy with an expression that said that she was beginning to have second thoughts about her life's path. "I fight because I have to. She stood up, keeping pace with the I-class as she rubbed a hand over her face to keep herself focused. "I won't try to debate the Monsters comment, because I'm very well aware of what some of my brethren can do." She shuddered again. "Such as the Re class Battleships. Their ruthlessness is legendary." She glanced up at Fantasy, before continuing. "I'm a bit of an outcast. A while back, up North, my fleet commander messed up, and a Re class in my fleet changed sides. It was a fiasco of an operation, and those who survived were outcasts, myself included. In any case, in the Princess' eyes, I'm a freak. Wo class ships aren't supposed to have emotions, none of the standard classes should have them. We're supposed to be blank, emotionless, the mission first, everything else never."

Another couple of moments passed before Wo sighed. "Now I get it. It should've been so obvious. Fantasy, what would you call a force of 1 standard carrier, 4 light carriers, and 5 basic destroyers attacking a convoy within shouting distance of Submarines, Heavy Cruisers, Carriers, and lord knows how many Battleships?" Wo growled, kicking a passing wave. "A suicide mission. Now I get it, that has to be it. Those damned princesses sent my group off on a one-way sortie just to get me and my subordinates out of the way. Poor Anataka was sent along just as insurance so we'd be able to do some damage before we got sunk. A Grand epilogue, I don't think." The three destroyers were obviously loyal to Wo, since none of them had made a move towards her for insulting their superiors.

After a while, Wo resumed talking. "Look, Fantasy, I won't even bother passing the blame onto someone else for what happened to your friends. Anataka might have passed on the order from the Princesses, but I was the one who carried it out. And as much as I'd like to let you and you friends go rather than hand you over to my....brethren for Who-Knows-What, you'd never make it." A growl of frustration escaped her and Wo viciously kicked another wave. "Dammit, I don't know what to do!"

[Jebslund]

FNS Glorious
Doing her best

Glory waited just a few minutes, long enough to allow any stragglers to tumble in before she started. After all, she was sure the information that didnt get directly passed to those ships not present would eventually find its way to them. Taking a deep breath, wiping her brow, and working up a considerable amount of courage, Glory stepped up on the chair she'd brought and cleared her throat.

"Attention! Attention everyone!" She waited a moment as the general din of conversation died down, using the moment to survey the large crowd of kanmusu, "Thank you, and let me first say, Welcome to the District!" There were a few half hearted cheers, mostly from the destroyers, "Or well, what we've managed to fix." Chuckles. Hey, this wasnt going so poorly! "I am FNS Glorious, for those of you I have yet to meet face to face, I will be your Secretary ship until further notice." From her vantage point, she could see she had the crowd's attention, but they were getting ancy.

"Many of you, Im sure, probably believe this deployment to be nothing more than backwater base with nothing to do. Im here to assure you that is very much wrong." She wished she had a megaphone or something to broadcast her voice, all this yelling was going to murder her throat, "Until recently, this entire sector had been deemed cleared of abyssal threats, pushed out into more eastern sectors. We dont know how, but they have come back, and they are harassing our shipping to our sisters and brothers on the front." She steeled herself for what was coming next, "In the time its taken us, me, to get this base somewhat operational, we have lost a further five heavily escorted convoys. We are here to find out how the abyssals have come back, and what they hope to accomplish past murdering defenceless freighters."

"To this end, I have deemed it necessary to begin operations tomorrow, even without our full complement of combat ships. It is my hope that-" She stopped mid sentence as an excited voice filled her head through the short range radio. She took it in and in a heartbeat made a decision, "Hornetsnest, This is Glory, do not engage, we dont have the ability to replenish your aircraft yet, and they will be needed for further operations... Take risks only as you deem necessary." And then the two ships she'd met in her office were racing by her. She mostly ignored Higashikawa as she watched Avvo disappear, "No ship will sortie. That convoy is too far away for us to help them more than Hornetsnest already has." Then she turned a ginunely angry frown at Higashikawa.

"It seems your friend Avvo likes to go off half cocked." She was still standing on her chair, so she looked down to meet the cruiser's gaze. In an uncharacteristic bought of vengeful thinking, Glory had an idea, "In my office you asked me to delegate to you." She took a deep breath and let her scowl ease back to a slight frown, "I have a job for you. Youll keep an eye on Avvo. She may have already proven to be insubordinate to me, and impulsive at that. But I cannot have her dying because she's made a poor decision. You'll take over responsibility for her, make sure she doesnt do what she just did again or else Ill have you both removed from my district."

Glory liked to believe she was an easy going ship. She didnt demand much from her subordinates, and even considered herself one of them most of the time. But that stance changed in times of crisis. She was a firm believer in command authority when it was needed, and at a time like this, that was definitely needed. The butterflies in her stomach seemed to melt away as cold resolve settled in their place. "I hope you all now understand the gravity of our situation." She directed at the crowd, "And why we must put up with a half built base, nonexistent supplies, and understrength fleets. I suggest you all get some rest, Ill have Kreech River post tomorrow's assignments on the wall outside the cafe within the hour, youre all dismissed!"

Nothing left to say, Glory jumped down from her perch and dragged the chair back inside to a very sweaty looking Kreech River. Said cruiser then followed Glory into her office and accepted the official looking parchment, quickly farrying it to the cafe and nailing it into place under the small roof'd bulletin board.

Hornissennest

"Glory, Hornissennest. Will comply. Turmfalke, belay that order. Glory, I will return to base when my aircraft are all recovered unless ordered otherwise. Expect a full and complete report of the attack and my search efforts when I return, over.", Hornissennest answered. She dared not communicate her plan over radio. There was no telling whether or not the enemy had the capability or resources to intercept radio messages, but it was usually best not to find out by walking into an ambush. The coordinates she'd given for the rendezvous were not going to be good for long, and she was hoping Glory would be able to work out what she was planning without needing to be directly told. If not, she'd take the consequences when she got back, but at least she'd have the information to start preparing for a retaliatory strike. "Erika, scout ahead. Adelheid, watch my flank. Not literally.". As the two light cruisers, silent and serious (for them, anyway), saluted and took their appointed positions without argument, Hornissennest began planning as fighters trickled back to her, being sure to launch a new pair every 10 minutes to relieve the pair following the enemy.

Turmfalke
Day patrol. Turmfalke could think of worse assignments, even with that defiant newbie factored in. She could also think of better. If she recalled correctly, she'd be sailing out with a carrier. Jebslunden heavy cruisers did *not* give orders to carriers unless ordered to by another (superior) carrier. EVER. But that was a matter for the Secretary ship. For now, she turned her attention to the clipboard and paper in her hand. A (somewhat hastily written) thank-you note for Kindred, drafted as soon as Glory stopped speaking. Turmfalke figured Kindred wouldn't let her get a word in edgewise, and couldn't blame her. Turmfalke, in flesh as in steel, was aggressive in all things, and it did not pay to refuse a "request" from the one who cooked one's food to get an AC by any legal means.

There was also another matter. Turmfalke knew Hornissennest well enough to know she wasn't going to return empty-handed. That meant, by hook or by crook, the carrier would come back with a location in lieu of the prisoners she couldn't save. If Turmfalke was right, it also meant that her Flying Pig (or Flying Powder Keg, depending who you asked) would likely be needed. *That* meant getting some wing-mount fuel pods would be to the base's advantage, which meant she'd need to request them from Kindred. Turmfalke had never hesitated in either life, and that didn't change now as she knocked on the quartermaster's door, holding the note in front of her so Kindred would hopefully see it first.

[NOTE: MRK and Kerriott to be posted later due to time constraints]

[Kraicia]

VIS Kindred Spirit
In her office

Kindred was utterly taken aback to the point of speechlessness. Instead she simply listened to his exotic accent as the gears in her head screeched to a halt. "I, um." She stuttered, but then she found purchase and shook off her surprise, "Youre not here for Turmfalke?" She hazarded a guess. Standing back she reexamined the talk man, "Im sorry, with everything happening as of late, Ive been drawing more conclutions than normal." She waived for him to come in and retreated back to her desk.

Having been a merchant for her world's leading exporter, Kindred just so happened to be well versed in the many accents from aross the world. His had that certain dutch zing to it that made it stand out from German. And while she could still barely understand the weird way he spoke english, barely was better than not at all.

"Im going to assume I understood what you said," She started off, her flared temper gone as fast as it had come. "And no I was just catching up on some paperwork, I assume youre on an expedition for tomorrow?" She didnt make the duty rosters, but the Expeditions fell under her purview as Quartermaster, and they were to report to her before departing each morning. The only question she had was why this fine gentlemen had seen it as appropriate to try reporting in half a day early.

It didnt piss her off, only inconvenienced her. And she could deal with being inconvenienced. It was when her time was wasted that she had a problem. "Youre a tad early for check in arent you?"

HLFFS Elliotsjökull
Quartermaster's Office

"Most certainly." Elliot nodded in blunt honesty, acknowledging his earliness, and his assigned role in tomorrow's expedition, "Pardon my similitude, manners dictates my actions first and foremost if anything."

Elliot walked into the office at Kindered's collective consent, promptly standing before the young lass's desk before introducing himself, "Indeed, my visage would be unfounded given the time and place. The fact I am obligated to know the commanding officers around here only say otherwise. So let me introduce that this is my very good honour to meet you and you may call me Elliotsjökull, or as my fellow compatriots - English (British) and Marklanders (Americans) alike - simply say, Elliot."

Sophisticated was as suave and serious Elliot became to conceal his otherwise dry and jaundiced personality. Three Fritz-X bombs, and then a single yet destructive kamikaze attack would've have normally brought a carrier or battleship to their knees, but not for Elliot, surprising considering that he is the largest steel-hulled five-masted sailing ship ever built; however, there are some scars that never fully healed. His keel may have never been broken, nor was his fight spirit taken away, but it was the fact that he ferried thousands of soldiers to their deaths at the beaches of Axis-controlled beaches.

Kraician, American, British, and other allied (plus UNC forces) boarded him to a mostly one-way trip to the meat grinder, and Elliot had grown subtly closed to those who have survived. The soldiers that had the honor to sail aboard him were not mindless automatons, they were men and women who had families, vulnerable and fearful for the lives in the largest and most destructive conflict in human history. Every soldier's death vilified Elliot's resolve as much as it had strengthened it to help him fight against the Nazis, and the brief encounter with the Japanese (whom he considered with distaste for their unyielding fanaticism, whom he thought was unwise and inefficient).

[The Selkie]

SDFS Carman Fea.
En reout towards the Cruiser Dorms.
The three of us chatted for a while in front of the Cafe, seeing the others pass back and forth in front of us - a lot of them had interesting reactions at seeing their assignments for tomorrow. It would definately be fun, except when the enemy came around.
Then it would be work. And work was handled professionally.
My bow was ready to sing, my sword was going to play the fiddle!
After a while, however, the sunset beginning, we said our goodnights, separating from each other and going our ways towards the Dorms. In my case, that was the Cruiser Dorm.
With how much the base was in a desolate condition, I thought, that I might as well camp outside, but before that was to happen, I would give the Cruiser Dorms at least a chance. That was the least one could do.
I was not expecting a five star hotel or something.
As I walked along, my hips had a certain swing to them, thanks to the heels I wore, I thought about my five sibling - Rhiannon, our typical-Selkie oldest sister, who was almost a polar opposite of mine, Abhcan, the dancer and trickster of our sisterhood. And then, of course, the three boys, Lodan Lir, Ladra and Gavida...
What the lot was doing right now? Spread all over the world to help, where helping hands were needed?
Oilean na mBeo was safe, but as the example of this base showed, that could change at any minute...
I stopped and looked at the sunset, a slight frown on my face and the wind in my hair.
I was easy prey for someone to approach me.

[Fantrum]

VIS Kindred Spirit
Her office

He was a strange one, shed give him that. Strange and tall. He was unlike any battleship she'd ever met, in fact she couldnt exactly place what type he was. Obviously she was an auxiliary, but she'd spent enough time around to know how to read different ships. This kid was... difficult. She chalked it up to his weird speaking habits and moved on. "Of course, Id want to know my boss too." She replied with a neutral tone, "Seems reasonable, but maybe you should be getting some sleep, or getting to know the people youre going on Expedition with."

She sat down behind her desk again and exhaled heavily, "As it is, Im not your boss, Im just the one that determines what we need," She wavied at all the papers on her desk, "In order to achieve what Glory wants done with the base." Indeed, her desk must have contained at least half the paper supplies left on the base! Who knew that bases ran on bureaucracy and paperwork? Evidently not a whole lot of people, since she was the one selected for the job. She'd come in with Glory's entourage several weeks before and hadnt had a moment to rest since.

Especally with everyone demanding something from her. She couldnt just make shit appear out of thin air, she could get close, but she wasnt magical. So when people like Turmfalke hound her for weeks on end about something she wants, it got aggravating. Not because she wasnt making it a priority, but because so many other things had to happen at the same time. What was more important? Having air conditioning in your sleeping room, or where you eat for five minutes? Or having drinking water? Every time Kindred had made some headway for the damnable cruiser's request, something else came up and took away the resources.

It was only now, after most of the dorms had been renovated, that she'd managed to scrape something together for the cafe, and even then she was sure something would come along and fuck those plans up too.

Speaking of... Someone was knocking on her door again. When did her normally quiet office turn into the base social club? With a huff that sounded like 'excuse me' she stood again and walked to her door. As soon as she cracked it open, she had the instant reaction to slam it shut again. Instead she took in Turmfalke's carefully neutral expression, and the obnoxiously noticeable note she had thrust before her.

So Kindred didnt slam the door in her face. Opening it wider, she scrutinized the note, at first she was skeptical. Then she realized Turmfalke would never approach her like this if it wasnt genuine, and decided to at least give her a chance. "Turmfalke," She tested, "How can I help you?" Word must have filtered to her about what Kindred had managed to scrape together. The thought put a ghost of a smile on her face, she always loved seeing the product of her labor, and by the gods this one had taken some doing. A cloud passed over Kindred's expression, or maybe she was here to ask for something else.

VIS Fantasy
The Ocean

Fantasy was, in one word, conflicted. Here was someone she could easily hate. Someone she was utterly justified in hating. And yet she was able to see it from both ways. The way she raved about a suicide mission... it sounded familiar. In fact, the more she thought about it, the more she thought Wo was wrong. Wo hadn't been on the suicide mission, it was Fantasy. Why else would command send a convoy with only three escorts? She had been bait. Bait for what? That sub...

It only made sense, and the damaged gears in her head did their best to comprehend the implications behind it. Lost, she turned her head to look at Torch. The little girl had been so full of energy and eager to please, now she was laid across the back of an impy little destroyer bleeding from a thousand cuts. She couldnt see where Enrichment was, but knew she was faring no better.

"I..." She tried to start, instead hacking up a bloody glob, "I think," Talking really hurt the young cruiser, "Letting us go this far into Abyssal territory is a death sentence." There was no way Fantasy would make it more than a few hours before hitting another abyssal patrol, or outright sinking before even that. The thought of carrying another kanmusu with her was... painful. Frankly it wasnt going to happen. "And if you try to take us back, you'll..." She trailed off as she realized she was warning an enemy of their demise should they work in her favor.

The cruiser turned her face away, not showing her captors the conflict raging on her face. They had to be getting close to some kind of abyssal base, the sun was getting low, and they'd been sailing for hours. "I think the point is moot." She pointed out bluntly, staring absently at the fast approaching forms of several abyssal ships.

Fantasy couldnt see much from where she was perched, but it looked a whole lot like a bunch of elite destroyers forming a defensive ring around another Ri class and a Ta class elite battleship. As the whole group drew closer, Fantasy tried to make herself as small as possible from where she was being hauled, fearing the slightest move might bring about her untimely death.

"Wo. Youre alive. And with your mission objectives completed." A deep and utterly terrifying voice, it must have been the Ta speaking. Another, lighter voice chimed in, it reminded Fantasy of the sunken Ri class in its pitch and tone, "Where is Ri?"

Before an answer could be tendered, the deep voice cut in, "We will escort you the rest of the way, no need to fear Wo, these Elite destroyers will keep you safe." The Ta's voice was full of sickly sweet poison, and Fantasy couldnt help but shrink away at the mere sound of it.

[Sterkistan]

SRN Battleship Diamantina LM
Operational Sector Eastern Sea - West, Naval District.
Base - Cruiser Dorms

---

Dia decided to sit down for dinner, entering the cafe once again. She felt safer in the building this time, knowing that the staff inside were willing to stand up to her.
She went up to the counter, feeling a little more confident than last time, and deciding to say her order rather than just pointing at the menu.
"U-Um, I'd like... A rice meal... Enough for a Battleship... Please."
That could have gone better, she hadn't even specified which she'd like, she'd pointed at something on the menu and scrambled toward the seat she was in before.
She sat and waited, her parasol tucked neatly beside her. Hopefully, Elliot would come in, she wouldn't feel as bad talking to him. Despite how low that chance was.

[Jebslund]

VIS Kindred Spirit
Her office

He was a strange one, shed give him that. Strange and tall. He was unlike any battleship she'd ever met, in fact she couldnt exactly place what type he was. Obviously she was an auxiliary, but she'd spent enough time around to know how to read different ships. This kid was... difficult. She chalked it up to his weird speaking habits and moved on. "Of course, Id want to know my boss too." She replied with a neutral tone, "Seems reasonable, but maybe you should be getting some sleep, or getting to know the people youre going on Expedition with."

She sat down behind her desk again and exhaled heavily, "As it is, Im not your boss, Im just the one that determines what we need," She wavied at all the papers on her desk, "In order to achieve what Glory wants done with the base." Indeed, her desk must have contained at least half the paper supplies left on the base! Who knew that bases ran on bureaucracy and paperwork? Evidently not a whole lot of people, since she was the one selected for the job. She'd come in with Glory's entourage several weeks before and hadnt had a moment to rest since.

Especally with everyone demanding something from her. She couldnt just make shit appear out of thin air, she could get close, but she wasnt magical. So when people like Turmfalke hound her for weeks on end about something she wants, it got aggravating. Not because she wasnt making it a priority, but because so many other things had to happen at the same time. What was more important? Having air conditioning in your sleeping room, or where you eat for five minutes? Or having drinking water? Every time Kindred had made some headway for the damnable cruiser's request, something else came up and took away the resources.

It was only now, after most of the dorms had been renovated, that she'd managed to scrape something together for the cafe, and even then she was sure something would come along and fuck those plans up too.

Speaking of... Someone was knocking on her door again. When did her normally quiet office turn into the base social club? With a huff that sounded like 'excuse me' she stood again and walked to her door. As soon as she cracked it open, she had the instant reaction to slam it shut again. Instead she took in Turmfalke's carefully neutral expression, and the obnoxiously noticeable note she had thrust before her.

So Kindred didnt slam the door in her face. Opening it wider, she scrutinized the note, at first she was skeptical. Then she realized Turmfalke would never approach her like this if it wasnt genuine, and decided to at least give her a chance. "Turmfalke," She tested, "How can I help you?" Word must have filtered to her about what Kindred had managed to scrape together. The thought put a ghost of a smile on her face, she always loved seeing the product of her labor, and by the gods this one had taken some doing. A cloud passed over Kindred's expression, or maybe she was here to ask for something else.

Turmfalke
"First and foremost, I'd like to thank you for getting that AC together. Glory informed me earlier that Kerriott can expect it some time tomorrow. That should keep her off my back, and me off yours.", Turmfalke started, in a tone best described as aggressively grateful, "I'd also like to make a request. Relax, I won't hound you this time. I won't have time, and it's time-sensitive. If I know Hornissennest, and I do, she'll come back from patrol some time this evening with a location of an enemy base, or, at the very least, somewhere to look. I believe my comms extender may be needed in an operation against that base, so I would like to outfit it with two wing-mount fuel pods. If you can get them before tomorrow evening, let me know. If not, don't worry about it.", she continued, then saluted, "Please and thank you in advance. I've got to go discuss my assignment with the secretary ship.", the words tasted like ashes.

Having to suffer her command carrier being told what to do by a battlewagon was bad enough, but then having one put her in command of a carrier? Were carriers simply not afforded their due respect on this base? Was it punishment for Avvo for mouthing off during the meeting? Was it simply that Glory was too tired to do her duties properly? That blank stare earlier hadn't gone unnoticed by the heavy cruiser, and her confidence wasn't improved by the thoughts that bounced around in her head as she stalked toward the admiralty building.

SRN Battleship Diamantina LM
Operational Sector Eastern Sea - West, Naval District.
Base - Cruiser Dorms

---

Dia decided to sit down for dinner, entering the cafe once again. She felt safer in the building this time, knowing that the staff inside were willing to stand up to her.
She went up to the counter, feeling a little more confident than last time, and deciding to say her order rather than just pointing at the menu.
"U-Um, I'd like... A rice meal... Enough for a Battleship... Please."
That could have gone better, she hadn't even specified which she'd like, she'd pointed at something on the menu and scrambled toward the seat she was in before.
She sat and waited, her parasol tucked neatly beside her. Hopefully, Elliot would come in, she wouldn't feel as bad talking to him. Despite how low that chance was.

Kerriott and Mary Read Kerman

Kerriott and Mary Read Kerman had scarcely gotten the café back open when the battleship walked in, ordered, and went to a table with a speed and vagueness that left Mary Read Kerman, who hadn't even left the counter to take orders yet, confused and worried she'd somehow offended the battleship as she called out the order. The lack of specifics was even more disconcerting, as it meant that it would be easy to screw up and put down the wrong thing, and, given the battleship clearly didn't want to talk, and was already apparently put out with her, asking for clarification wasn't an option.

Kerriott, meanwhile, took it as an opportunity to whip up a battleship-sized meal of chicken risotto, making sure to get the seasonings and flavors and textures just so, and plating it in a way one wouldn't have thought possible for a café on a base in various states of run-down abandonment only just beginning to get back on its feet. As soon as it was ready, she had Mary Read Kerman carry it out, giving the destroyer a reassuring head pat as she said, "Don't worry. She's not mad at you. She's just shy is all. Now go give her her food, okay?". As soon as Mary Read Kerman went to deliver the food, Kerriott's expression darkened slightly. What was her dear little one going to do tomorrow during the expedition? Was there even a tender assigned to her? What if she got hungry, or tired, or scared? What if she was attacked? Would the others step in to save her? Kerriott knew she'd have to pack as big a lunch as the destroyer could safely carry, which meant getting up even earlier than she'd already planned. Granted, without Kerriott, the café would be without a good cook, and Mary Read Kerman's ASW capabilities would be needed in an expedition, but why couldn't they both have either been on the mission or at the café? Kerriott knew she had to accept it, as orders were orders, but she didn't have to like it and couldn't just not worry.

VIS Fantasy
The Ocean

Fantasy was, in one word, conflicted. Here was someone she could easily hate. Someone she was utterly justified in hating. And yet she was able to see it from both ways. The way she raved about a suicide mission... it sounded familiar. In fact, the more she thought about it, the more she thought Wo was wrong. Wo hadn't been on the suicide mission, it was Fantasy. Why else would command send a convoy with only three escorts? She had been bait. Bait for what? That sub...

It only made sense, and the damaged gears in her head did their best to comprehend the implications behind it. Lost, she turned her head to look at Torch. The little girl had been so full of energy and eager to please, now she was laid across the back of an impy little destroyer bleeding from a thousand cuts. She couldnt see where Enrichment was, but knew she was faring no better.

"I..." She tried to start, instead hacking up a bloody glob, "I think," Talking really hurt the young cruiser, "Letting us go this far into Abyssal territory is a death sentence." There was no way Fantasy would make it more than a few hours before hitting another abyssal patrol, or outright sinking before even that. The thought of carrying another kanmusu with her was... painful. Frankly it wasnt going to happen. "And if you try to take us back, you'll..." She trailed off as she realized she was warning an enemy of their demise should they work in her favor.

The cruiser turned her face away, not showing her captors the conflict raging on her face. They had to be getting close to some kind of abyssal base, the sun was getting low, and they'd been sailing for hours. "I think the point is moot." She pointed out bluntly, staring absently at the fast approaching forms of several abyssal ships.

Fantasy couldnt see much from where she was perched, but it looked a whole lot like a bunch of elite destroyers forming a defensive ring around another Ri class and a Ta class elite battleship. As the whole group drew closer, Fantasy tried to make herself as small as possible from where she was being hauled, fearing the slightest move might bring about her untimely death.

"Wo. Youre alive. And with your mission objectives completed." A deep and utterly terrifying voice, it must have been the Ta speaking. Another, lighter voice chimed in, it reminded Fantasy of the sunken Ri class in its pitch and tone, "Where is Ri?"

Before an answer could be tendered, the deep voice cut in, "We will escort you the rest of the way, no need to fear Wo, these Elite destroyers will keep you safe." The Ta's voice was full of sickly sweet poison, and Fantasy couldnt help but shrink away at the mere sound of it.

Shatten Flight
As soon as they saw the patrol meet with the Wo-class and prisoners, the fighter pair broke off, signaling their approaching replacements to do the same. By now, there were only a few islands, the Tres Amigos, specifically, that the attack could likely have come from. Galupa was too far away to encounter a patrol for, and they'd passed other islands on the way. The chain of replacements used short-range radios to signal ahead to turn back, waiting until they were less than 40km from the next pair to signal, and it wasn't until the fairies had touched down on Hornissennest's deck that they shared their findings. At least, those that Hornissennest hadn't been able to see for herself.

Hornissennest, Adelheid, and Erika, later that evening
"This is Hornissennest returning from patrol with urgent information.", Hornissennest radioed, "I will share when I make land. I don't want this going out over radios. Have the secretary ship meet me at Admiralty, if she's not already there.", she continued. Adelheid and Erika looked at each other and frowned as the carrier spoke. Neither had been told the source of Hornissennest's suddenly good mood, though both had a feeling it had something to do with the urgent information, and being informed that they wouldn't be able to eavesdrop was disappointing, though both fully understood the necessity. If *they* could eavesdrop, it meant the enemy could, too, so it made sense not to let the enemy know what she'd found out.

As soon as the trio made land, Hornissennest lead them straight to the admiralty building, despite all three being hungry. This was time-sensitive information, and Hornissennest would not have it be delayed for a burger. They could go to mess after the meeting.

[New Antonalia]

SPN Sergei Malinokov,
East Sea Base,
Arrival; Dockyards

Sergei ordered full steam ahead, pushing his rig to the limit as he tried to reach the base as quickly as he could. Salt spray spattered his face as waves hit his rig before the island came into view. "Finally, I can get out of this damned rig." Sergei thought, pulling down the goggles to keep the spray from burning his eyes even more than it already had. Soon, he found himself sailing along the shore line, admiring the change from the stark, barren rocks from the Northern Base to the sandy beaches he remembered from the first base he went. Seeing another one of the Kanmusu's standing along the beach, Sergei waved at the girl and pointed towards the docking yard as he moved towards it. The Docking yard was similar to the ones in the Northern and Western bases and after leaving, Sergei looked to see if the girl had followed him.

[The Selkie]

SPN Sergei Malinokov,
East Sea Base,
Arrival; Dockyards

Sergei ordered full steam ahead, pushing his rig to the limit as he tried to reach the base as quickly as he could. Salt spray spattered his face as waves hit his rig before the island came into view. "Finally, I can get out of this damned rig." Sergei thought, pulling down the goggles to keep the spray from burning his eyes even more than it already had. Soon, he found himself sailing along the shore line, admiring the change from the stark, barren rocks from the Northern Base to the sandy beaches he remembered from the first base he went. Seeing another one of the Kanmusu's standing along the beach, Sergei waved at the girl and pointed towards the docking yard as he moved towards it. The Docking yard was similar to the ones in the Northern and Western bases and after leaving, Sergei looked to see if the girl had followed him.

SDFS Carman Fea.
Changing plans.
I was remembering an old anecdote with my siblings, Abhcan and her mischief, as I was ripped out of my thoughts by a kanmusu, a male kanmusu, waving and pointing towards the docks.
He was... not bad looking, if I were to be honest.
At least, that was, what my spotters said.
Oh, why not? I decided and nodded, turning towards the docks again, jogging there to keep up with the cruiser, which was quite a feat in my heels.
My brown-blonde hair fluttered in the wind behind me, the effort getting my boilers running and myself up to speed - oh, this was liberating! Not as much as it would be at sea, where I could freely dance on the waves, but it was a start to lift my mood.
I still did not manage to get there before the cruiser, thanks to the heels.
I smiled slightly as he exited the building, taking a closer look at him. My lookouts were not incorrect, he was actually quite good looking.
Slowing my own steps to something more appropriate and letting my hips swing a bit as I approached him, my green tunic and brown corset emphasizing what there was to emphasize, I still smiled at him, my deep blue eyes locking with his.
"Hi, there.", I greeted him - stellar performance, but there had been worse before.

[Virshia]

VIS Fantasy
The Ocean

Fantasy was, in one word, conflicted. Here was someone she could easily hate. Someone she was utterly justified in hating. And yet she was able to see it from both ways. The way she raved about a suicide mission... it sounded familiar. In fact, the more she thought about it, the more she thought Wo was wrong. Wo hadn't been on the suicide mission, it was Fantasy. Why else would command send a convoy with only three escorts? She had been bait. Bait for what? That sub...

It only made sense, and the damaged gears in her head did their best to comprehend the implications behind it. Lost, she turned her head to look at Torch. The little girl had been so full of energy and eager to please, now she was laid across the back of an impy little destroyer bleeding from a thousand cuts. She couldnt see where Enrichment was, but knew she was faring no better.

"I..." She tried to start, instead hacking up a bloody glob, "I think," Talking really hurt the young cruiser, "Letting us go this far into Abyssal territory is a death sentence." There was no way Fantasy would make it more than a few hours before hitting another abyssal patrol, or outright sinking before even that. The thought of carrying another kanmusu with her was... painful. Frankly it wasnt going to happen. "And if you try to take us back, you'll..." She trailed off as she realized she was warning an enemy of their demise should they work in her favor.

The cruiser turned her face away, not showing her captors the conflict raging on her face. They had to be getting close to some kind of abyssal base, the sun was getting low, and they'd been sailing for hours. "I think the point is moot." She pointed out bluntly, staring absently at the fast approaching forms of several abyssal ships.

Fantasy couldnt see much from where she was perched, but it looked a whole lot like a bunch of elite destroyers forming a defensive ring around another Ri class and a Ta class elite battleship. As the whole group drew closer, Fantasy tried to make herself as small as possible from where she was being hauled, fearing the slightest move might bring about her untimely death.

"Wo. Youre alive. And with your mission objectives completed." A deep and utterly terrifying voice, it must have been the Ta speaking. Another, lighter voice chimed in, it reminded Fantasy of the sunken Ri class in its pitch and tone, "Where is Ri?"

Before an answer could be tendered, the deep voice cut in, "We will escort you the rest of the way, no need to fear Wo, these Elite destroyers will keep you safe." The Ta's voice was full of sickly sweet poison, and Fantasy couldnt help but shrink away at the mere sound of it.

At this point ignoring Fantasy completely, Wo snapped to attention and saluted. "Fleet Flagship. Light Carrier Squadron 37 reporting. What's left of us anyway. Upon the successful interception of the convoy group," She motioned tot he three captives. "We were ambushed by a Kanmusu submarine. Regrettably, my Nu Class Light Carriers and 2 of my destroyers were sunk, along with Ri, who sacrificed herself to save me." Wo couldn't help but shiver a bit. The Ta class she was speaking to was one of the more ruthless abyssals she had encountered. She wouldn't trust her with anything if she had the option. "Regarding my squadron, I'm afraid that for the moment we're unable to provide much by way of support until we're resupplied and reinforced, as I've been requesting for weeks." She motioned to the three captives. "This lot are tough enough. That transport was still floating even after getting divebombed. They'd make...valuable additions to my undermanned forces, if that's acceptable."

[Offer Erapia]

G.E.N Jason, Base dorm




Jason had retired to his dorms once more it was dark now and he was tired. After changing into something more comfortable Jason settled in his bunk and stared at the ceiling lost deep in thought. After a few minutes of silence he turned over on his side and closed his eyes letting sleep come for him. In the back of his mind the thought of leading an expedition danced around. The possibilities of the outcome were nearly endless. Constant questions bubbled in his mind but they would have to wait till tomorrow, now, he needed sleep and lots of it.

[Sterkistan]

Kerriott and Mary Read Kerman

Kerriott and Mary Read Kerman had scarcely gotten the café back open when the battleship walked in, ordered, and went to a table with a speed and vagueness that left Mary Read Kerman, who hadn't even left the counter to take orders yet, confused and worried she'd somehow offended the battleship as she called out the order. The lack of specifics was even more disconcerting, as it meant that it would be easy to screw up and put down the wrong thing, and, given the battleship clearly didn't want to talk, and was already apparently put out with her, asking for clarification wasn't an option.

Kerriott, meanwhile, took it as an opportunity to whip up a battleship-sized meal of chicken risotto, making sure to get the seasonings and flavors and textures just so, and plating it in a way one wouldn't have thought possible for a café on a base in various states of run-down abandonment only just beginning to get back on its feet. As soon as it was ready, she had Mary Read Kerman carry it out, giving the destroyer a reassuring head pat as she said, "Don't worry. She's not mad at you. She's just shy is all. Now go give her her food, okay?". As soon as Mary Read Kerman went to deliver the food, Kerriott's expression darkened slightly. What was her dear little one going to do tomorrow during the expedition? Was there even a tender assigned to her? What if she got hungry, or tired, or scared? What if she was attacked? Would the others step in to save her? Kerriott knew she'd have to pack as big a lunch as the destroyer could safely carry, which meant getting up even earlier than she'd already planned. Granted, without Kerriott, the café would be without a good cook, and Mary Read Kerman's ASW capabilities would be needed in an expedition, but why couldn't they both have either been on the mission or at the café? Kerriott knew she had to accept it, as orders were orders, but she didn't have to like it and couldn't just not worry.

SRN Battleship Diamantina LM
Operational Sector Eastern Sea - West, Naval District.
Base - Cafe

---

Dia sat and nervously fidgeted as she waited. She was afraid they hadn't got her order, and she was going to be sitting there for a while. That was until her food came out, chicken risotto, enough to feed a Battleship. The smell enough got her mouth watering, and she bowed slightly to the destroyer who brought it out.
"U-Uh, Thank you very much."
Dia then effectively dug into the meal, like all battleships and cruisers, manners never took priority over sheer consumption. However, she managed to retain, at least a level of decency. Making sure to be quiet and chew with her mouth closed, making as little mess as possible.
She kept eating at an effective wolf's pace, she was confident that she wouldn't be judged for this. It was an incredibly normal practice among other Battleships, especially considering Dia could go toe-to-toe with a Yamato-class, both in combat and in eating.
The food was frankly delicious, another 'don't judge a boom by it's cover' moment.

She thought about tomorrow, she was the Special Response Fleet's Battleship. And there would be lots riding on her as such.
She hoped she'd be alright, with any luck, the day would be quiet.

[New Antonalia]

SDFS Carman Fea.
Changing plans.
I was remembering an old anecdote with my siblings, Abhcan and her mischief, as I was ripped out of my thoughts by a kanmusu, a male kanmusu, waving and pointing towards the docks.
He was... not bad looking, if I were to be honest.
At least, that was, what my spotters said.
Oh, why not? I decided and nodded, turning towards the docks again, jogging there to keep up with the cruiser, which was quite a feat in my heels.
My brown-blonde hair fluttered in the wind behind me, the effort getting my boilers running and myself up to speed - oh, this was liberating! Not as much as it would be at sea, where I could freely dance on the waves, but it was a start to lift my mood.
I still did not manage to get there before the cruiser, thanks to the heels.
I smiled slightly as he exited the building, taking a closer look at him. My lookouts were not incorrect, he was actually quite good looking.
Slowing my own steps to something more appropriate and letting my hips swing a bit as I approached him, my green tunic and brown corset emphasizing what there was to emphasize, I still smiled at him, my deep blue eyes locking with his.
"Hi, there.", I greeted him - stellar performance, but there had been worse before.

SPN Sergei Malinokov
Eastern Base
Dockyards
"Salut." Sergei said, returning the greeting as he smiled at the female Kanmusu, dismounting his rig and held out his hand to greet her in kind. "It's a pleasure to meet you, my name is SPN Sergei Malinokov from Solkovia." Sergei glanced around the dock yard, looking at the different rigs that rested in their bays. It was somewhat pleasing to see a lot more vessels among the ranks of the Kanmusu that there had been in previous operations, but he couldn't see Dia's rig and wondered if she was here. But at the moment, he couldn't afford to be rude to the girl who was right in front of him. "I cannot tell you how glad I am to be back in the tropics instead of freezing up north." Sergei said, going back to talking at the blue eyed girl. "You're from Selkie, correct?"

[The Selkie]

SDFS Carman Fea.
Changing plans.
I was remembering an old anecdote with my siblings, Abhcan and her mischief, as I was ripped out of my thoughts by a kanmusu, a male kanmusu, waving and pointing towards the docks.
He was... not bad looking, if I were to be honest.
At least, that was, what my spotters said.
Oh, why not? I decided and nodded, turning towards the docks again, jogging there to keep up with the cruiser, which was quite a feat in my heels.
My brown-blonde hair fluttered in the wind behind me, the effort getting my boilers running and myself up to speed - oh, this was liberating! Not as much as it would be at sea, where I could freely dance on the waves, but it was a start to lift my mood.
I still did not manage to get there before the cruiser, thanks to the heels.
I smiled slightly as he exited the building, taking a closer look at him. My lookouts were not incorrect, he was actually quite good looking.
Slowing my own steps to something more appropriate and letting my hips swing a bit as I approached him, my green tunic and brown corset emphasizing what there was to emphasize, I still smiled at him, my deep blue eyes locking with his.
"Hi, there.", I greeted him - stellar performance, but there had been worse before.

SPN Sergei Malinokov
Eastern Base
Dockyards
"Salut." Sergei said, returning the greeting as he smiled at the female Kanmusu, dismounting his rig and held out his hand to greet her in kind. "It's a pleasure to meet you, my name is SPN Sergei Malinokov from Solkovia." Sergei glanced around the dock yard, looking at the different rigs that rested in their bays. It was somewhat pleasing to see a lot more vessels among the ranks of the Kanmusu that there had been in previous operations, but he couldn't see Dia's rig and wondered if she was here. But at the moment, he couldn't afford to be rude to the girl who was right in front of him. "I cannot tell you how glad I am to be back in the tropics instead of freezing up north." Sergei said, going back to talking at the blue eyed girl. "You're from Selkie, correct?"

SDFS Carman Fea.
I nodded as his intoduction, saw him disengaging his rigging (yep, cruiser, a size-category above me) and look for someone else's while he was talking to me.
"Yes, I believe, that Imeall mentioned it being rather inhospitable up there.", I said, recalling one of the few letters from the Queen of the North. "Yes, I am indeed from the Free Lands and a Selkie-gal, born and raised in merry ol' Tipa!"
I changed my accent slightly, while the Rs were still rolling and the vowels dropped, the Rs also became a bit harder, which was characteristic for the Baile, the Cultural Landscape I came from... one should also mention, that I couldn't do a Silver Mountains Accent to safe my life, despite it being more appropriate as the Prime Temple of the Goddess who's name I carried was in Ironcastle, in the Silver Mountains. Anyway...
"I'm Carman Fea, of the SDF-Navy. Me and two of my chaps arrived this morning.", I continued, "Pleasure to meet you, Sergei!"

[Fantrum]

VIS Kindred Spirit
Her office

So Kindred had been half right, twice. Did that make her entirely correct? Maybe. But she had in fact guessed both reasons for the cruiser's sudden appearance. And of course she wanted something else. Its all anyone ever came to Kindred for. Then again, being the quartermaster... she couldnt expect less from people. "Ill see what I can do, but no promises." Already she was going to have tomorrow's expedition raid some old bases for airplane parts... she supposed it wasnt that much of a stretch. The faries at the airfield could probably whip something up for Turmfalke with whatever was brought back. That was, of course, assuming the trip netted enough gear for her to get the airfield crews supplied enough to finish their work.

Ugh, she needed a drink. And sleep. Two things that were in desperately short supply at this base. "And, youre welcome." Kindred dropped her hostility for just a second to extend her genuine response, and in an instant her hardened visage was back in place. Gently closing the door behind her, Kindred turned and was reminded that she wasnt alone.

How had she completely forgotten about the mammoth standing somewhat awkwardly in her office? Rubbing her temples, she wrote it off on stress and advanced back to her desk. "Look, Elliot was it? Its nice to meet you, but I think Im going to turn in for the night." She grabbed her rumbled tan garrison cover and plopped it on her head, "Youre welcome to stay in the office as long as you like, just dont move anything." She wasnt worried about someone tampering with her paperwork, after all, if she could barely understand it there was no way some outsider would get it. And not only that, but ultimately she had to put her hands on every requisition that came into the base, so she'd know if someone messed with anything.

"Goodnight." She called as she threw open her door and exited. Being in a place of leadership and some importance, she rated a room by herself, and had taken great joy in ensuring her room was at least livable. The Auxiliary dorms had the benefit of having not been a dump before the renovations. Since it was the only part of the base that had retained personnel during the downsizing. Which made Kindred feel just a little guilty, but no one could say she had skimped out on anyone elses dorms, in fact, shed moved heaven and earth to get some of the things they needed. Not that anyone would show her gratitude, but their happiness was enough for Kindred. That, and getting a full nights sleep.

Ta Class
Somewhere secret

The damnable bitch was still alive. At least she had actually done the job she was sent to do this time. Ta couldnt help but think as her small escort intercepted Wo's... ahem, command. She was an aberration to most pure abyssals, simple as that. There was a reason she had been sent on convoy raiding in a place where almost no kanmusu convoys frequented. It kept her out of Ta's hair, and not only that, had the added benefit of actually serving a strategic purpose.

And Ta was perfectly happy to leave the strange carrier exactly where she was, happily secluded on an island where she couldnt start trouble. That was until the Princess got other ideas for the operations of this particular abyssal base. Capturing Kanmusu, it was an affront to Ta personally, but she had no power to decline the order. Especially with a base full of loyal abyssals ready to die for the Princess, someone none of them had ever actually laid eyes on and always governed through a proxy.

Ta figured, that for all her strength and power, the over glorified manager was scared to come to the front. Of course, being a battleship, of course Ta would think that. That wasnt to say that Ta was dense, quite the opposite if she did say so herself, she just couldnt stand the thought of giving orders through someone else. Even if she had personally dispatched the first Ri class to do the exact same thing. And she frowned at the mention that Ri had died in that pursuit.

Ugh, thinking was for Princesses. Carefully, Ta sailed close to Wo, and gently ran her fingers along the carrier's cheek, "Oh Wo, how... pragmatic of you." She took her hand away and looked at the cowering shipgirl not five feet away with open disgust, "No. These three have a higher purpose." Her voice dripped with venom and revile. Shed come close to a Kanmusu before, long ago, close enough to have to put the bitch down with her hands. And she had vowed never to allow it to happen again.

"We are nearly to the base." She took a deep breath, and bit down the bile that threatened to overtake her, "Your orders remain the same, however," And here it was, "For your success, your surviving fleet will be upgraded to Elite status, Elite units will replenish your squadron, and you will be joined by a standard Wo class and this Ri." She gestured at the brooding cruiser, who hadnt said a single word since hearing that her sister was dead.

The squadron sailed into a protected natural harbor, and arrayed around them was the awesome might of the Abyssal war machine. While not a naval district as a kanmusu would recognize it, the living buildings served the same function. Many abyssal ships despised the ground, but they were able to walk on it, and were required to if they were to be serviced and made ready to continue the fight.

Barracks like buildings held the larger abyssals in their rocky bodies, while the mainline units were consigned to warehouse like buildings the size of a football field. Repair and rearmament facilities floated close to shore, their gaping and toothy maws serving as the entrance through which a ship would sail to be eaten and repaired in a grotesque process of fleet upkeep. And in the center of it all, the Harbor Demon swayed and danced as if conducting an orchestra. Ta never liked her, too ditsy and short sighted to be of more use than her name implied.

Sure she made sure all the ships in her care were well supported, but as soon as they left her harbor they may as well have never existed to her. With a flick of her hand, Ta's destroyer escort relieved Wo of her Kanmusu captives and began sailing away, toward another living building almost indistinguishable from the rest. "Do get some rest, dear Wo, raiding defenseless convoys is a tiresome business, and youll leave tomorrow. Until next time." With her bit said, the battleship turned and left with her entourage.

Leaving Wo to stand there with her new heavy Cruiser, another Ri. "I follow your orders," She almost seemed to spit at Wo, "Just like my sister did, Fleet master."

[Parcia]

Bleak waters
Some time later
Jaina

She had been scouting the area for weeks before, tracking Enemy movements, their shipping routs, patrol zones, mine fields, the like. She new there was some sort of hub of activity in the area in and or around the Three Friends and she was...determined, if not obsessed with figuring it out. Of course, after her crash dive she would have likely fully disappeared from their sonars, the range and thick layer essentially meaning she disappeared from their searches.

They, how ever, kept banging on their sonars, their engine signatures even making it more so easier to track them from 600 meters down. And so, making the logical jump to think the Wo would return to her port of origin with her captured prey, she chose to fallow them. She kept her front tubes loaded and ready, though not flooded, and kept her passives turned on full power, catching every sound in a multiple mile radius around her.

To scrape the seabed too hard would be death. To send out even a single, weak active sonar ping would be death. To even fucking sneeze underwater, would be death. There was no Joy in this endeavor, no sense of pride or achievement. Those emotions were for rookies that got killed. She felt a small, pinging dread as she advanced further, going a full bit on her motors, using up her batteries as slowly as she could as to prevent her from drowning.

Speaking of which, her O2 supplies were getting long in the tooth and she could feel it. She had trailed the Carrier and her renaming forces for as long as she could, before her on board navigation suit told her she would be too far past the patrol point to surface and refill them.

And so, taking a moment to mark a roughly 30 mile block of land in the direction the Wo was heading in her mental map as a possible location of their HUB, she turns around and made way for safer waters.

Her reputation as a ghost was well earned. Not once had she been detected, fully, by a Enemy patrol. They rarely ever got more then a sonar ghost before she sunk them. Hell, there had been times, while running the Black Sea that she had been depth charged by her own forces because they mistook her for an enemy submarine.



Some time later...


The neat kiss of the morning sun on her skin felt good. She was dangerously low on supplies, so much so her props actually began to sputter out and slow to a crawl. With running on fumes, she had little juice in her batteries either, and so, the fleets only active patrol sub slowed to a halt, drifting in the waters some 4 miles out from base. She used her hand as a shield from the sun as she saw the first MPA (maritime Patrol Aircraft)
circle over head.

She sent out a short SOS, simply saying she is their up-to-recently absent Hunter killer attack sub and was reporting in, and had run her fuel reserves empty.

Even later That night, after having eaten her fill and her rig stowed for repair, she sat in her new dorm, the only thing of her's in there being a large antique writer's desk build out of fine, carved Live oak native to a small section of the Black Sea.

She spent many hours that night editing and writing the map that had been given to her. The map was detailed, showing prospective patrol routs, transport lines, and the like as well as a large red outlined block were she figured the enemy port would be.

She also kept a second version of the map for herself. This one was more detailed, covered in her own scribble and writing. In her travels across the wide expanse of ocean she had...observed things, things that a lessor sailor would dismiss as tales...Things that would cause even an experienced sailor to pale in..fear. This was the burden of a submarine skipper. To see and hear things most will scoff at.

It was part of the reason she was so withdrawn. She had seen and heard things that most other Kanmusu wouldn't believe in...Things she would take to her grave.


She Leaned back in her chair as she pondered on the moment her world had changed. She used to not take such tales for truth, not ever. She was young back then, naive, spry young sub skipper with her experience in the shallow Black sea being her sole combat experience.

Her first time in the pacific had been..boring. Deployed to the port of Vladivostok with orders to escort shipping in and out (back when the sea was clam enough to do so, and not frozen). It was on her first combat patrol, deep in to the enemy patrol zones, that she first noticed...strange things.

They had gotten multiple reports of strange sonar contacts and what seemed to point to "A third player in the pacific, attacking and all together being hostile to both Kanmusu and Enemy assets alike..." as the NKVD officer put it to her as he briefed her on her 3rd run in. This run would take her to the edge of what many called "The Devil's Triangle" a section of water and a spattering of mostly uncharted islands that seemed to have a nasty habit of snapping up patrols and enemy ships alike.


And so some time later she sat on the edges of the the triangle, floating just under the surface, listening on her passives with all the attention of a bored teenager. It was dark then, pitch black with the stars of the milky way shining ahead.

It was faint at first. Near silent on her passives, something she would have easily dismissed as background wash if her boredom hadn't made it interesting just to listen to the background wash. What she noticed was that it was...Rhythmic. It was slow, ever so slow, but it was definitely there.

She was conflicted, to get closer was to submerge more, and the many Methane Calthrates made boyuency a hard thing to maintain, more so for a submarine. So, with little recourse, she sent out a sonar ping on her array and stayed as quiet as possible as the return came back to her. It was then she saw it. A large, nigh massive object floating nearly 2100 meters below her and hugging the floor, a cool 2300 meters below her. what scared her, no, what terrified her was that as soon as the return came back to her, an eye opened.

A fucking eye, roughly 100 by 100 meters large, with no iris, and just staring back at her with a devilish red glow that pierced her vary soul. She floated there for some time, staring back at the thing as it's red orb shown at her. Then her instincts kicked in.

Time, which had slowed to a crawl, then seemed to speed up to a furious pace as she set her actives to full and sent ping after ping at the towards the beast below her. In return it let loose a massive low frequency groan that slammed in to her so hard she had to rip off her ears phones just to stop the pain from blowing her eardrums. She turned back down and watched as the pings, her actives array bellowing at full power and painting an ever clearer picture of the...monster[i/] that was below her. She watched as it began to move...[i]move towards her.

A spike of fear caused her to aim all 6 tubes toward the black mass as it began to rise in depth. With a groan the thing moved faster, almost as if it knew what that meant. She waited until the beast, its red eye still glaring at her, raided in depth until it hit the 700 meter mark, the floor of her torpedo's operational range and fired all 6 533mm torps at it and watched just long enough to see the 6 impacts fallowed by another loud groan, more like a shriek of pain, echoed through her ears as she hit the surfaces, having fully popped her tanks and ran her props to full and kept running until the Vladivostok MPA picked her up days later, starved and sacred shitless.

The NKVD, for appearance sake, kept her quiet. They couldn't...'silence' her in their usual way, she was too important to the war effort to do such a thing. So they made her keep it under wraps, and threatened her with death by execution for treason.

She did vary much so keep her mouth shut on it, but it did make her much more aware to what went bump in that deep, murky blue.

[Virshia]

(Snip)

"Oh, I do not need this right now." Wo growled, shuddering as she remembered Ta's rather creepy caressing. "Very well, here's my orders. Just...stay here. I need to go and think for a bit. Somewhere quiet." Wo turned and stalked off int he direction of open waters, silently motioning for her remaining destroyers to follow her discreetly. The Ri was left there looking glad to see the back of her. "Staying here with that creep and Anataka's rightfully angry sister is going to drive me nuts, or drive me dead." She muttered as soon as they got out of the base. The three destroyers, the last of her loyal command, had signaled to her that they wanted out during the journey back, and she was in full agreement. This desertion was a spur of the moment decision, but all 4 were of the same conclusion that they needed to leave immediately, or they'd be dead within a week. "We have a small amount of time before they realise we're not coming back." She quietly said to the three destroyers. "We need to put as much distance between them and us in the meantime. Flank speed. Radio Silence. If you want to talk, say it, don't broadcast it."

She finished, sighing as she thought of the three kanmusu that had been captured. "Dammit...Sorry Fantasy..." She felt a little nudging come from her headpiece. Taking it off, she saw the mouth open and one of her fairies come out. The fairy, looking exactly like a miniature version of her, began berating her in a rapid-fire rant. "Look, what was I supposed to do?" She growled back. "What can three destroyers and a carrier do against an entire naval base? Look, if we run across them again and they're abyssal versions of...us, essentially, we'll have to run. As of now, we're going to be targeted by both them and the kanmusu." The Fairy looked miffed and returned to the headpiece. Wo put it back on, hoping that they'd be able to find somewhere to hide.

[Offer Erapia]

Mordred, 72 Miles from Base





The big busty battleship was scornful. How was it that her request to take up arms was lost in the Erapian government. It took a few days to find it amongst the thousands of files, letters and forms. She was grateful that they found it and sent her on her way. It was dark by the time she was underway with her objective to reach the base. Mordred looked toward the heavens her red eyes taking in the gorgeous starry night. She could clearly see the long streak that was known as the milky way in the sky. It was like someone smeared a mix of colors across the black canvas. The cool, dark water lapped and rolled over her feet as she powered through the waves. She loved the sensation of water against her skin. It was cold and runny and left a slippery feeling went it receded back from which it came. Mordred loved the water and it only felt natural to be surrounded by so much of it. It was almost what Mordred would imagine when thinking of the word 'home'.

After many hours of dark the morning sun slowly broke over the horizon and seemed to chase away the dark sheet that covered the land and sea. The fiery orange and yellow brought a new found warmness to Mordred's cold pale skin and she loved it. The ocean itself seemed to grow a tad lighter in color as the sun rose higher into the sky. Inhaling sharply Mordred took in a deep breath of the windy, salty air.

"Goodness me I love these mornings. Everything that was once asleep is now out in about thriving, surviving and living!"

Her beautiful voice chimed out to her fairies who were, now at this moment, just waking up. The captain himself, though, aged as he was with his white short beard and grey hair, didn't seem all to tired. His eyes were staring out toward the sea looking for any danger. He was so careful and would always double check everything. It kind of made Mordred happy that someone cared about her like that. Making sure everything was in fine condition, hearing her remark, the Captain gave a small grunt and nodded with a smile before going back to his lookout duty.

After some time the rest of her fairies awoke and manned their stations. She continued to go flank speed her white, silky, long hair flowing in the wind behind her. Time seemed to fly by as Mordred anticipated her arrival. She already knew what she was going to do and say when she docked. Breaking her train of thought was an ominous dot in the distance. Her chest filled with joy and she jumped and cheered with glee. As it was quickly confirmed that the dot in the distance was in fact the base.

"Radio us in captain were here!!"

[The Cross and Davids Star]

Snip

MNC Shipsplitter “Call me Split already you fucking dork of a narrator!”

While Mordred was on her way to the base, another ship followed. However, it didn’t seem like a threat. Rather, it seemed that the ship was making a ruckus in the form of loudly berating her crew.

“Its not my fault we got deployed to this shitshow, run of the fucking mill, slowly decaying carcass of a base! You were the ones to pour fucking corrosive acid in the battleship’s boilers!” The ship yelled, her crew responding by equally loud chorus of objections and counterarguements.

“Yeah?! Shut your fucking dick receptacles before I turn us around and land myself on a desert island!” The ship shouted back, further continuing the arguement between her and her crew. She then suddenly swerved left and right as her crew attempted to force control of her rudders, which in turn prompted her to beat the hell out of her rig, creating further noise and potentially shattering the battleship’s peace, whose presence was unbeknownst to the angry cruiser.

Eventually the arguement simply devolved in small arms fire and the sounds of metal clashing, along with the cruiser going absolutely apeshit. Soon after her main guns started firing as well, though they were aimed nowhere near the battleship. It seemed that this particular cruiser is a few bolts short of a fastened plating.

[Fantrum]

The Harbor Demon
Someplace secret

Every day was a good day for her. Nothing brought her more pleasure than to repair her children, to bring them peace and care for them. In that way she was like a mother. For every ship within her waters belonged to her. Once they left, well clearly they didnt want to be near her, so she didnt care once they left. But she could feel all of the living ships within her. Without exception. When a ship entered her space, she could reach out to them, protect them, guide them. When they left, she could long for their return.

From her pedestal, located in the center of the lagoon that formed this naval base, she directed the operations of her extended body much like the conductors she loved so much. Strangely she could never place names when she thought about it, so she tended not to think. That would take away from her charge. And without her charge, what was she? Not some princess that could move around on her own. No, she was bound to this place as much as the sands themselves. It didnt bother her, so long as her ships were fed, rested, and content, she could live her entire life in this one spot.

Speaking of... She perked her head up at the fast departing flotilla of four ships. Already they were drawing away faster than most ships did. Had she insulted them? Perhaps she had, all she ever tried to do was please her charge, but some people refused her with simple kindness, it appeared this was one of them. "Wo Class, Elite Status," She reached out to the lead ship, knowing that her destroyers were likely only following the larger ship's orders, "Why do you leave so suddenly? There are no patrols scheduled to depart."

It was hard for her to ask the next part, but she knew she had to, to achieve at least some closure before the ship was gone, likely forever, "Have you been... Insulted? Were the facilities inadequate for you?" She was growing steadily more angry as the thought ran through her small mind. Of course some high brow aircraft carrier didnt like the accommodations that had been provided for her! It only made sense! Surely that one was accustomed to the machinations of a harbor princess!.

Instead of really listening to the reply, the demon instead called for Ta, the base operations manager. "You and your inconsiderate Wo class!" She practically yelled at the confused battleship, "If your Wo must leave to attain the level of care she so craves, then so be it! But dont bring her here simply for her to leave so soon again!" In the demon's mind, she was utterly justified. It was terrible manors for someone to bring a guest aboard only for them to jump the railing back where she had come from not five minutes later.

"Calm down. What do you mean Wo left." Ta transmitted back, further enraging the demon, nearly to the point of opening fire on the battleship. "She must have found my ability to refit her unacceptable and has left my lagoon!" The demon was screaming now, making the closest abyssal ships shy away for fear of making a wrong move near her.

Ta was silent for several seconds before replying with, "Assemble a fleet, Im sortieing after her." And cutting the connection. Nearly frothing at the mouth, the demon calmed herself enough to remember that Ta called most of the operational shots around here, and sighed angrily as she complied. It took about twenty minutes, but she had another Wo, a Ri, about a dozen elite destroyers and four Nus ready by the time Ta collected them and departed without a word. Leaving the Harbor demon to curse her and swear up and down her vengeance before becoming caught up in refitting a badly damaged So class and forgetting the entire event completely.

[Virshia]

The Harbor Demon
Someplace secret

Every day was a good day for her. Nothing brought her more pleasure than to repair her children, to bring them peace and care for them. In that way she was like a mother. For every ship within her waters belonged to her. Once they left, well clearly they didnt want to be near her, so she didnt care once they left. But she could feel all of the living ships within her. Without exception. When a ship entered her space, she could reach out to them, protect them, guide them. When they left, she could long for their return.

From her pedestal, located in the center of the lagoon that formed this naval base, she directed the operations of her extended body much like the conductors she loved so much. Strangely she could never place names when she thought about it, so she tended not to think. That would take away from her charge. And without her charge, what was she? Not some princess that could move around on her own. No, she was bound to this place as much as the sands themselves. It didnt bother her, so long as her ships were fed, rested, and content, she could live her entire life in this one spot.

Speaking of... She perked her head up at the fast departing flotilla of four ships. Already they were drawing away faster than most ships did. Had she insulted them? Perhaps she had, all she ever tried to do was please her charge, but some people refused her with simple kindness, it appeared this was one of them. "Wo Class, Elite Status," She reached out to the lead ship, knowing that her destroyers were likely only following the larger ship's orders, "Why do you leave so suddenly? There are no patrols scheduled to depart."

It was hard for her to ask the next part, but she knew she had to, to achieve at least some closure before the ship was gone, likely forever, "Have you been... Insulted? Were the facilities inadequate for you?" She was growing steadily more angry as the thought ran through her small mind. Of course some high brow aircraft carrier didnt like the accommodations that had been provided for her! It only made sense! Surely that one was accustomed to the machinations of a harbor princess!.

Instead of really listening to the reply, the demon instead called for Ta, the base operations manager. "You and your inconsiderate Wo class!" She practically yelled at the confused battleship, "If your Wo must leave to attain the level of care she so craves, then so be it! But dont bring her here simply for her to leave so soon again!" In the demon's mind, she was utterly justified. It was terrible manors for someone to bring a guest aboard only for them to jump the railing back where she had come from not five minutes later.

"Calm down. What do you mean Wo left." Ta transmitted back, further enraging the demon, nearly to the point of opening fire on the battleship. "She must have found my ability to refit her unacceptable and has left my lagoon!" The demon was screaming now, making the closest abyssal ships shy away for fear of making a wrong move near her.

Ta was silent for several seconds before replying with, "Assemble a fleet, Im sortieing after her." And cutting the connection. Nearly frothing at the mouth, the demon calmed herself enough to remember that Ta called most of the operational shots around here, and sighed angrily as she complied. It took about twenty minutes, but she had another Wo, a Ri, about a dozen elite destroyers and four Nus ready by the time Ta collected them and departed without a word. Leaving the Harbor demon to curse her and swear up and down her vengeance before becoming caught up in refitting a badly damaged So class and forgetting the entire event completely.

"Well, that's unfortunate." Wo commented as she detected the pursuing ships. "They were faster than I thought they'd be." She glanced around, looking for somewhere to hide. No way we can take those on. Unless...." She glanced at an incoming fog bank. "Hmm. Going in there would limit visuals. We could lose them in there....or ambush them. We'll need to lose them, in any case. Very well, let's do it." She said as all four Abyssals were enveloped in the fog bank. "I really hope we find some of those kanmusu soon, because this si not a fair fight at all!" She grumbled.

[Offer Erapia]

SO-class submarine, Daily patrol, two miles east of fog bank



Deep under the surface of the light blue ocean So crawled along. The only thing that was keeping her company was the small fish zooming back and forth and the whirring of her electric generated engines. So looked all around especially up the sun beamed down and fractured against the surface. It dazzled and sparkled on her pale skin and she giggled her time of enjoyment was short lived when a contact rang up on her radar. Instinctively So rose to twenty meters and flushed her tubes for good measure.

"So has found more friends to play with!"

The sub chirped happily and peeked up the water. It was hard to see through the thick fog but she could just barley make out the figures of four or five ships in the thick white sheet. So ducked beneath the waves and switched her engines to silent running. She began to maneuver behind the shadows and just to have a safety net So activated her ability. Her own signature was shrouded out while three other fake ones popped up. These fake submarine signatures would be easily detected by the enemy.

"So thinks this should be fun"

She smiled and was now port side of the small force about three hundred meters out. So smiled as she was about to add more tonnage to her list. She already had around six thousand from a small patrol a week prior where two destroyers unluckily met her torpedoes. So closed the distance and raised her head a little bit above the water to get one last check. Her ability at this moment was about to run out so she had to act quickly. Taking in one last measurement she aimed her torpedoes a little in the front so they wouldn't fall behind.

So was about to turn one loose when something strange happened. The thick fog that was once lingering in the air slightly let up and the figures became more visible. The small ships that So once believed to be kamansu were actually in fact her own brethren. There was a couple destroyers along with a wo class carrier.

"So is confused So thinks it is strange that a wo class is out here"

So decided that it was best to show herself as to not cause any misunderstandings. The light blue water washed away from her bow as it broke the surface. So was almost in visual range now and she powered on ahead. Her petite body effectively cutting through the water.

"Hello!!"

So shouted to draw attention to herself.

"So class attack sub"

So called out her credentials hoping to get a response and not a couple of shells to the face.

[Jebslund]

Turmfalke, Admiralty building

By the time she knocked (rather forcefully) on the Secretary Ship's office door, Turmfalke had to fight to keep the seething anger off of her face. She'd had the walk to the place (and a couple others, since she'd wandered in the wrong direction in her distraction) to think, and what she'd thought only served to piss her off. How dare some aging cow of an obsolete relic put a heavy cruiser in charge of a carrier! Carriers were the lynchpins of any decent fleet, not lackeys to be put on the low end of the totem pole! The battlefield's shape was best seen from the air. An aircraft could strike farther and sink a ship faster than any naval gun. Aircraft carriers could do everything a battleship could from farther away and with less risk to the ship and crew, and Turmfalke couldn't be convinced in any way that battleships weren't going to be supplanted by them, much as her designers from her steel-and-oil days knew air power was the ultimate arbiter of warfare, with land and sea units good only for holding territory. To have been placed in command of a carrier was, Turmfalke had decided, nothing short of an insult to Avvo specifically and carriers in general, and she intended to talk some sense into the secretary ship. Right after she forced herself to calm down. Shouting down a command ship, even a battlecruiser, was a good way to get the least savory duties the base had to offer, if not an outright court martial.

SRN Battleship Diamantina LM
Operational Sector Eastern Sea - West, Naval District.
Base - Cafe

---

Dia sat and nervously fidgeted as she waited. She was afraid they hadn't got her order, and she was going to be sitting there for a while. That was until her food came out, chicken risotto, enough to feed a Battleship. The smell enough got her mouth watering, and she bowed slightly to the destroyer who brought it out.
"U-Uh, Thank you very much."
Dia then effectively dug into the meal, like all battleships and cruisers, manners never took priority over sheer consumption. However, she managed to retain, at least a level of decency. Making sure to be quiet and chew with her mouth closed, making as little mess as possible.
She kept eating at an effective wolf's pace, she was confident that she wouldn't be judged for this. It was an incredibly normal practice among other Battleships, especially considering Dia could go toe-to-toe with a Yamato-class, both in combat and in eating.
The food was frankly delicious, another 'don't judge a boom by it's cover' moment.

She thought about tomorrow, she was the Special Response Fleet's Battleship. And there would be lots riding on her as such.
She hoped she'd be alright, with any luck, the day would be quiet.

Mary Read Kerman
It always amazed the little destroyer how much and how fast battleships could eat. Try as she might, she could never manage to finish a battleship-sized meal, and, even with her own much smaller meals, the big battlewagons were always done before her. Even Turmfalke, a heavy cruiser, seemed to always eat faster than her. It was for that reason that, without meaning to, Mary Read Kerman found herself absentmindedly staring at the wonder of eating in front of her, eyes full of stars and her expression one of absolute admiration. Somewhere between the battleship bowing in thanks and the destroyer's sudden realisation (and hasty, somewhat embarrassed apology) that she was staring, Mary Read Kerman decided the only kanmusu she admired more than this battleship were Kerriott and Hornissennest. Dia had become the very definition of cool to her, with the scar and the eating and the gracefulness.

[New Antonalia]

SDFS Carman Fea.
I nodded as his intoduction, saw him disengaging his rigging (yep, cruiser, a size-category above me) and look for someone else's while he was talking to me.
"Yes, I believe, that Imeall mentioned it being rather inhospitable up there.", I said, recalling one of the few letters from the Queen of the North. "Yes, I am indeed from the Free Lands and a Selkie-gal, born and raised in merry ol' Tipa!"
I changed my accent slightly, while the Rs were still rolling and the vowels dropped, the Rs also became a bit harder, which was characteristic for the Baile, the Cultural Landscape I came from... one should also mention, that I couldn't do a Silver Mountains Accent to safe my life, despite it being more appropriate as the Prime Temple of the Goddess who's name I carried was in Ironcastle, in the Silver Mountains. Anyway...
"I'm Carman Fea, of the SDF-Navy. Me and two of my chaps arrived this morning.", I continued, "Pleasure to meet you, Sergei!"

SPN Sergei Malinokov
Sergei smiled at the Selkian Cruiser and couldn't help but laugh at her sudden exaggeration of her accent. "Well, it's a pleasure to meet you as well, Ms. Fea." He had limited experience with the vessels from the Free Lands, but even so, he could already tell that they were very friendly and very accommodating. "Would you like to explore the base, I'd like to see how this one changed from the last two I was stationed at." He said, gesturing towards the fair weather and sun that waited outside.