A Festival of Stars (IC, OPEN)

[Cartoonia]

SDFS Searc.
19 knots... my cruise speed was 15 knots, so Fascination was, as it was expected, a lot slower then me – then again, she didn't need to be fast.
“I did hear of the luxuries some ocean liners offered and I did have the pleasure of the famed Captain's Dinner several times after escorting missions.”, I told her with a smile, “One of the ocean ladies of way back when, Screamh the Elder, told me, that the advantage of ocean liners like her an you was and is, that one can schedule them, as opposed to the sail vessels, who could take three weeks for a route or three months.”
I smiled at that, knowing quite a few sailing vessels, but then turned to Rosemary.
“And indeed, Caja has planned a gunnery competition, several, actually, in different weight classes – it'd be unfair for girls with Long Eight Pounders to compete with one of the Scoths and their Twin-76s or the likes of us.”, I told her, “However, she has made it a bit more interesting by banning all targetting radars and targetting drones.”
Another Kanmusu, singing lowly to herself, passed us. I smiled at her, a mature-looking woman, but not as mature as Fascination was, then bowed my head in respect – I was the younger looking one, after all. I did not know it (yet), but her name was Arashi.
Turning back to Rosemary, I added, “That'll be the way she allows old warships like me to compete with young whippersnappers like you and Bruineall... though she has said, that she won't compete, but has taken a Champion.”

“Not to mention,” Fascination added. “All the places one can go, my dear. I have traveled all over the world under many different names and different companies, and not one second have I regretted serving. I had a little theater where my guests can put on shows, watch moving pictures, and sing and dance. I had, a Turkish bath or a hammam, where guests can let off a little steam and relax for a while, and a Japanese hot spring, or an onsen where one can clean themselves up real good like a shiny new penny. They say that the ship is the destination for a modern cruise ship, but for us ocean liners, it is both the destination and the means to get to another destination”. Fascination was smiling to herself, reminiscing on all of her amenities. “But let me tell you, there were other times when I was gutted, during the wars of course. I had to fit in with all the other troop ships. I was functional, and I do not demean military ships my dears, but I lived a life of glamor and fashion. But I do respect all military ships. I even have some scars from being attacked from the air myself”.

“I see. Well, that is fair” Rosemary replies to the competition details. “It definitely would mean that some warships would have a better advantage. That being said, competing with my contemporaries also poses a nice challenge, a test of my strength afterall. But I do say, it may sound challenging with the prohibition of targeting radars and drones I would bet. But if you can forgive me, this Bruineall sounds a lot like me? Who is she like?”

She alongside Rosemary caught a glimpse of the ship girl, Arashi looking all lonesome.

“Hey, there darling!” Fascination cried out to her. “You look pretty lonely, why don’t you join us my dear!”

[AHSCA]

SDFS Cailín.
I could get behind bragging a bit with one's sisters – my two older sisters were awesome, too, one of them, Maighdean, smiling as she watched me and Uta, as well as her gushing.
I smiled and nodded.
“Awesome!”, I said with a cheer, “And don't worry about not yet knowing, what a good shipgirl is! That's what we are for – the Sea Explorers!” I struck a heroic pose, the other members standing at my side. “We explore the seas, the questions of being and oppose those, who do evil and speak evil! Like the Gryffe-Syndikat!”
There was a frown on my face at the mentioning of that group of Kanmusu, who used their powers for evil purposes.
The frown quickly cleared: “You, Uta, are now one of our associates, in time, and if you want, maybe even a member. That means, that we're all friends and that you and us will meet again after today!”

SDFS F-4 Roc.
Ninai smiled at me as she handed me my ice and as I led Otome away, both of us with shaved watermelon ice and chocolate sprinkles, she posed her question.
I smiled. “ SDFS F-4 Roc, F-1-class Submarine, commissioned in 1929, decommissioned in 1965. My hull is scuttled as an artificial reef nearby and I spent quite some time around here. I served in half a dozen operations of the SDF-Navy, none of which I can speak about. I have four sisters with the SDF, am a Part-Time Marcach and, as of late, discovered writing for myself. An autobiography, if you are interested.”, I told her with a smile, taking her to a nearby bench. “What about you, Otome?”

SS Uta

Wow, she's so cool! Uta thought, especially seeing Cailín strike that heroic pose and promising to be her guide to make her a better ship girl in the long run. Well good, Uta had plenty to learn and might as well learn a bit from a new good friend. "Maybe one day I'll become a full member? Well either way, I'm honored to be a new associate of the great Sea Explorers!" Taking Cailín's hands "Cailín, my silly faux pa aside, I know you're right and we'll be great friends. And again when you come to the UIS, I'll make sure you and I have fun! And maybe you'll teach me a few new things along the way!"

SS Otome

"Autobiography huh? Sounds interesting and challenging! Perhaps I ought to take up the art of writing myself and learn a few things and tell the story of all the great ships of the UIS from the our Big Bad Guardians of the Seas to us carriers of the ordinary! Ooh you just gave me an epiphany, good sir!" She giggled "About me huh? only fair. Otome is my name, as you know. Laid down in 2006 and set to the seas 2007. Modded from my dear mother's design, mother is a Seagoing paddle steamer with sails but I and my little sister are designed as screw steamers also with full rigged sails, I have the most at four, mother and sis have two. We are modeled from very old class designs from a time long ago but that's fine. Islanders go to their own pace you know. Besides, everyone in such a hurry, really doesn't leave time for adventures at sea. The romance, the drama, the peril, the beauty, the time, that's what us Kenzaki steamers represent. It works, even tourists love the old experience from a time past."

She alongside Rosemary caught a glimpse of the ship girl, Arashi looking all lonesome.

“Hey, there darling!” Fascination cried out to her. “You look pretty lonely, why don’t you join us my dear!”

SS Arashi

Staring out at the ocean and lost in thought Arashi was brought again to attention when someone called out to her "Oh..." A classy looking older woman, older than her even, ironic given Arashi's design but how could she resist a kind invitation? "I'd be delighted to, ma'am. Guess I am a little lonesome with my girls out and about and only me right now."

[The Selkie]

SDFS Mór.

[url=https://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?p=40030247#p40030247]Previously on A Festival of Stars...
Sand. Sandcastles. Sand Empires. And many cooperating to achieve that.

And that was the long and short of it, Taeblath and Máirtfiáin and myself working on our sandcastle and Halib and her girls working on theirs. Well, her girls did, Halib was working on the road connecting the two, plus the caravansary.
I exhaled with a happy smile, paused for a moment.
We were having fun.
My two girls had moved from the general layout to the finer details, Taeblath currently working on the first bastion, while I was mostly occupied with village construction. A bit further away, one of the Independent Kanmusu, something with a G, was working on a Harbour Fort, to which we would set up another road, connecting the structure of the Kyrenaians with that via our sandcastle.
I turned slightly.
Yeah, we were coming along nicely.
Ol' Nocht was nearby as well, playing with a few other Corvettes and smaller ships and Lodan Lir stomped up the beach, the halters of her halterneck ripped and her covering her front from the wardrobe malfunction. There was not even a hint of redness in her face, only cold fury in her eyes.
Ladra walked behind her, her inflatable raft inflating under her arm.
They carefully avoided our sandcastles.
Halib joined my side, confusion in her face.
“Subs?”, I asked the two frigates.
Ladra nodded. “Lewdmarines.”, she confirmed.
I snorted in amusement. “Well, have fun ladies.”
“Careful.”, Halib cautioned, “Shurma and Shaytin have come with us... Type 340 Nuclear Attack Submarines.”
Ladra sighed. “Great... I take, that none of your girls would be up for a little submarine hunt?”
I looked at my two and Halib at hers, then back at the two frigates. “Nope.”, we said in unison.
Lodan Lir chuckled. “We'll see... when they come for your...”
“Don't.”, three voices said, my own included – the other was Halib.
The third was a woman, brunette, the dark skin of a Kyrenaian, purple eyes, black lipstick and black nail polish and positively vampiric teeth – she wore a red and black one-piece, very much like Lodan Lir's.
Next to her stood a pale woman.
Halib rose slightly. “Shaytin and Shurma...”, she whispered.
Shaytin nodded at the support ship, then turned to Lodan Lir: “Your... lewdmarines...” Her lips struggled with the apparently unfamiliar word. “...are pranksters. They are celebrating their own success right now. Revenge, no matter how justified, will not make them see reason, not now. Get them, when they least expect it.”
She grinned, her teeth glinted in the sun.
Lodan Lir raised an eyebrow.
“I'd still recommend swapping clothes.”, Shaytin added, then pulled out a rash guard. “This might aid you a bit.”
Lodan Lir took the short jacket, expressed her mumbled gratitude and thought about a course of action, then she decided: “No. Imma gonna get a small group of expert submarine hunters and Imma gonna hunt them down. And then...” She chuckled darkly. “...then Imma gonna tickle them.”
Silence.
“That is usually the time for dramatic lightning.”, Lodan Lir said, “Thank you, Shaytin, for the rash guard. I'll give it back to you later.”
The Kyrenaian submarine girl nodded. “Take your necessary time, and good hunting, Miss Lodan Lir.”

Atlas and Alexander glared at Dragan, actually offended by how she referred to Alexander, Koikaze and Constantine as his girlfriends, when it is Koikaze who is his girlfriend. "That wasn't fucking funny," said Alexander to Dragan, a hint of outright disgust dominating her words.

Atlas, on the other hand, was more nicer as he tells her with a patient but much more stern tone, "You do realize I only have one girlfriend, and not a lot of them, right? Koikaze over there is my girlfriend, while Alexander and Constantine were actually friends of mine. And before you even think of cracking a joke, no, we're more respectful towards each other. Just because we're friends doesn't really mean you thank of those two as also my girlfriends."

"I do not know whether you're joking or not," he added, "but suffice to say, I am actually offended by your words. Even when outside of Novaya, I refused to forsake Koikaze for someone else who thinks they are more beautiful than her but were in reality much uglier within. I wouldn't want narcissists to become absolute killjoys."

Then he added, "Oh, and before you start grilling, Alexander here isn't what you think of her to be. If anything, she's part of the more eccentric elements of Saiyanese society. Yes, I'm referring to the overtly patriotic and nationalistic elements of Saiyanese society - the kind of folks who were obviously known for seeing the Novayan Commonwealth as a "threat to their freedom and national security"; in a nutshell, they're basically the United North American States but with a very unhealthy dislike for Novaya."

"Anyways," he spoke with his normal tone (read: calm and reserved) and smile, "we'll go for the chicken, steak, asparagus, a few flatbreads, and a few fish, please and thank you." Atlas then added, "Oh, and don't call me, Koikaze, and my friends 'kids'; we're not young. And also I'd like to apologize for sound quite harsh."

SDFS Dragan.
Oh, my, were the kids offended?
Apparently so, as the boy started into a tirade, after his friend literally told me all I needed to know, “That wasn't fucking funny.”, with nothing necessary to add except maybe a bit of witty repartee, if he was old enough to do so.
And pretty early, Abhcan and Bogaigh took up position in the line behind the two of them, hearing everything.
Maybe even my thoughts: I wanted to tell the two dipshits, that I called everyone a kid, who I wanted to call a kid, end of discussion. I wanted to tell the two dipshits, that I did not care, what Alexander was part of, where she was from, how they stood to patriotism and that I was fully unaware of what a Saiyenese was, and nor did I care about that (I didn't even give a fuck about it, I simply didn't care about it). I wanted to tell the two dipshits, that I wanted to crack a joke whenever I wanted to crack a joke about whoever I wanted to crack a joke about. I wanted to tell the two dipshits, that yes, I indeed found it funny, if it was true, and that love had overcome many trenches of ideology. And I wanted to tell the little boy, that he could take his apology, split it in three, and shove it up into the arses of his girlfriend and of the two rusty tubs he wanted food for.
I was a combat veteran, literally of a hundred battles, including the Humanitarian Mission to Kapundukira and the Second Vellenge War, I did not need to let any little shit with delusions of grandeur and self-importance trying to tell me my place.
Others had tried so and they had suffered the consequences.
However, I never got to say any of these things, mainly due to the police ship boy intervening, raising his hand, his other hand holding a small handbasket with delicious snacks from Aurelia.
“You do realize...”, he told Alexander and Atlas with a polite smile, “...that Dragan here, as a service provider, is by right and law fully able to deny you service for any reason she sees fit, if she wants to, right?” He let a beat pass, to let that sink in. “And you do realize, Alexander, that you look like a Middle Schooler? And that the two of you talk to a highly respected, experienced and combat-proven vessel of the SDF-Navy on her home turf?”
He let a beat pass, then nodded.
“Good. Glad we're all on the same page.”, he added, then looked at me, “On that note, Dragan, a bacon bomb, please!”
I grinned at him, giving the two kids time to collect their thoughts and decide upon their next course of action. “Coming right up, Police Boy – you and Abhcan currently an item?”
“Why don't you ask me yourself?”, Abhcan asked with a smile, then answered my question by the simplest means: She put her hand on his cheek, turned his head and kissed him – let's just leave it at the declaration, that there was tongue involved. “And no, you can't have him.”
I chuckled, put the massive bacon bomb onto a paper plate and handed it over to Abhcan, who's mouth was visibly watering, her tail swishing back and forth. “Good appetite, you two!”
“Thanks – have a nice day!”, Bogaigh told me, nodded to Alexander and Atlas, and then left, Abhcan in tow.
The frigate in the thong-bikini did not hesitate to add a certain sway to her hips as the two went, Bogaigh telling her a joke in Selkie, which made her laugh, and her fox tail swished back and forth as he placed a hand on her far hip.
I smiled and shook my head with fondness.

“Not to mention,” Fascination added. “All the places one can go, my dear. I have traveled all over the world under many different names and different companies, and not one second have I regretted serving. I had a little theater where my guests can put on shows, watch moving pictures, and sing and dance. I had, a Turkish bath or a hammam, where guests can let off a little steam and relax for a while, and a Japanese hot spring, or an onsen where one can clean themselves up real good like a shiny new penny. They say that the ship is the destination for a modern cruise ship, but for us ocean liners, it is both the destination and the means to get to another destination”. Fascination was smiling to herself, reminiscing on all of her amenities. “But let me tell you, there were other times when I was gutted, during the wars of course. I had to fit in with all the other troop ships. I was functional, and I do not demean military ships my dears, but I lived a life of glamor and fashion. But I do respect all military ships. I even have some scars from being attacked from the air myself”.

“I see. Well, that is fair” Rosemary replies to the competition details. “It definitely would mean that some warships would have a better advantage. That being said, competing with my contemporaries also poses a nice challenge, a test of my strength afterall. But I do say, it may sound challenging with the prohibition of targeting radars and drones I would bet. But if you can forgive me, this Bruineall sounds a lot like me? Who is she like?”

She alongside Rosemary caught a glimpse of the ship girl, Arashi looking all lonesome.

“Hey, there darling!” Fascination cried out to her. “You look pretty lonely, why don’t you join us my dear!”

SS Uta

Wow, she's so cool! Uta thought, especially seeing Cailín strike that heroic pose and promising to be her guide to make her a better ship girl in the long run. Well good, Uta had plenty to learn and might as well learn a bit from a new good friend. "Maybe one day I'll become a full member? Well either way, I'm honored to be a new associate of the great Sea Explorers!" Taking Cailín's hands "Cailín, my silly faux pa aside, I know you're right and we'll be great friends. And again when you come to the UIS, I'll make sure you and I have fun! And maybe you'll teach me a few new things along the way!"

SS Otome

"Autobiography huh? Sounds interesting and challenging! Perhaps I ought to take up the art of writing myself and learn a few things and tell the story of all the great ships of the UIS from the our Big Bad Guardians of the Seas to us carriers of the ordinary! Ooh you just gave me an epiphany, good sir!" She giggled "About me huh? only fair. Otome is my name, as you know. Laid down in 2006 and set to the seas 2007. Modded from my dear mother's design, mother is a Seagoing paddle steamer with sails but I and my little sister are designed as screw steamers also with full rigged sails, I have the most at four, mother and sis have two. We are modeled from very old class designs from a time long ago but that's fine. Islanders go to their own pace you know. Besides, everyone in such a hurry, really doesn't leave time for adventures at sea. The romance, the drama, the peril, the beauty, the time, that's what us Kenzaki steamers represent. It works, even tourists love the old experience from a time past."

She alongside Rosemary caught a glimpse of the ship girl, Arashi looking all lonesome.

“Hey, there darling!” Fascination cried out to her. “You look pretty lonely, why don’t you join us my dear!”

SS Arashi

Staring out at the ocean and lost in thought Arashi was brought again to attention when someone called out to her "Oh..." A classy looking older woman, older than her even, ironic given Arashi's design but how could she resist a kind invitation? "I'd be delighted to, ma'am. Guess I am a little lonesome with my girls out and about and only me right now."

SDFS Searc.
Fascination told us about her amenities and her time as a military vessel (Screamh the Elder would have a few stories about being a troop transport as well, but mostly, we had dedicated vessels for that, even if not enough by a wide margin), before Rosemary took my attention with a comment about the gunnery competition and asking about what Bruineall was like.
Fascination called another girl (well, more like a shipwoman) over.
I answered Rosemary: “Bruineall is one of our Maighdean-class Guided Missile Cruisers. A few years in commission, by now, a good lass. The Sea Explorers love her, she's their Cool Big Sis.” I chuckled at that. “I'm sorry, but I'd have to get to know you better before I can tell you, if you are anything like Bruineall. At a glance, though, I think you two would get along.”
As Arashi came over, I whispered to Rosemary: “What do you say, do we leave the two liners to their own shoptalk and do some shop-talking on our own?”
I might have been commissioned in 1933, I was decommissioned in 1976 and my hull had been scrapped in 1979 and I had gone through two upgrades, including the addition of guided missiles and a few other fun things.

SDFS Cailín.
“And maybe you'll teach me a few things, too!”, I said with a cheer, our heroic posing lasting long enough for Maighdean to stealthily shoot an image with her smartphone. “That is a big part of being a Sea Explorer – knowing, that everyone has something to learn and to teach.”
I then stepped to her, grinning.
“I'd be happy to make you a Sea Explorer one day! But for now...” I grinned and turned to the path into the jungle. “...adventure awaits!”
Maighdean and the other older-looking shipboys and shipgirls chuckled.

SDFS F-4 Roc.
So, Otome... vintage 2007 (thus 78 years younger then me), sea-going paddle steamer with auxiliary sails, four of them, more then her mother and her sister. She was a bit of a romantic, judging by her words, but also keenly aware of her role and her purpose.
I chuckles.
“I can imagine.”, I told her, “According to a friend of mine, some tourists even like to be 'raided'...” I made the air quotes. “...by pirates, too, even hire them for the experience.” I shrugged. “If they like it.”
I let a beat pass.
“It has been a long time since I saw a paddle-wheel steamer.”, I added, “A long time ago, coastal shipping around the Mainland and the Archipelago was dominated by paddle-wheelers, be it ferry services or cargo. Of course, there were the normal ferries and there were the one built to more luxurious standards, a bit like the ocean liners of the day. And there were even a few yachts.” I smiled at an old memory. “The largest ship of the SDF-Navy when it was founded in 1920 was indeed a paddle-wheel steamer, a vessel of Wembury's Water Police by the name of Crúba Sionnaighi, we just called her Crúba. She's not here today, as far as I know, she takes her job as a museum ship too serious for, I quote, 'gallivanting off and shaking my stern', end quote. She was a strict teacher in her day as an artillery school ship.”

[Novaya Equestria]

SDFS Dragan.
Oh, my, were the kids offended?
Apparently so, as the boy started into a tirade, after his friend literally told me all I needed to know, “That wasn't fucking funny.”, with nothing necessary to add except maybe a bit of witty repartee, if he was old enough to do so.
And pretty early, Abhcan and Bogaigh took up position in the line behind the two of them, hearing everything.
Maybe even my thoughts: I wanted to tell the two dipshits, that I called everyone a kid, who I wanted to call a kid, end of discussion. I wanted to tell the two dipshits, that I did not care, what Alexander was part of, where she was from, how they stood to patriotism and that I was fully unaware of what a Saiyenese was, and nor did I care about that (I didn't even give a fuck about it, I simply didn't care about it). I wanted to tell the two dipshits, that I wanted to crack a joke whenever I wanted to crack a joke about whoever I wanted to crack a joke about. I wanted to tell the two dipshits, that yes, I indeed found it funny, if it was true, and that love had overcome many trenches of ideology. And I wanted to tell the little boy, that he could take his apology, split it in three, and shove it up into the arses of his girlfriend and of the two rusty tubs he wanted food for.
I was a combat veteran, literally of a hundred battles, including the Humanitarian Mission to Kapundukira and the Second Vellenge War, I did not need to let any little shit with delusions of grandeur and self-importance trying to tell me my place.
Others had tried so and they had suffered the consequences.
However, I never got to say any of these things, mainly due to the police ship boy intervening, raising his hand, his other hand holding a small handbasket with delicious snacks from Aurelia.
“You do realize...”, he told Alexander and Atlas with a polite smile, “...that Dragan here, as a service provider, is by right and law fully able to deny you service for any reason she sees fit, if she wants to, right?” He let a beat pass, to let that sink in. “And you do realize, Alexander, that you look like a Middle Schooler? And that the two of you talk to a highly respected, experienced and combat-proven vessel of the SDF-Navy on her home turf?”
He let a beat pass, then nodded.
“Good. Glad we're all on the same page.”, he added, then looked at me, “On that note, Dragan, a bacon bomb, please!”
I grinned at him, giving the two kids time to collect their thoughts and decide upon their next course of action. “Coming right up, Police Boy – you and Abhcan currently an item?”
“Why don't you ask me yourself?”, Abhcan asked with a smile, then answered my question by the simplest means: She put her hand on his cheek, turned his head and kissed him – let's just leave it at the declaration, that there was tongue involved. “And no, you can't have him.”
I chuckled, put the massive bacon bomb onto a paper plate and handed it over to Abhcan, who's mouth was visibly watering, her tail swishing back and forth. “Good appetite, you two!”
“Thanks – have a nice day!”, Bogaigh told me, nodded to Alexander and Atlas, and then left, Abhcan in tow.
The frigate in the thong-bikini did not hesitate to add a certain sway to her hips as the two went, Bogaigh telling her a joke in Selkie, which made her laugh, and her fox tail swished back and forth as he placed a hand on her far hip.
I smiled and shook my head with fondness.

Atlas and Alexander looked at the police ship boy and swiftly apologized to Dragan swiftly. "I-I didn't know you were a combat veteran, ma'am!" said Atlas to Dragan. "Y-Yeah, I didn't know of that! I didn't think she's a---" She didn't get finish it as Koikaze approached them and said, "Forgive my boyfriend and Alexander for their behaviors. Atlas has been known to be quite strict when it comes to following rules, rules that follow decency, morality, rationality, understanding, reason and respect. He may be a rules-abiding shipboy who has an abysmally poor sense of humor - his words, not mine - but he is quite friendly, loves to read, play and watch, and doesn't mind helping out, and he is quite honest with how he felt."

She then says to Dragan about Alexander, "Alexander, on the other hand, has a tendency to profess her hate towards Novaya aggressively since she considers it to be the reason why the Space Race had expanded - you can ask Atlas much about what happened during the Space Race and why Novaya is responsible for having caused the Space Race to expand. Anyways, the Saiyanese were known to take their freedom for granted, too much of course, to the point they are like the citizens of the United North American States, and more specifically the kind of citizens who are...well, to call them extremely politically-ingrained and virulently patriotic is but an understatement." Koikaze shudders at the experience she had when she's at Saiyane on her 6-day vacation with Atlas.

"Anyways," she spoke up, "is there anything you want to say to Atlas and Alexander?" She tells Dragan, "I can tell by the look on your face that you wanted to tell them something, before this warship interjects to call the two out." Constantine, who is sitting and eating her meal, didn't say anything. Instead, she looked at the five and waved her hands at them. And after ten seconds she asked Dragan from the table, "Will you cook the meals Atlas and Alexander wanted us to have?" She raised her hand at Dragan, telling her to wait, and says to Atlas and Alexander, "By the way, I have forgotten to tell you two this, but he is going to contact you soon."

Atlas and Alexander turned to Constantine and said almost unison, "Are you talking about him?" Constantine nods. "Well, we gotta prepare for the splitting headaches..." Alexander chuckles nervously. "Don't worry, you two," Koikaze said to the two, "No matter what happens, we'll try to make sure your headaches won't knock you out."

[Aaaaaa]

Marcharnnau.
I did not miss her mumbling, but decided against commenting on it.
I did smile at her perking up at the mentioning of Wembury, though – it was a large city and it was only logical, that one of the most important harbours of the Free Lands would have quite a bit of international renown.
But for now, we had another problem.
I waved my hand.
“No problem. I'll borrow you one.”, I said and motioned for her to follow me a few steps up the beach, where an umbrella was plucked into the ground, a pair of blankets weighed down with a few small stones and a bag laid. I went for the bag. “As said, this one can get as dirty as you want, but...”
I handed her a neatly folded, wine red t-shirt, which would fit her, maybe a bit baggy, but it'd fit.
“...here you go.”, I said and smiled, “If you want a bit of privacy to change, cabins are over there.”

She picked up the shirt and studied it for a moment. Compared to her current top, she could immediately tell it was of higher quality despite not actually wearing it yet. It felt softer, and even smelled better than hers despite being left in the sand for who knows how long. There was a tiny part of her that, just for a moment, was hesitant to change. There was a certain shoddiness in Aaaaaan-made clothing (or really, Aaaaaan-made anything) that she was accustomed to, and to change into anything else made her feel like a part of her identity was waning away.

Just for a moment, though. She pressed the shirt against her chest and smiled. "Thank you!" A few seconds after running towards the cabins, she stopped and turned around. "Uh.. which one.. um.." She pointed towards her previous direction. "Which cabin is mine? Or, do I have to get one? Or are they public? Wait, that would mean..." She trailed off, mumbling something to herself. Her eyes shrunk, and a very faint blush appeared on her face.

[The Grand Western Empire]

Rogavis stumbled onto the beach, breathing heavily. The trip to the island was far longer than expected. An unnamed navigator had said it would be well within Rogavis' range. It was not even close to well within. It was all but out of his range. Rogavis would have a word with that navigator when he returned. He glanced toward The Settlement. "Just a bunch of wooden houses? Farcry from the cities of the Empire, but kinda nice. Being away from the cities will be good."

The warm climate made Rogavis partially regret wearing his suit pants, which were now partially coated with sand. "Good thing I didn't bring the suit coat or I'd be baked." He stood up, having now recovered his breath, brushed off his pants, and headed toward The Settlement

[AHSCA]

SDFS Cailín.
“And maybe you'll teach me a few things, too!”, I said with a cheer, our heroic posing lasting long enough for Maighdean to stealthily shoot an image with her smartphone. “That is a big part of being a Sea Explorer – knowing, that everyone has something to learn and to teach.”
I then stepped to her, grinning.
“I'd be happy to make you a Sea Explorer one day! But for now...” I grinned and turned to the path into the jungle. “...adventure awaits!”
Maighdean and the other older-looking shipboys and shipgirls chuckled.

SDFS F-4 Roc.
So, Otome... vintage 2007 (thus 78 years younger then me), sea-going paddle steamer with auxiliary sails, four of them, more then her mother and her sister. She was a bit of a romantic, judging by her words, but also keenly aware of her role and her purpose.
I chuckles.
“I can imagine.”, I told her, “According to a friend of mine, some tourists even like to be 'raided'...” I made the air quotes. “...by pirates, too, even hire them for the experience.” I shrugged. “If they like it.”
I let a beat pass.
“It has been a long time since I saw a paddle-wheel steamer.”, I added, “A long time ago, coastal shipping around the Mainland and the Archipelago was dominated by paddle-wheelers, be it ferry services or cargo. Of course, there were the normal ferries and there were the one built to more luxurious standards, a bit like the ocean liners of the day. And there were even a few yachts.” I smiled at an old memory. “The largest ship of the SDF-Navy when it was founded in 1920 was indeed a paddle-wheel steamer, a vessel of Wembury's Water Police by the name of Crúba Sionnaighi, we just called her Crúba. She's not here today, as far as I know, she takes her job as a museum ship too serious for, I quote, 'gallivanting off and shaking my stern', end quote. She was a strict teacher in her day as an artillery school ship.”

Uta

Cailín's heroic pose really did fill Uta with just as much enthusiasm and excitement, she was just so cool. Taking her by the hand after her charge to action "Onward, ADVENTURE!" Yup, when she came to the UIS, Uta would make sure Cailín would see the adventures of the archipelago. AHSCA doesn't have to be modern or fancy, neither does Uta, just have heart and work hard.


Otome

"Doesn't surprise me, everyone gets their kicks in some way. Same reason why someone from here might set sail on one of us. Crúba huh?" She sounded like quite the lady, someone Otome would probably admire quite a bit, besides her own mother anyway. "She sounds lovely. Another gal cut from the old cloth like we are who had a long purpose to serve and now keeps that purpose alive in a new way as a museum. Good for her, I bet she has many things to teach still."

[The Grand Western Empire]

Rogavis leaned against a wooden building. He breathed deeply. The walk took a lot out of him. His motor systems had malfunctioned from lack of maintenance nearly a year back. Even walking short distances had become tiring. Yet no matter how much time passed, no one repaired his damaged motors. That was his life in the Empire. Despite his value, he never was repaired or attended to; he just floated forever in a port. Several warships entered and left the port, yet he remained. The loneliness was unbearable at first but got better. Rogavis did hope to temporarily alleviate that loneliness in the coming days.

[Seleucid Pergamon]

SDFS Rhiannon (the younger one).
I smiled as Mazaca and Chaldea went at it.
Persephone's question made me look at her, still smiling: “Of course. The boys and girls of the SDF-Navy are all one big family, but the ship classes themselves are usually quite close, too. Me and my five sisters are sometimes very much like those two.”
I let a beat pass, smiling at Mazaca and Chaldea.
“Though, question...”, I began, “...Mazaca, which helicopters do you operate? I myself have a single SDY-Greadtóir 19 Cuaifeach Utility Helicopter, but there are plans to upgrade me and my sisters to operate the Monarcha M-107 Helicopter Drone and, in a more long-term plan, the M-121, maybe even with a hangar extension.”

Hearing the word helicopter made Mazaca sparkle from his eager eyes and wide smile. Technology and avionics are his favorite subjects, and would discuss about them extensively once it was brought up. Whenever he has any free time, he would tinker with his helicopters and computers in his pier and room aside from the outdoor activities. He pulled out his smartphone to pull up an image of his helicopters, to which is excitement prompted him to scroll through the collection of images in quick succession.

"What I operate are 4 ASE-8 Agriógatas and 3 SE-11 Moularis," Mazaca answered as he shows his smartphone, "The Agriógata is a drone helicopter and the Moulari a utility helicopter. Trust me when I say this, drone helicopters are really useful, and saves you the travel as you control them from wherever you stand, besides the value of manned helis. The Agriógatas I have each possess a custom software package I integrated with their main. Though, in retrospect, I should've spotted those couple of bugs earlier after coding that patch, which delayed my arrival here."

"Look who's intelligent, now," Chaldea blurted.

"Shut up," Mazaca replied, much to Chaldea's amusement.

"I think I'll leave you youths to your lone discussion," Persephone announced as she rose from the table, "I am going to go for a walk along the shoreline. I need to get some exercise after sitting for a while."

"See you and have fun," Chaldea and Mazaca responded.

"Though age has grown old with me, age still breathes divinely."

Putting on her sunglasses, Persephone headed over to the hot sands, and let the heat permeate her skin.

[The Selkie]

RKN Alaibhibu.
Despite being an aircraft carrier, a Shajaea-class Light Aircraft Carrier, to be precise, I was not with the Carrier Meetup. On the contrary, I had avoided it like the plague.
That had little to do with them and more with me, as I had originally been commissioned in 1954 and, aside from the mothball time from 1973 to 1982, I had been in service. A frontline light carrier turned into a helicopter carrier with delusions of grandeur and traumas from the Decolonization Wars. How Karkadann could sit there and merrily relate her stories of dropping incendiaries on rebels and civilians to her audience. Only Naya showed some disdain openly.
The Gods alone knew, what Ea was thinking behind his arrogant smirk.
The Decolonization Wars Karkadann reminisced about differed very much from the Decolonization Wars I saw every time I slept. My Esfwrs, dive bombers, with their load on my deck, ready to take off to punish people for the sin, that their relatives dared to defy Kian-Sultan.
The vivid descriptions of the effect of their bombs by enthusiastic pilots.
The newsreel footage, which showed the other end, what a literal ton of bombs did on the receiving end.
I was a warship, a defender of my nation, and for it, I would gladly give my life, but I was not a transport for slaughterers.
Razia wasn't much better, only that her revenge was both more vicious and involved less bloodshed.
But soon, my service to the nation would be over – finally.
The Misfa-class Light Carriers would enter service in three short years, Misfa herself was on shakedown. She was not here today, but eventually she and her sisters would take over – if I would be extended the same grace and courtesy as Karkadann or our peers here in the Free Lands? The choice for my Focus, and thus myself, to remain?
I stood for the workhorses of the Navy, the unglorious part of its history, not the glorious fighting against uprisings and peer states in the colonies.
Did I want to?
I was unsure.
Unlike humans, I was born with my purpose known to me from the very first moment. What when my purpose was fulfilled?
Kyra had dragged me along for maybe a last Hurra, maybe to reawaken my spirit, maybe because she pitied me. Either way, I was grateful for that.
In any case, that I was sure of.

Atlas and Alexander looked at the police ship boy and swiftly apologized to Dragan swiftly. "I-I didn't know you were a combat veteran, ma'am!" said Atlas to Dragan. "Y-Yeah, I didn't know of that! I didn't think she's a---" She didn't get finish it as Koikaze approached them and said, "Forgive my boyfriend and Alexander for their behaviors. Atlas has been known to be quite strict when it comes to following rules, rules that follow decency, morality, rationality, understanding, reason and respect. He may be a rules-abiding shipboy who has an abysmally poor sense of humor - his words, not mine - but he is quite friendly, loves to read, play and watch, and doesn't mind helping out, and he is quite honest with how he felt."

She then says to Dragan about Alexander, "Alexander, on the other hand, has a tendency to profess her hate towards Novaya aggressively since she considers it to be the reason why the Space Race had expanded - you can ask Atlas much about what happened during the Space Race and why Novaya is responsible for having caused the Space Race to expand. Anyways, the Saiyanese were known to take their freedom for granted, too much of course, to the point they are like the citizens of the United North American States, and more specifically the kind of citizens who are...well, to call them extremely politically-ingrained and virulently patriotic is but an understatement." Koikaze shudders at the experience she had when she's at Saiyane on her 6-day vacation with Atlas.

"Anyways," she spoke up, "is there anything you want to say to Atlas and Alexander?" She tells Dragan, "I can tell by the look on your face that you wanted to tell them something, before this warship interjects to call the two out." Constantine, who is sitting and eating her meal, didn't say anything. Instead, she looked at the five and waved her hands at them. And after ten seconds she asked Dragan from the table, "Will you cook the meals Atlas and Alexander wanted us to have?" She raised her hand at Dragan, telling her to wait, and says to Atlas and Alexander, "By the way, I have forgotten to tell you two this, but he is going to contact you soon."

Atlas and Alexander turned to Constantine and said almost unison, "Are you talking about him?" Constantine nods. "Well, we gotta prepare for the splitting headaches..." Alexander chuckles nervously. "Don't worry, you two," Koikaze said to the two, "No matter what happens, we'll try to make sure your headaches won't knock you out."

SDFS Dragan.
The two apologized, at least until the boy's girlfriend arrived and started spouting exposition I simply did not care about. Seriously, what was with these people expositioning like a bad movie did exposition about every bloody tree branch?
I motioned for her to continue talking as I flipped over a few pieces of meat and other delicious things as I listened with half an ear, until the girlfriend told them that “someone” was going to contact them and that it might knock them out...
...what sort of shoddy construction was that?!
Assuming it was long-range communication, which was quite likely, they got headaches to the point of being knocked out?! By Rhiannon's teats (yes), I was from the early 60s, I could communicate over long ranges, if not with the communication equipment of my (by now scrapped) hull, then via ancillary equipment, like the smartphone I had on my bed in my cabin.
Nothing of which caused me headaches.
Once the message was delivered, I exhaled, smiled at the girlfriend: “The Police Boy already did a pretty good job of telling your boyfriend and the kid where they stand.”, I told her, “As for your food, kid... take a few flatbreads and asparagi from over there, the meat will take a minute or two. Enough for your call.” I threw her a small wink. She was far politer, maybe she should do the talking in the future? “I might send over someone, though... Jause, Bussi, or someone.”

She picked up the shirt and studied it for a moment. Compared to her current top, she could immediately tell it was of higher quality despite not actually wearing it yet. It felt softer, and even smelled better than hers despite being left in the sand for who knows how long. There was a tiny part of her that, just for a moment, was hesitant to change. There was a certain shoddiness in Aaaaaan-made clothing (or really, Aaaaaan-made anything) that she was accustomed to, and to change into anything else made her feel like a part of her identity was waning away.

Just for a moment, though. She pressed the shirt against her chest and smiled. "Thank you!" A few seconds after running towards the cabins, she stopped and turned around. "Uh.. which one.. um.." She pointed towards her previous direction. "Which cabin is mine? Or, do I have to get one? Or are they public? Wait, that would mean..." She trailed off, mumbling something to herself. Her eyes shrunk, and a very faint blush appeared on her face.

Marcharnnau.
I smiled at her, then at the row of little changing cabins. I wondered for a brief moment, if she had ever been to a public swimming pool, but I dismissed it quickly.
“Pick one, go in, close it, change and get out.”, I told her with a smile, “They're not public and have a lock.” Unless you want it to, that is, but that was another question and I had the feeling, that she was neither ready nor open enough for that. “And you're welcome.”
Her original shirt was a bit well-worn and looked old, as did her bag.
Well-worn and, to be honest, a bit ratty. It was less the problem of the clothes being used and more of a quality issue, but then again, every country had its chain of stores selling cheap and simple clothes – including the Free Lands.
“Don't worry, I'll wait here.”, I told her and gave her a pat on the shoulder.

Rogavis stumbled onto the beach, breathing heavily. The trip to the island was far longer than expected. He glanced toward The Settlement. "Just a bunch of wooden houses? Farcry from the cities of the Empire, but kinda nice. Being away from the cities will be good."

The warm climate made Rogavis partially regret wearing his suit pants. "Good thing I didn't bring the suit coat or I'd be baked." He stood up, having now recovered his breath, and headed toward the party.

Rogavis leaned against a wooden building. He breathed deeply. The walk took a lot out of him. His motor systems had malfunctioned from lack of maintenance nearly a year back. Even walking short distances had become tiring. Yet no matter how much time passed, no one repaired his damaged motors. That was his life in the Empire. Despite his value, he never was repaired or attended to; he just floated forever in a port. Several warships entered and left the port, yet he remained. The loneliness was unbearable at first but got better. Rogavis did hope to temporarily alleviate that loneliness in the coming days.

RKN Seraphiel.
The guy in the suit pants and with pale skin looked as if he was used to far, far lower temperatures or as if he was simply overdressed. Either way, a healthy look looked differently.
As a fellow Shipperson, I knew I had to do something.
While he glanced towards the Settlement, I approached him.
I should introduce myself to the reader, though – RKN Seraphiel, Oud-class Guided Missile Cruiser of the Navy of Her Majesty the Sultana of Kyrenaia. Despite being commissioned in 1988, I had the same ageless disposition as any other Shipperson, which was envied by many women (including my Commanding Admiral).
That might have something to do with me being blessed with almost knee-length white-silver hair, ice blue eyes and the same combination of pointy ears, horns and demonic tail that many of my sisters had. The fact, that I was also quite busty and had the same beautiful curves, packed into a black bikini, as any cruiser, certainly didn't detract the envy.
But back to the guy in suit pants.
He headed for the party, but he still didn't look too healthy.
I decided something: Grabbing two bottles of cooled water, I laid in an intercept course, dodging the cluster of four large cruisers led by Jalid (coincidentally, the other three were her sisters Sawmiea, Salalkubz and Aintalaq), and approached the guy.
With a smile, I held out one of the bottles as I was in range.
“Hey, there... you look like you could use a drink pal.”, I told him, “You alright?”

Uta

Cailín's heroic pose really did fill Uta with just as much enthusiasm and excitement, she was just so cool. Taking her by the hand after her charge to action "Onward, ADVENTURE!" Yup, when she came to the UIS, Uta would make sure Cailín would see the adventures of the archipelago. AHSCA doesn't have to be modern or fancy, neither does Uta, just have heart and work hard.


Otome

"Doesn't surprise me, everyone gets their kicks in some way. Same reason why someone from here might set sail on one of us. Crúba huh?" She sounded like quite the lady, someone Otome would probably admire quite a bit, besides her own mother anyway. "She sounds lovely. Another gal cut from the old cloth like we are who had a long purpose to serve and now keeps that purpose alive in a new way as a museum. Good for her, I bet she has many things to teach still."

SDFS Cailín.
I smiled as Uta took my hand and went to charge ahead, Maighdean nodding.
“Then let's cast off.”, she said.
My big sis took the lead on our hike up to the temple again as we began to move again, the other adults at the flanks and us kids in the middle. Of course, the trail got into the treeline, but it was still a nice trail, which soon got a bit steeper.
I looked forward to visit the UIS, if Fleet Command allowed it.

SDFS F-4 Roc.
I chuckled.
“As long as it refers to G-8 47mm guns, yes, sure, but there was a reason, why she was repurposed as a school ship in 1925 and decommissioned in 1932.”, I told her, “For context, she was originally commissioned in 1899. She is quite pleasant company, though. I sometimes have tea with her, when I am in Wembury – and our school ships regularly send new commissions to her.”
I smiled as we reached a pair of free beach chairs, I motioned to one of them, offering it to Otome wanted to enjoy her shaved ice while sitting.
“You can ask any of the corvettes here, I know, that they all met her – Rhi might be our Chieftain, but Crúba is the Elder.”, I explained, “And the reason why Rhi hates being called 'Old Lady Rhi' or 'Rhi the Elder', now that I think of it.”

Hearing the word helicopter made Mazaca sparkle from his eager eyes and wide smile. Technology and avionics are his favorite subjects, and would discuss about them extensively once it was brought up. Whenever he has any free time, he would tinker with his helicopters and computers in his pier and room aside from the outdoor activities. He pulled out his smartphone to pull up an image of his helicopters, to which is excitement prompted him to scroll through the collection of images in quick succession.

"What I operate are 4 ASE-8 Agriógatas and 3 SE-11 Moularis," Mazaca answered as he shows his smartphone, "The Agriógata is a drone helicopter and the Moulari a utility helicopter. Trust me when I say this, drone helicopters are really useful, and saves you the travel as you control them from wherever you stand, besides the value of manned helis. The Agriógatas I have each possess a custom software package I integrated with their main. Though, in retrospect, I should've spotted those couple of bugs earlier after coding that patch, which delayed my arrival here."

"Look who's intelligent, now," Chaldea blurted.

"Shut up," Mazaca replied, much to Chaldea's amusement.

"I think I'll leave you youths to your lone discussion," Persephone announced as she rose from the table, "I am going to go for a walk along the shoreline. I need to get some exercise after sitting for a while."

"See you and have fun," Chaldea and Mazaca responded.

"Though age has grown old with me, age still breathes divinely."

Putting on her sunglasses, Persephone headed over to the hot sands, and let the heat permeate her skin.

SDFS Rhiannon (the younger one).
By the sounds of it, Mazaca not only had a larger complement, but also a larger air wing (get your minds out of the gutter, people!), operating drone helicopters already.
I nodded along the explanation, knowing, that none of us would install a custom software package, and thought back to the words about them.
“Really useful, eh...”, I mumbled to myself, as Persephone went off. I waved absentmindedly at her, still thinking. “You know, for us, the value of manned helicopters is simply, that we do a lot of patrol tasks within the EEZ and in international waters and, despite how useful drone helicopters are, they can't carry personnel.”
I paused sheepishly for a moment.
“I'd love to show you images, but I don't have my smartphone on me.”, I told him, and Chaldea, “There aren't exactly many pockets.”

Persephone meanwhile had a lot to see: Aside from the various sand castle construction sites, quite a few of which were banding together, and the bar with its Carrier Gettogether and many other small clumps of people, there were a number of people in the water, playing or swimming or diving, while others lounged on the beach. A few lone wanderers were about as well.
Nocht was playing with some younger Corvettes, Abhcan and her Police Boy were enjoying their meal, a small game of ball had begun between a few girls... she might even catch sight of Lodan Lir in her borrowed rash guard stomping towards the Settlement to get a new swimsuit, while the submarines responsible for her wardrobe malfunction were still at large.
But there was also the white sand, the sun, the blue ocean, the green shores of Cartreffa Island and, throwing above it all, the little Temple.
She had all the choice in the world.

[The Grand Western Empire]

RKN Seraphiel.
The guy in the suit pants and with pale skin looked as if he was used to far, far lower temperatures or as if he was simply overdressed. Either way, a healthy look looked differently.
As a fellow Shipperson, I knew I had to do something.
While he glanced towards the Settlement, I approached him.
I should introduce myself to the reader, though – RKN Seraphiel, Oud-class Guided Missile Cruiser of the Navy of Her Majesty the Sultana of Kyrenaia. Despite being commissioned in 1988, I had the same ageless disposition as any other Shipperson, which was envied by many women (including my Commanding Admiral).
That might have something to do with me being blessed with almost knee-length white-silver hair, ice blue eyes and the same combination of pointy ears, horns and demonic tail that many of my sisters had. The fact, that I was also quite busty and had the same beautiful curves, packed into a black bikini, as any cruiser, certainly didn't detract the envy.
But back to the guy in suit pants.
He headed for the party, but he still didn't look too healthy.
I decided something: Grabbing two bottles of cooled water, I laid in an intercept course, dodging the cluster of four large cruisers led by Jalid (coincidentally, the other three were her sisters Sawmiea, Salalkubz and Aintalaq), and approached the guy.
With a smile, I held out one of the bottles as I was in range.
“Hey, there... you look like you could use a drink pal.”, I told him, “You alright?”

Rogavis was surprised by the sudden voice. His natural instinct would've been to prepare his weapons, but he reminded himself there were no hostiles on the island, 'Don't draw your weapons, Rogavis. That would create a bad situation.' he thought. He accepted the water, "Thanks. The journey took a lot out of me. I thought the island was closer, but apparently, my friend's navigation systems need some work," he took a long drink from the water, which relieved him from the unbearable heat. "Thanks again for the water. I needed that. And, to answer your question," he began hesitantly, "I am not alright. My motor systems are damaged from a lack of maintenance. And the strain of crossing the distance to this island made it worse. Who knew walking could be such an Olympian task?" Rogavis laughed. "I'm Rogavis. You are?"

[Novaya Equestria]

SDFS Dragan.
The two apologized, at least until the boy's girlfriend arrived and started spouting exposition I simply did not care about. Seriously, what was with these people expositioning like a bad movie did exposition about every bloody tree branch?
I motioned for her to continue talking as I flipped over a few pieces of meat and other delicious things as I listened with half an ear, until the girlfriend told them that “someone” was going to contact them and that it might knock them out...
...what sort of shoddy construction was that?!
Assuming it was long-range communication, which was quite likely, they got headaches to the point of being knocked out?! By Rhiannon's teats (yes), I was from the early 60s, I could communicate over long ranges, if not with the communication equipment of my (by now scrapped) hull, then via ancillary equipment, like the smartphone I had on my bed in my cabin.
Nothing of which caused me headaches.
Once the message was delivered, I exhaled, smiled at the girlfriend: “The Police Boy already did a pretty good job of telling your boyfriend and the kid where they stand.”, I told her, “As for your food, kid... take a few flatbreads and asparagi from over there, the meat will take a minute or two. Enough for your call.” I threw her a small wink. She was far politer, maybe she should do the talking in the future? “I might send over someone, though... Jause, Bussi, or someone.”

"In case you ask, he utilizes telepathy-based paratechnological communications equipment to communicate with any Alliance warships," explained Constantine to Dragan and anyone else who might ask. "This telepathy-based paratech was designed by the Triumvirate Fairy Forces, who consisted of the Novayan Stellar Commonwealth Fairy Forces, Saiyanese Stellar Federation Fairy Forces, and New Roman Empire Fairy Forces - and I'm not referring to MY New Roman Empire, mind you. And mind you, but Triumvirate fairies were, like the Alliance fairies, have individually equal rights. Doesn't stop them from being very communal, stoic, bureaucratic and egalitarian, by the way."

Constantine takes another bite of her food and continues, "And should you ask, yes, the one who contacted both Atlas and Alexander happens to be the lead ship of the Atlas-class dreadnoughts. His name just happens to share the same name as Atlas here. And if any of you want to explain much about him, you might want to schedule a meeting with him; he's situated at Castle Langley, an oil rig platform 10km away from the Federal Capital Region of the Novayan Commonwealth; and no, Castle Langley looks like an oil rig platform on the outside, but you're looking at the tip of the iceberg. Underneath the waters, it's actually a facility for Alliance military personnel and Triumvirate warships and fairies working there. And no, the Novayan Commonwealth isn't leading the Alliance."

[The Selkie]

Rogavis was surprised by the sudden voice. His natural instinct would've been to prepare his weapons, but he reminded himself there were no hostiles on the island, 'Don't draw your weapons, Rogavis. That would create a bad situation.' he thought. He accepted the water, "Thanks. The journey took a lot out of me. I thought the island was closer, but apparently, my friend's navigation systems need some work," he took a long drink from the water, which relieved him from the unbearable heat. "Thanks again for the water. I needed that. And, to answer your question," he began hesitantly, "I am not alright. My motor systems are damaged from a lack of maintenance. And the strain of crossing the distance to this island made it worse. Who knew walking could be such an Olympian task?" Rogavis laughed. "I'm Rogavis. You are?"

RKN Seraphiel.
“Seraphiel.”, I replied and indicated a small bow, “Oud-class Guided Missile Cruiser in service with the Navy of Her Majesty, the Sultana of Kyrenaia.” I smiled. “It is my pleasure, Rogavis.”
I offered him an arm to link and motioned to a pair of beach chairs nearby, indicating, that we could sit down and chat a bit.
“Sounds rough, though.”, I said, wincing at the thought of my machinery not being properly maintained, let alone at all. “May I ask, why? I mean, if it is not too personal of a question, that is!”
I hurriedly added the latter, maybe he wasn't willing to share that with a stranger who he just met and... yeah. Privacy was kind of important.
I did not miss him jumping at me arriving and, although unaware that he'd been about to pull out a weapon, decided to ignore it.

"In case you ask, he utilizes telepathy-based paratechnological communications equipment to communicate with any Alliance warships," explained Constantine to Dragan and anyone else who might ask. "This telepathy-based paratech was designed by the Triumvirate Fairy Forces, who consisted of the Novayan Stellar Commonwealth Fairy Forces, Saiyanese Stellar Federation Fairy Forces, and New Roman Empire Fairy Forces - and I'm not referring to MY New Roman Empire, mind you. And mind you, but Triumvirate fairies were, like the Alliance fairies, have individually equal rights. Doesn't stop them from being very communal, stoic, bureaucratic and egalitarian, by the way."

Constantine takes another bite of her food and continues, "And should you ask, yes, the one who contacted both Atlas and Alexander happens to be the lead ship of the Atlas-class dreadnoughts. His name just happens to share the same name as Atlas here. And if any of you want to explain much about him, you might want to schedule a meeting with him; he's situated at Castle Langley, an oil rig platform 10km away from the Federal Capital Region of the Novayan Commonwealth; and no, Castle Langley looks like an oil rig platform on the outside, but you're looking at the tip of the iceberg. Underneath the waters, it's actually a facility for Alliance military personnel and Triumvirate warships and fairies working there. And no, the Novayan Commonwealth isn't leading the Alliance."

SDFS Dragan.
There was only one problem: I didn't ask.
No one did.
In fact, Baba looked at me as if she was seeing some madpeople rambling about the correlation between deaths of people wrapped up in their blankets and cheese consumption in bed and quickly made off with a platter of grilled asparagi.
Well, Baba was 'only' a monitor, one with Auwaltian Fd. 22 Guns (or 40 cm), but still 'only' a monitor. I was a guided missile corvette.
And while Constantine rambled on and on about some fortification that looked like an oil rig on the surface but was actually a giant complex of hidden secrets she was happily telling me about (Operational Security, anyone?), I decided.
“That's nice.”, I said, smiling at them, “Name siblings are always precious. I have one, too, Drayan is her name. She's Kyrenaian, a Pattern D Corvette from the late 40s. Scrapped 1969, I think it was. Either way, she teaches at the Kyrenaian Naval Academy in Surya, ASW-Tactics.” I smiled and turned over a steak. “She and I regularly get together for a few drinks and sharing stories. She and I even sailed together a few times way back when and it were fun times. She usually calls via smart phone, it's cheaper and easier then some paratechnology or some bullshit like that.”
I turned another steak.
“Now, Naval Base Surya, that is one impressive installation!”, I said, pointing my tongs at them, then turning back to the grill, “You see, the harbour goes back a couple of millennia and is centered around that ancient, cool citadel from the Kyrenaian Golden Age. It houses a museum nowadays, one of the best naval history museums I know of – they even have several replica vessels, a Bagala and four Jaras-Types, all showing the different stages of development of them. And let me tell you, the quartet are quite interesting characters!”
If they could rave on and on with their acquaintances, so could I.

[The Grand Western Empire]

RKN Seraphiel.
“Seraphiel.”, I replied and indicated a small bow, “Oud-class Guided Missile Cruiser in service with the Navy of Her Majesty, the Sultana of Kyrenaia.” I smiled. “It is my pleasure, Rogavis.”
I offered him an arm to link and motioned to a pair of beach chairs nearby, indicating, that we could sit down and chat a bit.
“Sounds rough, though.”, I said, wincing at the thought of my machinery not being properly maintained, let alone at all. “May I ask, why? I mean, if it is not too personal of a question, that is!”
I hurriedly added the latter, maybe he wasn't willing to share that with a stranger who he just met and... yeah. Privacy was kind of important.
I did not miss him jumping at me arriving and, although unaware that he'd been about to pull out a weapon, decided to ignore it.

Rogavis took a moment as he mulled over Seraphiel's proposition. He nodded and took her arm. Sitting down seemed like the best thing to do, now that he thought about it. 'Guess this will reduce the strain on my motor systems,' He turned his attention to Seraphiel's question, "No, it isn't too personal. I'm a Zumwalt-class destroyer. Only four of us exist, and three of those are American. We are the strongest destroyer-class created. Our technological advancement is unparalleled. But as you'd expect, that makes us extraordinarily expensive to build. Our ammunition is expensive and repairs more so. Because of this, the Imperial Navy decided I wasn't worth the money, so they put me in a concrete inner dock. After that, I was forgotten about. No one repaired me or gave me any maintenance because it was too expensive. So when my motors broke a year ago, no one cared. The closest thing I got to repairs was when a friend gave my engines a patch job, so I could make the journey to this island." A distant and solemn look appeared in Rogavis' eyes as he remembered his miserable past.

[Seleucid Pergamon]

SDFS Rhiannon (the younger one).
By the sounds of it, Mazaca not only had a larger complement, but also a larger air wing (get your minds out of the gutter, people!), operating drone helicopters already.
I nodded along the explanation, knowing, that none of us would install a custom software package, and thought back to the words about them.
“Really useful, eh...”, I mumbled to myself, as Persephone went off. I waved absentmindedly at her, still thinking. “You know, for us, the value of manned helicopters is simply, that we do a lot of patrol tasks within the EEZ and in international waters and, despite how useful drone helicopters are, they can't carry personnel.”
I paused sheepishly for a moment.
“I'd love to show you images, but I don't have my smartphone on me.”, I told him, and Chaldea, “There aren't exactly many pockets.”

Persephone meanwhile had a lot to see: Aside from the various sand castle construction sites, quite a few of which were banding together, and the bar with its Carrier Gettogether and many other small clumps of people, there were a number of people in the water, playing or swimming or diving, while others lounged on the beach. A few lone wanderers were about as well.
Nocht was playing with some younger Corvettes, Abhcan and her Police Boy were enjoying their meal, a small game of ball had begun between a few girls... she might even catch sight of Lodan Lir in her borrowed rash guard stomping towards the Settlement to get a new swimsuit, while the submarines responsible for her wardrobe malfunction were still at large.
But there was also the white sand, the sun, the blue ocean, the green shores of Cartreffa Island and, throwing above it all, the little Temple.
She had all the choice in the world.

PNP Mazaca and PNP Chaldea

"True, true. We can't leave everything to unmanned devices, and the Agriógatas have their limitations, especially personnel transport," Mazaca answered, "During the 2015 Kabyle War when Pergamon assisted the Kingdom of Mauretania, I used my Moularis to transport spec ops units to eliminate key bases of the Kabyle militia within the Kingdom's eastern provinces. One of the helicopters was almost shot down, and had bullet holes close to the fuel lines."

"I hope to return there sometime, this year," Chaldea interjected, "Very nice people with an interesting culture and food."

As she was done remarking, Mazaca heard Rhi's statement on her smartphone.

"That's alright. You have it secured in your bag, at least. We can look at them later today," he let out a reassuring smile.

"So, aside from helicopters, what other features do you have on your rigging," Chaldea asked, putting her phone away.

PNP Persephone

Basking in the summer heat, Persephone made her way along the beach observing the sight before her and on her sides. She passed by groups of other shipgirls and boys around their sand castles, constructing them with excitement and delicacy. She noted the swimmers having their time in the water, a few wanderers searching for anything that catches their eyes, and other groups of ships playing games or eating together. Persephone even caught sight of one Selkie ship taking heavy, frustrated steps towards the Settlement. She wondered what caused her to head there in that fashion, but decided that she would save it for later. After scanning her eyes around her surroundings near and far, one location caused her to stop. A little Temple stood erect and observed the entire shoreline. Persephone hummed, then sauntered to it. While doing so, she whispered one of the monologues of Clytemnestra, which was a speech describing how she got the news of Troy's razing.

[AHSCA]

SDFS Cailín.
I smiled as Uta took my hand and went to charge ahead, Maighdean nodding.
“Then let's cast off.”, she said.
My big sis took the lead on our hike up to the temple again as we began to move again, the other adults at the flanks and us kids in the middle. Of course, the trail got into the treeline, but it was still a nice trail, which soon got a bit steeper.
I looked forward to visit the UIS, if Fleet Command allowed it.

SDFS F-4 Roc.
I chuckled.
“As long as it refers to G-8 47mm guns, yes, sure, but there was a reason, why she was repurposed as a school ship in 1925 and decommissioned in 1932.”, I told her, “For context, she was originally commissioned in 1899. She is quite pleasant company, though. I sometimes have tea with her, when I am in Wembury – and our school ships regularly send new commissions to her.”
I smiled as we reached a pair of free beach chairs, I motioned to one of them, offering it to Otome wanted to enjoy her shaved ice while sitting.
“You can ask any of the corvettes here, I know, that they all met her – Rhi might be our Chieftain, but Crúba is the Elder.”, I explained, “And the reason why Rhi hates being called 'Old Lady Rhi' or 'Rhi the Elder', now that I think of it.”

Uta

"Anchors aweigh as they say!" Uta chimed in reply taking the hand of her new friend yet again to continue their trek through the greenery. This place was beautiful without a doubt and well sometimes it felt like home too and who can complain about having a little slice of home with you. "Perhaps before you visit the UIS, I can tell you more or maybe you have questions about it? Or maybe about me even." She blushed a little, is it wrong to want to talk about yourself some times? "Well you as well, I should get to know you as my new friend."

Otome

"Wow 1899. Of course looking at my family one would think the same but ah just always amazed by meeting folks who've been around the seas a long time. I always feel like I have so much to learn about being a good ship. Mama teaches me plenty and I do my best to teach my sister but still think I can learn more. Miss Rhi sounds like she knows plenty and doesn't take attitude."

[The Selkie]

Rogavis took a moment as he mulled over Seraphiel's proposition. He nodded and took her arm. Sitting down seemed like the best thing to do, now that he thought about it. 'Guess this will reduce the strain on my motor systems,' He turned his attention to Seraphiel's question, "No, it isn't too personal. I'm a Zumwalt-class destroyer. Only four of us exist, and three of those are American. We are the strongest destroyer-class created. Our technological advancement is unparalleled. But as you'd expect, that makes us extraordinarily expensive to build. Our ammunition is expensive and repairs more so. Because of this, the Imperial Navy decided I wasn't worth the money, so they put me in a concrete inner dock. After that, I was forgotten about. No one repaired me or gave me any maintenance because it was too expensive. So when my motors broke a year ago, no one cared. The closest thing I got to repairs was when a friend gave my engines a patch job, so I could make the journey to this island." A distant and solemn look appeared in Rogavis' eyes as he remembered his miserable past.

RKN Seraphiel.
I winced.
That sounded... bad, exceptionally so. And although I knew, that there were a few more Zumwalts, not to mention equivalent designs like the Goliath- and Maighdean-classes of SDY, the Wolf-class DDGs from Wolf Armaments or our own Utica-class DDGNs, the first of which were commissioned two years ago, not to mention equally advanced designs in smaller packages, this was... exceptionally sad.
Even with the high defensive budget of the Sultanate, we had our fair share of cancelled vessels (Mirfae and her sisters send their regards), but none of them were left to rot like Rogavis apparently was.
Waste not, want not.
I honestly pitied him a bit.
“Sounds not nice.”, I said and sat down next to him, “If you want, we can get you help to make the return trip easier... and maybe even a bit further. Hm...” I thought for a moment. “If you want, we can call Caja, that's the local Installation Type, right over?”

PNP Mazaca and PNP Chaldea

"True, true. We can't leave everything to unmanned devices, and the Agriógatas have their limitations, especially personnel transport," Mazaca answered, "During the 2015 Kabyle War when Pergamon assisted the Kingdom of Mauretania, I used my Moularis to transport spec ops units to eliminate key bases of the Kabyle militia within the Kingdom's eastern provinces. One of the helicopters was almost shot down, and had bullet holes close to the fuel lines."

"I hope to return there sometime, this year," Chaldea interjected, "Very nice people with an interesting culture and food."

As she was done remarking, Mazaca heard Rhi's statement on her smartphone.

"That's alright. You have it secured in your bag, at least. We can look at them later today," he let out a reassuring smile.

"So, aside from helicopters, what other features do you have on your rigging," Chaldea asked, putting her phone away.

PNP Persephone

Basking in the summer heat, Persephone made her way along the beach observing the sight before her and on her sides. She passed by groups of other shipgirls and boys around their sand castles, constructing them with excitement and delicacy. She noted the swimmers having their time in the water, a few wanderers searching for anything that catches their eyes, and other groups of ships playing games or eating together. Persephone even caught sight of one Selkie ship taking heavy, frustrated steps towards the Settlement. She wondered what caused her to head there in that fashion, but decided that she would save it for later. After scanning her eyes around her surroundings near and far, one location caused her to stop. A little Temple stood erect and observed the entire shoreline. Persephone hummed, then sauntered to it. While doing so, she whispered one of the monologues of Clytemnestra, which was a speech describing how she got the news of Troy's razing.

SDFS Rhiannon (the younger one).
“Missiles.”, I replied with a small grin, “I am a Rhiannon-II-class Frigate, I have 48 full-length VLS-Tubes, I can carry everything from Type 40s to Miodógs, Sleás and Claíomhs... when the guys over at Gabha finally get these blasted things working, that is.” I shook my head with a small bit of irritation crossing my face. “Anyway, I am a frigate, I have my gun, my CIWS, my decoys, my ASW-torpedoes, the balconies, more electronics then my light cruiser name sister and her siblings combined...”
I shrugged.
“Nothing out of the ordinary, I guess.”, I smiled at Mazaca and Chaldea, then paused: “With one exception, maybe. My flag is... very special, though it is mostly a spiritual thing.”

The hike to the Temple of Lodan Lir and Aranrot was, if one used the normal hiking trail (unlike the kiddos), quite a nice walk and quite well paved. It did not take long until Persephone would be able to arrive there, maybe long enough for her to finish reciting the Monologues, maybe not.
Up there, one had a nice view of the beach, the Settlement, the Pontoon Harbour and all the vessels docked there, a bit of the surrounding land, and as it was freshly refurbished, it was a pretty sight.
The temple was an interesting structure. The ambulatory, a square colonnade, looked light and aerated, its roof tiles shining red, while the pillars were of white stone, though not marble. It served mostly as a border between the outside world and the spiritual world of the sacred grove on the inside, which was open to the air.
Mosaics under the roof of the ambulatory showed Lodan Lir and Aranrot, the two deities worshipped here, in their most popular myths, but the sacred grove inside the temple might be more interesting, mainly as someone was there, sitting on one of the benches surrounding the tree at the centre of the sacred grove.
She was a blonde, her short hair tamed by slim dark blue, almost black, ribbons, which complimented her bikini of a similar colour. A straw hat sat in her lap, her pointy ears were clearly visible – undoubtedly, she was a Kanmusu from the region. But at the same time, her green eyes looked tired, old.

Uta

"Anchors aweigh as they say!" Uta chimed in reply taking the hand of her new friend yet again to continue their trek through the greenery. This place was beautiful without a doubt and well sometimes it felt like home too and who can complain about having a little slice of home with you. "Perhaps before you visit the UIS, I can tell you more or maybe you have questions about it? Or maybe about me even." She blushed a little, is it wrong to want to talk about yourself some times? "Well you as well, I should get to know you as my new friend."

Otome

"Wow 1899. Of course looking at my family one would think the same but ah just always amazed by meeting folks who've been around the seas a long time. I always feel like I have so much to learn about being a good ship. Mama teaches me plenty and I do my best to teach my sister but still think I can learn more. Miss Rhi sounds like she knows plenty and doesn't take attitude."

SDFS Cailín.
I grinned at Uta.
“I'd love to get to know you more!”, I said as we followed my big sister into the forest, “And to tell you about me, too. But I want to see and explore your homeland with you without too much prior knowledge, much like you are now.” I grinned. “It's more exciting that way!”
We walked a few steps.
Small groups formed, people sticking together by units or favouritism.
“Fire away with almost any question!”, I asked of Uta.

SDFS F-4 Roc.
“Oh, she certainly doesn't!”, I agreed with a grin, “With age comes wisdom and she is certainly one of the wisest Kanmusu I know...” I smiled sheepishly at Otome and shrugged. “Not to mention, that she is a looker, but I am only a guy.”
I took a spoon of ice.
“I will say this, though, if you ever get the chance to meet Rhi, the Rhi of my generation that is, do not be afraid to ask her anything.”, I advised Otome, “She is not only fierce and wise, she also likes to share her experiences with those, who approach her with honesty in their hearts and respect in their actions.”
The spoon vanished in my mouth.

[The Grand Western Empire]

RKN Seraphiel.
I winced.
That sounded... bad, exceptionally so. And although I knew, that there were a few more Zumwalts, not to mention equivalent designs like the Goliath- and Maighdean-classes of SDY, the Wolf-class DDGs from Wolf Armaments or our own Utica-class DDGNs, the first of which were commissioned two years ago, not to mention equally advanced designs in smaller packages, this was... exceptionally sad.
Even with the high defensive budget of the Sultanate, we had our fair share of cancelled vessels (Mirfae and her sisters send their regards), but none of them were left to rot like Rogavis apparently was.
Waste not, want not.
I honestly pitied him a bit.
“Sounds not nice.”, I said and sat down next to him, “If you want, we can get you help to make the return trip easier... and maybe even a bit further. Hm...” I thought for a moment. “If you want, we can call Caja, that's the local Installation Type, right over?”

Rogavis shook his head and brought himself back to reality. "Not nice is a small understatement," he laughed, "But it could've been far worse. I managed to make it through 'cause of my friend who gave my engines a patch job. An aircraft carrier named Emperor's Light. He visited me whenever he was in port. He also escorted me halfway here before turning back." He put a finger to his chin, "I think he had to go through maintenance today, so he couldn't take me all the way. But I still appreciate that he took time to help me."

Rogavis put his palm parallel to his brow to blot out the sun. He had spent more time in the sun that day than in the rest of his life. 'It would be nice if it weren't so hot,' he thought as he sat. He pondered Seraphiel's kind offer. "Yeah. If you could give me another patch job before I leave, it would be nice. Though, what is an installation type? I've spent too much time in a concrete dock. I have forgotten about what most ship types do. I can only remember that destroyers are supposed to shoot at things." He laughed once more.

[Legatia]

MRS Mahine (D43), MRAS Majestic (A246)

---

Naval Yard Cartreffa Island

Mahine and Majestic hadn't expected to have good, warm food anytime soon. If you told the two of them 48 hours prior that they'd be dining like princesses, the former would have laughed, and the latter might have suspected sea-induced madness. The two were part of a larger task force- were, with Majestic's cargo intended to resupply an allied war effort across the ocean with critical supplies produced back in Meridon proper. The destroyer had spent nearly 12 hours straight in combat batting off air raids from their flanks, alongside the three other surface combatants in the escort group. The girl had began to comprehend her vision in the reds of her night lit CIC iconography by the time dawn broke over that cloudy ocean- spent in both munitions and spirit. Majestic, for her part, had kept the destroyer resupplied with anti-aircraft missiles that were supposed to be enough for a carrier task group's escort to resupply. Her stocks counted four Aster 30 and eleven 15's by the time they pulled into dock- that wasn't to mention the amount of decoys and chaff she used, the metallic flakes still clinging in her hair like dust despite her attempts to rinse it with seawater.

The girl had shown for her actions when she pulled into Cartreffa reeking of sulfur, her VLS bays covered in oil and soot and her starboard Goalkeeper's barrels warped beyond recognition. Majestic had done her best to make her look presentable for the arrival, but it wasn't happening, and the destroyer met the reception party in a regrettably uncouth state.

"But at least we're on solid ground, aren't we, Mahi?" Majestic opened a conversation with her companion, who had in the end managed to clean up a bit more. The bags under Mahi's eyes had yet to dissapate fully, but she was for the most part, clean. She had opted for short shorts and a crop top for this more casual gathering, while the refueler's longer dress grew slightly damp from the waterborne ceremony, beadlets of ocean still dripping from the hem as she emerged back onto the stands.

"..Yeah.. and this place has character. Reminds me of that time on Sophia Island, a few months past..."

"Hmm, Marin's commisioning party?" The tanned destroyer mused, who received a smile and a nod of confirmation from the destroyer. "That was a rager, wasn't it? Poor girl was out of it for the next two days."

"Talking about getting out of it, I think it's about time I go looking for something to drink that isn't water or energy drinks.." Mahine was a connoisseur of all things liquid- alcohol or not, she was the type of girl who hardly could stand plain water, even though she drank it regularly. Her drinkmixing skills were a good chunk of the reason that Marin Bay, mentioned earlier, went out for so long, after all.

While Majestic herself wasn't quite fond of alcohol, relegating it to social functions and only then in moderation- she reasoned that she had well earned a drink in this occasion.

[Aaaaaa]

Marcharnnau.
I smiled at her, then at the row of little changing cabins. I wondered for a brief moment, if she had ever been to a public swimming pool, but I dismissed it quickly.
“Pick one, go in, close it, change and get out.”, I told her with a smile, “They're not public and have a lock.” Unless you want it to, that is, but that was another question and I had the feeling, that she was neither ready nor open enough for that. “And you're welcome.”
Her original shirt was a bit well-worn and looked old, as did her bag.
Well-worn and, to be honest, a bit ratty. It was less the problem of the clothes being used and more of a quality issue, but then again, every country had its chain of stores selling cheap and simple clothes – including the Free Lands.
“Don't worry, I'll wait here.”, I told her and gave her a pat on the shoulder.

It was a stupid question, and she knew it - it only made her feel even more foolish when Marcharnnau's response was as if she was speaking to a child. Although, her and An's ages were far enough apart to where that wouldn't be entirely out of the realm of questioning. "Ah, of course. I'm sorry, It's um.. they're uh.. different from the ones we have back home, so I wasn't sure." Technically the truth, but she didn't know that. When did her handlers ever let her out to the public?

The moment she turned towards the changing rooms, her new acquaintance patted her gently on the shoulder. It was a friendly little gesture, and it probably didn't mean anything in particular, but An's eyes immediately lit up. It was the first time she could remember that someone was actually being nice to her, that someone had actually accepted her as a person, and not as some supposed homicidal machine not to be trusted by its own creators.

A short minute later, she reappeared in front of her new friend, now sporting the red shirt. While it was a little large in certain areas, it fit her well regardless. She did feel a tad awkward wearing it - her regular attire was stereotypically Aaaaaan to a fault, and no one back home has clothing that's actually well tailored, to the point where she felt like she wasn't even wearing a top, but some strange alternative to clothing. It felt good to wear, and that was the strangest part.

"So, what're we doing now?"

[Novaya Equestria]

SDFS Dragan.
There was only one problem: I didn't ask.
No one did.
In fact, Baba looked at me as if she was seeing some madpeople rambling about the correlation between deaths of people wrapped up in their blankets and cheese consumption in bed and quickly made off with a platter of grilled asparagi.
Well, Baba was 'only' a monitor, one with Auwaltian Fd. 22 Guns (or 40 cm), but still 'only' a monitor. I was a guided missile corvette.
And while Constantine rambled on and on about some fortification that looked like an oil rig on the surface but was actually a giant complex of hidden secrets she was happily telling me about (Operational Security, anyone?), I decided.
“That's nice.”, I said, smiling at them, “Name siblings are always precious. I have one, too, Drayan is her name. She's Kyrenaian, a Pattern D Corvette from the late 40s. Scrapped 1969, I think it was. Either way, she teaches at the Kyrenaian Naval Academy in Surya, ASW-Tactics.” I smiled and turned over a steak. “She and I regularly get together for a few drinks and sharing stories. She and I even sailed together a few times way back when and it were fun times. She usually calls via smart phone, it's cheaper and easier then some paratechnology or some bullshit like that.”
I turned another steak.
“Now, Naval Base Surya, that is one impressive installation!”, I said, pointing my tongs at them, then turning back to the grill, “You see, the harbour goes back a couple of millennia and is centered around that ancient, cool citadel from the Kyrenaian Golden Age. It houses a museum nowadays, one of the best naval history museums I know of – they even have several replica vessels, a Bagala and four Jaras-Types, all showing the different stages of development of them. And let me tell you, the quartet are quite interesting characters!”
If they could rave on and on with their acquaintances, so could I.

Constantine replied to Dragan calmly, "And that's where you are wrong about Castle Langley. Castle Langley is literally an offshore structure, looking like an oil rig on the outside. Underwater, however, it's actually a whole facility, designed by the Coalition fairy forces. And it's paratechnology, which were techs that incorporated the anomalous into its design and can be replicated."

Constantine was about to say more when she was contacted by....someone. "Hold up, NSCS Atlas is contacting me," she said before pulling out a tablet which comes with the flag of the New Roman Empire.

Constantine said, "NSCS Atlas, what's it do you wish to talk about?" On the screen was a shipboy resembling NCS Atlas, but far more stern and dead serious. The uniform matches the same military uniform worn by NCS Atlas, but on where the SS collar patches should have been there were to different patches: on the right collar is a flag of a then-unknown nation, which is black-white-red (with a red line horizontally crossing the much larger horizontal black rectangle).

On the left collar patch is appear to be a flag of a military unit. The flag is basically teal with a compass rose logo on a white circle. Superimposed on the top half is the words "ATLAS EXPEDITIONARY FLEET", and the bottom one has the words "VIVA LA VIDA - LONG LIVE LIFE".

"Yes, Constantine. I want you to to let Atlas and Alexander know that I have orders for them once more. In a few days they are to lead their respective fleets in a military exercise, codenamed BLUE THUNDER, involving elements of the Imperial Roman, Imperial Fusoan, Novayan, United North American States, Imperial Zeitschen, Chinese, Bravnekan
Britannian, and Gallian navies. The Romagnans, Kurds and South Amerigons were also involved in Exercise BLUE THUNDER as well as elements of the International Union Paranormal Forces Coalition and the Alliance."

"Is there anything else I would know?" Constantine asked. "Yes, Constantine," relied NSCS Atlas, "Expeditionary Fleets: Multiversarus is now releasing a free DLC." "Do we get new ships, stuffs and whatever?" Asked Constantine . "Yes, especially those from Star Wars Legends. We'll play the game once we have free time Exercise BLUE THUNDER commenced."

[Cartoonia]

SS Arashi

Staring out at the ocean and lost in thought Arashi was brought again to attention when someone called out to her "Oh..." A classy looking older woman, older than her even, ironic given Arashi's design but how could she resist a kind invitation? "I'd be delighted to, ma'am. Guess I am a little lonesome with my girls out and about and only me right now."

“I understand completely. I often felt lonesome too when I was transferred from my sisters to a new line, but of course, one does what one must my dear” Fascination replied. “But I am sure your girls are doing just fine. Oh, pardon me darling. Where are my manners. My name is Fascination, one of the darlings of the old Pacific-Oriental Steam Navigation Company”. And as the two liners were conversing, the two cruisers began to talk among themselves.

SDFS Searc.
Fascination told us about her amenities and her time as a military vessel (Screamh the Elder would have a few stories about being a troop transport as well, but mostly, we had dedicated vessels for that, even if not enough by a wide margin), before Rosemary took my attention with a comment about the gunnery competition and asking about what Bruineall was like.
Fascination called another girl (well, more like a shipwoman) over.
I answered Rosemary: “Bruineall is one of our Maighdean-class Guided Missile Cruisers. A few years in commission, by now, a good lass. The Sea Explorers love her, she's their Cool Big Sis.” I chuckled at that. “I'm sorry, but I'd have to get to know you better before I can tell you, if you are anything like Bruineall. At a glance, though, I think you two would get along.”
As Arashi came over, I whispered to Rosemary: “What do you say, do we leave the two liners to their own shoptalk and do some shop-talking on our own?”
I might have been commissioned in 1933, I was decommissioned in 1976 and my hull had been scrapped in 1979 and I had gone through two upgrades, including the addition of guided missiles and a few other fun things.

SDFS Cailín.
“And maybe you'll teach me a few things, too!”, I said with a cheer, our heroic posing lasting long enough for Maighdean to stealthily shoot an image with her smartphone. “That is a big part of being a Sea Explorer – knowing, that everyone has something to learn and to teach.”
I then stepped to her, grinning.
“I'd be happy to make you a Sea Explorer one day! But for now...” I grinned and turned to the path into the jungle. “...adventure awaits!”
Maighdean and the other older-looking shipboys and shipgirls chuckled.

SDFS F-4 Roc.
So, Otome... vintage 2007 (thus 78 years younger then me), sea-going paddle steamer with auxiliary sails, four of them, more then her mother and her sister. She was a bit of a romantic, judging by her words, but also keenly aware of her role and her purpose.
I chuckles.
“I can imagine.”, I told her, “According to a friend of mine, some tourists even like to be 'raided'...” I made the air quotes. “...by pirates, too, even hire them for the experience.” I shrugged. “If they like it.”
I let a beat pass.
“It has been a long time since I saw a paddle-wheel steamer.”, I added, “A long time ago, coastal shipping around the Mainland and the Archipelago was dominated by paddle-wheelers, be it ferry services or cargo. Of course, there were the normal ferries and there were the one built to more luxurious standards, a bit like the ocean liners of the day. And there were even a few yachts.” I smiled at an old memory. “The largest ship of the SDF-Navy when it was founded in 1920 was indeed a paddle-wheel steamer, a vessel of Wembury's Water Police by the name of Crúba Sionnaighi, we just called her Crúba. She's not here today, as far as I know, she takes her job as a museum ship too serious for, I quote, 'gallivanting off and shaking my stern', end quote. She was a strict teacher in her day as an artillery school ship.”

“I don’t suppose why not, those two are having fun” Rosemary replied. “Anyway, what is there to say about myself. I was commissioned in the 1980s, when the Cartoon Navy needed to revitalize the naval forces, including the decommissioning of old battleships and battlecruisers, some of which have served since the 1950s. I was of the first design of the Village Class, designated CG-45. I went on tour for a few months in the Equestria Sea during a few conflicts there before being refitted with a few modern missiles. I have a photo with me” she says as brings out a photo of her refitting trials. In that photo, she is wearing her naval combat uniform and carries a black backpack which holds a number of missiles, coming from the top is a BGM-109 Tomahawk.

[AHSCA]

“I understand completely. I often felt lonesome too when I was transferred from my sisters to a new line, but of course, one does what one must my dear” Fascination replied. “But I am sure your girls are doing just fine. Oh, pardon me darling. Where are my manners. My name is Fascination, one of the darlings of the old Pacific-Oriental Steam Navigation Company”. And as the two liners were conversing, the two cruisers began to talk among themselves.

"Arashi." She introduced herself after Fascination introduced herself. "I'm of the Kenzaki Steamers line, out of AHSCA. One of the first in the post-war years that wasn't built on sail power only. Nothing wrong with the gals of the winds, they're all fine women. Also sounds like you too are a civilan liner, I'm happy if that is so, it seemed like only the battled hardened ships are here tonight. Not that I have any issue with the defenders of the seas. Tell me, Fascination, you find yourself our way down on our little corner of Greater Dienstad?"

SDFS Cailín.
I grinned at Uta.
“I'd love to get to know you more!”, I said as we followed my big sister into the forest, “And to tell you about me, too. But I want to see and explore your homeland with you without too much prior knowledge, much like you are now.” I grinned. “It's more exciting that way!”
We walked a few steps.
Small groups formed, people sticking together by units or favouritism.
“Fire away with almost any question!”, I asked of Uta.

SDFS F-4 Roc.
“Oh, she certainly doesn't!”, I agreed with a grin, “With age comes wisdom and she is certainly one of the wisest Kanmusu I know...” I smiled sheepishly at Otome and shrugged. “Not to mention, that she is a looker, but I am only a guy.”
I took a spoon of ice.
“I will say this, though, if you ever get the chance to meet Rhi, the Rhi of my generation that is, do not be afraid to ask her anything.”, I advised Otome, “She is not only fierce and wise, she also likes to share her experiences with those, who approach her with honesty in their hearts and respect in their actions.”
The spoon vanished in my mouth.

Uta

Uta laughed a little , "You do have a point about that, the adventure is truly in not knowing much about a far off place. To tell you the truth, I did the same before coming here. Against the advice of mother and big sis, I really didn't study much about the Freelands so I could kind of learn while here. Here is a small portion, I know but I can still learn. Mmmm..." What question was best to start with, that's tough. "Well about you as a ship girl for starters? I mean I think you gave me the rundown of your gear and equipment but maybe that aside what do you aspire? You're military grade so I'm sure you want to be an advent defender of the mighty seas? Or maybe something more simple like tell me a favorite adventure on the high seas"


Arashi

Arashi was head overheels with just picturing this woman and admiring her. "Ah my, to meet her would mean I was in the presence of greatness. I bet even mama would love to meet her as well. Oh you gotta introduce me!" she blinked "Ehhe sorry, I'm getting carried away, forgive me for being so forward like that. Not a proper classy ship of my caliber to be doing."

[The Selkie]

Rogavis shook his head and brought himself back to reality. "Not nice is a small understatement," he laughed, "But it could've been far worse. I managed to make it through 'cause of my friend who gave my engines a patch job. An aircraft carrier named Emperor's Light. He visited me whenever he was in port. He also escorted me halfway here before turning back." He put a finger to his chin, "I think he had to go through maintenance today, so he couldn't take me all the way. But I still appreciate that he took time to help me."

Rogavis put his palm parallel to his brow to blot out the sun. He had spent more time in the sun that day than in the rest of his life. 'It would be nice if it weren't so hot,' he thought as he sat. He pondered Seraphiel's kind offer. "Yeah. If you could give me another patch job before I leave, it would be nice. Though, what is an installation type? I've spent too much time in a concrete dock. I have forgotten about what most ship types do. I can only remember that destroyers are supposed to shoot at things." He laughed once more.

RKN Seraphiel.
I smiled.
“Aren't we all built for that?”, I asked rhetorically. The difference between me and him was, that I had done so, he apparently not. “Installation Types aren't shippersons like the two of us per se. They follow similar principles, but they are, as the name suggests, installations.” I shrugged. “Technically, this is a naval yard of the SDF-Navy, and former pirate base, but Caja, that's the name she usually goes by when she doesn't want to be called Cartreffa Island, is quite alright.”
I let a beat pass.
“I'm sure, that she'd be happy to help you.”, I added for good measure.

MRS Mahine (D43), MRAS Majestic (A246)

---

Naval Yard Cartreffa Island

Mahine and Majestic hadn't expected to have good, warm food anytime soon. If you told the two of them 48 hours prior that they'd be dining like princesses, the former would have laughed, and the latter might have suspected sea-induced madness. The two were part of a larger task force- were, with Majestic's cargo intended to resupply an allied war effort across the ocean with critical supplies produced back in Meridon proper. The destroyer had spent nearly 12 hours straight in combat batting off air raids from their flanks, alongside the three other surface combatants in the escort group. The girl had began to comprehend her vision in the reds of her night lit CIC iconography by the time dawn broke over that cloudy ocean- spent in both munitions and spirit. Majestic, for her part, had kept the destroyer resupplied with anti-aircraft missiles that were supposed to be enough for a carrier task group's escort to resupply. Her stocks counted four Aster 30 and eleven 15's by the time they pulled into dock- that wasn't to mention the amount of decoys and chaff she used, the metallic flakes still clinging in her hair like dust despite her attempts to rinse it with seawater.

The girl had shown for her actions when she pulled into Cartreffa reeking of sulfur, her VLS bays covered in oil and soot and her starboard Goalkeeper's barrels warped beyond recognition. Majestic had done her best to make her look presentable for the arrival, but it wasn't happening, and the destroyer met the reception party in a regrettably uncouth state.

"But at least we're on solid ground, aren't we, Mahi?" Majestic opened a conversation with her companion, who had in the end managed to clean up a bit more. The bags under Mahi's eyes had yet to dissapate fully, but she was for the most part, clean. She had opted for short shorts and a crop top for this more casual gathering, while the refueler's longer dress grew slightly damp from the waterborne ceremony, beadlets of ocean still dripping from the hem as she emerged back onto the stands.

"..Yeah.. and this place has character. Reminds me of that time on Sophia Island, a few months past..."

"Hmm, Marin's commisioning party?" The tanned destroyer mused, who received a smile and a nod of confirmation from the destroyer. "That was a rager, wasn't it? Poor girl was out of it for the next two days."

"Talking about getting out of it, I think it's about time I go looking for something to drink that isn't water or energy drinks.." Mahine was a connoisseur of all things liquid- alcohol or not, she was the type of girl who hardly could stand plain water, even though she drank it regularly. Her drinkmixing skills were a good chunk of the reason that Marin Bay, mentioned earlier, went out for so long, after all.

While Majestic herself wasn't quite fond of alcohol, relegating it to social functions and only then in moderation- she reasoned that she had well earned a drink in this occasion.

SDFS Mór.
When Caja had called us together, we had responded immediately and assembled at the Pontoon Harbour.
There was combat nearby, not close enough to be a threat to anyone but the participants, but still... someone was shooting at someone else. And that was bad, mainly because two of the participants were coming towards us.
Communication further established, that they were friendly, two girls by the names of Mahine and Majestic, and that they had spend the night fighting. Caja wanted to welcome them personally, and wanted us nearby to provide assistance.
With me were a few of my sisters, Adhbaile and Tocht, and, of course, Caja.
The Installation Type in Maid Bikini stood at the front, us three behind her, all three of us in swimsuits and ready to help the two haggard-looking girls – sure, they most assuredly could use a trip to a spa, maybe Nocht going to town on them with his gigantic magic massage hands, but it was understandable.
Caja alone was enough to stop entire fleets, so having a dedicated warship with us was unnecessary, even if one of the two caused problem.
And as they arrived in the Pontoon Harbour, they were instructed to our pier, Caja stepping forward: “Welcome to Cartreffa Island – I'm Caja, your host. First, and maybe most importantly of all, are you two injured?”

It was a stupid question, and she knew it - it only made her feel even more foolish when Marcharnnau's response was as if she was speaking to a child. Although, her and An's ages were far enough apart to where that wouldn't be entirely out of the realm of questioning. "Ah, of course. I'm sorry, It's um.. they're uh.. different from the ones we have back home, so I wasn't sure." Technically the truth, but she didn't know that. When did her handlers ever let her out to the public?

The moment she turned towards the changing rooms, her new acquaintance patted her gently on the shoulder. It was a friendly little gesture, and it probably didn't mean anything in particular, but An's eyes immediately lit up. It was the first time she could remember that someone was actually being nice to her, that someone had actually accepted her as a person, and not as some supposed homicidal machine not to be trusted by its own creators.

A short minute later, she reappeared in front of her new friend, now sporting the red shirt. While it was a little large in certain areas, it fit her well regardless. She did feel a tad awkward wearing it - her regular attire was stereotypically Aaaaaan to a fault, and no one back home has clothing that's actually well tailored, to the point where she felt like she wasn't even wearing a top, but some strange alternative to clothing. It felt good to wear, and that was the strangest part.

"So, what're we doing now?"

Marcharnnau.
Of course I had no idea that An thought of my explanation as if I had spoken to a child – that had not been my intention, but me patting her shoulder had been meant as an encouraging friendly gesture.
That it had this tremendous meaning for her, I did not know either.
An's story was not a happy one.
In either case, with the new shirt, she looked better. Her shirt from before had been quite worn and old, but while this one was not young, it was well cared for. It looked good on her.
I smiled at the question: “Well, that depends a bit on you... do you want to join Ganembearn in her project of building a Sand Harbour Fort, and by what looks like an entire landscape...” I directed her attention to the area of busy sand architecturing, where several structures were starting to rise, while several teams were busy at work. “...or we get a good look around, maybe have a drink or ice cream, and see, if we can't find a nice shiplad or two.”
I winked at the last one.

Constantine replied to Dragan calmly, "And that's where you are wrong about Castle Langley. Castle Langley is literally an offshore structure, looking like an oil rig on the outside. Underwater, however, it's actually a whole facility, designed by the Coalition fairy forces. And it's paratechnology, which were techs that incorporated the anomalous into its design and can be replicated."

Constantine was about to say more when she was contacted by....someone. "Hold up, NSCS Atlas is contacting me," she said before pulling out a tablet which comes with the flag of the New Roman Empire.

Constantine said, "NSCS Atlas, what's it do you wish to talk about?" On the screen was a shipboy resembling NCS Atlas, but far more stern and dead serious. The uniform matches the same military uniform worn by NCS Atlas, but on where the SS collar patches should have been there were to different patches: on the right collar is a flag of a then-unknown nation, which is black-white-red (with a red line horizontally crossing the much larger horizontal black rectangle).

On the left collar patch is appear to be a flag of a military unit. The flag is basically teal with a compass rose logo on a white circle. Superimposed on the top half is the words "ATLAS EXPEDITIONARY FLEET", and the bottom one has the words "VIVA LA VIDA - LONG LIVE LIFE".

"Yes, Constantine. I want you to to let Atlas and Alexander know that I have orders for them once more. In a few days they are to lead their respective fleets in a military exercise, codenamed BLUE THUNDER, involving elements of the Imperial Roman, Imperial Fusoan, Novayan, United North American States, Imperial Zeitschen, Chinese, Bravnekan
Britannian, and Gallian navies. The Romagnans, Kurds and South Amerigons were also involved in Exercise BLUE THUNDER as well as elements of the International Union Paranormal Forces Coalition and the Alliance."

"Is there anything else I would know?" Constantine asked. "Yes, Constantine," relied NSCS Atlas, "Expeditionary Fleets: Multiversarus is now releasing a free DLC." "Do we get new ships, stuffs and whatever?" Asked Constantine . "Yes, especially those from Star Wars Legends. We'll play the game once we have free time Exercise BLUE THUNDER commenced."

SDFS Dragan.
I chuckled at Constantine's reply, but just as I wanted to answer, they got their call.
Thus, I pointed my tongs at her and said: “Later, after your group call.”
And as the four of them huddled around for their group call, I served other customers.
A few Scoths got themselves a piece of meat for a start, their older sibling figures shepherding them with care and smiles, Dochassa got herself a plate of grilled vegetables, Maor and Sealgaire (the helicopter carriers) got themselves and a few friends a few things to snack on during the Carrier Meetup.
The three of us fired a few quick comments at each other, which got the notoriously not-smiling Sealgaire to chuckle.
Ochtapas, with her tentacle hair making a few people keep a few centimetres more in distance, got herself grilled fish, even if she insisted in small ones.
The two Teressian cruisers Admiral vom Kyrschsee and Admiral vom Kyrschsee (yes, name siblings) got themselves one Bacon Bomb each – for them and the three Lattenzaun-class Corvettes, which had accompanied them.
And then, there was Rhiannon the Elder, the light cruiser of high renown, the blonde in the green swimsuit rocked it, despite being close to a century old. She did have the advantage of being an ageless shipgirl (well, shipwoman, there were enough shipboys, who made sure of that), though, so while Alexander would forever look like a Middle Schooler, Rhiannon was a woman still turning heads.
The green halterneck one-piece swimsuit with golden highlights and a deep cleavage, a light, white overcoat loosely hanging on her shoulders.
“Serving as a radio beacon, ey, Dragan?”, she asked and motioned into the direction of the quartet engrossed into their telepathy phone call or whatever, “Thought the Nochts didn't have that powerful of a radio suite...”
“We don't.”, I admitted, “They're using telepathy, paratech and other expensive horseshit instead of the good ol' phones.”
“If it works for them...”, Old Lady Rhi (don't call her that unless you have either a death wish, a firepower advantage or a range advantage, preferably all three) said with a shrug, “...I prefer my telephone. It even has a rotary dial.”
“The most important part.”, I agreed with a nod, “What can I get you, Rhi?”
“Steak.”, Rhi told me, a smile spreading on her face, “A big, fat, thick, juicy...” I looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “What?”
“That's what she said.”
“Gods, that meme is old!”, she burst out with a laugh, then pointed to a piece of meat on the grill, “That one looks good.”
Of course, it was the biggest, fattest, thickest, juiciest steak on the grill.
And of course, Old Lady Rhi got it.

[...]

“I don’t suppose why not, those two are having fun” Rosemary replied. “Anyway, what is there to say about myself. I was commissioned in the 1980s, when the Cartoon Navy needed to revitalize the naval forces, including the decommissioning of old battleships and battlecruisers, some of which have served since the 1950s. I was of the first design of the Village Class, designated CG-45. I went on tour for a few months in the Equestria Sea during a few conflicts there before being refitted with a few modern missiles. I have a photo with me” she says as brings out a photo of her refitting trials. In that photo, she is wearing her naval combat uniform and carries a black backpack which holds a number of missiles, coming from the top is a BGM-109 Tomahawk.

SDFS Searc.
That was a cruise missile.
And a pretty big one as well. Were Rosemary a shipboy, I would be asking, if she was compensating for something, but alas... I nodded.
“Cool.”, I told her, “I was commissioned in 1933. We Cailleach-class Light Cruisers were originally intended as a replacement as a plan for three heavy cruisers did not materialize and the Navy needed vessels to lead sloops and for another few roles. We were, at the time, some of the fastest ships of our size and, when the first upgrades rolled out, we were among the first to get them, me and my eight siblings. We even got missiles, with single-arm launchers, which was quite an interesting experience, lemme tell you...”
My hotpants had pockets, but I did not have photo of myself in them, or my smartphone. Well, I didn't have anything in them, but that was another question...

[...]
Uta

Uta laughed a little , "You do have a point about that, the adventure is truly in not knowing much about a far off place. To tell you the truth, I did the same before coming here. Against the advice of mother and big sis, I really didn't study much about the Freelands so I could kind of learn while here. Here is a small portion, I know but I can still learn. Mmmm..." What question was best to start with, that's tough. "Well about you as a ship girl for starters? I mean I think you gave me the rundown of your gear and equipment but maybe that aside what do you aspire? You're military grade so I'm sure you want to be an advent defender of the mighty seas? Or maybe something more simple like tell me a favorite adventure on the high seas"


Arashi

Arashi was head overheels with just picturing this woman and admiring her. "Ah my, to meet her would mean I was in the presence of greatness. I bet even mama would love to meet her as well. Oh you gotta introduce me!" she blinked "Ehhe sorry, I'm getting carried away, forgive me for being so forward like that. Not a proper classy ship of my caliber to be doing."

SDFS Cailín.
“Hm...”, I made, ...what sort of shipgirl was I or wanted to be?
It'd be simple enough to tell her one of the many stories I had, for instance the time we had made a port call in Zieselhaven, being welcomed by Prince Alrich and his girlfriend and the Prince greeted us in Selkie, but instead of 'Good Morning', he greeted us with 'Good Mule', both words being pretty similar in Selkie.
But how to phrase, what sort of shipgirl I wanted to be?
I haven't told Uta everything about my equipment, and I'd have to sink her, if I would tell her the really fun parts, but that didn't bring me closer to an answer to my question.
And then, I found out, found my answer.
I looked at Uta with a wide grin.
“I want to be the kind of shipgirl Captain Máthrachas pets the head of often!”, I said almost triumphantly.

SDFS F-4 Roc.
I chuckled.
“No need to apologize, Arashi.”, I told her with a smile, “An honest word is worth more then a thousand hidden phrases.” I scooped up more ice. “I'd love to introduce you and your mother to Rhi and I am sure, that she'd love to make your acquaintance as well.”
Besides, if I were acting properly for a shipboy of my caliber, I'd be planning on how to torpedo Arashi and she was far too sweet of a young woman for that.
“Maybe even to both, if we can get the chance.” I considered the spoon. “She might be young, but Young Miss Rhi is an interesting acquaintance as well.”

[The Grand Western Empire]

RKN Seraphiel.
I smiled.
“Aren't we all built for that?”, I asked rhetorically. The difference between me and him was, that I had done so, he apparently not. “Installation Types aren't shippersons like the two of us per se. They follow similar principles, but they are, as the name suggests, installations.” I shrugged. “Technically, this is a naval yard of the SDF-Navy, and former pirate base, but Caja, that's the name she usually goes by when she doesn't want to be called Cartreffa Island, is quite alright.”
I let a beat pass.
“I'm sure, that she'd be happy to help you.”, I added for good measure.

"I suppose we are all built to destroy things, just in different ways. A carrier uses bombers, a destroyer uses missiles, and battleships use cannons...But thinking of us as people is more pleasant than thinking about what we were built for-" Rogavis' mind suddenly ground to a halt. He ran Seraphiel's words through his head again. More particularly, he thought about the words, "when she doesn't want to be called Cartreffa Island." Did that mean... "Nah, that's too crazy to be true," Rogavis thought, "But maybe I should check..."

"Is...is the installation type, Caja, the island? Is the island we are standing on a giant boat?" Rogavis asked as he looked at the ground like he expected it to talk. If it did, he would either be scared or intrigued. The idea of a ship that took the form of an island was something of ancient tales. He had heard some bizarre things from an aircraft carrier named Million Virtues, who was so nice he bordered on being obnoxious. But they were all myths and legends Virtues had heard while being deployed across the sea. An actual island-sized ship was the kind of thing someone would say as a joke. "But, that question aside, if you would take me to Caja to be patched up, I'd be grateful. Being able to move like I once did would be... Nice," Rogavis said with a smile.