The Engineer

Chapter V: The Queen Commands and We Obey

Douglas holds up his hands in peace. "Just checking to make sure is all."

Collins runs a hand down his face and sighs. "Even so, that was tactless of me. My apologies, Douglas."

"You need not apologize to me, Edward." Says Douglas. "But maybe you should at least say something to the Commander. You were a bit harsh with her."

"Perhaps I was, but that doesn't make my points invalid." States Collins. "The budget for the dorms alone is egregiously high, far more than it needs to be. Not even admirals like myself are given such lavish housing. Not to mention the fact..."

"I get it." Douglas interrupts. "So, what are you going to do?"

Collins ponders on this for a moment before coming to a decision. "I need to make a phone call."

(Scene)

Hood was sitting in one of the chairs within the Shikikan's office, her mind a sea of turmoil. It has been almost half an hour since Douglas had left the office, and she wasn't sure if he would be coming back.

'What do I do? I know I only just met him, but I feel like I can't bear the thought of not seeing him again.' She thinks to herself.

At the sound of the office door opening, Hood looks up to see both Collin and Douglas, as well as Amagi, enter.

The Shikikan, who was sitting her desk chair, quickly stood. "Admiral, I..."

Collins holds his hand up, silencing the commander. "I have spoken to the Admiralty board. I have given my report, to which they agree wholeheartedly."

"And... what report is that sir?" The Shikikan asks with trepidation.

"That all is well, and they have nothing to worry about," Collins says with a smile.

Both the Shikikan and the shipgirls gave visible sighs of relief.

"Also, from this day forth, I am to be stationed here as an advisor to the commander, while Douglas will become your new Chief Engineer."

"WHAT?!" Yells the Shikikan in surprise.

"When did I agree to that, exactly?" Asks Douglas.

"Is that going to be a problem?" Collins asks the Shikikan with a raised eyebrow.

The Shikikan straightens her stance, "No sir, no problem at all."

"Good." Says Collins. "Finally, there will be a few changes around here. First of all, the budget for the dorms will be cut in half."

"WHAT?!" Yells a furious Queen Elizabeth. "Who are you to say such things!"

"Last I checked my status as an Admiral of the Royal Navy." Deadpans Collins. "What is your excuse?"

"I am the Queen!"

"Of what exactly?" Asks Collins.

"The Royal Navy!"

"There is no such position," Collin states bluntly.

"W-What?! How dare you!"

Douglas rolls his eyes at the escalating conversation, having none of it. "Before you declare war on each other, can someone show me where I will be sleeping tonight? I got a lot of work in the morning."

"I know of a place." Says Hood, getting up from her chair and moving to stand by Douglas's side, gracefully hooking her arm with Douglas's left arm. "There is a nice little cottage that overlooks the base that just so happens to be in need of a resident."

"How wonderful!" Says Amagi cheerfully, taking Douglas's right arm. "Shall we?"

Douglas looks at the two ladies for a moment, then shrugs his shoulders. "Well, ma always told to never refuse a lady's invitation. Lead on."

(Scene)

And that my friends, concludes the first arc of our story.

You see, the way I want this story to go is to have every five chapters be an 'arc', as it were. These first five chapters being sort of an introduction arc, which entailed getting Douglas to Azur Lane and having him become Chief Engineer.

So now we will be moving on to the second arc of this story, which will take place about one week after the first. It shall be called 'The Frozen Maiden Arc'. I will leave what that title means to your imagination.

I am thinking of making Collins a sort of deuteragonist for this story. He was originally supposed to be only a conduit through which Douglas is able to get to Azur Lane, but I feel he as a character has outgrown that role and into his own.

Remember, if you have any questions, suggestions, or anything of that sort, please leave a review.

See you all next time!