Yuudachi growled and snarled at the silver haired girl as she took cover behind Prinz Eugen. The silver hair girl, as if not wanting to be outdone, glared back while hugging a tanned, heterochromia girl. For some reason, these two unidentified shipgirls approached Force Z-B. Both of them are skimpily dressed. The tanned one has a white piece of cloth covering her chest and a black cape. Her guns are mounted on two large claw-like constructs, with 'CA-35' written on them. The silver haired one is wearing a loose blue uniform that is letting her barely covered breast out.
"Admiral, what should we do?" (Prinz Eugen)
"Hiryuu, status?"
"Retreating at full battle speed. We are not being chased. Five minutes to the rendezvous point." (Hiryuu)
"Damn it! They got me again!" (Kawakaze)
"I'm really sorry, Souryuu." (Shouhou)
After a few more rounds of attacks, the fleet finally entered the Last Dance phase. This is the third time we failed to sink the Abyssal Mediterranean Princess and were forced to retreat, even after a prolonged night battle. It's always like this.
This time, Hiryuu, Souryuu, Kawakaze and Tama were severely damaged. Shouhou wasn't hurt but she suffered a severe equipment malfunction halfway through the battle. Her planes won't able to launch and fell into the water in their arrow form. She managed to retrieve them before they got were lost forever, with Souryuu getting hurt as a trade-off. Only Zuihou and Murasame were unscathed.
"No worries. Shit happens. It's not like we are in a rush to kill it for now. Once you're back, head to the docks and get yourselves repaired. Shouhou, go see Akashi first thing in the morning tomorrow to check and recalibrate your equipment. I want all of your to take the day off tomorrow. Just relax and rejuvenate yourselves.
"Roger." (All)
"Is the escape route secured?"
"Yes. No enemies in sight, nor is the radar picking up anything. Apart from these two." (Zara)
"Are they lost?"
"Erm... <Are you two lost?>" (Prinz Eugen)
"Japanese is fine. We learned it from Langley." (Tanned girl)
Ah. So they are not a pair of lost sheep. That makes things so much easier. But why is Yuudachi so confrontational towards the silver one?
"... I'm Indianapolis, second ship of the Portland-class. I apologize for any trouble my big sister is causing... We are from Azur Lane." (AL Indianapolis)
"I'm Portland, Indy's big sister." (AL Portland)
"What are you two doing here?" (Zara)
"We were on a commission when we noticed the abnormal amount of dark clouds and red sea." (AL Indianapolis)
"Oh. Don't worry. It's all under control. This area is under Abyssal influence. The dark clouds and red sea are a side-effect." (Prinz Eugen)
"...I see. We thought the Sirens were up to something again." (AL Indianapolis)
"Grrr....!" (Yuudachi)
"Yuudachi, what's wrong? Why are you so worked up for?" (Kumano)
"That girl is a monster poi! I already put up a white flag and she still shot me!" (Yuudachi)
Ah. Now I remember. The Yuudachi was sank by USS Portland during the Great War. Even though the Yuudachi had it's white flag up to signify it's surrender, the captain of USS Portland still ordered the attack.
This is bad!
"I have no idea what you're talking about. In the first place, why are you still trying to fight Indy when you have clearly surrendered?" (AL Portland)
"This is just a white hammock poi! It's not a white flag!" (Yuudachi)
"Alright alright. Calm down. Let's go over there, shall we? Z-A is coming so let's greet and help them, 'kay?" (Suzuya)
Suzuya brought the enraged girl who is close to tears aside, and away from Portland.
"What's the deal with her? How dare she glare at Indy like that? Don't worry, Indy. I will make sure no one hurts your beautiful body." (AL Portland)
Portland snuggled against an obviously irate Indianapolis. Did that girl just completely missed the point as to why Yuudachi is so pissed?
"Anyhow, since this is under your control, we will be taking our leave then." (AL Indianapolis)
"Before that, let me tell you 135 cute things about my little sister!" (AL Portland)
She is all perked up all of a sudden. Something tells me they would not be able to come home if they let her begin.
"Try to shake her off."
"Hey, guys! What the-? Who are you people? Enemies?" (Hiryuu)
Force Z-A had regrouped with Prinz Eugen and the others. Portland's eye lit up,
"Great! More people to spread the word of Indy~!" (AL Portland)
"Eh?" (Zuihou)
"What did we just walk in on?" (Kawakaze)
"Guys, try to shake her off. Do not let her start talking."
"It's just some random babbling, right? It's not a big deal." (Pola)
"If she starts, you won't be able to drink that new bottle of Moet & Chandon tonight." (Pola)
"Let's get out of here now!" (Pola)
"Wait. Pola, you bought another Moet & Chandon?! How much did you spent this time?!" (Zara)
"Portland, I'm leaving you behind." (AL Indianapolis)
Indianapolis started moving away from my girls.
"Ahh! Wait for me, Indy! Don't leave me!" (AL Portland)
Portland chased after her little sister. I guess we are in the clear now? Thank you, Indianapolis!
"Alright, come back home. It's been a long day."
"Pola. You still haven't answered me yet. When did you buy another bottle of Moet & Chandon and how much did you spent on it?"
"Gh! Admiral, why did expose me like that?" (Pola)
"Admiral, how did you know that Pola bought another bottle of Moet & Chandon?" (Zara)
"She submitted the receipt for an expenses claim. It was-"
"Hold on. Not another word, please. Zara is going to sink me at this rate." (Pola)
"I won't sink you. I just won't let you drink anymore." (Zara)
"You might as well sink me." (Pola)
Some time later, the girls made it back. After a short debrief, I sent the injured girls to the docks while the others took their baths. I decided to calm an uncharacteristically depressed Yuudachi at the courtyard. It took her a while to stop crying. That encounter with Portland definitely brought back some traumatic memories.
Even Yuudachi can be this depressed. This is the first time I've seen her like this.
"There. There. That was scary, wasn't it? You're safe now."
"Scared is a bit..." (Yuudachi)
I pet her head as she clunged onto me. I think I can handle her the same way I calm Shigure after every nightmare attack. It took a few hours for her to calm down and by the time she did, it was already way past midnight. I accompanied her to her room and tucked her in for the night.
I slowly closed their bedroom door, so that I don't disturb the other two inside.
"Let's see... Should I pull an all-nighter again?"
I still need to submit a battle report. I want to sleep though.
I returned to my office. Hm? I don't remember switching off the lights before I left. Or did I?
There is some light coming through my ajar room door. Oh okay. I think I know who did this. I peeked inside. My bedside lamp is turned on. Zuihou is sleeping on my bed. She must have tried to stay awake while waiting for me but was too tired and fell asleep instead. She shouldn't have waited though.
I went into the bed myself, being careful not to wake her up. I gently poked her cheek.
"Mh..." (Zuihou)
Ah, crap. Did I wake her up?
Zuihou snuggled closer towards me, as if she knew I was beside her.
"Good night. Hm?"
Before I turned off the bedside lamp, I noticed something moving in my peripheral vision. A fairy in a hardhat waved at me, before standing at attention and saluting.
"What is it?"
The fairy pointed outside the window before gesturing me to follow her.
"What now?"
I followed the fairy as she led me to the gates. It's getting colder. Summer is going to be over soon.
Oh. Erm... I don't recall delivery services working till this late. Especially a military one. Waiting outside the gate was a Type 73 Ougata truck. It's basically an all-purpose truck used by the JSDF.
The two driver exited the vehicle and saluted,
"Good evening, Admiral Tokomaki. Sorry for the inconvenience. I'm Corporal Nagito. We are here to deliver the new equipment as per ordered by Yokosuka Naval HQ." (Corporal Nagito)
"I don't recall opting for a night delivery. You guys should have sent an email or letter that the equipment would be arriving this late."
"My apologies, Admiral. But we did send out an email stating that the delivery will occur at night." (Corporal Nagito)
"Well I didn't receive anything about this. Are you sure you guys sent it to the correct email?"
"I... I believe so." (Corporal Nagito)
"Show me the email thread."
The Corporal took out a tablet. After a while, he passed it to me. I took a look and immediately knew what had happened.
"Corporal, come over here. Take a look at this."
I walked to Nagito's side and showed him the email thread,
"What does this say? The one at the top."
"Erm..." (Corporal Nagito)
"Read it out for me. the whole thing."
"Delivery... has failed to these recipients or groups. Check to be sure the email address is correct..." (Corporal Nagito)
"The email addresses are wrong. The 'j' is missing from every address. No wonder it bounced."
"Um..." (Corporal Nagito)
"Whatever. Since you are here, might as well complete the milk run. Give me the list. Just know that I will be sending a strongly worded email to your logistics officer."
The storeroom fairies are out, ready to do some overtime work.
"How many crates?"
About 20 of them. Each containing one type of equipment." (Corporal Nagito)
I scrolled through the list. Ooh. I have been waiting for this.
"Follow the beacons to storeroom C."
"I'm sorry. What beacons are you referring to?" (Corporal Nagito)
The beacons on the ground turned on, lighting up a path for the truck. The fairies are running about, turning them on manually by hand. The two soldiers just stared in confusion. I knew it. They can't see them.
"If you could see them, you wouldn't be doing something like a late-night milk run."
I entered the truck with them. The truck drove and reversed into storeroom C. I got out of the vehicle and walked to the back. The two soldiers hurriedly exited and rushed to join me. The other soldier, looks like a Private seeing doesn't have any rank, removed the sheet covering the back and unlocked the tailgate.
"Okay. That's enough. We will handle the unloading. You two just relax over there."
"But Admiral, there are 20 heavy crates." (Private)
"That's an order. Now shoo. I will call you back shortly."
Once the two of them have disappeared behind the wall, the fairies got to work and removed the crates from the truck. If those two soldiers are witnessing this, they will be astonish, maybe scared shitless. Being unable to see or even sense the fairies, it will just look like the crates are floating on their own. I don't want to scare them shitless. It always amazes me how these tiny creatures have so much strength in them. They lifted the crates up with ease and set them on the ground in an orderly fashion. Before long, all 20 crates have been unloaded.
"Okay. You two can come back now."
The two of them came back, astonished.
"What the hell?" (Private)
"It's all thanks to my friends."
"Is this the work of the fairies?" (Corporal Nagito)
"You heard of them?"
"Yes. They are the supernatural beings that work together with shipgirls. Only those that can see the fairies are eligible to join the IJN and undergo special training to become a Officer." (Corporal Nagito)
"The training isn't that special. But yeah, being able to see the fairies is a prerequisite to join the IJN. And even if you could, the Officer route isn't the only path to choose. Anyway, get back to work. We better start taking stock or you will be here the whole night."
We cracked open the crates and checked the equipment. Not only do we need to check the quantity, but also for any defects. The fairies also helped to open and check the equipment. It startled the 2 of them. Who wouldn't freaked out when guns and planes suddenly start to float around you? As each equipment was taken out of the crates, more fairies appeared along with their corresponding equipment. After about an hour or so, every single piece of equipment has been checked and accounted for. I signed the transfer documents and passed it back to the corporal.
"Thank you. You may go now. Like before, just follow the beacons."
The 2 soldiers left with their truck.
It's already 3.30am. Oh well. I will just get some sleep and take a nap later. After thanking the fairies and sending them back to their quarters, I picked up a Tenzan Model 12A Kai along with it's fairy and brought it back with me. Zuihou is still fast asleep. I placed the plane on the night stand next to her and took out a small little bed for the fairy to sleep in.
"This will be your bed just for tonight. Let's give this one a little surprise."
The fairy nodded in excitement and shook my finger. After making sure the fairy is tucked in and comfortable, I finally switched off the bedside lamp.