FIRST PERSON POINT OF VIEW
After saving the aircraft carriers, we joined the fleet of destroyers that escaped from the battle. Since they were newcomers, it would be imprudent to send them to the front line. Now, I talk with them.
Javelin: It's strange that a submarine has saved us.
Me: Why? Submarines are the snipers of the ocean. We are silent hunters waiting for the prey to fall into our trap.
Allen: That's incredible. What else do submarines do?
Me: Serve as a deterrent and combat drug trafficking
Allen: Drug trafficking? What is that? What does it have to do with?
Me: It's a criminal organization that poisons society worldwide, or rather, in my world.
Allen: I had forgotten that you are from another world.
In the distance, I can see that Langley and Essex are looking at me with a lot of suspicion. They seem like they will remain hostile towards me until a decision is made about whether I am telling the truth or not. While sailing towards the destroyer fleet, I had told Essex and Langley about my current situation while weaving in some white lies to turn my incredible story into a more believable one. In our conversations, I mentioned that I am a submarine from the future of an alternate reality and that I was transported to this world. I also revealed some things about my world, such as the two wars, the technology of my world, and the absence of kansen and sirens. After a long explanation, they seemed to ease up a bit, but it looks like they still have some lingering suspicions.
Me: (I still don't know what that mental cube thing is that reveals my identity.)
Allen: How was your move, and what was it like to have your own human body?
Me: I was docked in the port, and my crew had a day off. Many of them traveled to visit their families, while a few guards stayed behind to watch over me. Suddenly, a storm began, causing all my moorings to break loose due to the violent waves. Everything happened in a matter of seconds. Everyone was surprised, and out of nowhere, I found myself here. I have no more memories of how I came here. Later, in this world, I realized I have a human body, and I could control my ship at will. I could also make my ship smaller and ride it like a jet ski. (Excited) It's incredible! (It's all a lie to make my story more believable. I'm sorry, girls, for lying to you.)
Allen: (Excited) "I understand you so much!
Allen and I high-fived as if we were comrades, while the others looked at us with strange eyes.
Hunter: Is it really as incredible as you say? I do enjoy sailing with my rigging, but reaching such a level of excitement... has never happened to me.
Me: It seems like you don't enjoy the sensation of your skin touching the sea, being able to see everything beneath the ocean. It's an impressive feeling. In my previous life, I used to hate my life as a submarine. It's a very dangerous job, and any mistake could cost you and your entire crew. It's all dark, you can't see, and you can only rely on your ears. But coming here expanded my horizons and made me enjoy being a submarine. It was the first time I loved being a submarine... (Expression of reaching nirvana)
Hunter: Wow, (How unpleasant is that face).
Essex: Ladies, we're almost reaching the base, Columbia, you'll stay offshore while we talk to the commander before you can stay at the base. Does that sound good to you?
Me: Okay, no problem for me.
Langley: You girls, will accompany Columbia in the meantime.
The destroyers nod happily; it seems they are excited to spend time with me.
Me: Are you really going to leave these newcomers watching over me? What if I am hostile to you?
Langley: Are you really hostile?
Me: No, I never attack unless it's in self-defense.
Langley: It's just so they can accompany you. Do you want to be bored while you wait?
Me: You're welcome. Thank you for your understanding.
After a while, we arrived at the base. Essex and Langley went out while the rest of us stayed behind, chatting
Allen: Indeed, you seem like someone who has been in many battles. How many have you been in
Me: (making hand gestures) Ah... well... I... how do I put it?
Allen: 20?
Javelin: (Excited) Wow, that's incredible! It's clear you're a very skilled submarine. Could you teach me how to increase my attack power?
Me: The answer is quite simple, by improving your long-range aiming skills, predicting your enemy's movements, and preventing your enemy from deciphering your future actions. When using torpedoes, you should know when to fire a decoy barrage and a real barrage. By applying all of these, you can inflict serious damage to the enemy.
Javelin: That is very useful.
After some conversations where I gave instructions on how to improve their skills, I was called by Essex, who is at the port. So, I walk towards the port while some Kansen look at me somewhat confused. Well, it's obvious they would look at me this way; they had never seen me until now, and it's understandable.
After walking for a good while around the base, we arrive at the door of the commander's office. Essex knocks on the door, and after receiving authorization from a woman inside the office, Essex opens the door, and we enter.
Upon entering the office, I could see Wales behind the desk, while sitting on the couch were Illustrious and Cleveland. All three girls looked at me.
Wales: Please, have a seat.
I nod and take a seat beside Cleveland.
Wales: My name is Prince of Wales; I am the commander of this base. It's a pleasure to meet you.
Me: (A British Kansen as a commander on American territory? That does sound quite unusual)
Illustrious: My name is Illustrious, it's a pleasure.
Cleveland: I'm Cleveland, and I'm an assistant to Wales. It's a pleasure to meet you.
Me: My name is USS District of Columbia, the lead submarine of my class. It's a pleasure to meet all of you.
Cleveland is surprised by my name.
Cleveland: Do you go by Columbia? My sister has the same name as you.
Me: I inherited the name from the light cruiser Columbia. I don't know if Miss Essex has informed you or not, but I come from an alternate world—a world without sirens, without Kansen, and where most armed conflicts are nearly resolved.
Wales: Yes, I've heard from Essex that you come from 2032. It was hard to believe, but that serious and concerned expression on your face makes it difficult to tell if you're lying. For now, I'll believe you.
Me: Thank you.
Wales: Before we proceed, I want you to place your hand on this mental cube.
Wales places a white mental cube on the table. With some hesitation, I put my hand on the cube. The cube glows blue and then fades.
Me: What is this cube?
Wales: This cube reads the statistics of the Kansen. It also serves to unmask Siren spies who disguise themselves as Kansen.
Me: I see.
Later, Wales asked me about my world, and I shared everything I knew about it. I also mentioned our technological superiority but omitted specifics about my weapons, such as offensive power, maximum speed, and range. I also avoided providing information about nuclear reactors. I only shared innocuous details about my weapons, like their names and general information. They inquired about my maximum speed, to which I simply replied it's over 15 knots. Afterward, Wales provided me with basic information about this world, including the war against the Sirens and how the Kansen were created.
What surprises me the most is that they still don't know the composition of regular mental cubes, and they told me that the creation of the Kansen was a mere accident. It reminds me a lot of the creation of Penicillin. This world has many plot conveniences. Well, who am I to criticize this?
After talking for almost 2 hours about my situation, it was ultimately decided that I would join Azur Lane.
Wales: It will be a pleasure to work with you, Columbia.
Cleveland: We have to think about how to address you to avoid confusion with my younger sister.
Me: Hmm, you're right. How about... Arcadia?
Cleveland: Arcadia?
Me: Yes, because this submarine is my ark of salvation; it represents my youth spent in Arcadia. What do you think?
Cleveland: It sounds somewhat philosophical, but I like it.
To be continued