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Chapter Text

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"3-7 Alphas. Greenlight to Checkpoint Whiskey." The voice spoke through the speakers. As I look down at the clear sky below and sees nothing but smog and desert. Everyone around me is somewhat nervous. We're dropping into a warzone.

"Are you guys all ready!?" I screamed at the soldiers inside the Osprey.

"YES, SIR!" The soldiers screamed back in agreement. But I can safely assume that they are still somewhat nervous about the thought of fighting down there with our lives on the line. You may be asking, isn't that what they signed up for? In that, I would answer: Yes. They're doing it for our country.

But realize that all of these people. My brothers have come from all sorts of livelihoods. Different backstories. Different reasons on why they joined this grueling, mentally exhausting job. Helping their respective families, to prove to themselves, and a plethora more of reasons on why they joined.

But there's one thing that ties them together no matter the backstory, the ethnicity, and moral code... They're here because they're patriots and want to protect our country.

"Wild Hogs! Greenlight!" I shout to my microphone, to signal my comrades that they need to jump despite if some of them are afraid of heights.

One by one, they all jump off the Osprey, and the speaker said that we need to hurry up because the Rally Point is getting farther and farther away from the plane's position.

One young soldier though was still hesitant to jump off the plane. And I'm not having any of that. So I walked up to the hesitant Private and told him:

"This is the real thing now, how about we go together? I push you off first?" I told the soldier playfully, but he didn't take it that way. And he was stuttering on his words and the voice behind the speaker had enough of us two and demanded us to jump off.

"Are we gonna be okay, Commander?" The young blood asked me. Wanting some reassurance. But I can't promise him that. This is war after all.

"We hold our own fate, and I have your back no matter what. So go get them!" I pushed the young soldier towards the clouds.

My name is Edrich Caster. Commander of my own task force named Wild Hogs. And we're going into hell. And just call me "Caster." I jumped off the Osprey last and we can't turn back now.

"Find your assigned buildings! We're escorting the VP codenamed: "Sun." I told everyone on the radio. "Time to kick ass! Hoorah?!"

"HOORAH!"

=================

"Great mission there Edrich. We are lined up for another big mission tomorrow, and this is the operation in order to win this war." A higher-up told me.

"No need for briefing, sir. I already know the mission." I told him which he made a confused face.

"Really? The intel sure spreads too fast. Plus, you've been on the field risking your life for the last 3 missions now. Are you sure that you aren't going to stay behind and command your task force that way?" Another question full of concern, I chuckle it off, just like I always have.

I didn't really answer the question. But it was a... Awkward interaction to say the least. But I walked away from the conversation leaving my higher-up... Waiting. Waiting for a response to that all-important question. In which I haven't answered since I became a Commander. To any other commander, it would be a sure-fire 'yes' but I really can't answer that. Not right now, not later, not in... Forever.

"The... sky..."

I looked at the warm-colored sky and pondered about my time before this. Then I walked to my left and continued walking while still looking at the sky. It was a rough, rough road before I got here. I lost both my parents from a disease that even the best doctors couldn't find a cure for, my sibling went on to go to Europe and decided to stay there, and I have no friends outside of the military. It's sad.

I also lost many of my comrades from battle, and some of them died in unspeakable ways that absolutely break the rules of the Modern War. Biological weaponry, unethical practices, and much more unspeakable ways that the enemy would reign their terror to people to make an example.

On the bright side, my friends in the military treated me like a normal soldier. Which was really rare for most militaries. A commander shouldn't really be hanging out with the Privates and Sergeants and all those lower ranks. People may judge me for it, but I really couldn't care less. They made me feel something. Something that everything will get better after this war.

But this war has been going on for 8 months now. And either side is scared of casualties, collateral damages, and military budget running out. Diplomats from both sides talked it out in a convention but either side couldn't agree on terms that were very bias amongst neither side. But the longer the war took, the land, sea, and air they were fighting on, would be very decimated by the damage done from both sides.

And honestly, I just want this war to end. This was 100 times worse than WW2. And we got a chance to do just that. The intel that was given to me by one of our informants is the enemy is trying to get a critical chemical lab in Switzerland that would make biological weapons and maybe nuclear warheads. The time was 1800 and we need to get out of here at 0500. So I need some precious sleep now.

"I guess sleeping is the best thing to do..." I sighed before walking back to my own private room at the command center. It was nice, sure. But I have only started sleeping in this private room for like... 2 weeks. I was sent very late here since I had other missions to other places that I had to partake in.

But I laid down on my bed and immediately slept. Getting ready for the big mission tomorrow...

=================

"Alright, people move, move, move!" I told my still tired soldiers to rush into the helicopter. Which they did it in a timely manner. And we immediately took off.

"Bro, did you eat something before going out?" One soldier told the other fellow comrade. In which I spoke up.

"Did you guys not eat anything before going out?" I asked in worry. They need energy just to fight and keep themselves alive here. And I'm not putting them in battle if they're tired and hungry at the same time.

I woke up at an early time at 0350. I got a lot of time to get some breakfast, take a shower, etc. I ate a complete meal at the cafeteria just outside of the command center. As I have been observing since my task force got here is, the normal soldier's rations aren't big as compared to the other bases I've been into. I looked on the supplies, no much to see, food ingredients, not much to see either. So, using my Commander status, I tried to request supplies to be brought here.

Much to my disappointment, It didn't come at all. Saying that the supply lines had better bases to supply rather than this one. That's such a weak excuse. Soldiers are hauling their asses and not get serviceable meals?

"Alright, good thing I brought some food with me. I had a feeling this would happen anyway." I grabbed some bread sandwiches that I made for myself before going out in case I got hungry. I made 5 sandwiches in fact.

I gave the 2 hungry soldiers 2 of my sandwiches. And which some other soldiers barge in to get at least one of them. I told them that I only have 2 sandwiches left, so I gave one, but they need to share it. I'm still hungry by the way, so not gonna risk the last 2. This will make a good lunch if the mission goes as planned.

"We're in Swiss territory now, and we're close to the target building. Well, rappel into the building and clean out the roof and the upper floors. And the assault team will come in."

"Rules of engagement, sir?"

"Red."

Kill everything that moves. Everything in this building is hostile, and armed to the teeth. We haven't been quiet in our approach, so they will be expecting us. And we absolutely can't go slow or else we trigger something horrible that could get all my men killed.

We saw more helicopters behind me as I look out and feel the fresh air. And I know it's a bit reckless. Might fly off the helicopter and land on my ass broken. But I have been used to this.

"ETA, 6 minutes... " The co-pilot said through the mic into our headphones.

The day I've been waiting for since I started being deployed is finally here. This is the one and only chance to stop them from taking over Europe. And finally, to end this proxy war.

=================

We made it and it seems there's minimal personnel on the roof and our snipers on each respective helicopters including ours took out the soldiers on the roof. Damn, they're still accurate even being inside of a moving vehicle. Those were not easy shots.

The helicopters flew over the roof and as the soldiers pulled down the ropes to the ground, the enemy already found out and started shooting at the glass breaking it and trying to shoot us down.

"Alright, fan out, and clear your corners. We need to cover our snipers for them to assist us in capturing the base." As my men started to move towards the door.

We got down the stairs and we gunned down the tangos. Then I would notice over the crates of chemical material, there was a Juggernaut moving towards us.

"Juggernaut incoming! Spread out and get some heavy ordinance on him right now!" As I throw a C4 on the Juggernaut and blew it up.

The enemies were just dropping like flies and gave us the freedom to keep our attention to the Juggernaut that is still wreaking havoc all over us. Which he already took out some of our snipers.

Our demolitions team kept bombing the Juggernaut and with some more explosion and a healthy dose of tinnitus, he finally went down.

"Demo team, place traps for the reinforcements coming here soon."

And the demolitions teams went at it and placed tripwires that connected to a grenade. As my men got in there and we captured some of the scientists inside the main labs. The assault teams are yet to come.

The first skirmish ended so soon, so I asked the higher-ups on where in the hell is the assault teams?

"Commander Caster, the assault teams are on their way, they're met with moderate resistance, over. Keep the base occupied until they arrive. Capital 2 out." the radio stopped.

I groaned... it's a minor inconvenience, my teams know and the sniper team that we basically captured the lab. With almost no casualties on our side.

So planning to take initiative, I told my soldiers that who was with me, to guard the roof if they're planning to take the lab back.

The laboratory was surrounded by some trees that make the march of the enemy's reinforcements much easier. Then I got a sitrep from the assault team.

"We got fatal casualties here, Commander! But we got the package secured and we're getting to the lab now. ETA, 3 minutes out." A lieutenant said with him breathing heavily from exhaustion.

"Alright, do you take out the enemies around you?"

"We did, sir. But we lost 2 APCs. My men are 50% KIA."

"Alright, if we see you, just scream the call sign and the sniper teams won't fire at you."

"Thank you, Commander Caster, out."

Thank goodness that the ambush wasn't as bad as I thought. But I feel uneasy. This was too easy.

"Everybody, take positions, I feel there's another ambush coming towards the assault team. We need that package safe!" As they take positions on the rooftop facing the entrance of the laboratory.

We saw the assault team and we stayed frosty as I'm still listening with my gut that an ambush is coming.

"Wild Hogs! Multiple MIGs are converging to your positions! Take cover now!"

"TAKE COVER EVERYONE!" As we all ducked and the MIGs fired their payload and shot part of the laboratory off. Made a pretty big dent in the lab.

"Everybody in one piece?!"

I looked around and most of my men are intact. But at least 6 soldiers, however, did not get lucky. As I see them on the ground and dead.

I'm so sorry for those poor soldiers. But that's war. Nothing is assured. People are gonna die one way or another.

"Alright, I don't think there's anymore backup coming from the enemy, get the package, and get those dead bodies. We need to bury them in an honorable fashion."

All my men again moved from their spot and went to the ground floor to meet the package. What was the package? It was a chemical truck. Used for carrying large quantities of dangerous chemicals. That's why we didn't want to get destroyed. Because what if the truck was destroyed with said chemicals in the truck? It would be a gas attack and we're not geared for that type of attack.

"Package secured, we're in the process of ridding the laboratory of the dangerous chemicals. What's the situation on Commander Signal's operation?" I told my higher-ups.

"They're in the process of overrunning the base that they're tasked to capture. They will probably sue for peace now after this. Good work Commander. Capital 2 out."

I looked back inside the lab and sat down on a piece of rubble as I watch the scientists are taken to custody and the chemicals are moved to much better hands.

=================

5 days later... The enemy finally sued for peace and we won the war. To be honest, in war, in my opinion, there's really no winner. Lives were spent, and innocent civilians are somewhat harmed. But all of my men celebrated on the barracks and I just stayed out of it.

I'm not really good at holding my drink. I would rather drink something way milder than beer. I don't wanna die early from something non-combat related.

I went to the Command Center of the base and I talked to my higher-ups about the situations on what we're gonna do after the war.

"You want your men to go home?"

"I mean, it's your decision General. But in my opinion, they deserved it."

This officer has been such a hardass ever since I've been in his camp. He's been so passive-aggressive in the few weeks I'm here. Even though I follow his orders. The guy tries to pull rank when I'm basically right where he is.

"Sure, then. I'll give them 3 months to take their breaks. Then your team will be back for the International Military Drills that we always do with the European countries."

"Sir, yes sir." I saluted at the General. And I left the Commander Center.

I looked at the sky and started to walk outside the base. I can't believe that this day has come. It feels so surreal. After so much adversity, we finally won. The ceremony is gonna be done in Washington D. C tomorrow and probably gonna receive my medals and medals for the valiant soldiers who died and did their best to protect the country.

=================

"Commander Caster, you've done well. You deserve those 3 more medals on your chest." Said the man that got me into the military in the first place, as he placed the one last medal on my neck, we both gave each other a salute.

I smiled back and didn't really respond but my smile was more than enough to say what my feeling was.

I walked down a line of officers and they all saluted as I walked outside the White House. And I started to walk back to my car. Which was pretty far away. Parking here sucks.

My thoughts on what I'm gonna do when I'm finally home was really overwhelming. I have been doing nothing but fight but I'm finally gonna go home. What am I gonna do?

I could immediately go try the local food here, I heard the pizzas' here are amazing, I have more than enough money to fully renovate my home, probably go for a vehicle purchase... Maybe I'll even see my relatives soon.

As much as he's wondering about what to do, a sudden sound of artillery immediately snapped his thought and into reality.

'What the hell?' The confused Commander thought to myself, scanning his surroundings, he wasn't in the peaceful but chaotic city of Washington. His back wasn't behind the White House, he was in the middle of a forest, with more dangerous sounds of gunfire in the background.

"W-where am I?" Still confused, wanting to know answers now. But he was alone. And more shots are heard.

"Y-you're here... I can't believe it." A voice came from behind. The Commander turned around to see a young girl wearing a somewhat skimpy shirt and a long staff that resembles a spear.

"Thank goodness..." She said, smiling at him.

Then a heroic story is done here comes another one. The new story's pages have begun to turn.

This is the story where there's nothing but war. With an enemy that comes from the stars far, far away. This is a story where new bonds are made with the arrival of an "otherworlder", that created a storm like no other.

This is Azur Lane.

Word Count: 2910 Words.

4:23 PM
3/27/20

Chapter Text

=================

The Commander looked at the girl with slight worry, but he had more things to worry about. So many questions raced through his mind in break-neck speed as in one moment he’s thinking what to do when he’s home, and now being plucked out of existence to be here.

Also, he was confused about why the girl in front of him said: "Y-you're here." Does he know her?

His mouth slightly opened, ready to ask one of the many, many questions but another volley of artillery just didn't want that to happen.

"You’re staring too much..." The girl said, looking away from Caster.

"I-I'm sorry-"

BOOM!

The ground rumbled now. And he had no choice now, he had to act now or they will be screwed by the artillery that is aimed at them.

Caster grabbed the girl onto his arms and carried her. As he ran as fast as he could through the forest and he weaves left and right to try to confuse the enemy artillery and make them misfire and miss. And he committed to the left side and to stay running and to conserve his stamina.

But the artillery shells just kept coming as one got near to them on his right side. Throwing dirt into the air and falling onto them. His mind still sharp even with the ridiculous turn of events, able to pivot his thinking without much trouble.

'I don't think they know where we are...' Caster thought, as his running is starting to slow down.

The sounds were making it sound that the two were on an island or somewhere near the sea. As he hears distant waves and splashing presumably from the rounds missing the mark. As for the enemy though, he knows that they are ships, but what kind of ships are they? He doesn’t even know how many he and the girl are dealing with?

As he was still thinking of ideas and plans to counter-attack the enemy, he failed to notice the girl was nudging him trying to get his attention to her. And as soon as he finally took notice, Caster stopped in his tracks and raised his eyebrows at her.

"Something wrong?"

"Go run on your left. My friends are over there."

Caster pointed in his left and she nodded. And he ran to that direction... He thought that there are more people that are gonna be harmed. As he ran a bit faster than before.

Then he remembered a motto heard all over the branches of the military. No matter the place. Army, Navy, Marine...

'No one gets left behind.'

As an upcoming cadet, he didn't really care for it that much. As his youth was still in him and still a hard-headed son of a gun. But those words were the sole reason that he was so respected even before being a Commander of the army. And he always said to his cadets, that 'if you respect everyone, then there's no one to fear.' And his fellow soldiers always respected him for it.

Caster was finally seeing some light from the other side of the forest. And he also noticed that the artillery strikes were temporarily gone. It would mean one thing, there are land troops going on the island. But it would also mean that it would be the perfect time to escape the island. Though the area he was in was very hard to pinpoint or take a general area of where they are, he still had the general direction where those ships are firing from.

His intuition told himself that as soon as they find her friends, they would try to retreat and find a suitable place to hide until the enemy is bored and leaves.

As the 2 finally got to leave the forest and he was met with a slope that made him almost fall onto the water. And the girl that he was holding on to his arms jumped off of him and went into the water.

"Ow..." Caster said as he fell on his bum. As he looked forward, the girl he was holding was floating on water. And had guns on her sides. Not only that, he saw 3 more girls that are also floating.

'What is going on!? These girls are Jesus?' Caster’s mouth was agape, witnessing a miracle in real-time.

One of the girls was wearing a beret who had some kind of torpedoes on her side.

Then a girl who had some bunny ears as her headwear, and she looks on the verge of sleeping on a battlefield.

And lastly, a girl who had a beige-colored hair and demon-like looking eyes. She looks like a girl not to be messed with.

"Javelin! Are you okay?" The beret-wearing girl holding the violet-haired girl.

'Her name is Javelin? Weird name. Named after a weapon? I mean, she was bringing a... OH! That wasn't actually a spear. A "Javelin". Oh, of course!' Caster thought to himself only realizing that she was wielding a Javelin.

"Who is this?" The demon-eyes glared at Caster pulling out her sword and pointed it on the utterly confused Commander.

Caster froze in slight fear. But he was ready to talk it out with her. As the enemy might be on the way to fire another salvo of artillery again on their discretion.

"Ayanami! Don't hurt him! He saved me!" Javelin held the sword and tried to take it away from the scary girl. "We finally found him."

'What... Do they mean by that?'

"Ayanami-chan... You should take it easy..." The bunny girl spoke up. Finally calming her down.

"Okay. I don't who you girls are, but introductions later. You girls look like you mean business. And you seem to have the weapons to take them down." Caster said to the girls as he sat down on the slope. Practically depending on the grip of his boots to not fail him and make him fall into the water.

The girls nodded in agreement. But it was time for the Commander skills to finally to be used again after a week of no battles.

"First off, what can you tell me about this place?" Caster asked the girls and the beret girl spoke up amongst them.

"We're on an island. With another island on the north, and a beach on the east. Me, Javelin, Laffey, and Ayanami came from the south." The girl explained to Caster as he absorbed the information and turned it into a battle plan.

"So, you guys are hiding from them? Because me and... Javelin?" Caster pointed to the purple-haired girl.

"Yes."

"We’re running from the artillery salvos. So the west side... Do you guys have any kind of radio or any type of way that we can get in touch with your friends?" Caster asked the aforementioned girl who explained the geography of where they are.

"I do have one. Here. Take it." The girl came near Caster and gave her a walkie-talkie.

"Nice. This would be invaluable for the attack we're gonna get on them. But hold on." Caster said getting up from his spot and trying to get into the forest again.

"Where are you going?" Javelin said to Caster in slight worry. "We just came through there avoiding shells!"

"I’m playing lookout. The forest is thick so they’re unlikely to detect me. And I wanna know how many they are? After that, I can make a battle plan. I promise I won't get hurt badly in the process." Caster trying to reassure the ship girls that he's gonna be fine.

"Okay..." Javelin nodded. As Caster went back into the forest and he ran to a vantage point.

After a bit of trial and error from the Commander trying to get a good vantage point to see the enemy, he finally got one and hid on a bush and he got a good view of the fleet that he and the girls are going to deal with.

'Okay... 2 destroyers... That's it? Wait..." He squinted a bit more and he saw a humongous ship.

'Holy ship. Is that what they call a flagship? And wait, there's a thing on it... It's damaged? Oh, there we go. That's our jackpot prize there.' He told himself before getting the news on the walkie-talkie to whoever is on the other side.

"There’s a pretty big hole on the stern of the flagship. Might be our lucky day." Caster said in the walkie-talkie.

"Really? Please elaborate on how many we're gonna deal with."

"2 destroyers, and a flagship."

"Oh, no. We are not geared for that attack."

"No, I have good news. If would be considered good news. The aforementioned flagship is fatally wounded on its stern. So, you guys can avoid the fire you'll take and just take all your anger out on that wounded part of the flagship and they will retreat. I'm more than sure on that front."

"That doesn't sound like a bad idea! Let's do, Nimi-chan!!" Javelin hopped into the call. Caster smiled as he detects the slight accent coming out of her.

"He might be luring us into our doom."

'Fair enough, we just met, but that’s uncalled for.' Caster thought. He really wanted who that was. There were slight accents among the girls but he still can't identify who's who with their voice.

"The destroyers would be easy... Me and Ayanami-chan will take care of them... Then we'll join when we destroy them..." A lazy voice talked. The bunny girl...

'I just gave them an idea, and they’re formulating the steps on their own. Pretty good.' Caster thought as he's ready to set the plan in motion.

"Okay, girls. Are you ready? The destroyers are gonna lay out all their salvos onto the island if we keep waiting."

The girls didn't respond but Caster was sure they heard what he said. And he saw them going on the right side. And the enemy ships fired their salvos to them. And the flagship is releasing little airplanes. Yes, little airplanes. Almost as small as drones.

Caster had a hard time seeing what's happening on the battlefield but the first thing he thought to himself.

'These kids may have more bite in them that I thought. Look at them go...' He thought. As the 2 girls did occupy the destroyers and the other 2 attacked the flagship's fatal wound.

=================

"Miss Beret girl, Can you take care of the planes?!" Caster spoke through the radio and told Z23.

"Okay, then Javelin! Just charge up your shot for the wound."

In this firefight, Javelin and Z23 are assigned to charge at the wounded part of the flagship and make it more severely damaged and maybe they can sink the flagship altogether. By the planning of the newly teleported, but confused as hell Commander. It would be an impressive feat done by all members. 4 destroyers taking down 2 destroyers and a flagship. It would be a stuff of legends.

The girl was taking care of all the planes and Javelin got to the spot where the damage has been done. And Javelin released her best shot onto the damaged part of the flagship and it hit.

"Yes! How much will it take for this to sink?" Javelin shouted in joy but she continued firing on the damaged part. Which it was on fire.

The flagship in the response to the sudden attack of its weak spot went forward trying to crush Javelin and Z23 who was in the vicinity of the flagship.

"Javelin, watch out!" Z23 shouted trying to get Javelin's attention to the charging flagship.

Javelin grooved to the side and avoids the ship. And she had the composure to do evasive maneuvers and keep firing on the weak spot. Still making more holes into it in the process.

After a while, Ayanami sunk the destroyer she was fighting and helped Laffey to destroy her respective destroyer. And after that mess, the 2 went to help Javelin and Z23.

And Z23 got over of the airplane problem and went on to get to Javelin who was running out of ammo.

And the 4 finally took all their attention on the flagship in which it didn't stand a chance in the small but mobile destroyers all taking their shot on the flagship's weak spot.

The plan successfully worked and the flagship is getting water into the hole and going inside the ship. The flagship is actually sinking!

=================

'For 4 girls, taking down a ship 30x their size is quite the achievement. And they were coordinated the whole skirmish. I’m impressed.' Caster smiled as he sees the flagship finally sinking.

And the flagship as a last resort type of move, it fired all cannons in all directions as it's not going down without taking someone with it.

"Nah... That's not gonna do anythi-"

=================

"Let's go back to see the new Commander! This deserves a great celebration!" Javelin told the others.

"Alright. Let's get him back to our base, we're gonna run out of oil pretty soon." Z23 spoke up.

"Yay..." Laffey lazily celebrated. "Sleepy."

"No, Laffey! Let's get to the Commander! Then we'll get rest." Javelin held the bunny-girl. And shaking her to prevent her from sleeping.

Ayanami stood there silent. She wasn't celebrating. But she was slightly happy that the Siren flagship is sunk into the ocean.

Then all of the girls went back to the island where the Commander should be there waiting for them and ready to go home. And they were treated to a terrible sight.

"Commander!" Javelin held the Commander who was on a small, rocky platform fainted

"Come on! Let's get him back to base!" Z23 told the others and the girls held Caster and brought him to the base which was kind of far away. But they got there in a swift fashion

=================

"Ugh... Where am I... Someone knocked me out right?" Caster groaned loudly as he startled of the girls inside the hospital.

"Commander! You're okay!" Javelin held to his hand in happiness. "I thought you were done there..."

"Minor injuries. You just got knocked out. That's lucky..." Another violet-haired girl

came to Caster. Holding some kind of syringe.

"W-where am I now?" Caster said while holding his head. He's still having a headache.

"You're in the Azur Lane Headquarters. You're gonna be our next leader. Or should I say, Commander." The girl said.

Caster heard what she said, but couldn't process it correctly. He finished a war then he's gonna fight another one. In response.

"What!?"

A-kun: How are you liking the book so far, guys? God, I can't read it myself nowadays. But hope you enjoy it anyways. More chapters coming through. 

Word Count: 2584 Words.

1:10 PM
3/29/20

Chapter Text

=================

During the time of his stint as an Army Commander, he, and a kindred soldier with him inside the barracks would watch great movies together. Besides the occasional laughs and some childish mocking of one particular bad character, he would soon come across a series that he would love to see it again.

But one scene would stick to him for a long, long time. To be precise, a scene from all the famous TV series Game of Thrones. It came in the first season, first episode too. A character named Tyrion Lannister. Met a guy who is like him an outcast in Jon Show the Bastard. Both were accused of some lies that destroyed their reputation.

When he met him, trying to sympathize with him, he said one of the quotes that changed and effectively erased any type of ego Caster may have back then:

“Never forget who you are, the rest of the world will not. Wear it like armor and it can never be used to hurt you.”

The smallest character in Game of Thrones. But still delivered an inspirational quote for the ages. That Caster followed all throughout his tenure in the army.

=================

After some bad denial tactics from Caster, he is trying his damn hardest to put the responsibilities onto others. Very uncharacteristic for a Commander. But he’s trying his best to stay humble and down to earth as possible but the girl didn’t have any of it.

“They actually chose you?! You’re going to be our new Commander?! The day can’t get any better than this!” The violet-haired girl raised her voice a little bit to the Commander.

Caster was dumbfounded. To the point that his brain was shut down. He just fought a long, hard war and won, and he’s gonna fight again. He’s in slight denial. Saying:

“You... You’re joking right? You’re actually just plucking a random guy off the street to be your leader?” Caster said to the violet-haired girl.

“Don’t worry, Commander. We’ll be all here supporting you.” Javelin spoke up. Smiling at Caster.

‘Well, ain’t that cute.’ Caster thought because... She smiled, quite adorably.

“Anyway, you can get up on your bed now.” The other violet-haired girl said to Caster.

Caster was happy that he’s not in this hospital bed anymore. Since he’s pretty fearful of getting injured. Formerly an Army Commander, he can’t in any circumstances get yourself hurt or let anyone know about your injury. It’s an unwritten rule amongst great leaders. And he can’t let himself get hurt anytime soon.

Caster got up on his bed and he’s shaking his feet for a little bit. To see if they are responding. Perhaps his weird habits don’t go away even if he’s in a completely different world now.

“What’s your name? I really haven’t got anyone’s names yet.”

“Oh, my name is Vestal. The head nurse and repair ship of Azur Lane.” The violet-haired girl named Vestal bowed in front of the Commander.

‘Repair ship? What? Well, that basically means “mechanic”. Caster thought. ‘And she’s literally the only one that gave her name.’

“U-uh, just don’t bow to me... I’m not used to this kind of formality just yet. Give me time.” Caster scratched his head and slight embarrassment.

“That’s fine. I know it’s a bit overwhelming.” Vestal smiled and she was looking kinda shy.

Caster nodded with a smile that got the attention in the whole room. He had a pretty heart-warming smile, and he knows it. Doesn’t hurt to use every chance he gets.

But Caster noticed something was off. As he panned his head around 360 degrees style, he’s in a room full of girls and no male in sight.

‘Are there no guys in this premises? All I have seen so far today has been girls.’ Caster thought. And he’s pretty much explained his 2nd mind-blown moment of the day.

Back in the Army’s training camps, Caster, back when he was a Drill Sergeant, he would supervise the new cadets. It always has a cycle. As per his observations through the 1 and a half year he served before getting promoted. It would always start from:

1. Getting disappointed as hell with the new Cadets.
2. Mood swings getting to Caster. His cadets did not like that in the slightest.
3. Being a little delighted when the cadets show a lot of proficiency in their task for the first time.
4. And lastly, a full-on getting impressed as the Graduates finally finish their 4-month training program.

RINSE, AND REPEAT.

One time though, he was tasked to oversee a female platoon with a female officer at the helm. He would always look on with slight nervousness. He didn’t know those female Cadets would be pretty menacing themselves. They work hard in workouts, drills, obstacle courses. And at one point, he told the male platoon he was supposed to oversee to take on the female platoon on a “friendly” competition with an obstacle course that was dependent on time.

But those moments are from the past. And he’s forced to face reality. That he’s forced to face that the next days, months, or even years that he’ll be working with these women in the room.

“What time is it now?” He asked Javelin as he was walking out of the room.

“I don’t really know, Commander. I don’t see a clock anywhere.” Javelin said to Caster. As he sighed and as he wondered what to do now.

“So. What shall we go in this fine... Afternoon? I still don’t know the time.”

Caster is still thinking about what to do now. Now, he’s here and he’s absolutely confused. But he is in the “Azur Lane” Headquarters or whatever Vestal was saying earlier. He’s still overwhelmed by the sheer amount of happenings that happened in one morning. He feels exhausted by just thinking about it.

“Hey, since you don’t know how to navigate here, why don’t I give you a tour of the base?” Javelin suggested. And what a suggestion it was. As Caster’s face was visibly excited.

“Well, I’m expecting great things here. Where should we start?” Caster looked at Javelin.

“Oh! The cafeteria! That’s a really good place! Hornet makes the best food there!” Javelin grabbed Caster by the hand and led him to the cafeteria.

After a bit of running down the hallway, they got the cafeteria. Caster wasn’t impressed nor disgusted by the look of it. It was clean, compact, with many tables for more than 35+ people. He wasn’t surprised at all. But what’s surprising is the number of girls who were in that cafeteria. For once in his life, he felt like an “outcast” amongst the ship girls in the cafeteria.

And he got even more scared when all of the girls in the cafeteria all snapped their head to Caster. Who was still nervous. But he played it off by looking somewhere else.

‘Am I an animal in a zoo? Why are they all staring at me!?’ Caster said to himself with terror. Further adding to his confusion and probably losing his self-confidence in himself.

However, Javelin is a keen observer. She read Caster’s body language and Caster was pretty easy to read. She took notice of Caster’s nervousness and she barged in to help calm the Army Commander down.

“D-don’t look at them, Commander,” Javelin told Caster. But he suddenly didn’t respond still doesn’t wanna look at the direction of the tables where the girls are still staring at him. Noticing that her words didn’t work, she told her fellow ship-girls, that they should not stare at him too much or he’ll never move from his spot.

“You can move now, Gee, you are a really nervous guy.” Javelin commented on the sudden nervousness that Caster displayed.

“They all stared daggers into me. Of course, I’d crumble.” Caster retorted. Finally getting his calm demeanor back.

Javelin and Caster walked up to the area where the food is being served. And the kitchen staff also looked at Caster with slight confusion, shock, and many other emotions that made Caster uncomfortable. But fortunately, they all look back to their places as they continue making food. The food looked divine however, still steaming, fresh off the press.

“After this tour, I’m going back here. The food looks really good.” Caster smiled as he left the building into the sweltering hot sun this afternoon. But it was starting to calm down bit by bit.

“See? I’ll join you! I haven’t eaten anything since the early morning when I was deployed.” Javelin repeated Caster’s statement.

They walked to more buildings as they watch the waves go by and they chatted longer than the tour itself. Until they were interrupted.

“Ahem. Are you the “otherworlder”?” A green-haired that has features of a cat appeared in front of Caster and Javelin, interrupting their conversation.

Caster, however, didn’t get to respond. He was already processing so much as he looks at the girl in front of him. And his attention was put on the cat-ears. The confusion keeps adding up.

‘Okay... Catgirls also exist in this world? I may never recover from the culture shock from today.’ Caster mentally facepalmed. But also acknowledged that this won’t be the last bizarre thing he’ll see today and steels himself for that eventuality.

Caster felt a body part just moved on his own... What is that you ask? It’s his hand reaching on the head of the cat. But Caster pulled his arm right back to avoid anything bad happening to him. Self-control at it’s finest.

“Akashi! Why are you here?” Javelin asked the green-haired girl who is named Akashi.

“I’m here to also introduce the Commander, nya.” Akashi told Javelin.

“Oh, okay. What do you do around here?” Caster asked.

“I’m the manager of the resources here,” Akashi answered.

“Like a treasurer right?”

“Like that... I guess.”

Caster knew what she was implying. She didn’t know that word at all. No big deal.

“So, you’re coming along with the tour?” Caster asked Akashi again.

“Of course, nya. I can tag along.” Akashi left the two and the two were forced to follow her.

‘Saying nya at every end of her sentences is going to be a bit much after I hear for the 50th time. But I think that’s just how she is.’ Caster thought of the possibilities. If there’s girls that have animal features in this world, who else? He’s sure that there are more girls that have that same features or more.

To spare your time, the Caster was introduced to the warehouses where he saw a good amount of resources. But not enough to keep a base running for too long. And he made another mental note that he needs to get that resources more and more to keep the base from running out.

He saw the shops, where they can get a profit from. Which was very surprising again for Caster. Thinking: ‘they can run businesses? Okay, I’ve seen it all now.’

And of course, he got a good view of the Akashi’s personal shop. Where she sells pretty bizarre stuff there. Though Caster doesn’t know what those things are. He saw weapons, but the rest was unidentifiable junk. And some clothing that are definitely not made for fighting.

“That’s the whole base for now. There’s more. But this is the place that you want to give a bit more attention to. It’s hard to already manage without a good leader in place.” Akashi sighed before going inside her shop.

Caster was again, knew what she was implying. And he just sighed at the moment he becomes a Commander in an, even more, larger force.

“I’ll see you later, nya,” Akashi said as she grabbed something in her shop.

Now, with Caster and Javelin left to their own devices, they decided to go back to the cafeteria to get something to eat. Because both of them are incredibly hungry.

As they were walking back to the cafeteria, they noticed three girls who were running in their direction, and going straight at them!

“Why are you 3 running? Getting some cardio in?” Caster joked. Wanting someone to react.

“No... Are you guys done with your tour, Commander?” Z23 spoke up.

“Uh, yes. The important stuff has been out of the way.” Caster commented on the just-finished tour.

“Commander... Have you ate something yet?” Laffey lazily said. Making Caster chuckle a little bit.

“No, I haven’t. Can I go eat with you girls?” Caster asked the 3.

And of course, they all said yes. I mean, who wouldn’t agree on food?

They all arrived back at the cafeteria to eat some well-deserved food from the battle. And as per the new Commander’s request, they sat at the very tail end of the cafeteria, for Caster to not be paid attention to by the other girls in there.

The word about the battle with the soon-to-be Commander of Azur Lane has spread like wildfire. Every ship girl knows about it now. Except for the ones who were deployed in a mission. The 3, Z23, Laffey, and Ayanami stayed shut about the battle, not very talkative, but Javelin told it to Vestal and the other girls when she was in the hospital room when Caster was still knocked out and didn’t wake up yet.

But they couldn’t care less as the food they got was wonderful. And it got to the point where Caster was comparing the quality of the food to the chefs in the army camps he stayed back in his world. Before getting here in a weird fashion.

“Yummy. Laffey is full.” Laffey lazily sat back on her chair and was sliding off it.

“Laffey! Stop that! You’re not having manners in front of the Commander!” Z23 scolded Laffey. Maybe too hard for a minor offense. But Caster didn’t take it as an offense as he said:

“Let her be. I’m fine with it. Just don’t get to the point where you just melted onto the floor.” Caster told Z23 as she calmed down.

Ayanami, on the other hand, was still silent. Didn’t said a word since the battle. Caster noticed the lack of interactions with the other 3. So Caster had to strike up a conversation with her.

“Are you okay there?” Caster looked at Ayanami who just finished her food.

Ayanami didn’t respond to Caster’s question. Caster wasn’t mad nor annoyed. But he needed a way to get her to talk. But the plans were interrupted when Z23, or “Zed”, told something to Caster.

“Since we’re done eating, why don’t we show you your living quarters? Or your office to be exact.” Z23 told Caster. Which got his attention real quick.

“I have my own office?” Caster said, surprised. To a conventional Commander, it wouldn’t be a surprise, but this is a Commander who instead sat in the sidelines and watched his men go into perilous mission after mission, he joined them in the fights. He was getting introduced into new things left, right and infinity directions.

“Okay, then. Are you girls ready to come with us?” Caster asked the girls.

They all nodded and all of them proceeded to go to the Commander’s Office. And coincidentally, just passed it when Javelin pulled Caster into the cafeteria. The office was near the cafeteria so the Commander won’t get tired running a marathon from the office to the cafeteria.

“Woah...” Caster looked on with a mix of emotions stirring within him. Excited, shocked, and happy as he saw the interior of the office. It might’ve rivaled the best hotel rooms he’s ever been in. A part of him kinda regrets not staying back and relax but a part of him also doubted that his higher-ups would give him a room this decked out.

The girls all noticed Caster’s expression and they all couldn’t help but smile and particularly, Javelin, giggle due to the new Commander’s expression.

“Never thought a room couldn’t get any better. And by the way, Can I ask one question?” Caster asked Z23.

“Ask as many questions you want, Commander.” Z23 took attention to Caster.

“Can I customize it when I have the chance to do it?” Caster asked Z23 in which she wasn’t really prepared to answer that question. But she took her best bet.

“Yes, you can. I don’t know where to ask though if you want it changed.” Z23 answered with a bit of uncertainty in her tone.

“Commander is... Gonna stay here.” As Laffey gravitates towards the sofas of the room and laid there. Planning to sleep.

Ayanami’s presence is still non-existent. She’s still not talking. But Caster shoved that thought aside for a bit and just looked at his table. Which was glistening... Sparkling. He was so impressed.

He sat to his chair for a little bit. And he looked at the 3 starter ship girls still at the door.

“This can’t be my room and my room alone, come sit down.” Caster insisted the girls go in.

“We have some preparations to attend, Commander. I hope you don’t mind.” Z23 told Caster. As Javelin get Laffey off the sofa and the 4 left the office. And Caster’s again alone.

He took a gander in the room, it was spacious but not too big that it would be a waste of space. It was proportioned just right.

He was ready to think about what the hell is going on and think about what’s he’s gonna do now until a girl goes into the office.

“I’m sorry for the intrusion.” A girl in maid’s clothing when into the room. Bowing down in respect to Caster.

Caster shook his head. Because he was SHOOK.

‘There are maids in this world... WHAT?! I don’t believe this?’ Caster said to himself in disbelief.

“U-uh... That’s fine. Can you please introduce yourself?” Caster asked the beautiful lady.

“My name is HMS Belfast. Or Belfast to lessen the formality.” Belfast said to the Commander.

He thought of the real-life counterpart of HMS Belfast. He never knew that that ship would be THIS.

“W-why are you here perhaps?” Caster asked.

“Why, I’m going to be your personal maid from this point on.” Belfast nonchalantly says to Caster. Without acknowledging Caster’s reaction.

“Okay, WHAT?!”

A-kun: Took a while to finish, I’m having fun writing these chapters so far! I know that I might lose steam sooner or later but I’m using ALL OF DAT steam to get as far as possible before I lose motivation or something. But anyway, see you guys next chapter, goodbye!

Word Count: 3139 Words.

3/31/20
12:30 AM

Chapter Text

=================

“For the 3rd time today, you’re joking me, right?” As Caster stood up from his chair in disbelief.

“No, I’m not. I know this is a bit overwhelming. Like everything, you’ve seen so far.”

Caster... In all of his life, he’s taught to take care of himself. Never depending on somebody else to do the job for him. As a soldier, initiative was his calling card.

“Or perhaps... You don’t want me...?”

With that sly statement, Caster still had something to say in his mind, but couldn’t put the words together for a coherent thought.

Caster just sighed in defeat. He still can’t believe that the life he left behind as he got teleported becomes this. Where everything is here. Served to him in a silver platter.

“I know what’s good for me, and I’m not going to say no to a lady. Go right ahead, I guess?” Caster relented to the maid’s request.

“Thank you, Master. I’m looking forward to working with you.” Belfast bowed down once again to her “Master”.

‘Even at my highest position, I still had to do my day-to-day stuff myself. Living like a king is a bit much for me. ’ Caster told himself, which was true. Everything on a silver platter so far. It unnerves him.

Again, drawing comparisons to Caster and a typical Commander, they would just happily accept the request and let themselves get too comfortable. Caster knows this pitfall all too well. So much that it irks him.

“First of all, let’s set ground rules. What do you do for me?” Caster asked Belfast who was confused?

“I clean everything, make your food every morning, and you can ask anything from me. I suppose you already know that.” Belfast said to Caster. Who just nodded.

“I’m a bit awkward at this... And this is the first time there’s someone helping me in my work. So, do forgive me if I get carried away in some situations.” Caster sheepishly rubbed the side of his head.

‘He hasn’t said anything objectionable so far. He looks very promising.’ Belfast thought...

“Alright. Is that all, Master?” Belfast asked Caster.

“Actually, don’t call me ‘Master’. Just call me Caster. Wait, did I introduce myself yet to you?” He asked Belfast again. As he sat on his chair.

“N-no. I don’t think you have.” Belfast answered surprised the conversation went so far without the upcoming Commander telling his name.

“My name is Edrich Caster. Formerly an Army Commander. I don’t know why I added that. Just forget I said that.”

Caster didn’t wanna flaunt his former status to Belfast. He didn’t mean to do that. But Belfast heard all of it. And she got really surprised but kept it to herself. Making a poker face even after what Caster said.

“Your name is Edrich Caster. Unique name.” Belfast smiled as Caster was a little bit flattered by the compliment.

“Well, I think Belfast is even more unique. A master-mind could only think a name like that.” As Caster leans back into his chair. Caster sighed in relief that the chair is flexible. Not stiff like a stick.

“Thank you.” Belfast bowed again to Caster. “Aside from that, I have news for you, Master.”

Caster was perplexed. What could it be now? It seems like he’s done everything and seen everything for the day and he just wanted to take a break and collect himself.

“There’s going to be a ceremony that’s gonna happen at sunset. It’s going to be your pledge to be the new Commander of our fleet.” Belfast broke the sudden news to Caster who which his eyes widen for all the wrong reasons.

“Really?! As if all the things I’ve done and seen, I’m not done yet?” Caster told Belfast who just nodded.

“I am very sorry. I have heard of your battle with those 4 earlier this morning. But the event just can’t be stopped now.” Belfast just kept her tone and kept going.

‘After a battle, I’m giving a speech later. Quite the turn, I admit.’ he thought, as Belfast breaks Caster off his thoughts again.

“I’ll be right back. I’ll bring you your new uniform. Since yours is pretty dirty now. Pardon me.” as Belfast left the room to get the new uniform.

Caster was so sure that it will be a white uniform now as he saw Admirals and Captains wearing this same white and gold stripes.

As the door creaks shut, left alone to bask in his new room, he’s finally able to take a breather. Even if it’s just for a little bit.

‘I’m fighting again... Planning for conflicts... I wanna stop but... My life everyday for 3 years straight was conflict anyway... Does it even matter? In the end, hope I don’t break by the end of it.’

A war demands vigilance. And mental fortitude that is no less than stellar. As with many things, one side can go on to have many victories, building momentum, but one slip-up, one catastrophic mistake, can turn the tide of war at a moment’s notice.

‘I think I might just take a rest tomorrow. This is too much. I’m going to die because of this.’ He thought, getting more exhausted as he keeps sitting on his chair.

“Master, I am back... We have to take measurements of you in the coming days, but these seem fit enough for you.” Belfast gives the new uniform to Caster who grabbed it with not much energy as he used to.

Belfast noticed the lack of energy, and she wants to do something about it.

“You look tired, Master. Should I make a drink that will energize you perhaps?” Belfast asked Caster if he will accept the request of making him a milkshake or something else that will make him more energized.

“Yeah, sure. I’ll get changed into this uniform.” Caster replied. And Belfast nodded, as she left the room again.

He looked around the room again, and to his left, a door with a marker named, restroom. And so he walked in.

=================

“Is that a new Commander? Again?” A golden-haired girl asked Belfast.

“Don’t worry about him, he’s pretty tame and actually nicer than the last...” Belfast as she puts cocoa in a cup.

First impressions are absolutely important in any situation. May it be introducing yourself to a new acquaintance, making an opening speech on an important event, or playing a sport in front of fans. Where they want to be known as they are “this” or “that”.

Belfast smiled. Because Caster’s first impressions were too modest for a man of his status. But it did show that he was being honest, as other people out there make “facades” that hides who they actually are. But Caster didn’t really show that he was something he wasn’t. She really appreciated the transparency from Caster. Which in return, made her respect Caster quicker than normal.

“You’re speaking highly of him. Are you sure that he is what you think he is?” The golden-haired girl kept pressing on questions that had some doubt put into it.

Belfast was already finished making the hot cocoa for Caster. But she stopped first to answer the question.

“You just have to see for yourself. My words can’t describe him.” As Belfast left the cafeteria and back to the Commander’s Office.

The golden-haired girl stood there, nodding along. She’ll have her chance to pick him to pieces.

Belfast went inside the office. In which there was no one there. But she already knew where Caster was. In respect, she left the hot cocoa on his table and left the room. Waiting on the door until he comes back fully dressed up.

=================

“That bathroom has everything I want.” Caster mumbled as he steps out of the washroom. Not only he changed his uniform to the new one, but he took a shower also. A cold one. He prefers that more than a hot one.

“I have done this pledge thing before when I finally became Army Commander back then. It shouldn’t be that hard right?” He scratched his head as he looked in a mirror.

As Caster is thinking about what he’s gonna say in his speech, Belfast came into the room.

“Belfast. How long is before the event? I really want this to be done and dusted.” Caster asked the maid ship.

“I could arrange it to happen now if you wish.”

“Please do.” Caster approved the request. And Belfast left the room for the 3rd time.

=================

The ceremony event is underway. Almost all of the important ships are present. And almost all the girls are here as well. They’re just waiting for the Commander to come in and give the speech.

‘Don’t get nervous now.’ He wiped off a bead of sweat on his forehead. He breaths in... And breathes out.

“Laffey, don’t miss this!” Z23 tugged on Laffey’s shoulders as she’s not responding one bit to Z.

Finally, the long wait is done. Caster walked on a carpet maintaining a straight even amongst the eyes staring at him. He didn’t have his normal worried expression that he had all day long. He was serious, giving off an authoritative aura.

He finally got to the podium. He was ready.

“Ahem.” Caster touched the mic a little bit. “Mic check, mic check. Alright...”

“It seems that I need to introduce myself to all of you. Since I have been nothing but an irresponsible Commander all day.”

“My name is Edrich Caster. I’ll admit, I was just walking back to my car, and now I ended up here. But 4 girls helped me live and they’re the reason why I’m even here to begin with. Aside from that, I keep hearing about the topic “new Commander” amongst all of you.”

“I do not know what’s going on. But back in my world, I was an Army Commander prior to this.”

Caster mentally cringed at the statement he made. He really, really did NOT like telling his former status to people. He wants to give off the aura of a normal person. But this is a formal occasion. He can’t act un-Commander-like.

Some of the important ships who were in attendance, after he said he was a former Commander, were surprised that a person like that would at chance get to this world.

“And all I knew was fighting. Planning for missions, and going into operations with my soldiers. Some died in my arms.” Caster put up a fake smile. Trying his best not to show his real emotions.

“But it gave me a reason to live. To give a better life to people out there. So, it would seem that I have to fight again. To be a Commander once again.” His face slightly lit up with a slight smile.

“So I, Edrich Caster. Accept the position of Commander. Since my name is not enough to justify the lack of information about me, how about all of you try to ask me questions.”

The girls in attendance were surprised. And some girls started to whisper to their fellow girls thinking of a question to ask the newly appointed Commander of Azur Lane.

“Can we trust you?” One golden-haired girl spoke up and stood up from her chair.

“Hornet! Stop that!” A girl pulled her back down.

“It’s okay. It’s okay. Hornet is it?” Caster asked the girl. The girl nodded.

“I will try my hardest to get your trust in me. Some of the girls here put enough trust in me to become your leader even if it was the first time I’ve ever met them. And you certainly gotten the right man for the job. You will not regret the decision of choosing me.” Caster answered. Needless to say, they were convinced. He sounded sincere in the answer.

=================

It was the end of the event. Caster sighed in relief. It was finally over. The girls had 2 or more questions until they ran out of good questions to ask. The event was... Filled with uncertainty. Many girls already believed in him such as Javelin, Laffey, Z23, and Belfast. But there were still girls that were still skeptical of him.

He was alone. There was no one to greet him after the ceremony, Caster has felt this feeling before.

“All alone. Again.” Caster sighed. As he walked near a dock at the far, far left side.

=================

“Sister! You’re back!” Hornet exclaimed.

“It’s going to be night-time. Why did you come all the way from the dock?” A girl with silver hair with purple-colored eyes to compliment it.

“Don’t worry about that. A new Commander is here! You just missed the ceremony.” Hornet explained.

“He gave a really good reply to my concern. But his character is still a question mark for me.” Hornet added.

“Let’s give him a week. He may reveal more as he goes.” As she walked back to the buildings to take a well-deserved rest from a mission. As Hornet followed.

=================

“Hello...? Is this even lived in?” As Caster opened a door. He found a small shack hidden in the trees. He went there to investigate.

He found nothing but dust where Caster sneezed by the sudden surge of dust he got exposed to. After that, he went inside to if he can find something that’s worth his time. He did give his attention to this small shack. So he needs to find something intriguing to justify his action.

‘Wait. Is that... A guitar?’ Caster thought. ‘My god, it is...’ As he grabbed the guitar. It was surprisingly unscathed. No rust, no anything. But it was filled with dust. So he dusted it off.

This discovery made Caster think. Are there other “Commanders” before him? He doubts that a girl that would use a guitar at all. Plus, inside of a little shack. It’s not natural. And he found it while the girls didn’t. He kept thinking about it as he left the shack back into docks...

It was a clear night sky. The moon illuminating every part of land it touches. Caster tries to plucking the strings. But alas, they were not tuned properly. But he was familiar enough with the guitar to tune it on his own.

He got an idea in his head, he had learned many songs with the guitar when the Wild Hogs aren’t in deployment. And there was one particular he loved. He tries to remember the chords of that particular song.

He walked back to the buildings to go back to the office. Not until he got interrupted by a huge ship that was in front of him. He looked on in awe.

“Holy aircraft carrier... Now, how do I get up there?” Caster looked at the ship and tries to remember what name it is. But he forgot. But he had another bright idea in his head. And it would be a bad one.

=================

“Finally. I got away from them. Thank goodness.” The same silver-haired girl went out of the cafeteria. She preferred to eat outside. So she also brought her food with her.

She looked at the sky. She continued to walk to her respective ship and she went up the stairs towards the runway...

But she saw one person who was sitting on the edge of the runway. She was positive that no one was here when she left the cafeteria. But she got suspicious and stayed on the stairs behind the mysterious person on the runway.

But she got some courage to walk up to get near the person sitting. Then she heard something from the mysterious person.

That person was humming a song while playing an instrument of some sort. She was confused, she wasn’t really exposed to music early in her life and she barely got to hear any kind of music until now.

‘Who is that...’ She thought. As she got more and more interested in the person. And the song.

But after a while, that mysterious person stopped humming and stopped playing the instrument. And it’s going down the ship.

=================

‘I still need some practice, but seems that I haven’t lost my touch.’ Caster thought.

As he was finally going down the ship, where he came up. To see the bright sky, he heard a sound of metal creaking. He turned to the direction of the sound, but there was nothing there.

“That was... weird,” said Caster as he shudders. “I think I gotta go now.”

Caster finally went off the ship and went back to the office. Where Belfast greeted him and he finally got some needed rest. Ready for work tomorrow.

A-kun: There we go. 4th Chapter released. I hope you’re enjoying the story so far because I’m having fun writing these chapters. It’s too fun. The main part of the story is just coming up in a few chapters so you best believe it will be good. Anyway, that’s all from me, see you next chapter, bye-bye!

Word Count: 2774 Words...

7:50 PM
4/1/20

Chapter Text

=================

‘Ugh... What in the hell time is it?’ Caster thought as he gets up from his bed. ‘0400? That‘s damn early... Should I sleep again?’ He contemplated...

One part of him wanted to go back to sleep, but his Commander‘s instincts just get the better of him. So he went to the bathroom so he can wash his face. And he went out of the bathroom in a casual attire that Belfast gave him as before he slept yesterday.

He dressed up in that specific attire and he went out of the office... Looking left in right, he saw no one awake. He noticed there were a few doors and he hasn‘t got informed on what those rooms are for. So, in curiosity, he went to one of the doors to check out what‘s inside.

‘Hope I‘m not intruding. But then again, they‘re probably still sleeping.’ Caster thought as he creaked open one of the doors.

He looked inside and his guess was right. It was a dormitory for the ship girls. He saw Javelin, Laffey, Ayanami, and Nimi. (Z23‘s nickname.)

A-kun: Hold on, I like to call Z23 “Nimi” more than Zed. So expect me to use that more than the other nickname. Anyways, back to the story.

He saw double bunk beds on the left and the right side of the room. He smiled by the blissful faces of getting some sleep from the girls. He thought that they didn‘t really get too much sleep yesterday. In respect, he closed the door and left them alone.

Now, there was a slight problem. Since he woke up so goddamn early, what is he going to do now? There isn‘t a battle or an event to attend to. Or go to the Command Center to get some orders from his higher-up.

‘I gotta really start adjusting to my life here.’ Caster groaned. But he had an idea.

He went into the cafeteria and uses the coffee machine they had in place. He made himself a normal black coffee. He really didn‘t like the flavor, but what other choice did he have?

He started to hesitantly slurp on his newly made black coffee which was piping hot. But his tongue wasn‘t really harmed by the extreme hotness of that coffee. Frankly, he was used to it. He got trolled by his fellow soldiers by making him drink boiling water used to heat up MRE meals. Since he didn‘t receive one. It was a bad memory sure, but it didn‘t really hurt him. He actually learned from it. Every good and bad memory, you‘ll always get a lesson from it. No matter what.

Caster goes outside of the building he was in. He took a look at the still-dark skies that were still glistening with still clear skies. He remembered something at this sight. This same view.

Back when he was a Drill Sergeant, he would wake up to see the cadets already outside getting their training in. Doing harsh physical examinations, and some firearms training. There were literally sounds of gunfire this early in the morning.

‘I could use some exercise... I gotta make it a normal thing to wake up early and get some training.’ As he finishes the coffee and places the mug into the sink and he washed it before going out of the building.

Caster breathes in and out. His idea for his exercise today is jogging around the whole base for 4 loops. No breaks. He wanted to get his endurance better. Just because he got here doesn‘t mean he will slack off of his mission of self-care.

“Three... Two... One. Go.” As Caster started his endurance test.

=================

Caster is in the middle of his 3rd loop. He isn‘t tired just yet. But he realized very early that the island was big. Like very big. In hindsight, he got toured very little of the island yesterday. But he already started it and he‘s in the middle of the jogging. And he‘s keeping his word of “no breaks“.

He‘s started jogging a little faster as he‘s about to enter the 4th loop. The last one. He gathered more of his strength and he finally ran for the first time... And he was quick. Caster isn‘t particularly athletically gifted. But he was fortunate enough to be given above-average speed. So he can reach distances in less energy than others.

But as he was looking over the shores as he was running, he saw something that startled him and worried him...

“What the...” Caster said as he stopped running and looked at the nearby waters as he observed the unknown object...

‘It‘s a... Ship?!’ He thought. ‘It‘s a small one. Scouting ship perhaps... But that color scheme...’ It looked like the one that he, Javelin, Laffey, Nimi, and Ayanami fought yesterday. He gritted his teeth. An attack on this base is probably imminent.

He looked at the ship as it‘s going away from the base. Going off in the dark night. It seems that the ship miraculously not seen Caster just standing in the open.

“Damn it! I took a break!” Caster cursed. As he broke his rule right then and there. But he ran as fast as he could as punishment to himself.

=================

The time was already 6:54 AM... Some of the girls are awake and more girls are gonna be awake. They have also a strict sleep schedule. It also shows how big the island was. Since he finished near 7 AM. He was running like it was a marathon.

He was in his last legs as he finished the exercise. In response to him getting so tired, as he got back where he started, he sat down on the edge looking on the empty sea in front of him.

“Finally... Finally...” Caster said between his breaths. Huffing and puffing.

“Master... You are already awake?” Belfast comes out of nowhere and appears behind Caster. As Caster turns around, he got startled to the point he almost fell down into the water.

“Y-yeah. Woke up at 4 AM... And I took a jog around the base.” Caster explained what he did not too long ago.

“Your sweating tells me it wasn‘t just a jog... Are you sure, Master?” Belfast asked worriedly.

“Okay... I did jog, but I went around the whole island 4 times. And I just finished now.”

“That‘s unhealthy for you to be running so early in the morning without eating something first,” Belfast said matter-of-factly.

“I apologize. I didn‘t know what to do so early in the morning.” Caster apologized to Belfast in which she nodded with a smile.

“You could have slept. I remember you saying that you need to rest for this whole day.” Belfast repeated that Caster said yesterday.

“A leader doesn‘t do that. As a Commander, I always have to take initiative. No matter what. Even if screwing up my sleep schedule.” Caster explained his thoughts about his “rest“.

Caster has been used to waking up so early and it‘s just another time explaining to someone why he wakes up so early than others that it feels like it‘s pointless when he can get more rest.

‘A tired leader is a great leader.’ Caster thought as he repeated the words of his former teacher. Sure, it sounds counter-productive, and maybe other Commanders out there don‘t like getting tired or stressed. But he takes that quote quite seriously. And believes a leader has to “lead by example“.

“You‘re only starting your Commander duties and yet, you‘re already starting to worry me,” Belfast said to Caster in which he felt bad for worrying her already.

“Okay. I‘ll try to pace myself next time, Belfast. Anyway. Shall we eat breakfast? I‘m exhausted.” Caster suggested.

“Okay. But you need to get changed first. Your clothes are soaked.” Belfast answered. As Caster gets up and goes back to the building, and Belfast follows.

As those 2 are going back to the office, as they move through the cafeteria, where Caster was formerly before exercising, the girls already awake and the staff including Hornet looked at the Commander with awe. And started gossiping on what happened on why their new Commander is drenched with sweat all over.

As they were closing in the office, Caster encountered two girls going in another direction in front of him. One of them, he recognized from the ceremony yesterday, but the other he didn‘t recognize.

“Dear, he looks very tired. I wonder what happened.” A beautiful white-haired lady with fashionable clothing commented on the Commander‘s state.

The other girl, which was also a white-haired girl, with the purple eyes, who was also at the ship incident yesterday, just stayed silent.

A-kun: The number of white-haired girls is getting ridiculous. How the hell am I gonna tell you, beautiful readers, the difference with them? Back to the story, please. *groans* (2025 me: I use pictures anyway, wtf does it matter mater)

‘Why is that guy looked like the same person on my ship...’ She thought.

When the 2 finally got inside the office, Belfast got the Commander‘s uniform and gave it to Caster. As Caster went to the bathroom to change, Belfast spotted a new thing that she didn‘t saw in the office yesterday. The old guitar that looked brand-new laid beside his bed.

Belfast was confused. She doesn‘t know of a guitar ever existing in the Azur Lane base before. She thought of some possibilities, but she got interested most of the thought that the new Commander can play this instrument.

“Okay. I‘m finished. Shall we?” Caster said implying that they should probably eat now. Caster is hungry as frick.

They went out of the office and went into the cafeteria. Belfast said that Caster should sit down and rest and Belfast will get the food for him. You know, typical maid stuff.

Caster looked around and the same girls who stared at him earlier were now looking again at the Commander. Because of his inability to respond to girls staring at him, he waved at the girls.

And to his surprise, they all looked away from him by embarrassment. But Caster seems that he didn‘t take it that way. He was slightly concerned. And before he can even dive deeper with that concern, Belfast arrived with his breakfast.

The meal consisted of one protein, (ie. Meat.) vegetables. a medium serving of soup. And lots of water.

“Here you go, Master. If you wanna keep yourself healthy, a diet should be in place also.” Belfast said as she sits across from Caster.

“I guess so. Thanks for the food.” As Caster eats the food in front of him.

Belfast smiled as she watched the Commander eat the food in front of him. And she staring so hard that she didn‘t look anywhere else but him.

“Something wrong?” Caster noticed Belfast staring at him.

“No. It just makes me happy to see people eat what I make.” Belfast answered. And much to Caster‘s surprise.

“You made this? This is really good.” As Caster drinks some water.

“Is that so?” Belfast asked and Caster nodded.

“Why would I lie?” As he smiled and continued eating.

‘I should probably tell her about the enemy sighting.’ Caster thought before finally getting some courage to tell her.

“I saw a problem when I was jogging earlier...” Caster turned his tone into a serious one.

“May I know what it is?” Belfast asked, in confusion.

“There was a small little ship on the shores that looked like the one that I, Javelin, and the others fought. Looks like a scout ship.” Caster explained what he saw to Belfast where she got slightly worried but she didn‘t show it.

“So...” Belfast said before Caster interrupted her.

“There is an attack coming this morning. By the way, pardon me if I lack Navy knowledge. I‘m again, an Army Commander in my world.” Caster apologizing to Belfast for no reason. But she accepted the apology anyway.

“I‘ll tell the others... You continue to eat.” Belfast stood up from her seat. “Pardon me.” As she left the cafeteria to tell the other ship girls.

As Caster was eating, he was greeted by Javelin and Laffey.

“Commander... Eating... Is that good?” Laffey told Caster. Who chuckles trying to get an answer out of his mouth.

“Yes, it is good. Want to try it?” Caster asked Laffey.

“Sure, Commander...” Laffey opens her mouth as Caster feeds her some food.

Javelin looked on with slight envy. As the other girls looked on too.

“Is something you want from me, you two?” Caster asked the two girls.

“I was just asking if I can eat with you...” Javelin sheepishly asked the Commander. He nodded in agreement.

“Yay...” As Laffey sat on the seat across from Caster. “Javelin, get my food...” She said usual lazy tone.

‘I really don‘t know why that makes me chuckle every time.” Caster thought.

“No! Come with me! I can‘t pick your food.” Javelin pulls Laffey to her and drags her to the food section and Caster looked on with amusement. He smiled slightly.

=================

“Hello, miss.” Belfast greeted a fellow, white-haired girl.

“I have a name, you know.” She giggled.

“Sorry. Illustrious.” Belfast apologized.

“What is it that you came here for? I thought you‘re taking care of the new Commander?”

“I was. But I got some news that is troubling,” said Belfast taking Illustrious by surprise.

“Oh my, did he see something bad?” She questioned the news.

“Yes. He saw a Siren ship scouting us really early in the morning.” Belfast broke the news to Illustrious.

“That‘s definitely troubling. I‘ll tell the others about it. And also, Commander saw the ship ‘early‘ in the morning?” She got confused by the early part. Wanting Belfast to validate that assumption of hers.

“Yes, he did. He woke up at 4 AM. Even I was impressed.” Belfast smiled as she said that.

“That‘s sure impressive...” Illustrious said before she turned around. “I‘ll tell the others. See you later.” As she left Belfast.

And so, Belfast is left to her own devices and she went back to the cafeteria. And surprise! He wasn‘t there anymore.

‘Where could he be? The office perhaps?’ Belfast thought as she walked back to the Commander‘s Office.

She went inside the office and he was there. And he had a serious look on his face. He looks more worried than Belfast is.

“What are you doing, Master?” She questioned what he was doing.

“I‘m currently looking at the map of the base. Which was conveniently placed under a drawer of my desk.” Caster said before drawing some lines on the map. “Oh yeah, can I draw on this? I look like I‘m ruining this beautiful map of the base.” He added.

Caster wanted to prepare for the assault that‘s gonna happen. But he just didn‘t plan only one. He had a Plan B. Plan C. Plan D.

“A plan in the military is always bound to go wrong. I gotta be prepared.” Caster mumbled as Belfast sits on the sofa. As she was watching him.

‘I can‘t say one bad thing about him. He‘s sure not lying when he told he was the Army Commander thing. I thought he was lying...’ Belfast thought as she took her attention to the guitar. And she looks back at the Commander who looked like he was not in a talking mood right now.

“There.” As he memorized the plan in his head. “Hold on. I‘ll go outside.”

“Where are you going, Master?” Belfast asked Caster where he was in the process of getting out of the office. And Belfast ready to follow him.

“Um, going outside.” Caster said as he walked out of the room and Belfast following him.

The 2 were outside. And he sat on the bench and Belfast kept standing beside him. Caster was guessing what direction the attack is gonna come from.

“Miss Belfast!” A kid cried out calling her. “Hornet wants your help!”

“Pardon me, Master.” As Belfast bolted to the cafeteria to the kitchen to help Hornet with... Something.

Caster lost his focus for just a second as he pondered what the hell happened in the kitchen. He smelled the air but he didn‘t smell burning stuff. But regained his focus and started to get some fresh air.

He also noticed that he was alone again. He finally got some time to think about the thought he got earlier.

He isn‘t a popular Commander.

He felt that he didn‘t do a good job of making himself a trust-worthy Commander. He contemplated if his honesty and not hiding anything from the girls backfired on him.

He remembered a time in the military that one Sergeant was disgraced and discharged from the military because he defied direct orders and jeopardize the entire mission. It was a cautionary tale that was told to Caster and many others by many teachers and Drill Sergeants over the years. And he even used that tale when he was a Drill Sergeant also.

He didn‘t want the girls to defy orders on him but he realized, they are also people. So he made up his mind to ask Belfast about the problem of why the girls are avoiding him.

But he had an idea. Since the battle is coming up sooner or later, he‘ll do his best to try to get their respects. He pondered on how he‘s gonna do it though. The simple answer would be, “win the battle!” or something. But there are also other factors.

He got so stressed by the thought that he left the bench he was sitting in. Effectively leaving Belfast also. Since she would probably come back to the bench. Poor Belfast.

“I‘ll just do my very best. I just have to live with the results.” He mumbled and went to his left. Walking to the speaker tower. In which he encountered when he was running in 4 loops.

He finally got to the tower and sat on the chair there and turned on the electric fan relaxed there before the battle.

=================

The alarm sounds. As Caster finally saw the Sirens coming into their base.

“Ladies, there is a fleet of enemies outside the base. I won‘t waste your time, please get to the sea and intercept that fleet.” Caster said before hanging up the inter-com.

Caster left and ran to the docks. Where she saw one particular girl...

=================

“Enterprise! Engage!” A silver-haired girl with an Eagle on his back screamed.

The ship turned into some blue cubes and they all got absorbed into the girl‘s body. And suddenly making a bow.

She went into the battlefield along with Illustrious, Javelin, Laffey, Ayanami, and Z23. And her sister, Hornet.

Caster saw the transformation and he was surprised. Confused. One of those emotions. But he also recognized the ship. That‘s the ship he was sitting at the edge and sat there and sung his song.

‘I also heard “Enterprise“. That‘s the name of the ship?’ He thought as he got interrupted by Belfast.

“Master. Are you here to help us?” Belfast asked Caster.

“I want to get in the action.” He nodded.

His love of getting into the action never changed. He doesn‘t want to be left out of a great battle. He knows the danger but goes for it anyway. Old habits die hard...

“I hope your strategy will work for this one, Master.” As Belfast said what Caster was doing earlier. Drawing up strategies for the attack. “Also, if you want to join, there is a submarine specifically made for the Commander. It can be controlled by one person, and it has good armor against attacks.” Belfast added.

“Alright. Thanks.” As he watched Belfast go in the waters and forms her weapons.

‘What are those blue cubes? Sci-fi Lego blocks?” Caster thought. As he runs to the submarine. He as he was running, he looked at the enemy fleet. And his prediction of how many ships they‘re using for the attack of the base.

Caster was finally in the submarine and revved its engine and goes in the battle. But he knows that he‘s inside a submarine. And he was not good at driving it. Be he knew the basics. And he also noticed he‘s probably near the action so the submarine went back a little bit.

He stopped driving the submarine and felt this was the right position to sit out and he went in the back. And it was like a telecommunications center there. He saw a headset. He wore it and spoke through the microphone.

“Anyone hear me?” He said. In which one ship girl responded.

“Yes, Master. Will you go on with the plan?” It was Belfast responding.

“How many enemies are there?” Caster asked.

“There are 6 Destroyers, 5 Cruisers, 4 Frigates. That seems to be all, Master.”

“Is anybody else answering this? Is it just Belfast?”

“Commander! Javelin here! What‘s the plan?”

“You‘re lively today. Be careful out there.” Caster warned Javelin.

“I can‘t see the battlefield that well, but I‘ll continue with the plan.” Caster smirked slightly.

“What is it?” Belfast asked.

“I want the enemy Frigates to be destroyed since they have great speed and could outmaneuver us. I want the 4 girls who helped me last time.”

He smiled in the thought that he was only slightly wrong with the prediction on how many ships they‘re using to attack the base. His prediction for Destroyers was only 4 but Belfast said 6 and the rest were on point. So he only needed to adjust his strategy a little bit to go on with his Plan A.

“You got it, Commander! I‘ll tell the Z and Ayanami too!” Javelin said to Caster.

“You go get them!” Caster encouraged Javelin.

“What to do for the rest? The Cruisers and Destroyers? Should we go defensive or offensive?” Belfast asked.

“We‘re gonna take the fight to them.”

“Isn‘t that very risky, Master?” Belfast said worriedly. But he knew that would be a risk. But he‘s ready to gamble.

“The more unorthodox the strategy is, the more the enemy will not expect it.”

Belfast was kinda stunned for a bit before she snapped back to reality.

This quote by Caster would be a normal thing in his Army Commander stint. He would always do some crazy things just to throw off the enemy a little bit. And he‘s gonna do it again. But he is ready for gambling.

“Okay, then Commander. The backline will help from the base.”

“Wait. Backline? Who are they?”

“Master, they‘re the aircraft carriers.”

“Okay, then. Time to get in there. Good luck.”

The ship girls went in there guns blazing. The Azur Lane fleet had a huge headstart over the Sirens. Although Caster doesn‘t know the name of the enemy is the “Sirens“. Managing to destroy the Frigates with almost no resistance.

Caster again felt uneasy. He feels something bad is gonna happen. He has an uncanny feel for it. In response to his uneasiness, he went into the driver seat and tries to move the submarine to go to a better position. But he rudely interrupted by...

CRASH!

Then a tower of water goes up in the air...

=================

BOOM!

Then another tower of water splashes up in the air.

“What‘s happening?” Illustrious told Enterprise.

“I don‘t know,” Enterprise answered. “But it looks like submarines. I‘ll take them out.”

She did what she said... She used some torpedo bombers to attack the submarines submerged in the deep water. But fortunately, it does hit the submarines.

Then a submarine surfaces up to the surface and it was heavily damaged. And the hatch opened.

‘Who‘s there?’ Enterprise thought.

Then Caster started getting out of the submarine as he‘s crawling for the nearest cover. He‘s heavily injured in the hip area but can still crawl. Horrified, and wanting to help, Enterprise asked:

“We need you brought to the hospital,” Enterprise told the Commander. “I‘ll help you,” Enterprise added not before Caster interrupted.

“No! Help your friends first. I will not leave.” Caster insisted to stay even with the injury in place. He was determined not to make the injury worse.

Enterprise was speechless. Instead of saving his life, he wanted to save the others first. It was very similar to her ideals. And so, she abided to his command and helped the others to destroy the Destroyers.

Caster is recovering (kinda) from the sudden injury and got the strength to walk up to a higher place as he walks up the stairs to see the battle. And Illustrious saw the new Commander injured.

“Don‘t even think about it.” He said to Illustrious. “I‘m not leaving the battle until we won.”

Enterprise took off and left the defensive line leaving Hornet and Illustrious to defend the base.

Illustrious was super worried but she couldn't disobey the order. So she kept fighting.

The injury of the Commander made Hornet, Illustrious, and Enterprise a bit more aggressive and stronger because of that. Maybe it was an inspiration reason, or maybe it was desperation reasons.

=================

“Cleveland! Get in there!” Enterprise tells Cleveland.

“You got it!” As she went in there to help Belfast, and the 4. And they‘re making a big dent in the fleet.

Enterprise winds up her bow and released it. And her arrow pierced the armor of the Siren Destroyer. And by complete chance, she hit the engine. Making it sink and explode.

The battle started to turn around for Caster and co. And finally, the Sirens are retreating. And they went after them. Destroying every single last of them. They won. Their first win in a long while. Since the ships are mostly scouting the Siren fleets and the Sirens just didn't have the aggression to attack the girls frequently.

As the girls go back to the dock, specifically Enterprise who was speeding back to the dock faster than the others.

And they saw a very injured Commander Caster but he was smiling at the victory. Belfast was horrified by the injury on the hip and he was immediately put to the Azur Lane hospital. Again.

Word Count 4420 Words...

9:26 PM
4/3/20

Chapter Text

=================

It’s been about 30 minutes since Caster was on the floor smiling at the girls happy about the recent victory against the enemy. But now he’s in a hospital bed again and he’s getting chewed out by Belfast. She’s very angry at Caster. So early in his tenure as Azur Lane Commander.

Caster just chuckled slightly and remembered on the days that he would get also lectured and screamed at by Drill Sergeants at his cadet days. But Belfast was calmer, but she could destroy any person’s confidence with words alone. Caster is getting that treatment right now. But again, he didn’t pay any mind.

“Are you listening to me?” Belfast questioned Caster still very angry.

“Yes, I get what you mean.” Caster said in defense. And also lying since he didn’t listen prior to this.

“Belfast, he got attacked by submarines. There’s no way we could have known unless they fire on something. And they went to the Commander’s submarine.” Enterprise said effectively saving Caster from any more banter from Belfast.

‘Thank you, Enterprise... My god...’ Caster thought. Also sighing in relief.

Before Belfast can say her apologizes and one more warning to Caster, Vestal came in the picture with an X-ray photo and some papers...

“You’re getting incredibly lucky. Your hip injury, we X-rayed it, and it came off negative. It is a minor injury.” Vestal breathed a sigh of relief.

“But,” Vestal’s tone turned into an almost demonic mode. “If you keep getting injured day by day, I’m forced to...”

“We’re not gonna like it. An injured Commander isn’t a good one.” Illustrious interrupted before Vestal gets more passive-super aggressive with Caster. In which Belfast was holding her to calm her down.

“Yeah. You’re not being careful enough. We could just take care of it.” Cleveland spoke up.

Caster groaned thinking in the fact that he’s not gonna join the action anymore. In which in hindsight, or even in common sense, it would be the better solution since longevity is key in commanding troops. And losing a Commander is devastating in any form. But to his unrelenting stubbornness, he’s still not changing one bit.

“Yeah, no.” Caster shook his head. Much to the girl’s surprise. “If we have victory, I should be there, if we lose, I should be there. I’m not gonna stay in the sidelines seeing you all in danger. If you all are risking your lives out there, I should be doing that too.” Caster explained his reason for being a stubborn Commander.

The girls nodded. And some were downright impressed by him. And they’re happy to know that a Commander is always joining them till the end. Particularly Enterprise and Illustrious. They weren’t expecting that from Caster. Or from any other Commander.

“We understand, Master. Well, are you gonna rest just like you promised yourself yesterday?” Belfast spoke up. Asking him in the process also.

“If you say so. And by the way, thank you all for being so worried about my well-being. Anyway, you can all go now. I’m gonna rest a bit more.” Caster said to the girls.

They all nodded and most of the ladies went out of the room and Belfast also bowed her way out of the room. As for Vestal, she also went out to repair some ships. Though Caster doesn’t know that yet.

The girls left and Caster is ready to relax. But he didn’t account for one thing. The 4 girls, Javelin, Laffey, Z23 and surprisingly Ayanami stayed behind to accompany the Commander. He didn’t ask for the company, but he doesn’t mind it. So he let them stay.

“Don’t you worry us like that Commander ever again.” Javelin said to Caster with a sad tone. She’s still worried. As she was holding Caster’s left hand but he didn’t mind on the more than a friendly gesture.

“Laffey... I will get mad with you...” Laffey laid her head on Caster’s leg. She’s probably sleeping now... “If you...” And she fell asleep.

“Commander.” The absolute silent girl in Ayanami finally spoke up. Caster couldn’t let the chance slide.

“Yeah? The name’s Ayanami right?” Caster asked Ayanami in which she nodded.

“Are you finally gonna take us to victory?” Ayanami asked Caster...

He got surprised at the question. The obvious answer is ‘yes’ in all forms. Especially the minor victory they got against the enemies... But he thought there was a deeper meaning in her words.

“Why ask that question out of all the possible ones?” Caster gave a heart-warming smile to Ayanami in which she looked away looking nervous and fidgety.

“No... It’s not that...” As Ayanami looked at the others, they were all sleeping. Z23, Javelin, and Laffey. “There was 1 other Commander before you.”

“Yeah and?”

“He was... How should I say this... Disappointing?” said Ayanami making Caster surprised. And also kind of disappointed. How could this guy be a disappointing Commander? There is never a good excuse to be a bad Commander. You’re fighting in wars in which you hold hundreds of lives and they listen to you. If one bad move is done, it’s over for them. You just wasted lives without getting anything for compensation.

“Oh? Really? If so, what happened to that Commander?” Caster asked intrigued with the other disgraced Commander.

“He was ousted of the base by Enterprise... And he’s been trying to get back to the base ever since. But we took measures for security to keep him out.” Ayanami explained the fate of the disgraced Commander after his... Incompetent decisions?

‘This is interesting information. There are former Commanders of Azur Lane before me?’ Caster thought... He needs to look into this more when he has the time.

“This Commander is ousted, correct?” Caster repeated Ayanami’s words.

Ayanami nodded and Z23 woke up and got slightly embarrassed because that her of all people, would sleep.

“I’m so sorry, Commander! I got sleepy...” Z23 apologized in which Caster smiled saying:

“We’re all tired Z23. We all woke up very early in the morning. Don’t worry about it.” He reassured Z23 and she smiled.

“Thanks, Commander.”

‘I can actually ask about my problem with these 2. Preferably, it would be Belfast I would be asking, but this 4 doesn’t seem to hate me or dislike me so this is a fine alternative...’ Caster thought. Finally getting the chance to vent about the dilemma of the ‘unpopular’ Commander

“Anyway. You two, since you’re looking the most mature ones here, I have a slight problem I have been wanting to vent about.” Caster said to the girls. Getting their attention in the process.

“Okay, we’ll listen to it.” Z23 nodded and she and Ayanami gave her full focus to Caster.

Caster was struggling to find a way to say the words that he wants to say. But after a whole minute, Caster finally got some courage to tell them. But he did it in a confusing manner. A question.

“What is my position with you girls? Not just you 2, all of the girls in the base.” He asked the girls making the girls confused. Especially Ayanami. She wasn’t prepared to answer the question. But fortunately, Nimi was somehow prepared. One way or another.

‘I feel a bit better now...’ Caster thought. He feels an invisible burden has been lifted off him.

“We’re your Commander,” Z23 answered and that was the answer that Caster didn’t want. So in response, he asked again, but he was being transparent this time.

“Do you girls... Do not respect me?” As the tone of Caster’s words became sad. And which the 2 girls were even more surprised than last time. And unfortunately, Javelin just woke up to hear that question. As she got sad immediately.

“No! We respect you whole-heartedly!” Javelin answered. She doesn’t seem to have that tiredness when someone wakes up. So it would only mean that she was really serious.

“Why are you saying that, Commander? This is not the time to be like that.” Z23 managed to be worried and also give him lecturing at the same time. A feat to say the least.

“No. We respect you all I think the others do too.” Ayanami answered that would sound like a mood-changer for Caster but he didn’t budge.

Instead, he became sadder as he looked down... The girls are panicking to find a way to cheer him up. And it’s at this point the girls realized that Caster’s question was a legitimate problem for him.

For a few minutes, the girls tried buttering him up with some compliments, and some slight affection. Even Z23 joined in even with her slight tsundere-ness not getting in the way. But then Caster had a slight mood change.

“You see, I don’t really deserve the praises that you girls are saying to me. And I know, you’re trying to cheer me up.” As the girls (excluding Laffey. Still asleep.) looked down. But not for long. “I really only need from you all is respect. Nothing more than that. Because with that, I can take you all to victory. I can assure you that.” This statement sounded cocky by Caster but he said it in a still sad manner. So they didn’t see him as overconfident but they agreed surprisingly.

“Girls. You don’t have to worry too much about me. I’ll take a long nap. You girls go on with your day. I’ll wake up later...” As Caster snuggled into his sleeping position. And he finally closed his eyes to sleep. Leaving the 4 hanging.

=================

The starter ship girls are outside the hospital room. And they were in the docks. (Laffey's awake now! Yay.) Since the girls were very intrigued and wanted to dive deeper into the subject, they used their brains and made up a plan. After some careful thinking, (It’s mostly Z23 planning.) the girls agreed on a “survey“ of sorts. They would ask the ship girls in this base if they like the new Commander so far and give their reasoning. What they want from this survey is how many girls like the work of the Commander so far.

A-kun: Look on the “bold“ names. So you don’t get lost trying to keep track who’s getting surveyed.

And the plan is in place, and they have a full day to do it. So they started asking around the base.

1st person to be questioned, the one and only Belfast.

“He’s been a really good Commander so far. I feel more alive now serving him.” She smiled.

Enterprise.

“I don’t know yet. But I’m happy that he’s willing to also risk his life out there with us.”

“But do you like his work so far?” Z23 asked Enterprise.

Enterprise was kind of nervous and thus, can’t answer. But onwards! Illustrious.

“Oh my. You’re asking me? I guess he’s been very impressive. It’s not even a week yet. Yet he showed quickly how respectable and the trust-worthy person he is.”

Hornet.

“He’s looking a pretty promising Commander for us. So... I like him. N-n-no! Not that way! I like his work!” She was flustered a little bit.

Cleveland...

“Oh, I have only seen him once but he seems he’s a pretty nice guy!” Cleveland exclaimed. So far, Caster has his opinion getting turned upside down by the girls. They respect him very, very much. And fortunately, her sister ship, Columbia, was her also. So the girls asked her the same question too.

“W-w-wha? Me? I haven’t met him yet.” Columbia answered.

“I’ll introduce him to you,” Cleveland commented at Columbia’s answer.

“Okay, then. Thanks, big sis!” She hugged her sister ship.

“O-okay! You can go now... Ouch, get off me!” Cleveland tried to wiggle out of Columbia’s hug.

Long Island... (A-kun: Personal favorite Light Aircraft Carrier... She cute AF.)

“I-I don’t know him yet, haven’t seen him. But I plan to! If I have the time...” Long Island nervously scratched her head.

“You need to see him!” Javelin told Long Island trying to convince her to see Caster for the first time.

“Okay...” Long Island nodded.

Vestal.

“If he’s not getting injured all the time, I like him so far. But then again, I’m only at the hospital. So I’m not seeing any action.”

Unicorn? (A-kun: Whoop whoop! That’s the sound of da police!)

“T-there’s a new Commander in the base?” She asked confused.

“Yes, Unicorn. You should see him. He’s pretty nice.” Illustrious patted Unicorn in the head. Making her smile. And hug her unicorn toy more tightly.

“O-okay... If you follow me, big sis...” She looked up at Illustrious.

“Okay then.”

They didn’t get anything from Unicorn, but the survey still continues. Akashi...

“Huh? Him? He hasn’t come to me for help yet nya. But I guess he’s good nya.” She shrugged.

The survey continued until 6:32 PM. The girls got a lot of girls interviewed in a short amount of time. There was a lot more, but it would be too long to mention them all. So then here are the results of that “survey“.

97% approved of the new Commander so far.

The 4 girls weren’t surprised at all. Especially Javelin and Z23. Nimi already had a feeling that Caster was misunderstanding stuff from the start. But she wanted to do this first to reassure the assumption.

 Plus they also asked a bonus question for the girls who got surveyed. “Why are there some girls who are nervous approaching him?” Almost all of the girls told the same thing.

“Really? That’s the reason?” Z23 commented.

“That’s what they said.” Javelin retorted.

“I mean, I feel that aura sometimes,” said Ayanami out of nowhere.

“Yay... Scary...” Laffey said confusing the 3 girls.

“There’s actually one more that I wanna interview,” Javelin spoke up.

The girls had interviewed so many girls in a 3-hour span. So there’s no surprise that Z23 was kind of annoyed.

“We got so much data now. It’s a consensus now. They all like him.” Z23 responded to Javelin in an annoyed tone.

=================

They were outside of a door in a solitary building in the Azur Lane base. One building that Caster hasn’t gone in yet. But seen already. But the 4 are going inside that door.

“Anyone...? Here?” Javelin pushed the door open little by little to ensure they were not trespassing... Even in friendly soil, trespassing is a danger here.

“Hello? Oh. Javelin. And hello also Laffey, Zed, and Ayanami. What makes you come here late?” A beautiful also white-haired girl that looked like Enterprise spoke up.

“Um...” Javelin stuttered in her words. “We’re here for uh... Interview. On the new Commander of our fleet...”

“Oh, Mr. Caster? Edrich Caster?” She said. Making the 4 girls surprised.

“You already know his name?” Z23 asked surprised.

“Of course. Enterprise tells me basically everything.” She giggled. “Plus, an interview? What is it about?”

The girls told her about the reasoning of the survey. And Yorktown obliged to give her opinion. But she didn’t know anything about Caster. So she requested to be brought to Caster. Who is still in his hospital bed. Probably awake now.

And so they did. The 4 girls brought the sickly Yorktown to Commander Caster who was still inside the hospital room. And inside the room, Caster was still there reading some books. A lot of books. He is reading about the Cleveland-class ships. And also the different factions in this world. And he’s learned a lot in a short amount of time.

“You’re Commander Edrich Caster?” Yorktown spoke up surprising the hell out of Caster. Immediately standing up and bowed to her immediately.

“You’re the legendary Yorktown... I am extremely not worthy of your presence.”

“No, how about we talk?”

“O-oh? Thanks... Okay. Let start with.”

Then a maid that looks like Belfast... Too similar to Belfast comes in.

A-kun: Edinburgh is a cutie too...

“U-um...” She said in a timid tone... “Is the Commander of Azur Lane here?”

“That would be me... What is it?” Caster tilted his head to the maid.

“You’re getting called into a meeting.”

“Meeting?”

And here’s Caster getting called into a meeting. What it could be...?

Word Count: 2815 Words.

10:10 PM
4/6/20

Chapter Text

=================

“Yes...” Edinburgh said while getting jittery.

‘What’s up with her?’ Caster raised his eyebrow. ‘I guess she’s a timid type.”

“Oh yeah. Are you gonna join me, Ms. Yorktown?” Caster eyed Yorktown. Trying to get her to agree and join.

“Oh, no. It’s gonna be late... I’ll talk to you in some other time...” She shook her head.

Caster didn’t have any choice. He’s got experience dealing with meetings, gatherings, events, and many more. And this meeting would be nothing more than what the word suggests. Meeting. It’s just a normal meet-up. But for some reason, he was nervous.

Edinburgh was still looking at the Commander still waiting for a response. And he didn’t want to keep a girl waiting so he agreed and stood up from his hospital bed.

“You 4,” Caster looked at the 4 girls before he left the room “Take her back where she came from. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He said before leaving the room.

He stepped out of the room and he followed Edinburgh to a door with fancy decorations on it.

‘This looks like a little girl went crazy with stickers...’ He thought before the maid opened the door to meet who was on the other side.

Caster was surprised at the sight. He didn’t say it out loud, but he sure can’t deny it. ‘She is gorgeous.’

“You’re here... That was quick.” The lady said sipping tea from her cup.

“May I ask what your name is?” Caster asked and the lady closes her eyes and smiles.

“HMS Hood. Or Hood for short. Pride of the Royal Navy.”

Another famous ship. But Caster knows what happened to her real-life counterpart. But he didn’t pay it any mind.

“Hood... Okay. What am I here for?”

“First of all, why won’t you sit down? You’re gonna tire yourself.” She smiled.

Edinburgh escorted Caster to his seat across Hood. As he sat, the atmosphere of the room was relatively calming. But face to face with a person kinda made the mood tense.

“You’re Edrich Caster, right? Want some tea? I have a lot to spare.” Hood offered Caster her tea. Caster just staring at the tea that is in front of him. He didn’t know what to say as a response.

You see, Caster in his time has never had anything close to tea until this point. Coffee and water were the only liquids he would welcome but he never tried tea. And at this point in time, he has the opportunity to finally try it.

He hesitantly picked up the teacup and sipped some tea.

‘Damn. This is not bad. But they are the British counter-part of their Navy. So, it should be expected they like their tea.’ Caster thought as he was sipping more of it.

Hood noticed that Caster was consuming his tea a little too quickly. She giggled and she thought that this Commander might not be all that bad. She made that observation based on tea.

“You might burn your tongue,” Hood commented on Caster’s tea-drinking shenanigans.

“Okay, I get it. But what am I here for? We’re just here for sipping tea?” Caster said before he finished his cup. Placing on the table as Edinburgh pours tea into his recently empty cup to make it full again.

“If you won’t mind, we can do this all night.” Hood smiled. “Edinburgh, pour me some.” And Edinburgh obliged and she pours Hood also a cup.

Hood smiled and of course, she didn’t forget why Caster is here. They’re gonna talk business.

“How’s the Commander position so far for you?” Hood asked Caster. “You like the girls here yet?” She said trying to get a reaction out of Caster. She wanted him to spit out his tea maybe in surprise.

“The position is not that far from what I was formerly doing... I was an Army Commander prior to this moment. But I lack naval knowledge and excited to learn more...” He explained his experience as a naval Commander so far.

Hood was slightly disappointed that he avoided the 2nd question that she had for Caster. But she was intrigued by the Army Commander position he had before. Just like every other girl in the base.

“Army Commander, you say?” Hood asked. Feeling that he might be lying.

“I get it. It sounds like a huge stretch. But I was a Commander before this.” He said. He wasn’t really willing to convince her since he felt that the girls believe what they want to believe. But he knows he’s saying the truth.

Hood was still wasn’t convinced. But Caster’s body language gave the impression he wasn’t lying at all. He wasn’t shaking, avoiding eye contact, all that stuff. She recognized the professionalism that he was giving off. So in the end, she believed him.

But that’s only the start of the conversation. He was called for a meeting, not a tea party. So Hood’s tone became somewhat serious.

“Mr. Caster. Do you know who we are fighting against?” Hood sat back from her chair.

“I do not know... But it looks like they’re powerful.” Caster answered while giving off an opinion or an observation of their opponent.

“Yes, they are powerful. And they’re called the “Sirens”.” said Hood and Caster was visibly surprised.

“Sirens?” Caster repeated.

“Yes. And their presence makes humanity’s survival very, very unlikely.” As she was still scarily calm as she was sipping more tea.

So Caster has finally got the answer on the names of the enemy... The Sirens. And he was ready to look into the history of the Sirens. And the famous quote goes: “knowledge is power.” And he realized something.

=================

Caster looked at the flagship as Javelin was taking down the flagship.

“They look like they have some advanced guns. They’re longer and larger too.” Caster said. “This could mean trouble for the people if that is the enemy.” He shook his head.

In his world, that large of a cannon would be violating laws of naval warfare easily. So he already spotted a difference within this world and his.

And as the 4 starter ships girls all ganged up on the flagship, he smiled in delight that the attack is going to be a resounding success.

“Phew. That battle wasn’t even close. The girls floored them.”

=================

“For your information, there was a former Commander of Azur Lane 6 months before you arrived. You’re the 2nd male I’ve seen ever.” Hood commented on the existence of that disappointing Commander as Ayanami said it earlier.

“And let’s say he was not sufficient to lead us. Though we helped him,” said Hood in disappointment.

“What are you implying?” Caster asked confused.

“I thought you have known by now.” Hood sighed. “How will you lead our fleet? To victory?”

This was... A really, really tough question to answer. And this question was hard enough to make him think for a minute. Formerly an Army Commander, he would look in what he’s fighting and what he’s fighting for. Then answer. This time though, he didn’t get a chance to do just that. But he heard Hood said that humanity’s survival is on the line. At that point, he knew at this point that what they are fighting is a big deal.

Thinking through his possible responses. He finally answered the question.

“There’s a lot of factors... And a lot to do to make this base and the fleet stronger. But, I’m pretty good at juggling lots of work. And I will do my absolute best to bring you all victory. You have my word.” Caster answered, in which Hood was impressed with the resolve of his. No doubt that Caster will not slack off and stay relaxed.

“Oh...” said Hood discouraged. Caster thought she reacted to his response. But another look says otherwise. She took a gander of her tea kettle. Which was, of course, decorated. It was light. And what does it mean? Empty. The tea has run out.

“The tea has run out. Oh, I’m sorry.” Hood sat embarrassed as her mind was racing on what to do or say next, while as Caster was responding to the important question Hood brought up, Hood was drinking lots of tea in the process. And Caster was looking down on the floor and didn’t notice Hood.

“It’s fine.” Caster said slightly hesitating. He didn’t know what she was apologizing for.

“I’m afraid the meeting has to come to an end. The tea has run out.” Hood said as Caster was trying to hide his expression of slight laughter. Well, it’s the British. So... Getting sad over tea was a big deal. But in Caster’s mind, he definitely took it as not a big deal at all.

“I’ll be taking my leave now.” Caster stood up from his chair and started to walk to the door to leave. But then he was stopped by Hood.

“What is it?” Caster turned around confused.

“Since you’ve been impressive, you can count on us if you need us.” Hood smiled. She basically said that HMS Hood and Edinburgh are joining Caster’s fleet. Though Caster didn’t know that.

But Caster smiled back and nodded and left the room. And went back to his office in quick fashion. (Basically running on the hallways back to his office.)

He arrived at his office in a horrific sight. He took a look at his desk and he saw his worse nightmare.

Paperwork.

Caster cringed at the sight of them.

‘This is one of the reasons why I join the battle and not stay on the sidelines.’ Caster's postured dropped, looking defeated. He really didn’t want to do them.

It’s a secret for Caster but he really can’t handle paperwork well. He’s been struggling with it since he became a Commander. An Army Commander. He gets lost easily in papers and has bad organizational habits with papers. But he’s getting challenged. But unlike back in his world, there was always somebody else better than him at doing paperwork. But this time, he’s the only person that can do it.

He sighed and he sat on the table and started to work on all the paperwork.

=================

It was the next morning... Caster apparently slept on his chair and Belfast noticed it immediately as she went into the office planning to wake up the Commander. On his bed. But that’s out of the window as he’s head is laid down on the desk and the paperwork finished. And also, there were a few books on the floor and some on the desk.

“Commander...” Belfast tugs Caster trying to wake him up.

Caster does wake up but he was very, very tired. Considering the sitting position as an alternative as laying down on a comfortable futon, his back was in slight pain. He yawned very loudly and wiped his face.

“The bath is ready, Master.” Belfast smiled as she greeted Caster.

“I slept on the desk?”

“Yes, you did. Come on. There’s a day in front of you.” Belfast stroked Caster’s forehead. She didn’t mean to do that but Caster took any notice.

Caster finally got up from his chair and went into the bathroom. While he was taking a bath, Belfast got some time to eye the books that he read before he probably fell asleep while reading one.

“Factions... Technology improvement tips for ships...” Belfast mumbled...

As a maid, she put the books in place. And in order. And she laid it on his desk. As for the paperwork, she brought it out of her room. To be given to... Someone.

And she finished cleaning and organizing the Commander’s Office. It was good as new. There’s one thing again that was going through Belfast’s brain as she sat on the sofa near the Commander’s desk.

‘I can’t describe how hard-working he is... But he slept on his seat.’ She thought while smiling.

Caster finally got out of the bathroom and fully dressed up in his uniform. Seems a new day is ahead.

“Shall we eat?” Belfast asked Caster. In which he nodded in agreement and they went into the cafeteria.

Caster had his lunch in the cafeteria and Javelin, Laffey, Ayanami, and Z23 were also there and sat near the Commander. Caster didn’t mind the company but Belfast kinda bothered by how many girls are gravitating towards Caster. And as she panned her head around the cafeteria, more and more girls would steal glances at the Commander’s table.

“Belfast, you good there?” Caster noticed the expression Belfast was making and she immediately got back to her poker face. For some reason, she would show some emotion with Caster around. It... It was definitely noticeable since Belfast almost NEVER shows emotion. Like, she would occasionally, but not to the extent of showing the face of being bothered.

“I’m fine.” She said to hide her thoughts from Caster as he kept eating.

“Have you eaten yet?” Caster asked Belfast in which she answered:

“I haven’t. Are you asking what I think you’re asking?”

“You should eat with me... I don’t really care if you’re a maid but we both need energy for the day and doing it 15 minutes after me isn’t really helping. When you’re here, why not help me and also eat at the same time?” Caster told his observation with Belfast and gave a solution. But Belfast thought it was silly and just shook her head.

However, she didn’t respond. She let him finish his food and Belfast took the tray and gave it back to the kitchen.

‘What’s up with her?’ Caster thought as he finished his glass of water.

“Commander. Can we finally show you our results?” Javelin spoke up. And she was right next to Caster so it didn’t take long to get his attention on her.

She was implying the results of the “survey” yesterday. But lo and behold, Caster wasn’t informed of the survey nor he got the consent of the girls to do it. So he was rightfully confused.

“Results? From what?” Caster queried Javelin.

“We got worried about your problem yesterday. So what we did... It is a survey!” Javelin answered happily. “Zed! Get the results!”

Z23 took out the papers where she was hiding them and gave it immediately to Caster.

“You’re still worried sick about that? I’m over it already.” Then his eyes widen as he saw the results.

‘97%?! WHAT? I WAS GETTING WORRIED FOR NOTHING THIS WHOLE TIME?!’ He mentally screeched. His dilemma was just a big, flat ruse.

“Oh my god... I’m so done...” He facepalmed. Knowing he worried about something that he was just misunderstanding. And he also saw the reasoning why the girls “avoid” him...

“I have a scary aura?” said Caster even more bewildered. “What the hell does that even mean?”

The 4 girls were chucking and giggling and Caster was chuckling along with the 4 because he also knows how ridiculous this situation is.

“Thanks for erasing my worries you 4. I owe you all.” Caster grinned at the girls.

“Commander... You better remember that...” Laffey as she finishes her food and burps a little bit.

“It’s all okay, Commander. We just want you to know that the girls here don’t hate you nor avoid you.” Z23 nodded to Caster.

Then the girls finally finished eating and Belfast came back and escorted Caster back to the office. And surprisingly, there wasn’t any paperwork to do.

“WOO!” Caster shouted as he sat back to his chair, smiling to himself.

But Caster decided to read some more books to get some more knowledge.

=================

Caster was a cadet, having a break time from all the chaos that the training regimen gives to the new cadets. And all the places and the things he could have done, like talking to his fellow cadets and have friends or memorize more mottos for the Army, but no, he was in the library inside of the many buildings they have in this fort.

And weirdly enough, he was the only cadet inside the library except for the Librarian.

Caster was really getting bored of the no social media thing while inside the training program. And he was chastised by his officer for not being smart enough so the guy put Caster inside a library for 5 hours to “get his mind into the right place”. Caster wasn’t a big fan of books. He preferred visual media than literature but he was in the library so what can he do? Break the rules?

“Oh... Damn... That’s quite the story.” As Caster finally finishes the book he was reading and put down the book on the floor. On top of a book, on top of a book and so on and so forth. He read almost 6 books in a span of 7 and a half hours. He was just sitting in a corner of the library on his own.

The librarian was passing by him as he was putting more new books into shelves and the librarian was very impressed and said it to the commanding officer. Who was that specific commander officer? Oh, you know, the former teacher of Caster. And he was impressed enough to take him under his guidance and he thought that the army snagged a gem with Caster. He was looking like a model soldier. But the key-word is, ‘looked’ like one. But he was not flawless like his teacher thought.

But this one incident that made him go to the library and read some books was enough to get him to be taught by his former teacher and this probably started the road to Commander for Caster.

=================

“Damn... I’m getting bored now from these books. I’ll take a break then read some more and probably get back on that green Neko cat.” Caster stood up from his seat and took his guitar and gone outside to relax and practice his guitar again.

He was walking past the cafeteria, there was no one there at 2 AM in the afternoon and the only person there was the staff. Mainly, Hornet who’s always there.

His place of guitar shenanigans wasn’t on the docks anymore. He found a good spot on the side of the cafeteria building with a coconut tree providing some shade. It was perfect. He leaned on the tree bark and strummed away his boredom.

=================

“My big sister is gonna kill me if I don’t get it now...” Columbia got outside the cafeteria building and started to run to her right to the marketplace where she needs to get some parts for a costume from Akashi. And it wasn’t for her. It was for Cleveland who asked her to do it 4 hours ago.

Then she heard music. And a voice. She stopped...

‘Where...? Is that...?’ Columbia thought. The voice was slowly drawing her closer. Making her go the place of origin of where that music came from.

Eventually, she found a hidden spot on the side of the building and there was a person leaning on a coconut tree and singing... She didn’t see who that person was but she was sure that was the Commander. So she had an idea of pulling her cellphone out and started to record him singing.

She got at least 2 minutes of video and she finally thought that was enough and stopped recording... And she scurried away almost forgetting was she was supposed to do in the first place.

=================

Caster sighed. He was in the office and was sitting on his bed. And he looked out the window to see if there was anything going on the other side... But then Belfast came into the room to give him his dinner.

“Dinner is here, Master.” Belfast laid the food down on his desk and Caster immediately came to the desk and ate the food.

“Master, did you saw the video?” Belfast as Caster who looked up at her confused.

“What video?” Caster said in such an air-headed way.

“Oh, nothing.” Belfast turned around to not see her smirk plastered on her face.

You know what happens with secrets. You tell it to one person then spread it to another then it just spreads all over the place. It was not long when Columbia showed the video to Cleveland then showed it to others then others showed it to others and almost the whole base knows of his singing ability now.

And some girls... Let’s just say they might never look at Caster the same ever again...

Word Count: 3449 Words...

12:36 AM
4/9/20

Chapter Text

=================

After the events yesterday, a new day is here. And new more craziness waiting to happen. This time, Akashi is in Caster’s office to talk about the “sci-fi lego blocks” that Caster was thinking about since yesterday.

At this point, Caster already explained his definition of “sci-fi lego blocks” to Akashi who sat there really confused since his explanation was very convoluted. It’s not that rare for Caster to mess up explanations anyway. Akashi in no one’s surprise, she kinda chuckled because the explanation was so bad.

But she knew what he was talking about. It’s the:

“Wisdom Cubes,” Akashi replied to Caster. “It’s not the whatever you said earlier nya.” With a trace of laughter within her tone.

“Wisdom Cubes... At least I don’t have to call it something that it isn’t... What does it do?”

“It can revive fallen ships nya.” She answered in a simple, concise manner. But however, this wasn’t enough for Caster. Actually, he was confused.

‘Revive?! Now, that’s possible?! Now, that’s a resource we could definitely use a lot of.’ He stroked his chin...

“Also nya, you told me to research the new weapons yesterday right?”

“Yeah, what about it?” Caster asked.

“That has a fee.” Akashi’s face turned into a slightly greedy expression.

In no one’s surprise, Caster paid a price for the tech research. A steep one at that. Akashi assured Caster that the tech will be brought back to him in three days. Akashi excused herself since she has more business to do outside the office. And she left Caster there alone doing more reading.

The books he was plowing through was giving him more and more knowledge and about the ship classes that exists here. And so he isn’t limited to only knowing Destroyers and Cruiser ships. Good for him.

But as he was about to finish a book about Essex-class ships, he was greeted by Belfast and came into the room looking like she needs something.

“Master, we need you in the cafeteria. It’s a meeting...” Belfast bowed to Caster in which he stood up.

‘Oh, how wonderful... I was about to finish the book.’ He mentally groaned. ‘What is it this time?’

If you didn’t know already, he was getting irritated by the sheer amount of disruption he has getting since the start of his tenure as Commander of Azur Lane. Every day was eventful, and him getting injured ALL THE TIME. It’s no surprise he was getting very exhausted by it and his stress will only get worse if it keeps going.

Belfast escorted Caster to the cafeteria in which it was empty.

“Why the cafeteria empty?” Caster looked at Belfast.

“It’s a meeting... I can assure you it won’t be long, Master.” Belfast helped Caster sit down on one of the seats.

The two were alone in the cafeteria and Caster was getting confused and impatient at the same time. But after a little bit, Enterprise and Hornet came into the cafeteria and the 2 sat across from Caster. From what he had read, these two are included in the “Yorktown-class” Aircraft Carriers.

“Good afternoon you two...” Caster greeted the two and Belfast bowed to Enterprise and Hornet too.

“Good morning, Commander.” Hornet nodded to Caster.

Enterprise, however, didn’t respond to the greeting. Another silent girl... He really can’t get any of the girls’ attention even if he spells it out to them that he wants to talk. He already misunderstood one thing with the survey thing. Now, this misunderstanding now.

‘It really does seem that everyone is scared of me one way or another. I really don’t know why.’  He scratched his head in absolute confusion.

But after a while and Caster just sitting around, The main attraction finally got here. Yorktown. She was escorted by Edinburgh. And one thing that Caster noticed, but didn’t mention yesterday that Yorktown looked sick. Or injured or something.

Yorktown came into the room carrying some books. In which he almost gravitated towards. But he needs to keep his childish instincts in check. So he sat there. With Belfast behind her.

“Sorry for making you all wait...” Yorktown apologized and she smiled making everyone in the room apologize to her instead.

She laid down the books on the table and she sat down just 2 seats away from Caster.

In respect, Caster stood up from his seat and bowed to Yorktown. Yorktown isn’t really prepared to do anything to the respectful gesture but she smiled and nodded. And Caster sat down.

The other Yorktown-class girls were also surprised by the action. As legendary as Yorktown was, she got her fair share of respect from other ship girls but not to the point they were bowing to her like some royalty. But Caster did just that. And the fact he was a male contributed too.

“Are we finally here to decide?” Hornet spoke up.

“Decide what exactly?”

After that question, she immediately got nervous and a little fidgety and looked away from Caster.

“Where’s Juneau, sister?” Enterprise asked her big sister.

“She’s taking a nap...”

“Sorry to barge in rudely, does Ms. Yorktown here has some health problems?” said Caster in which Hornet responded:

“Yes. She was originally an Aircraft Carrier. But one time we were fighting off the Sirens, she was severely injured. Since you’re my Commander now, I thought this would be the time to let you meet her.” Hornet explained Yorktown’s situation.

“Already ahead of you... She apparently came to me... 2 days ago?” He tries to remember what day it was that Yorktown apparently came into the hospital to meet Caster himself.

“Is it true, sister?” Enterprise said asking Yorktown in which she nodded.

“Well, I got involved in a “survey” about him. And since I didn’t know about him yet, I decided to see him myself.” Yorktown turned to Caster.

He slightly cringed at the thought of the survey yesterday. He was appalled with the results but he’s not a person to dip in the past too much.

“So, the point of the meeting. What is it?” Caster asked the whole room. And Yorktown answered.

“It’s to discuss what can I do to help the fleet,” Yorktown said. To everyone’s surprise. “I can’t be here doing nothing right?”

As per the information he got earlier, he knew that getting her into battle would be a really dumb, stupid, decision only an incompetent Commander would make. But as he was thinking about benching her, it didn’t sound like a good idea either. Again, just like she said: “I can’t be here doing nothing right?”

Thinking of more options... He got the opportunity to look at the books. As Yorktown was literally inviting for Caster to take a look at the books. And as he looked at one of the books, his eyes widen.

“Hamlet!? This is... One of the famous books in my world.” Caster said. “How did it got here?”

“We don’t really know. But what we know though is the books would get here by getting teleported in one of the islands here and some just get here by seeing them on the shorelines. What about it?” said Hornet.

“If I were to guess,” interjected Yorktown. “I’d say that our worlds are close together. And sometimes it’s really close that objects can also pass through.”

Caster wasn’t some genius at physics, or good at understanding dimensional interference and interactions so he took her explanation at face value.

“Have you read all of this?” Caster asked.

“Yes, all of them,” she replied. “And there’s a lot more books than I can read since I have a lot of time in my hands, given my situation.”

He got a bright idea from the look of the books. As the girls were just watched him.

“How about... A teacher?” He asked, smiled at Yorktown and she got surprised.

“A teacher?” She asked back.

“Well, I noticed as I was walking around the base earlier, I saw some kids running around. And I also assume that there’s a school for those said kids right?” As he turned to Hornet and Enterprise.

“The kids would be preparing for school in the next 3 months,” said Hornet. “But...”

“Then it’s a done deal,” said Caster. “I want you to become a teacher for the kids.”

Everyone was genuinely surprised by the decision. But he had this aligned with the goal of getting something done without getting into battle.

“I’ll ask Akashi again to build a separate building specifically used for schooling kids, until then, you can use one of the empty rooms that are apparently abundant in the base. You and... Juneau?”

Yorktown nodded...

“She will be your aide helping the kids. Anyway, I’ll be going now. More things to do.” As Caster stood up.

“Are you really okay with that?” Yorktown interjected and stopped Caster. “To be a teacher instead of a soldier?”

He smiled and said “It’s fine. Plus, I’m not just looking at the war. I’m looking also at the aftermath. The aftermath of a war is just as hard as the war itself. Correct?” In response, the girls nodded and Caster went back to his office to research more. And he was followed by Belfast.

=================

Two days have passed. Caster got to meet more of Royal Navy’s girls and some of them joined and some Eagle Union ships too. It was looking good.

As a bonus, Akashi had a record of everyone. And it can include girls that recently joined the fleet. So, he knows who’s ships joined his fleet. But he also paid a really steep price for it. And also for the communicator so that he can use to talk to the whole fleet.

A-kun: Akashi getting that cash, gems, everything...

And true to his word, the construction of a small school has been ongoing now and expected to be done in the next 3 days. And he said that the youngest members will only go to the school and not participating in any sorties (Caster finally knows what that means.) or mission alike.

And as he looked through the records of the girls, he only realized that he had a pretty decent fleet in terms of numbers. So he decides to make a schedule for all the girls to do. To make everything lively and everyone busy in the meantime. He also improved the living conditions, and he did small commissions and research to help with the development of the fleet.

It was looking good... He made immediate changes and it was positive for the most part.

With the regards of the rare item called “Wisdom Cubes”, and about the ability to revive something from the other side. The afterlife. But he didn’t hear anyone dying yet inside the fleet and outside of the fleet. But that didn’t stop him to see more into the subject. And he wants to harness it’s the power of revival if someone gets an unfortunate death.

=================

But we’re done talking in the past. Caster is walking around the base again to get some exercise. And as he was overlooking the construction of the school, he looked to his left. A guy outside the fence. He felt uneasy at the sight. There was barbwire on the top of the fence and he wasn’t really worried about the security. But the fact there’s another guy when he saw nothing but girls made him more uneasy. He held his communicator. Ready to press the S.O.S button.

He walks up to the guy. And he had familiar-looking clothes. He deduced that guy is wearing the same Commander uniform. He’s the FORMER Commander of Azur Lane. Now, ousted. He did look rubbish. It was said that he was trying to get back here... He was disgusted by how the guy looked.

“Good morning. How can I help you today?” Caster as he was being polite in a sarcastic way. (Is that even possible?)

“You... You’re just putting yourself under danger... You should turn back.” The guy said.

Caster shook his head.

“You’ll get killed by my “Masters”... You should save yourself from the destruction...” The guy started to move erratically. Snapping his head left and right. Creeping Caster out in the process.

And the guy finally looked up at him. He had lime-colored eyes. And he took a step back. Ready to press the S.O.S button.

“Since you’re one of their lackeys, why not kill me now?” Taunted Caster. As he pressed the S.O.S button and the alarm went off the base.

The girls immediately went out of their buildings looking for him. And he was not on the docks. At the backside of the base. They formed their weapons and kept looking for him.

“Back of the base. Get here ASAP.” Caster said as he was ready to attack him.

The guy had a creepy laugh and had a sharp knife to cut over the fence and he took out his pistol and fired. And Caster dodged the attack and the second shot though, he wasn’t so lucky. He got hit in the hip. Again. After a slight flinch, and a pained look on his face, he already got the guy to the ground and the girls finally got there and helped to stop him.

After the encounter,  the girls finally decided he was too unstable and arrested him for trespassing private property. But Caster though, he was injured. He mentally kicked himself because he didn’t go for a defensive stance instead of offensive. But to be honest, what defense can you make when a gun is pointed at you 5 feet away?

He regretted that encounter and he readied himself because he is gonna get chastised by Belfast and probably Vestal now. He was praying, mumbling random stuff, and some of the girls heard the stuff he was saying and they are confused as hell on why he can’t shut his mouth.

Some of the girls though, like Enterprise, Illustrious, and FREAKING- I mean, Hood was still there at the scene. As the guy was arrested, he dropped a mysterious thing. A cube. A Wisdom Cube. But unlike the other cubes, it was white. The girls were confused about it since they didn’t know what it is and what it does. So, to be in safekeeping, the 3 decided in consensus, let the Commander handle it with Hood since she also one of the most knowledgeable girls here. (Though Hood didn’t know she is involved. But better to be safer.)

=================

Back to Caster... He wasn’t chastised by Belfast, and to be honest, she seemed absent trying to help Caster. And Caster thinks she’s angry at him. And who can blame her? He’s even angry at HIMSELF. But Vestal though... She finally got inside the room and just looked at Caster. Up to this point, she had 2 days of rest. No one got hurt. It was a good 2 days. Then this happened. The look upon her face, the disappointment. But she knew it was her duty and she did it.

Caster sighed heavily as Vestal was getting her tools to see what happened. And it got her attention in which she looked at him. And his face was showing regret.

“You know what, I’m not going out of my office for a week...” Caster laughed even he was enduring pain in the process.

Vestal breathes in and out.

“Don’t give me that. You’re my Commander.” Vestal walked up to Caster with the proper tools.

“I really do owe you a lot for patching me up. What can I do for a return?” Caster looked at her, slightly smiling.

“I’ll keep that in mind for later. And I won’t forget it.” and Vestal followed with a sigh. As she was checking the wound on his hip.

=================

Caster was a Private. He just finished and came out alive of his first operation. But he wasn’t conscious. Oh, no. He got knocked out by an AK-47 of the noggin. It wasn’t severe. But slightly bad enough to take him out for a day.

The next day later, Caster is finally awake. And he’s yawning and his vision was kinda blurry. He looked around, and the doctors said: “He’s awake, he’s awake.” And after that, he saw his teacher who looked at him with worry and said:

“Oh, look who got knocked out by not paying attention...” His teacher jokingly said because his comrades report that Caster was knocked out because he was hiding and took too much time thinking. Thus, getting him knocked out by an AK.

“I’m sorry... Plus, this head injury isn’t much to worry about. It’s just a minor scratch, I’m fine.” Caster said trying to convince himself and his teacher that he is fine.

His teacher just shook his head in disappointment. And Caster looked down on his hand in slight regret. And he was ready to get bombarded with confidence-breaking words from him. But his teacher just looked at him and said the following quote. A quote that will be important later.

“One head injury may not look bad, but remember, this is war. You’re putting your whole body on the line. And the longer you go, the injuries will keep piling up on you like dead bodies stacked on top of one another.”

Caster didn’t respond because of the truthfulness of the quote and the fact he was creeped out by the dark analogy that his teacher just brought up. But he got the memo nonetheless.

=================

Caster got minimal punishment by his irrational actions and he was discharged off the hospital 3 hours later.

But now, he was in his office with Hood talking about the mysterious white Wisdom Cube. In which it was just lying there on the table and just floating. It would seem that the cube won’t fall on the ground.

Since they got nothing much to talk about the cube, their conversation turned into a friendly chat. It seemed that Hood and Caster forgot about their positions in the fleet. And just talked like normal people.  And it was fun.

The conversation was transitioning about dreams. They were 3 minutes on that specific topic but they didn’t notice that the white Wisdom Cube was glowing. But in really bizarre fashion. It would only glow or respond to the word “Dreams.”

“Um, Commander?” Hood gestured at Caster to look behind him.

He looked around and saw the cube wasn’t glowing. But then Hood said “dreams”. And the cube glowed. In curiosity, he stood up and walked to the cube...

But then a gleam of light engulfed the whole room and both of them were closing their eyes. But as the light faded. Hood opened her eyes once more...

He was gone.

Word Count: 3140 Words.

12:18 AM
4/12/20

Chapter Text

=================

The surroundings were dim. He’s floating through space. Unconscious. He was transported here by that mysterious white Wisdom Cube.

Then suddenly, the dim background... Started... Materializing...

What could it be?

=================

“Captain!” A voice called out to Caster. “Oh, no. Sergeant! He’s not responding!”

“We need to take him to a paramedic, come on!”

After some more words being spoken in the desert battlefield, Caster finally gained consciousness and woke up. Surprising the 2 soldiers.

“Captain! You’re okay!” The soldier said happily that he’s back. But there’s still gunshots being fired in his direction.

“W-where am I?” He asked confused. As he looked at his attire and he’s not wearing his Commander’s uniform. Instead, a camo green uniform.

“You’re in Afghanistan, sir!” The soldier explained what’s going on. “The operation named: “Purifier” is still ongoing!”

Caster remembered the moment he was here. But he was confused even more. How the hell did he get here? Is this a dream? Is it real life? Did that white Wisdom Cube contribute to the situation he was in? He wouldn’t know just yet.

He pinched himself in the cheeks to make sure he wasn’t dreaming. But he remembered something that made him uneasy. Operation: “Purifier”? We all know that Caster is a war veteran and a shrewd man. But as far as he knows, he doesn’t remember an operation named “Purifier” in his short stint in Afghanistan.

But he was here. In his natural environment. This is the place where his wit and talent shines. And so, he went with the flow and not questioned more.

“Where are we going?” Caster asked the soldier and the Sergeant responded.

“We’re going in the target building. It’s a church. We’re actually not far from here.”

“Alright, let’s do this!” Caster exclaimed. Being excited. But he knew he can’t possibly be injured now. He was just released from the hospital 2 hours ago. He isn’t gonna get himself injured anymore.

But he realized, he was bare. He didn’t have any weapon on himself except the communicator that Akashi gave him and paid a high price for it... Fortunately, the soldier noticed Caster that he didn’t have a weapon. So he gave him his M4A1 with Red Dot Sight attachment. His favorite sight in any weapon.

“You sure you don’t need this?” Caster asked the soldier.

“You’re better at using that weapon than me, sir. I’ll stick to my shotgun.” As he took out his secondary weapon. A shotgun. You’re expecting a wimpy pistol huh?

“Anyway, thanks. I have only one round of ammunition?” Caster asked as he was inspecting the weapon. Looking at the sight, and checking the magazine. He felt nostalgic holding this weapon.

In turn, the soldier gave all his AR ammo to Caster and gave some of his grenades and one flashbang. He happily accepted the super nice gesture and he thanked the soldier before he stood up and tried to look behind the wall he was getting protected by.

“I need suppressive fire!” Caster shouted and the soldiers all followed him and they poured fire to keep the enemy at a defensive position.

He ran to the wall and he crouched beside it. He made a signal to his troops that they will charge in... 3... 2... 1...

**BANG!**

Caster threw a flashbang to the enemy lines and it blinded the enemies and gave time for Caster to shoot the enemies as fast as he could before his forces come in as back up. And the simple strategy worked! As they cleared the area and just 100 meters from the target building. The church.

He wasn’t familiar with this certain situation yet. Since he didn’t remember attacking a church when there could be innocent civilians inside that church and get caught in the crossfire. So he commanded his troops to be careful. And take a breach instead of kicking down the door.

They all started to walk towards the church doors and suddenly the doors kick open. Surprising all the soldiers and attack dogs came out and some enemies shooting. And unfortunately, he got tackled by an attack dog and he was on the ground. But he had some experience dealing with attack dogs. So he killed the dog that was almost biting him, he killed the enemies on the church with lethal precision and killed the other dogs.

And somehow, he was the only one alive. All of his soldier friends were dead. He felt a chill go down in his spine. He shuddered. But he walked into the church. But it was barren... Just some long chairs used for cover and that’s basically it... But then his radio, that was supposed to be from the Azur Lane base, started ringing. He thought that was Hood trying to talk to Caster or Enterprise. So he took out his communicator and talked through it.

“Hello?” Caster said into the radio.

Then what he heard was chilling. A female voice spoke through. He thought it was them. Then the voice was turning distorted and it included some kind of autotune. It was creepy...

“So you’re the otherworlder...”

He got confused, but as he looked up back to the church center, he saw a mysterious totem and the same white Wisdom Cube he was inspecting earlier there laying on top of the said totem. It wasn’t there before. It just... Appeared there.

“You’re not gonna live long... Your fate will be the same as the “other” one.”

He knew what she was implying... The former Commander. But he wanted to know more.

“Who are you?” Caster’s expression turned serious.

In nightmare-like fashion a person came out of the communicator, in fear, Caster threw the communicator away from his to get his distance from this “alien” as far away as possible.

“You’re going to get purified. Don’t you want that?” The mysterious girl that has the same yellow eyes that the former Commander of Azur Lane exhibited.

A-kun: I’m sorry. It’s yellow. Not lime-colored. I’ll change it later after this chapter. Back to the story.

Caster didn't have to take long to the stranger's movement was threatening. And her looks like she could stir up trouble big time. His plan of action right now is getting that white Wisdom Cube and dipping the hell out of there. But he needs something.

A distraction.

But as he was thinking about what plan of action, the girl was getting impatient. So, in an attempt to anger Caster, the girl tried to taunt Caster.

“You’re made of glass... And I’m gonna have fun ripping you to shreds...” The tone turned from mockingly to menacingly. And he isn’t gonna have a fun time if he Caster keeps stalling.

“Okay... What about a deal?” He smirked. As he was getting his feet to run and get that Wisdom Cube from that totem.

“Hm... Okay.” The girl said smirking devilishly.

“Actually, look behind you.” Caster said and as the girl turned around, she saw nothing in infuriating fashion, she turned around to see no one. Caster disappeared and the Wisdom Cube was gone. The girl was tricked by a classic technique.

Red filled her eyes and saw where Caster went out of. A hole in the wall that was conveniently sized of his body proportions. He got through it seamlessly and not made a sound. So in anger, the girls started to blast everything in the church and went after Caster who was running for his life.

=================

“Oh, no... Is it my fault? Everyone is gonna get really mad at him if I told them they disappeared.” Hood said getting nervous. Not only was Caster was gone, but the Wisdom Cube was also gone too.

Then the door opened with Enterprise.

“Hood! There are some patrols outside threatening to attack the base.” Enterprise explained the situation that the fleet was in without Caster in the mix. And she also noticed the lack of Caster in the room.

“Where did the Commander go?” Enterprise tilted her head. Making Hood nervous.

“He needed something done...” She lied, “Let’s go meet them before anything happens!” Hood ran out of the room and she was followed by Enterprise.

They looked on the ocean, and it was covered by some kind of fog to hide their forces and make them think that the patrols had more ships than they really are... So not risking anything by getting in the mist, Hood, Enterprise, and now, Cleveland ran to the control room with California already in the room and took a look at one of the cameras and zoomed into the mist. Trying to make see someone that might look like a ship.

“Cleveland, tell my sister to stay in the school along with the kids,” Enterprise told Cleveland in which she nodded and she made a beeline to the school.

“We can’t see them... Is there some ships on patrol?” Hood said. Knowing that somebody is gonna be on patrol as Caster gave that power to Enterprise. To make scheduled patrols around the perimeter of the base.

“I sent out Oklahoma and Brooklyn. I think they would have told me something by now.” Enterprise said and before the others could respond, Brooklyn shouted through the communicator.

“I see Yuubari and Abukuma! I think they are the vanguard. should we engage?” Brooklyn asked Enterprise. A Sakura Empire patrol...

A-kun: Get ready to get introduced to more batches of girls... It’s going to be a doozy.

“No. Let them get out of that fog and then we attack. Don’t attack until we’re there.” As Enterprise put down her communicator and ran out of the control room. And summoned her bow and weapons. And followed by Hood and out of nowhere, Cleveland. As for California, she stayed back for any possible ambush.

‘Out of all the times that they will attack,’ Hood mentally facepalmed. ‘You picked the worse time to be doing something crazy, Commander.’ She added.

=================

Amongst the array of explosions in the distance, there was a solitary warehouse of Azur Lane used to store tech parts before getting scrapped or improved. It was mostly filled with stuff since Caster started to do some small missions and commissions.

Then a small pillar of light started to form inside the warehouse. Then a guy limped through the portal in exhaustion. It was Caster. And he is back to his Commander’s uniform.

The portal immediately closed and culminates into the same white Wisdom Cube he was trying to retrieve earlier. In which he successfully did.

“This thing can teleport me?” He coughed violently. As he picked up the cube.

Looking at the Commander’s condition, he wasn’t injured at all at the chase of that “alien” and him. But he had a really bad stomachache and his legs were on the verge of giving upon him.

But he still has the strength to walk out of the warehouse. Or should I say, limped out of the warehouse...

As he looked outside, and on the sea, he saw some explosions in the distance the base is getting attacked! Caster was panicking and trying to get his communicator. But alas, he lost it with the encounter. But he wasn’t stupid enough to try to get inside the submarine to get into the action. he knew what happened last time and he’s not that stupid enough to do that.

But he still wanted a piece of that action. So he limped to the side of the building where his office resides. As he was limping, he encountered Oklahoma running and she got immediately helped Caster to a safe spot.

“Please, get to the hospital and patch yourself up before going in there!” She tried to convince Caster. But to no avail.

“I’m not injured at all. I’m just exhausted. Just... Get the radio from the radio tower and give them to me. There’s no need to worry.” Caster persuaded Oklahoma to make her finally believe he wasn’t hurt.

Oklahoma finally relented and ran to get the radio. As Caster was just looking down on the ground, dripping with sweat, the kids of the school, looked outside the window and saw him just sitting there. Restless. The kids told Yorktown about it and she also looked outside to take a look at him also.

=================

It was not looking good. The girls on the Azur Lane side were abundant, but their firepower deficiencies were on full display. They didn’t get a chance to push them back. Instead, they were getting pushed back to shore. Slowly but surely.

“Oh, no you aren’t going anywhere with that jumping style,” Cleveland said as she tries to shoot down the so-called “ninja” of the Sakura Empire named Akatsuki. Then the ninja retaliated by shooting some shots too and grazing Cleveland’s sides.

Hornet and Enterprise, on the other hand, were holding off the powerful duo named the “crane” sisters. Shokaku and Zuikaku.

Then there was Belfast, Laffey, Brooklyn, Javelin, and Ayanami were also getting pushed back. By the likes of Kino, Fusou, Ryuuhou, and Kongou. Z23 got into the fight late, but she wasn’t much of a difference as the Azur Lane fleet keeps moving back closer to closer to shore.

“Don’t falter! Continue the relentless attacks!” declared Ryuuhou. And she fired a few shots of her cannons to the docks, making slight damage. “If we leave them alone now, they will be too much to handle later.”

Hood though was being the back-up. If one side becomes too weak to fight, she will come in to boost the firepower and her survivability can help make the battle longer and maybe push them back a bit.

=================

As Caster was still waiting on the radio by Oklahoma. He’s making her run a marathon by how far the radio tower is... But as he still was there waiting, his left pocket was emitting light. He took the object off of his left pocket and it’s the white Wisdom Cube. He was confused by the thought that the cube might do some bad again so he put the cube on the ground and it floated into the air and Caster when into the building to try to not get teleported again.

But then, the light shined through and it was visible on the shore. Even some Sakura Empire members like Shokaku noticed the light. But she kept on firing the planes going towards Enterprise.

Then Enterprise winded up her arrows and it hit 3 airplanes rather than one. And she was surprised.

“W-what?” She said confused.

Then a pillar of light engulfed the Azur Lane girls one by one. And after the light was gone...

“I feel... Stronger...” Z23 looked on her hands and as the other girls did too.

One of the members of the Sakura Empire heard what Nimi said and they told Zuikaku.

Enterprise, however, was the most surprised of the Azur Lane bunch. She doesn’t know what happened. Maybe Caster made a secret weapon that made them stronger all of the sudden? Or something else entirely.

But she left her thoughts on the back of her mind and kept fighting. And they were suddenly... Making good progress!

Then Akatsuki appeared next to Shokaku the news. “The suddenly got stronger, my lady.”

Shokaku heard the news but she was busy holding off the empowered Enterprise and Illustrious.

“But how? Did they make a secret weapon? It’s definitely something to do with that light we saw.”

Then they were actually pushing the Sakura Empire’s members back. As Hornet fired twice as more airplanes than before. Pursuing Shokaku. But the Sakura Empire was falling back fast. And they were too fast for any of the Azur Lane members to close any distance to.

Then they finally saw a green flare fly over them. Signaling that they should stop firing. Not knowing who it was, Enterprise and some other girls looked on the docks and saw Caster sitting on the edge of the docks lowering his hand holding the flare gun. And there was Oklahoma standing behind him.

“Commander, orders?” Cleveland said through her own communicator.

“Don’t tire yourselves anymore. Let them go.” Caster said and the fleet stopped their pursuit.

Hornet smiled, saying: “Wow... Back then we’d hide from their patrols and hope they don’t notice and pursue us. But now... We’re actually pushing them back!”

Enterprise was smiling too as they got their first win against the Sakura Empire. It was needed. For the morale boost, and confidence of the girls.

“This calls for a celebration.” declared Cleveland. “This is the first big win against the Empire.”

“That’s cool and all guys, but you can go back to the docks now.”

“Boo... No fun.”

“Hold on, who said that?” Caster said in slight anger but a hint of laughter. He’s prone to not take things to seriously when he achieved victory.

After the girls finally got back to the docks, the girls went into the Commander’s Office and let’s say they really crowded the room. And unsurprisingly, Caster was overwhelmed.

“Um... Are you planning to celebrate here?”

“As a matter of fact, yes.” Illustrious smiled.

“Hell yeah!” Cleveland said.

But Caster was starting to tuck into his bed. He was... Very tired. And due to his recent hip injury, he was slightly more sluggish than usual. And the girls looked at him and collectively said in their minds: “That’s adorable.”

Caster raised his hand saying: “You guys... Can celebrate here in my office. You deserve it. But don’t make too much of a mess when I wake up.” As he wiggled his body to the left away from the girls. And he finally got some meaningful sleep in the afternoon.

The girls were celebrating inside the office and they did some games. And a lot of chit-chats. And even some gossips about the Commander. But the afternoon and evening went eventful for the girls inside the office as they had fun in the night.

This is only the beginning of their real work.

Word Count: 3075 Words.

11:48 PM
4/12/20

Chapter Text

=================

It has been a week since the encounter and the first win of Azur Lane’s fleet against the Sakura Empire. And since then, the morale has been up. Efficiency was even better than last time. And about the disappearance and teleportation events that happened to Caster, he talked about it with Hood. In which she got surprised and knows about the white Wisdom Cube’s power to... Teleport in random intervals?

The cube really needed more research into it. But on the other hand, Hood also told Caster on how did they got more powerful in a blink of an eye. And she also mentioned it’s because of the power boost they got it made the Sakura Empire patrols go back to their base.

Caster was... Unsurprisingly confused. Maybe it had to do with the Wisdom Cube and then he remembered that the cube glowed and did something but Caster was hiding inside the building because he thought he’s going to get teleported again.

It was an awful explanation but Hood was such an alpha that she actually got what he was saying after all of the blabberings. And Hood correctly assessed that Caster is horrible in explaining.

“I got weirdly nervous while explaining the events that happened to me.” Caster said. Hood smiled and giggled afterward.

Anyway, enough of that... About the hip injury that Caster suffered. It wasn’t as bad as the girls said it to be. But it was necessary. Because if Caster keeps getting injured, he’ll basically turn into another Yorktown type of situation. So Caster taking care of himself. But the paperwork from the last 4 days can be put into one word. ‘Suffering’. It made Caster more sleep-deprived, and his stress problems are going into a downward spiral.

But 3 days ago, he announced to the fleet that as the fleet grows, he will issue more scheduled patrols, missions, and larger commissions. Caster was finally getting the hang of being a Navy Commander.

=================

The scene was a very familiar one. The mysterious person who was on the edge of the aircraft carrier. Still was singing the song. And the moon illuminating the dark, dark skies.

But this time, the voice was so enchanting, that it made her come near to the mysterious person.

“You need to pick me up... I’ll be here on 25...”

“You’ve been here this whole time?” The mysterious paused singing. “It’s rude to be sneaking up on a person like that.” The person turned around.

It was Caster. And he was smirking at her.

The smirk made her look away from him and blood rushed to her face.

“Y-your... Voice. And that song. I-I wanna hear that again.” As she sat down next to him.

He smiled. And moved dangerously close to her.

Breathing on her neck. “I won’t disappoint.”

=================

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!” Enterprise shouted as she shooting out of her bed. Panting heavily.

‘W-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-what... Just h-happened?’ She thought as she touched her neck. And she only realized that it was only a dream. She put her palms on her face as she was flustered.

“It’s... Only a dream right?” She muttered. And she wiped off the sweat of her forehead. “But why am I dreaming about him?”

=================

Caster was in his office. He already finished his morning routine. He was reading some commission confirmation papers. But Caster didn’t look like himself. He was wearing something that wasn’t there before. Eyeglasses. He had requested reading glasses and he got it in a timely manner.

But it was getting boring in the office. He finally finished signing the confirmation papers. As he laid down his reading glasses on the table. And fortunately, it was the last of the papers for now. And he got bored.

He turned his head to the guitar. Thinking that he might wanna use it.

“Hm... Should I...” Caster stared at the guitar for a solid minute. But he finally got to a decision that he isn’t gonna play it today for now. Instead, he had a better idea.

=================

The docks. Illustrious was outside with Unicorn and she was holding an umbrella to protect them from the sun. It seemed they were waiting for someone.

Waiting... Waiting... And the 2 saw a car going towards them. Illustrious smiled, ready to meet up on one of her best friends.

Finally, the car stopped in front of them and one of the doors opened.

“Sorry, I got here very late.”

“Don’t worry Wales. Waiting is just a small price for your arrival.” Illustrious giggled.

She is Prince of Wales. She’s also one of the most infamous British ships in their history. Right up there with Hood in terms of significance.

“Where is Hood?” She said. As the car she was just in was speeding away now.

“Oh, I don’t know either,” said Illustrious, looking behind at Unicorn in which she was shy of Wales.

“Come on now, Unicorn. You know me right?” Wales smiled and waved at Unicorn.

The girls talked some more and finally, they got to the topic of the new Commander of Azur Lane.

“Is the new Commander like last time?” Wales said awaiting a response. She was also here when the last Commander was here.

“Don’t worry. We got a really trustworthy Commander.” Illustrious answered. “And you don’t have to leave anymore. You can stay here indefinitely.”

“Okay... I trust you on that one.” Wales looked at the ground. Remembering what the former Commander did back then.

One of the many reasons why the former Commander of Azur Lane was ousted from the base is not just he was very incapable of Commanding a very large fleet. He was very... Creepy. Among the girls. The person would do “indecent” things to many of the girls and even destroyers. The kids. Yes, you heard that correctly.

And it got to the point that some of the girls just left the fleet. Like Wales did to not get more harassment from the former Commander. And it kept happening until Enterprise just had enough and kicked him out.

Wales is still worried though. And she really hopes that what Illustrious was saying about the new Commander was right. Because back in the Royal Navy, she really didn’t have many people to talk to. Hood and Illustrious were on the Azur Lane base. The only one she could talk to on an everyday basis is Queen Elizabeth. But sometimes she would be loud and when she talks to her, the atmosphere of the room gets tense for some reason.

And she just came back to the Azur Lane base just to get to talk with her good friends again.

“Shall I get you to the Commander?” Illustrious suggested. Making Wales worry.

Wales didn’t answer. And Illustrious knew what this meant. But Unicorn stepped in.

“U-um... Wales. Big brother is very nice.” Unicorn stuttering in her words, but Wales got the message nonetheless.

=================

“Commander! Take this!” Thatcher said as she gave Caster a toy.

Caster smiled. “What should I do with this?”

Caster is having fun with the kids in the base. They were roleplaying. It consisted of Caster, Thatcher, Fletcher, and Spence. Caster had no idea what they were doing but he just played along.

But the 4 weren’t alone per se... Javelin, Laffey, Ayanami for some reason. And Z23 was in the room. They were just having their daily fun with the Commander. Except for Nimi. She really wasn’t having it.

“I, Thatcher. Princess of the Waves shall give this bear as a welcoming gift!” Thatcher pointed at Caster. Making him smile.

“Okay. I’ll take this and keep it somewhere safe. Is that good?” Caster asked.

“Of course! Don’t lose it!” Thatcher said.

Z23 really wants the kids to go back to their classrooms and learn again. She’s basically a workaholic.

“Come on now, let’s get back to class.” Z23 sternly said to the kids.

As she was saying this, Laffey just... Climbed on the back of Caster and just stayed there... And started to get sleepy...

“What...” Caster said as he looked at Laffey.

“Go... Sleep. Here...” Laffey lazily mumbles as she is dozing off on his shoulder now.

“I’m sorry, Commander.” Javelin nervously smiles but she was sneakily getting closer and closer to Caster.

Ayanami was in striking distance of Caster but she couldn’t muster up the courage to get near him.

Z23 was still telling the kids to go back to the classroom but to no avail. And at this time, Enterprise opened the door into the room. In which her eyes just gravitated to Caster who was looking he is going to custody on what he’s doing right now.

“Excuse me,” Enterprise said. “What’s going on?”

“Boo! I don’t wanna go back to class! Play!” stated Thatcher.

“Can’t we play a little longer?” Spence pleaded.

“Classes are really boring now...” said Flecther.

“Boo...” Caster sarcastically said as he was doing the thumbs down gesture. Laughing slightly in the process.

“Oh, I’m fine you 4 playing some more. But do you think Yorktown will be okay with that?” Z23 turned serious real quick.

The kids froze. Color draining from their faces. Yorktown already lectured them about playing too much. And the kids don’t wanna make her mad again. So the kids followed Z23 out of the classroom.

“She doesn’t really like fun sometimes.” Caster chuckled a little bit. “Oh, shoot. The time isn’t on my side right now. I’ll get going for now.”

“Okay, Commander.” Javelin said as she took Laffey off Caster’s shoulders.

“Oh, yeah. Enterprise. What are you doing here?” Caster asked Enterprise in which she looked away from him a little bit. Remembering the steamy dream she had a few hours ago.

“Oh, nothing... I was just checking around the rooms...” Enterprise said.

“Okay... Have you took out the daily patrols now?” Caster asked Enterprise.

“Of course.”

“Okay. I think that’s it. I’ll take my daily walk around the base.” Caster left the room.

He was outside walking taking his “daily” walk. But this time, Belfast, wasn’t here to accompany him. And it made Caster think about it while walking. But he saw some girls looking up. On a tree. He went there to check it out. I mean, he had nothing to do. If Belfast were here, she would give Caster some extra-curricular things while walking.

He finally got there and asked what’s the deal.

There were 3 girls. And they turned around and he saw Oklahoma. Caster knows her already, but the other 2, wasn’t so much.

Portland.

Saratoga. This girl will be a handful for Caster. Since she really likes pranks. Not to mention, Saratoga and Portland, this will be their first encounter with Caster.

“Commander! Can you help us here?” Oklahoma stated. As she pointed to the coconut tree.

Caster squinted his eyes trying to see what the hell is up there... And he finally got to see what’s up there. A ball. Stuck between the leaves.

Portland and Saratoga froze because of the memory of the former Commander of Azur Lane.

“Alright... I see it now.” He nonchalantly said. “Step back. And give me a minute.”

Without even thinking about it, Caster leaped onto the tree and climbed it. The girls weren’t expecting it. The plan they had in mind is to get something tall enough to poke it off the tree. In nervousness, Oklahoma and Portland told Caster to get down from the tree. But to no avail.

For Caster, he remembered this climb because of his one obstacle course that he had. The “confidence” course. It’s to test their skills and face their fears. Especially the rope drop thing. Back then, he had a fear of heights. And in doing what he is doing right now, climbing the coconut tree and stuff, he can face this fear of his again. But as the name suggests, he had confidence in his skills now.

He finally got to the top and the girls were shocked. They didn’t believe in him and he proved them wrong. He threw the ball to them and he jumped down and did a safety roll. (You know like people do when they land and they don’t want their feet destroyed.)

The girls were dazzled by his courage to climb up that tall tree and confidence to jump back down without getting hurt.

“That was it?” Caster sighed in boredom. “I’ll be going now... I guess you can play volleyball now.” As he started to walk away.

“Thank you!” Portland thanked Caster in which he raised his hand up. Giving a thumb up.

Caster walked away with more boredom than last time. He contemplated going back since he had no one to talk to. And he finally made a decision to go back to the office.

But as he was walking back, he saw... Petals. Petals falling from the sky. He got confused. Thinking that it was unnatural, he got to his replacement communicator, in which he paid again a really high price from Akashi.

=================

Most of the important girls came to Caster as he all called them to check out what’s happening with the pink petals falling from the sky.

He called Hood, Belfast, (She got back.) Z23, Hornet, Illustrious, and Enterprise. Though she was late...

=================

“I’ve been feeling restless Vestal... I don’t know why.” Enterprise told Vestal. Tapping her finger on the table.

“Restless? Really? Are you sure that you’re not debilitating yourself?” Vestal looked at Enterprise with a stern look.

“I don’t think so. I have been following what you’re saying to me. Eating healthy, sleeping at the right time, but I still feel like this.” Enterprise’s tone got more worried.

“I think you should just sleep right now in a comfortable environment. If that doesn’t work, just tell me and I’ll change up your routine. Are we clear on that?” Vestal told Enterprise as she poked her nose.

=================

‘Okay... Why am I here now?’ Enterprise was standing outside a door. Not just any door. The door to Caster’s office.

She came into the office and noticed that there was no one here.

‘Should I really do this?’ She thought. Thinking back to what Vestal said to her.

But she finally got the courage to sleep in the room. On the sofa. Not as comfortable as a big bed, but this is a place where the atmosphere made her more relaxed.

“Maybe just a few minutes...” As she finally dozed off.

=================

At 5 PM, Enterprise finally woke up from her not-so-short nap. She let out a huge yawn and stretched a couple of times.

Then she looked in front of her, there was a table. There were newspapers, a small vase, but there’s one thing that she got her eyes on. Eyeglasses. Not just anybody’s eyeglasses. The same glasses that Caster was using earlier.

She looked on the desk if someone is there. No one is there. She looked on the door if someone is going to come in. No one is planning to go to the office.

Now she was sure that she was alone. She took the eyeglasses off the table and decided to wear the eyeglasses. And it looked good on Enterprise as she looked into a mirror.

She smiled knowing that Caster’s eyeglasses looked good on her also. She has been eyeing these glasses since he got it 2 days ago. But her communicator suddenly rang.

But she looked outside and she saw the flower petal going around. And she knew what this meant. She didn’t need the communicator to tell her what’s going on.

So she scurried outside of the building in which she saw Hood, Illustrious, Hornet, Belfast, and Z23 looking up at the petals falling.

“This isn’t natural at all. Does this happen sometimes?” Caster asked if someone here knows about this.

“No.” Enterprise stepped in. “This is her doing.”

And she timed it so perfectly as two figures emerge from the petals.

A-kun: Too lazy to get their individual pictures. So why not put them in one?

Caster knew that the 2 are probably enemies. And the girls formed their weapons in anticipation of an attack.

“Akagi... Never thought you would come here without your bodyguards,” Enterprise walked in front of Caster told the red fox-girl.

“I am strong by myself. I can take you all at once.” She retorted.

Caster’s expression turned serious as his aura of authority has been released. The girls beside him and felt the aura and they know now Caster is not fooling around.

“Me and my sister will crush all of you. So, don’t even try.” The white fox-girl said. Trying to scare them.

“You sure like barging in even though you’re not relevant to the discussion.” Belfast stepped forward.

The white fox immediately got angry at those words and almost attack Belfast but not before Akagi stopped her.

“Sister...” She told Akagi.

“Kaga. We’re not here to make a fuss with them.” She looked at Caster. “Just the opposite in fact.” As she walked past Enterprise and Belfast to get close to Caster. The 4 girls behind him, Illustrious, Hornet, Nimi, and Hood were preparing for combat.

Caster sighed. “Don’t worry. Let’s hear them.” As he raised his hand and the girls obliged.

“You’re the 2nd “otherworlder” in this world...” Akagi looked at Caster with a slight look of disappointment. “And just as bad as the last one.”

With the knowledge of the former Commander being an incapable leader, he took offense with the words she said.

“I’ve heard that a lot. Can you be so sure of that?” He said smiling. But it did little to hide his anger.

“Comedy,” Akagi said. Looking down on him.

“I’ll keep this brief. Submit to me, and your merry little fleet will go unscathed.”

Caster laughed at the idea of surrender. And it made Akagi mad.

“Who do you think you are laughing at me?!” Akagi said. But Caster is undeterred.

“Then why did you come here to negotiate? When you already know the answer?” Caster asked Akagi. Their auras colliding the other girls felt the mood get tenser by the second.

To keep the situation more volatile, Kaga calmed her sister down. And she smirked.

“3 days... I’ll give you 3 days to make a response. I’ll crush you all nonetheless.” Akagi said to Caster who just smiled.

She was getting super irritated that a person would disrespect her like that.

“Come Kaga.” As the 2 were engulfed by Sakura rose petals and the petals scatter. Leaving no one in sight.

The girls were all looking at Caster who was still smiling almost arrogantly.

“I know what you’re all thinking girls. And don’t worry. I have experienced this before. Come on. I don’t plan to lose.” Caster said turning around to go back to the office.

And lastly, he mumbled. In confidence that he’s going to beat them.

”3 days is all I need...”

A-kun: Wooo... I need to keep the writer’s flame ablaze. I’m slowly running out. I’ll watch more Azur Lane stuff and probably started focusing. And by the way, in the next chapter, I’ll announce something important. Anyway, I think that’s it. See you all next chapter readers! Bye!

Word Count: 3299 Words.

10:47 PM
4/16/20

Chapter Text

A-kun: Before anything, I thank you all for appreciating this story and giving this book your support. It’s only 11 chapters in and it’s getting the support that I could never have dreamed. I thank you all for the votes, reads, everything. Thank you. Now, enjoy this new chapter

=================

With a perfect stance in the way she sat, with that gleaming eyes, she was that type of person that you’d call yourself lucky to be friends with.

If there’s a word that can describe the woman seated in the center of the room, reading a book like there’s nothing else to do in life, the word would be beautiful.

Well, at least, that’s what the little girls felt when they are watching their seemingly perfect person doing their daily routine.

Then, the beautiful woman finally looked at the direction of the 2 little girls. Making their fox ears perk up in the process.

“You two, why are you hiding over there? Come on. Here, with your sister.” She said, giving a smile that can melt any heart.

The two cried out, “Amagi,” as they were running and the two fell on her lap. Making her smile. This is just a normal day in their lives. Amagi would do what she needed to do for the day, who to send on missions, and as she is doing all of that, Kaga and Akagi would watch her. Even without breaking the gaze from her.

For a long time, this would be their routine, Amagi doing her normal work, and then play with Kaga and Akagi. It was like that for a long, long time. But at this time though, it would be anything but “normal”.

As the Amagi was telling about a story that the 2 always loved, the door opened, and 5 people came in. And each soldier here laid down a big footnote in their generation. And their achievements were large enough that you could write a whole book just with their accomplishments.

Behind her is Jean Bart. A loyal and chivalrous knight who spoke nothing but the truth. She is the cornerstone of the Vichya Dominion’s tough, gritty Navy defense.

Sakura Empire’s own, and stalwart shield of the Empire, Atago. She may look slow, but if she finds a target, not even divine intervention can save the target from living to see another day.

Avrora. High-flying speedster of the North Union. Loves showmanship, also likes beer. From her looks, she looks light as a feather. And that’s what she brings to the table. Because no other ship in her generation can take 1 on 1 and keep up with her remarkable speed.

And the last one...

Hood. Unlike the other legendary soldiers in the room, who made a name for themselves by doing numerous heroic acts, she just joined this prestigious group. But she was really famous because of her marvelous skirmish with the Sirens. Named ‘Saving Grace in the Danger Zone’. In which she saved a large group of fighters of the Royal Navy single-handedly and also kept the Sirens from advancing any more further. Giving her friends time to escape the danger zone.

“Amagi,” said Jean Bart.

“So the time has finally come.” She said. Closing her book and taking the 2 girls off her lap.

“Yes.” Bismarck nodded. “We have their location. It’s time to finish this.”

“Sister!” Akagi tugged on Amagi. “Can we come to help you?”

“No. You need to stay here, my dear,”  Amagi told the pleading fox. “You just stay here and before you know it, I’ll be back.”

“You promise?” Said Kaga. Looking down and worried as much as Akagi was.

Seeing the worried expression plastered on their faces, she bent down, putting her hands on their heads and gave that signature warm smile and said: “Of course girls. I’ll always be there for you.”

=================

This same dream would sometimes repeat itself. Since this was the last memories that they had with their beloved sister. And at that time, that was before the heroic forces of Azur Lane defeated the Sirens and brought back peace to the world.

Akagi woke up in a dark room. With little light seeping through the curtains. She rubbed her head, she got up from her bed, went to the curtains, and she slid it away from the window. Making the light finally illuminate the room.

“Sister,” A voice came from behind Akagi. “Good morning.”

“Kaga, I didn’t hear you come in.” She turned around to face her sister.

Her sister, still bowing said: “I apologize for interrupting you, I’ll be-”

“Don’t worry... It’s all right.” She said. “Can you remind me of what am I going to do today?”

“You have a meeting with the resource department, research wing, after that, more reports and paperwork to finish and we’ll finally have our answer from the coalition.”

‘That’s right.’ She thought. ‘That otherworlder has caused me so much trouble.’

“Alright. I’ll get to it. Wait outside for me and I’ll get ready.” said Akagi and Kaga nodded and walked out the room.

‘I’ve come so far. I won’t let him ruin my plans.’

In the wake of Amagi’s death and many others at the final battle, Sakura Empire went months without a consensus leader. Left with a power vacuum, in which the whole faction was in fractures with small little groups here and there trying their best to take advantage of the situation.

Not until Akagi stepped in and took control of the situation. How did she do it? Even with the chaos of that power vacuum, she had already curried favor with all the warring small factions within the Empire in a timely manner before anything can be more volatile.

Akagi didn’t have the legendary achievements that her sister had, but her deft manner of handling day-to-day operations and paperwork of the Sakura Empire and her ability to make the smaller groups calm down made her the unquestionable leader of the Empire.

As time went on, she’s had pretty remarkable victories, achievements throughout her career. But never let her leadership skills weaken.

And this is why the Sakura Empire is the largest faction in the world. Their sheer numbers can overwhelm any opponent they face. In fact, if the 2nd Siren war never happened, the Empire would have absorbed any other faction in the world with little resistance.

This day was just any other day in the office. She bathed, cleaned, dressed up and went to her office. She did what a leader would do in a day-to-day office. Never once she showed tiredness while working. She always showed vigor and a passion for her position. In which everyone in the Empire respected.

This is going to be Caster’s opponent. A functioning Empire that will no doubt have the numbers advantage. Now, he’s out from the pond, and into the oceans he goes.

=================

A couple of days ago...

“We’re playing with lives... Don’t waste them...” Caster silently mumbled as he was looking through the maps of the Sakura Empire. But the drawings looked more than a decade old. Drawn from pencil, the age of the map showed, as there were terrain with no defined edges, not even coordinates to pinpoint where this particular place is.

“I can’t see this... Where are my glasses...” He looked everywhere on his desk but couldn’t find the reading glasses that he had yesterday. “Did I misplace it? Belfast has better eyes than me, I’ll go ask her.” Caster cursed as he groaned loudly.

He really wanted to get a grasp of the geography of the area of the Sakura Empire before he will make his response. And then a bright idea popped in his head. He smiled. Knowing this might be the one thing he can be sure to use against the enemy.

So he called the important ships and the most knowledgeable ones. So, Hood, Nimi, Belfast, Enterprise, Cleveland, and Illustrious.

“Why are we here, Commander?” Illustrious asked Caster. Who had a nervous look on his face?

“Master, what do you ask of us this time?” Belfast also asked.

“Okay, okay, okay. The maps that I’ve found about the Sakura Empire is really bad. Like the lead is coming off the paper bad.” Caster explained his situation right now to the girls. In which they got confused. But he was doing the planning so the girls couldn’t really voice their disagreement.

“I can’t even start thinking about a plan if I do not know the territory we’re fighting in. We might have no choice but to scout the area.”

Then the girls became nervous. And Caster already knows what this means.

“I... I don’t think that’s possible. That’s the enemy territory.” Illustrious was the first to voice her concern/opinion on his idea.

“Yeah Commander. It’s not safe at all. And the Sakura Empire has patrols too. Like us.” Cleveland gave her take on his plan.

And the other girls took turns voicing their concerns and the more they explained why that would be a bad idea, it made sense to him. But he isn’t giving up yet. He wants the geography of the Empire.

“Okay...” Caster nodded... “How about this?” As the girls’ heads turn to him and ready to listen again.

“How about... We scope out the outskirts of the Empire. Because I don’t want the fight to be happening in our territory. It’s too dangerous.”

The girls thought about this for a good minute and they huddled up together so they can talk about if they agree or disagree. And Caster just watched them talking. He looked to his maps once more.

“We made a decision to agree with that idea,” Hood told Caster while smiling.

“But we need to really take caution. We can’t possibly be found by the Empire’s members or our mission is doomed before it starts.” Enterprise told Caster and he nodded in agreement.

“But how are we going to the enemy territory? We can’t just glide through the waters and expect them to not see us. They’ll notice.” Z23 commented. Asking what Caster’s plan on how to infiltrate on enemy soil.

He smiled. As he already got an idea.

=================

It was time for lunch. Akagi went back to her room. Not wanting to be with the others. Back then, she would absolutely eat with the others in the cafeteria but she just one day wanted to eat alone. Kaga noticed and got worried. She would repeatedly ask Akagi on what’s making her eat alone but Akagi just brushed off the concerns. Not wanting to say anything on the matter. Saying that its nothing to worry about.

In the silence of her own room, with no one to bother her, Akagi reached in her drawer and opened up a false bottom on her drawer to reveal a small black Wisdom Cube.

She placed it in front of her, then a hologram showed up.

“Greetings, Akagi,” said Observer Alpha of the Sirens. “You sure took your time to finally call us. I was wondering if you forgot our daily meetings.”

“No,” Akagi shook her head. “There were more things than usual to take care of today.”

“Hmm... I see. I’ll let it slide.” said the Siren. “Any news on the elimination of the otherworlder?”

Then her tone changed and the look on her face turned sour as she remembers how Caster was disrespecting his opposition.

“He was very disrespectful. But he looks more capable than the last one.” Akagi gritted her teeth in more anger in her voice. “No matter. For he will be nothing more than dust after this.”

“You better stick to your word.” said the Observer. “Just crush them, and you’ll be on your merry way.” She said with a overconfident grin.

You know in the human world, there’s a really famous saying: “Don’t deal with the devil.”

This saying stems from a man that well, once made a deal with the devil to be rich in all of his mortal life. In exchange for selling his soul. And he lived his life full of riches, all the pleasurable desires granted in an instant.

The long and short part of that story is the man lived his life almost perfectly. But nearing his death, he tried to trick the devil. But he obviously failed and suffered for eternity. That’s the problem of dealing with them because they WILL always come to collect.

Akagi’s story is careening in that direction.

During the time the 2nd Siren War was ongoing, the threat of Sirens still lurking around the Earth was still overwhelming the people’s mind and some not if almost all of the smaller factions of the Sakura Empire. Threatening to quit and leave the faction. Thus, making it easier to conquer.

Akagi knew that this would eventually happen. So Akagi contacted the Observer. One of the 3 leaders of the Sirens. Then she made a deal, she vowed to eliminate all the other factions if the Sirens will leave the Sakura Empire alone and unharmed.

Observer, seeing that the deal was so lob-sided and they didn’t have to do anything on their part, they accepted the deal and the Sakura Empire was filled with prosperity for the last few months. While the other factions were always busy. Although the Sakura Empire would encounter Siren forces from time to time, it was relatively smaller than everybody else.

It was also an added bonus that, the other smaller groups finally set their differences aside and finally joined back to the Empire.

And then came the problem. The 2nd “otherworlder.”

Akagi didn’t have any problems with the 1st otherworlder. In fact, she just let the Sirens do whatever to him and she didn’t have to do a thing. But as she tried to take down Azur Lane, she was stopped single-handedly by Enterprise and it was an embarrassing defeat on them. They were already planning to do the 2nd invasion, but then Caster came around, the window of opportunity closed. The girls had found a leader that they could rally around. A much more decisive, and capable strategist.

But unlike the 1st otherworlder, he stood tall with his aces when she made her deal with Caster in the base. And they were not scared at them at all, the girls rubbing off Caster’s confidence and authoritative aura. She tried her damn best to hide her slight nervousness.

She can’t let him continue.

The Sakura Empire is the last part of her sister’s legacy and she will do whatever it takes to stop him. Not when they’re this close.

Then Akagi heard the alarms go off and she immediately went to the balcony of her house. And she saw the otherworlder and her other aces lined up.

“Sister,” Kaga spoke walking next to her sister. “They made their response.”

“I offered him peace, then he spat in my face,” said Akagi. As she clenched her fist. “He will regret the day we crossed paths.”

“Say the word, my lady.” Kinu bowed. “Our forces are awaiting your orders.”

“Crush them,” Akagi commanded. Still looking on the Azur Lane fleet. And especially the otherworlder. Who was smiling even in the face of danger. As all of her aces were deployed. Awaiting her orders.

“I think this will be the perfect example. Let us show you,” Akagi marched to the door. “how dangerous we are.”

Word Count: 2692 Words.

12:52 AM
4/20/20

Chapter Text

=================

3 days ago...

Caster was still out and about, brainstorming, looking for a good place to do their battle with the Sakura Empire. Even with his confidence that he showed towards his adversary, his planning so far has been hit or miss. But he knew that the scouting is going to be done tomorrow.

This was 5 hours after the meeting with the girls about his scouting idea finally got through to them and agreed.

Then 3 hours after the meeting, Akashi went into the office to tell Caster that the new tech research has culminated into new, better weapons. And was elated to tell him that the new weapons can be deployed as soon as the next battle.

This was good news. Very good news. The firepower gap has theoretically gotten closer.

“Akashi. Before you go, I’ll ask something of you.” Caster told Akashi, in which she turned around and stopped.

“Here. A shopping list. Can all of this be gotten before the battle?” Caster handed over a piece of paper to Akashi. And her ears perked up.

“Here, nya?” Akashi stroked her chin. “I can get this in a day. So, don’t worry... But.”

“But what?” Caster laid back on his chair.

“There’s an extra fee again,” said Akashi and she had a smug look on her face.

Caster sighed and he already knew that this would happen, but he needed the things on that shopping list to make his offensive plan more effective.

After that, Akashi left the room and left Caster alone.  But before Caster can even look back and the maps, the door opened again, he looked at the person going in. She wore a bright red uniform and complementing it with a bright red cape.

“I do apologize for the intrusion.” The girl bowed to Caster. He hadn’t seen this lady before in the base.

“You seem new. I haven’t seen you around here yet.”

“Prince of Wales. Or just call me Wales.” Then Caster stood immediately from his seat and also bowed to Wales.

Wales, like Yorktown, was really surprised by the respectful gesture. And she struggled to respond.

‘This guy...’ Wales thought. Still surprised. ‘I’m pretty sure that the 1st one didn’t even try to do anything respectful.’

“HMS Wales, yes? A pleasure to be in your presence.” Caster kept his head down in trying to get her respect immediately. That’s Caster’s 1st option when trying to make a good first impression. Proactive in his approach as in his mind, respect is always a two-way street.

Needless to say, it was working again with Wales. In which she just sat down on the sofa.

Caster put his head back up and he sat back down the on his chair.

“Do you want anything to drink? Tea perhaps?” Wales as a British ship, would obviously like tea, not a bad assumption.

“No, I’m good.” Wales looked on what Caster is doing. He was looking on some maps, in curiosity, she went in front of the desk of Caster and also looked on the maps.

Wales’ eyes widen. She was already aware of the battle in the incoming days, but even pulling out the olden hand-written maps back in the old era? That’s some digging... It also indicated that he may not be working with up-to-date information.

“Can I offer my expertise on that matter?” Wales asked Caster. Simply put, she was asking him if she can help him with his plans. She just puts it in a really complex way.

“Please do. I’ll accept whatever help I can get.” Caster looked and he was writing down on a piece of paper. Or should I say, papers... There was a bit of a pile of papers around him.

‘That’s a lot of papers... But for what though?’ Wales looked befuddled looking on the piles of papers.

“Wanna know the plan so far?” Caster asked Wales. In which she was surprised. He already had something in mind? A decisive Commander in her presence? That was quite the rare sight.

Then after Caster had finally told the plan she already saw a major flaw. The plan was nice, but it needed one more thing.

“Location,” said Wales. “Where are we going to do this?”

“I’ve been racking my brain for a while now, trying to answer the question. If I had my way, it’s not happening in our area. I’m thinking we’ll take the fight to them. That would be our best approach and it keeps the others of this base safe.”

“Okay... Not bad.” Wales said.

But her face looked hesitant... She looks like she’s holding something back.

“Um... Can I ask you a question?” said Wales. And Caster looked back at her.

‘What if this will be like last time!?’ Wales thought. Panicking in her mind. ‘I think he’s worth the risk asking...’

“What did you do before this? Um, like, back in your world.” She was uncharacteristically nervous.

The cause of this nervousness is she asked the same question the 1st otherworlder and he answered with some vile results. Making Wales uncomfortable with being around him.

Caster’s face cringed at the question. He’s probably forced to say it again. A man so full of humility he winces pulling rank on anyone.

“I... I was an Army Commander...” He groaned loudly and sat back on his chair. Facepalming. “I mean, you don’t have to believe me.”

Wales was shocked at the revelation. Just like every other girl in this base.

“You... aren’t proud of that?” Wales’ eyebrow raised.

“I am, don’t get me wrong. But you don’t have to be a Commander to make a really good plan.”

‘I guess... Illustrious and Hood were right about him.’ Recalling her conversation with Lusty and Hood before her introduction to the Commander personally. ‘Trustworthy...’

Trustworthy is the word that’s going through Wales’s mind as she froze in place. Unable to respond. Off of his words alone, she can feel it within him. That maybe this time, he’s got what it takes. She might not even have to leave the port tonight.

“And I always feel such a self-centered runt when I say that. I don’t like boasting my former position.” Caster facepalmed. Telling his honest opinion on the matter. And made Wales realize that he isn’t comfortable with saying those exact words.

She smiled. She finally knew that he was the one. They finally found him. By sheer luck. He was the jackpot that Wales wanted.

“Commander,” she bowed before Caster. “If you don’t mind, I shall be joining your fleet from now on. You’re the blessing that everyone wanted. And I’m confident that with you, we’ll win this war.”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We fight each battle one by one. But regardless, you’re absolutely welcome here.”

=================

A day later...

It was inside the Commander’s personal submarine. That same one that got pounded by the Sirens on their first engagement with them. But it was repaired, and it had an upgrade on basically everything. Armor, fuel capacity, navigation systems, hell, even weapons systems were installed in this bad boy. This thing can actually survive a fight.

That’s on Caster if he knows what he’s doing. Which right now, he doesn’t.

There were 4 people inside the submarine. Caster, Hood, Enterprise, and the recently joined Prince of Wales. And they are currently in the Empire’s territory. They went with the submarine route. Which is working quite well so far. No detection nor suspicion. The Empire isn’t really expecting a scouting mission from the Coalition anyway. Since Akagi has been underestimating the Coalition way too much.

“Commander... Are you actually okay? Don’t lie to me now.” Enterprise sat down next to Caster. He was getting really dizzy and almost vomited a few times but held it back for sanitation purposes.

“Queasy... Other than that, I can keep myself standing.” Caster coughed afterwards. “The waves are just not it today.”

After some more coughing problems from Caster, he finally got some news from Hood.

“Shall we surface now? I don’t see any more nearby ships in the area.” Hood asked. As she was apparently manning the controls of the submarine. Pretty useful. But she can’t be the permanent driver.

“Yep. It’s,” He coughed. “Surface-ACHOO! Now...” He held his nose.

‘He definitely has seasickness...’ Enterprise thought as the weight of the submarine started going upwards. And they surfaced.

“There’s an island there. Shall we check it out?” Wales looked at Caster who was looking a bit better than last time.

“Open the hatch. Let’s, scout. Be careful everyone. Anyone who sees us is hostile.” Caster said in a stern tone as he went first up the ladder to the hatch. And he opened it.

He and the girls finally got up to the surface and they saw a pretty tall mountain. But that’s basically it that it’s going for. Plus it’s going to be on the sea. Not land.

But there’s one more thing that made him and the others drive away from that place immediately.

“A village? Oh, god. Let’s go back. That’s not a good place to fight.”

The girls and Caster scurried back to the submarine and left without a trace... With the said trace being clear footsteps onto the sands near the shore.

Then after a while, a recovered Caster was finally manning the driver seat. And as he stopped and as he surfaced, he found another island. It looked... Better than the last one so they went a pit stop on that island.

“You know, it’s getting pretty eerie...” Hood spoke up as the other 3 turned to face her. Confused.

“There hasn’t been a patrol for a while now. Do you think that they’re on to something?” Hood made an observation. And it definitely wasn’t unfounded.

“Akagi has been very cocky with the threats that she gave. I mean, we’re still in that 3 day grace period, right?” Caster responded.

“We can’t worry too much right now. If they do attack us, we’ll do it back tenfold.” Enterprise said. Making the other 3 nods in agreement.

‘These girls really want to stop them once and for all.’ Caster told himself as he was going up the ladder. ‘But I need to remind them of what we’re working for.’

They finally got a good look at the 2nd destination. It had abandoned buildings. And the girls were kinda creeped out because of the haunted town type of feel to it. And it had another good thing going for it. A cheesy flank. A bit of a shortcut. But the waters there were very volatile. Not really safe.

They went off the island and the girls were still shuddering because the haunted feel of the village still lingered with them.

Caster noticed and tried thinking of a way to comfort them. But he realized that they are ladies. I know. Caster only realized this now. They’re not just ships who prepared for warfare.

So... What did he do to calm them down? He prepared some hot tea. Why though?

“Um... Tea is nice and all, but why?” Wales asked Caster. It was supposed to be Hood that should be asking that but she’s way too busy with that tea. And Enterprise just rolled with it.

“I thought you guys were cold.”

In response, Enterprise spits out her tea. And laughed. With Hood looking at Caster and looked away to finish her tea. While Wales tries to calm Enterprise down.

“He misunderstood us, Enterprise. You’re laughing too much. Even though...” Hood said while looking at Caster slightly.

“Even what...?” He stared at Hood with a questioning expression. He probably already knows what Hood is saying next.

“He’s a bit of an airhead.” She giggled.

“Then tell me something that I can do to make you feel better. I’ll do anything.”

The girls then gave glances to each other... Even if it was only for a few seconds, the silence was deafening. And Caster failed to detect the faint flushed faces of the girls.

“We’re not getting anywhere with awkwardness like this, let’s go find another place.” He went back to the driver’s seat and started to move the submarine again.

The girls though were quick to point out that Caster wasn’t much of a jokester. Or simply, he can’t take jokes that well.

“It was a joke,” Hood said. “Did I made him angry?”

“I hope not,” Wales said.

Enterprise, however, did not want to comment on the subject since she reacted first by laughing. But she knew that she might be also the reason that Caster is more or less angry at them.

After a bit more time later, there was another island that wasn’t far away from the last one. And Caster’s eyes widen.

“I’m surfacing... Get ready to get out. I think we found it,” said Caster.

The submarine surfaced once more. And the girls went out before Caster came out last.

Then as Caster was helped up by the girls. He raised his hand. The girls were confused but they stayed silent.

“Patrol. Get down now.” Caster ducked. And crawled to the nearest bush he could find. The girls did duck. And they are out of sight from the patrol.

They kept their heads down until the sounds of engines from the patrols ships from the SE went away.

The girls and Caster got up and all breathe a sigh of relief.

“I think this is the island.” Caster said. As he pointed on his right. “Because of this.”

It was a stone pathway and it seemed that it was purposely built there. So the girls went that direction and they discovered something that sealed the deal about the location problem that Caster had.

An underground cave entrance. Inside of a mountain.

The girls were amazed. Not because of Caster’s genius idea, but on how beautiful it looked.

“Cool right?” Caster walked in last. Then he saw a light on the other side. Then he started running towards the other side.

The girls were confused and just stood there. But not Enterprise as she ran with him.

‘What is he doing?’ Enterprise thought.

But Enterprise got tired and Caster kept running until he got there.

‘This is PERFECT!’ Caster thought.

Then as Caster finally cooled down, the 3 girls finally caught up with Caster. Who still was gazing outside the cave entrance.

“They are more patrols... And I don’t think we get back home not getting found...” Caster put his head down and looked out on the binoculars that he brought with him.

“Did we get found?” Hood told Caster who was behind him.

“I don’t know. But if we did, our best bet is to stay out of their sights and go out in the blanket of the night.”

“I guess we have no choice,” Wales said.

“Are you ladies getting hungry?” Caster turned around to look at the girls.

The girls didn’t really respond to that, but one of them did. Enterprise. She nodded.

“I am kinda hungry right now...” Enterprise sat down.

“Right. I’ll be right back, I’ve prepared something.” Caster said as he was gone now.

“Commander!” Wales called Caster to get back but to no avail. He probably has an achievement now named: ‘I can’t hear to save his life’ achievement.

“Oh, no. Where did he go this time?” Hood facepalmed.

But the girls, now that they’re on their own, and the Commander’s commands playing in their heads, they settled down and sat down inside the mountain underground entrance.

And they talked about some simple things, then it started to transition to gossips about the Commander. Wales was intrigued the most out of the 3. Since she only met Caster just yesterday.

She expected the gossips to be negative. Because again, the 1st otherworlder. But she heard nothing but positives about him. And even that story when Caster helped Oklahoma and others to get the volleyball out of the tree even got to Hood and told it to the other 2. Hood was very, very open about gossiping.  But she notified the 2 that she wants to talk about how Caster and his immediate impact in the base. And how other girls look up to him already.

“Actually...” Enterprise spoke out of the blue. “I have a video that I can show you. It was passed to me by Hornet the other day.” She took out her phone. Her heartbeat slightly going faster because of the thought of him.

She turned the phone on, and she immediately went to the video app and showed the “singing” video to Hood and Wales. And both of them are watching it for the first time.

“Wow... He is very good at singing.” Hood smiled. “Actually, we should convince him to sing after this is over, don’t you think?” Hood suggested such a good idea that made Enterprise agree in an instant.

“And, what are you all doing?” Caster came out of nowhere. Surprising the girls and Enterprise almost dropped her phone into the water. He probably didn’t hear the things that Hood said. But the girls thought otherwise.

The girls scrambled to hide what they were doing from the Commander. And after all that, they all slightly flustered at the situation that just occurred.

They turned to him and what he had on his hands was fruit. Mostly apples and other stuff. Even some grapes too. Then he gave them to the girls.

“I already washed them in a clean water source. Not the saltwater... So, dig in ladies.” Caster sat down next to Hood.

They each receive one of the fruits and Enterprise didn’t waste any time and started to eat the apple she was given.

“How did you manage this? You went into the forest for this?” Wales asked Caster.

“In prolonged missions, sometimes you have to live off the land. Had that happen to me a couple of times.” Caster said as he took a bite out of the apple.

“The food I brought you is sufficient, yes?” Caster turned to the 3.

“Hmm-hmm.” Hood nodded.

“It’s more than enough, Commander,” Wales said.

And Enterprise just nodded.

Then Caster got up and got some sticks. And tried to make a campfire...

...

In which he actually did create one. A small one. But a campfire nonetheless. The girls were impressed once again by his seemingly endless array of things he can do. And they all turned around away from the water to face the campfire.

Hood smiled. “It’s like you read my mind, Commander. I was getting slightly cold.”

Caster just shrugged. “Plus it was getting cold anyway. Shall we stay here a bit more before we go?”

The girls agreed, and they stayed there for another hour as they can’t get found by the Sakura Empire’s patrols.

And after the patrols have calmed down, the 4 finally went off in the night and the girls got to spend quality time with the Commander. And you know what that means. Right?

=================

The day before the fight...

First and foremost, the setting was a cold night in the Azur Lane base. Everyone is getting nervous about the fight but they have faith within Caster to lead them.

But Caster still wasn’t done with the preparations. Before this, Caster finally received the “shopping list” items that he requested Akashi to get but again, steep price. ‘What a greedy cat.’ Caster thought.

And he’s going to Yorktown’s personal dorm. He opened the door.

“Commander. What made you come here?” Yorktown said. She was getting supervised by Juneau and Edinburgh. Her own personal maid.

The other two bowed to Caster and he nodded. Signaling that he’s good.

“I have something to ask of you.” As Caster took a spare chair and put it next to Yorktown’s bed.

“Of course. Ask away.”

“Since I’ll personally be there for the attack, I need a backup leader for this base while I’m gone.” Caster said, looking at the papers. “You know where I am going with this right?”

Yorktown nodded... Saying: “It’s fine. Please get back here alive. And win this fight for us.”

He nodded. And he lowered his head to Yorktown. And even still 2 weeks and a half in his tenure as a Commander, she still hasn’t gotten used to it yet.

“You’re going to be with... Juneau, Vestal, Lexington, Oklahoma, and Portland. Sounds good?”

Yorktown nodded as Caster got up from his chair and started to leave the room. Now, the last thing before he can finally finish the preparations.

He went into the lesser-known dorm rooms. The one houses some ships that aren’t that notable.

He opened the door, he saw Saratoga, Long Island, and some new faces.

North Carolina...

And Washington.

The girls were surprised that Caster even thought to go into this room. And one of them, Washington, got behind her sister ship North Carolina.

“Oh, am I disturbing any peace here?” Caster looked around the room and he saw nothing much happening.

“No, Commander!” Then Saratoga ran up to Caster and proceed to throw a bucket...

Of powder.

He coughed loudly and wiped the powder off his face.

“Oh you little-.” Caster cut himself off. “Great start huh?” He immediately composed himself.

“Saratoga, you should not be doing that all the time.” North Carolina scolded Saratoga and she pouted and gone to her respective bed.

“I’m sorry for that Commander. Do you want to play some games?” Long Island tries to give a controller to Caster.

‘This room is filled with so much contrast of personalities.’ His eyes scanned the room.

“We’ll play for another day. Long Island is it?” Caster gave the controller back to her.

She nodded and sat back to her chair looking at the TV screen.

“Good evening, girls. My name is Edrich Caster, pleased to be in your presence, everyone.” He bowed down to them and rose his head up quickly to finally be done with the preparations.

“Good evening as well, Commander.” North Carolina said to Caster. “My name is North Carolina and behind me is Washington...” She nervously smiled. “She’s... Nervous to see you.”

‘A grown woman is scared to face me? That’s how it’s going to be then?’ He scratched his head.

“Washington, I’ve been told that the 1st Commander has done some bad things to you.” Caster put the documents close to his chest. “You have my guarantee that type of nonsense will not happen on my watch. Are you good with that deal?”

He spoke with a stern tone it made Washington finally get away from her sister’s back and sat down next to her.

“I need you all to come near me right now. I have some papers to show you.” Caster took out from his pocket is a lot of papers. Plans.

His aura was felt in the room. Even the happy-go-lucky attitude of Saratoga got shut down with Caster’s aura. And everyone followed and went near him.

He gave out the papers to the girls and they were shocked.

“We’re sortieing with the likes of Enterprise, Wales, Cleveland, and Illustrious?” Long Island spoke up first.

You see, on why Caster went into this room in the first place is... The numbers advantage.

=================

“Akagi, Kaga, Takao, Shokaku, Zuikaku, Kinu, Suruga, Akatsuki, Yukikaze, and Choukai.” Caster said. As he groaned loudly. “Damn it.”

“We don’t exactly have the advantage of numbers, Master.” Belfast sat down next to the desk. Few feet away from Caster.

’I gotta find a solution to this. To overcome the disadvantage.’

=================

You see, the Sakura Empire not only has more aces but way more ships than the Coalition. And since he’s planning to take the fight in their territory, they would surely call back-up and overwhelm Caster’s fleet. And it would mean defeat for the Coalition. And he needed to find a way to combat this.

And he already got one particular plan for it.

“Are you sure with us going in there? They are really powerful. I don’t think we could hang with the Empire.” said North Carolina. And the atmosphere of the room turned sour. Thinking that Caster might lead them into impending doom.

“Actually, the other fleet I’m going to command is the fleet that will turn around the battle against them. No pressure but, this battle is going to rely on you girls raining hell on those Sakura folks when they show up.” Caster took back the papers from them.

“Are you ready to take that task? To make a big step in the war?” Caster asked the girls.

And all said: “Yes!” And Caster smiled.

‘This base is way too big. I probably have more ships at my disposal but I just don’t know it yet probably. But these 4 will be more than enough. They’re formidable on their own.’ Caster thought as he left the room.

As he was going back to the office, he smirked.

“But let’s add an element of surprise.”

Word Count: 4227 Words.

10:51 PM
4/22/20

Chapter Text

A-kun: I’m going to put some of the text in Bold. It’s going to outline Caster’s “Plan A.” It’s from the explanation that he made in the meeting. And how the events are going exactly he predicted.

=================

Day of the battle.

“Enterprise, Hornet, Cleveland, Wales, Illustrious, Z23, and Belfast,” Takao told Akagi. “Everyone is out and about. Their best on display.”

“Then we should do the same.” She commanded Takao for all the aces of the Empire also to be deployed to stop the attack.

And Akagi went out of the Sakura Empire’s mainland and went to a nearby island to see the battle from a bird’s eye view. ‘The peace that we wanted for so long is within our reach. I can’t let some otherworlder change that.’

=================

The aces of the Coalition have lined up in front of the Empire’s mainland.  And Caster can hear the alarms blaring in the distance.

Though the likelihood of losing is high, especially for a massive skirmish about to take place. Despite the thought bubbling up here or there as his forces gathered at the Empire’s doorstep, he shakes his head at the thought. The days of scouting and battle exercises, it all comes down to this. He prepared for this.

“We’re far away from out supply line, are you sure with this position?” Hornet exclaimed to Caster.

“Don’t worry about it. You’re all-powerful. I believe in you all. Just stick to the plan and they have no chance.” He smirked.

As the troops of the Sakura Empire went out, Enterprise was shocked.

‘The intel was right, He didn’t miss a single one.’ Enterprise told herself.

‘Commander was right about the aces.’ Z23 thought.

“Alright. Here they come.” Caster said as he raised up his flare gun in the sky.

He shot a flare in the sky.

He smiled...

”FIRE!”

”Kinu, Suruga, Yukikaze, Soryuu, Choukai, Hiryuu, Akatsuki, Shoukaku, Zuikaku, and Takao.”

As soon the girls faced each other, the girls didn’t waste any time and they fired. But not on the enemy ships. They were shooting the rock formations and the large rocks fell down on the ground and making big splashes. And thus hiding the fleet for a few seconds.

At this time, Caster went inside his submarine and went away.

Hornet, Enterprise, and Illustrious stared the fireworks as they fired first their planes. And Wales got in there with the heavy cannon fire.

But the aces of the Empire also didn’t waste any time and Hiryuu, Soryuu, Shoukaku, and Zuikaku also fired just as imposing and Takao fired back with her own cannons.

The girls kept firing on the Sakura Empire’s aces and they got their full attention.

Shoukaku, Zuikaku used their respective weapons, Shokaku’s flute and Zuikaku’s sword to draw out their airplanes. Clashing airplanes with Enterprise and Hornet’s.

Cleveland shot some of her own cannons but they were deflected back by Akatsuki’s blade. Yukikaze went at Z23 shooting her cannons and Z23 waiting for the time to counter-attack the speedster ship.

The Empire is advancing towards the Coalition and they were running away.

“Our chance to eliminate them is here!” Hiryuu declared. “Give chase!”

The girls of the Empire went their full speed and gave chase the girls throughout the rock formations.

Enterprise smiled, the plan starts here. “Plan A” is in action.

”Akagi knows that she outnumbers us massively, and will use it to her advantage. And I’m pretty sure that her sister Kaga will be in her back pocket in case if the fight turns south for them. Enterprise and Wales will lead the navigation to our desired battlefield.”

”And in doing so, even if we’re in enemy territory, it will drag them away from their supply lines, and closer to ours .”

“We got their attention, Wales!” Enterprise told Wales. “Be ready for step 2!” As their surroundings were getting hammered by Sakara Empire’s aces firing at them.

Takao shot some more and grazed Enterprise and made a big pillar of water shoot up in the air.

Wales nodded as the girls were coming up on a 3 giant pillar of rock spikes with a small distance away from each other.

“Z23, Belfast, and Cleveland! Come with me!” Enterprise declared. “The others, go with Wales.”

The girls did just that as the next step is coming up.

”If they do try to chase us, our environment is our advantage now. The 3 pillars of rock spikes, shoot the tips of the spikes to make them fall down. And make sure you all split up. That way, their “overwhelming” numbers will be nullified.”

The girls shot the tips of the giant pillars as per Caster’s instructions. And giving them time to split up and distracted the Empire as the rocks falling down and making more water splashes covering their “escape”.

They all split up and Caster’s prediction was right once again. They also split up to try to finish them off. But they were getting lead into the battlefield that Caster chose 2 days ago.

But the Empire’s more powerful aces went to the right side. Where the Coalition’s numbers are low and are sure to get damaged or even sunk.

=================

Where is Caster in all of this? Since he already gave the outline to the girls, he doesn’t really have to be there to command them in real-time. So he went into a nearby island where he predicted:

”Since you’re going to be going to the battlefield I’ve chosen, those 2 fox girls would need to also move and to take a view of the battle on the high ground. So I’ll take a position on one of the nearby islands near that battlefield. And if I do see the 2 fox girls, I’ll be observing them until the 3rd step.”

His submarine surfaced and he hid the submarine in a cheeky cave that he found on one of his scouting missions fit perfectly for a submarine surfacing. He soon got out, and made his way up the cave to above ground, having a view of the Sakura Empire’s HQ with a radio in his left hand as he played the waiting game.

=================

As the fox girls were hopping around the islands following their comrades, The fox girls, ever confident, even got time to talk to each other when they’re supposed to command Akagi’s forces.

“We have them on the run, Sister,” Kaga told Akagi. “If we take out their best soldiers, The Eagle Union and the Coalition will be easy pickings.”

“Of course.” As the 2 landed on their desired island and they got a view of the left side of the battlefield but not as much of the right side.

“After all, trash is trash.” She said with a condescending smile.

But they didn’t know that they were not the only ones on the island. As not too far behind them, a lone bush in the distance is rustling.

‘Jackpot.’ He smiled.

=================

The battle was now split up into 2 sides. Enterprise, Z23, Belfast, and Cleveland were on the left side and Wales, Hornet, and Illustrious on the right side. And definitely have the numbers disadvantage.

But in a show of tenacity, the Coalition was holding up on their own. The side with Enterprise, and the other 3, didn’t really need any support as the right side. In the total surprise of the Empire, were holding up on their own. As Hornet’s ferocity was canceling out Takao’s same ferocity with her cannons. Wales as she kept firing barrages after barrages and kept the Empire’s aces to advance forward.

Caster fully expected this. Because of the new tech that Akashi installed within everyone’s weapons. Provided them a better range, and firepower. And they were hanging with the Empire’s best.

=================

“They’re keeping up with us?!” Akagi said upset. She never thought that the Empire’s forces were on a stalemate as they can’t move up and push the Coalition back.

“Sister, I’ll take care of them,” Kaga said as she leaped off the mountain leaving Akagi alone. And as for Caster, he smiled. As he knows the 3rd step is a go.

The aces of the Empire on the left side were finally making some headway and slightly pushing Enterprise and others back. So Kaga didn’t have to worry about anything on that side. She leaped on rocks upon rocks to get to the right side.

“3rd step is a go. Right side.” Caster whispered in his communicator.

=================

“Commander has said the word. Right side.” Hood told everyone.

Caster’s trump card is out.

”We need to hold off the aces to make them think this battle is going to be a stalemate. In achieving just that, Kaga will join in the battle and if anyone sees her, get the Ambush fleet into the action. And this will definitely make them retreat.”

Hood was protected by Long Island by the barrage of airplanes going straight at her. As she let out her own barrages of planes.

“The momentum is on our side now.” Hood fired her cannons on Kaga and all shots hit their mark.

“Hood?!” Kaga exclaimed. As she got up from the cannon fire from Hood. “You’re alive?!” As she looked at Hood.

Zuikaku, who was on the left side, heard what Kaga said and she was shocked. And basically every ace of the Empire on the right side.

In the wake of the last battle with the Sirens of the 1st war, all of the factions of that era were in good terms. But notice that the Hood was the only Royal Navy member of that group.

The Royal Navy wasn’t really trusting of the Empire or Iron Blood at the time, but the world was at stake. So they let out Hood for one operation and one operation only.

Amagi, Bismarck, Jean Bart, Atago, and Avrora all perished in that fated battle. But one ship came back alive. Hood. She went through the ocean slowly but surely back to the Royal Navy.  She was in bad condition all over the body. She was taken care of for 2 months of being inside of an emergency room. And a 3-month stint of recovering.

After a week of that battle, the Royal Navy told the Empire that the battle was a success and they defeated the Sirens. But with a strange twisting of words. The report came out that everyone perished in that fight.

The Royal Navy at this time was neutral to all wars. And wasn’t partnered to anyone. So they decided to hide Hood and since she was very injured, they couldn’t able to see her.

The Royal Navy knows that they could use this to their advantage when the time comes when the Royal Navy has to fight another faction.

Like the Sakura Empire.

She smiled. “Indeed I am.” As she fired again at Kaga and she was finally avoiding some shots.

Edinburgh went in to help Hornet, Wales, and Illustrious. She was followed by Brooklyn.

Javelin, Laffey, and Ayanami went on the right side to assist Enterprise and co.

Then lastly North Carolina and Washington came out of the cave on the Empire and were rattled by the course of events.

Everyone is injured or slightly shaken up. But you could feel on the battlefield the desperation in the air... Either side wants this victory so bad. But with the element of surprise, the Empire’s aces were getting pushed back now by the Ambush fleet led by Hood and Long Island.

In all of this, Akagi was shocked. She is going to be defeated.

“No... No...” She said. Looking at her comrades who are getting pushed back, injured. They initially held the advantage, but immediately turned into a disadvantage. But she was just as shocked because that Hood was present in the battle. “I... Have to call a retreat...”

Much to her surprise, she saw another barrage coming from a completely different direction. Did the otherworlder sneak in a 3rd fleet? But as the barrages hit the Coalition and the already injured Empire aces, a chill ran down her spine.

But as if on cue, the Observer of the Sirens appeared behind her with the use of their portals.

“Greetings, Akagi...” She said with a maliciously wicked smile. “Looks like you’ve outlived your usefulness.”

Every battle is a collection of internal and external factors to be managed. Things ebb and flow, one moment, you’re pushing the enemy back, making progress. The next one, and IED blows up near your squad and causes chaos. Simply put, if you don’t plan for every contingency in warfare, down to the smallest skirmish, it could be the difference of achieving flawless victory, or no one alive to tell the tale.

A-kun: Shoutout to Sans_Miller for pointing out grammatical errors for the last 2 chapters. I could use more of those. I’m slightly blind. Anyway, see you all next chapter, Goodbye beautiful readers!

Word Count: 2090 Words.

1:07 PM
4/23/20

Chapter Text

=================

“W-what’s going on?” Akagi gulped as she turned to the Observer. With a wicked smile on her face.

“And here I thought you would know an attack when you see one...” She replied with a shrug.

“That’s not what I meant,” Akagi responded. “We had a deal, we’d take care of your enemies and make your invasion easier. In return, you’d leave my people alone.”

“Oh, of course, yes. The ‘proposal’.” said the Observer. Tapping on her chin playfully.

“The proposal was nice and all,” The Observer said while circling Akagi. “But your usefulness to us has ended.”

“What...?” said the leader of the Empire. Suddenly, the weight of her decisions piling on her. Her blood going cold at the statement.

“Don’t get me wrong, that deal, was a pretty great one for us.” She sat down on a rock seeing the battle unfold. “You’d do the dirty work for us, and we’ll be just on the sidelines, sitting pretty and wait till the end.”

“But this opportunity is too good to pass up. A chance to wipe out Azur Lane’s aces and the Empire’s in one. Swift. Attack.” as Observer’s tentacles sprawled out, not bothering to hide their bloodlust.

Akagi, faced with a battle she’s increasingly losing, and along with the Sirens just dropping the treaty on the spot, couldn’t find the words to defend herself. Her face said nothing but regret and horror.

“At first, the Eagle Union wasn’t a big threat to us. Took things into piracy and attack wherever it went. Choosing battles that fit them best, and it didn’t harm us in the long-term.” Observer explained the chain of many events before it led up to this. “It all changed when Enterprise, Wales, Illustrious, and Eugen came out of nowhere and started turning things around.”

“And in the wake of the last battle that damned Azur Lane defeated us, I really did think that we finished all the ships that were sent out there to kill us. Then Hood came back alive and well, this is her first time fighting again in the front-lines, and she looks better than ever.” The Observer glared at Hood, but Hood couldn’t see her in such long distance.

“What’s the other change?” Akagi asked, then the Observer smiled. How could she forget?

“The otherworlder, of course.” replied the Observer. “I could never think that the 2nd otherworlder that would stumble here would get this far.”

Akagi did not have much understanding of the 1st otherworlder. The Sirens threw her a bone, and they handled the situation, and she never heard of the 1st otherworlder since then.

“I and the Purifier handled that 1st one so well. Our puppet, our rolling boulder of chaos inside the enemy camp. I wonder what he’s doing now, though. But that doesn’t matter right now.”

“You may not know this, but he and 4 little destroyers took down my flagship. A whole raiding party was taken down by 4 destroyers. No one in the history of leading a fleet has ever done that before. It was impossible until he did it. If he can already do that much damage with 4 destroyers, this fleet is destined to win this battle.”

“Huh...?” Akagi just stood there dumbfounded. She only heard of this incredible achievement by Caster only just now.

“He’d be unstoppable.” The Observer gritted her teeth.

“So, I’m terribly sorry for what I’m about to do.” She said, putting her hand on the shoulder of the despair-filled leader of the Empire. “I’ll make sure it will be a painless death.”

Before Akagi can do anything about it, the Observer punched her in the gut and wrapped her tentacles around her.

“I get that you’re trying to get revenge after what is going to happen.” And the Observer gave one more punishing swing at Akagi’s face.

She released Akagi and looked down on her as she was crawling and coughing up blood on the ground.

“So I’ll let it slide…” she added.

Instead of saying anything, Akagi just watched the Observer go teleporting away from her portal with a condescending wave.

Akagi was left alone. She doesn’t know what to do now. All of her people will be killed.

“My… People…” She whispered under her breath. Imagining the feeling of watching her friends die before her.

“I couldn’t protect them…” As her despair is slowly creeping in. Seeing no more solution or miracles in sight.

“Is this how it will end?” Her eyes start tearing up. It’s over.

From Akagi’s perspective, it was all fitting that one person she didn’t want to see was now standing before her.

Caster was here. Coming out of the bushes to see her. And he heard everything in that conversation.

“What good timing...”

“Did you come here to laugh at me?”

Caster stayed silent. Her tone was filled with fear and resignation.

“I came to your base looking down on you, now here we are, looking down on me.”

“Go ahead.” She lowered her head with more tears streaming down her face. As gunfire was the only ambient sounds in the background. “Laugh. Laugh on what I’ve become.”

“I won’t.” He shook his head slowly.

“THEN GO AWAY!” She screamed. As she picked up a clump of dust and threw it at him. But he stood tall.

“IF IT WEREN’T FOR YOU, THIS WOULD HAVE NEVER HAVE HAPPENED!” As rocks replaced, the dust was getting thrown at Caster. But it was just pebbles.

“I COULD HAVE PROTECTED THEM ALL, BUT YOU JUST HAD TO COME HERE AND RUIN IT ALL!!! AND THEY’RE GOING TO DIE AND IT’S GOING TO BE YOUR FAULT!”

“GO AWAY!”

“GO AWAY!”

“GO AWAY!”

“GO AWAY!”

“GO AWAY!”

“GO AWAY!”

After the long, long shouting of the same two words, and as she was still screaming them, the despair. Finally took over her and her throwing whatever she can see at Caster stopped. She was crying a river with the number of tears she was shedding.

Caster knew this feeling before. Has seen this desperation before. In his long life as a soldier, missions that failed that costed him and his platoon time in the captor’s hands. All the torture and anguish he indirectly committed to his comrades... His family. And he lost…

Way more friends than one can count.

Experience rounded out his repertoire of talents and decorated achievements he got. But he wasn’t anywhere near what he was perceived to be.

One could call him a ‘mess’.

“Please…” Akagi… Her shouts just became weak pleas. “Help me.”

At this point, Caster could just not spare Akagi and the Empire. Since, well, they were the ones that declared a fight with them. And no one in the base, his fleet, would question it at all. Since Akagi was so condescending last time the 2 met, it would be just a fine choice.

But he remembered the same words were said by… Himself. Long ago. Except for the emotional outburst. The tragic memories were replaying in his head.

So, in surprising fashion. He silently walked up to Akagi… He took off his Navy Hat and gave it to Akagi.

“Please do hold onto this for me.”

Akagi her sobs stopped in her tracks. Her eyes widening. Her eyes lock with Caster’s. He didn’t look like himself. He looked... Younger. The noises crashed into Akagi. The artillery salvos striking the ground, the clamoring tracks of the tanks, and the screams of soldiers, some for glory, many in death.

At this point, she realized that… Caster experienced just as bad or even worse situations than Akagi. And she realized that Caster wasn’t just a ‘normal’ otherworlder.

Back to reality, Caster stood up, and he turned around to walk down the mountain. Then a huge gust of wind blew over and the dust near Akagi got to her eyes.

After she finally got the dust off her eyes, she noticed that Caster wasn’t walking by himself. The attire was unmistakable. it wasn’t just an familiar spectre.

“A-ma-gi…” She said trembling. Now she had an explanation. His aura was scarier than the one he gave off at the Azur Lane headquarters.

Her beloved older sister… It was at that point, her view of the otherworlder was turned upside-down. And it made her realized that on why she got nervous about him at the headquarters. Because how it reminded her of her older sister.

In the latter part of her life, before the last battle of Azur Lane against the Sirens in the 1st war, Amagi was a destructive force that no one can contend with. With a few select ships that can give her a run for her money. Even out of her prime, her presence alone made other factions hesitant to pick a fight with the Empire.

Tales of how she took down waves upon waves of Siren attackers by herself, putting Bismarck, the most powerful ship in her generation, on a stand-still, this was one of the many, many stories and legends that she was associated to.

And her stories and achievements shaped the new generation of Sakura Empire excellence. Giving the faction the highest ships by number.

Reading it from a book, it would look like Amagi’s achievements were just exaggerated to be palatable for tall tales. But there’s a reason the entire Empire dubbed her the illustrious title of Goddess of Victory. Once she steps into battle. Nothing short of god can stop them now.

And for this battle... It would seem that the Goddess of Victory is right there, guiding the otherworlder towards victory.

Word Count: 1554 Words.

5:22 PM
4/26/20

Chapter Text

=================

“That poor fox...”The Observer pitying the fox, as she steps out of the portal conjured out of thin air. Looking over the battlefield to the sounds of the Siren fleet shooting indiscriminately into the battlefield. But the surroundings was providing massive cover for both Azur Lane and the Empire so the cannons had to aim their shots upward to try to hit them.

“Ah yes...” Her eyes light up in bloodlust.

“All cornered... All doomed.”

=================

Caster ran back down the mountain and some of the Sakura Empire aces saw him but couldn’t do anything about him. Too tired to shoot him or take out more planes.

He jumped to the other island and he met up with the Coalition’s girls who were avoiding salvos upon salvos from the Siren fleet behind the mountain.

“Look out!” Javelin shouted and Z23 just barely sidestepped the salvo.

“A suggestion to counter this fleet would be helpful!” Hornet exclaimed.

“Or we could leave,” Illustrious said. As she was also dodging shells.

“No.”

The girls all snapped their heads towards Caster. But he wasn’t making any faces as the girls did.

“Are you crazy, Commander?!” Hornet exclaimed. She wasn’t mad at him, but she was appalled with the situation. “We’re getting crushed by either side!”

The all the girls looking at Caster right now are more or less injured. Some grazes on the arm or leg, some deep cuts, some head damage. The whole shebang.

“I don’t think I stuttered.” Caster calmly said. As the ground rumbled with one of the shots from the Siren ships hitting the mountain face. “I get it, it’s a bad situation.”

“But-” Illustrious tries to speak in but Caster did something.

Caster gets his small waist bag and gets some papers. While the other girls like Hood, Edinburgh were calming the Sakura Empire’s aces down and helped them get to a safe area where they can’t get hit by the artillery raining down on them.

The girls look at the paper’s titles. ‘Plan B.’ ‘Plan C.’ ‘Plan D.’ He was throwing them away. Making the girls confused.

But his tense demeanor kept going until he found the paper or ‘plan’ that was satisfactory to him.

“Found it.” He mumbled. And he gave the said paper to Enterprise.

“First of all, I do have to explain the context of the problem at hand.” Caster held his head to prevent himself from getting dizzy. He was exhausted at this point.

All the sleepless nights that he did just to mount this offensive was raining down on him. His mood is always borderline hostile, And mental breakdowns are more getting into his head. But he needs to finish the job.

He breathes in and out deeply. Trying to calm himself. “I know that we could just leave the Empire’s aces and let Sirens take over their mainland.”

“Sounds like a good idea on paper, and I think you all would agree with it. But it’s downright counter-productive.”

Enterprise was about to voice her concern but he raised his finger signaling that he isn’t finished yet.

“I’ve read so many books about Azur Lane for the last few weeks and from the start, this Azur Lane organization is composed of many banners banding together to fight the Sirens. Am I correct?”

The girls around him nodded in agreement.

He paused. Thinking about what he’s saying next.

To further elaborate on the stakes, If he were to choose to leave the Empire to fend for itself with it’s injured aces and a soul-crushed Akagi, it would definitely lay down seeds for disdain and even worse hatred on the Azur Lane. And many people would see it as immoral.

Secondly, the Coalition, or Azur Lane, led by Edrich Caster, was already a pretty strong fleet even before he even got there. The numbers and presences of great leaders (ie. Yorktown, Hood, etc.) that made them stronger by more missions and operations. It got to the point that it would almost seem like having an ‘otherworlder’ to lead them would be kind of pointless.

But the fleet needed more soldiers. More ships. Wanna know why? To finally let the Sirens know that humanity is not giving in to the alien sea monsters. Yes, Enterprise, Wales, Illustrious, and Hood were beacons of light of Azur Lane but Caster is the mastermind and if they win this battle, all of the factions, no, ALL OF HUMANITY will once again have hope.

And by complete sheer and utter luck, they got an ‘otherworlder’ who is not afraid of the moment.

“The reason I told you all this, is to join forces with the Empire’s aces. And carry out this stupid plan I have.” as he passed the paper to his aces.

Enterprise finally read ‘Plan G’. And she was shocked. As Cleveland, Wales, and others took turns examining the plan.

“No, Commander... You’re not putting yourself into danger.” Wales tried to get some sense into him. She had only known about Caster’s hard-headed tendencies yesterday. As per stories of Hood.

“Nothing else in my stack of plans counters this scenario. So please, let me go for it.” Caster pleaded. “And I have one good reason for doing so.”

“What is it, Master?” Belfast hovered in the conversation.

“I did not sleep... For 2 days straight. I wanted to plan out every possibility and even with that time-frame, I did not get all of my possibilities accounted and countered for...” Caster looked on the pure blue water at the ground was shaking more and more.

“So, please... If I’m going to die, I’m going down as a winner. And after I’m gone, you can finish off everything else.”

Enterprise was irritated. And held Caster by the shoulder.

“Commander! Think about what you’ll be leaving behind if you die!” Enterprise was tearing up. And so was the others. His hard-headed attitude has gone over the line.

Caster sighed.

“Then follow along. You’ll keep me safe, won’t you?” He said as Enterprise let go of his shoulders.

He was scarily calm in this situation. And the girls weren’t particularly good in that type of situation. He didn’t lash out, but he acted... Like a leader. Like a true Commander should.

“Trust me.” He turned around and walked to the nearby island where it had forests. And hid there. As the girls finally stopped tearing up...

“That stupid idiot...” Z23 wiped off her tears. It was the first time that someone made her cry. EVER. The emotions were not like her at all, but this was apparently enough to break her into tears.

His recklessness is going to be the main part of this ‘Plan G’.

=================

Caster was looking through the grasses and the saw that the Siren fleet was far away. He needed to close that gap so ‘Plan G’ is a go.

But then it was awfully bright in his area. So he looked behind him, a white light. And it was coming from his pocket.

“Is it one of those moments again?” As Caster dug in his pocket and took out the white Wisdom Cube that he inexplicitly brought along.

As soon as he put it in front of him, the same light that enveloped him back in the Commander’s office was happening again.

“Oh, goddam-”

=================

Enterprise was still looking at the ‘Plan G’.

“If the smoke grenades aren’t used yet, use them to cover your advance and let the ambush fleet go first since they’re the fleet that didn’t expend all their munitions yet.”

The girls had no more choice but to follow. The girls finally threw out their smoke bombs on different positions and made a long line of smoke.

=================

“Oh?” The Observer looked on the smokescreens that the Coalition threw out. “Some ‘elaborate’ plan, I see...”

“Keep firing.” As she pointed to the smoke.

“Even if we can’t hit them, we can slow their advance and lucky shots might be on our side.”

=================

Meanwhile, Hornet, Cleveland, was helping the aces of the Empire.

“What are...” said Kaga. “What are you doing?”

“Come with us, and please stay on our backs and don’t leave the smoke.” Cleveland helped Zuikaku up.

“Can we trust them?” Takao said. Finally having some energy to get back up on her feet.

“Do we have to spell it out for you?!” Hornet shouted. “We are not your enemies. They are.”

=================

“I know that you’re afraid of war...”

“Many friends were made... And consequently lost.”

Caster felt only dark. But hears a voice. A female...?

“Who are you? What do you want from me?”

“But that made you a strong man. Did it not?”

His memories, the noises from a tragic time rushed back.

“This war... And like many others, I was pushed into it...”

Caster finally got to open his eyes. The scenery that he was given was a sandy beach... With a sunset giving the clouds a warm color. The waters were calm.

‘This place... Operation: Takedown...’ He thought. This operation was a recent one for Caster. It was 3 operations before the end of the war.

“Why this place? Why did you show me this?” said Caster as he sat down on the sand. Admiring the sunset.

“I know that you’re tired of all this. You’re stressed, you’re getting hammered by injuries more than ever before.”

“How do you know this?” The sight hit a particular nerve with Caster.

Then the scenery was starting to change, he felt the atmosphere was getting slightly hotter. He looked behind him.

The forest was on fire, the buildings were pulverized into debris. He turned around back to the ocean, and lo and behold, there was also fires on ships, airplanes were washing up on the shore.

“But you’re absolutely crucial to the war. Without you, this is will be the fate of humanity not under your aegis.” The mysterious voice ignored Caster’s former statement.

He can’t believe he was seeing... People dying, buildings destroyed, the sea filled with despair. Any soldier would know that this is the one thing that they will do everything to prevent it from happening.

But he was confused at the same time. ‘Crucial’?

“I’m not that significant, am I? There are plenty more war heroes than me, Hell, even the girls that I’m ‘leading’, have better achievements than me.”

“Yes, they are better war heroes that you out there.”

Caster looked on the sand knowing that the voice is agreeing with him.

“But you are the only one they got.”

Caster’s eyes widen. “What do you mean?”

“Besides, achievements are impressive and give a person dignity, but if the girls you’re leading die, whose fault is it going to be? You, correct?”

He groaned loudly. Knowing that this was true to the word. Achievements are just prizes for staying alive. Yeah, maybe achievements are only given to the ‘heroes’ but if they die, that’s the only thing they can cling on to.

“And if you die, you have no idea what repercussions you’ll be presenting the girls. Do you want that?”

“NO!” He shouted loudly that echoed throughout the ocean.

“So, go on forth. Win this battle, then conquer the war.”

A familiar white portal appeared in front of Caster. And he was getting sucked into it.

As he was getting sucked in, he saw a figure, a red kimono-wearing person... Holding an umbrella covering the face.

“May your victories be many, and your misfortunes few.”

=================

“What are they doing... Rapid cannons fire on the smoke. Don’t let up the fire.” The Observer wanted her fleet to fire faster to see if they’re actually hitting something.

‘How can I get around that smoke...’ Observer stroked her chin.

Then the sea rumbled. A portal materialized on the right of Observer. It materialized on the other ship that the Observer wasn’t on.

‘That color... The Wisdom Cube!’ The Observer said shocked. The Sirens can only use that tech and they’re the only ones who got a hold of teleporting Wisdom Cubes.

In absolute shock, a guy got out of that portal. And it was none other than Caster.

The portal went away and it materialized to the white Wisdom Cube and Caster caught the said cube.

“You,” she shouted in rage. She never knew that the otherworlder has one of these ‘special’ Wisdom Cubes in his possession. “Where did you get that?”

=================

He breathed in and out, focusing himself at the moment. But he heard the threatening remarks from the Observer.

A smirk crept up to his face.

“If I were you, I’d rather not think about that. As you should pick better words before you die.” He shot a glare over to the Observer, and of course, didn’t like the cocky remark. He gripped the cube hard and it disappeared.

“WHERE DID IT GO?!” The white Wisdom Cube turned into dust.

=================

Meanwhile, the Observer looked on at Caster with wicked intent. ‘Now he’s nothing but defenseless...’

Then the Observer saw a bright white light that blinded her and Caster for a second.

=================

As the light went away, Caster opened his eyes. He was holding something...

“W-what?!” He was shocked at what he saw on his hands.

The thing on his hands was the same M4A1 with Red Dot attachment from his ‘dream’. Not only that, he looked on his chest, he also had the 2 grenades and 1 flashbang.

‘You are saving me again, Private... I won’t let you down this time.’ He thought. Giving honor to that one Private that gave his weapon to Caster in his ‘dream’.

He smirked. And the Observer was horrified.

At this time, the Siren battleships’ guns were turning on Caster’s direction. And it finally made that long trip to turn to him. And the guns fired.

Caster ran to his left along the long airstrip of the aircraft carrier he got teleported in and at the same time, he was shooting the Observer and she was starting to run away and taking cover.

Caster felt that it was the time to reload since the rounds per magazine were 30. So he tried to reload while running. The problem is, he can’t get the magazine out of the gun.

‘What is going on?!’ He thought. ‘Oh, god I might be screwed now.’

There was a plane going at him and he had no choice to fire at it and it did just that. Caster was shocked.

“This thing has infinite AMMO?!” His eyes widen. As he went out of his cover. Running at the aircraft strip.

The battleship’s guns started to fire at Caster. One salvo almost hit him, but he dodged. This followed another salvo, dodged. One more, dodged.

Caster wanted to close the distance of him and the Observer Siren. And he was nearing the edge. So he jumped.

There was no person that can jump that far but Caster just did it. He needed all the luck that he can get.

But some airplanes started to converge towards Caster and he hid his weapon for a bit.

In a fancy display of acrobatics, he got a hold on the airplane’s left-wing and the plane turned around. Towards his desired destination.

He jumped off the wing and he shot the plane. In which it was burning now in flames going into the ocean.

He finally landed on the ship with a miraculous safety roll to meet where the Observer was on. And she was horrified even more. ‘They can’t hit him?!’

On the Siren’s point of view, it would seem easy to hit one lone otherworlder on the aircraft carrier. I mean, the strip was large and it was open.

The Sirens has crushed entire fleets with ease so an otherworlder shouldn’t be a much of a threat for them...

But as the ships kept firing and expending their ammo, it was getting clearer and clearer that the otherworlder isn’t dodging the salvos with luck. Of course, the Observer didn’t realize that and got mad.

“What?!” said the Observer. Shocked at Caster not dead yet. “He’s the only target! One damn otherworlder.” She pointed at him but she needed to turn around as Caster was still shooting at him.

“What the hell is wrong with you all?!” She shouted on her fleet. “How are you missing him?”

Considering the situation, ‘Plan G’ was definitely a bad idea on paper. Low chances of winning, and lots of opportunities to lose, you’d be forgiven if Caster was scared to make a mistake.

But even with all this burden going down on him, he went in. Without second-thinking his actions. As he was getting closer and closer to The Observer.

But he isn’t giving any thought of losing. He reminded of that voice told him.

“But you are the only one they got.”

He knows that if he loses and he dies, he will lose everything he worked so hard for, and the girl’s hopes of turning around the war will die with him. Every girl was trusting him with their lives, everyone at the base was trusting him to win the fight.

He couldn’t fail now.

‘Everyone...’ He told himself. As one shell landed too close to him and the shrapnel hit his legs and chest.

His luck is finally running out, the airplanes that were launched to get him, was finally getting some leeway by hitting him slightly. It also goes for the battleships too. It’s not going to take long before the shots started hitting their target.

However, on the other end of the spectrum, the Observer was in complete disarray. Shocked that Caster isn’t dead yet. She finally started to run away but also dodging Caster’s shots.

It didn’t take long that Caster cornered her on the edge of the aircraft carrier.

“This can’t be...” A cold shiver is going down her spine. He can’t continue. He’s supposed to be dead now.

As try as she might teleport away from Caster, she can’t because her mind is so preoccupied with other worries.

“This can’t be happening.” She said in a desperate attempt to stop him. “This isn’t possible.”

Meanwhile, Caster, knows that the battle is done.

“By the way,” He smirked. “I heard everything with Akagi. If there’s one thing you’re going to be correct, is that me living will lose you this war.” He mocked the Siren. At this point in the battle. The nerve to even utter those words in this situation is wild.

Caster looked in his left gun pocket where his flare gun is supposed to be in, and it was there. He smiled.

He stopped shooting, making the Observer turned around. The ‘impromptu’ plan is in action.

Only to be blinded by a flashbang that Caster threw. For a few seconds, the Observer was disoriented. Her vision got better only to be in a sight of Caster a few feet from her.

Caster tried knifing her, but her force field activated and it gave her time to retaliate. As her tentacles tried to strangle him.

But he dodged the tentacles and he took out his flare gun and shot it at the Observer. Passing through the force field and burning her. And she did not like it.

“AGHH!!!” The sea alien said, scrambled trying to get the fire off her.

Caster stepped back. And looked left, over the edge. There was land not far from his position.

The Observer finally got off from the fire and she was enraged. But Caster smiled.

“All of you wasted ammo, planes, and these crazy sci-fi stuff just to stop me. And I’m glad that I took your attention for a little while.” He shrugged.

“But you know that it’s not just me right?” Caster said and the Observer shuddered.

“I was the distraction all along.” As he walked off the edge.

“Girls, light ‘em up.”

=================

Meanwhile, as the smokescreen subsided, Enterprise winded up her bow and flung out an arrow. Hornet took out as many planes as she can muster, and Illustrious made graceful taps on her runway making it look like she was using a piano. Flinging out as many airplanes as the other 2.

This was followed by the others aces and the ambush fleet dishing out a storm of shells and airplanes, all of which are directed on the Siren Fleet.

Well, the ‘Plan G’ is nearing completion. But the explanation wasn’t told to you all in its entirety. So let’s start.

“After you’ve made your way through the smoke, let the Ambush fleet get in a little closer and lead the Empire’s aces to the Sirens so all of their shots will hit their marks.”

On that note, this step took a while. That’s why Caster has distracted the Sirens just enough time for the girls to make a firing squad.

Caster’s former plan was to just run around and keep the attention away from the smoke. But you know, the Wisdom Cube had other plans.

But this made an unintended side-effect. The Siren ships getting damaged thanks to Caster’s dodging all those shots. Caster, of course, didn’t know how long it would take for the girls to get in position, but he had got their attention for long enough for the girls to finally aim all their guns at the enemy.

“After that, it’s game over for the Sirens. They opened themselves to a counter-attack.”

“Keep pouring it on, everyone!” shouted Hornet. “Commander risked his life for this to work so take advantage of it!”

As the Coalition was keeping their assault of shells and planes, it was the ambush fleet’s turn and the Empire’s aces turn.

Both Hiryuu and Soryuu remembers the words that Hornet told them not too long ago.

“We’re not your enemies.”

And she was absolutely right. The Sirens were the sole reason that the girls were here in the first place. To combat them. And the peace that they always wanted was stripped away from them since the 2nd war started.

‘They’re the enemy...’ As both of their blood started to boil.

And the two looked at each other, and to their friends, they finally declared:

“EVERYONE! FIRE ON THE SIRENS!”

Kaga, Takao, Shoukaku, Zuikaku, Kinu, Suruga, Akatsuki, Yukikaze, and Choukai all screamed loud enough that it would shake the skies and the sea itself. Unleashing all their fury against the true enemy.

And at that moment, all of the rivalries, the hatred, the disdain from one faction to another buried the hatchet. Right onto the enemy’s heads.

To one person who is on the shore looking over the destruction, it looked like a fireworks show of the ages.

And to a certain fox girl on top of a hill, it looked like a cherry tree blossoming in all of its glory.

The girls wanted to keep firing onto the already decimated Siren fleet, but they can’t not because of exhaustion, it was just they didn’t have any more ammo to use.

The skies and the water were raging with trembling waves and the sky was filled with fire and explosions...

And as the large dark cloud that loomed over the Siren fleet has gone away, the girls couldn’t believe their eyes.

The once almighty Siren fleet was reduced to a single Destroyer. And even with that, that one Destroyer has holes and it was on the verge of sinking. And at the mercy of the girls, they let that Destroyer teleport away from the destruction that the Coalition and the Empire’s aces caused.

The silence was among the girls... Still in denial of what they just did to that fleet.

“Did we...” said Hornet. Breaking the silence. “Did we win?”

“We did it...” Shokaku told everyone in the ambush fleet and her fellow friends.

“We actually did it...” said Illustrious as she fell to the water almost fainting with exhaustion.

“Hornet,” as Enterprise turned to Hornet. “Shout it out.”

“WE WON!” Hornet shouted. Loud enough for everybody to hear.

The two factions began cheering and celebrating that they won as loud as they can also. Everyone was congratulating each other and there was even some girls that were crying.

“We won, Laffey!!!” Javelin jumped up and down shaking Laffey around.

“Dizzy...” As Laffey’s head started spinning.

“A win against the Sirens.” Hood smiled. She wasn’t particularly really exuberant but she was probably happier more than everybody. Hood and many of her Royal Navy friends have always failed to fight off the Sirens only winning on select moments.

The silent one, Ayanami, was also celebrating with the others. Everyone had a burst of happiness. Even some of the silent ones.

As the girls were celebrating, Enterprise got on the communicator to ask Caster if he saw the firework show.

But... No one was responding.

“Oh, no...” Enterprise said in worry. Even in all of the positive emotions, her worry for Caster grew.

In response, she broke off the fleet, and Hornet looked at her.

“Where are you going, Sister?!” Hornet turned to Enterprise who was gliding along.

‘I can’t lose him...’

Word Count: 4160 Words.

9:08 PM
4/27/20

Chapter Text

=================

On top of the hill... The series of events, instantly memorized by the girl up on top... Her jaw was still on the floor about what just occurred right in front of her eyes hap  From a big fleet of Sirens to a puny destroyer after the counter-attack.

‘Plan G’ was all but a suicidal plan. Barring the sudden power-up, it was supposed to be a death sentence for the Commander. But when everyone was took position, it took a minute or two to absolutely decimate the fleet. From ships turned dust and brimstone filling the air, the entire Siren fleet was obliterated.

As for her emotions... She couldn't shake it off, the myriad of emotions running through her mind. as if her emotions are stirring up a conflict within her heart. Is she happy? Excited? Confused?

“He...” She opened her mouth slightly. “He did it...” As she clutched on the Navy Cap as she wore it.

“I gotta find him.” She ran off the hill.

=================

‘Where are you...’ Enterprise thought, as seconds and minutes pass, she was getting more and more anxious on the Commander’s whereabouts. Is he alive? Dead? And that second thought, that was the reason that made her break off of the fleet while everyone was still celebrating the victory.

“Where are you going, Enterprise?” Illustrious said in the communicator. But Enterprise was too focused for any conversation to interrupt her.

She took a look at the islands nearest to her. No sign of the otherworlder. Another island, nothing.

‘Come on, come on, come on...’ As her face was filled with fear.

“Actually, we haven’t heard from the Commander in 10 minutes now. Where is he? Did we...” Enterprise heard Hornet say that on the other side of the communicator.

Losing Caster is the biggest fear of Enterprise right now. From his hard-headed argument of the execution of ‘Plan G’, and Hornet's hesitance to even utter the next few words, she might've said out loud what they were all thinking...

...That they might've bombed him out of existence along with the Sirens.

Tears... Were slowly forming on Enterprise’s eyes. She still can’t find him after all this time. Caster has single-handedly sculpted the fleet back to its form. A once formidable fleet once lacking direction, and initiative, now had it in droves. Unlike what the 1st otherworlder did to the girls, from the harassment, incompetence, and downright inexcusable doings, if Caster was to die here, they will never, ever recover from this.

Enterprise had a reputation for being one of the pillars of the new generation of Azur Lane. Countless achievements, unbelievable combat skills, and all-time great luck almost akin to plot armor. It was nice to Enterprise at the start to get these said achievements, but as she got more medals, achievements, people started to view her differently than what she was perceived at the start.

She was just looked at as just a ship that can bring home the victory. And those people were right. She can carry fleets on her own and come home a victor. But her heart was getting lonely... With infrequent meetings with her beloved sister ship Yorktown, other than that, there really wasn’t anyone else that could comfort her and keep her company.

Hornet could accompany her to an extent but it was just not enough.

And after the 1st otherworlder was ousted from the base by Enterprise herself, her loneliness got even worse. Morale was down on the base, and Sirens right at their doorstep.

But with Caster’s arrival to the base, all the stories that he already made, with the takedown of a Siren raiding party with 4 destroyers, his respectfulness with the girls, and just gossips of positivity about him, completely made her view on him go upside-down.

And perhaps the most important thing that he could do to her is... Erase that worry. That loneliness. She just needed to find him.

=================

“Where is he...?” The tailed-fox girl was jumping around from island to island to find the Commander. And finally, after a good while, she found him.

He wasn’t exactly the best condition though. But he didn’t have any injuries sustained in his body. It was just his tiredness taking over him and his adrenaline fading away. He was sitting down and sleeping under a tree that gave some great shade.

She immediately came close to him under the tree and she laid the Commander’s head on her lap. She was stroking his hair and murmuring some things while he’s sleeping...

“I swear that I’ll never, ever let you go.” She smiled before her face was closing in on Caster.

At this time though, and much to the disappointment of Akagi, Enterprise was nearby and with her sight firmly on Caster, she did not expect the enemy leader to be right there. And the prospect of Caster’s head laying on the lap of Akagi just made her go in fumes. While she was emitting a dangerous aura.

It took a monumental amount of self-control to not turn the fox into Swiss Cheese by her bow's arrows.

“Jealous?” Akagi was smirking at Enterprise was she’s still stroking Caster’s hair. The deliberate nature of her baiting did not stop Enterprise to taking the bait anyway.

And guess what happens next?

She yanked Caster out of Akagi’s lap and put him away from her.

“What are you doing now, stupid Eagle?” Akagi hissed at Enterprise.

“I could be asking the same for you, stupid Fox.” Enterprise shot back at Akagi.

The girls were about to do some ‘hand-to-hand’ combat but not until the 2 were interrupted.

“Oh, my back...” Caster yawned very loudly surprising the two girls, and while Enterprise froze by his sudden yawn, the attentive Akagi went up at Caster and embraced him.

Enterprise... I could definitely say that she’s almost on her breaking point. But again, in a stroke of luck that saved Caster some punches from Enterprise, their individual communicator started spewing some words. One on Enterprise’s side and Akagi’s side.

“Akagi, where are you?” Shokaku asked Akagi on the communicator.

“Enterprise? Where did you go? We’re trying to find the Commander.”

“Oh, I finally saw him... Not until...”

As the two girls turned to each other and glared for an uncomfortably long time and Caster, who was fully awake, was noticing it. And he was slowly moving back to the shade for a lesser risk that he might get hurt.

“Okay, Enterprise. We’ll be moving to your position. I see you on the navigation system.” Hornet added before closing her communicator.

“Akagi, stay there and we’ll be right there.” As Shoukaku turned off her own radio.

We have a fight brewing and more girls on the way to Caster’s position. But he decided to try to do something about it.

“I may not look like it, but I'm already at my weakest. I can barely stand up, I see like, 3 Enterprises for some reason, please don't add 'getting mangled from limb to limb' as another factor.” Caster said as he was waving his hands in a ‘stop’ motion.

A-kun: I can’t even imagine that... Can you?

Since Enterprise was waiting for her fellow ship girls to arrive, Akagi was already back on embracing Caster and she was...

“Are you sniffing me right now?” said Caster as he was looking at Akagi... Sniffing his hair?

After an uncomfortable amount of time passed, she only responded with “No~” that did little to convince him.

While Enterprise had to watch that. And she finally had enough.

“Enterprise!!!” Hornet screamed at her sister before she can even do something about Akagi and Caster.

“Akagi-sama!” Takao waved at Akagi to get her attention.

And in a short time, all the girls who fought and won the battle were circling Caster. And of course, he wasn’t feeling any comfortable since the girls from the Coalition was staring daggers at him...

Caster knows the situation he was in and as soon as Enterprise had a chance to turn around, she immediately yanked Caster and she was tightly hugging him. Away from Akagi. While you know, Enterprise was flustered the whole time.

“Oh, my...” Hood said as she was looking at Caster’s position. He was getting held pretty tight.

“Alright, Enterprise, you got me now, hooray...” Caster pulling off his signature deadpan tone. “You can let me go now. I’m getting crushed.”

“Commander, don’t get sarcastic with me here. This is a serious situation.” She said while not looking at Caster. “Plus, we’ll be talking about your behavior after this.”

“W-w-what?” He scratched his head. He is quite puzzled right now.

‘Okay, what did I do now?’

And the former statement that Enterprise said, stirred up an even more misunderstanding amongst the girls. Even with Hood getting shocked.

He wanted to get out, but couldn’t with Enterprise’s strong grip. So he needed some external help. First off, he looked at Belfast gesturing her to help him.

But she just gave Caster the “Hmph!” and looked away...

‘I have never seen that before from her... I did not get injured. What did I do to make her angry again?!’ Caster thought as he was looking elsewhere. ‘I’m sure that I have plenty of friends here to help me out...’

‘I think.’

He tried with Z23. But she just looked away pouting.

‘I’m running out of friends here...’

Then Caster had a bright idea. ‘Javelin and Laffey! They can’t possibly hate me right?’

He looked at Javelin and Laffey and... Let’s not say that the 2 hates him right now, but they were nervous to help since you know, Enterprise is holding him.

‘After all this time, my summing-up my totally intended research concludes that I have no friends currently. What a great life.’ He sighed in defeat. Knowing he’s still getting crushed, and no friends.

Then he looked up at Enterprise and he noticed something that he didn’t back then.

‘She’s quite tall for a girl... She’s taller than me! Well, but not that much. But damn. I’m a small man in a big girl world... Or something.’ Realizing that he might be the only male in the world. Which makes him uncomfortable to think about that.

Then out of nowhere, a hero appears before Caster.

Cleveland! (Or Clevebro if you’re one of those MANY people.)

“Enterprise, he’s getting squished badly so let him go,” Cleveland said to Enterprise.

The reason yet Akagi wasn’t talking yet because she’s talking with her sister Kaga about what she’s about to do.

At this time, Caster was let go of Enterprise’s grasp and on to Cleveland’s hands. And she was surprisingly able to carry Caster.

‘Well, they’re human incarnations of famous ships so I can tell that they’re strong... Quite deceiving actually...’

“Thank you so much, Cleveland... Such a hero when I need it.” He smiled... He was so thankful that he wasn’t even paying attention that Cleveland was carrying him ‘Bridal Style’.

“O-of course! H-happy to help!” She looked away from him with a tint of pink on her cheeks.

In embarrassment, she put down Caster on land quickly and nervously walked away trying to keep himself upright. Thinking about the statement the Caster made about her. Made her happy obviously.

“Okay, I think since everyone’s here, I have to make this statement that is very important to both sides,” Akagi told everyone before...

Kneeling down with one knee, her left hand reached out for Caster’s right hand gently and lowered her head. A gesture that made everyone surprised.

‘Uh...’ Caster thought. Not knowing what to do in this situation.

“I, Akagi. The leader of the Sakura Empire. Pledge my loyalty to you. From this day forward, you are now my Commander and I will serve your will. Your ideals and ambitions are my own, and your adversary is now my adversary as well... Till the day that I die, I will remain by your side as-”

Before she can even finish, Akagi felt Caster’s hand going away from her, then as she raised her head, she saw a blushing Enterprise who yanked Caster once AGAIN but this time he was just put next to the water. Rather than killing him by suffocation.

“What do you think you’re saying, Akagi?!” Enterprise shouted in disbelief at the crimson fox girl.

“Akagi-nee-sama, isn’t this a bit too much?” Kaga tried convincing Akagi but to no avail.

“What do you mean?” She said like there was nothing wrong about the statement that she just blurted out.

“Everybody else knows that pledging loyalty only takes a line or two,” injected Enterprise. “But the extra words you put in there was sounding like a... a...”

“A marriage proposal? Because it is a marriage proposal...” Akagi tilted her head. Saying it so nonchalantly.

And of course, with no surprise, every girl in the vicinity was shell-shocked.

“EHH!?” shouted Enterprise with the frankness of Akagi’s voice.

“EHH?!!!” shouted Kaga. Surprised by her sister’s declaration.

And basically everyone in the fleet w/ the Sakura Empire’s aces were also shocked out of their minds.

While Caster was just surprised with not much of an expressive expression. If he wasn’t tired, he would probably scream louder than the rest of the girls.

“See? Even he wasn’t that surprised,” said Akagi. “The Commander position is really hard to perform every single day. So when times are getting rough, he needs someone to lean on.”

“Sister,” said Kaga. Trying to again, convince Akagi. “you can’t just do that with someone you just met 3 days ago. I mean, this guy has to be a sicko in hiding.”

‘WOW...’ Caster thought. ‘Quite the misleading observation.’

“Oh, please.” Belfast barged into the argument. “He’s as dangerous as a dead leaf.”

“Okay, can we please stop ganging up on me now?” Caster trying his best to put the 3rd-degree burns away from him. And it didn’t work at all. As the girls just ignored him. Further confirming the ‘no friends’ research.

But Javelin, Laffey, and Ayanami went to Caster and tried to comfort him. An ironic twist isn’t it?

“Plus, you can’t pledge to him because...” smirked Enterprise. Trying to get control over the argument.

“Because?” Akagi asked confused.

“I already did.”

“SHE DID?!” Z23 shouted in even more disbelief.

“SHE DID?!” Hornet also shouted. Afterward, she turned at the man in question.

‘Now, you’re just making up stuff for the sake of winning the argument...’ Caster facepalmed. He is in disbelief in the turn of events.

After another plot twist from Enterprise, Akagi took a step towards Enterprise and examined her closely. Then stepping back with a smug smile.

“Lies,” said Akagi. In which a scoff afterward. “There’s isn’t a whiff of Commander’s scent on you.”

“So you were sniffing me!” Caster sat down on the sand trying to not get another headache. With the girls staring even MORE daggers into him. He might just die of the daggers that are pointed at him...

“Either way, you’re still not getting him,” Enterprise said as she crossed her arms.

“Oh, yeah?” As the two have a staredown moment.

‘A fight is coming soon oh, god...’ Caster said in fear. But his tiredness is taking over him again...

“Sister, please be reasonable here. You don’t know anything about the otherworlder.” Kaga pleaded to her sister.

“Then I’ll get to know him better. Isn’t that right, Commander?” She looked at Caster and winked at him.

‘I’m so done...’

“Then let’s settle this like what we would do before.” Akagi declared.

As much as Enterprise wants to get the fight going, she had an even better, pacifist idea.

Then as Caster was walking away from the situation unnoticed, he was immediately yanked back by Enterprise and put in between Akagi and Enterprise.

“Uh, oh...” Caster said while a bead of sweat is going down his forehead.

“Now choose,” said Enty. “Two of us. Who do you choose?”

Caster was just there frozen not wanting any of the smoke. He didn’t really wanna answer since he knows if he does, the other girl would definitely get angry and ruin the so-called ‘friendship’ that he always convinces himself.

Knowing the circumstances, he must answer... But he really doesn’t wanna answer. But his tiredness of not sleeping for so long finally came through and perhaps saved him.

He was almost fainting and he kneeled down to try to save himself.

“Girls... I can’t take the heat anymore... Let’s get back to the base.” He weakly stood up and walked the other direction.

Fortunately for Caster, he got both of the 2 girl’s sisters to calm the two down and let Caster decide for another day. So he’s safe... For now.

After a mindless expedition of Caster trying to remember where he parked his submarine, and with Prince of Wales manning the driver seat of his submarine, the fleet finally came home...

Needless to say, he was inexperienced to handle that crazy situation right now...

A-kun: Okay, for y’all readers. Akagi or Enterprise? I want a definitive answer to this age-old question right here, right now.

=================

Caster was doing down on a staircase. It was also the 2nd day of the Coalition partying because of the recent victory. He’s going down on a secret location of the base.

Well, he could have used the elevator, but the role-model that he is, instead just used the stairs just to get some little exercise as he can.

While the girls were still partying and stuff, Caster was still working... Weird right? But he finally got to a room that was labeled: “???”

oooooh, a little curiosity wouldn't hurt...

He opened the door. Meeting with Akashi and with an ‘old friend’ that Akashi told him about.

“You’re here, nya... I thought you’re going to be late nya...” Akashi said to Caster in which he just shook his head.

He took a gander inside the room. Dark and creepy. It looked like a secret lab of some sort.

‘I do hope that we’re not doing something shady down here...’ Caster silently told himself.

“I'm a bit miffed that you haven't told me this room yet. What are even doing down here?”

“Greetings, Commander.”

“My name is Shiranui. The second ship of the Kagerou-class destroyers.”

“Greetings. I do hope you’ll have a good time here.” Caster bowed to her. Before he raised his head back up.

“Thank you, but this is not why I’m here. Now.” Shiranui pointed at Akashi for it’s her cue to explain to Caster why he’s called here.

“T-thanks, Shiranui.” She thanked Shiranui. But at the same time, confused. “I have something to show you nya.” Akashi gestured Caster to come with her.

He obliged and followed her to some scientific tubes. The large ones to be exact.

And he was seeing some people inside of them.

“What... Is this?” Caster said slightly horrified. Caster is only for the frontlines. Not underground scheming up some weird things. So it’s understandable why he’s confused. “Are they ship girls?”

“Yes, I and Shiranui are trying our best to research into it with the resources that we currently have a lot of thanks to your commissions nya.”

“What are they?”

“Priority ships.”

Word Count: 3098 Words.

6:49 PM
4/29/20