Our Bonds

I woke feeling as though my head was about to split open. Maybe I shouldn't have let myself go last night. Two parties in a span of three days is fun, but the after-effects are not. Last night, we celebrated Yuudachi's birthday. Of course, it was on the same scale as Zuihou's, but she took a while to realize what was going on. She thought it was just random feast.

I stumbled out off bed and got dressed. Hungover or not, I still need to do my job. I don't want to though.

I went over to my desk to see what doc.u.ments I have to do today. Alright simple enough. Reports of Abyssal fleets in Eastern Orel Bay. Confirm the validity of the report and neutralize if necessary. Send a torpedo squadron to Cam Ranh Peninsula to eliminate the enemy fleet and retrieve the Bauxite acc.u.mulated on the island. Now this is a useful one. Should be easy enough of some of the youngsters to handle. Agano will go along with Samidare, Akatsuki, Hibiki, Inazuma and Ikazuchi for this one. As for the former, a small carrier fleet should suffice. Souryuu and Hiryuu will be accompanied by Suzuya, Kumano, Yahagi and Ushio for this mission. Now I just need to brief them on it.

The rest are just the usual reports from HQ and various Naval Bases. Their total 'kill' count, resource summary and others. There is even a report on a fourth Shipgirl type group. The Ironblood. According to the reports, this group consists of German sh.i.p.s. Most of the shipgirls there are militaristic in behavior and won't hesitate to fire at anyone they don't recognize. Their armaments look like Abyssal sh.i.p.s strapped onto cannons. They seem to be on bad terms with the Royal Navy Faction and their allies. So they are the one we first met months ago. Hopefully I don't meet them. They seem scary and I don't think anyone involved in that attack will want to meet them too.

"Admiral! We got trouble! A group of unknown sh.i.p.s are coming to port! They have big cannons with teeth on them!"

That was Shioi, who just burst in and said all that.

What is this cliche development?

I followed Shioi into the open. True enough, six girls, clad in both black and white with huge guns are standing on land. Their guns aimed at Tenryuu, Shigure, Murasame and a group of young unarmed destroyers. In a distance, on the roof of the carrier dorm, Souryuu can be seen drawing her bow, planes ready to fly at any moment.

"What's happening here?!"

"Admiral? G-great timing. Lets teach these foreign invaders who is in charge here." (Tenryuu)

Come on, Tenryuu. Why are you trying to act tough? You are clearly trembling and stuttering.

<Bist du der Kommandant hier?>

The one in what looks like a black version of my uniform spoke out. Is she the leader of this group?

<Wir möchten, dass Sie für Nachschub sorgen. Wenn Sie sich weigern, werden wir es mit Gewalt nehmen>

Yeah, I don't understand a damn thing she just said. I only know one thing. They are clearly hostile but they want something.

Two small girls behind them look exhausted. Three taller ones seem hurt and can barely move. Their leader looks like she is desperate.

"For now, stand down everyone. Souryuu, get down from there. All units arm yourself but do not fire until I give the order."

I wonder who can speak German here. Oh yeah, Ro-chan.

"Mutsuki."

"Yes?" (Mutsuki)

"Go get Ro-chan for me."

"Roger!" (Mutsuki)

As the other girls went to get their rigging and equipment, I stayed behind with Tenryuu and Murasame, who are already armed.

"Wait. I called for someone who can speak to you."

"???"

An expected reaction.

A short while later, Ro-chan arrived. After a brief exchange, Ro-chan told me that they were injured and exhausted after fighting with the Eagle Union. They stumbled upon this Naval District by accident and hoped to get some help. Honestly, I don't want to help them. Theur group are the ones that attacked us back then. The other girls seem to remember them and treat them with hostility. I won't be surprised if our side starts shooting first. That being said, I can't say no to this eyes. Ro-chan has been looking at me with puppy dog eyes. She clearly wants me to help them. After all, she was originally a German submarine. And they clearly have a soft spot for her.

In the end, I let them in to get patched up at the docks. Not before confiscating their equipment. I assigned Fusou and Yamashiro to be their escorts. Ro-chan will follow them as a translator.

While the other five go into the docks, I decided to have a talk with their leader.

From what Ro-chan told me, her name is Bismarck, a Bismarck class battleship. As she said, they were fighting a Royal Navy fleet before coming here, thinking that it was just a normal port. They didn't expect IJN shipgirl to be here. As usual, the IJN shipgirl's they know are different from the girls here. It really seems that all they wanted was some supplies and repairs so they could return. If that's the case, the faster I give them what they need, the faster they would leave right?

"Alright. I will provide you with what you need, but leave as soon as you and your fleet gets resupplied. Understood?"

"In Ordung. Ich versorge dich mit dem, was du brauchst, aber gehe, sobald du und deine Füße wieder versorgt sind. Verstanden?" (Ro-chan)

"Vielen Dank."

"She says thank you!" (Ro-chan)

Ro-chan left with Bismarck to the docks. Bismarck. If I recall, one of the foreign sh.i.p.s in Yokosuka is also called Bismarck. That one looks nicer, this Bismarck is rather scary.

What a troublesome morning.