Our Bonds

"An weird noise?"

The main fleet had returned from their mission. Apart from the usual battle report, there was something else.

"Yes. In one of the islands near Alfonsino, we heard a weird cry." (Shigure)

"It's not an Abyssal, is it?"

"No. Our radars didn't pick up any Abyssal signatures. There weren't any planes nearby as well." (Zuihou)

"So it might not be an ambush."

"It sounded like a child crying poi." (Yuudachi)

"But what is a child doing in the middle of Abyssal-infested waters. And how did she get there in the first place." (Suzuya)

"What if it's a ghost?! Oh no!" (Agano)

"It can't be." (Yamashiro)

A weird child-like cry from one of the islands. Normal shipping vessels have a strict route to follow. It's against international law to deviate from the path. What if it was an ship of refugees hoping to seek asylum, but got sank instead? It's possible. Then the cry could have come from one of the survivors.

"We will conduct a Search-and-rescue mission tomorrow."

"A Search-and-rescue? Why?" (Agano)

"It might have been one of those sh.i.p.s carrying refugees that got sunk. The cries you heard may be from a survivor."

"Hmm... Right, we wouldn't be able to tell if there was a sunken vessel around. None of us had sonars at that time." (Shigure)

"Good point." (Suzuya)

"Yep. It's getting dark soon, so rest up for now We will go and check again tomorrow."

"Yes." (All)

Now that I think about, there weren't any signs of a wreckage. I forgot about that point. Then again, it's still better to check if there are any humans on that island.

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The following day, everyone was set up and ready. Since it's a Search-and-rescue mission, we won't be needing Yamashiro's firepower. So she will be taking a break for now. Murasame will join in as she is one of the few shipgirls that can equip a Daughter Landing Craft. In case we managed to find a survivor, the landing craft can be used as means of evacuation. Currently, the fleet had reached Alfonsino.

"Anything under the water?"

"Nothing." (Shigure)

"There's a lot of fishes poi!" (Yuudachi)

"Yuudachi..." (Agano)

No signs of a wreckage. Maybe it isn't a sunken vessel after all.

"Suzuya, Zuihou. Launch your recon planes and check each island."

"Okay!" (Zuihou)

"Sounds good." (Suzuya)

Agano and Murasame, stay vigilant. They may be Abyssals in the area."

"Heehee~ Got it." (Agano)

"Yes yes~" (Murasame)

"he~~" (???)

"There it is!" (Agano)

Through the comms, I could hear a weird cry. Was that the one they were talking about?

"Admiral, you heard that too right?" (Shigure)

"That scared me..." (Murasame)

"Huh? There is something moving over there." (Zuihou)

Zuihou pointed to one of the islands where her plane started circling around. The was a small figure on the beaching , waving something around.

"He~" (???)

"Move in closer."

As they moved closer to the island, the voice got clearer.

"Help!" (???)

The voice they heard yesterday was actually a cry for help.

"It's a girl." (Zuihou)

A blonde girl,wearing nothing but a small bikini, was standing on the beach and waving her hands to get their attention. She looks exhausted, considering how long she may have been stranded.

"Thank goodness! I called you girls yesterday but I think you couldn't hear me. " (???)

"What happened? Where are your parents? Is anyone else with you?" (Agano)

"Parents? Oh. I think you are mistaken. I'm actually a submarine. I ran out of fuel and got tired. So I was stuck here for 2 days until you came along."

"A submarine? Wait, so you're-" (Zuihou)

"Gato-class submarine, Albacore, Hull number SS-218. I'm from the Eagle Union."

The Eagle Union. What the hell is an Azur Lane shipgirl doing there?! There is a look of fear on Shigure's face.

"Shigure, stay calm. She isn't the one. Yuudachi, help me take care of her."

"Yes." (Yuudachi)

Shigure is actually afraid of submarines. Not surprising, since the one that sunk her was an submarine.

"Say, do you have any food? I'm starving..." (Albacore)

"Admiral, what should we do?" (Murasame)

"For now, let's just tow her back here. She's out of fuel, so she probably can't move that far. Just place her in your Daihatsu."

"I never it could be used this way. Hop in." (Murasame)

I need to make another call again.