CHAPTER 79: The Paladin
Aug 18, 192
Enterprise Office, Azur Lane Main Building
8:00 AM
In Enterprise's austere office, Cmdr. Shin stood stiffly before her desk, having been summoned by the formidable Enterprise-80 herself.
"You requested my presence?" Cmdr. Shin stated, his tone carefully neutral.
"I called you here because this is the only opportunity we have for a proper discussion regarding your performance as the Commander of the 'new' Sakura Empire," Enterprise-80 replied, her gaze steady.
"Then why not have simply ordered my execution back then? It would have spared you any further concerns about my performance within your new Sakura Empire," he retorted, a flicker of suppressed anger in his voice.
"I chose not to order your execution because I saw potential for you to serve as a guide. I allowed you to retain your rank as Commander so that you could mentor the new Naval Officers of the Empire," Enterprise-80 explained, her voice firm but devoid of malice.
Enterprise-80's devastating bombing campaign had decimated the ranks of experienced Sakura Empire Commanders. Only a handful had faced the subsequent court trials, with Cmdr. Shin being the sole high-ranking officer with significant experience remaining within the Empire's leadership.
The majority of the new Commanders were inexperienced rookies, lacking the crucial combat and leadership skills necessary for their roles. The restructuring of the Empire's military was also being modeled after the Japan Self-Defense Forces.
Musashi, despite her repeated attempts to resign, still held the symbolic status of Flagship. As for the fate of Carrier Division 1 remained somewhat ambiguous following the court trials. Kaga had lost her Kansen powers and was confined to house arrest within the Foxes' Mansion, where she and her sister resided, spending her days in a state of lonely depression.
Akagi had vehemently defended her half-sister, pleading for leniency and arguing against a punishment as severe as her own. However, the Judge remained unconvinced, ultimately sentencing Akagi to lifelong house arrest as her punishment.
Akagi herself had been transferred to Guantanamo Bay for intensive information extraction regarding the deals she had forged with the Elite-Sirens. Her Kansen powers had also been confiscated as part of her punishment and sentence. She remained isolated in Guantanamo Bay, with Odin being the only other high-value detainee present for similar information-gathering purposes.
Their exact location remained a closely guarded secret to prevent any potential escape attempts by remaining Siren sympathizers or operatives.
"I have summoned you to my office today to grant you permission, as a Commander, to conduct patrols beyond the Sakura Empire's established territorial waters," Enterprise-80 stated, her tone indicating the significance of this opportunity.
Bunker Hill-76 handed him a file containing the official documents and authorization.
Enterprise-80's voice held a note of serious concern as she continued, "This is your one and only chance as a Commander. Do not squander it."
Cmdr. Shin understood the gravity of her words. He knew that betraying Azur Lane's trust, especially hers, would have dire consequences. She was the one who had spared his life and rank. To betray her would mean losing everything in the blink of an eye.
"Yes, Ma'am," he replied, forcing the words past his tightly controlled emotions.
As a man of considerable pride, kneeling before and taking orders from a foreign leader was something he deeply resented. Yet, Enterprise-80 was different. Her authority was absolute, and dissent was virtually nonexistent.
While she could display kindness towards her allies, a formidable and terrifying presence lurked beneath that surface – a monster to her enemies. To find oneself on her wrong side was akin to signing one's own death warrant, a particularly swift and irreversible one.
Only a handful of individuals, whether men or Naval Officers, dared to raise their voices against her, and even then, their objections were typically too insignificant to pose a real challenge, more of a fleeting annoyance.
Cmdr. Shin exited the office as quickly and discreetly as possible, eager to avoid incurring her potential displeasure. Standing patiently at the entrance of Enterprise-80's office was a woman who appeared to be in her late teens, seemingly waiting for someone.
As the office door opened and Cmdr. Shin stepped out, the young woman straightened up and offered a crisp salute. "Commander."
"At ease, Lieutenant Commander Nishi," Cmdr. Shin ordered the officer before him.
"How did it go, Commander?" Lt. Kinuyo Nishi asked, her voice filled with anticipation.
"We have been granted permission to conduct patrols outside the Sakura Empire's held territory," Cmdr. Shin replied, holding up the file in his hand.
"Is she truly placing that much trust in us?" Lt. Nishi inquired, a hint of surprise in her tone.
"Yes... However, we are not afforded any leeway for foolish decisions that might provoke her," Cmdr. Shin emphasized, his expression serious.
.
.
.
Howe's Cookie Shop
Both Lucas and Arizona stared at their unusual customer with a mixture of discomfort and utter confusion. They were both aware of the hidden softness within her, but neither had anticipated that her current change in personality would render her so... alluring and overtly feminine. The perplexing part was that her underlying tenacity seemed to remain untouched.
The customer in question was Laffey-200, currently under the distinct influence of the "Season." She was dressed in decidedly more feminine attire, complete with an ornate crown she had somehow acquired from the Royal Navy. The dress she wore accentuated curves that her usual casual clothing completely concealed.
The DGGX-class Destroyer was designed by Gibbs & Cox with an angular superstructure to minimize radar cross-section. Yet, Laffey-200's Kansen form, in stark contrast initial ship design, displayed a far more curvaceous silhouette than any naval architect had likely intended.
Laffey-200 was currently gazing intently at the Cake Display Chiller, humming softly to herself as she meticulously selected the cookies she intended to purchase for the others.
The two employees behind the counter felt as though they were trapped in a bizarre psychological torture chamber, their minds relentlessly assaulted by her constant, unexpectedly feminine humming – a sound they were utterly unaccustomed to hearing from her.
"God... I actually miss the violently drunk one," Lucas sighed involuntarily, unable to reconcile this refined persona with the chaotic Laffey-200 they knew.
"Get your act together. This might actually be preferable for everyone else's sanity," Arizona hissed, cutting off Lucas's lament.
Having gathered her chosen treats and placed them carefully in a basket, Laffey-200 glided towards the counter to pay for her purchases. She then noticed the two men behind the counter struggling to process the surreal scene unfolding before them.
Their Residential Drunk Bunny, now transformed into a vision of pristine femininity, was seemingly channeling a character from "Little House on the Prairie" with all the pristine dress.
"I'll take these gentlemen..." she stated with an unexpected air of authority.
Lucas snapped to attention, straightening up immediately. "That will be $5.00... Ma'am," he stammered slightly.
Laffey-200 gracefully handed over the five-dollar bill, her movements displaying a refined elegance rarely witnessed by the two men. As she turned to leave the Cookie Shop, the hem of her dress swayed gently, and the hanging bell above the door clanged softly. The door closed behind her with a slow thud. Her reflection in the glass was almost alien as she headed towards where Lafayette and their friends were waiting.
"Huh... that's completely unexpected. She's not exactly the type to treat anyone, yet there she was in her... transformation, being all... lady," Essex-12 commented, her eyes following Laffey-200's retreating figure.
Lucas crossed his arms, his gaze fixed on the departing bunny-girl. "And yet here you are... being more of a man than a woman."
"I have choices," Essex-12 retorted playfully, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Oh, screw you," Lucas groaned, rubbing his temples in exasperation.
Arizona, observing the two Marines' usual banter, spoke up. "So, what's with the sweets? Got someone special in mind?"
"Nah... just feeling like spreading some sugary cheer for Centaur," Essex-12 replied with a knowing curve of her lip.
"The Elf?!" Lucas inquired, his Marine Corps. archives lost in navigation of memory and took a wrong turn.
-We all knew which section of archives Lucas' memory have turn-
Arizona noticed him disconnected from the server as he was lost in the archives of Marines about the existence of elf, it did take him a long to find Centaur at that archive.
"And based on the... closeness between you two, I'm not even going to ask if there's something more going on," Arizona finished with a knowing smirk.
"Oh yeah...." Essex-12 leaned in, her eyes fixated on Arizona. "What about you and Miss Could-Face-Maid? Is there something going on?" Her eyebrows danced up and down in a playful wave.
Arizona tensed visibly for a fleeting moment before reverting to his typical Submarine of Silence mode, his senses acutely attuned to any sound in his immediate vicinity.
"Sheffield? Yup, I remember her. She looked like the type of person who got stuck in the North Sea for a while and turned into an iceberg. Literally an iceberg with that cold expression plastered on her face," Lucas chimed in, his mental archives now not at retrieving his memory.
"Yeah, she's as old as you and the North Pole where you usually prowl," Essex-12 retorted, playfully jabbing a finger at him.
Arizona finally opened his mouth and spoke, his tone carefully neutral. "We were colleagues on certain missions."
"I call bullshit—"
Arizona's hand shot out with surprising speed, his index finger briefly silencing both Lucas and Essex-12 in a near-blindingly fast motion. "Don't stick your noses where they don't belong, Marines," he said coldly, a hint of warning in his voice.
"Being protective, are we?" Essex-12 challenged, her own aura mirroring his sudden intensity.
"Just fucking say it, man... it's just the three of us here," Lucas urged, his curiosity piqued.
Just as Arizona seemed cornered by their combined teasing, the bell above the door of the cookie shop *Clang*, announcing the arrival of a new customer.
The two employees immediately straightened their postures and greeted the newcomer with practiced politeness. "Welcome to Miss Howe's Cookie Shop, dear Customer."
"Oh great, it's the French," Essex-12 muttered under her breath.
"Oh, Greetings...." A French woman in gleaming white armor that exuded an almost angelic and chivalrous aura entered the shop. Her eyes were a striking crimson, a stark contrast to her as gray hair.
"Do you know her?" Lucas asked Arizona, his lips pressed tightly together.
"Dunno... just a jest," Essex-12 mumbled, trying to appear nonchalant.
Arizona, however, looked thoughtful, a mental dossier containing her information suddenly surfacing in his memory. "Are you Saint Louis of Iris Libre?"
"Yes, indeed I am," she replied with a polite nod.
"How did you know that?" both Lucas and Essex-12 asked in unison, their surprise evident.
Arizona offered a small, knowing smirk. "I happened to come across her files not too long ago. I recall she was something of a PR figure for the once Iris Orthodoxy."
"I see... you're quite knowledgeable," Saint Louis acknowledged, a hint of respect in her voice.
"May I inquire as to your preferred choice of sweets?" Arizona asked, adopting a more formal tone befitting a shopkeeper.
"No," Saint Louis replied, raising a gloved palm. "I am here because Archbishop Richelieu informed me that I might find Sir Lafayette's friends, the Modern Kansens, here." She spoke politely, her gaze sweeping over the two employees.
"Richelieu sent you?" Lucas asked.
Even in his part-time job, maintaining a low profile was crucial for Arizona to avoid exposing his true identity to potential Siren spies.
Arizona swiftly gestured towards the two, Lucas and Essex-12, to maintain his cover.
"They are the ones you are looking for."
"Yes, I am," Essex-12 confirmed, stepping forward slightly.
"So. What business do you have with little Lafayette, the Dragon Slayer?" Lucas asked, adding a touch of dramatic flair to Lafayette's official title given to him by the Crown.
"Indeed. I was tasked by Archbishop Richelieu to be at Sir Lafayette's side during the upcoming Operation. Could you direct me to Sir Lafayette?" She then produced a neatly folded letter from a pocket within her armor. "And would you be so kind as to deliver this letter, written by the Archbishop herself, to Sir Lafayette?"
"Alright.... Essex, why don't you escort our guest to where Lafayette and his friends are?" Lucas said, gesturing with his hands.
"Why me?" Essex-12 asked begrudgingly, a hint of her usual rebellious spirit surfacing.
"I'm on duty. I can't exactly ask the owner for a sudden leave," Lucas pointed out with mock exasperation.
"Fine," she conceded, her head hanging slightly. "Follow me." She gestured with a finger towards her as she exited the shop.
"As you wish," Saint Louis replied with a polite nod, following Essex-12's lead.
Back inside the cookie shop, Arizona and Lucas exchanged a look.
"A personal bodyguard? That kid's got some serious backing." Lucas commented, a hint of surprise in his voice.
"By the Church," Arizona murmured, referring to the influential Archbishop Richelieu.
"He is the protagonist."
At the Azur Lane Academy Park
The park served as a recreational area for the Shipgirls, a place to alleviate the stresses of sorties and cultivate a sense of lively energy, even amidst their demanding duties.
Beneath the warm noon sun, sheltered by the leafy canopy of the trees, Lafayette and his close companions were gathered on a checkered picnic blanket spread across the lush greenery. Nearby, birds chirped merrily, their songs mingling with the gentle rustling of leaves and the sounds of other small creatures that called the trees their home.
On the picnic blanket, everyone was thoroughly enjoying the treats that Laffey-200 had generously purchased. The sweets she had chosen were surprisingly delightful, eliciting genuine smiles as each bite was savored.
Fortunately for Lafayette, he was not subjected to wearing the maid outfit again. He focused intently on indulging in the array of sugary delights before him.
"Wow, this is so tasty and sweet!" Javelin exclaimed, her face alight with joy.
"Yes... it's wonderfully sweet without being overly sugary of Miss Howe's cooking," Unicorn added thoughtfully.
"Yes, desu," Ayanami murmured in agreement, her usual stoicism slightly softened by the treat.
Hammann remained uncharacteristically silent, her attention fully devoted to munching on her cookie. Sims, ever wary, refrained from making any snarky comments, as the unexpected treat she had received could easily be revoked.
"Here... say 'ahh'..." Laffey-459 said softly, offering a biscuit towards Lafayette's mouth.
Laffey-459 was also still under the influence of the "Season," and Lafayette found himself navigating this volatile bunny with extreme caution. One wrong move could potentially lead to... unforeseen consequences.
"Tell me again why I have to do this?" Lafayette asked, a distinct edge of irritation in his voice as he reluctantly opened his mouth for the offered treat.
"It was Dr. William's... prescription. He said you needed to 'treat' Laffey, Big Brother," Unicorn explained, looking innocently at the two.
"Does being force-fed count as 'treatment'?" he muttered under his breath, hoping she wouldn't hear.
"Yes. It does. And being fed is a very important part of that treatment," Laffey-200 replied, her tone surprisingly gentle.
Lafayette grumbled, feeling a deep sense of humiliation. For the past few days, his association with the unusually affectionate Laffey-459 had attracted more unwanted attention than he cared for.
"Guess this is my life now," he sighed dramatically, a cloud of gloom settling over him.
"Yes, it is your life now," a familiar voice chimed in, cutting through his self-pity.
They all turned to see Essex-12 approaching, followed by a Shipgirl they didn't recognize. Her appearance, with her distinct armor plating and steady, determined gaze, unmistakably marked her as belonging to Iris Libre.
"My~ a visitor," Laffey-200 commented, her tone surprisingly composed. "May I inquire as to the purpose of your incursion, Essex?" Her question was direct and surprisingly formal for her current state.
"Even in that state, you're still direct, just... more formal this time," Essex-12 replied, a hint of amusement in her voice at the unusual exchange.
"Right... about the purpose of my visit." Essex-12 stepped aside, gesturing towards the person behind her. "Richelieu had something for you, Lafayette." She indicated the armored woman with both hands.
Saint Louis stepped forward, as if on cue. "Good Afternoon, Sir Lafayette."
She then proceeded to kneel, her right foot placed slightly forward, her right arm held across her chest in a gesture of fealty. Her polearm materialized in her left hand as she lowered her head, her gaze fixed on the ground. She knelt like a knight making a solemn oath.
"I, Saint Louis, a knight who serves the flag of Iris Libre and the people of the Iris Orthodoxy, shall serve as your guardian and protector. Archbishop Richelieu has entrusted me with this task, among others. As a representative of Iris Libre, it is my humble honor to be at your service."
Lafayette was utterly speechless, his mouth agape in stunned disbelief at her unexpected declaration of servitude.
"Damn... a Lady Knight... at your service," Essex-12 murmured, equally bewildered by the unexpected display.
"A Knight on duty, how magnificent," Laffey-200 commented, her red eyes gleaming with a strange fascination.
Snapping out of his daze, Lafayette reasoned that he couldn't possibly accept such an extraordinary offer. "Sorry, but I can't – I just can't. Please tell Richelieu that I appreciate the offer, but no."
Saint Louis raised her head, her crimson eyes meeting his. "Archbishop Richelieu also commanded me to deliver this letter to you, as she anticipated that you might decline her initial offer."
Lafayette took the offered letter, his brow furrowed in confusion. He began to read, though the curious gazes of Essex-12 and Laffey-200 quickly joined his.
The letter read:
Dear Sir Lafayette,
It is with the utmost humility that I offer my support for the upcoming Operation against the threat to Humanity, the Sirens. Reflecting upon your previous encounter with the Iron Blood in the Mediterranean Sea, I now recognize my oversight in not dispatching one of Iris Libre's capable Shipgirls to provide assistance.
In an effort to ensure your safety and in recognition of your esteemed title as Dragon Slayer, I, Archbishop Richelieu, have elected to send my most capable knight to offer you her unwavering servitude and protection against the dangers posed by the Sirens. Saint Louis is a valiant and skilled Knight, and I trust that she will serve you well according to your commands.
Yours in faith,
Archbishop Richelieu.
"What the hell," Lafayette exclaimed, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"She assigned you a babysitter. Rather resourceful of you, Richelieu," Essex-12 commented, a smirk playing on her lips.
"I hope you don't overexert our powers now that you have a dedicated shield," Laffey-200 offered with a strange mix of amusement and warning.
"A knight...." Laffey-459 murmured, her eyes narrowed and fixed on Saint Louis, a hint of protectiveness surfacing at him at the new addition to their group.
"Wow...! A Knight! How incredibly lucky are you, Lafayette!" Javelin exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with starry-eyed admiration.
"You've got the backing of the Church, desu," Ayanami stated flatly, her usual stoicism unwavering.
"A bodyguard? – humph!" Hammann huffed, her typical tsundere reaction on full display.
Saint Louis rose gracefully to her feet, her voice commanding attention. "Sir Lafayette, I, Saint Louis, shall be your Knight. A Paladin, ready to serve you on the battlefield."
Lafayette's mind was reeling, the weight of her words barely registering. He had anticipated that Richelieu might send a Destroyer to bolster his Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Division, not a personal bodyguard, and certainly not a Paladin.
'Why did I even agree to this?!' he thought in bewildered exasperation.
.
.
,
~Later that day~
Harbor
"Do we really have to bask under this tropical sun for a second time today?" Lafayette complained, clearly uncomfortable in his current situation.
"Out of all the problems in the world, that's the one you're whining about?" Essex-12 retorted, equally exposed to the relentless tropical sun alongside Lafayette.
Arizona chuckled softly. "To all the problems, huh? We're all standing here like we're admiring a sunset."
"The sun is still very much up," Lafayette pointed out dryly.
"My apologies, Sir Lafayette." Saint Louis then produced a large, elegant umbrella and positioned it carefully to shield him from the sun's harsh rays.
From her very first day, Saint Louis had been stationed directly beside him, as instructed by the Church. Enterprise-80 had accepted this generous addition, but the concept of a fully armored Knight acting as a glorified babysitter was still... unusual.
Not long after their arrival at the Dorm where everyone had gathered for a meeting, the scene was already striking. Saint Louis standing silently beside Lafayette gave the impression of a borrowed script from a gangster film, where the most powerful individuals gathered, each with their own retinue.
Lafayette, seated, and the Shipgirl beside him, drew more attention than the news everyone had been eagerly anticipating that noon.
Enterprise-80 was aware of the impending support from Iris Libre. Archbishop Richelieu herself had greenlit the deployment of an escort ship. However, a Paladin was... unexpected. There was little she could do about it. The deployment of a Cruiser to safeguard Lafayette's Division was, at least, a welcome development.
Now, this afternoon, Saint Louis continued to fulfill her assigned duty, as the papers detailing her servitude dictated. She stood guard beside the Dragon Slayer, a title given by the Crown Royal Navy. Carrying Iris Libre's the name sake, they didn't wanted to be outdone.
"Thank you," Lafayette said, sounding somewhat skeptical of the offered shade. He had never imagined that he would be treated with such deference, usually reserved for heads of state.
"Thank you," he mumbled, sounding rather skeptical of the sudden, chivalrous gesture.
"It is my distinct pleasure, Sir Lafayette," she replied with a polite, unwavering smile.
"Yeah... I forgot you had a built-in shade provider now," Lucas commented, a hint of mock jealousy in his voice.
"Guess we're the only ones still soaking up the rays," Arizona truthfully observed, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow.
"Well, at least we all look... formal," Essex-12 quipped, gesturing to their slightly disheveled state.
Then, everyone's attention was drawn to their side. Laffey-200 stood there in her pristine dress, ready to greet the newcomer with an unexpected air of elegance that contrasted sharply with the others' sweat-drenched appearances.
William scoffed and cleared his throat. "I mean, we're lucky she's docile right now and not sending more Rookie Officers to the Infirmary... just a few with bleeding hearts."
"My apologies if I inadvertently contribute to Miss Vestal's dwindling patient list with further 'heart injuries'," Laffey-200 said, her tone dripping with a dry, almost sarcastic wit that was entirely new. A low chuckle followed her unexpected remark.
"I honestly can't believe those words just came out of her mouth," Essex-12 murmured, her eyes wide.
"I think... we might be starting to get the hang of this 'Season' thing," Lucas, Arizona, and William said in unison, exchanging bewildered glances.
On the front row
Both Enterprise-80 and Frigate Belfast struggled to suppress faint smiles at the ongoing chatter behind them. The harbor was typically a scene of bustling activity, but the unexpected comedy unfolding behind them momentarily made them forget the oppressive heat of the midday sun.
"These simpletons somehow manage to make me forget the heat," Frigate Belfast chuckled softly.
Enterprise-80 sighed, a hint of exasperation in her voice. "I know... they always manage to break the silence with their incessant banter. But I must admit, I'm glad there's still some levity to be found even at this hour."
"Yes. It is indeed."
Bunker Hill-76's voice cut in, her tone suddenly sharp as her advanced AN/SPY-6 Phase Array Radar detected the approaching Shipgirl. The Manjuus onboard also confirmed the visual via drone footage.
"Ma'am... I believe our Guest is arriving," she declared, her words cutting through the humid air.
"Good."
They all turned their gaze towards the horizon, where the silhouette of a rather... peculiar ship was beginning to emerge from the shimmering heat haze reflecting off the ocean's surface.
Within half an hour of waiting, the identified ship was being carefully assisted by tugboats, maneuvering it alongside the massive, moored Supercarrier within the harbor.
As the ship docked and was secured, a woman with strikingly pearly white hair that danced in the afternoon harbor breeze walked down the ship's gangway. She wore a jacket that seemed to cover only her sleeves, her top consisting of minimal fabric. Her lower garment appeared to be a One-Piece Swimsuit with decidedly... curvy lines, vaguely reminiscent of a PlayStation 5 in its design.
Author's note: I swear to the gods, to all the designs of the later shipgirls. Why?
As the woman stood on the concrete of the harbor, a collective wave of bewildered disbelief washed over everyone present at the sheer amount of exposed skin.
"Is she... wearing a one-piece swimsuit?" Frigate Belfast questioned, her eyebrows arching in surprise and a hint of disapproval.
Arizona massaged his temples, wondering if the intense heat was playing tricks on his vision. Sadly for him, it was not. "I swear to God, these newer Shipgirls have progressively less and less clothing these days."
"There's clearly more than enough fabric to go around, and this is what they choose? I'm more frustrated by these Shipgirl dress choices rather than the Pentagon losing millions on a single dumpster," William exclaimed in exasperation.
"We definitely need to visit the Church later," Lucas muttered to the others.
"Agreed," echoed through the small group of men.
Laffey-459, with surprising decisiveness, leaped to a conclusion and swiftly covered Lafayette's eyes with her hands, shielding him from the perceived unholy sight. "...Danger... must protect Lafayette," she mumbled with a newfound protectiveness.
Lafayette, caught completely off guard by the sudden blindfold, exclaimed internally, 'Oh putain de bordel de merde, Laffey!' (in French, of course).
"I have a strong feeling that's not just a one-piece swimsuit," Bunker Hill-76 commented, her gaze narrowed with suspicion at the minimal attire.
"Looks like your Researchers at the Wisdom Cube Research Facility have far too much time on their hands, huh?" Enterprise-80 quipped, a dry pun in her voice.
Adm. Nimitz and the other Eagle Union Naval Officers grunted and groaned at her remark, a shared sense of exasperation with their own research teams. Adm. Philips and the Royal Navy Officers echoed their sentiments, equally familiar with the... creative liberties taken by their own researchers.
The scantily clad woman and the assembled Shipgirls and Naval Officers engaged in a brief, awkward staring contest before she finally opened her mouth to speak.
"Greetings... I am Aviation Battleship, Kearsarge," the woman announced, introducing herself with a confident air.
"Is everything alright around here...? It seems like there's a bit of... chaos," Kearsarge observed, taking in the stunned expressions and the general awkwardness of the welcoming committee.
Adm. Nimitz raised his eyebrows for a moment before responding, "Don't worry about it, it's kind of a daily occurrence around here."
"Oh, sorry, we haven't properly introduced ourselves yet. The name's Adm. Nimitz," he said, extending a hand towards her. "And this beside me is Miss Enterprise."
Enterprise-80 also extended a hand. "Hello there, Miss Kearsarge," she said with a polite nod.
"Kearsarge is just fine," the newcomer replied, accepting the handshake.
Following the initial introductions, Enterprise-80 subtly directed Kearsarge to remain under the watchful eye of Bunker Hill-76. Given Kearsarge's... 'unique appearance' and the crucial role she was expected to play in the upcoming operation, careful observation was deemed necessary.
"I see... I'll be in your care then," Kearsarge acknowledged with a nod towards Bunker Hill-76.
"Good... follow me to the Office. I need to brief you on the upcoming operation," Bunker Hill-76 said, motioning for Kearsarge to follow.
As Kearsarge followed Bunker Hill-76, the view from behind offered an unobstructed vista of her... rather exposed rear view.
"A C-String combined with a one-piece swimsuit!" Lucas, Arizona, and William exclaimed in unison, their surprise bordering on comical disbelief.
"My~ a bold one," Laffey-200 commented, her eyes flickering.
Enterprise-80 held her temple and sighs. "Gibbs & Cox never cease to amaze me," she remarked dryly, a hint of dark amusement in her voice.
"Gibbs & Cox?" Adm. Nimitz raised a questioning eyebrow.
"Gibbs & Cox is the name of the company primarily responsible for designing the current US Navy Warships," Enterprise-80 explained.
"Gibbs & Cox was the leading design agency for the Arleigh Burke Class Destroyers and now the current DDG-X Destroyers. Fincantieri Marinette Marine even hired Gibbs & Cox to redesign the FREMM design to create the new Constellation Class Frigates that suit the US Navy's specific requirements. Back in World War II, Gibbs & Cox also designed a rather... unconventional Hybrid Battle-Carrier."
"I see now why you hold that name in such high regard," Adm. Nimitz conceded, a newfound understanding dawning on his face.
After all the initial... visual adjustments and introductions, Enterprise-80 addressed everyone present at the Harbor as the Cargo Ships behind them continued to offload their vital contents. The supplies being unloaded were estimated to sustain a week of high-intensity warfare.
The entire process of loading the various Ships with the necessary supplies was expected to take two or more days. However, the Modern Vessels, including the newly arrived Kearsarge, had been armed and supplied well in advance of the other ships docked in the Harbor.
"Listen up, folks," Enterprise-80 announced, her voice carrying across the bustling harbor. The various conversations and murmurs gradually died down as everyone turned their attention towards her.
"Today and tomorrow, I want each and every one of you to be fully prepared for deployment in the upcoming operation. The day after tomorrow, we will embark on what I believe will be one of the largest turning points in this entire war. Our actions in this upcoming engagement will be written about and recounted in the annals of history. The decades of relentless attacks and the constant threat to humanity will end here."
She paused, her gaze sweeping over their mixed reactions, though the dominant emotion she perceived was a steely determination to finally bring this devastating war to an end.
"The youth, and all future generations, will no longer have to live in fear, because this is the day that will be forever etched in history. This is the day we will confront the Sirens directly at their doorstep and bring the fight squarely to them. The day this operation commences is the day we will finally put an end to this Apocalypse!"
A resounding cheer erupted from the assembled Shipgirls and Naval Officers, their spirits emboldened and their resolve strengthened by Enterprise-80's powerful words. The weight of the impending battle felt less heavy, replaced by a shared sense of purpose and the unwavering belief that they stood on the precipice of a decisive victory.