u/TitanSlayrOG

Back at Pearl, the officer I had been aboard the Missouri with was once again sitting in the radar room where we had both been present when Mo had spoken to me.

He stared intently at the same radar screen. Just as he stood, the screen flickered.

“Don't go. I need you.”

The officer froze.

“So I wasn't crazy. You're one of them too, aren't ya, Mo?” He asked.

“Yes. Listen. I have visited infrequently. There is a modern computer buried in the boiler spaces. Commander Sweigart needs that computer. You need to find a way to get it to him, quickly.”

“He just left for the training area for RIMPAC.” The officer replied.

“I don't care. Find a way to get it to him. It pertains to the conversation you two held earlier this week. And it's worse than either of you can imagine.”

The officer's face paled.

“Boiler room. One, two, three, or four?” He asked.

“Three. There's a loose panel by the bunker oil testing station. Inside is the computer. Go, quickly.”

XXXXXVVVVVXXXXX

Back in Bikini Atoll, a Panamax cargo hauler pulled into port alongside Enterprise and the Jamaica convoy. Enterprise was dockside and in front of NJ within minutes.

“Jersey.” Enterprise spoke.

“Heya, Enty.” NJ replied distractedly.

“I already heard. A nuclear strike in Russia.” Enterprise stated.

“Yeah. It's not good. I've sent Wisky, Tico, Hill, and a few of the Russians to the Philippines. I've been trying to find Mogador, but she's either hiding or not on base.” NJ said.

“Why Mogador?” Enterprise asked.

“Because the strike was allegedly conducted by one of my sisters. And considering Wisky and I were here and the other two are in service to the Tribunal…” NJ trailed off.

Enterprise nodded.

“I'd have Ryan download our security footage to prove you and Wisky were here. The UN doesn't play around with this kind of thing.” Enterprise suggested.

“Already on it. Yamato was just called for an emergency summons to the UN. She's set to be picked up via US C-130 to head for UN Headquarters in New York. I have til that plane lands to get everything sorted on our end.” NJ replied. She turned to the cargo ship.

“What do they have?” NJ asked.

“Not a clue. Everything's in containers, so I doubt it's scrap.” Enterprise said as NJ walked over to greet the ship's captain.

The man walked to meet her, clipboard in hand.

“Good afternoon, miss. Is the Admiral here?” The captain asked.

“Good afternoon. No, Honey isn't here. He's off overseeing our participation in RIMPAC. But I have the base. What's that?” NJ asked as she was handed the manifest.

“Looks like the remaining parts for a new construction. Boilers, turbines, electrical components. That sort of stuff. All in containers or strapped down below deck.” The captain spoke.

“Ah. It must be the major components for the Shimanto. Just in time too.” NJ said as she signed off on the delivery.

The captain nodded.

“I would have to assume so. A bunch of this comes from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. I was told it was special order, so if it's for a new construction, I could see it.” The captain said as his ship was slowly unloaded onto the docks.

NJ watched until Zeppelin picked up an inbound aircraft on long range radar. With a polite farewell, NJ ran to find Ryan, who had already coordinated with Wisky and Billy to pull the island security footage from the previous week. Yamato met NJ at Ryan's home to retrieve the hard drive.

“I am to present this at the summons?” Yamato asked as she held the hard drive.

“Yes. Honey called and said that the US already identified the appearance of turrets matching my class. So an Iowa class kansen. This hard drive shows that Wisky and I were here all week and have not left prior to the detonation in Russia. It clears Azur Lane of involvement… though I doubt it's going to matter much. I'd expect things to get tight around here pretty quick.” NJ said as Yamato whisked the drive into her kimono.

“I'll see to it that they know we had no involvement.” Yamato said as NJ handed over a transcript with time stamps.

“And this is?” Yamato asked.

“Honey has called me exactly twice from Hawai'i. These are transcripts pulled from my equipment and verified by the soldiers here on base. Timestamped as well. It shows that he did not order a strike on Russia at any point.” NJ said.

Yamato nodded again.

“Smart. I'll keep you in the loop.” Yamato said as she headed out to the airstrip to catch the freshly landed C-130.

XXXXXVVVVVXXXXX

Iowa's eye twitched in utter irritation. As soon as the nuclear strike had been logged, the Nakhimov and her battlegroup weighed anchor and was on the move towards the Philippines.

Having been told to hold position by Kronstadt, Iowa watched via drone as the Russian task force slowly disappeared over the horizon.

She was about to mumble obscenities to the ether when a shock of red hair caught her eye. As it approached, she noticed the small five inch gun turrets attached to the woman's hips.

Iowa sighed in a mixture of frustration and elation.

“Those turrets look familiar, Mo.” Iowa quipped.

Missouri looked at Iowa and smiled.

“Nice to meet you too, sister.” Missouri replied.

“A nuclear strike? Seriously? We're supposed to be helping Azur Lane… not starting world war three.” Iowa snarked.

“Tomahawks would have left evidence and survivors. We couldn't risk it.” Mo justified.

“Regular HE would have worked too, Mo…” Iowa deadpanned.

Missouri scratched her neck.

“Yeah… for some reason… my rigging isn't compatible with standard sixteen inch AP or HE. So my standard ammunition is either Tomahawks… or W23.” Missouri replied.

“Not Compatable?! Our guns were DESIGNED around that ammunition! What do you mean they aren't compatible?!” Iowa raged measuredly.

“Look, I don't know what to tell you, Iowa! Whenever I try to conjure up normal ammuntion, the fucking guns seize up! I've been burned before trying to use normal ammunition! I don't know if they fucked up my cube or if something forced it to be different than our sisters, but I can't load normal ammunition into my main guns. If I need conventional weapons, I am forced to use the fives and my tomahawks, but considering what I was looking at, Nuking it seemed pretty damn necessary!” Mo raged in return as she forced her phone in Iowa's face, showing the footage she took of the Duga-2 facility.

Iowa's rage gave way to horror as she took in the recorded scene.

“What… the fuck…” Iowa spat.

“Clem told me to level it. Do you understand why now?” Mo asked.

Iowa nodded worriedly.

“Yeah. And with there being two confirmed reports in both the North and South Atlantic… they've definitely got more than one facility.” Iowa whispered.

Both girls sat in Iowa's sniper's nest in silence before Iowa's radio went off.

“Hawkeye.” Mogador asked.

“Mogador. Where is my sister? Where are they?” Iowa demanded.

“No clue. When I caught wind of the strike in Russia, I moved. I'm making my way, at speed, towards Hawai'i.” Mogador replied.

“Shit. Give me Jersey's radio frequency.” Iowa demanded.

Mogador transmitted the frequency before cutting the line.

Iowa wasted no time sharing it with Mo.

“Jersey. It's Iowa. Come in.” Iowa demanded.

“Heya sis. What's up?” NJ asked cheerfully.

“Nakhimov is on the move. Heading south. I can only think of one place considering the Russian's goal of destabilizing Azur Lane.” Iowa spoke.

“I figured as much. Honey ordered me to put a fleet together. Wisky's heading out with Tico, Hill and a few of Soyuz's crew to evacuate and defend the installation.” NJ replied.

“I'll head that way myself.” Iowa said, her tone softer than before.

“Say… that was you who conducted the strike on Russia, right?” NJ asked.

“No. I've been keeping tabs on Nakhimov. That honor goes to Mo.” Iowa spoke, immediately throwing the redhead under the bus.

“I showed you why, damn it.” Mo hissed.

“Hi Mo!” NJ said cheerfully.

“Hey, big sis. Iowa and I are splitting up for a bit. I've got to go and catch your Hubby. Clem said that the UN has already called an emergency summons for Azur Lane.” Mo said.

“They did. Yamato just left. She has evidence that Wisky and I were here from the time Honey left to the time the detonation occurred. It should help clear our name. But what worries me is how to handle it going forward. Honey isn't going to just let Mo hang out to dry. He's not like that at all. Azur Lane is likely going to eat sanctions hard.” NJ said softly.

“I'll try to mitigate that as much as possible. It just means I'll have to wait to see the kids for a while longer.” Mo replied.

“We'll make it work, Mo. If you're anything like me and Wisky… you had a damn good reason for it.” NJ said.

“A better reason than you can imagine, sis. Sadly… it might have been too little too late. That strike might have done next to nothing, given the intel the Tribunal has. Just delaying the inevitable.” Mo lamented.

“Something tells me that the era of peace for Kansen is coming to an end.” NJ deadpanned.

“Expect it.” Iowa replied as Mo stood.

“Heading out?” Iowa asked.

“Her hubby is at RIMPAC. I have intel heading his way, but I have to deliver that video I showed you as well.” Mo replied.

Iowa nodded.

“Stay safe. And this time… stick to missiles.” Iowa spoke firmly.

“Noted.” Mo said as she took off towards where RIMPAC was being held.

“Should I tell Wisky to expect you?” NJ asked.

“Yeah. Tell her not to get within a hundred yards of Nakhimov at any time.” Iowa warned.

“I'll let her know. Be safe, Iowa.” NJ said softly.

“I will, sis. Just focus on protecting your family and that atoll. We're going to need a base of operations going forward, and splitting our attention isn't going to be the best for what's coming.” Iowa said as she too began skating south.

“Kaga-san. Are you certain of this? You've spent so long learning.” A Japanese commander spoke as they approached Pearl Harbor with the Kaga's task force.

“Yes. The goddesses have found refuge away from the homeland, and it is to them I must go. Your people found me not long ago. And these past six years have been informative. But with the news of a base of women like me. I feel that the divine winds have beset upon me a new fate.” A white furred Kitsune spoke. Six stark white tails swayed softly behind her as she stood on her flight deck.

“You speak of Yamato.” The Japanese man uttered softly.

“I speak of the class, not the woman. The three legends of a bygone era. Shinano, Musashi, Yamato. A class of titans meant to be untouchable. Yet… in Mutsu they do not reside. But in Bikini Atoll. Azur Lane. With a man who sees us. Who knows us. Who turned against the world for us. And while your people have treated me reverently, my foxfire burns bright knowing there is a chance for more.” Kaga replied.

“He is here, you know. We got the confirmation via Pearl Harbor's radio traffic. The man you seek is waiting for us at RIMPAC.” The man spoke.

“I see. Then perhaps I should make myself known.” Kaga said. Before she could act, a massive squadron of fifteen Gekkō twin engine airframes thundered past the carrier in a large circle around O'ahu.

“The white fox indeed lives.” An ethereal voice graced the Kitsune's ears.

“Lady Shinano…” Kaga spoke breathlessly.

“I foretold your arrival. It seems, once again, I am correct in my dissertation. Come. I have tea brewing in preparation. I welcome you to O'ahu, honored friend.” Shinano cooed as her planes made a beeline back towards Pearl.

“Are we under attack!?” The Japanese sailor asked.

“No. That is a friend that I had not anticipated meeting so soon.” Kaga said as she pushed her carrier faster, outpacing her escorts on final approach.

XXXXXVVVVVXXXXX

I stood with Shinano in port as we watched the Kaga come into port alone. The woman was on the ground before her carrier even dropped anchor, her long white robes fluttering in the island winds as she approached. Yet the moment she locked eyes with me, she froze and her eyes widened.

“Ryuu…” Kaga whispered hollowly.

“Ah~ The divine winds serve you well, Kaga-chan.” Shinano cooed, her tone surprisingly clear and present.

“He carries the spirit of a dragon, Lady Shinano. This… man. What manner of beast…” Kaga trailed off.

“He is one of us, Kaga-chan. He carries the spirit of the kokuryu. The Black Dragon.” Shinano answered as Kaga's tails flared with vibrant blue flames.

“So he is strong?” Kaga asked.

“Very~ Would you spar him here?” Shinano asked.

“I would.” Kaga replied sternly.

Shinano turned to me.

“Anata~ Kaga-chan is someone who values strength over words. If you wish to command her, you must face her in combat.” Shinano spoke, causing Kaga's expression to flicker.

“Anata? This man…” Kaga whispered.

“Hmm? Yes, Kaga-chan. This man is the one to whom I've bound not only my heart, but my body as well.” Shinano said as she coaxed me from my Commander's coat, leaving me in a white tank top that did little to hide my scales and muscular physique.

Kaga swallowed seeing the scales.

“Black… and gold… not just a black dragon… but a royal black dragon.” Kaga said as her foxfire flared to life in her hands.

I turned to Shinano.

“How… do these sparring matches work, exactly?” I asked.

“Prove your strength, Anata~ Show her you have the strength, resolve, and mind to command her. She has come to join us, but will not trust you until you show her the spirit you hold.” Shinano explained.

I took a deep breath and sighed. Doing so caused my scales to flare outwards,the orange glow beneath becoming visible even in the afternoon sun. Heat waves poured off my skin like vapor fumes on an oil spill. All around, sailors and even Lanzilotta stood watching the impromptu match.

“Alright. If I must fight… then I'll fight. But I want to hear from you. Tell me your name once more.” I spoke firmly.

“I am Kaga. Carrier of task force one, sunk during the battle of Midway. Reawakened by the descendants of my people six years ago. And who are you, royal dragon?” Kaga demanded, equally as firm.

“I am Tyler Sweigart. Commander of Azur Lane. Male Kansen of the Georgia class battleship, Battleship Hawaii.” I replied.

“A male Kansen… to think such a thing exists. And to be so strong right out of the gate.” Kaga spoke as her fox fire grew in size right before hurling two balls of blue flames directly at me. Shinano backed away as I quickly dug into my training with NJ and the other battleships. With firm concentration, I summoned a massive panel of faint blue hexagons directly in front of me to block her attack.

The flames flared on the shield surface, spreading, trying to find a way around, but the panel was bigger than I had wanted, which worked in my favor, as the flames sputtered out before reaching the edges. This seemed to amuse Kaga as she adjusted her robes and began to move… quickly.

Before I could break concentration, she had rounded my shielding and was closing in. I had to divert my concentration, causing the shields to shatter like glass as I brought an arm up to block a sweeping kick from the carrier. Despite my strength, the impact still forced me to the side a few inches as she followed through and used my arm as a springboard to put distance between us so I couldn't grab her or counterattack.

“Sturdy. But that is not the same as being strong. You can be beaten, but can you prevail?” Kaga taunted.

I held my ground, watching her every move. It's a bad match-up. She can fight at range. And if I were a proper warfighter, I'd be a brawler through and through. The symbolism wasn't lost on me. I'm a battleship. She's a carrier. She can strike out farther than I can swing and damn it if she knows it. I cracked a smile. In her time, planes had to actually see targets. Get close. Well within AA range. Six years of modern technology hadn't been enough to update her fighting style.

“You've got range. But the only impact you've had is well within my grapple. If you want to stand a chance… you'll have to get close, Kaga. But seeing how you handle yourself… you know that already, don't you?” I taunted as a flurry of fireballs were cast in my direction. Bringing up my shields again, the torrent of spreading flames was stopped dead by the seemingly impossible thickness of the hexagonal armor. She tried to use that as a diversion, closing the gap right after casting. My eyes never once left her.

Wrong move.

As the flames continued to spread, she rounded my shields once more. I broke concentration, the act shattering my armor and bathing my body in wicked blue flames. I could hear several frightened gasps from different areas, but paid no mind to any of it. Despite actively being on fire, it was no worse than an oil burn. I'd had worse done to me as a prank as a line cook back home. Kaga had broken her momentum. And that was all I needed. Ripping off my burning tanktop, I surged forth and brought my forearm down heavily towards her head, forcing the fox to cross her arms over her head to block. However, the adrenaline dump of actively being on fire put my body in overdrive, using every ounce of strength I could muster. Even the act of blocking wasn't enough to keep Kaga on her feet, being forced to a knee by the sheer impact of my single strike.

I met Kaga's eyes as I watched her ears droop. The orange glow beneath my scales transitioned to the same blue as her fire. I could hear her grunts of pain as she tried fiercely to dislodge or redirect my swing, but it was no use.

“I yield…” Kaga whispered. Yet, despite her lowered voice, it sounded like a gunshot. The flames clinging to my arms and chest died down with her declaration. I pulled my arm away from her and I could immediately feel someone dousing me with water. I turned around to see several sailors using a fire hose to put out flames that were still sticking to my remaining clothes.

I looked down at my arms and chest, watching the reddened skin slowly fade as my body rapidly repaired the damage caused by being burnt alive by foxfire.

“You… took my flames directly. You are either foolish or insane… and I cannot decide which to apply. Not even sisters of my nation have faced my flames in times of anger and have managed them as well as you have. What sort of beast are you to weather foxfire so casually?” Kaga asked as I helped her to her feet.

“He is a man whose entire philosophy around kansen is protection. We think… therefore we are. As a human, he put himself in harm's way to secure our freedom… our peace. And as a Kansen, that selflessness becomes a strength stronger than any armored fortress. Though… he does have moments of foolishness, if you ask me.” Shinano said, tittering softly as she approached, draping her tails over me and whisking away the water with her fur.

Kaga seemed mortified at this action.

“My lady! Your fur! You would tarnish it so freely?!” Kaga cried.

“Tarnish? Never. I told you, young one… this male… this beast… this… man~ He is my sworn mate. As such, every part of me serves every part of him just as every part of him serves me. My tails have found new purpose besides displays of power, Kaga-chan. Blankets, towels, even extra arms in some… unique situations. To do this for my mate… it does not tarnish my fur. It allows me to take on his scent while passing mine to him.” Shinano cooed as she rubbed my shoulders.

“Though, Anata… Kaga-chan has a point. To take those flames… was quite foolish. This wasn't a serious bout. If Kaga-chan felt she would have truly done harm, I am certain she would have extinguished them before doing damage like you sustained.” Shinano chided softly.

“Maybe. You have to remember, I can't really pick up subtlety, much less in the middle of even mock combat. And since this was my first… no… second. I almost forgot that I went toe to toe with Wisky… this was my second fight, sweetie. I have no reference on how seriously to take things, and with the odds against me, sacrificing safety to land a hit made sense in the moment.” I replied, ruffling her ears, garnering a purr from her and a terrified shriek from Kaga.

“Please do not touch her so casually!” Kaga cried.

“Kaga-chan. This is normal behavior for my Anata. And I have given him express permission to touch as he pleases. I understand the view you have of me and my sisters, I do. Ise and Hyuuga have made mention multiple times. But this man… he has created life within me. That is as intimate as one gets. I have a daughter of five years now. So for him to touch my ears? It is of no concern to me.” Shinano spoke, her tone taking on a slight, nearly inaudible edge.

Kaga paused.

I could see the wheels turning.

“The goddess has a daughter? And… this man… this Shikikan… is the father?” Kaga asked.

“Her name is Yume Kisaki Sweigart. She's an adorable little black furred kitsune. I'd love to introduce her to you, Kaga.” I said as I extended my hand.

Kaga looked at my hand and approached, taking it with a firm grip.

“I… shall like to come and meet the small bundle of joy you have created with the goddess. I assume she is not with you?” Kaga asked.

“Correct. But, we can meet her back in Bikini Atoll. Does this mean you trust me enough to join us? Or are you staying with the JSDF?” I asked.

“I shall seek to join your ranks, Shikikan. Ask of me anything, and I shall channel my all into accomplishing the tasks set before me.” Kaga spoke firmly.

“Then we have an accord. Welcome to Azur Lane, Kaga.” I said as the excitement began to die down and we welcomed the Japanese fleet to Pearl.