On the calm sea, blue is all anyone could see all the way to the horizon. Today however, wreckage of ships scattered around and some still burning or fizzling out from the exposed wires.
"This is the last Main Fleet." Takao said with a relieved sigh and looking tired from all the battle she and the others had been doing for the past hours.
"Indeed. After this, we will return to refill our dwindling ammunition before we take care of the last Carrier Fleet and clean up the rest of the Light Fleets." Belfast informed their next actions and informed everyone else too.
"That's perfect. I am running out of torpedoes. What about the rest of you?" Atago asked her sisters.
"I'm running out of torpedoes too." Takao nods.
"I still have half." Maya shrugs.
"And I ran out of torpedoes and shells." Choukai answered, a little embarrassed.
"I see. Then let's get going then." Belfast said.
Belfast noted that she is indeed getting close to the Sakura Empire shipgirls fairly easily except for Maya who isn't exactly friendly. As for the Eagle Union side, Indianapolis is a very quiet one and rarely answers to her more than a simple nod or shake of her head while Portland didn't seem to be interested in anything other than Indianapolis.
Well, her purpose of getting close isn't for anything nefarious. She is simply trying to befriend them. Although, she also has her mission but that's not related to the shipgirls. Her mission is merely to investigate and observe the commander about the rumor regarding his otherworldly origin and his capacity as a former Admiral from another world.
As far as Belfast could observe, she would say Adam is an excellent Commander but not a very effective one. He is the type that prioritizes safety over efficiency in battle. Which she could appreciate and understand since KANSEN is a very expensive asset for a nation. So, such caution he exercises is understandable.
Besides him being an excellent Commander, Belfast couldn't really dig much deeper into him. Especially in regard to his origin from another Earth.
———
"It's a big success! Yay!" New Jersey cheered as everyone regrouped on the naval port on Pearl Harbour to refill ammunition.
"It is to be expected, we have overwhelming air superiority after all." Saratoga stated, didn't really sound surprised and instead grimaced at the waste of ammunition and fuels because they basically brought more than enough shipgirls for this battle.
But, since this is the very first battle that is somewhat public as leaders of all nations wanted to see the credibility of KANSEN against Siren, they didn't mind splurging extra to get everyone deployed on the operation.
"Still, I wonder what my sister's role is." Hornet sighed while sitting on the pier and watched as her ship was being loaded with ammunition.
"I wonder about that too." Saratoga said before both her and Hornet turned to New Jersey with their inquiry.
"Eh! Why are both of you looking at me like that?" New Jersey looks a little worried and afraid to be ganged upon.
"You did join the briefing right? So, you should definitely know what Enterprise's role is in this operation along with Cleveland and San Diego." Saratoga interrogates New Jersey.
New Jersey looked hesitant for a moment while pondering her choice before she sighed and relent.
"Actually, it's not really hard to figure out a secret. They were simply a failsafe. Just in case something strong pops up." New Jersey said which did answer the question but now they wondered what Adam was expecting and New Jersey immediately explained, "Remember he managed to defeat a powerful Siren packing? Yeah, he was afraid she might come back for revenge."
"Well, if that's the case. I understand." Hornet nods off as she observes Enterprise with her two escorts, Cleveland and San Diego in the distance, guarding them while they are refueling and rearming the supplies of ammunition.
It does make her feel bitter. Hornet had recently awakened and she already felt the distance between her and Enterprise is already too wide apart. The void simply became bigger when she saw how close Enterprise was with the Commander and how they sort of have something going on behind everyone's back.
It's very obvious that Enterprise is a little weird. Not just Hornet but everyone noticed it. But didn't comment on it because it's a good change compared to her old self.
She is now more reliant on people and the Commander. No longer reckless and hardheaded, charging into battle in disregard of her health and safety. That's just not the type of person she was before.
———
Another hour later, the battle resumed under New Jersey's leadership. The last Carrier Fleet is their target and with everyone basically loaded up with ammunition, they didn't even need to send the Vanguard team ahead. Instead, all six Aircraft Carriers, Illustrious, Unicorn, Saratoga, Hornet, Akagi and Kaga launched squadron after squadron of fighters, dive bombers and torpedo bombers. The barrage launched by New Jersey and Amagi is the cherry on top which decimated the Carrier Fleet.
"All enemies are confirmed to be defeated." Belfast reported the post battle analysis.
"Of course, we are the strongest fleet. There's no enemy that can stop us." New Jersey nodded at the report before she looked at everyone. "Let's split into three fleets following our faction and clean up the rest of the Light Fleets."
Everyone agrees with the order and they split up. Some like the Sakura Empire are eager to complete who can defeat the most enemy. Just a friendly competition which Adam allows.
As for Adam. Once the operation was basically a guaranteed success, he reviewed a call from the Admiral who informed him of the decision of the leaders worldwide regarding the Project KANSEN.
"You did well on your part. They are convinced now that Project KANSEN is the solution they seek to deal with the growing Siren threat." The Admiral said but Adam couldn't help but notice his face lack joy as he should while conveying this wonderful news and he is expecting a twist in this news.
"However…" The Admiral said and paused for a moment as his frown deepened. "We should expect resistance. Some groups are opposing the KANSEN because it steps on their territory. Personally, I can see the foolishness of sending humans against the Siren but some may disagree with me. Especially the Admiral of the British Royal Navy who is opposing the takeover of the KANSEN Royal Navy. They feel their honor and mainly position is threatened." The Admiral sighed and muttered something about 'Senile old fools care more about honor and pride than human life.'
"Anyway, you did well on your part. So, expect some rewards delivered to your base from the President." The Admiral said before excusing himself, clearly looking tired and needed a rest from his pale looking face.
After the call ended, Adam sighed in relief that Agent was in the base and alerted him of the call because he was on the Orbital Fortress and might have missed the call if not for Agent informing him about it for him to quickly rush back and answer the call.
It's a relief that everything ended well and he can expect more help from above to accelerate the Project KANSEN. Currently, Adam's goal is to obtain the Wisdom Cubes production or acquisition method which he needed the most to produce a shipgirl.
As long as he has the Wisdom Cube, he can start expanding the fleet and then upgrade them all. The upgrade part might take a long while since he still hasn't perfected the upgrade on Enterprise, Cleveland and San Diego.
On their last upgrade, Adam only upgraded their weapon system. But he still hadn't touched any of the electronics and the hull. He plans to upgrade everything and not just their weapon. But this would be a long term project that may take years to complete.
———
Few hours later, the sun is already setting and everyone is basically exhausted and tired from the battle. By the time they returned to the base, it's already dark and the moon hung on the night sky, gently illuminating the surroundings with its soft glow.
"Welcome back everyone." Adam is on the pier waiting for their arrival with a smile. "Go take a bath quickly because we are going to have a celebration party in the cafeteria." Adam informed them before he disappeared to help with the preparation.
The shipgirls stared at each other not knowing how to react except doing exactly what he said. They were sweaty and tired after the operation which is something a hot bath can definitely fix and Adam had an open hot spring bath installed in the base.
Meanwhile with Adam, he returned to the cafeteria to see everyone was still busy with the preparation. Jeanne, Jalter and Winter are in the kitchen cooking dishes. Siegfried is on the outside working on two big charcoal grills, barbecuing fishes, prawns, clams, squid, octopus, etc with also marinated beef and chicken meats that arrived from the mainland.
Adam sneaked off with a skewer of squid slathered with a sweet and sour sauce before he went to check on what Alices and Tina were up to in the corner. He saw a small outdoor oven made with bricks and clay with smoke and fire in the oven.
Adam got curious and peek from afar and rely on his enhanced hearing and sight to spy on them because Tina also has enhanced senses and will notice him if he got too close.
"Wow, it looks delicious! Can I take one slice?" One Alice said but all five of them took one. It was pizza which he could see from afar while munching on his squid skewer.
"How is it?" Tina asked as she took the final slice and ate it herself to give it a taste.
"Very good!" Alices jumped and cheered, which put a satisfied smile on Tina's face.
"Well, I might not be confident in any other cooking. But I am very confident in making good pizza." Tina said with her chest puffed out but soon fell into a depression because only knowing how to make pizza and nothing else isn't a good trait to have.
But Tina easily gets over her depression and continues making pizza fast while Alice helps her deliver them to the cafeteria to be served. Adam decided not to interrupt them and returned to his room and took out a few bottles of alcohol for the celebrations.
When Adam returned to his room and turned on the light and noticed Laffey once again raided his room.
"Wait, hold on a second. If she is here… didn't that mean she didn't join the operation?" Adam just came to a realization.
"Oi, you lazy bunny! Wake up!" Adam drag the thief off his bed and shake her around until she wake up which she did and lazily open her eyes to look at Adam.
"Oh… good morning Commander… zzz" She couldn't even finish her sentence before she fell asleep again.
Infuriated, Adam tried to wake her up again and again but it didn't work and instead she just adapted to the shaking and slept quite soundly. He soon gave up and just took what he needed and carried this alcoholic thief with him back to the cafeteria.
Another half an hour later, everyone gathered at the cafeteria and garden where they enjoyed the feast and party till late night with foods and drinks prepared by Adam and his people.
After all, the Royal Navy and Sakura Empire shipgirls will depart tomorrow since the operation is done already.
"Ah, Commander. I offer this toast to you. May we be allies in the future and forever." Akagi suddenly approached Adam with a cup of alcohol in her hand. Adam thought nothing much of it and accepted the toast.
However, in the mind of the KANSEN of the Royal Navy and Sakura Empire. They see Adam as someone competent. Far more competent than the person assigned to lead them because Adam trusts the shipgirls assigned to him and lets their full potential blossom unlike theirs which use them as nothing more than unfeeling and mindless weapons.
Akagi in particular wished there would be a tree she and her fellow KANSEN can take shelter under in the future if her prediction did come true. To a Commander that can truly trust and understand them is how they can truly show their real might instead of constantly bickering over superficial ego and authority on the human that refuses them in fear of being replaced and their pride stolen away.
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