9 December 1941
Location: Pearl Harbour Multinational Naval Base.
Time: 0900
On a futuristic-looking ship, distinct from any other docked in the harbor, a girl sat on a chair inside the bridge. This girl was Mo, and she had returned to her ship to search for anything that might be useful for her daily life at the base, so she was doing some kind of treasure hunting with Mr. Eagle. So far, she had found service-issued uniforms, various clothes, stationery, two iPads, and a dozen smartphones, while Mr. Eagle had discovered several rifles and shotguns. When Mo asked where he had found them, he explained that they were in one of the storage rooms. Mo smiled wryly, thinking the guns might be useful later. Though the treasure hunt was far from finished, Mo decided to rest on the bridge, reflecting on her life over the past two days.
After the first meeting with the Commander, we headed to our dormitories. I was surprised to learn that Howe and Memphis were my roommates. But more surprising was that the next day, I was assigned a personal maid. She introduced herself as Newcastle. When I asked why, she explained that she had been ordered personally by Her Majesty and that being my maid was her last duty before retiring. Howe also told me that Newcastle was the one who directed the Maid Corps before Belfast. While I didn't think I needed a personal maid, if it was Her Majesty's order, it must have something to do with my classified information. But one thing for sure, with Newcastle around I feel my life is easier. I'm still getting used to my kansen body, and many things that are common sense for kansens are new to me. With the help of Newcastle, Howe, and Memphis, I'm learning bit by bit. For example, I discovered that Mr. Eagle is actually a manifestation of my soul shards, part of my Wisdom Cube that has taken form outside my kansen body. Newcastle mentioned that not all kansens have soul shards, only a few do, with no clear reason or trigger. She also warned me to keep Mr. Eagle safe, as any injury to him would be mirrored in me.
Yesterday, after the second meeting, the four of us went shopping in the base's commercial district. Except for Newcastle, we bought clothes, daily necessities, and snacks. Newcastle guided us to the stores and paid for my items, saying it was on the Commander's personal wallet, so I didn't have to worry about money. I didn't have any money, and since the Commander said it was to repay a favor, I was grateful. Memphis helped me pick out cute clothes. Although I love the dress I'm wearing, those clothes were adorable, and I really liked their designs! Sorry, Commander... Howe also treated us to crepes and ice cream, she must have a sweet tooth, judging by her satisfied expression.
Since the base is populated only by kansens, I met many who were working as cashiers or staff in the stores. Newcastle explained that these kansens take on part-time jobs to supplement their income beyond their monthly salaries. We kansens have our own hobbies and interests, so many of us need extra money to satisfy them. She even mentioned her little sister, Glasgow, who loves reading manga and novels and works part-time between her duties as a maid and her studies at the academy. We kansens truly have a busy schedule.
Honestly, I'm enjoying this life as a kansen. It's different from being a ship during peacetime when our duties were limited to patrol missions and exercises. As a kansen, I can enjoy many conveniences meant for humans. If only my sisters were here, we'd be having a blast…
As Mo pondered, rotating in her chair, she noticed Warspite heading toward her ship. She was curious why Warspite was here, she was usually stuck around Her Majesty as her Royal Advisor, but now she was alone with a huge broadsword on her back.
Mo then got off from her ship and approached Warspite to greet her, "Good Morning, Lady Warspite."
"Good morning, Monsoor. Just the one I was looking for. And it seems you have your sword with you. Let's head to the training ground," Warspite replied with a smile, turning toward the training center.
"Eh? Yes, I always carry it, but why the training ground?" Mo asked, confused.
"Come on," Warspite urged, leaving Mo with no other option but to follow.
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Location: Training Ground
Time: 1000
In the training ground, a girl was breathing heavily, a white sword in her hands. This girl was Mo, who had been lured into swordsmanship training by Warspite, who had been forced to take a day off by Queen Elizabeth.
"Lady Warspite... why did you... suddenly want to... train with me?" Mo asked between labored breaths.
"Train with you? Heh, your footwork is a mess, your swings are pathetic, and your technique is nonexistent. Haven't you noticed? I'm training you," Warspite replied with a smirk.
"But why?" Mo asked, still confused.
"As I said, it's rare for Eagle Union folks to wield swords. I initially wanted to test your swordsmanship, curious about techniques from another world. But I'm surprised by what I found," Warspite said, still smirking.
"Of course, it's only been two days since I gained my kansen body. For all my life, I was a literal ship, Lady Warspite. I don't know how to swing a sword…" Mo explained.
"But your kansen body came with a sword, didn't it? That means you have great potential in swordsmanship, just like some of us in the Royal Navy and Sakura Empire. Those of us 'born' with swords usually have what it takes to excel in swordsmanship. Your determination, tenacity, and learning speed are superb, I'd say you're a prodigy. So I recommend you train and don't let that potential go to waste," Warspite said, patting Mo on the back.
"Thank you, Lady Warspite. But I don't know where to start…" Mo admitted. She had been looking for something productive to do at the base, as she couldn't exercise her missiles or gun systems in the open. The Commander hadn't given her any missions yet, so aside from organizing her dorm room, she had no other plans.
"Howe is a good knight, you could learn a thing or two from her. The academy offers close-quarter combat classes, including swordsmanship. And I can help train you on my days off, like today," Warspite reassured her.
"But it's your day off.. you should enjoy yourself more," Mo said, concerned.
"Haha, besides being the Royal Advisor, I'm also a knight. I don't have many interests outside martial arts, so training someone talented like you is enjoyable for the grand old me," Warspite laughed.
"You should take the opportunity, Monsoor," said a voice from the audience seats.
"Eh… Enterprise? You're here? Since when?" Mo asked, surprised by the sudden guest.
"Since you started getting handled pretty well by Warspite. I was training at the archery range when I heard noises from the usually vacant swordsmanship ground, so I decided to take a look," Enterprise replied with a smirk.
"You're early, Enterprise. Better be careful during your exercises, Vestal's scoldings can be heard from miles away if you're not," Warspite teased.
"Well, I am. That's why I'm resting here, watching Monsoor take a beating," Enterprise softly smiled.
Mo smiled awkwardly, considering Warspite's proposal.
"But I'm serious, Monsoor. You should consider training under Warspite. She's very experienced and a veteran of The Great Siren War. You'll learn a lot from her. We kansens sometimes have to fight in close quarters against Executor and Elite-class sirens. Their humanoid forms are often too small and agile to be hit by our armaments, which is why even I, a carrier, learn CQC from time to time," Enterprise explained.
"I see… Thanks, Enterprise. And Lady Warspite, I gladly accept your offer," Mo said, bowing slightly to her new sword instructor.
"Great, let's continue. Now we'll start with the basics. Pick up your sword and give me 100 swings," Warspite ordered.
"Yes!" shouted Mo.
Watching the two, Enterprise was reminded of her early days when her sister, Yorktown, helped her become who she was today. Unfortunately, due to a Siren ambush, her sister had to return home for extensive repairs. Even Vestal, the Eagle Union's repair ship, didn't know when Yorktown would fully recover. Enterprise hoped her sister would be fully operational soon so they could fight side by side in this war.
"Those swings are pathetic! Are you sure you're a kansen and not just a spoiled human child!?" Warspite reprimanded Mo.
Enterprise smirked as she relaxed on one of the audience seats.
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9 December 1941
Location: The Pacific Ocean.
Time: 1300
Two aircraft carriers with big red circles on their flight deck along with several escorts stayed still in their position. They had received intelligence about a small enemy fleet en route to Pearl Harbor, and now they waited to ambush it.
"I've spotted them!" said a kansen with long brown hair tied in a ponytail. She wore a red dress beneath a loose white kimono, with a katana at her waist. This was Zuikaku, from the Fifth Division of Kido Butai.
"Good job, Zuikaku," replied another kansen, this one with long white hair. She held a flute in her right hand as she approached Zuikaku. This was Shokaku, Zuikaku's older sister and the lead ship of their class.
After the humiliating defeat at Pearl Harbor, the remnants of Kido Butai had rushed back home to repair Kaga's damage. They couldn't afford to lose another carrier, having already lost two. Maintaining their carrier numbers was crucial to safeguarding their invasion plans in Southeast Asia and assisting the Allemani in containing the majority of Azur Lane kansens in the Pacific.
"Let's welcome them, Zuikaku," Shokaku said with a smile. She began playing her flute, and in response, several aircraft took off from her flight deck.
"Great!" exclaimed Zuikaku, eagerly following her sister's lead, though without the flute.
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