Siren War: Chapter 48

Though Commander Thorson was thankful for the efforts of Captain  Stevens’ crew in his absence, he had no compunctions about kicking them  out in order to discuss tactics, strategy, and the future with his  fleet. Almost every ship on the base was in attendance, save Downes and  Tennessee who were on prisoner guard duty, Ark Royal who was giving  Yamashiro a much needed break from babysitting Mutsuki, Kisaragi, and  Mikazuki, and Cassin whom Thorson presumed was napping somewhere.

“Thank you very much for gathering here,” Thorson began.

“It’s not like we were ordered to or anything,” Shigure called out,  earning her a swat on the ears from Yuudachi. “Hey, what was that for?!”

“Do you want to not have meat for dinner?” The black-haired  destroyer’s sister hissed. Shigure grew suddenly fearful at that  possibility, as though she’d only just considered it. She pouted at the  front of the room but managed to squeeze out an apology.

“Sorry, Shikikan.”

“Look at you, swayed by something as simple as meat,” Yukikaze teased.

“Can it, yuckikaze! You wanna go?”

“That’s enough!” Thorson shouted, causing both Sakura destroyers to  fall silent. “The two of you can sort it out after the meeting. Just  don’t destroy anything.”

“I…didn’t really mean it,” Yukikaze whispered, earning her a  comforting pet on the ears from Arizona who was seated just behind her.

“I know, sweetie. Now be quiet for Commander Thorson and we can go play on the swing in the Union dorm later, alright?”

“Ok! Thanks Arizona-san!”

“Shh,” the battleship encouraged, restoring silence for her Commander. 

“Thank you. Now let’s get the hard part out of the way first.  Southeast Asia has fallen to the Sakura. All ABDA ships in the region  were destroyed or retreated either with us or, I presume, to India.” If  his harsh tone hadn’t been enough to ensure a somber atmosphere within  the room, the news itself was plenty. Thorson continued.

“We bombarded and destroyed two Sakura bases, airfields, and assets  at Makassar and Bali, and engaged the combined fleets led by Jintsuu.”  There was some murmuring among the Sakura who had stayed behind at  Jintsuu’s name. “During the battle Rear Admiral Doorman of the combined  ABDA forces was lost at sea. He went down with his ship. Thanks to  Laffey, Downes, Tennessee, Arizona, Pennsylvania, and the rest of the  fleet we fought to the cusp of victory against Jintsuu’s battlegroup.  However, our fleet was forced to retreat…by Kaga.”

“Tono-sama!” Yamashiro yelped as hushed conversation swelled again.  Shiranui could be seen whispering with Akashi, their faces grim.

“I’m fine, Yamashiro,” he assured her. “Despite our losses we were  able to save  many ships and escort them home. Jupiter, Houston,  Phoenix, and Langley, please stand if you would?”

At Thorson’s request the four shipgirls stood to be recognized and  identified by the ships of other nations. Jupiter was already sitting  with the Royals and Houston was flanked by Cleveland and Portland, so it  was mainly for the Sakura’s edification. Smiles and greetings were  exchanged, a lighter piece of news from the bloody battle. 

“Additionally, many among the Sakura were persuaded to join our  cause, swelling our ranks and bringing with them intact ships. They have  all taken rigging and should be treated just as you would Yamashiro,  Fusou, Akashi, Shiranui, Shiratsuyu, Yuugure, or Hatsuharu. Please help  me officially welcome the following Sakura destroyers to our fleet:  Asashio, Ooshio, Michishio, Arashio, Kasumi, Yuudachi, Yukikaze, and  apparently Shigure.”

“Wan!” Yuudachi barked as the aforementioned ships stood, some  eagerly and some hesitantly. With most of them having already served for  about a month alongside Union and Royal forces, the moment was more of  an official sanction than a meet and greet. When all had settled,  Thorson continued his speech.

“Finally, there are two prisoners of war on this base as of this  morning. They are currently under guard of Tennessee and Downes, who  defeated them in hand to hand combat.”

“They did what?” Shiranui demanded skeptically.

“They defeated them in hand to hand combat,” Thorson repeated. “It’s not a joke. The two of them are Sendai -class cruisers and take the form of red and blue haired foxes. Their names are Naka and Jintsuu.”

“You did what?!” Shiranui gasped, her tone now truly one of disbelief.

“Naka and Jintsuu were both taken prisoner in the chaos that erupted  following Kaga’s appearance on the battlefield. I’m asking all  able-bodied ships to assist in keeping them under watchful guard. Thank  you,” Thorson finished, seeing affirmative nods from most of the Union.  “That’s probably enough about the past. Instead I’d like to summarize  what’s gone on here since our departure, with my apologies to Akashi and  Brooklyn.”

“Think nothing of it, sir,” Brooklyn replied, having briefed him fully just before.

“Thank you. So there’s only a bit of bad news, far as I can tell,  which is that Langley and Phoenix will probably be leaving us soon. They  are both still serving on crewed vessels and I’m sure that Pacific  command will want them on escort and training duties respectively. Until  then, please welcome them on the base. Now for the good news.”

“About time,” Cleveland called encouragingly. Thorson nodded her way.

“Indeed. I apologize for the necessity of being a downer before noon.  Akashi reports that a substantial amount of work has been done on the  base’s infrastructure since our departure. The Sakura and Union dorms  have been completed and furnished, and I’ve heard rumors of an...onsen,  is that the word?”

“Hai!” Akashi affirmed excitedly.

“Yeah, so can we make this quick?” Pennsylvania added, making it  clear with her tone and the look she threw his way that she was being  loving and only half serious.

“I’ll do my best to draw it out just for you,” Thorson quipped. “In  addition to the lodging situation, Yamashiro reports that a shinto  shrine has been completed as well. That is the large, red structure atop  the mountain behind the base. The remains of a British sailor very dear  to one of our own are interred there, as well as the cube of Nachi, a  Sakura cruiser who was lost in battle at our hands. I hope that it can  become a solemn place of worship and healing where all are welcome  regardless of faith or nation.”

“All will be welcomed,” Fusou assured him. 

“Thank you, Fusou. All ships from the Union and Royal Navy, I hope  you can understand the importance of allowing the Sakura to practice  their old ways of worship here. Above all else, we fight against the  sirens. The old gods of the Sakura are a powerful symbol in that fight. I  thank you all in advance.”

“Maybe Laffey will go pray for booze and sleep, yes yes.”

“Maybe I will join you. Sleep sounds very nice,” Kasumi agreed,  leaving Thorson to wonder how he seemed to have attracted not one, but  three narcoleptic destroyers.

“Recognition should also be given to the sailors of Captain Stevens’  fleet,” Thorson added. “They assisted in the construction of these  various structures. Captain, I apologize for the restrictions on access  to the onsen but given that the dorms will now be fully occupied I must  insist.”

“We’ll be heading out soon anyway, Commander,” Stevens demurred. “We  had food, shelter, and a safe port of call while you were away, but  given the situation in Asia I think it’s safe to say this port and the  surrounding islands are about to get real popular. We’ll be in touch.  Brooklyn and Shiranui have already compiled shipping manifests.”

“Understood. Thank you all for your efforts,” Thorson nodded,  noticing that quite a few of his ships were shifting in their seats with  agitation, looking at the doors. He smirked, knowing there had likely  already been arguments over rooms and beds, to say nothing of yearning  for a day at a hot spring after such a long sortie. “Only one more thing  then. You will surely notice that a few stowaways accompanied us from  Java, namely the bright yellow birds known as manjuu. They have not  exhibited any violent or disagreeable tendencies, but please do your  best to keep them out of the kitchens, warehouses, and laboratories.  Unless there are any questions…Warspite?”

“I believe it is time for me to take my leave, Knight Commander.” The  straw-blonde battleship’s unexpected line took all the air out of the  room. Thorson stood a bit straighter, waiting for an explanation. She  didn’t disappoint, giving Sir Raleigh a little pet where he sat atop her  head. “You will recall that my original purpose in coming here was to  evaluate you as a potential ally of the crown and Her Majesty, Queen  Elizabeth. I have made my determination.”

“And now you intend to report back,” Thorson guessed.

“Indeed, Knight Commander, though I will certainly regret not being  able to spend time at this hot springs. Perhaps when I return?” She  added with a coy smile. “I’m sure the Queen herself will want to meet  you, assuming we can beat those Ironbloods into temporary submission  that is. In any case, Leander and Vampire, please make preparations for  our departure. We will leave at noon.”

“Hmm?” Laffey cocked her head as Javelin took her and Zed’s hands tightly. Warspite looked their way.

“Javelin, you will remain here as a representative of Her Majesty and  a token of our assurances that the Royal Navy seeks a deeper  partnership with Commander Thorson and his fleet. Ark Royal shall remain  as well. Jupiter.”

“Yes?” The small destroyer seemed surprised to be mentioned at all in such a meeting.

“Please decide if you would rather remain here with your sister or carry onwards to home with me and the others.”

“Oh. Uuuh…I do miss the evening telly.”

“You little cutie,” Javelin hugged her sister. “If you’re going to go  back be careful in the Atlantic, and say hello to all the other J-class  destroyers for me, alright?”

“Alright sis. Love you.”

“Love you too, Jupiter.”

“We’re sorry to see you go, Warspite, but I understand the need to  complete your mission,” Thorson acknowledged. “Speak with the chief  bulin regarding your resupply needs. Our stores are open to you.”

“I have half a mind to take Shiratsuyu with us. She is a fine cook.  But I thank you, Knight Commander Thorson. We will see one another  again; I am sure of it. Good fortune to you in the battles to come.” Her  message delivered, Warspire bowed cordially along with Vampire,  Jupiter, and Leander, the latter of whom also made sure to give  Cleveland an emotional hug on the way to the docks. 

“Well, it’s never a good time losing anyone, but I’m glad you’ll be  staying with us Javelin,” Thorson said as his fleet accepted the fact  that they would likely fight their next battle without the reassuring  presence of the grand old lady on their side.

“Happy to be staying,” Javelin replied in a chipper tone. “So about that hot springs?”

“Yes yes, you’re all dismissed. And don’t slip and fall!” Thorson  yelled after them as almost all of his fleet bolted for the doors,  laughing and shouting about who would get first dibs in a mess of tails,  ears, and uniforms. He waved Akashi on. “I’ll be by the onsen in the  afternoon or evening. You go on and show the rest of them around,  alright?” Akashi saluted and departed.

“Don’t dally or all the clean towels will be gone Shikikan!” She  warned happily. He just smiled after her before turning to Yamashiro and  Fusou, both of whom had stayed behind.

“I’d like to see the shrine…and take a moment to pray,” he murmured.  They nodded, each shrine maiden approaching him and gently taking one of  his arms.

“We would be happy to escort you, tono-sama,” Fusou affirmed.  “Yamashiro should be commended. It is a fitting and peaceful tribute to  the gods.”

“I’m sure,” Thorson agreed as the younger sister tugged his arm  gently with a smile, happy to be back in physical contact with the man  she had pledged herself to.

“This way please, tono-sama.”

-----

As they neared the summit, Thorson had to agree with Fusou’s  evaluation. A grand stone pavilion stretched out before him with red,  wooden gates towering overhead and beckoning him along a lantern-lit  main path. That path led to a set of stairs that served as the final  ascent to the shrine proper, which was situated atop the summit. The  three of them took their time on the way up, taking in the scenery and  appreciating the trees and bamboo that had been planted in the rich  volcanic soil to shield the shrine from the winds at elevation. 

“That is something,” Thorson admitted as Yamashiro stepped forward a  couple paces and opened her arms as if to present the shrine to him. She  explained that it was built in the same motif as Nagato’s shrine back  in Japan, a large pagoda with ornate roofing and carved accents around  the entirety of the square, wooden structure. 

After removing his shoes and stepping inside, Thorson was greeted by  the smell of matcha and incense. To his left he saw Nachi’s cube,  unearthed and resting in a small alcove along the wall where one could  pray. His heart sank as he imagined that many more might join hers  before the end of the war.

At the back of the room was the main shrine, a polished slab of jade  carved with kanji he did not understand. Incense burned in a brazier at  its base and there was ample room to pray upon the raised dais that  featured small cushions on which one might kneel. Yamashiro took his  hand to get his attention.

“Yamashiro asked one of the Union sailors to carve it for you,  tono-sama. I hope it is suitable,” she said, directing his attention to  the right. Along that wall were more alcoves designed for wisdom cubes  or other small items, but it was the most immediate one that held his  attention. Larger than the rest, it was done in natural wood instead of  the red paint, rice paper, or tatami of the rest of the temple. Within  the alcove hung a carved crucifix, and between them Yamashiro and Akashi  had somehow managed to acquire a King James Bible. After a moment of  stunned silence he turned to her.

“Is it unsightly to hug a shrine maiden in her temple?” He requested.

“Only if you grope me, tono-sama,” Yamashiro replied softly, her tone  perhaps indicating that under other circumstances she would very much  enjoy being groped by him. Her assurance given, Thorson took her into a  tender and chaste embrace that he was sure would not offend his god or  hers.

“Thank you, Yamashiro.”

“You are welcome, tono-sama. Fusou-nee told me of what happened. I am sorry I could not be there with you.”

“I needed you here, Yamashiro. Next time, you will be at my side,” he promised.

“Hai, tono-sama!” She whispered happily, releasing him to join her  sister. They both bowed to him and he saluted in return, feeling an  official air inside the sacred structure.

“We will pray for those lost in battle now, tono-sama, and for  fortune in the days to come. With your permission we would like to  install minor shrines for Ooshio, Michishio, and their sisters. All save  Kasumi were shrine maidens back in Japan.”

“Whatever you need,” Thorson agreed.  “I’d much rather those alcoves be filled with shrines and incense than wisdom cubes.”

“Thank you, tono-sama. We will leave you to your worship now.”

Thorson nodded, taking just a moment to look after Fusou and  Yamashiro as they walked to the front of the shrine. They rested against  one another and twined their tails, happy to be reunited and in good  health. The sight brought a smile to his face before he turned to the  crucifix. He knelt and closed his eyes.

“Lord our Father, I come before you a sinner,” he whispered. “I have  killed my fellow man…and I have lain with my own comrades, taken them to  bed. I ask for your forgiveness, heavenly father, and for your guidance  as I wage war against the sirens. I am…doing what I believe needs to be  done. If I die and am found wanting, if my way is one of damnation,  then I humbly ask for your mercy. May the souls of the dead rest in  peace, and may we the living find the courage and strength to soldier  on.” Thorson raised his head and made the sign of the cross. “Amen.”

-----

When Thorson and the Fusou-class sisters descended back to the base,  they left him at his office. The rest of his fleet was surely enjoying  themselves at the onsen or in the new dormitories, but his  responsibilities were not yet finished. Seeing the stress on his face,  Yamashiro pulled him into a soft hug, stroking his hair and the back of  his neck softly. “There are private rooms in the onsen, tono-sama.  Yamashiro would be happy to massage you in one of them if you like.  Perhaps I can get some pointers from Ooshio.”

“I…may take you up on that,” he swallowed heavily. Instead of  giggling she kissed his cheek as she’d seen Arizona do once or twice  since their return. 

“You do not have to, tono-sama. I know you have been with the others  and may not wish to be alone with me in such a way. I just want you to  be happy; we still have much to do in this war.”

“You sound a bit like your sister,” he chuckled. “You may be better  off taking it up with them than me regarding their feelings on the  matter. I’m only human after all and saying no to you…probably not in  the cards. But thank you, Yamashiro. I’m very impressed with the base  that I left in your care.”

Yamashiro’s ruby eyes glowed at his praise. “Thank you, tono-sama! Thank you very much!”

“Now go enjoy yourself in the baths. That’s an order,” he joked,  bidding Fusou a similar farewell. They turned for the dormitories while  he headed in the opposite direction, bound for his office. There he  found both Shiranui and Brooklyn waiting for him.

“Ah, idiot Shikikan. I thought those two maidens would surely break your resolve and you would make me do all the work today.”

“Well it’s a pleasure to see you too, Shiranui,” Thorson deadpanned. She developed an exaggeratedly shocked look on her face.

“But I complimented his ability to resist cat butts that would break lesser men. Where did I go wrong?”

“You were wrong from the start,” Brooklyn chuckled. “Thank you for  this, Shiranui. I will ensure that it gets to the right people when we  arrive in Hawaii.

“See to it that you do. The war is coming,” the ghost ship warned,  floating towards Thorson who was still standing in the doorway. He made  to stand aside but she just clipped through him. He didn’t know what he  expected contact with a ghost to feel like, but warmth was not it. He  shrugged and glanced up at Brooklyn. 

“I’ll get started on an after action report.”

“Let us work on it together, Commander Thorson,” she suggested properly.

“I don’t think that’s really necessary, Brooklyn,” he demurred.  “Surely you have plenty to do with Captain Stevens preparing to depart?”

“You seem to forget that I still serve as one of your ships,  Commander Thorson,” Brooklyn smiled, walking over and taking his hand so  she could lead him to the desk in the corner of the room. She retrieved  one of the chairs from his office and sat beside him. “I listened to  you during the debriefing today. You took a situation that would have  resulted in total defeat for any conventional force and turned it into a  stalemate. You captured an enemy commander alive. You destroyed enemy  ships and material, and yet the way you spoke of it you sounded as  though we had suffered total defeat. I am here to paint your actions in  the best possible light, sir; to ensure that even those who may doubt  your mission or our potential do not doubt your results. Now come, I  already have ink prepared for the typewriter.”

“We have a typewriter?”

“Akashi and Yamashiro were not the only ones who were busy,” Brooklyn  informed him, pointing over her shoulder to his office. Thorson’s mouth  dropped open as he realized the concrete bunker had been completely  renovated. Gone was the harsh gray walls and metal furniture. Instead a  simple but elegant varnished oak desk sat in its place and the wallpaper  was a standard Union white. “I did not want to presume too much,”  Brooklyn continued with a hint of embarrassment as Thorson took note of  the working ceiling fan that had replaced the single lightbulb on a  wire.

“It’s perfect, Brooklyn. Thank you,” he replied honestly.

“Good, cause this room is next on my list when we get back!” She told  him happily, adjusting her glasses and adopting an official posture.  “Now then, shall we get started? Let’s see, today is the sixteenth of  March, 1942. Now Commander, when did you first encounter the enemy?”

“Air patrols in the Makassar Strait, February nineteenth. The port  itself was destroyed around midnight. We captured four Asashio-class  destroyers and their shipgirl operators shortly afterwards.”

“Excellent,” Brooklyn said under her breath as she began typing. “Operation began with a resounding Allied victory…”

-----

Thorson and Brooklyn worked through lunch, gratefully accepting a  plate of sandwiches from Hatsuharu around noon. With the kitchen well  provisioned and an influx of new ingredients from Java, the quality of  lunch had increased significantly. Instead of ham and cheese, Shiratsuyu  and company had put together a close approximation of a banh mi,  complete with pickled carrots and daikon, as well as spicy peppers. It  was a testament to their cooking that the food was depleted long before  Fredrick Miles arrived at the office. The young sailor stood awkwardly  in the doorway until Thorson recognized him.

“You can take the plates and go. We’re finished,” he said curtly.

“Ah, pardon the intrusion Commander Thorson, sir, but I’m here  regarding a transfer. Captain Stevens just delivered the orders, sir.”

“I’ll see them,” Thorson agreed, accepting the piece of paper from  the steward’s mate. It laid out officially what he and Stevens had  already discussed. “Very well, take these and leave us.”

“Begging your pardon, sir,” Miles replied. “I wasn’t given orders on where to report.”

Thorson wanted to snap about the kitchens, but he held his tongue,  knowing it wasn’t the boy’s fault. His mind rebelled at the idea of him  staying in either of the dormitories on account of the girls, but that  seemed a mite hypocritical given that he still had his own room in the  Sakura dorms, and likely had one set aside for him in the new Union  dormitory as well. He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. “You  know Akashi?”

“Yes sir.”

“Find her and tell her I’ve requested you be set up in a single room next to where we’re keeping the POW’s.”

“I will sir. Thank you sir.”

“I don’t need your thanks. Those are your orders,” Thorson snapped.

“I’m sorry, sir,” Miles replied with a straight face.

“Let me make myself clear up front. Touch any of the girls and  they’ll grind you up themselves. I’ll be sure they know they have  permission. Hurt Hatsuharu and I’ll do it myself. Now take these plates,  get yourself to your new post, and report to Shiratsuyu in the  kitchens. She’ll be in charge of you going forward.”

“Yes sir,” Miles saluted, doing as he was ordered and departing rapidly. Brooklyn was staring at Thorson. 

“What?” He asked at her frown.

“Racial animosity must be quite severe in the Union for someone like  you to treat a man like him in such a way,” she observed. The fact that  she wasn’t accusing him of anything somehow made it sting more. 

“It’s…just how things are,” Thorson replied, wondering why his words seemed acidic on his tongue. 

“You gave us a chance. Maybe you should give him one too? I will be  sure to find you before we depart. Goodbye, Commander,” Brooklyn bade  him well, collecting the completed after action report and sealing it  away in a manila envelope bound for Pacific command. She turned back to  him in the doorway, her blonde hair fluttering lightly in a breeze. “You  said it yourself, sir. He volunteered to die for his country.” 

Thorson was left staring at the surface of the desk and listening to  the static of the radio. Only Warspite’s notice that she and her escorts  were bound to depart roused him to his feet sometime before dinner. 

-----

Given the evolving nature of the war, Stevens and Warspite had agreed  to depart as one fleet, intending to ‘share the road’ as far as Hawaii  or possibly even California in the interests of safety. The late  afternoon had been a flurry of final preparations and goodbyes, with  much of the fleet taking a break from their relaxation to send everyone  off. Langley and Phoenix’s captains had made the decision to depart as  well. Ark had been disappointed to see her instructor of several weeks  leaving her, but the seafoam-haired Union carrier insisted Ark had  learned all she could teach her, and that her services were needed  training more rookie pilots. Warspite had taken kindly to the news,  however, and Thorson sat down to dinner with Downes, Tennessee, and  others wondering whether or not the manjuus had decided to leave or  stay.

“I’m sorry I didn’t have the chance to come speak with you both. I had...more things to deal with than I’d expected.”

“No worries, Commander,” Tennessee waved him off. “Penny and Arizona  will take shift after this meal. Bunch of the Sakura have volunteered  too. Shouldn’t be too much of a problem.”

“You trust them?” Thorson asked curiously.

“Oh please, don’t give me that,” Tennessee scoffed. “You know well as  I do that half those girls want to get in your pants and all of them  will be shot if they go back to Japan. Even if they aren’t motivated by  the same things we are, we’re on the same side.”

“Come off it, Belle. You want in his pants too,” Downes ribbed, earning her a quick punch to the shoulder. 

“Do you ever shut up?”

“I’ll take that as a yes! Man, this is kinda like the old times,  isn’t it? Just with a couple more Royals and Sakura running around, and  you Zed!”

The Ironblood destroyer laughed quietly and nodded at Downes, leading  Thorson and Penny to smile at her progress. She was doing much better  after more than a month away from any hostile siren technology and had  not had any night terrors for more than two weeks.

“It is good to be home,” Thorson agreed.

“What will we do going forward, sir?” Arizona requested, her question  gaining the interest of most of the assembled Union ships. The Sakura  were seated at their own table.

“At this point I’m not sure we can go off on our own again, not after  what happened in Surabaya,” Thorson mused. We’ll remain here and train  until Brooklyn returns or we hear directly from Pacific command. With  any luck we’ll have our place in the next major fleet action, wherever  that may be. 

“I hope it’s up against Kaga again. I’m ready for some payback, right Ark?” Cleveland called down the table.

“Sure, if I can get my planes off the runway,” she grumbled.

“Don’t worry about it! I wasn’t a crack shot my first day out of the  matrix either. You’ll get it! P-40’s got a sick paintjob, eh?”

“Yes yes, I’ll admit they are visually appealing,” Ark conceded. “Bloody hell trying to get them airborne though.”

“We have time to work on it,” Thorson assured her, glancing around  the room. The trials had been difficult and much was still unknown, but  Downes was certainly correct so far as he was concerned. It was good to  be home, to see the bulins all at their own table, to see a table full  of ears and tails for the Sakura. He was even willing to admit he was  looking forward to his futon, though he had to wonder how the dynamic  would change now that he and Penny weren’t ‘alone’. That and other  thoughts occupied him until the end of the meal when Yamashiro  approached him. Downes flicked her a thumbs up while Indy and Portland  shared knowing glances, watching at how the Sakura battleship’s  pendulous bosom seemed to constantly threaten to spill out of the sides  of her ornate kimono. She tapped Thorson politely on the shoulder and  spoke in a homely, honey-sweet voice.

“Tono-sama, would you care to review the onsen with me?”