With Shimikaze . . .
Yes, Shimikaze was more than a bit frustrated right now. That and had a bit of hurt feelings to boot!
All she had wanted to do there was help!
Something that darned supposed "Essex daughter" of Saratoga had really
spooked her right before she'd ran off! Adopted or not, the destroyer
girl had figured that she had somehow been responsible for having upset
Saratoga like that. If not directly responsible for this, she had been
at least indirectly responsible by letting this "Trinitite" speak with
Saratoga!
So of course the destroyer had soon found herself chasing after the
aircraft carrier shipgirl to try to calm her down? But well?
Well...
As fast as the hyperactive destroyer boasted to be here? As it turned out with both the head start, the shortcuts
taken, and the sheer desperation fueled speed that Saratoga traveled at
meant she had arrived to speak with her Commanding Officer well before
the destroyer shipgirl could speak with her. With the meeting between
the human Comanding Officer and aircraft carrier shipgirl happening
behind closed doors meant her being locked out of things. While an
acting secretary, this did not mean that the destroyer got to sit in on
any old conversation. Especially ones which turn into some kind of
"high security" teleconference meet!
Afterward when Houshou returned from her date later that day (it had
been a lunch date), the matronly Japanese aircraft carrier shipgirl
Houshou had taken over secretary duties. Upon learning from the admiral
what had happened with a phone call with Saratoga, and soon the
hyperactive destroyer shipgirl found herself being scolded over that!
The well-meaning hyperactive shipgirl had caused something of a breach
of privacy, letting somebody merely claiming to be a daughter of
Saratoga speak with her.
Yes, you might have guessed that poor Houshou also was not "written in"
to the program of secrecy over what Trinitite really was here. If so,
then the Japanese aircraft carrier would have been even MORE upset with
the destroyer...
Ah, but anyway, after that rather sharp and upsetting discussion (not
an "aft chewing", Houshou was too polite for that) that poor still
Shimikaze had fled in tears, only to have calmed down enough to stop
crying and compose herself much later.
Now calmed, she figured that this was high time to speak with Saratoga
if only to apologize for having upset her. However, that was not to be
since as it turned out . . . Saratoga was on an unexpected ride back to
the USA on emergency leave for SOME reason nobody would tell her.
Rumors of some kind of family issues were at the core. Shimikaze
muttered angrily something under her breath heatedly about that "family
issue" being named Trinitite when she noticed I-19 (aka Iku the "lewd
marine") smiling, heading her way.
"Oh please no," the poor destroyer muttered in Japanese, not wanting to be hazed yet again by the teasing submarine girl.
Author's Note: unless otherwise stated, any italicized spoken words will denote the speaker speaking in Japanese. Just an FYI.
Rushing away, the destroyer shipgirl ducked into the Summoning Pool
facility to hide from the "lewdmarine" sub shipgirl and hid behind a
shrine altar, only to pause in mild surprise at the messy state that the
Summoning Pool was in! What had the cleaning staff been doing,
slacking off here?
Then she heard the faint snoring coming from a corner of the room, out
of sight from where she stood. Walking over slowly, she found two
lavender haired shipgirls (Essex-class shipgirls with rigging which was .
. .decidely off somehow).
Their "headgear" wasn't . . .organic in nature, but damn if it didn't
look something akin to what those pasty-faced aircraft carrier Abyssals
wore! The Wo-class, she meant.
Whatever the reason for their odd rigging aside, it was obvious what
these two happened to be here: accidental summons! Rare nowadays, but
it happened from time to time!
"Essex-class?" muttered to herself, wondering if this had
something in some way to do with Saratoga. Real ones instead of
"supposed" ones over a phone call for a change!
They look rather cute, cuddling together like that . . .
"Oh Shimikaze!~" cooed I-19, sidling up and hugging the suddenly stiff destroyer. "There you are and . . .with this?~"
"Shit," muttered poor Shimikaze in English, realizing she had failed in
her hiding attempt (again). With Iku attached to her like a barnacle,
she was doomed to yet another bout of hazing (lewd hazing) from the
Japanese sub. At least with English, it provided the right words for
cursing when that mere Japanese seriously lacked for situations like
this! "I do NOT need this."
Smiling with mirth, the submarine shipgirl continued as both Essex-class
carriers snort and awaken, blinking at finding an audience.
"Did you both enjoy your sleepover~?" I-19 asked, still in a
teasing mood. Only to have her smile slowly fade at the blank look the
two lavender haired shipgirls gave her.
"Our Japanese not fine," Firestorm blinked after looking at
Hypocenter and back again at the sub shipgirl. It was like, they sort
of understood the language. Remembered vaguely being (somewhat) better
at that tongue, but . . .it was all too fuzzy to be useable. "You good speak English, please?
After the submarine blinked, she asked again in a more serious voice.
It was no fun to make fun of another when they hardly could speak in the
language the joke was asked in, you know. No fun at all, that!
Hypocenter thanked her, and after introducing themselves to each other...
"No . . . the concrete and steel make for a poor sleeping surface,"
Firestorm finally conceded, frowning. Somewhat confused by the sub's
earlier tone and feeling rather stiff after their rest, she still plowed
onwards. That and she'd not understand the innuendo. Wouldn't have
understood even IF her Japanese had been better, honestly. "My sister
and I were warm enough though..."
Firestorm blinked, thinking. A hopeful look entered her eyes. Snapping her fingers, she points at the two other shipgirls.
"Better question!" the former Abyssal shipgirl asks eagerly. "By chance
is Mother around and she sent you two to retrieve us? She wasn't here
when she Summoned us, so might you be here in her place?"
"Uh . . .your mother?" the lewd submarine blinked, having switched out
of her teasing nature and into a more helpful one, that goodness!
Finally noticing the mess the Pool and what they'd just said registered.
"Well, we could help with that."
After all, while accidental Summonings nowadays were rare they still
happened. And as for these two carrier shipgirls? There WAS one
particular aircraft carrier shipgirl available who was here instead of flying back to the US for reasons only the Gods and Goddess knew why. And Houshou was seen as the mother of all aircraft carriers in the world!
Author's Note: As per what was found at the wiki:
https: //kancolle. fandom.com /wiki/ Houshou "
No, both submarine shipgirl and fast destroyer shipgirl were more
familiar with Japanese Navy trivia. The fact that Saratoga the
Lexington-class aircraft carrier (an aircraft carrier converted from a
battlecruiser) of the US Navy was credited for being the mother of the
Essex-class carriers was not known to them.
Go figure, they'd figure that somehow their erstwhile secretary to the
Admiral had done the deed and was the "mother" and "summoner" these two
spoke of here. Honest mistake!
And these two had the somewhat newbie air to them of the suddenly Summoned for the first time. Would explain a few things.
"Yes, let us do that!" the destroyer agreed, managing to shake off the
still clinging sub shipgirl. "We can go and speak with your Mother and .
. ."
"Yes! Yes, let's go and do that right now!!" Firestorm surged forward
and grabbed the destroyer shipgirl in a tight hug and lifting her off
her feet, practically vibrating in obvious excitement. Looking into the
wide-eyed shipgirl, she practically begging. "Please! Let's go right
now and do that!"
"Uh forgive my sister," Hypocenter said, freely admitting that her own
boilers were spiking in pressure over the idea of seeing their Mother
again!! Still, reaching out and placing a moderating hand on her fiery
sister. "We both want to meet Mother again, but might it be a good idea
to put our new friend down first?"
"Oh . . .sorry," Firestorm muttered softly, putting the destroyer back
down gently and backing away. "We just want to meet our Mother like
you'd not believe. We answered her Summons and . . .Uh, best we talk
about all that once we get together with her before we tell about that."
Yes, best to get in contact with Mother. And doing that was Reporting
despite what that traitorous Bitch, the Abyss said! Being that Mother
was the Princess and thus in charge of this facility was the proper way
of things! That is how the Abyssals did it. Surely that was how the
Kanmusu does it as well!
Later . . .
As it turned out, that is not how it was done!
"You're not our mother," Firestorm muttered, disappointment as she
stared at the matronly Japanese aircraft carrier shipgirl/secretary.
"And she's on her way back to . . .America?. . .to take care of some
family issues. An Emergency Leave?"
This had been a learning experience, and not all involved had rather liked what they had learned.
The Kanmusu shipgirls learned (much to their surprise) that Essex-class
carriers were indeed the daughters of the Lexington-class carrier
Saratoga. At least according to the shipgirl/secretary that is, the
Kanmusu-ized Abyssals were not yet sold on the idea. Not until they met
this "Saratoga" face to face or at least got an idea of what she looked
like! Shimikaze, meanwhile blinks and nods to herself. So it hadn't
been a case of adoption after all... Even if this Trinitite was some
kind of hooligans who'd made Saratoga so distressed with her phonecall,
the destroyer had learned something new every day. Firestorm and
Hypocenter had learned that this Saratoga had been tasked here by the
Americans (of which fleet this happened to be both had no clue at all
about) to teach the newer Japanese (another fleet the former Abyssals
had no clue about due to scrambled memories) carriers operations to
become better aircraft carriers all around.
Questions about what "America" and "Japan" exactly were from both former Abyssals were greeted with blinks of surprise.
After a few more questions, the Kanmusu figured that the poor souls must
have had a VERY rough Summons indeed. That and perhaps these two were
actually one of those mythical Essex ships who'd never gotten completed
before being scrapped? Maybe, but if issues like that persisted then a
specialist would be called to help with it. That was a solemn promise
given by the motherly secretary shipgirl.
The shipgirls thank Houshou, touched despite themselves.
The help with their memories and training? That . . . sounded like
something both Firestorm and Hypocenter could use here. Honestly, the
lack of skills their fairy crews displayed was worrisome! Indeed,
Firestorm had complained that those manning her boilers were having
issues even being able to maintain normal operations! Much less doing a
decent job in a combat operation! And if somebody could help with the
blank spots? Oh Wow!!
As of right now? They're so bad off that even insane claims like the
Moon was made of green cheese would almost be believable to them!! Not
enough to paint the picture of how bad? How bad was it? For that
matter, even some navel terms had been oddly . . .absent. Damnable
fuzzy memory. What in the Deep was "port" and "starboard" in terms of
direction?!
If this Saratoga was their Mother? Then she could surely remedy that, right? That and this "specialist"...
Trinitite could easily answer that one, girls. At least for part of it...
"And nor am I the one in charge of this facility but I can easily pass
along the word and the Admiral can make it happen," Houshou said in a
very motherly voice, holding the hands of both Firestorm and Hypocenter.
Technically, Houshou could be considered their grandmother, but right
now such claims might not be well received by these distraught souls so
some tact was in order here. And gentleness! "But we can at least
determine perhaps if Saratoga is your mother, maybe?"
Drawing back, Houshou tapped a few keys on the mouse of the computer.
Bringing up Saratoga's file, it displayed her file with a clear and
crisp computer image of her face and shoulders.
"Mother!" whispered both Firestorm and Hypocenter, reaching slowly and
tracing the image of Saratoga's face gently as if it were the shipgirl's
actual face. Crying a little bit while Firestorm still stared at
their Mother . . .their Princess, she turned and nodded. Too choked up
to be able to do more than that, right at that moment.
After composing themselves, both Firestorm and Hypocenter found
themselves being soon escorted by I-19 (after a whispered but firm order
to NOT harass the poor souls needlessly) to the guest quarters for now.
The usually lewd submarine nodded, feeling no need to mess with the
newcomers. There would be no point and needlessly . . .cruel. She was
many things (perhaps even a pervert), but not needlessly cruel.
A request that some battleship shipgirls be used as well to join the
party and "keep an eye on them" was given by both former Abyssals. When
asked why Hypocenter said that it was a matter of trust for now. That
and it there was something that must be told directly to the commanding
officer of this facility. It was important, but not something to
lightly be said beforehand.
Both Firestorm and Hypocenter feared that unless this was done, this
Admiral (whose name had not yet been given for whatever reason) and the
other shipgirls would panic. Mistaking them for . . .regular Abyssal
enemies.
They were not enemies. Not at all considering everything...
Granting that request, both the battleships Yamato and Musashi found
themselves being tasked with this job. Which is good, but something
about Musashi made the hairs on the back of Hypocenter's neck stand on
end. It was almost as if she recognized at least part of things off of
the Japanese battleship. Something about her hair. Something about
that rigging! The turret in part, that is. Something familiar and NOT
at all welcome, but for the life of her, the former Abyssal aircraft
carrier could not say just why!
But all that That done?
Before Shimikaze left, the mother of all aircraft carriers turned and spoke with the fast destroyer.
"Shimikaze," she began. "You left in a rush and I am sorry that I upset you. I truly am. But dear, I do hope you now understand why I was upset?"
"I do," she said softly, not wanting to face Houshou but found her head being lifted up gently by the shipgirl in question.
"Yes, you meant well but in doing so you let a phonecall in that needlessly upset Saratoga!" Houshou sighed. "Now
we do not know just why Saratoga is heading back to America. In a jet
fighter of all things to boot! But what I am saying is that you're . .
. known to be absent-minded at times. I need you to realize that
sometimes though you need to think before you do things in a rush. Ask
the Admiral or one of us if you have questions about something like this
in the future. You understand?"
Nodding slightly, the fast destroyer soon left after promising herself
to take this aboard and learn from it. It was only written. Honor
demanded it...
That done, Houshou gathered up her notes to update the Admiral on events
while busy with Saratoga and that private and highly security
teleconference. It had been a long day. Calling in and finding the
Japanese officer ready, she proceeded to read off her notes. Getting to
the end and frowning slightly at the admiral having chosen to drink
while still on duty (which was allowed by regulations nowadays but
still) . . .
It was hardly the largest of the quirks the Admiral had, noting where
the Admiral preferred to have her give her reports for whatever reason.
Still, duty is duty!
"What else could happen today?" the man in question sighed,
sipping at the bourbon he'd poured himself to calm himself before
signaling Houshou to go over all the pending business that had been put
on hold up until now.
The items he'd not already been informed of as of yet, anyway if you wish to be pedantic!
"Admiral," his shipgirl secretary calls from the doorway. "I
was just informed that we seemed to have had two accidental Summoning in
the Pool somehow we only found out about now. We have them in guest
quarters right now under escort before we get them folded into the
ranks, but they're still somewhat out of it from the Summoning."
"They appear to be American Essex class aircraft carriers of somewhat odd design," she continued. "Who call themselves Firestorm and Hypocenter. . ."
"Admiral?!" Houshou asked, dropping her notes and rushed to aid
the Admiral as he proceeded to spit out and sneeze out the bourbon he'd
been drinking!
"Say what?!" the senior commanding officer finally managed,
staring wildly at the as if to ask her (almost beg her) that she'd been
making some kind of obscene joke. "You said Firestorm and Hypocenter? Please tell me didn't just say that!"
"That . . .is what they called themselves," Houshou said, beginning to really worry here. "Uh, they ARE under escort by both Yamato, Musashi and I-19."
The news that not only were the two new guest under escort by battleship
shipgirls, but said guest (who happen to have the names the up until
now-defunct sisters of Trinitite, the wayward Wo over in America) had
requested them to get escorted and watched over by said battleships
really brought the Admiral up short here.
Not enough for him to prevent the ordered sweeps done on the base
(especially the Summoning Pool) for signs of sabotage or security
breaches, but enough to cause him to come up short.
Nothing was found. Something that the Admiral had suspected would be
the case--unexpected guests aside--but it was nice to make sure.
Honestly, if this had been some kind of sneaky operation the Admiral
expected something along the lines of yet another Abyssal Princess
suddenly making an appearance from a VERY unwanted summoning. And the
base would go the way that it had gone for the Americans at Pearl Harbor
with the Central Princess.
Gods, what a meat grinder that was for both sides!! He did NOT want it here in Japan, something like that happening.
Under escort by battleships (if not lewd submarine girls), the Admiral
soon meets the two former Abyssal Wo-class shipgirls along with
battleship escort. Calmly they tell their tales, both sisters . .
.impress the up until then suspicious officer. And after talking to the
researcher which had been dug up somewhere (good Gods), the good Dr.
Takahashi says that as far as what passes for biology for "regular"
shipgirls was the same for the new shipgirls in their midst despite
their supposed Abyssal origins.
Not a big surprise, that. Honestly, what Dr. Takahashi knew about dead
Abyssal bodies and regular shipgirl bodies? Same at some level. Just
in the case of some of the rigging? That part had been more . .
.organic. In the case of Wo-class rigging, the alien head rigging those
like Trinitite wore? Very organic. Not so anymore for the "converted"
Firestorm and Hypocenter. Beyond a rather Wo-look the sisters had to
their rigging, it was shipgirl "normal" metallic.
There was something different about the ship crew fairies, however. The
glowing red eyes were kind of a giveaway. That and a decided lack of
skill you'd usually see in other ship fairies.
Other tests? That worry that damnable US Marshal had caused with ONE
question? The one that had gotten USS Saratoga taken from his facility
where she'd been teaching HIS new carrier shipgirls the ins and outs of
aircraft warfare? Damage Control and the like?
....
The doctor had been eccentric. Almost mad, but . . .his sources said
that he was reliable, odd personality aside (and looking rather raggedy
in his mismatched clothing). Others had scoffed at the man's theories
and not passed them along to those within the Japanese military. Not to
his office, anyway. But one question and a crisis in Washington state
(in the USA) caused a panic quest for answers.
Takahashi had come up in conversation before his existence (and shunned theories) could be buried again.
Here he was and by gods was he getting results like none had before now!!
....
The doctor had revealed that while the two sisters had "memory issues"
now, not everything had been totally lost. Furthermore, over time . . .
Well, that is not something that the sisters were privy to here and not (for now) relevant to their story!
What is important to them was the result of one last thing the good
doctor had done in his examination of the sisters. The admiral had
authorized it. It would be good for finding out intel on Abyssal
makeup, psychology, and the like.
And frankly, the doctor had found he . . .rather felt for the poor
dears, despite himself. So why not? It was a rather esoteric manner.
Not many gave much stock to it. Not many KNEW of it, but he . . .had
his sources and ways in the "less accepted" fields of knowledge. They
laugh at such, but HE will show them. Show them ALL! Ah, that and it
did not sit well with him how . . .guillable and naive the sisters were.
Easily lead astray.
Restored memories should restore life lessons. Hopefully. He didn't want them to be taken advantage of here, you see.
With meditation incense lit and low lights, the confused Abyssals soon
find found their eyes growing heavy as they watched a swinging golden
watch. Heavy. Heavy....heavy . . .
Moments later?
"By the Deep, I remember everything!!" Firestorm almost screamed,
snapping awake and fuzzy and blank memories suddenly crystal (and
beyond) clear.
Hypocenter also blinked, overwhelmed at what she now knew. Including
some things like that insane Abyssal Princess who'd invited her to some
ceremony. Yeah! That one who'd gone on about Angels and Crusades...
But even with that bad?
"Thank you!" she said softly, hugging the surprised Dr. Takahashi
in gratitude, making sure not to crush him in the process. Unwelcome as
some of those memories of that one ceremony with that mad Abyssal
Princess had been, at least she had a good baseline at what human bodies
can stand safely!
-
But soon enough, Firestorm got impatient with a Houshou over something. Something about not being able to see their mother despite this "teleconference" thing and . . .
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