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“So, commander, how do you like your new duds?” Marblehead called in from the lab.
The commander finally put his helmet on, locking and sealing it into place. After long ours of both the lab and in testing, the powered suit that they had made for him was finally ready for him to wear and use. He took a deep breath as he got used to being inside his new equipment, and looked around the heads-up display on the clear visor. “Well, I can say that it’s a good fit. I’ll need to move around in it a bit before I decide to take it back for alterations.”
Yuubari continued. “I’m glad you appreciate the finishing touches.”
He nodded. “So, is there anything special I should know about this suit?”
“It’s for protection and mobility only, commander,” Yuubari replied. “We did design some weapons that you would be able to use while wearing the suit, but they aren’t large or hard-hitting enough to do much against a Siren. We were already pushing the limits of what we could do as is, considering how much of this was pulled from Marduk’s battlesuit.”
“That’s fine.” He said, and opened and closed his hands. “I’ve always left the fighting to the people with the real artillery, and I didn’t expect this to change anything. Probably should tell Illustrious I won’t be able to dance while wearing the mobility rig anymore. Still, having some extra protection is going to be important when I go out there again.”
Yuubari continued communicating. “It was interesting developing the mobility rig even further into what you are wearing now, master. I think you should take some time to use it before returning it to us- Developing something like this is no use if you don’t stop to learn how to move around in it. For the most part, it is like the old mobility rig, but now it’s armored and has some additional motive systems.”
The commander flexed his fingers some more, and began to walk, getting used to the feeling of power-assisted movement. It would take a few tries for him to learn how to properly run in the suit, but that wasn’t what he was concerned about at the moment. He was a naval commander.
So, it was time to get his feet wet.
He took his suit out to the water, and the mobility systems engaged without him needing to tell them too. There was very little wobble when he stood on the water, which told him something about the suit immediately. “Did you guys put in some kind of auto-balancing system?”
“Uh huh!” Marblehead replied. “The one in Marduk’s armor was completely trashed, so he had to build one from scratch. Feels like a real beaut, doesn’t it?”
“So far, so good, but the problem with automatic systems is that they sometimes fight against natural inclinations, and that can make things awkward.” The commander started moving out onto the open water.
“Yeah, but sometimes a natural inclination and be total garbo.” Added Purifier. “Nothing wrong with taking a walk on the cyber side!”
The commander blinked. “…You gave Purifier communication access?”
“Hell yeah, they did!” Purifier replied. “Gotta give me something while I’m trapped in the box. Now get out there and strut your stuff, Anomaly!”
It was what he had planned to do, certainly. He slowly skated out onto the water, still using all of the lessons that Illustrious had taught him, and began to pick up speed. The wake behind his feet grew bigger and bigger as he moved faster and faster across the surface. More automatic systems kicked in to help him keep control of the suit- He could move much faster in this than he could in just the bare mobility rig, and he was almost eager to see how fast he could go with his human reflexes combined with the assistance of the armor.
He knew that he could only maneuver so well- He lacked the inherent instinct for this sort of thing that the Kansen had, so he was going to have to slow down if he wanted to do anything fancy. Making dangerous turns on a time might make the auto-balancing system angry with him, so he decided to refrain from that for the time being.
Once he got used to regular movement, however, taking quick turns became almost a breeze. He’d need more time in the suit to fully get the hang of it, but he could see taking this thing to actual combat.
And the most important part of it was that he wasn’t overheating in the suit. That was the most important part if he was going to use it in the lengthy combats that every major encounter with the Sirens turned into. The power-assisted movement eased the strain of carrying the armor, too.
It was a marvelous piece of work, and he’d have to compliment all of them once he got back to base.
Eventually, a communications channel piped up. He heard the unmistakable voice of Reno. “Ah, it’s the commander, and he’s looking so cool!”
Ryuujo also entered the chat. “That’s the commander? Did he find some kind of Henshin belt or something?”
“This wasn’t exactly built in a cave with scraps or anything.” The commander said. “You can blame Yuubari and friends for this one.” He paused. “And I kinda wish that getting into or out of this thing was as easy as doing a pose and shouting the secret word.”
Yuubari giggled. “As you can see, the suit also has wide-ranging communication functions. We’ll be able to configure them to your satisfaction after you’ve finished your test run.”
“Roger that.” He said, and looked at his heads-up display. He looked around the docks to see if he could spot Reno, and the target acquisition software picked up both Reno and Ryuujou.
So, he decided to have a little fun.
He decided to head their way, instead.
Yuubari contacted him. “Master, I would prefer you to bring the armor right back to the lab if you’ve finished testing it.”
Marblehead giggled. “Oh, come on, let him have a little fun. Besides, I think I know what he has in mind~”
The commander skated over to where Reno and Ryuujou were watching him, and he climbed up onto the pier, walking over to the pair. Both of them stared once they saw him and his armor up close, each for their cultural reasons. He could easily see Reno imagining his armor fitted with all kinds of powerful super-science devices, while Ryuujou perhaps considered a world where he defeated the horrifying monsters of Interdimensional terrorist syndicate Zero with a Shikikick.
He had to admit that he was letting his imagination run wild with himself, but being able to just… Play around with something new and shiny made him giddy. And he was not guilty about it at all.
While he was dashing around he, flicked through his HUD options and looked at the functions of the mobility unit, just to see how much oomph had been given to the machine he was wearing.
And then he found an option that he liked.
He raced towards the dock where Reno and Ryuujou were standing and there was a great spray of water as he was able to jump off the surface and onto the pier where Reno and Ryuujou were standing, with the cruiser looking in awe at the commander’s suit. “C-Commander?”
Commander Cochrane nodded quickly. “Yeah, it’s still me in here… You wanna take a picture with me in this thing?”
It seemed to be what she was waiting for. Reno jumped up into the commander’s arms, and the suit made it easier for him to catch her. She then pulled out her phone without delay and took a picture with him just like that- The hero and his sidekick, at least as he understood her reasoning, even if she was a hero in her own right.
She then got down out of his arms. “Thank you!”
Marblehead called in. “Awww, giving some time for Reno to have a pic with her superhero. Anyway, you should probably spend more time running around in that thing. Albert did a lot to help us get it commander-ready, but you still need to move around so we can make some last-minute adjustments. Can’t have you wearing something that pokes or jabs you when you need to get around.”
“It feels good so far, but I see your point.” He replied, and jumped back on the water. “All right, let’s take this thing for a real spin.”
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The commander sat down in the lab. He had given the suit a thorough workout, and Jervis was checking him after the fact. The destroyer was going to be thorough and find anything that could be wrong with him whether he wanted to hear about it or not. “It was actually a pretty smooth ride. I didn’t feel anything uncomfortable about it.”
Yuubari bowed. “That’s good, master, but there is always room for improvement. We had a datalink to the suit’s performance and systems, and we believe there are still some adjustments that need to be made to provide the best possible experience in general and combat use.”
Jervis continued the examination in silence, having nothing to add, so the commander filled that space. “I guess the big question is how much strain this puts on the suit itself. There are a lot of military vehicles that spend their time in operation beating themselves up, and I may need to run around in that thing for longer than anyone is comfortable with.”
“That’s something we mostly shook out when Albert was helping us with it. Field endurance shouldn’t be a problem.” Marblehead said. “…Unless you get like, lost in the Arctic or Sahara for a few months or something. This is pretty advanced stuff, and not just in terms of fancy gizmos or whatever.”
“I see.” He replied.
Jervis finally finished. “Despite the commander’s insistence on pulling stunts with his new armor, he is hasn’t been dangerously stressed by it. I am of course, not encouraging to pull that kind of thing in the future or in a combat situation, where he might get carried away. He should remember to use his head.”
He could always count on Jervis for this kind of assessment. “Thank you, Jervis.”
Yuubari nodded. “We expected as much. The suit wasn’t meant to push you to dangerous extremes, unlike the one that Albert ran afoul of. This suit is for a commander who goes to battle, not something for going toe-to-toe with the Sirens in close combat.”
“We should do a weapon test anyway.” The commander said. “We don’t know what’s going to be out there, and I may have to protect myself against things other than Sirens in the future.”
“Prudent!” Marblehead replied. “But I think that’s all we’re going to do for today. We’ve got things to do, and so do you.”
“Don’t I know it.” He put his uniform jacket back on. “Even if there’s not much in terms of military matters, a commander still has things to do with keeping morale and readiness up. But I’ll be seeing you all later, all right?”
Marblehead smiled, and waved. “Have fun!”
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The commander walked up and out of the lab into the fresh air of the base. What he hadn’t expected was to find someone waiting for him.
Clemenceau regarded him with some amusement as she saw him arrive. “If it isn’t our literally dashing commander. I thought you might be finished about now.”
“Well, if you’re here to watch, the show is over.” He shrugged. “But I guess you’ve been busy with things too, haven’t you?”
She let out a light chuckle. “Even if I wasn’t there to witness it myself, there were others who were watching. Jeanne seemed intrigued by how nightly you seemed, going back and forth in your suit of armor. Even if she was exaggerating, it does seem to be a role that suits you to play in the drama unfolding ahead of us.”
The commander sighed. “I hope that you don’t think that everything I do is an act.”
She giggled. “No, no, I am well aware of the fact that you are savagely sincere. So much so that I can imagine times that you might confound and overrun a certain kind of person with it.” She shifted her hips to one side- She possessed a strong combination of danger and allure that suited her role as the appendage of the Iris whose job it was to extract the truth from people who were unwilling to relinquish it. “We’ve met a couple of times, but I’ve always felt like it was in passing. And I know that there is a bit of a lull these days, so... Hm~”
The commander put his hands in his pockets. Off in the distance, he could hear some playful shouting, probably some destroyers getting up to mischief or a duel. “Something catch you short? You’re not one to let other people interrupt your thoughts.”
“I’m more wondering how it might be taken if I try to snatch you away for myself for a little while. Even it is only business, of course.” She replied.
The commander slumped his shoulders a little. “I’m going to have to answer this kind of question for the rest of my life, aren’t I?”
“I wouldn’t say for that long.” She said. “But what is your answer?”
“This isn’t the kind of place where someone can get married if they’re constantly afraid of the intentions of other beautiful women, especially if you’re getting married to the person who commands them.” He replied. “…King George knows what I have to do as the commander of this fleet. I know you’re a fan of intrigue and all, but…”
“Not merely a fan, it’s my business, in a way.” She replied. “Mainly to unravel it and lay its secrets bare to daylight.” She put on a smile. “But don’t worry, commander, I don’t expect you to dishonor yourself in any way for my sake. I just have questions for you that you may answer as pleases you.”
“So what kind of outing were you thinking of?” He replied. “Dinner, or something?”
“Not at the start- I don’t like to spend so much of the day sitting down, and from the way you were dashing around in that suit of yours, I’m not sure you do, either.” She sighed, and shook her head. “Sadly, there is not a golf course, but I wouldn’t mind more of an active outing, either.”
“If that’s the case, I think there’s at least something else we can do.” He said. “…I think there’s an indoor driving range as part of our athletic facilities, if you wanted to get some swings in while we talked.”
“Hmm… Is there?” She asked.
“I think the Royals insisted on it. We can meet there if you like.” He added.
A smile returned to her lips. “Interesting- I didn’t know the commander also golfed.”
“I don’t.” He said, plain as he could.”
This drew out another giggle. “Willing to be embarrassed for my sake? All right~ I’ll see you then, commander.”
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The commander borrowed some golf clubs from Hood, who found the request unusual but was willing to lend them to him. On reflection, he figured it must have been one of the more normal things he had asked of her over the years they had known each other. He had reserved the range for himself and Clemenceau.
She didn’t keep him waiting for long.
Clemenceau had even changed into a golfing outfit- white sneakers, a short, black skirt, and a white vest that was unzipped as far as it could go, showing that the battleship had declined to wear anything underneath- all the cleavage she had was there for anyone who dared to have a gander. “Good afternoon, commander~”
“Good afternoon to you, too.” He said, taking in her and the outfit that barely housed her. “…So, you wanted to talk?”
“Usually~” She said, and got everything set up in her spot, and the commander did the same for his. “Just something I’ve wanted to have a real talk with you about ever since I arrived here.”
“I hope this isn’t something your government has put you up to.” He took a couple of warmup swings, so he could get a good feel for the speed and weight of Hood’s driver.
“Purely for my own interest.” She said. “I will look for what I’m told, and anything beyond that is just a bonus. And besides, if there’s anyone here who can grab my interest in that way, it’s you.”
The commander steadied himself and whacked a ball downrange, instantly reminded that this was not his sport. “It’s not like I’m someone who you would call a chessmaster or a weaver of webs.”
“Are you?” Clemenceau slammed a ball downrange, making it very clear that golf was her sport. “Ah… Well, you’re a high-ranking military officer. You would be rare as a unicorn if you weren’t planning something outside the realm of navies. But that’s not what I’m thinking about.” She leaned over to place another ball down, making sure he could catch a glimpse as she bent over. “Because, commander, you might be the most mysterious one here.”
The commander hit another ball. He would have been thrown off his game if there was any game to be thrown off. “You really sure about that? I’d like to think that, say, Shinano would be more mysterious than me. She’s unique even as far as Kansen go.”
“Mmm~” Clem smiled at him. “Shinano has some unusual powers, but everything else about her is understood and documented. Everyone who is allowed to know can find out where and when she was made, when and how she was in service, and so on.” Wham. Another ball, down the range, this one perfect. “But we know everything about you except for the most important things. Who put you here in Azur Lane, and why? It’s a road on two sides of a canyon, but without a bridge to connect them.”
He looked down range, observing the difference in accuracy and distance. Still, he put another ball down range to keep things flowing, acting like this was just a casual day outside of the office. “I got my orders and followed them, just like anyone else.”
“Who would order a young lieutenant to head this kind of force? And where did they get the authority to do it?” Her next swing had superb follow through- Arms, legs, hips, and all. “I’d thought that the Royal Prime Minister would know, but that old guard dog of hers warned me she was off-limits. That just tells me she’s hiding something, but it may not even be what I’m looking for.” She giggled. “So, like many Kansen, my questions lead me to you.”
“So, you want those answers.” He said, and he looked over the green. He readied himself, another swing, and another shot that hooked to the left.
“I am looking for an answer, yes.” She steadied herself for her next swing, wiggling her hips before taking another whack. As the ball landed it rolled over and touched another of the golf balls she sent across the range. “Whatever answer I can get from you, from the questions that I have.”
The commander watched her at work. Even in her golfing outfit, she couldn’t stop herself from being enticing. She was certainly the least modest of the sisters, but she did so to throw people off, and keep them off balance so she could gain an advantage. “It feels like you have more questions than the one you just told me.”
“I always do.” She replied, and leaned on her driver. “After all, I am not merely looking for answers, but answers that I can do something with. Believe it or not, there is some knowledge that would be useless to me.” She smiled. “And besides, you were able to get along with Jean Bart. Richelieu is much easier to get along with, after all, so being able to do so with my grumpy sister… That takes some trust, I think.” She got set up for another swing. “And how you get trust… Not an easy thing, hm?”
“…No, it isn’t.” He replied. Some of them were willing to accept him as commander immediately- Others were more begrudging about it until he proved himself in the field. If he hadn’t been able to perform, the Iron Blood may not have even fully thrown their lot in with Azur Lane at all.
“I’m glad we agree.” She said, and went on, and out went another ball. “And that’s one of the things I want to talk about.”
“You don’t trust me?” He replied, and took another whack himself. This one went reasonably straight.
“I didn’t say that~” She said. “My question about that is a broader one, and merits some more comfortable discussion. That’s the sort of thing I want to speak to you about over dinner.”
“I look forward to the cooking, at least.” He said. “But why over dinner specifically?”
“Regardless of anything I still should show some gratitude for looking after both of my sisters. Jean Bart is hotheaded, and Richelieu sometimes need a little nudge towards engaging with the material world. I know you don’t have siblings of your own. At least blood-related anyway.” She turned her eyes on him. “…After all, there are girls who have been more than happy to be your big sisters here, are there not?”
“I have to admit, it was a bit unusual.” He said. “Kansen just think differently sometimes, I guess.”
Clemenceau put on a playful smirk. “Well… Humans have themselves to blame for that, don’t they?”
The commander knew too much about how Kansen were made to disagree.
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He arrived at Clemenceau’s place that night, and she was there, back in her normal dress- the fact that it didn’t have a malfunction of any kind was something that was mysterious about her.
He sat down at her table in her room, and she smiled at him as she poured him some wine. “…If I was interested in enticing you, I don’t believe that cooking would suffice. After all, you are married to King George V, a Royal chef that even we find respectable.”
He didn’t have a drink quite yet. “So, you wanted a more comfortable setting? I can’t say I disagree.”
“Plus, there would never be a better opportunity, now that things are at a lull.” She leaned forward a little. “But please, enjoy yourself. I think you’ll find meat, vegetables, bread and all to be to your liking. And the wine especially, though Algerie was always the best at picking out such things.”
“You seem to be pleased with the way things are going for your people here.” He said. Beef, mixed vegetables, and some of the freshest bread he ever smelled. He couldn’t help himself from digging in.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” She said. “Everyone is safe and sound and has been usefully trained to fight the Sirens. In that respect, there is nothing to say. Foch is also living a life of romance- How could I stand in the way of such a thing?” She toyed with her food before beginning to eat as well. “No, tonight is about you, commander.”
“I have the feeling you want to know those two outstanding questions.” He said as he went ahead and enjoyed himself.
“Ah, yes, the question of why are you here, who put you here, and how.” A smile came to her after she took a sip of her wine. “The questions no one seems to know the answers to. And to be honest, I didn’t believe that you would give me answers to those.”
That was what caught him short. “…Then why did you bring them up?”
“I figure you probably know, at least to some extent.” She replied. “But then, there are two possible reasons that you hold those answers so close to your chest- Either to protect yourself, or to protect other people.” She slid her fingers around the neck of her wine glass, “Either of those are worth leaving alone in these precarious times.” Her eyes made contact with his. “So, I decided I had a different, more interesting question that I could do more with.”
“So, what did you come up with?” He asked. The food was good, but he couldn’t let it distract him from the conversation.
“Simple.” She said, and tilted her head. “How did you come to expect your Kansen to trust you without them knowing anything about you, who you were, and why you were there?”
This was Clemenceau’s pressing question. From someone who made it her business to know things. To know everything.
He cleared his throat. “I figured the most I could do was do my best and let the Kansen use their own judgment.” He said. “After all, they have their reasons not to have a huge attachment to respecting rank.”
“Mmm…” She continued to play with her glass. “Our own judgment… How sweet.” She rested her free hand on her cheek. “I know you don’t run Azur Lane on sweetness alone, but it is so.”
He put his fork and knife down for a moment. “Now I can’t tell if you disapprove or not.”
“I approve of results.” She said. “You have given them to us. But to what end, hm?” She rubbed a finger around the rim of her glass. “Don’t think I’m testing you, commander, I just want to know. Someone like you could be in a powerful position after this is over. But I’m not the only one who has had this conversation with you, have I?”
“Mm.” He said. “So, why you, and why now?”
“Because there’s always a small chance that Zero will take us seriously.” She said, rubbing a finger up and down the side of the glass.
“A small one, yes.” He sighed. “…I’m not always the best judge of my character. I’m not sure anyone can be their own objective critic. But I don’t think these girls would follow me if I thought I would leave them astray, especially not for so long.”
She finished her drink. “Mmm… Sounds like you trust their judgment, too.” She crossed one leg over the other. “I think I’ve heard all I need to for now. I think we can just enjoy dinner for the time being.” Clemenceau gave him a playful look. “You should stay for dessert~”
“Should I?” He said, wondering exactly what she wanted to do post-dinner.
“Of course.” She continued. “I think Dunkerque would be disappointed if you left. And you know how she can make you feel when you disappoint her- She can even make me feel as though I’ve done something wrong.”
“Oh, right.” He said. “You have to forgive me, some of the girls use… Euphemisms.”
She chuckled. “We need to get you to talk to more humans sometime. But now, the only treat waiting for you here is one you can put at the end of a fork. So please, relax.”
And finally, he did.
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She offered to walk him home. He agreed.
“There are answers I can’t give you yet.” He said as they came closer to the door of his home.
“There’s nothing wrong with that.” She said as she turned to look at him. “But I got one of the answers I was looking for, so as long as I come away with something I don’t feel like it was a waste.”
He gave a sigh of relief. “So, do you think a knight in shining armor is just an act, or no?”
“Hm? I’d say that what I think is my business.” She put an arm around his. “…But you know as well as anyone that it takes more than shining armor to make a knight, as the Iris sees it. It’s what’s within that makes the armor shine- I think that’s how Jeanne would put it.” She chuckled. “But I thank you for taking the time to see me. Not many people are willing to volunteer information my way.”
“I don’t want to be a closed book to my fleet.” He said, scratching one cheek. “…You deserve more than that.”
The commander blushed as he felt Clemenceau give him a peck on the cheek- He was sure she did it just to fluster him. She succeeded.
The battleship removed her arm from his. “Have a good evening, commander. And even if it’s not something you can do on your own, I’m sure your lovely wife will be more than happy to help.” And with that, she turned and walked away, her hips having that gentle sway before she and her dark dress blended into the evening.
The commander waited until his blush faded to go back inside, but not one moment longer- He wanted to see King George V as much as she wished to see him. That’s the way it was, and that’s how he hoped it always would be.