>>2444982
>Listen in from your position

She notices you, too, giving you a friendly nod and a wave before disappearing inside. You really should talk to her a little bit more. She had been fired for your sake, after all.

You take a few more steps towards the showers, hearing several animated voices inside, chatting loud enough that you could hear them, even from here.

‘You actually approve of him taking it? But he’s—’

That was …

‘It’s not about approval. We actually do need him.’

‘Simple as that, huh?’

That was Nagato.

‘I do understand your doubts, but please understand …’

That sounded like Houshou.

They were talking.

>Walk inside
>Listen in from your position
>Write-In

>>2444986
>Listen in from your position
second post, same as the first

>>2444986
>Listen in from your position

>>2444986
>Listen in from your position

>>2444986
>Walk inside

>>2444986
>>Listen in from your position

>>2444986
>>Listen in from your position

File: Shygato.jpg (35 KB, 283x456)

35 KB JPG

They appeared to be standing in the showers, if the noise was any indication.

Not that it prevented you from eavesdropping, of course … not that it was hard, either. You could sing your heart out in there.

'Please understand ours,’ Houshou implores, ‘we don’t like placing humans in these positions anymore than you would place a servant under the banner of incompetence, but right now, he’s not just one of the most powerful Commanders for his rank, but he happens to be one of the only humans in Taiyouga who’ve even broken the barrier in such a short time. That he’s able to handle the strain of three Battleships imprinting upon his psyche makes him invaluable as both a war asset and a …’

Houshou trails off … or speaks so softly you aren’t able to hear the rest.

‘He’s … that’s not what I’m trying to say at all, I know that it feels like I’m intruding and that there’s a lot that I don’t understand,’ Kasumi replies, her voice sounding rushed, but at the same time … hesitant, ‘but I think that you’re putting too much onto him too quickly. I don’t think that I’ve ever heard of a job that pushes you up in payroll this fast.’

There’s no answer.

‘He does get paid, right?’

You wondered about that, too.

‘That’s … not our jurisdiction,’ Nagato declares loudly. ‘The point is, we’ve known him enough to actually put at least a degree of confidence befitting someone who’s achieved so much in such a short span. Even if you don’t support the decision, we do think that it’s the right course of action to make by him. You don’t run a horse against cats, you set a horse against other horses of his caliber.’

‘He’s not a horse!’ Kasumi fumes.\

None of them say a word.

‘I don’t know about that …’

Your stomach does flips.

‘I do wish he’d have more variation to his skill set, but I actually enjoy that he makes up what lacks in knowledge with enthusiasm,’ Houshou sounds, a wistful sigh you can hear even from your spot. ‘I won’t complain that he’s rather submissive, however … it’s very cute.’

‘Houshou …’

Good. Nagato would put a stop to this mad—

‘I think he has plenty of variation, but you’re wrong that he’s submissive at all,’ Nagato huffs out, much to your horror. ‘He can be rough, tender … and even if he’s not as big as I’d like him to be, I can’t say that I’m not satisfied. He has this charm about him … like he does his best to impress you, no matter how much of an idiot he ends up looking like.’

‘I’ll … never get past that,’ Kasumi cuts in, ‘how can you be so … brazen about it.’

‘Well, when you have nothing to hide … things just seem to come naturally, I suppose,’ Houshou replies. ‘Besides, judging from what I heard …’

‘M-Mine was different!’

There’s another bout of silence.

‘It was … it was …’

>>2445025
>Run Interference
>Keep Listening
>Write-In

>>2445026
>>Keep Listening

>>2445026
>Run Interference

>>2445025
>keep listening
well this took an interesting turn

>>2445026
>Keep Listening

>>2445026
>Keep Listening
Gonna get caught but fuck this is fun

>>2445026
>>Keep Listening

RIP commander. Someones gonna catch him and kasumi is gonna kick his ass.

>>2445046
Why would I give you something I know you'd enjoy?

>>2445049
because she would be embarrassed and it would be entirely in character.

File: Gentle Lovemaking.jpg (83 KB, 479x652)

83 KB JPG

Despite your better judgment, you drop into a crouch … and listen.

‘It felt … strange.’

Oh, that hurt.

‘I know that he can—’

‘No, not in that way, it’s just … I’ve spent all these years thinking he was a coward, that he didn’t care for anyone but himself and I come over here and see that he’s … that he’s a hero, that he’s fighting for everyone’s sake … and it’s strange. I don’t know what it is I felt, but I knew that it was surreal. All this time thinking that he was probably in some hole or mooching off someone … and he ends up being everything that he wanted to be. It’s … it’s strange for me. It’s hard for me to even think back to when we were friends, when we were back in school and think that that person putting his sanity on the line is the same fat guy I used to trade barbs with on the way back, who … I ended up hating, who I ended up wishing everything and the kitchen sink on would … actually become become a better person. That weird drunken display aside, he’s actually been rather charming but I … I don’t know.’

There’s a silence that fills in a canyon as your own thoughts churn.

It wouldn’t have been that easy.

Kasumi wouldn’t have just forgiven you for all that after a day, after a favor. She probably wanted to (you hope), but you can understand how fast things must have been for her … and how quickly time had gone by since you yourself had donned the uniform and jumped into the RAY. That everything would just go back to the way it was, even after—

‘I do forgive him, though.’

Well, there went your angst.

Perhaps you could bill her for a refund one of these days.

‘He does seem genuinely sorry,’ she continues, ‘and he is helping me get along … but I don’t want to let what I think of him be influenced just by what he gives me or what he can do for my career. I need some time to think. I am sure that I can put my trust in him this time, though … and if nothing else, he’ll have my gratitude for at least trying to make things right.’

You hear some light slapping noises.

‘He was very … patient with me. I’d only literally ever … you know,’ she takes a brief pause, ‘so on that front, I don’t have any regrets giving him my first time. I felt … worshiped. His hands running all over, his tongue, oh, his tongue … it feels like he’s just reaching but it’s just …’

The blood bloats your cheeks considerably, you find.

‘Know that feel, girl,’ Houshou lets out in a playful slang.

‘I still can’t believe that it’s so … polyamorous here. Don’t you think you’re a little too open with yourselves.’

‘The Commander’s public property,’ Nagato lets out nonchalantly. ‘In practical terms, he’s something like a …. water fountain, I suppose, for your humans?’

You feel a twitch building up.

>RETORT
>Keep listening
>Write-In

>>2445129
>RETORT
im worth more than a fountain. damn it

>>2445129
They know we're there and see us in a reflection or something, don't they

>>2445145
Don't know, player.

>>2445129
>>RETORT

>>2445129
>RETORT

File: Angry Houshou.jpg (33 KB, 340x263)

33 KB JPG

‘Excuse me?’

You step out from your hiding spot behind the wall, traipsing with annoyance towards the three women, who were giggling as Houshou stepped out of her own shower, turning the knob and giving her hair one last tussle. The both of them turn to face you, startled, as if they had been caught in some sort of surreal trance … or rather, they would if the frowns of incredulity that quickly shooed all the effect that those wide eyes gave with the same incredulity. Kasumi, being the only non-KanMusu present, quickly covers her breasts with one arm and shoots one arm out to block a full view of her pelvic region … despite the fact that you knew it quite intimately, even if not on the same level as the other two she was sharing the line of showers with.

‘Commander?’ Houshou cries out, surprised.

You wouldn’t be deterred, however.

‘What do you mean I’m like a … a public drinking fountain!’ you bark, raising a finger and pointing it directly at the offending trio. ‘I have my dignity, you know? I actually have to do the keeping up around here!’

The both of them glance at one another, confusion—and obviously-feigned innocence—upon their features … before they immediately fade away, replaced with looks of what you can only discern to be righteous anger. You take an unconscious step back as Kasumi takes one forward, annoyance practically laced in upon her glare.

‘Were you … eavesdropping on us?’

Oh, right.

You were.

Shouldn’t have let your emotions get the better of you, Commander. You really shouldn’t have.

As they descend on you, you realize that sometimes you …

Could really be stupid

SHIPGIRL COMMANDER: END

Well that was fast

File: Get To Work Pls.jpg (137 KB, 850x850)

137 KB JPG

You grumble slightly, nursing your cheek as you walk around the base, a great annoyance upon you as you shuffled your feet amid the din … only for a light tap upon your head to bring you back to a stand. Takao walks past you, throwing you an encouraging smile. You’d been at this for the last two hours but it didn’t get any less boring. You would’ve loved to have been behind your desk at this point in time, but that’d just be complaining, really.

You weren’t a Commander anymore.

You were a Vice-Admiral.

Or, at least, what you’d consider a Vice-Admiral in an unofficial capacity.

Nagato had—with a rather mighty huff—elected to accompany Kasumi instead, much to your despair. Apparently eavesdropping didn’t appear to be on the list of things that she felt being tolerant about today … and neither did Houshou, for that matter, although she was much kinder about it. However, being your Sub-Commander also meant that Nagato couldn’t just leave you in the lurch either … which was why you’d actually been saddled with one of the KanMusu you hadn’t irritated in any significant capacity over the last few days … or rather, one that you hope you didn’t.

‘Commander, pay attention!’

Despite some grumbling, you do. Before you, Ikazuchi and Inazuma ran, giggling as they went to catch up with a silver-haired KanMusu—Hamakaze, you think … it was hard to get things right around here. You feel another tap on your shoulder, Takao gesturing—again—for you to keep your eyes forward, where the latest of the logistics department were present, going over the latest delivery from the MagiTek boys.

One of your new responsibilities, apparently, was to go over the new machinery that they were going to deploy.

New machinery, of course, entailing supplementary KanMusu equipment that didn’t correspond with the usual warfare specifications. It wasn’t anything that you needed to physically test, of course (that had obviously been done before being sent all the way out here) or anything of significant danger (most of the time, according to Takao’s own words). You take a step forward, staring at the machine before your very eyes … which looked like a handle-less meat grinder, for all intents and purposes.

‘So this is meant to be one of the new converters?’ you question, kneeling and staring at the item in question. ‘I was told that we’d get a batch of six. How come there’s only one?’

‘MagiTek boys say that they’re still going through the motions … but they’re willing to assign this one out first until they get back up to full throttle,’ one of the men states, nodding at the converter. ‘I don’t know the full details, but this’ll run repairs on Kantai Steel equipment a little more efficiently, I think.’

‘Didn’t know you were an expert.’

He intermediately looks apprehensive, stammering an apology … which you cut off. ‘Just kidding, really.’

He immediately relaxes.

‘So it’s good?’

‘It’s good,’ you answer, giving the cold metal device a friendly pat, ‘but you should run it by Yuubari first, I think … she’d probably go nutso if I tried to step in on her turf with the tech stuff. I used to be a cook two months and change back … this makes more sense to you than it does me … probably.’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘Okay, then.’

You step away from the group of men … who throw up formal salutes, which you return in kind. From the corner of your eye, you see that Takao practically skips in delight to catch up to you, a look of pride and delight on her face.

‘See, that wasn’t so bad, was it?’

A chill from the ocean has you instantly tucking your hands underneath your armpits.

>‘Can we go now?’ (Annoyed)
>‘I miss my desk.’ (Lament)
>‘You’re weirdly cheerful this morning …’ (Dry)
>‘Why am I doing all this again?’
>Write-In

>>2445296
>It's not that bad I guess, you seem in a good mood today though, something nice happen?

>>2445296
Supporting >>2445305

>>2445305
support

Is the Character sheet up to date ? Last I thought we were in deep shit for telling the human female we were runting all our ships or something? And it just says Iowa is a friend, Thought we were closer?

>>2445410
No, I haven't come around to that just yet.

>>2445410
last i remember we got out the telling on kasumi

>>2445410
Commander's charm, rugged good looks and rousing romantic & heroic speeches won everyone over.

>>2445422
>>2445427
>>2445429
Thanks guys. Sorry for distracting

>>2445427
you were here after we assured Admiral that we treat the shipgirls with respect they deserve (as evidenced by unlocking Iowa) and not as expensive fucktoys, avoided talking about heretic on premises, found out that Kasumi was being abused by her boss and helping her find new spot with Akashi's help?

File: Secretary.png (190 KB, 709x1001)

190 KB PNG

‘It’s not that bad, I guess,’ you answer, rubbing your shoulder. ‘However, you seem to be in a rather good mood today … considering what’s happened over the last week, I thought you’d be a little bit more …’

‘More what?’

‘Well, I … I thought that you’d be a little bit more unhinged,’ you admit, but glad that you’d been—thus far—proven wrong. ‘I’m glad that you’re so bubbly today … it’s a side of you that I actually miss seeing, believe it or not.’

‘Oh, Commander,’ Takao begins sweetly, placing a hand on your shoulder. ‘I must admit that you’ve pushed me to the limits of my sanity and patience. Between your maverick attitude to your duties, your lackadaisical demeanor, your transgressions against state and the Admiralty and the interpersonal turmoil that you’ve cause in the Division, I can honestly admit that if there wasn’t the threat of banishment, I would honestly consider strangling the very life out of you and marching down the jaws of an Oni myself. Not to mention your rather liberal methodology, which you’ve employed with almost every single KanMusu that strikes your fancy … whose attentions upon you solely bear upon my own needs from your professional and personal hand, or that childhood friend of yours who you merely took the span of half a day to charm, strip naked and pound for all she was worth until I wondered if coming into a room with an axe would be too excessive a response as a noise complaint.’

You stop dead in your tracks, staring at her dead red eyes and wide, forced grin.

‘You’re … angry with me.’

She giggles, drawing back and covering your mouth.

‘Of course not,’ she reassures you, bringing the notepad up and resuming her bright disposition. ‘You’re a Vice-Admiral now—’

‘In responsibility, not official capacity,’ you cut her off, waving your hand. As much as you wanted to allow her to bask in the joy, you couldn’t very well have her gallivanting around with pride you felt that you hadn’t measured up to just yet. ‘I’m still Commander on the records … and I’m not going to be getting a pay raise, I think …’

She huffs, puffing her cheeks and holding the pad close to her chest.

‘You’d really rather be stuck behind a desk instead of walking through the day with us?’

You consider it for a moment.

‘It’s autumn,’ you practically whine, ‘it’s cold. I can’t adjust my body temperature and systems like you can.’

‘Amazing,’ she lets out, rolling her eyes. ‘You can complain about the weather after facing down and scaring a Princess off. That’s just like you.’

Hee.

You don’t bother to dignify that with a response.

‘Oh, and we have some recruits, too.’

>>2445459

>‘What?!’
>‘Recruits? For what? Logistics? The city?’
>‘That wasn’t on the list.’
>‘Some help around here’s always welcome …’
>Write-In

>>2445459
>Recruits? That's... good news, right?

>>2445459
>‘Recruits? For what? Logistics? The city?’
do tell, are we finaly able to do what any high boss man worth is salt does? delegate the shit out everything?

>>2445464
>>‘Recruits? For what? Logistics? The city?’

>>2445464
>>‘Recruits? For what? Logistics? The city?’

File: Smug Takao.jpg (41 KB, 422x395)

41 KB JPG

‘Recruits? For what? Logistics? The city?’

Takao’s smile on seems to brighten at the inquiry.

‘For the Reserves, of course!’

‘The Reserves?’

She gives a nervous laugh, scratching the side of her cheek. ‘Well, it’d be stupid to call them the reserves, right now … I suppose that you can consider them trainees.’

‘Trainees?’

‘The Admiralty had an influx of new recruits a few days before,’ Takao elaborates. ‘With Maizuru gone and Ominato still recovering, Yokosuka is the only base that’s able to take them in. The city’s almost back to how it was before—sans people, of course—and the Taiyouga government thinks that it’s a good thing that we’re actually keeping up with recent demand, so … The Admiral had no choice but to act by the orders that he’s been given … and delegate the task of overseeing the first batch your way, I suppose.’

It takes a second for you to process the information.

Just the second.

‘Wait, a minute,’ you start, turning to face the Heavy Cruiser. ‘You’re honestly telling me that I’m supposed to start tenure … as a teacher?’

She actually looks afflicted by that bout of query, pressing her fingers to her chest as if you’d thrown a grievous insult in her direction. It doesn’t deter you, though … and you weren’t about to let Takao misdirect—or redirect—you out of a proper explanation. You’d just spent the last night sitting through a boring lecture on medical nonsense that you wouldn’t even have seen even if you’d graduated college. Now The Admiralty—and the Admiral—was putting new blood under your instruction? You stare at Takao, who drops the offended act, her gaze avoiding yours … and finding the small excavator on the far end of the compound much too interesting for the relevance it truly carried.

‘Takao?’ you press, taking a step towards her.

‘What? No … no … yes, a little,’ she lets out with a sigh.

‘Takao, I—’

‘You won’t be a teacher,’ she hurriedly cuts you off, before pausing … and resuming, ‘Nagato said that they’d be arriving and you would really have to do is … just tell them about your own experiences and just act as a point of reference. Every Stream connection is unique, every bond the sum of its own value … no one’s expecting you to teach them like the Shamans used to.’

Now that was an idea.

A bad idea, but nonetheless an idea.

‘So I have paperwork and supplementary tasks to fulfill,’ you grumble, tucking your arms further in as the wind swept across your face again. ‘I think that I’d rather go another round with a Princess and—wait, how do you know all this before I do?’

‘Well, Nagato was supposed to brief you, but you …’

You raise a hand, prompting her to come to a halt.

‘I know.’

‘It’s not nice to eavesdrop, Commander,’ she remarks coyly, pulling out a pen. ‘It’s very unbecoming.’

Hee

>>2445666
>'Yeah, yeah ... so when do I have to meet up with the new meat?'
>'Do we have a profile check I can pick up or what?'
>'Let's get the rest of the errands done.'
>'All this on top of paperwork.'
>'You know, this wasn't on the recruitment posters.'
>Write-In

>>2445677
>>'Do we have a profile check I can pick up or what?'

>>2445677
>'Do we have a profile check I can pick up or what?'

even more work, why, we are like what, 3 months into the commander buisness? we cant teach for shit

>>2445677
>'Do we have a profile check I can pick up or what?'

>>2445687
Why yes we can, we are clearly the most successful commander in this short a time.

>>2445712
we mostly bumbled our way to survival, excuse my doubts on our resume

>>2445733
But we have the most valuable trait we could possibly pass on to others, our resistance to bullshit. Because I doubt anyone has had to go through this many adventures like we did.

>>2445757
well, that is true enough, taking the whole magic bollocks and such with a stride

Guys, I am ending the session here. We good?

>>2445772
Eh sure, I'm just glad that Shipgirl Commander is back, or are we Shipgirl Vice-Admiral now?

>>2445772
It’s your show OP, cheers for running

We can legally hold hands with takao or any of the non carrier grilles

File: __takao_kantai_collection(...).jpg (176 KB, 1100x1700)

176 KB JPG

‘Do we have a profile check I can pick up or what?’

‘I don’t have any news on who the recruits are but … I do know that there’s about six of them.’

‘Six?’ you blurt out, surprised. That was definitely a lot more than you’d expected; at best you expected about three. ‘So the recruitment drives are actually getting some product on the table now, huh … maybe some backup wouldn’t be so bad after all.’

‘From what Ooyodo told me, numbers have been up in the last 24 hours,’ Takao reveals further, the four of you walking down the wet tar of road of Yokosuka HQ. ‘I don’t know what the Admiralty has done, but frankly, I think that on such short notice, we can’t afford to approve all of them without having a thorough review of their attributes and the strength of their Streams. The process would usually take weeks to thin out the … riskier candidates, but considering that we’re short-handed as is, there probably isn’t much choice other than to do the bare bones and accept Stream stability as is. We might have to do some filtering of our own.’

You release a breath you didn’t know you had been holding.

It may have been a little self-centred, but … you’d never thought that you’d be the one on the other side of the table stamping forms and telling people they couldn’t serve. Even if the position was forced upon you by circumstances … this was a task that you wouldn’t be looking forward to, if indeed what Takao said would turn out to be true. Even a small part of you admitted it would be suicidal sending someone with an unstable, volatile Stream out there and diminishing the combat capabilities of the KanMusu.

This wasn’t a talent audition. This was a warfront.

‘Commander?’

‘Sorry,’ you apologize, shaking your head and placing your hands into your pockets. ‘Do we have anything else to go by other than how many we have? Age bracket or anything?’

‘You’re scheduled to meet them today,’ she answers, flipping through the clipboard. ‘There’s no time frame properly stamped, so I believe that Yuubari and Ooyodo will have them on call by your request. I do suggest that you bring them up for your own personal inspection at a reasonable hour, however. If they arrived yesterday or tomorrow, they’re probably still being acclimatized to their … prospective careers.’

You can’t help but snort at that. You remember your own first week in Yokosuka. It took a great deal longer than the twenty-four hours that they’d been given to get used to all the new mechanics. Not to mention how much hope had been built up for you.

The old Vice-Admiral was a stone cold bastard.

The old you was a lackadaisical moron.

It couldn’t have ended well either way.

‘Commander?’

‘Sorry, just …’

You trail off, offering a shrug.

‘Perhaps,’ she suggests, ‘if you kept it in your pants more often maybe you’d have more energy to throw around.’

You give a slight chuckle as you continue doing your rounds.

'Perhaps.'

>'Where are we off to next, then?'
>'So what's the deal with my paperwork? I'm going to have more forms coming my way, I expect.'
>'High hopes for the new blood?'
>'You're relishing in your role.'
>Write-In

>>2447118
>>'So what's the deal with my paperwork? I'm going to have more forms coming my way, I expect.'

>>2447118
>'You're relishing in your role.'

>>2447118
>'Where are we off to next, then?'

>>2447118
>'You're relishing in your role.'
Pat her on the head and hold her hand, with the admirals ok, we dont need to hide being sappy

>>2447118
>'You're relishing in your role.

File: Takao Uh.jpg (41 KB, 468x800)

41 KB JPG

‘You’re relishing in your role.’

Takao giggles. ‘I do admit that I have a preference at sitting behind a desk to going out there. I mean … don’t get me wrong with this sir—battle makes me feel alive, just as it does the others, but … making sure everything’s spic and span, getting things ready behind the scenes and doing the heavy lifting with words and dialogue … it’s something that I actually see myself doing if I wasn’t … you know?’

‘The spirit of an extradimensional warship reshaped into the body of a human woman?’

‘Exactly,’ she giggles out, ‘that.’

‘Thought you’d have more ambition, though … that you’d settle for something like a management position or a salary—’

‘Excuse me, I think that I’d have a much, much bigger pick on my agenda than that,’ she declares. ‘I like talking to people, too. Keeping my head down and trying to please my bosses is—oh, very mature, Commander—is something I don’t see myself doing … not as a human. I like talking to people; I really do. To get to know them; understand what they want; how they manoeuvre themselves into a beneficial position; I guess … it’s like battle too, I suppose. You’re out-thinking your enemy, except with a smile and any blood around you … no, I think I see myself as political delegate or an ambassador.’

‘Politics? Really?’

‘I was an actual ambassador to the fairies,’ Takao reminds you with a huffy glare, to which you respond with an apologetic smile. ‘I can’t say that I miss that particular job, though …’

‘Oh?’

‘It got … quite stressful at times,’ she sighs. ‘I guess it was part and parcel, but … no one was ever on the same page. It was so … chaotic. The fairies were fine, but the Admiralty and the Shamans and the third party representatives … it was hard keeping everyone satisfied. They all had points: good and bad, but none of them seemed to want to compromise until they had no choice to. Atago’d always been there to keep me sane, but when she … when I lost her, it just got too hard to keep up. Kongou … she understood, though. It was embarrassing to ask her to re-take her duties, but … she really came through.’

‘I’m sorry … didn’t think it’d be so,’ you take a brief pause, ‘hard on your senses.’

‘Cannon fire to the head heals faster than someone behind a desk yelling at you, believe it or not.’

The both of you share a chuckle at that.

‘Yeah,’ you sigh. ‘I think I can still hear the Court of Admirals yelling at me. The Princess lingered a shorter span, that’s for sure.’

Fascinating. I will be sure to put those words to the test in the next encounter … just for you.

‘Are we ready to get to the next order of business?’

>‘I have a few more questions.’
>‘On you, Miss Secretary.’
>Write-In

>>2447161
>>‘On you, Miss Secretary.’
we can walk and talk

>>2447167
>>Write-In
>>‘On you, Madam Ambassador.’

>>2447168
This but also some handholding

>>2447167
>‘On you, Miss Secretary.’

>>2447167
>‘On you, Miss Secretary.’

>>2447167
>>2447170

>>2447167
>‘On you, Miss Secretary.’

File: __takao_kantai_collection(...).jpg (114 KB, 850x1189)

114 KB JPG

You dip into a playful bow, making a gentlemanly gesture of offering a first step in with a cheeky stretch of your arm and hand.

‘On you, Miss Secretary.’

Takao chuckles, apparently more than amused. She returns your gesture in kind, dropping into an elegant curtsey, pinching and lifting the corners of her blue garment as she crossed her knees and following it up with a sarcastic bow of her own. She takes several light steps forward, like a lady making an entrance into a ballroom, prompting you to go upright once more to catch up with her person.

‘So, the next thing on our list is … oh, right, we should be heading to the hangar about now.’

She immediately spins on her heel, bearing towards the correction of the course. You do the same.

‘Hangar? We doing more equipment reviews?’

‘No, now we’re,’ she pauses, flipping through sheets again, ‘I mean you’re supposed to assign a proper patrol team now. The Division’s big enough to at least play both an offensive and a supplementary role, so you’re going to have to assign three to five KanMusu to go out and perform some extra duties.’

‘You mean like what I always do? A mission? Right now?’

‘No, no, nothing like a mission, just,’ she pauses again, as if trying to find the right words. ‘Fusou’s been put in charge of the base’s Patrol and Expedition assignments. We’re supposed to meet up with her to assign the patrol for the next few days, or if you’d like, an expedition force … although I’m not sure that the personnel would be welcome to that.’

You knew what Patrols were … to an extent. Expedition Forces, though …

‘Why not?’

‘Because being part of an Expedition Force is kind of … stretching the scope for a lot of KanMusu, I suppose,’ she sighs, ‘we’re built for battle and being part of an Expedition Force usually requires a lot of trial and error. Kantai Steel is only able to be properly synthesized with a certain type of salt … one that is supernaturally charged to synthesize the item in question. Usually, the teams sent out on Expedition Forces are of a KanMusu of lower than Heavy Cruiser class. The salt deposits out at sea are crystal formations that are … ironically made possible with the presence of Abyssals, so anything of a higher class will result in a higher encounter rate. Expedition Forces are a bit of a carry over back from the days where outposts weren’t that numerous, but … well, now that there aren’t many left, we have no choice but to go back to that, I suppose.’

She lets a sigh out.

‘You’ve been in one.’

‘I’ve been in two,’ she confesses. ‘We were short-handed and I had to fill in for Light Cruiser. It wasn’t a … good idea.’

Takao grimaces as the both you arrive at the doors of the hangar bay.

>>2447201
>‘What about Patrols?’
>‘Can you give me a more detailed rundown on Expedition Forces?’
>‘But I can send a heavy hitter out there if I want to? Like a … Carrier?’
>‘Salt again?’
>‘Right.’ (Go inside the hangar)
>Write-In

>>2447202
>>‘What about Patrols?’

>>2447205
This

>>2447202
>>‘What about Patrols?’

>>2447202
>‘What about Patrols?’

>>2447202
>‘What about Patrols?’

>>2447202
>‘What about Patrols?’

File: Samidareeeeee.jpg (9 KB, 189x266)

9 KB JPG

‘What about Patrols?’

She frowns, staring back at you. ‘What about Patrols?’

‘They just … you know …’

‘Well, you know the basics, right?’

As if by automatic response, your brain recites the lecture from what felt like an eternity ago.

‘A KanMusu patrol is a supplementary force meant to carry out an offensive or defensive duty, mostly in tandem with mission objectives or current operations,’ you read, practically from the back of your head. ‘Patrols are usually led by a KanMusu of a heavier class but it’s not uncommon for them to be given to KanMusu who lack proper frontline experience such as campaigns and do not require the presence of a Stream in order to be conducted. However, the trade-off is usually massive decrease in offensive and defensive capabilities, diminished durability and a risk of damage. However, the benefits of the patrol are two-fold in that they actually establish proper borders of operations, making sure that there’s a wider berth for missions and prospective defensive—and sometimes offensive—campaign. They also assist in lessening the strain of the Vice-Admiral or Admiral in question. Teams can be up to six in a formation, but it’s not unheard of for a patrol to only consist of two KanMusu, albeit usually restricted to experienced leaders or low-level patrolling assignments.’

She stares at you, impressed.

You’re about as affected by your sudden release of information, really.

‘Didn’t know I had it in me.’

‘You missed a few details, though,’ she chuckles, smiling in a sympathetic manner. ‘Patrols are by their textbook definition, but they’re also referred to by tiers from defensive to offensive assignments. They’re ranked in the same level mission priorities are, but on a scale of I to V. I usually carries low-risk assignments like patrolling the bay and keeping the stray Destroyer out … and V almost always entails a scouting or expansion of the Admiralty’s reach. The composition of your team is up to you, but Fusou should have profiles of the Division if you’d like a second opinion.’

‘It’s that important?’

‘You’re not out there,’ Takao emphasizes. ‘I don’t think that you realize just how big a difference your presence makes. As is, we only have our systems and our tech working for us … no Stream and no support. It’s easy enough on a I or II but when you get to the more offensive side of things, it can get really messy. A V means venturing out into enemy-heavy waters, but, if successful, you’d be able to perform missions more efficiently.’

‘Sounds risky.’

‘On paper, yes, but,’ she concurs. ‘That’s where your leader comes in. If she’s good, even if you don’t get a significant push … you can at least get them to come home alive.’

Takao gives a brief pause.

‘Unless you'd wish to push it further, sir.’

>>2447234
>'Patrols aren't restricted like Expedition Forces, are they?'
>‘Can you give me a more detailed rundown on Expedition Forces?’
>‘But I can send a heavy hitter out there if I want to? Like a … Carrier?’
>‘Salt again?’
>'Leader?'
>‘Right.’ (Go inside the hangar)
>Write-In

>>2447235
>>'Patrols aren't restricted like Expedition Forces, are they?'

>>2447235
>>'Patrols aren't restricted like Expedition Forces, are they?'

>>2447235
>'Patrols aren't restricted like Expedition Forces, are they?'

>>2447235
>‘Can you give me a more detailed rundown on Expedition Forces?’

File: Takao, A Good Woman.jpg (94 KB, 611x850)

94 KB JPG

‘Patrols aren’t restricted like Expedition Forces, are they?’

Takao opens her mouth to answer, only for the hangar doors to open. The both of you quickly move out of the way as several men and women pile out, clutching one thing or another. You even recognize one of the women as that bespectacled lady that that Takao had been talking to the last time you were here. You’re not sure if people were going on a lunch break or heading out to carry out some new assignments, but they certainly didn’t look as stressed as you felt right now. Digesting all these new responsibilities was rather … hard. Your responsibilities were more physical, less detached … you’d thought getting a promotion (somewhat, anyway) would entail you actually just getting new forms or some new people to refer to for certain tasks.

When the Admiral mentioned responsibilities, you should have put the coin on the notion that he wasn’t joking about the responsibility part. Maybe that was your mistake.

‘Neither of them are restricted, in a sense. In the end, it’s still going to be your call on who to send, but considering the objectives that they hope to achieve … the general rule would be to ensure that neither of them intrude on your operations, either. If the current resource logs are right, you’ll be given the option to send out an Expeditionary Force instead of it being a necessity for operation. You’ll still have to stick to patrols, though; there’s no avoiding that. I advise you to make sure that they don’t clash with whatever team you think you might be planning to bring out with you on the seas.’

‘Noted.’

>‘Can I have a more detailed rundown on Expeditionary Forces?’
>‘So I can send a heavy hitter out, then? Like your or Nagato or Houshou?’
>‘Understood, come on. Let’s get this over and done with.’ (Go inside the hangar)
>Write-In

>>2447255
>>‘Can I have a more detailed rundown on Expeditionary Forces?’

Guys, I'll be ending the session here. We good? Maybe I'll push on through later.

>>2447255

The more pertinent question i had in mind when we asked about restrictions was whether patrols incurred the same problems when heavies were assigned.

>>2447258
One is expected to keep as low a profile as possible for mining operations and the other is with combat in mind. If possible you want to keep the big fish out of the picture because an Expedition Force goes into deep waters.

>>2447259
rog~

Thanks for clearing that up. I assumed as much but wanted to be sure.

>>2447255
>‘Can I have a more detailed rundown on Expeditionary Forces?’
>>2447257
Ok, ty for running

>>2447255
>‘Understood, come on. Let’s get this over and done with.’ (Go inside the hangar)

>>2447257
I do also have a question, will sending an expedition force out get our division some upgrades if they are successful?

>>2447259
Does sending a carrier on patrol mitigate the penalties for missing commander?

>>2447266
No, it just adds to the patrol score as it does any other ship.

>>2447255
>‘Can I have a more detailed rundown on Expeditionary Forces?’

>>2447255
>‘Can I have a more detailed rundown on Expeditionary Forces?’

‘Could you give me a more detailed rundown on Expeditionary Forces?’

‘Of course,’ she nods, continuing, ‘what’d you like to know?’

>‘What possible compositions could I run?’
>‘Could a mission technically garner the same gains as an Expeditionary Force?’
>‘What are we looking for, exactly? What’s the nature of the expedition? How’re you able to … find it?’
>‘Why couldn’t I just run a threesome of Battleships? It’d give me a fighting chance and I could dig up whatever.’
>‘That’s all for now.’
>Write-In

>>2448085
>‘Could a mission technically garner the same gains as an Expeditionary Force?’

>>2448085
>>‘What are we looking for, exactly? What’s the nature of the expedition? How’re you able to … find it?’

>>2448085
>‘What are we looking for, exactly? What’s the nature of the expedition? How’re you able to … find it?’

‘Could a mission technically garner the same gains as an Expeditionary Force?’

Takao tilts her head, her features crinkling slight as you realize that your query was much too broad for her to give a specific answer. Coughing out your embarrassment, slight as it was, you move to rephrase the question. Hopefully this one would actually give you an answer.

‘I’ve seen mission assignments that practically have the same parameters as Expedition Forces. What would an Expedition Force be doing that wouldn’t actually require me actually being behind it? It sounds like things could go much smoother with a Commander or an Admiral working on it, too.’

‘That would be true,’ she agrees, ‘however, it’s also a question of time, effort and a return on the time and resources put into achieving those gains. The Admiralty understands that humans—for lack of better word—are human. We can’t have you going out and strapping yourself in chairs every hour of every waking day shuffling through reefs and depths just to locate and mine a possible corrupted deposit … and generally, when an Operations Division’s Squadron mobilizes, that’s enough to get the attention of any Abyssal groups that think you’re prying a little too close for comfort. That’s … the second part.’

‘Second part.’

‘Stealth,’ she emphasizes. ‘A Light Cruiser, a Destroyer, even a Submarine … their signatures are unnoticeable enough without Stream connections that they can operate independently and stealthily for operations that de-emphasize the combat portion of the encounter. You’re aware that stepping out into the ocean … already causes certain parties to take notice, I believe.’

‘Yeah.’

‘The KanMusu go out, find these materials and bring them back for MagiTek to make something out of them. Sometimes, an encounter is inevitable, but a Light Cruiser would be enough to at least give enough cover fire for them to get what they can before running off in a retreat. So, in a roundabout way … the answer to that would be yes and no. Holding a position out at sea is almost impossible without an outpost to serve as a shelter for extended operations, but as we’re unable to even reclaim a significant enough portion of our major territories, we’ll have to make do with an Expeditionary Force rotation among the available Commanders. It’s unfortunate, but war is hardly a convenient affair for anyone.’

‘I kind of get that. So I can’t take part or anything?’

‘You can leave standing instructions, such as how many nodes you’d like an Expeditionary Force to pick up before a retreat … or how big a damage threshold you’d be willing for them to risk prior to sounding a retreat … technically, you could even leave instructions for them to stand up against an Oni they’d an encounter, even.’

‘Please don’t joke about that.’

She offers an apologetic grin in response.

>>2448134
>‘What possible compositions could I run?’
>‘Could a mission technically garner the same gains as an Expeditionary Force?’
>‘What are we looking for, exactly? What’s the nature of the expedition? How’re you able to … find it?’
>‘Why couldn’t I just run a threesome of Battleships? It’d give me a fighting chance and I could dig up whatever.’
>‘That’s all for now.’
>Write-In

*It must be 3 AM because I swear to God

>>2448110
was the same vote as
>>2448087

When I made a tally.

>>2448140
>>‘What are we looking for, exactly? What’s the nature of the expedition? How’re you able to … find it?’

>>2448140
>‘What are we looking for, exactly? What’s the nature of the expedition? How’re you able to … find it?’

>>2448140
>‘What are we looking for, exactly? What’s the nature of the expedition? How’re you able to … find it?’

‘What are you looking for, exactly? I know that there are hunts for resources and stuff, but … I always thought that they were synthesized or something, or at least … able to be acquired at a rate good enough to sustain operations?’

‘There are currently four active Commanders, one Vice-Admiral and one Admiral plus the Grand Lieutenant on the reserve list in case we ever need him to mobilize himself,’ Takao begins, the university lecturer in her going into first year mode. ‘The supply is currently enough to sustain because of the numbers essentially being a sixth of the average tally of Stream-capable individuals … which makes it easier to distribute the salt. The salt, the crystal that we’re looking for, is, in a way, minerals that have been corrupted and fused with the Abyssal Red phenomena. Where Abyssals make patrols, where they make their runs, we find that the Abyssal red is there to be found when they have particularly … heavy operations. It was actually a little bit of an oddity that it was only minute in volume when they assaulted the three bases, but it’s not unheard of for total discharge to be minimal. Thus far, we’re unsure what triggers the fusion of minerals and the MagiTek department is only able to make a crude imitation at best to enhance our equipment or bring it up to a slightly better standard than the base. That, however, is neither here nor there?’

You say it.

You can’t help but not say it.

‘Abyssal blood? You run on Abyssal blood?’

‘Our weaponry and gear are garnered from the collection of this material,’ she all but confirms. ‘Think of it as … using snake venom to make an anti-venom. Same principle … only it’s hard to find.’

‘Technically we could just pick up an Abyssal and poke it until bleeds, can’t we?’

Takao rubs her chin, frowning.

‘It’s not that … simple, I believe,’ she starts. ‘There are theories that there has to be something of battle-heightened sense for the Abyssal in question to cause the phenomena at all, but that being said, even one B-rank Heavy Cruiser could be enough to devastate half a city without a Squadron of KanMusu to push right back on it. Capturing and holding one, even for a day, even for an hour … it’s a risk. The most we can do is bring back corpses, but whatever the MagiTek Department does with those, I’m not sure even I want to know. I don’t think the average human even knows the rudimentary functions of their own appendix so … I can’t fully answer that. I’m sorry.’

‘It’s all right,’ you reassure her. ‘I know more now that what I did five minutes ago; that’s a win already.’

She gives a slight giggle.

‘You’re too kind.’

>>2448224
>‘What possible compositions could I run?’
>‘Could a mission technically garner the same gains as an Expeditionary Force?’
>‘What are we looking for, exactly? What’s the nature of the expedition? How’re you able to … find it?’
>‘Why couldn’t I just run a threesome of Battleships? It’d give me a fighting chance and I could dig up whatever.’
>‘That’s all for now.’
>Write-In

>>2448227
>>‘What possible compositions could I run?’

>>2448227
>‘What possible compositions could I run?’

>>2448227
>‘What possible compositions could I run?’

File: Running SOLO, REALLY!.jpg (132 KB, 1024x663)

132 KB JPG

‘What possible compositions could I run, then?’

‘Anything you want, really,’ she answers.

The rumbling of voices prompts you to move from your current spot; you shift slightly closer to the hangar as several men appear from behind a set container and trample over the very spot you had been in. One of them stops in his tracks as he notices the both of you, straightening his collar and tipping his hard hat before giving you a nod of acknowledgement before moving to join his group of friends as they seemingly made their way to what appeared to be a mobile office on the other side of the base compound.

‘As I was saying,’ Takao starts again, clearing her throat. ‘It’s honestly down to your discretion, but it’s generally advised that your Expedition Forces, again, correlate with future or current operations. For example, in our Division we have … 3 Battleships; 1 Carrier in Houshou—as Kaga is currently indisposed; 2 Heavy Cruisers including myself; Tenryuu, our Light Cruiser and 3 Destroyers. As we’re a little top heavy—’

You snicker behind a wrist, prompting a disapproving scowl from your Heavy Cruiser.

‘—it’s suggested that you use a smaller composition until you’re able to bring in another Light Cruiser or a Destroyer to rotate. You could theoretically send Houshou, of course, in place of Tenryuu, but taking into consideration that we only have Samidare, Murakumo and … Shigure, you’ll have to occasionally rotate two of those three on a schedule for their expeditions, if you plan on sending them out at all, of course.’

‘Right … I don’t have to run an Expedition, but I have to put a Patrol out.’

‘That’s how it is,’ Takao reinforces, continuing, ‘and the standard Expedition Force is a 3-team formation anyway. You could run a two-team or even a solo run if you’re feeling confident, but it’s generally not advised unless you feel like we’re lagging behind on our tech.’

‘I gotcha.’

>‘What possible compositions could I run?’
>‘Could a mission technically garner the same gains as an Expeditionary Force?’
>‘What are we looking for, exactly? What’s the nature of the expedition? How’re you able to … find it?’
>‘Why couldn’t I just run a threesome of Battleships? It’d give me a fighting chance and I could dig up whatever.’
>‘That’s all for now.’
>Write-In

>>2448299
>>‘That’s all for now.’

>>2448299

>>2448299
>‘That’s all for now.’

>>2448299
>>‘That’s all for now.’

File: Admiral's Other Little Girl.png (672 KB, 800x1131)

672 KB PNG

‘That’s all for now.’

‘Of course, sir,’ she drops into a slight bow, clutching the pad close to her chest before turning away from you. ‘Shall we head inside?’

Your questions answered, you don’t see any reason to stay out here in the cold any more than you already had. It may not have been snowing, but it was definitely freezing; in fact, you’re surprised that there wasn’t any snow to be found at all. It was autumn, of course, but with the weather this bad you had half a mind to turn back the clock to the dawn of time and bask in prehistoric heat waves with a glass of tropical pineapple. The sound of the bay doors opening has you trailing behind your all-too-comfortable Heavy Cruiser into the building, which was thankfully a lot warmer than it had been outside.

It was the same as you had left it.

Except that it wasn’t.

Instead of two RAY units, there were three. The third bay had been mostly vacant since the Admiral had returned. XJ-9 was practically out of commission with the arrival of the army (and it had been makeshift, anyway) but that there’d be a third one, you’d—

‘OI, WHAT’RE YOU DOING THERE, YOU DICK?’

‘SHUT UP, EVERYONE KNOWS THE ENGINE ISN’T SUPPOSED TO BE CONNECTED WHEN THE RUNS ARE MADE!’

‘WE’RE STRESS-TESTING, MORON! STRESS TESTING!’

Yeah, everything was normal again.

Whatever that meant, anyway.

Takao’s heels echo with every step she makes along the wet floor as noise suddenly floods your aural orifices with a vengeance. The stiffness of the cold had meant that your eardrums were particularly sensitive right now … and the sudden influx of rumbling machinery and screeching metalwork had you wishing that you were back outside enduring the cold. You curse under your breath as you and Takao made your way to the office—the room where you’d thrown a childish tantrum in response to Takao wishing to take a breather with your relationship, no less—where Fusou apparently awaited your arrival.

Closing the door, you find yourself in the centre where Yuubari conducted comm operations, this time only a third full. Men and women in shirts and pants, maintenance wear and t-shirts lounged around, chatting. Most of them weren’t even doing any work. Off to one side was Fusou, who was leaning over the table and going over her own assignments for the day, muttering under her breath as she circled and scribbled with the red-coloured pencil in her hand, a slight look of distress in her eyes.

‘Fusou?’

‘Eek!

She almost hits the roof in surprise, letting out a sigh of relief as she makes eye contact with Takao … before huffing even more loudly.

‘Don’t scare me like that!’

‘I’ve brought the Commander with me to go over the Expedition and Patrol assignments.’

‘Oh?’

She immediately brightens up upon seeing you.

‘Oh, right,’ she declares happily, clapping her hands together. ‘Congratulations on your promotion, sir!’

You wear a slight grimace as you meet her gaze.

‘It’s unofficial, though.’

‘It is,’ Fusou continues, sounding weirdly chipper, ‘but considering that you’ve barely been here two months … it’s certainly an achievement that you’re able to get this far in such a short time, no?’

>‘Can we get to business?’ (Gruff)
>‘If you put it like that, then …. yeah, I guess it is an honour.’ (Concede)
>‘Only because there’s no one alive that can take it. Not exactly glamorous circumstances.’ (Cynical)
>‘If it means getting this war over and done with faster, I’ll take it. Glory’s got no bearing on my opinion.’ (Realist)
>Write-In

>>2448448
>‘If you put it like that, then …. yeah, I guess it is an honour.’ (Concede)

>>2448448
>>‘If you put it like that, then …. yeah, I guess it is an honour.’ (Concede)

>>2448448
>‘If you put it like that, then …. yeah, I guess it is an honour.’ (Concede)

>>2448448
>‘If you put it like that, then …. yeah, I guess it is an honour.’ (Concede)

>>2448527
>‘Patrols.’

File: So.png (1.11 MB, 809x669)

1.11 MB PNG

You want to just roll your eyes and say just how much of a bad measure it was to … well, there was no two ways about it: promotions didn’t matter.

Did they?

Takao had been beside herself with cheer outside. Even Nagato had a small twitch to her lips in receiving the news of your unofficial position as a Vice-Admiral. You yourself had been … receptive at first, but when the reality set in later and with Samidare leaving your company then, you started to actually have misgivings about your new responsibilities.

You had come a long way.

It was not arrogant to say that so much had changed.

That this was another change—just another one along the way.

And if it was a change that would help you bring the war to an end, to bring victory … who were you to smack it down without so much as a scoff?

‘If you put it like that, then, yeah … I guess it is an honour,’ you concede. ‘Means I can help around a lot more, right?’

‘Of course!’ Fusou cheerfully returns, turning around and crouching over what appeared to be a knapsack of sorts. The same kind that you’d seen your Attendants hauling around. ‘Where is that … where is … oh, yes, Commander, you’ve gone over the Patrols and the Expeditions, right? Commander?’

‘Takao went over the details with me,’ you respond, before considering it, ‘but if you have anything extra to add, I’ll take it.’

‘Well … hang on …’

Fusou grunts as she lifts … a hefty-looking stack of paper, slamming it onto the flat surface of the table with a satisfied—and relieved—grin, wiping an imaginary sheen of sweat from her brow for effect. She places her hands on her hips, nodding in satisfaction before turning her attentions back to you.

‘So, which one do you want to go over first? Patrols or Expeditions?’

>‘Patrols.’
>‘Expeditions.’

>>2448531
>>‘Patrols.’

>>2448531
>‘Patrols.’

>>2448531
>‘Expeditions.’

‘Patrols, please.’

‘All right … your assignment?’

>[SELECT 2-5 KANMUSU TO ASSIGN TO PATROL DUTY]
>‘Any advice for me on this front?’
>Write-In

>>2448614
>‘Any advice for me on this front?’

>>2448614
>‘Any advice for me on this front?’

>>2448614
>>‘Any advice for me on this front?’

>>2448614
>‘Any advice for me on this front?’

Just gonna leave this here but if we pick a harder patrol, we should send 1 of our battleships, a heavy cruiser, Tenryuu and either Murakumo or Samidare, Shigure is valuable for operations and we have other battleships to fill in for that aswell. If we do an expedition then Tenryuu, Sami and Shiggy.

File: __iowa_kantai_collection_(...).jpg (109 KB, 850x558)

109 KB JPG

‘Any advice that you’d have for me?’

‘Well, the degree of difficulty of the patrols are measured from I to V … you can get away with the bare minimum for I, which is 2 Destroyers, but if you’re assigning a composition for a V, I’ll have to recommend that you send out at least a Battleship or two Heavy Cruisers if you can afford it. Those have high risk of a significant combat encounter, so you might want to push out a team of four or five. It’s up to you, though.’

‘Up to me?’

‘Team members can come back heavily damaged,’ she explains further. ‘The good news is that because they’re activated in the bare minimum state, we KanMusu can recover in a linear fashion across all fronts. No extra patching up because of magnification and all that … but you risk failure and heavy damage if you, say … send two Destroyers out on V-designated Patrol standards. Still, it’s … your call.’

‘I can send up to five, right?’

She nods. ‘Yes, sir.’

>I
>II
>III
>IV
>V

>>2448666
>>III

>>2448666
>IV
We have Battleships to spare

>>2448675
4

File: Composition.jpg (220 KB, 850x620)

220 KB JPG

'And your composition?'

>[SELECT 2-5 KANMUSU TO ASSIGN TO PATROL DUTY]

>>2448712
Nagato, Takao, Tenryuu, Samidare, Murakumo

And with this we have a full battle team for an operation left too.

>>2448712
>>2448718

>>2448718
thats not a bad setup but thats half our Divisioon being sent out there

>>2448712
>nagato, takao, murakumo and sami

>>2448734
we be left with only 4 ships to protect home
not counting musashi

>>2448734
The idea is when an operation comes Iowa can have a spin, both Nachi and Shiggy special forces are there and Houshou can be field leader, id say that can have us covered. And the patrol needs a good leader too so Nagato is invaluable as always.

>>2448738
this should work well

You sign off the last of the names, handing the form back to Fusou.

‘All right, I’ll have the assignments out as soon as I can … anything else?’

>Patrols
>Expeditions*
>‘That’s all for now.’

*You currently have [5] Ships left. Sending out less than [3] significantly diminishes the possibility of there being a successful expedition. Minimum number of ships that have to be in reserve are 4.

>>2448793
we dont NEED to send an expedition right?

>>2448793
PATROL LEVEL: IV
>Nagato [BB]
>Takao [CA]
>Tenryuu [CL]
>Samidare [DD]
>Murakumo [DD]

>>2448796
No you don't. It's optional. Think of it this way:

1. Expeditions are there for you give occasional upgrades to your ships.
2. Patrols make missions easier to perform.

There is more to it than that, but that's the gist of it.

>>2448797
Stay safe out there, girls.

We’re gonna see them off, right?

>>2448793
>>‘That’s all for now.’
we'll need to talk this out better next time round
patrols should be 3-4 girls ideally
we need them upgrades lads, the girls stats arent exactly good

next time, we send an expedition, full load and heavy
>‘That’s all for now.’

File: Ika Ikaz.jpg (70 KB, 800x866)

70 KB JPG

‘That’s all for now.’

‘Wait, you’re … not assigning an Expedition, sir?’

>‘No, I’ll reconsider it some other time.’
>‘Let’s have a look-see, then.’

>>2448816
>‘No, we dont have enough to send them out at this time'

>>2448821
>we only have 5 ships left to send out. if 3 ships are needed for the Expedition to have good chance of success, we would only have 2 ships left at base to scramble with

>>2448824
You're not allowed have less than 4 ships in reserve at any one time, even if Musashi is among them.

>>2448816
Pretty much this >>2448821

File: Takao-Eh.png (1.16 MB, 800x1131)

1.16 MB PNG

‘That’s all for now, Fusou,’ you announce, standing up straight and throwing up a salute. ‘This is all out of the scope I was given taking up the job … so I think that this is enough for now.’

‘Of course, sir,’ she nods hurriedly, her hands resting on the document. ‘You are … probably aware of this, but by placing the members of your Division on Patrol Duty, you won’t be able to bring them with you on your Operations if it happens to occur in the span of the assignment?’

‘I’m aware,’ you answer. ‘It’d help if you’d be able to give me a time frame before the next rotation, though.’

‘No Patrol Rotation will take more than three days,’ she answers, sounding more like the mechanical Ooyodo than the earnest young woman that she’d presented herself to you as. ‘If you’re worried about the assignment, you can come here and see me to check on their status or progress during your morning rounds.’

‘I’ll keep that in mind.’

‘Once again, Commander …’

‘Huh?’

‘Congratulations.’

You throw up a salute, which she earnestly returns … before looking around and realizing that Takao wasn’t around. You spin left and right, glancing all over the room and—oh, there she was. Outside, right by the door and barely visible through the window. Bidding Fusou a formal goodbye, you throw up another salute before turning on your heel and stepping out into the delightful din of the dock workers and machinery screeching and yelling into your now thankfully-thawed eardrums. You peer at Takao as you close the door behind you. She appeared to be going through a rush of written scripture, scribbling earnestly onto the pad with her tongue practically sticking out, her gaze growing more intense by the second until—

‘THERE!’

You jump in surprise at her triumphant declaration, almost tumbling down the slippery cement. Almost.

‘Oh, sorry Commander, are you done?’

‘Just about, yeah,’ you respond, running a hand through your hair. ‘What’re you doing?’

‘Lining out the rest of your rounds.,’ she answers, cheerfully turning the pad and showing you an … admittedly neat and arranged mix of connotations and marks for reference. She had pretty handwriting—it had a curvy, leaning quality to it … although it still reeked of professionalism with all the jargon littered in small, fancy boxes. ‘What do you think?’

‘It’s … nice.’

‘Perfect!’

You find the pad thrust thusly into your chest, almost bowling you over. You frown as you clutch the pad—which was much heavier than it had previously implied itself to be—flipping through the thick folds of paper before looking back at—

‘Takao?’

‘I’m sorry, sir, but you’ll have to do the rest of your rounds without me.’

You frown. ‘Why?’

‘You … just assigned me to Patrol Duty?’

You’re incredulous. ‘The ink hasn’t even … dried yet!’

‘I know,’ she lets out, grinning. ‘It’s always nice to have a head-start, though!’

‘Takao …’

‘Everything you need to do is on that pad. The ones with the asterisks around them are mandatory and the ones without are the ones you can put off until you’re comfortable with addressing. You’re only about halfway through the morning, sir, so I suggest you get a head-start!’

That grin she wore couldn’t hide a shadow.

‘Takao …’

‘Yes, sir?’

‘You’re not holding any grudges against me, are you?’

‘Me, sir?’

She places a hand on her chest, looking offended.

‘I’d never!’

And she was gone.

4/4
>Report to the Admiral (Admiral’s Office)*
>Rendezvous with Akashi—Staff Assignment (Medical Unit)
>Review the MagiTek Requisition Approval (Compound Office, Magitek Administrator)
>Standard Requisition Review (Compound Office, Requisition Staff)*
>Supply Unit Check
>KanMusu Facilities Review
>Admiralty Liaison (Main Office)*
>Meet with Unassigned KanMusu

Ending the session here, folks. Hope you had a good time so far.

>>2449011
>Standard Requisition Review (Compound Office, Requisition Staff)*

>>2449011
>>Report to the Admiral (Admiral’s Office)*

>>2449011
>Report to the Admiral (Admiral’s Office)*

File: 1.png (16 KB, 429x155)

16 KB PNG

Where should District Management be put?
>A. Integrated into Morning Duty
>B. Free Time

Vote up pls

>>2449661
I vote
>A. Integrated into Morning Duty

>>2449661
>A. Integrated into Morning Duty

>>2449661
>>A. Integrated into Morning Duty

No session for now because I'm revising the notes and updating them.

>>2449661
>A. Integrated into Morning Duty

>>2449011
>Report to the Admiral (Admiral’s Office)*
>A. Integrated into Morning Duty

I'll be running in about an hour if you guys want to still play.

File: TTK.jpg (50 KB, 340x503)

50 KB JPG

The Admiral’s Office was … strangely busy.

You’d never seen so many people lined up here. It had more in common with the MASH’s lunch queue than it did his office. There were five people waiting outside, each and every one of them with the foresight to dress up warmly, with a mix of wind-breakers, trenchcoats … and even a portly-looking man that had a pair of earmuffs on. Even the blue-clad engineer looked all bundled up underneath his bright jumpsuit, mumbling to himself as he flipped through what appeared to be a file with The Admiralty’s insignia emblazoned upon it, albeit a little faded. The rest of the people waiting didn’t even looked like they were personnel, never mind Yokosuka’s townies. You doubt any of them would be this well-dressed after two months of living off the Army’s and The Admiralty’s relief efforts.

Then again, you’d rarely been here during the mornings. Maybe people were just that well—

The door to his office slams open as a woman with a face that looked akin to an angry crow stomps out, causing the men instantly lean against the railing heading up the steps, followed by an equally-annoyed—and exhausted-looking—Admiral, his teeth practically grinding as he glared daggers at her retreating back. You yourself step out of the way as practically tries to charge you down, half a mind to follow the Admiral’s lead … but you had your work to follow up. It wasn’t as if it was a life-changing barrage, by any stretch.

You look up to face the Commander … who you find instantly mobbed by the five men that made the line up, their organization forgotten.

No, you realize, not all five. The engineer may have stepped out of it, but he was still a healthy distance away from the other four who were mobbing him for all he was worth. The Admiral raises his hands in a gesture of pacification, his word unintelligible over the din of demands that the warmly-dressed men had of him. You pick up bits and pieces of the words used: lawsuit, shambolic, important, scandal, unaccountable, responsibility and—and this one you see instantly darkening his brow—lapdog.

He raises his gaze over the foursome … and sees you.

‘Commander!’

With strength that you weren’t aware a man his age possessed, he practically sweeps the masses aside, taking long—and rather forced—strides towards your person, his features cracking open from the scowl, revealing a smile that could only be borne by relief. Not knowing what else to do, you throw up a salute to give with a returning smile. He gives you a pat on the shoulder, pulling you in his direction.

‘Come on, I’ve been waiting for—’

‘Now hold on a minute!’

One of the men blocks your path.

‘We’ve been waiting here for an hour and a half and you just drag him’—he gestures to you—‘in?’

You can feel the growl building up through his touch … as he relinquishes his hold and takes one menacing step forward.

>‘Admiral …’
>Stay out of his way
>Write-In

>>2450301
>‘Admiral …’

>>2450301
>Admiral …'

>>2450301
>‘Admiral …’

>>2450296
>‘Admiral …’

>>2450296
You look up to face the Commander … who you find instantly mobbed by the five men that made the line up, their organization forgotten.

For the people who think that it's an actual indicator of how poorly done this Quest is, I give you the correction:

You look up to face the wrinkled corners of the Admiral's features, only to find him instantly mobbed by the five men that made the line up, their organization forgotten.

File: Admiral.jpg (61 KB, 640x464)

61 KB JPG

‘Admiral …’

It’s not so much a warning as it is for you to remind him just what he was. It felt … scary, really, for you to call out to him like that, especially being right off his shoulder and the fact that he had more than just mere rank on you. Still … if Nagato could practically scold you into submission, you could damn well risk a haymaker and the fury of bureaucracy to put a reminder that temper or no, he had to remember what he was.

Not that you hadn’t already put your hands up to intercept his speeding knuckles should they come your way, anyway?

‘What are you doing?’ he inquires quizzically, his brows now furrowing in your direction.

You hadn’t even noticed that you’d bent your knees.

‘Uh, nothing.’

He lets out a sigh, turning back to the coat-clad man.

‘Look,’ he begins in his low, typical drawl. ‘I’m sure that all of you have your grievances, but as I’d said before, I can’t make time for you and my responsibilities in regards to the defence of our waters. I gave you the chance and stated clearly that I’d take your cases one … by one. I did not guarantee I would be able to address any of them within the time span. Only that I would try. Yet, all of you seem insistent on placing your problems onto me because somehow you’re of the opinion that I have any sort of legal hold over our activities rather than being a mere executor of the Court’s will.’

He sounds calm enough, even if there was a slight edge to his voice.

‘You know who you are, Admiral,’ the man in the wind-breaker steps forward, practically growling. ‘Frankly, as far as channels are concerned, you discount yourself too much. That we are—’

‘If you still wish to wait,’ he cuts him off, ‘it will have to be after I go over the current status of our forces with Commander. I do not know how long it will take, but if your case is really important enough to risk freezing your nuts off, you can just wait out here.’

The man in the coat scowls, moving out of the way.

‘Then we will wait.’

The both of you enter the room, closing the floor in the face of the stubborn gentlemen … to which the Admiral immediately lets out a raspy breath, rubbing his ears with the palm of his hands. He moves behind his desk, pulling out several folders and tossing them onto its surface.

‘Hope they freeze their nuts off … nuts … they’re roasting mine … too old for this, I’m too old for this shit.’

The Admiral turns his gaze up to you, gesturing to a vacant chair.

‘So, how’s your first day as Vice-Admiral going?’

>Write-In

>>2450413
>got chewed by takao, managed the patrols, didnt make a fool of myself, odds are im not gonna crumple from the responsabilites

>so far so good, sir, just assigned a patrol...

do we have anything to report? Like talk about that meeting from yesterday, although Kasumi issue we've so far handed to Akashi, for the rest our input is probably only valuable as far as it's directly requested.

>>2450416
>and also forgot to leave enough ships to send out on Expeditions and I have to look at the new recruits today.

>>2450431
Not to nitpick but wouldn't it be rather OOC for commander to call them ships instead of girls?

Anyway I vote for a mix of these
>>2450416
>>2450431

>>2450438
I can just turn the terminology.

You can’t help but put on a wry smile, recalling the events of the last hour. If they could be called events at all.

‘I’ve been chastised by Takao, assigned my first patrol … and forgot to account for an expedition when making and finalizing the decision,’ you recite, holding up your fingers, ‘but on the plus side, so far I haven’t made a moron out of myself for the day, so, judging by my first few hours I … well, I think I can safely say that I have the confidence and restraint to keep myself spilling the wine this time.’

He laughs, patting his thigh as he gets to his feet.

‘Commander.’

You sigh, joining in his amusement. ‘I know, I know … wishful thinking.’

‘The world doesn’t get smaller, not for any of us,’ he imparts, moving from behind his desk and leaning against one of the corners. ‘I know that it’s unorthodox to put you in a place that you probably only started getting comfortable with, but … sometimes the deep end doesn’t wait for you to jump down.’

You only knew too well, really.

‘Yes, sir.’

‘Well, as you can see,’ he starts, gesturing to the door (where, outside, the men would very likely still be waiting, grumbling and whining at your unfortunate and inopportune arrival), before continuing, ‘you’re not the only one who’d rather have a simple steak and fries on the side over some fancy mountain soup, but we all have our burdens. Best we can do is make sure they don’t break our backs before their time.’

He takes out his pipe, striking a match and lighting the chamber.

‘I suppose you’d like me to get to the crux as to why I called you here, Commander?’

>‘To … see how I was doing?’
>‘I don’t know.’
>Write-In

>>2450493
>its about the recruits, sir?

>>2450502
ill go with this

>>2450502
Supporting

>>2450502
This.

File: Secretary Kagaaaaaaa.jpg (161 KB, 1000x1886)

161 KB JPG

‘Is this about the recruits, sir?’

‘Oh, you’ve heard about them, have you?’

You thin your lips, giving a small, curt, nod. ‘I have … Takao said that I’m to go over them by this afternoon at the very list.’

‘Yeah,’ he says agreeably, taking a puff of his pipe. ‘It is a concern of mine, but … that isn’t what I called you here for. First thing I’m to address … is that you, young man, are going to need to appoint a Secretary. It is a requirement of every Comman—Vice-Admiral to have one to represent the best interests of his Forces … or in this case, your Division.’

You frown. This hadn’t been a course you’d expected the conversation—the appointment—to take at all. What would you need a secretary for? You had your attendants … and you had Nagato pretty much covering your butt for most of the times you were absent to file in paperwork yourself. A secretary … that was something you hadn’t considered at all. You worked just fine without one so far.

‘A Secretary?’

‘Maybe it’s a little bit misleading … but in any case, the scope does at least encompass some of the definition, so yes, I am going to ask you to have to appoint a Secretary to manage and represent your affairs,’ he says matter-of-factly, staring at the wall across, ‘but more importantly, she is an autonomous wing under your command in a sense. It has to be someone who you trust in more than just terms that dictate paperwork and signing off on forms.’

‘I already have Nagato and my attendants … why would I need a Secretary for.’

‘Because I doubt that you’d send your attendants out to represent you and negotiate supply lines and requisition schedules to dictate the outcome most beneficial to the whole base, not to mention to maintain the image and conduct your Division,’ he replies, his voice sounding very dry. ‘More than that, your Secretary has to be KanMusu due to the nature of the information that she delegates and distributes, the terminology and the background … even for us humans, it’s a chore to understand. Signing forms is one thing, but your Secretary is also one of your arms. Where your Sub-Commander operates as the leader of the homestead and a secondary voice on the battlefield, your Secretary is essentially a mix of ambassador, assistant, technical specialist and your representative in the echelons of command when you are unable to do so … among other things.’

‘Why does that sound like a gofer?’

The man chokes on to the tip of his pipe, coughing before staring at you, a little wide-eyed.

‘Commander, if possible, please do not repeat that sentence in front of Akashi … for your own sake.’

>‘Wait, so my Sub-Commander can’t be my Secretary?’
>‘Who do you think looks like the best choice?’
>‘Do I really need one?’
>‘Do I have to choose one now?’
>Write-In

>>2450571
>>‘Who do you think looks like the best choice?’
honestly our best bet would be Takao or Kaga if thats at all possible

>>2450571
>‘Who do you think looks like the best choice?’

>>2450571
>‘Who do you think looks like the best choice?’

Something tells me if Kaga isn't coming back soon, our only other choice would be Musashi, mostly so she actually gets to do something.

File: TTK Replies.jpg (39 KB, 466x600)

39 KB JPG

‘Who do you think is the best choice?’

He stares at you, a scrutinizing glint in his eyes … before letting out a hearty chortle.

‘Commander, are you honestly asking me, after two months of being with them, having them practically in your head every two weeks with every secret and emotion shared over a mental bond made for combat … with a dissertation that its strength correlates with performance, you don’t even have the faintest clue which one of your girls, your soldiers and your confidants … and some of them your lovers—let’s not kid that part—and you’re telling me you don’t have the faintest clue as to who you believe is a fit for the role?’

The Admiral stares at you, communicating his worry.

‘Please don’t tell me I just elected a moron into a higher command echelon …’

>Write-In

File: NOM NOM.jpg (820 KB, 1015x1067)

820 KB JPG

>>2450575
>>2450578
>>2450590

>>2450591
>sorry sir, im just a bit overwhelmed with all this new stuff i gotta oversee?
>my choices would probably be Takao, Houshou, or Nachi

>>2450596
prettty much that

>>2450591
>>2450596
Oh yeah good point Houshou would fit in perfectly.

>>2450591
>Apologies, Sir.
>Nachi

>>2450594
How about we not make ourselves look indecisive on a choice we'll have to make anyway?
>Takao

>>2450613
There’s nothing wrong with asking for opinion of a senior desu.
Even if commander should have more intimate knowledge of the candidates, admiral will as of now have more knowledge and experience regarding the function.

In any case, Takao seems the best pick. Hopefully the appointment can wait til she’s back from patrol.

File: My mama once told me.jpg (61 KB, 850x717)

61 KB JPG

At least you have the decency to turn red in the cheek, before re-working your counter.

‘I do have a shortlist … I just don’t know who I want to pick from it just yet … I mean, there’s Houshou, Takao … Nachi,’ you let out with a sigh, ‘I’m not sure which one of them’s actually best suited for the job, sir … if you don’t mind me saying.’

‘That’s something you’re going to have to take up with them when you actually delegate the role, won’t it?’

You nod, letting out another sigh. It wasn’t that you were lacking of options, but …

‘If it makes you feel any better, at least none of your girls look like the type that’d throw a fit at not being selected,’ he reassures, if only slightly. ‘My old Vice-Admiral actually flipped a coin in front of the two girls … didn’t end well for that poor table.’

You can’t help but smile at that.

>‘Can my Sub-Commander be my Secretary?’
>‘Is it really a necessity to have one?’
>‘Does it have to be … right now? Don’t I have time to review this?’
>Write-In

>>2450596
this.

>>2450629
>>‘Does it have to be … right now? Don’t I have time to review this?’
>if i do have to choose right now, i'll go with Houshou

>>2450629
>just make the choice
None of these seem worth asking

>>2450629
>houshou will be my secretary

>>2450629
>Write-In
>Houshou has a vast wealth of experience and could fit in very well in the role of secretary.

>>2450629
Going with houshou

File: __iowa_kantai_collection_(...).png (461 KB, 440x770)

461 KB PNG

‘Would it be possible to make Houshou my Secretary, sir?’

‘It’s your call, Commander,’ he comments gruffly, leaning back and reaching for the folder, pulling out what appeared to be a smaller file. ‘This is the form of assignment for your Operations Division declaring Houshou as your immediate Secretary. However, considering just how coveted the role is, you might want to … break it a little gently to her; preferably in a manner that you doesn’t …’

He trails off, frowning as he appears to consider his next words.

‘That it doesn’t cause any unnecessary friction between any members of your Division.’

He pauses again.

‘That, and of course, I trust that you won’t be flipping any coins or rolling any dice if you happen to come to any crossroads?’

‘No, sir, right now, I do believe that Houshou,’ you pause, thinking your decision over again, ‘I think that Houshou’s definitely the best suited for the job.’

The Admiral gives another nod, handing the file—the form encased in it, dolled up with The Admiralty’s insignia—over to you. You flip it open to see the usual details … and the access forms that the appointment would grant the KanMusu in question. She’d be acting as more than just your subordinate; that much you could tell, even from the first sheet. The Admiral hadn’t been kidding when he emphasized the new demands of your … promotion.

You hadn’t even seen a purple-coded form … and now as Vice-Admiral, both you and Houshou would have (somewhat) equal access. It really was a different world.

That is, if you decided to choose her.

You were ninety-nine percent sure of your choice.

QUEST ACCEPTED: AN OFFICE FOR A LADY

‘Return to my office tomorrow morning or this evening once you’ve made your decision,’ he declares regally, ‘and with that out of the way … I’d like to get to the second matter on the agenda.’

‘Sir.’

‘I’m going to need you to help me with this one Commander, because frankly, as a married man, I can’t even fathom it,’ he coughs, ‘but you’re going to have to come up with a good reason as to how your …’

He clears his throat again, making grasping motions with his fingers, as if he was milking an invisible cow … before apparently realizing just how silly it looked and put his hands on his lap. You stare at him with worry, wondering if he was having a breakdown of sorts.

‘Son, do you remember what we talked about yesterday?’

You frown, trying to think back to the day before. You don’t remember using any of those words, really. In fact, the only thing you clearly remembered arguing your case for Iowa’s resumption of her service under your command. Everything else in that conversation seemed like … white noise.

‘The one about,’ he pauses, ‘considering KanMusu more than just … weapons?’

Oh.

>Write-In

...I feel a distinct sense of foreboding. We’re not talking about secretary secretary here, we’re talking about marriage, aren’t we?

>>2450702
lets not vote yet adn talk this well and good, shall we?

>>2450703
Yes, that would seem prudent.

>>2450693
Do you mean how to explain it? Well they're not just a gun you aim and shoot sir, they have thoughts, emotions, and personal strife like you and me. I think the first step is treating them like you would a person, wih the type of respect a human is generally entitled to. The problem, from what I have seen, stems from trying to learn about the kanmusu with the angle that they aren't people. "They're different, they are fundamentally a different type of being from us." That's how we as a society think as we go about it. Problem is, that doesn't seem to be the case, yes there are differences physically but mentally they're just as human as the rest of us and we should try to study and work with them with that type of thought in mind, instead of the way we've been going about it so far. Or is there something else to it you want to discuss?

>>2450707
shit son, supporting

>>2450707
i support it

>>2450707
supporting.

Taking a short break to pray and do some exercise.

>>2450707
Couldnt have said it better than myself, supporting

>>2450693
>Write-In
"I think you already know my instance in that topic, Sir."

‘Well, sir, if I had repeat my explanation,’ you begin tentatively, ‘I don’t consider them weaponry in the most conventional sense … it’s not like you point a KanMusu in one direction and pull a trigger until they go click. I guess … you’re pretty much doing the same thing, aren’t you? With Ooyodo, Nagato, Fusou … and everyone else, I think that there’s another view that we can actually take with—’

‘Commander, I just asked you if you remembered what we were talking about. I didn’t ask you for a return of the lecture.’

You turn red, quickly shutting up under the annoyed gaze of your superior.

‘Of course, sir.’

‘Well, the reason my old ass is bringing that up is because I’m thinking of relaxing some protocols on conduct in regards to KanMusu-Admiral relations,’ he explains, ‘but considering just how the Admiralty sees the KanMusu as war assets, they’re not going to be happy that I’m taking another heavy step forward.’

‘Sir?’

‘What I’m asking you, Commander, is to relay improvements in all-round performance as part of a … social experiment of sorts,’ he continues tentatively. ‘I’m not saying I’m unaware of the hypothesis that the treatment of KanMusu as peers and equals instead tools would result in an improvement of performance, but … well, since you’ve gone this far, I think that you’re the only one I can ask to participate in this pet project of mine.’

He drops into a sudden frown, pinching chin.

‘Although, I [i[could ask Kongou … I’m sure I can find enough rope to keep the Vice-Admiral tied down for the duration …’

>‘I’ll help. I think he’s better suited for this than me.’
>‘I think that I’ll suffice to whatever new hypothesis you’d like to test, sir. Really.’
>‘I … you lost me, sir.’
>Write-In

>>2450888
‘I think that I’ll suffice to whatever new hypothesis you’d like to test, sir. Really.’
we want this to work, not break down

>>2450888
>>‘I think that I’ll suffice to whatever new hypothesis you’d like to test, sir. Really.’
>though it wouldnt hurt to ask the VA his thoughts on this and try to see if he'll assist

>>2450888
>Write-In
"I think for his sake I will take this job."

>>2450888
>‘I think that I’ll suffice to whatever new hypothesis you’d like to test, sir. Really.’

>>2450888
>I think that I’ll suffice to whatever new hypothesis you’d like to test, sir. Really.’

>>2450888
>‘I think that I’ll suffice to whatever new hypothesis you’d like to test, sir. Really.’

File: Sami.png (394 KB, 607x912)

394 KB PNG

As much as you didn’t like the Admiral referring to your relationship with the members of your Division as a hypothesis for some sort of experiment you had in mind, even you didn’t half a brain cell to poke Kongou’s relationship with the Vice-Admiral with a science fiction scanner, never mind put a direct hand on the matter. With what Hiei told you and how the Vice-Admiral himself was in turmoil over the uncertainty of his emotional state and his professional disposition, the end result didn’t just promise explosions, but the cessation of your primal self if you so much as threw caution to the wind. It was a little embarrassing to put forward, but seeing as the Admiral saw the Vice-Admiral as the only viable alternative, you had to make a decision.

You chose stability and certainty over agony and destruction.

‘I think that I’ll … suffice in the case of whatever new hypothesis you’d like to test, sir. Really.’

Your insistent, if slightly deflated tone, has him raising an eyebrow and shaking his moustache, but he lets out a satisfied noise at your agreement to … whatever he wanted to use you for. You only hope that it wasn’t too … out there. Being the mastermind behind what was practically a hostile action against a foreign nation, you’d learned that the Admiral could play an insane game if he had reason to.

You hope that this wasn’t one of those.

‘I talked about it with the psychiatric evaluation unit,’ he starts, ‘and while they disagree that there’s anything that can be tangibly gained, if I decide to run and encourage the methodology to the relationships, they won’t interfere. It’s all about the data to them at the end of the day … but they did tell me should there be any spikes, you’d—’

‘Sorry, sir,’ you cut in, if a little rudely … but you felt like you’d been dropped off right in the middle, ‘but what are you, uh, referring to, exactly?’

‘A scientific question: does the treatment of KanMusu with increasing degrees of affection, familiarity, paternal or sexual correlate to increased mental health, performance and maintenance? If so, what are the implications of a return to the affection, assuming it is not mired in a simulacrum and is the result of a natural response?’

You frown. You thought you’d left that sort of wording behind in high school. Still … it was easy to decipher.

‘You’re asking if love makes a difference?’

‘I’m not asking, Commander,’ he declares, ‘I know it does.’

You stare at him, surprised.

‘They cry, too … they love more than we do, I’ve been around Nagato, Fusou, Akashi … I know them enough to know that they care for us more than we do them, and they’d be better if we gave ‘em even half as much as they do us,’ he continues quietly. ‘It’s a cliché, I know … but that doesn’t stop it from being true.’

‘Sir?’

‘Right now’s as good a time as ever, I guess,’ he mutters, as if to himself. ‘I’ve been pushing for a change in our approach for years … and now, with your man-whore of an ass around to act as the basis and a bunch of sceptics playing witness with all of our backs against the wall, I don’t think another chance is ever going to come.’

‘I don’t quite follow, sir …’

‘What I’m saying, Commander, is …’

He raises a fist, coughing into it.

‘I’d like you to … be more openly affectionate with members of your Division.’

You tilt your head.

‘Publicly.’

A heart string of yours hits a very hard twang at the words.

‘Treat ‘em like … ladies. You’ll have explicit permission to do so until we reach an … acceptable conclusion. Through weekly reports via the psychiatric evaluation unit, we’ll compile the data gathered to see if there’s any significant improvement through your actions. I do expect a degree of professionalism when it comes to the execution of your task, but … I’ll be informing my superiors to this little … experiment of ours.’

The Admiral pushes himself off his table.

‘I suppose what I’m saying is that I’m … giving you permission to break regs, Commander.’

A frown appears upon his brow as he takes the pipe out from his mouth, a hint of a smile upon his lips.

‘For science, of course.’

>Write-In

>>2451044
>it would be my pleasure, sir
that is probably the best orders we ever recived

>>2451044
>*Salute* Yes, sir, I'll do all I can. Is that all or is there anything else to discuss?
We should probably start with Takao, we owe her a date I feel. Then we'll talk secretary stuff in the morning.

>>2451054
Agree, also supporting this

File: 829579-fire_emblem02.png (28 KB, 320x320)

28 KB PNG

>>2451054
Do our best with this.

>>2451054
This

>>2451044
This>>2451054
For science.

You’re only too eager to agree.

‘It’d be my pleasure, sir.’

‘Don’t get me wrong, Commander, I’m not asking you to, uh … intimidate the populace or anything,’ he adds, continuing, ‘but from a purely exploratory perspective, this isn’t anything that I’d call uncharted territory; not so much as it’s ignored territory. The whole point of the observation is to act as the oddity out of the group; to encourage the typical nuances of family, camaraderie beyond the current designations. I wouldn’t be … backing you up on this if it didn’t have any practical application so much as telling you to curb those hormones of yours—’

You grimace at that.

You can’t help it, really.

‘—but you’ve actually proven a bit of a point that I’d been trying to make, so you’ll forgive me if I’m trying to use you to push something of my own forward. That being said, I still require you to be able to separate the personal and the professional. Just because right now I’ve given you a license to actually be more open with your relationship to the girls doesn’t meant I want you to be all over each other when I need you handing in your paperwork.’

‘I … think I can manage that, sir.’

So he was asking you to do what … you’d been doing all this time.

Only to be more open about it.

‘Believe me, I’d really rather not put Nagato in the middle of all this,’ he starts, ‘but you’ve been getting the job done. In fact, you’ve been getting the job done four times over. That’s not something that the Admiralty’s going to be able to ignore and … maybe …’

He takes a puff, of his pipe.

‘Maybe in the midst of all this we can find something about us that’s worth standing for on two feet, no?’

>‘I’m committing social suicide here, aren’t I? What’re the people going to think, actually dating KanMusu?’ (Joke)
>‘Well, it’s not as if you’re asking me to treat them different, sir.’ (Reinforce)
>‘Actually, I …’ (Uncertain)
>‘It’s not an unreasonable command, sir. I’ll be sure to follow it through to the best of my ability.’ (Professional)
>Write-In

>>2451768
>‘It’s not an unreasonable command, sir. I’ll be sure to follow it through to the best of my ability.’ (Professional)

Oh fuck guys, I just realized I put 4/4 for your tasks. It should be 3/4 because of your morning errands.

>>2449011
My bad, I fucked up the math without considering you'd done inspections already.

>>2451768
>‘It’s not an unreasonable command, sir. I’ll be sure to follow it through to the best of my ability.’ (Professional)

>>2451768
>‘It’s not an unreasonable command, sir. I’ll be sure to follow it through to the best of my ability.’ (Professional)

File: Untitled.png (144 KB, 1604x881)

144 KB PNG

>>2451768

Well thats pretty clear.

Be more about our relationship with our girls so that other folks get more used to what we're doing while keeping it professional when on duty.

So we'll need to have a little discussion with the girls about whats acceptable and whats not when we're on the clock, kisses goodbye, etc.

Then there'll be the times when we go out with them that we can be looser with what we do.


>‘Well, it’s not as if you’re asking me to treat them different, sir.’ (Reinforce)

>joke option
No.
>uncertain
He’d probably throw us out if we backed down now.
>professional
We both know we’re not doing this for numbers, although maybe choosing this represents commitment to not go overboard with the public displays.
Still,
>reinforce
Seems like the way to go.

Although dealing with the polyamory and the “secretary” post may turn out more treacherous that we feel at this time. Although the girls have been very understanding so far.