>>4700116
>'Yeah, sure, I don't think I can push it anymore than I already have.' (Fatigued)
>'No, I can still go, really!' (Enthusiastic)
>Write-In

>>4700118
>>'No, I can still go, really!' (Enthusiastic)
Gotta get over that barrier
And time for botes once more

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>>4700122
Remember to thank You-Know-Who

>>4700118
>'No, I can still go, really!' (Enthusiastic)

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You stagger as you get to your feet, trying your best to keep that optimistic grin on your face.

‘No,’ you reply, placing your hands on your knees as you attempt at keeping balance. ‘I can keep going, really.’

Long Island’s expression communicates that your attempts at reassurance are doomed to failure. Still … you do make a good show of it, even with that puddle of vomit and that fizzling blue half-charged Wisdom Cube at your feet. Blinking extremely slowly and painfully, you try to widen your grin just that bit more, hoping for the Carrier-type Shipgirl to actually cut you a break and—

‘Nothing doing,’ the shorter woman huffs, crossing those thin, covered arms across her chest as she tilts her head, very much refusing to cater to your unnatural enthusiasm … but nonetheless still does show her appreciation for your eagerness to continue with a bright smile of her own. ‘That’s it for today, cadet.’

‘Aw, come on, teach,’ you practically—well, literally—whine, waving your hands about like some tropical monkey. ‘I’ll get it next time, hones—’

Your informal address of a superior officer garners you a light whack with the elongated sleeves of the subject in question, glaring up at you to remember your position as cadet … which you promptly do, nervously clicking your heels and throwing up a quick—if clumsy—salute before raising your gaze so as to not break the protocols that came with the hierarchy of rank. She may not have been human … but as far as the base’s doctrine was concerned, you would only be flirting with trouble if you continued with this insubordinate behavior.

‘Y-Yes, Instructor Long Island!’

‘Proper rest and knowing your limits is also a key component to being a Shipgirl Commander. I trust that you’ve read the lecture not on how we …’

She adopts a truly nightmarish look, looming above you like some sort of horrifying ghoul, twisting her head about as though she was possessed, the purple aura of her spirit seemingly stretching for the clouds.

‘Devour your souls if you’re not careful …’

You let out a frightened squeak, almost slipping on the wet floor as you take a step back.

Long Island giggles mischievously, humming a playful tune as she balances herself on her heels, thoroughly amused with her own attempt at feeding her hunger for amusement.

‘Well, we told him not to bite off more than he could chew.’

You huff let out a huff at the familiar voice, turning around to face your two fellow cadets: Abigail and Connor. Connor, your roommate of the last eighteen months, regards you with a tired look … while Abigail grins mischievously at what you assume to be you.

She was definitely keeping her laughter in check.

>>4700165
>'Don't the two of you have somewhere else to be?' (Irritated)
>'Of course you'd say that, Mr Consistent-Psyco-Rating.' (Sarcastic)
>'You guys actually came to check up on me? I'm flattered.' (Surprised)
>Write-In

>>4700168
>>'You guys actually came to check up on me? I'm flattered.' (Surprised)

>>4700168
>'Of course you'd say that, Mr Consistent-Psyco-Rating.' (Sarcastic)
Once sassy, always sassy.

>>4700174
>>4700181
Flipping a coin. Coin flipped.

>>4700168
>>'You guys actually came to check up on me? I'm flattered.' (Surprised)

>>4700184
Don't worry, I can account for you, too.

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‘You guys actually came to check up on me? I’m flattered,’ you let out, sincerely as you can manage … while nursing your head to be rid of the lingering remnants of that splitting headache during your attempt at syncing up with the Cube. You promptly bend over to pick up the semi-dormant device, wincing as disgusting slosh of vomit squelches in your ears as you lift it off the wet floor, holding it at arms length as all those present look at you with the same look of disgust.

You make an attempt to steer the conversation into more comfortable waters.

Pun totally intended.

‘Don’t you two have your parade to get ready for?’ you inquire, glancing up and down their dress uniforms. ‘Nice digs, by the way.’

Conner places one hand on his hip, regarding you with that ever-present, disciplined expression. ‘We have some time before Captain Tague gives the formal shove-off. Thought we’d check up on how you were doing.’

Abigail wears a wry half-grin as she turns her head towards the open waters of the practice cove.

‘You know, normal people wouldn’t be so insistent with having those as their psyco baseline.’

‘Hey, it’s at my discretion, remember?’

Conner rolls his eyes, shaking his head. ‘Let him be, Abigail. You’ve seen those posters he keeps in his room.’

‘Hey, you have them, too,’ you point out, feeling very offended by Conner’s jibe.

‘Not the way you put them up.’

>‘Come on, you’re telling me that there’s an Eagle Union poster not worth putting up? (Eagle Union)
>‘Hey, the Royal Navy is the epitome of subtlety in strength. I’m just another face in a long line of appreciators.’ (Royal Navy)
>‘You can’t deny that the vibrancy of the Sakura Empire isn’t a merit all on its own; the elegance, the mystery …’ (Sakura Empire)
>‘I happen to hold a very honest appreciation for the Iron Blood’s brand of engineering and innovation, unlike most people.’ (Iron Blood)

>>4700213
>‘Hey, the Royal Navy is the epitome of subtlety in strength. I’m just another face in a long line of appreciators.’ (Royal Navy)
Gotta make sure the sun never sets!

>>4700213
>>‘I happen to hold a very honest appreciation for the Iron Blood’s brand of engineering and innovation, unlike most people.’ (Iron Blood)
BISKO BISKO BISKO BISKO BISKO BEST BOTE

>>4700213
>Come on, you’re telling me that there’s an Eagle Union poster not worth putting up? (Eagle Union)
What a torturous choice. Only first if many, I expect.

If no tiebreaker is forthcoming, I'm willing to lend my vote to Ironblood, or alternatively whichever faction has more of OP's favourite botes.

>>4700292
What we clearly need is one more vote for Sakura, so we can get Mech banging his head against the wall within the first three prompts.

>>4700213
>>‘Come on, you’re telling me that there’s an Eagle Union poster not worth putting up? (Eagle Union)
AMERICA FUCK YEAH

>>4700213
>‘Hey, the Royal Navy is the epitome of subtlety in strength. I’m just another face in a long line of appreciators.’ (Royal Navy)
Pip pip

>>4700213
>>‘Hey, the Royal Navy is the epitome of subtlety in strength. I’m just another face in a long line of appreciators.’ (Royal Navy)

>>4700213
>‘Come on, you’re telling me that there’s an Eagle Union poster not worth putting up? (Eagle Union)

>>4700213
>‘Come on, you’re telling me that there’s an Eagle Union poster not worth putting up? (Eagle Union)

Not gonna lie. Tempted to just do away with votes and go with >>4700219 because I know he'll be here for keeps. Haha.

>>4700359
Don't be like that buddy, the Brits have spoken but I will get my Bisko

>>4700359
Least this way, I can mess with Queen Loli and Bestspite

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>>4700359
tbf, Bisko is quite an adorable dork.

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>>4700365

Imo they fucked up by making Warspite and Queen Elizabeth lolis. I prefer the KCol designs

PoW however they got right

>>4700377
>>4700213

>>‘Hey, the Royal Navy is the epitome of subtlety in strength. I’m just another face in a long line of appreciators.’ (Royal Navy)

>>4700213
>>‘You can’t deny that the vibrancy of the Sakura Empire isn’t a merit all on its own; the elegance, the mystery …’ (Sakura Empire)
Yandere represent though

>>4700213
>‘Come on, you’re telling me that there’s an Eagle Union poster not worth putting up? (Eagle Union)

>>4700213
>>‘I happen to hold a very honest appreciation for the Iron Blood’s brand of engineering and innovation, unlike most people.’ (Iron Blood)
Was ist des deutschen vaterland?

>>4700575
BROTHER I WELCOME THEE

>>4700377
i mean QE is definitely a loli but Warspite i would say is just smol

>>4700213
>‘I happen to hold a very honest appreciation for the Iron Blood’s brand of engineering and innovation, unlike most people.’ (Iron Blood)

Didn't know you were running an Aura lane quest Mechanic.

>>4700709
I am down with the royal meidos if my yans dont win

>>4700774
ANOTHER BROTHER

>>4700845
Iron Blood Number 1

>>4700213

Vichiya Dominion! Gimme my Jean Bart!

>>4700228
>>4700292
I'm not sure if this is a vote for Eagle Union or a change of vote to Iron Blood. If you're still around, would you please clarify? Or I'm just going to take this as half a vote for each, cheers.

>>4700917
Can i also change my vote to iron blood/royal navy? As the only vote for sakura empire, i doubt others will vote for it too

>>4700926
Go ahead, I don't mind. I know my audience enough.

>>4700927
Guess ill cement the lead for royal meido corps then

>>4700927
hey mech can we get a eta on the wingbride /qst/

>>4700956
The latest chapter has actually finished. The next one will be chapter 4. I progress that quest on a chapter-by-chapter thread-wise basis rather than a prompt-to-prompt. New thread should be up around the last week of March.

>>4700972
cool thanks man

Did you really dump your kancolle quest for another boatshit fanfic? I'm speechless.

>>4701076
This quest was made by personal request of a very nice person that asked me very politely and allowed me to proceed as I saw fit instead of strangling me to do things their way. See what being polite and respectful instead of taking the persona of antagonistic wad gets you?

>>4701083
Personally i dont care, as long as i get my boat waifu fix, it dosent matter where!

>>4700917
Well it was intended as regular EU vote with option to serve as tiebreaker. So feel free to count it as vote for EU.

Still at work, but I should be off in about 3-4 hours. Hang tight until then.

>>4701083
wait youre doing a kancolle quest mind if i get a link to it

>>4701185

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/16387/

It’s discontinued though, although it’s nice it’s probably not worth binging it.

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>‘Hey, the Royal Navy is the epitome of subtlety in strength. I’m just another face in a long line of appreciators.’ (Royal Navy)

Abigail snorts in amusement as you give the back of your neck a rub. You follow Conner’s look of distaste as he fixes his gaze upon the volunteer subject for your Ancillary Pillar.

‘Kinda heavy on the front there, don’t you think?’

His criticism of your Vanguard Unit elicits a frown from your own person.

>‘The vanguard’s job is to soften up enemy forces enough for the primary unit to tear apart. Front-heavy is the way to go and firepower’s no object.’
>‘I’d like to think that I picked up a few points in deciding the make-up of my ideal command … namely that a balance of attributes allows me to adapt to changes better.’
>‘What are you talking about? She’s a destroyer-type. How is that heavy at all?’

>>4701411
>>‘I’d like to think that I picked up a few points in deciding the make-up of my ideal command … namely that a balance of attributes allows me to adapt to changes better.’

>>4701411
>‘The vanguard’s job is to soften up enemy forces enough for the primary unit to tear apart. Front-heavy is the way to go and firepower’s no object.’
Big guns, best guns

>>4701417
>>4701425
Let's see where fate leads us. And ... Light Cruiser wins.

>>4701411
>>‘The vanguard’s job is to soften up enemy forces enough for the primary unit to tear apart. Front-heavy is the way to go and firepower’s no object.’

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>‘I’d like to think that I picked up a few points in deciding the make-up of my ideal command … namely that a balance of attributes allows me to adapt to changes better.’

‘You really think that you’re up to that grade?’

>‘That’s definitely a swing at me, but I’m too tired to argue.’
>‘I know my limits, Abigail.’
>‘She's the best of the best of the best. I'm just thanking my stars that the bureaucracy allowed it at all.'

>>4701442
>>‘That’s definitely a swing at me, but I’m too tired to argue.’

>>4701442
>>‘She's the best of the best of the best. I'm just thanking my stars that the bureaucracy allowed it at all.'

>>4701442
>>‘She's the best of the best of the best. I'm just thanking my stars that the bureaucracy allowed it at all.'
time to go big, hopefully it leads to big tiddy

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>‘I chose her because she was the best of the best of the best … even if I’m not.’

Conner raises an eyebrow at your declaration.

‘Well … I need all the help I can get, don’t I?’

Abigail wrinkles her lips watching the Light Cruiser—your Vanguard unit and the bearer of your Command’s Ancillary Pillar—come to shore, her dress whooshing up with her coming to a sudden stop as she is received by the engineers, her arms under her breasts as she is walked through a very rapid conversation regarding the ergonomics of the trial.

‘You do realize that you’re only aggravating your risk factor by about a thousand percent running a cube trial with an SSR-grade, right?’ Conner points out, shaking his head as he regards the volunteer unit as she is handed a dummy cube, shifting through a prism of colors with every word the engineers put out for her to digest. You bite your lip, looking away from the sight as guilt begins to overtake you.

‘I just thought that if I’d fail at all, I’d at least be able to do it on my terms,’ you let out, frustration peeking through the glass window of its subterranean chamber. ‘It’s not as if I’m doing this out of utter over-confidence or entitlement.’

‘I never said that.’

You let out a sigh. ‘I know, I know …’

‘How did you pull that off, anyway?’

Your Vanguard turns towards you, briefly, turning her lips up in support before shifting her attention to the chatty engineers … and in the process, prompts you to hang your head in guilt.

Some star turn you were.

>‘Well … I just kind of floated the idea around Hermione and … uh … you know how she is …’
>‘Would you believe me if I told you that Swiftsure actually suggested it herself?’
>‘You know how Dido is: she’ll believe in the best of you even if you don’t.’
>‘I filled out the paperwork and Hermione agreed to it. Nothing special there outside of me having to requisition auxiliary armaments from the meowficcers and the manjuu.’
>‘I have no idea how I was able to jump to the head of the queue, but when it comes to Belfast, I’m not complaining. Considering her reputation, though … I think she could have done better than me on the parade day.’

>>4701475
>>‘I have no idea how I was able to jump to the head of the queue, but when it comes to Belfast, I’m not complaining. Considering her reputation, though … I think she could have done better than me on the parade day.’

>>4701475
>>‘I have no idea how I was able to jump to the head of the queue, but when it comes to Belfast, I’m not complaining. Considering her reputation, though … I think she could have done better than me on the parade day.’

>>4701475
Sorry guys, the FIRST OPTION
>‘Well … I just kind of floated the idea around Hermione and … uh … you know how she is …’
Should be:
>‘Well … I just kind of floated the idea around Sirius and … uh … you know how she is …’

>>4701475
>>‘Well … I just kind of floated the idea around Hermione and … uh … you know how she is
I'll change to Sirius

>>4701475
>‘You know how Dido is: she’ll believe in the best of you even if you don’t.’

>>4701480
>>4701484
>>4701485
That's one for Sirius, one for Belfast and one for Dido. And none for Gretchen Wieners

>>4701475
>>‘I have no idea how I was able to jump to the head of the queue, but when it comes to Belfast, I’m not complaining. Considering her reputation, though … I think she could have done better than me on the parade day.’

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>‘I have no idea how I was able to jump to the head of the queue, but when it comes to Belfast, I’m not complaining. Considering her reputation, though … I think she could have done better than me on the day of the parade.’

Smirking and nodding, you feel your eyebrows twitching at Conner’s smug aura.

‘Yeah, she probably could—ow!’

Long Island grunts in irritation as she places her hands on her hips, looking up towards the active—yet technically lower-ranked—soldier, having just finished giving the man a great swipe with one of her elongated sleeves, prompting the now-sheepish Conner to rub his head to the melody of Abigail’s giggles, the instructor’s tolerance for the back and forth having apparently reached its zenith with the former’s canceled attempt. Your own show of amusement—a half-cut snicker—is very much restrained in its nature by comparison … for even you know then to breach the dossier of communication with a superior within arms length, even if she wasn’t part of the conversation at hand. Abigail, seeing your abnormally disciplined example, follows suit within seconds.

‘Disparaging remarks are not allowed on my floor,’ Long Island remarks, scowling. ‘Whether they succeed or fais, the choice a cadet makes is at their own discretion, following sound judgment and execution on their part. I believe even ace like you would be aware of that much.’

‘Yes, ma’am,’ Conner replies, smiling apologetically.

Long Island snickers triumphantly, turning her attention back to you. ‘That was pretty close,’ she chirps, with some degree of encouragement, before continuing, ‘but perhaps you could scale back your requirements regarding the primary if you wish to persist with the current three-pronged method we’re running. Since there aren’t that many issues with your potential so much as you’re having problems turning the ignition and getting it to run at all.’

You hang your head.

The way Instructor Long Island communicated her points … makes you feel more like a kindergartner that had failed to color within the lines than a military man that had screwed up his lines. You bite your bottom lip, turning your glance towards the sole member of your main fleet-slash-primary … and the holder of the Regulatory Pillar of the formation. She raises a good-natured hand, idly joining up with Belfast at the side of the cove, compounding your disappointment with yourself with a single encouraging glance.

You’d wasted her time, too.

‘I’m not very specialized in logic behind what pushed you towards that grade for your Vanguard, but don’t you think you could at least manage taking it down a little when it comes to the primary?’

>‘Instructor, not you too … she’s not even …’
>‘Maybe I’m pushing things a little too much with an E-grade.’
>‘Go big or go home, right? Haha …’

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Terms to remember:
>Ancillary Pillar
>Regulatory Pillar

>>4701526
>>‘Maybe I’m pushing things a little too much with an E-grade.’
Gotta try balance this now, to try not die with whatever Mech has planned

>>4701534
I guarantee you this quest is nothing like Shipgirl Commander in terms of atmosphere.

>>4701526
>>‘Go big or go home, right? Haha …’
cv or bb/bc are good for royal navy

>>4701526
>>‘Go big or go home, right? Haha …’

>>4701543
Less chance of being blown up, getting eaten, or just straight up going brain dead on a failed roll then? lol

>>4701556
We'll see lol

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>‘Go big or go home, right? Haha …’

Long Island smacks an open palm to her face, mumbling under her breath. Abigail and Conner regard you with the same, narrow, incredulous glares, their mouths hinging open slightly as they appear to find themselves at a loss for words at your declaration.

‘And I suppose the reason you had the type picked out is also due to the same line of logic?’

The Instructor’s flat tone almost prompts your ears into simultaneously combusting out of embarrassment.

>‘I’ve always been of the firm belief that Carrier-types are more versatile in their deployment roles, ma’am.’
>‘Actually, Instructor, you left such an impact on me that I … couldn’t help myself.’
>‘Well … just a little …’
>‘Raw, destructive power has never decided a battle in its entirety, ma’am, but it's never been a bad back-up plan to have the potential to flatten a mountain just in case.’

>>4701573
>>‘Actually, Instructor, you left such an impact on me that I … couldn’t help myself.’

>>4701573
>>‘I’ve always been of the firm belief that Carrier-types are more versatile in their deployment roles, ma’am.’

At this point, you guys probably know what option pertains to which class.

>>4701573
>>‘I’ve always been of the firm belief that Carrier-types are more versatile in their deployment roles, ma’am.’

>>4701580
Yup, first is CV, 2nd is CVL, 3rd is BC I'm guessing and 4th is BB

>>4701573
>‘Actually, Instructor, you left such an impact on me that I … couldn’t help myself.’

>>4701594
Actually disregard that, I'll go with

>‘I’ve always been of the firm belief that Carrier-types are more versatile in their deployment roles, ma’am.’

>>4701573
>‘I’ve always been of the firm belief that Carrier-types are more versatile in their deployment roles, ma’am.’

>>4701573
>‘I’ve always been of the firm belief that Carrier-types are more versatile in their deployment roles, ma’am.’

>>4701573
>‘I’ve always been of the firm belief that Carrier-types are more versatile in their deployment roles, ma’am.’

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>‘I’ve always been of the firm belief that Carrier-types are more versatile in their deployment roles, ma’am.’

Long Island regards you with a flat look, your citation of operational doctrine having apparently little effect on her consideration for your preference of formation. You keep your gaze straight up, however, unwilling to meet her eyes lest she see you as a potential drum-head to beat her elongated sleeves upon. You’d received enough flak from the requisition units and your peers of your audacious request to potentially tie-up your assignments with two units of such vital capacities; you’d implode on the spot if the Instructor turned her flames upon you, too.

‘So was Captain Gerrard the one that vouched for you or …’

>‘No, ma’am. Officer Illustrious passed her slip through herself upon hearing my request, ma’am.’
>‘Instructor Formidable saw my request and decided that it’d be safer for her to oversee my trial herself, ma’am.’
>‘He helped convince Officer Victorious a little, yes …’

>>4702353
>>‘Instructor Formidable saw my request and decided that it’d be safer for her to oversee my trial herself, ma’am.’
it is time for THE WARUDO

>>4702353
ahh such good choices its hard to choose

>>4702353
>‘He helped convince Officer Victorious a little, yes …’

>>4702353
>>‘No, ma’am. Officer Illustrious passed her slip through herself upon hearing my request, ma’am.’
gotta stick with Lusty, good ole armored gal

>>4702360
>>4702365
>>4702369
Three way tie so far.

>>4702353
>‘Instructor Formidable saw my request and decided that it’d be safer for her to oversee my trial herself, ma’am.’

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>‘Instructor Formidable saw my request and decided that it’d be safer for her to oversee my trial herself, ma’am.’

‘Of course,’ Long Island grumbles, rubbing her temples. ‘Should have known that that one would be doing things all on her own.’

‘If you’re accusing me of skipping protocols, Instructor, you can take it up with the Captain.’

You gulp and turn about face, locking eyes with your two trial volunteers as they cut right into the conversation, their gear put away and their assortment of frills making them stand out in the mass of uniforms and secondary colors. Long Island scowls as she locks eyes with her fellow instructor, her expression telling you that there what little room that she had for tolerance had vanished with Formidable’s foot now wedged through the door. You practically wince as the both of them size each other up for the second time in the last few hours, the illusion of your well-being no longer an effective barrier to their disapproval of each other’s methods.

Belfast, meanwhile, stands to the side of both carrier-types, wearing that same mysterious smile.

‘I wasn’t implying anything of the sort, Instructor,’ Long Island responds, wearing a sweet, sarcastic and thoroughly venomous smile, mimicking Formidable’s flighty, bold staccato (much to the latter’s disapproval). ‘It’s merely an idle thought regarding my peer’s extreme methodologies is all. Especially when she should know better than to risk it by encouraging a cadet with a delicate record to such extents of daring-do under her watchful eye, no?’

Formidable, while irritated, stands unmoved, returning Long Island’s ire with an irritable half-smirk of her own. ‘Oh, you flatter me. I merely take the course of treating them as they’re adults undertaking a course of action of their own sound judgment and discretion.’

You wince at that.

Way to throw Long Island’s philosophy back in her face.

‘Not to this extent,’ Long Island growls, swinging her arms in such a wide radius that it prompts Abigail and Conner to take a few steps back, lest they get swiped into the water themselves. ‘You’re aware of the risks that come with your Psyco Grade; you should be more aware of the dangers of such an endeavor with a cadet that’s unable to hold a consistent bridge between the streams … especially when the other one is also an SSR.’

Belfast’s smile twitches, but she remains wordless and passive, nonetheless.

The accusation, however, is more than apparent.

‘While under supervision,’ Formidable counters.

‘Do you not see that pool of vomit?’

Formidable remains unmoved.

‘We’ve mopped floors of puke and blood in the filtering phase.’

‘We’re supposed to be responsible.’

>>4702474
>‘Instructor Long Island, it was made at my discretion. To blame Instructor Formidable for my over-estimation of my capabilities would be in gross error and putting the blame where it doesn’t belong. I apologize for wasting your time.’
>‘I’m not saying that it’s not totally my fault, Instructor Formidable, but maybe you’re doing a little too much here. I appreciate your help, but maybe I’m just not … up to your standard like you said. Could’ve started a little slow, really.’
>Stay silent
>Write-In

>>4702476
i think we may need to go for the 2nd option and do admit we did go too far too fast

>>4702476
>>‘Instructor Long Island, it was made at my discretion. To blame Instructor Formidable for my over-estimation of my capabilities would be in gross error and putting the blame where it doesn’t belong. I apologize for wasting your time.’

>>4702476
>‘I’m not saying that it’s not totally my fault, Instructor Formidable, but maybe you’re doing a little too much here. I appreciate your help, but maybe I’m just not … up to your standard like you said. Could’ve started a little slow, really.’

>>4702479
i somewhat agree but i think its better to know where our limits are and then figure out how to increase them.

>>4702480
seems legit, going for this then

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>‘Instructor Long Island, it was made at my discretion. To blame Instructor Formidable for my over-estimation of my capabilities would be in gross error and putting the blame where it doesn’t belong. I apologize for wasting your time.’

You drop into a bow, emphasizing your point as your guilt comes to a head … literally and figuratively. At the sound of an uncomfortable grunt, however, you dare yourself into an upward glance from your forty-five degree position, chancing upon the resigned look of your supervisor and instructor … who promptly raises her own nose in a huff, wagging her hand in an emphasis of her own position.

‘Fine,’ Long Island remarks, turning her back to you. ‘I expect a full debriefing regarding this failure of yours, then.’

‘Yes, ma’am!’

She says nothing else, save what you catch to be a series of mutters that could pass for self-reminders or dirty curse words, opting to resume her duties as the trial’s supervisor, leaving you in the company of your fellow prospects … and your two volunteer units. Formidable cradles her arms under her breasts, her large dress motioning heavily with her steps forwards, throwing Long Island’s retreating back a tired, flat gaze as Belfast comes up to your side, shaking her head.

‘After all this time, she still has trouble loosening those apron strings.’

To your surprise, it’s Belfast who makes the comment. Formidable snorts in agreement, shaking her head as Long Island engages in conversation with a heavily-mustached engineer, popping up one of her planes into existence and holding it as though it was a courtroom exhibit.

‘She means well, but she can be stubborn when she wants to be … which, by my calculations would account for around seventy-five percent of her engagements.’

>‘Instructor Formidable, I don’t think you should be making such remarks … glass houses and all that …’ (Point out Formidable’s own headstrong nature when it comes to her methods)
>‘She’s a great teacher.’ (Defend Long Island’s prowess at tutoring)
>‘You shouldn’t be making such remarks about your own peers, Instructor.’ (Chastise)
>‘I’m sorry for wasting your time, Instructor Formidable; Lieutenant Belfast.’ (Apologize for your latest failure)
>Keep silence

>>4702597
>>‘I’m sorry for wasting your time, Instructor Formidable; Lieutenant Belfast.’ (Apologize for your latest failure)

>>4702597
>‘I’m sorry for wasting your time, Instructor Formidable; Lieutenant Belfast.’ (Apologize for your latest failure)

>>4702597
>>‘I’m sorry for wasting your time, Instructor Formidable; Lieutenant Belfast.’ (Apologize for your latest failure)

>>4702597
>>‘I’m sorry for wasting your time, Instructor Formidable; Lieutenant Belfast.’ (Apologize for your latest failure)

>>4702597
>I’m sorry for wasting your time, Instructor Formidable; Lieutenant Belfast.’ (Apologize for your latest failure)

>>4702597
>‘I’m sorry for wasting your time, Instructor Formidable; Lieutenant Belfast.’ (Apologize for your latest failure)

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>I’m sorry for wasting your time, Instructor Formidable; Lieutenant Belfast.’ (Apologize for your latest failure)

You mean it, too.

Hanging your head and wearing a tight-lipped grimace, you wonder if your arrogance hadn’t enabled you to make such a profound push. Had you really thought to bet on yourself to such a degree when the precedent of your failure had given more credence to the inevitability of yet another fruitless attempt? The dawn had doled out its promise and the morn yielded its truth. After so many attempts with so many others, perhaps you had merely dared to dream an instant of possibility where all your trips had been mere setbacks to an ultimate success … that this would be your triumphant moment, proving those that had doubted you as speckles in the infinite oblivion in the wake of the final, true step upward.

You feel like a right berk for having their efforts and faith amount to little more than a pool of vomit.

Belfast and Formidable seem to consider your apology. Formidable adopts a pensive expression as she regards you, while Belfast’s expression remains mysteriously … cheerful, almost eerie. After what seems like a stretched hour, you end up being given a pair of curt nods … followed by a set of retreating backs, as they excuse themselves and move to join the expectant engineers and observers, all of whom are eager to take in whatever data they could from this sad excuse of a trial, leaving you with a pair of wet boots and a great sense of shame.

The buzzer sounds almost immediately after, signaling for the preparations for the next candidate to begin … and for you to leave the designated area, post-haste. Letting out a sigh and watching your two dream candidates disappear past rows of equipment and bodies, you decide to take your leave before the MPs came to assist you in your endeavors. You’re not sure what’s worse: that you’d failed or that you’d failed Belfast and Formidable after riding on all that bravado. Perhaps you could have requested Ranger or even Mutsuki. It wouldn’t have been as embarrassing to trip over those whose opinions you had no care for in the first place.

‘Well, at least you’re not due for the lunatic’s asylum. That’s something.’

You fix Conner with a weary gaze, prompting an apologetic return and an arm draped across your neck and shoulder. Abigail comes up to Conner’s side, wearing the most forced attempt at alleviation that you had seen in your life.

It is, however, still very much sincere.

‘Come on,’ Conner starts, sounding a little too friendly, ‘let’s go get some grub, huh? Pretty sure that there are still some breakfast burritos left over …’

>Decline the offer
>Accept the offer
>Write-In

>>4703275
>>Accept the offer

>>4703275
>>Accept the offer

>>4703275
>Accept the offer

>>4703275
>Accept the offer

>>4703275
>>Accept the offer

>>4703275
>>Accept the offer

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Internet having problems, as is common in the boonies of Langkawi
Testing to see if my mobile at least works
Apologies, everyone

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>Accept the offer

‘You’re quite the specimen for them to pick up in the first place,’ Conner mutters thickly, his boy band locks fluttering with the breeze as the very messy paradox of a young man of such good looks and such appalling eating habits makes itself known to you. ‘Remind me why you joined up again?’

‘I didn’t join up,’ you protest, scowling. ‘They were recruiting. Same as you.’

With two wraps of breakfast burritos each (courtesy of the back door of the mess hall and staff eager to be rid of any and all excess), the three of you had decided to spend the remainder of what you understand to be the last vestiges of a free morning for Abigail and Conner shooting the breeze and devouring leftovers from a crisp Saturday morning rush. Both your friends—for what value that held over the course of two years—were due on the main island in the afternoon, to participate in a showcase of the latest batch of META-designated Shipgirl Commanders to the world … which, at least at this very moment, wasn’t exactly about to have you as a feature. You’d been enjoying the casual conversation, which had, up until Conner’s recent shift in topic, catered to the highlight comedy of grievances featuring Captains Stubbs and Aubert.

How you were the one they accused of lacking in social graces and delicacy, you’d never know.

‘Come on,’ Abigail grins.

You scowl.

>‘You know why I joined up.’ (Vague, reluctant)
>‘I’m hardly the only one seduced by the siren call of a well-edited poster!’ (Sucker for a pretty face)
>‘Just because I’m from the boondocks doesn’t give you the right to tease me about it.’ (Seeking honor and validation for your hometown)
>‘When you have a grandfather like mine you’ll find that you don’t really have a choice in the matter.’ (Strong-armed into service by traditionalist patriarch)
>‘When they put that much money on the table you don’t say no.’ (Greed)
>‘Because I didn’t have anything better to do?’ (Sarcastic)
>Write-In

>>4704037
>>‘Just because I’m from the boondocks doesn’t give you the right to tease me about it.’ (Seeking honor and validation for your hometown)
REDNECK ROYAL NAVY SKK

>>4704037
>‘Just because I’m from the boondocks doesn’t give you the right to tease me about it.’ (Seeking honor and validation for your hometown)

>>4704037
>>‘I’m hardly the only one seduced by the siren call of a well-edited poster!’ (Sucker for a pretty face)
gonna have to be honest

>>4704043
>>4704050
>>4704059
Just a reminder that you can come up with your own backgrounds if you want. I left that write-in there for anyone with a creative pick to strike.

>>4704061
dont worry Mech, I will play up the Proper Redneck SKK with this background, dont you worry lol

>>4704037
>>Write-In
because i needed a change after collage and waiting to find a job that would suck the soul out of me? hell no this is a better fate than being a sad loser

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>‘Just because I’m from the boondocks doesn’t give you the right to tease me about it.’ (Seeking honor and validation for your hometown)

‘Wanting to play the part of the hometown hero isn’t exactly what people would write up as a choice motivator.’

‘The requirements of my service does not extend to my intentions for the term,’ you counter, biting into your own roll. ‘Besides, what’s so abnormal wanting to do your hometown a good one.’

‘Nothing whatsoever,’ Conner replies, smirking. ‘It’s just funny remembering your loud ass saying it in front of Captain Gerrard during our first roll-call.’

You narrow your eyes …

>‘Could we please not?’ (Evasive)
>‘As if your motivations are any less corny than mine.’ (Escalate)
>‘You know what? You’re right … and I don’t regret it one bit.’ (Do a complete about-face)
>‘So what are your Fleet Commands looking like?’
>‘So why aren’t you two at the port just yet? Shouldn’t you guys be … you know?’
>Write-In

>>4704131
>>‘You know what? You’re right … and I don’t regret it one bit.’ (Do a complete about-face)

>>4704131
>‘You know what? You’re right … and I don’t regret it one bit.’ (Do a complete about-face)
>‘So what are your Fleet Commands looking like?’

>>4704131
>>‘You know what? You’re right … and I don’t regret it one bit.’ (Do a complete about-face)

>>4704131
>>Write-In
well at least it wasnt as bad as the others like the one who said to have power and get the ladies

>>4704230
Haha. Good one.

>>4704131
>‘You know what? You’re right … and I don’t regret it one bit.’ (Do a complete about-face)

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>‘You know what? You’re right … and I don’t regret it one bit.’ (Do a complete about-face)

Before letting out a boom of laughter, so loud and without so much control as that day, a source of so much embarrassment and continual torment for you in your tenure, replays in your mind. You remember stepping out of line, throwing up a salute, declaring the name of the boonies that you called home shouted out like a declaration of war from a frail twerp that couldn’t even find it in himself to hold up a jockstrap … and, of course, the follow-up to your very verbal and very loud response, resulting in an encounter with an irritable Shipgirl that, oddly enough, went on to become one of the more intimate confidants that you’d had in years.

If you hadn’t been such a country boy about it, you would have never have come to know Instructor Formidable and Officer Belfast as you had.

‘Eight weeks of scrubbing men’s toilets,’ Abigail notes with disgust. ‘I’d take waterboarding any day.’

‘Yeah,’ Conner concurs, wrinkling his nose. ‘Especially with Officer Belfast and her white glove.’

You let out a snort of amusement.

Exposure to Belfast’s spic-and-span habits as your orientation had left you pretty much the only one unscathed by her turns at inspection. You may not have a stable turning of the ignition, but you could damn well boast a tidy side of the room … much to the consternation of a certain class ace seated right next to you.

‘You’d think that she’d use that enhanced sight of hers to care for things a lot more important than a few dust particles.’

You click your tongue, shaking your head. ‘An unkempt bed in the morn is the gateway to all calamities.’

Conner and Abigail give you flat stares, thoroughly irritated at your quotation of Belfast’s most infamous reprimand … while being the one soul in the barracks that had been spared her wrath. Eight weeks of latrine and shower duty was a bargain of a trade in allowing you iron out the kinks of your own tendencies; back home, you’d pretty much half-assed your task of keeping your bed tidy and your tables clear. Belfast and Formidable’s personal emphasis in overseeing your dedication, competence and thoroughness in the matter had pretty much stacked the architecture of your … relationship with them, for whatever value it ultimately formed.

It made your failure all the more shameful, as hard as you try to keep being optimistic about it.

That it wasn’t the end of the world.

That it did not (at least not necessarily) mean your aspirations would be cut short.

None, however, would change the fact that you’d, ultimately, let them down.

Your smile falters slightly: it really is hard to keep it up, knowing that for a fact.

‘You have all her catch-phrases on tape or something?’ Conner insinuates, sarcastic and mischievous in tone.

>‘Would’ve probably help the both of you keep those slips down if I did.’ (Throw it right back)
>‘Again, you’re acting like I’m the only fanboy on base.’ (Dry)
>‘Oh, as if you and Abigail don’t have compilation albums wedged underneath your mattresses.’ (Throw it hard)
>‘So when are the both of you heading out?’ (Shift the topic away)
>Write-In

>>4704601
>>‘Oh, as if you and Abigail don’t have compilation albums wedged underneath your mattresses.’ (Throw it hard)

>>4704599
>‘So when are the both of you heading out?’ (Shift the topic away)

>>4704601
>>‘Oh, as if you and Abigail don’t have compilation albums wedged underneath your mattresses.’ (Throw it hard)
Ahh shittalking with friends

>>4704601
>‘Oh, as if you and Abigail don’t have compilation albums wedged underneath your mattresses.’ (Throw it hard)

>>4704601
>>‘Oh, as if you and Abigail don’t have compilation albums wedged underneath your mattresses.’ (Throw it hard)

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>‘Oh, as if you and Abigail don’t have compilation albums wedged underneath your mattresses.’ (Throw it hard)

‘Tastefulness makes all the difference,’ Abigail counters. ‘That and a lack of bedroom eyes.’

Conner, however, furrows his brows, holding his chin. ‘I don’t know, he might have a point, actually … considering how Albacore parades herself.’

‘Oh, sure,’ Abigail replies, smiling tightly. ‘Nothing wrong at all with Nagato’s spread.’

‘That is traditional clothing, thank you very much,’ Conner retorts. ‘If you’d bother to be a little more culturally aware, you’d be able to tell the difference between a micro-bikini and a passable article of clothing.’

‘Yeah,’ you snort. ‘Inspiring a lot of confidence there.’

A log of silence strikes itself between the three of you, the wheels and gears beginning to turn and shift as your curious trio adopts a … ponderous mood.

‘You know what?’ Abigail starts again, her expression a mixture of confusion and concern. ‘You have to actually wonder what all of that aims to cater to.’

>Write-In

>>4705399
>>Write-In
most likely on what the will and thoughts of humanity alongside of the wishes of the sailors

>>4705399
>I feel like this is one of those questions that will forever be argued about no matter how you answer it

>>4705399
>If they were not real I'd say unit designs for a waifu gacha game designed to drain peoples wallets.
Knocking on the 4th wall.

>>4705408
Supporting

>>4705399
>We have a better chance charging a Command Siren with a dinghy than figuring that out.

>>4705408
also supporting, the will of humanity for big tiddy is strong

>>4705399

>>4705408
sounds good

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>most likely on what the will and thoughts of humanity alongside of the wishes of the sailors

Abigail’s brow twitches at your supposition of truth.

‘Just what are you taking me for?’

You try your best to remain innocent.

It lasts all of five seconds, culminating with a soft thwack of an open palm to the back of your head.

‘It is a little … tone-deaf as a marketing gimmick,’ Conner suggests, frowning. ‘Imagine getting roped in on the promise of adventures on the high seas … and ending up being responsible for the operation and performance of a magical bio-roid possessed by the willed incarnation of an ancient war machine with the capacity to level cities if they ever went rogue.’

‘A cause for concern, definitely,’ you answers, unable to keep a straight face as you lean back, turning your gaze up to the sky. ‘Not that it isn’t tried and true.’

‘The implication that military men are horndogs without an outlet gains credence with every passing day,’ Conner chuckles, his shoulders visibly shaking as he hunches over slightly, taking another bite out of his meal. ‘There should be an official dissertation on that: the link between machismo and the structure of Thanatos.’

‘I’m gonna pretend that I get what you’re getting at there.’

‘You mean like you do every time Captain Wilkes puts a lecture on?’

You give your smirking friend a light shove, almost causing him to drop what remained of his burrito into the waiting sea below. He wrinkles his nose as he turns to face your person, not at all amused with your inadvertent physicality culminating in the relinquishment of his meal before he could even get to the proper meat of it. You shrug slightly, raising your hands in silent apology before leaning back … and deciding that with your laundry due anyway, that the state of the back of your shirt mattered little (and that the docks were clean to take a nap on, anyway), willingly plopping yourself, hands behind your head, on your back, knees dangling over the edge and an eye up into the clouds above.

The only things that you hear are the rustling of the waves, the ticklish motion of the ocean breeze and the chirp of a small flock of hungry seagulls, waiting to peck at what few leftovers remained from your score of mess hall leftovers. It was hard to believe that the clock hadn’t so much as struck ten yet.

Time did slow down here … just as it did back home.

‘Hey,’ Abigail starts, prompting you to lower your chin slightly, the bottom of your perspective catching a mite of worry upon her gaze. ‘Do you guys think that the Sirens … that they’re really gone?’

Neither you nor Conner rush your answer.

>‘We won; that matters more than if they’re still around.’
>‘I doubt it.’
>‘I don’t know. The last sighting was what? Seven years ago?’
>‘Hopefully.’
>Write-In

>>4706353
>>‘I doubt it, they strike me as beings that wouldn't doubt to play the long game with us or I'm just being paranoid.'

>>4706353
>‘We won; that matters more than if they’re still around.’

>>4706357
supporting this

>>4706353
>‘I doubt it, they strike me as beings that wouldn't doubt to play the long game with us or I'm just being paranoid.'

>>4706353
>>Write-In
No mostly likely not maybe they are trying to get our guard down and strike with you pants are down

Running in a bit, lads. Hang tight.

>>4706353
>>‘I don’t know. The last sighting was what? Seven years ago?’

I'm rebooting this Quest. This prompt fucking broke me. Thank you very much. It only took you 150 posts.

>>4707684
Broke you? What do you mean?

>>4707763
he could not figure out a way to write the next prompt without basically ruining the first part of the quest or doing it in a way that breaks the quests flow. which i understand cause i made the write in way too meta-like

>>4707684
If you want to, you could just declare the write-in invalid and go with the next most voted choice. As the QM, you're in charge, and it's within your rights to ignore overly meta or out-of-character bullshit.

>>4707868
Yeah, a write in that the GM disagrees with is hardly a cause to reboot a quest. I'm fine with whatever the next picked option is, or asking again on picking an option.

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>‘I doubt it, they strike me as beings that wouldn't doubt to play the long game with us or I'm just being paranoid.'

Abigail’s concerns, oddly enough, are genuine ones. After all, Azur Lane’s continued operations pretty much leaned in on a better safe than sorry basis (one that adhered to your own paranoid sensibilities), and even with seven years between humanity and the last sighting of the black ships, you doubt that anyone had seen enough to reassure them that there was no confidence lost in a wager on their return … a prospect that, while taken into account, was one that you hoped never even saw the light of suggestion or consideration. You’d lived through those trying times relatively unscathed, much to your own surprise, perhaps owing to the fact that your three stoplight town was more of a way-station than it could ever be a population center … a perfect spot as the hub for logistical and relief operations of the eastern seaboard. As a kid, you’d almost enjoyed waking up during those wee hours, watching helicopters and military trucks roll in, the soldiers barking orders and reading out protocols to follow until your parents would whisk you away from the loud rotation of helicopter blades and order you back to bed, never quite understanding what their presence truly meant.

It was hard to keep innocent for long, however. As much as the military and the government tried to keep things quiet and manageable, the flooding—and sinking—of entire cities along the western seaboard wasn’t something that any of them could have feasibly kept under wraps even if they wanted to. The scarcity of news regarding humanity’s progress in regards to the war had inadvertently kept those that weren’t in the line of sight of the belligerent forces—with your township a prime example—able to enjoy their previous routes, almost unnaturally so.

Perhaps you were more blessed than you’d previously thought.

But the lost cities, the deaths of millions and the corruption of the northern Pacific had been more than enough to justify the prospect of a resurrection and return most frightening, if it would ever come to pass. An if that you took as a certainty, given just what it had previously meant for humanity as a whole.

Mass graves and shattered coastlines had a tendency to do that.

‘Probably somewhere out there, biding their time, licking what wounds they can,’ you mutter, feeling uncharacteristically grim. ‘If you believe even a quarter of what the reports have written up, we’d do well to keep ourselves from being caught with our pants down by the time they show. That’s why Azur Lane exists, after all.’

Abigail makes a sound of reluctant agreement.

‘Or they might really be gone,’ you offer, ‘but I’m not leaving my porch door open for that; nope, nope.’

Conner lets out a snort, running his hands through his hair with a humorless smirk. ‘I keep forgetting you’re from a podunk town in the middle of nowhere.’

‘And I keep forgetting that you can’t go ten feet without getting your nose cold,’ you shoot back, ‘but in all seriousness, the fact that Azur Lane still exists at all lends at least some credence to that paranoia, right?’

‘Personally, I think that’d be more the politics surrounding the Shipgirls than paranoia towards the Sirens,’ Abigail returns, mimicking Conner’s expression. ‘Since, you know, none of the nations really agreed to the terms of a tentative disbandment when the Sirens finally decided to cut their losses after Operation Sunset.’

>‘Operation Sunset. That’s the one where …’ (Focus on Operation Sunset)
>‘Yeah, the United Nations really dropped the ball there.’ (Agree)
>‘I’d like to think that we’re actually sensible enough to not enable an arms race within the same decade we just finished a war.’ (Cautiously optimistic)
>‘Well, considering just how much every nation’s invested into the Shipgirl program …’ (Meet the politicians halfway)
>‘So instead of a typical arms race, it’s one involving magical bio-roids that came along to make sure we kept breathing in the first place. You know what? I take it back. Let the Sirens finish the job.’ (Incredulous)
>Write-In

>>4708295
>‘Yeah, the United Nations really dropped the ball there.’ (Agree)

>>4708295
>>‘Operation Sunset. That’s the one where …’ (Focus on Operation Sunset)

>>4708295
>>‘Operation Sunset. That’s the one where …’ (Focus on Operation Sunset)

>>4708295
>‘Operation Sunset. That’s the one where …’ (Focus on Operation Sunset)

>>4708295
>>‘Operation Sunset. That’s the one where …’ (Focus on Operation Sunset)

>>4708295
>‘Yeah, the United Nations really dropped the ball there.’ (Agree)

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‘Operation Sunset, that’s the one where …’

>‘We lost Enterprise, Hiryuu, Ark Royal … so many.’ (Melancholic)
>‘We finally managed to beat back those bastards. Cost us half an ocean and two years of famine, but we did it.’ (Professional)
>‘Yeah, damn, you really have to bring up The Wound like that, Abigail?’ (Reluctant)
>‘I really wonder if it was worth it at all; we recovered, but … man. It’s like clogging the meat grinder with bone to get it to stop.’ (Regretful)
>Write-In

>>4708632
>>‘We lost Enterprise, Hiryuu, Ark Royal … so many.’ (Melancholic)

>>4708632
>‘We lost Enterprise, Hiryuu, Ark Royal … so many.’ (Melancholic)

>>4708632
>>‘We lost Enterprise, Hiryuu, Ark Royal … so many.’ (Melancholic)
R.I.P. Taco

>>4708632
>>‘We lost Enterprise, Hiryuu, Ark Royal … so many.’ (Melancholic)

>>4708632
>>‘We finally managed to beat back those bastards. Cost us half an ocean and two years of famine, but we did it.’ (Professional)

>>4708719
Ignore the name was doing a risk /qst/

>>4708632
>>‘We lost Enterprise, Hiryuu, Ark Royal … so many.’ (Melancholic)

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>‘We lost Enterprise, Hiryuu, Ark Royal … so many.’ (Melancholic)

One name stands out to you among the masses that threw their bodies into that crucible.

‘Enterprise,’ you let out, casting your gaze downward, oddly melancholic, despite the lack of a personal tether to the event. You’d been young, sheltered; the only thing that made you aware of a war for humanity’s right to existence had been on-going in your youth had been the roll of military trucks and the strict curfews imposed, sandwiched between frequent updates regarding the progress of the combatants on the front lines. It had been the only time you’d remembered such a showcase of unity and cooperation among nations … and the irony of ironies would carve itself in the form of a vanguard of a war-torn time lost to naught but the memory of ancients … and all the more appropriate that they would hold those roles into the war’s twilight.

There would never have been one without them in the first place.

‘Enterprise,’ you start again, as more names come to mind. ‘Hiryuu, Ark Royal …’

>Hold your burrito remains up in a toast to the fallen
>Do nothing, continue your ponderous thoughts and the discussion
>Write-In

>>4710874
>Hold your burrito remains up in a toast to the fallen

>>4710874
>>Hold your burrito remains up in a toast to the fallen

>>4710874
>Hold your burrito remains up in a toast to the fallen

>>4710874
>Hold your burrito remains up in a toast to the fallen

>>4710874
>>Hold your burrito remains up in a toast to the fallen

>>4710874
>>Hold your burrito remains up in a toast to the fallen

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VERY IMPORTANT NOTE TO MY PLAYERS
1. Just came up with a bunch of lore for this Quest in the last 36 hours, so apologies for not running since the last post.
2. I'll try to have two sessions run at every day, each lasting 3 hours, just like Shipgirl Commander used to. Hopefully this one will stick, but one thing I can definitely say is that I won't be running on Fridays (Unless it's the first post of the new thread).
3. MOST IMPORTANT ONE: I don't want combat rolls as they disrupt the questing flow, but if there's demand for it, I'll implement it. The downside is that you'll have to give me at least a week off to come up with the mechanics. I'd rather not, but I'm willing to drop this here.

>>4713414
Sounds good, when will this be starting?

>>4713420
I'd like to key in a time comfortable with all, and the consensus seems to be 8 PM Malaysian time for one session and whenever I'm around for the other.

Remember to thank a certain someone. Cheers.

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>Hold your burrito remains up in a toast to the fallen

‘To the ones we lost,’ you declare, the corners of your lips lifting up into a small, proud, smile. ‘May their memories shine bright and eternal … faces known and shrouded.’

Your friend give you a quizzical look apiece … before slowly joining in, nodding and huffing as they raised their half-eaten meals into the air. To the outsider, you must look like a right bunch of fools … and while you had no care to discount their accusations should they ever be thrown, you also feel that your actions, while crude, are not in ill in intention or content and thus, not one to be an iota ashamed about. Setting down your arm and taking another bite (also in salutation), you find your thoughts straying and encompassing the matter of Operation Sunset … or rather, the pieces that had enabled its ultimate success.

‘Takao … she lead the vanguard, didn’t she?’ you inquire, finally picking up on the one name you’d missed.

‘Yeah,’ Conner answers, biting his bottom lip. ‘Chief Petty Officer Atago’s sister.’

You find yourself still caught off-balance by the genetic relation of beings that were the amalgamation of technology and magic, even after having been exposed to the fact for years. Not that you found it odd; you just felt that such designations and classifications were rather … redundant, considering the origins of the Shipgirls themselves, being biological constructs on one hand and the manifestation of ancient weaponry given sentience with no actual parental unit intersecting any presumed family tree. The concept of Shipgirls regarding each other as cousins, sisters … it hadn’t even crossed your mind until you’d gotten your boots wet.

Then again, maybe you were just the odd one out paying attention to such a thing. No one else really cared.

‘Didn’t you put in a request to run a trial with her?’ you inquire, prompting an irritable look from your roommate.

‘I did,’ he grumbles, looking away, wearing a great big scowl. ‘She didn’t get back to me.’

‘Oh? Who’d you run up as the Vanguard, then?’

You’d only seen his Primary.

‘Lieutenant Noshiro,’ Conner declares.

‘The both of you are suicidal on a sub-conscious level,’ Abigail chimes in, scowling. ‘Two SSR Classes? Really?’

Conner jabs a thumb in your direction, scowling. ‘As this idiot says: go big or go home.’

You didn’t say that … often, anyway.

‘You know, you can say what you want about my boldness, my friend, but you’re the only idiot on this base that had the sheer arrogance to request Taihou for his trial.’

‘Why? She’s a perfectly viable candidate.’

You're not sure if your friend had lost his sanity bridging the link or lacked it in the first place.

>>4713955
>'Name one other Shipgirl that has an actual misdemeanor to their record involving a superior.' (Factual)
>'Are we talking on the same plane of reality or have you transcended beyond comprehension?' (Insult)
>'And what was her last evaluation score?' (Accusatory)
>'She's volatile.' (Worried)
>'She is, yeah.' (Brush off your own accusation)
>Write-In

>>4713964
>'Name one other Shipgirl that has an actual misdemeanor to their record involving a superior.' (Factual)

>>4713964
>>'She's volatile.' (Worried)

>>4713964
>>'She's volatile.' (Worried)

>>4713964
>>Write-In
isnt she a bit obsessed with her commander

>>4713998
I have to support this

>>4713964
>'She's volatile.' (Worried)

I'm in the middle of watching the Fate/Grand Carnival stream. Should be running after I'm done, Inshallah.

>>4713955
...I suppose her ability outweighs her quirks, especially considering we’re talking shipgirls here and there is no such thing as a bad one.

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>'She's volatile.' (Worried)

Your opinion is made as clearly and concisely as you can manage. While you weren’t one to jab a thumb back on one’s flaws, the fact that Conner had willingly wrapped a loop around a Carrier with a record as—

‘My, my, just who are you calling volatile, Cadet?’

A squeak escapes you as a chill goes up your spine. You turn to your head to the only female companion whose presence you’re aware of at that moment, praying that she’d decided to barge in with a sickly sweet imitation of the subject matter at hand.

Abigail’s eyes avert from your gaze, staring blankly towards the distant horizon with a hot-glued smile upon her features.

The giggle approaches your left ear.

>Signal for Conner to intervene
>‘It’s just … your record speaks for itself, Miss Taihou.’ (Serious, Nervous)
>‘Volatile? Did I say volatile? I wouldn’t dare say such slanderous things of such an exemplary soldier.’ (Play the yellow-bellied coward that you are deep down inside)
>‘Well … I’m just, um … concerned, uh … for the both of you, ma’am. As a … friend of the, uh … other half of the involved party.’ (Try to justify your worry)
>‘Good day, Miss Taihou. Your restraining order expired yet?’ (Snipe)
>Write-In

I was going to delay this until a certain someone came back, but ... well, time's a-wasting.

>>4716502
>‘It’s just … your record speaks for itself, Miss Taihou.’ (Serious, Nervous)

>>4716502
>>‘Volatile? Did I say volatile? I wouldn’t dare say such slanderous things of such an exemplary soldier.’ (Play the yellow-bellied coward that you are deep down inside)
One Fear

>>4716502
>>‘Good day, Miss Taihou. Your restraining order expired yet?’ (Snipe)

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>‘It’s just … your record speaks for itself, Miss Taihou.’ (Serious, Nervous)

As her face comes into view, the last thing that you catch of Conner’s expression vanishing behind the frighteningly chipper visage of a certain Shipgirl that you’d heard nightmares worth of warnings of, her red eyes glowing brightly under the shimmer of the morning sun, her voice humming a tune that is much too cheerful for the frightening aura that she brings with her. You hear Abigail scoot over slightly, the heavy thread of her uniform letting out the traitorous call of abandonment as you’re left face-to-face with a woman whose reputation didn’t exactly warrant a reasonable output of … adequacy. In fact, Taihou had been the first case that you’d actually heard of a Shipgirl going off the deep end instead of it being the other way around … and certainly the first one to involve a court martial, international law and a proper designation of safety for all the parties involved.

Whoever Taihou’s Commander had been … he must have been quite a man to inspire that in the incarnated spirit of a living weapon.

That, however, did not deter your rather reckless rhetoric from being recited … with emphasis.

You’re uncertain whether your guts or your utter stupidity had the majority hold on the words rolling off the tip of your tongue, but by the time you’d formulated a reply, it didn’t matter.

Your approval had been stamped.

‘You are a pretty unique case as far as these sort of things go, Miss Taihou,’ you let out, wearing a tight smile as your bladder begins to burst at the seams with every syllable that swan-dives from thought into existence. ‘I mean, uh … not a lot of … Shipgirls that … um … get called to court on a … restraining … order …’

Her hands cup your cheeks. You don’t dare look away.

‘My, my, aren’t you adorable?’

Her smile is wide.

It definitely does not reach her eyes, however.

Knees quaking, you find your jaw slacking as you try to piece together the next reply, but her hot breath and fiery eyes disarm you in ways that render your neurons unable to fire anything eligible beyond quacks and grunts. The concrete shifts under the seat of your pants as you feel your buttocks unwittingly scooting in an attempt to escape this Medusa’s grasp, tears on the verge of bursting from the corners of your eyes, your gaze craned forcefully—and gently—upwards into the burning hot embers that were her irises. You wiggle your toes, your—

‘Oh my.’

SPLASH!

Your senses returning to you with the breach of a surface three feet below, you sputter for breath, staring up at a pair of so-called friends restraining themselves from mockery … and a very pleased-looking Carrier staring mischievously at you from her position between the former two, effectively usurping your seat.

You stare up at the trio, clumsily treading water.

>Write-In

>>4716559
>Write-In
I guess I deserved that ma'am but you can't fault a man about worrying about his friend. Especially with the rumors that float around base about you...

>>4716575
supporting this but adding 'regardless though, i do hope my friend does take full and complete responsibility for you'

>>4716575
>Supporting

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>I guess I deserved that ma'am but you can't fault a man about worrying about his friend. Especially with the rumors that float around base about you…

You brush what seawater you can manage out of your hair with your fingers, your feet now back on solid concrete thanks to the very merciful and forgiving whims of the object of your wild and groundless accusations. To Taihou’s right, you spy Conner rolling his eyes at your lack of spatial awareness, having just finished muttering his incredulity at how you’d allowed yourself to scoot over to the point you were totally over the edge. Abigail is more of a Taihou’s mind, offering a sympathetic smile but ultimately unable to keep her amusement over your drenched self restrained to intent. You don’t blame her, however, even as you pull your top up and give it a right tight squeeze, giving an apologetic smile of your own instead. It had been your fault after all,, being so clumsy in the first place …

‘Yes, of course,’ Taihou finally responds, taking a step forward as her flighty, high-pitched voice sounds once more, touching her delicate fingers to her lips as she regards you in a manner as a spider would its helpless dinner. ‘Such concerns are fitting, especially where the well-being of one’s friends are concerned.’

She doesn’t seem too irked by your previous statements, despite your flight-or-fight response blaring warnings with every squeeze of your wrinkled top. You make a mental note to make a beeline for the washing machines the first chance you get, lest one of your superiors catch you wearing a wet, wrinkled uniform and smelling like the sea.

Maybe you could get away with saying it was a training mishap. The practice areas were notoriously slippery, after all.

‘Well, then shall we get going?’ Taihou chirps up again, turning her back to you and clapping her hands together. Even from this position, however, you could tell her focus was on Conner, with Abigail—rather reasonably—placing herself at least two arms’ lengths between the pair. ‘If we catch the next boat, there should be some time to browse what the city has to offer before the parade.’

It’s amazing how what was effectively a weapon of mass destruction worth billions could resemble a pleading college girl so … convincingly. You yourself have to keep the goofy smile from coming out in response to Taihou’s display.

Conner, however, maintains his stoic persona, merely nodding at his … partner’s act.

Maybe that was why he’d been made the class’ so-called ace.

‘Not really much that I’d like to browse around,’ Conner reasons, his voice trailing off as he considers Taihou’s proposal.

>Write-In
>Tell them to go and shove off; you needed to get yourself dry and your clothes washed ASAP anyway

>>4716638
>>Tell them to go and shove off; you needed to get yourself dry and your clothes washed ASAP anyway

>>4716638
>>Tell them to go and shove off; you needed to get yourself dry and your clothes washed ASAP anyway
>Good luck guys

>>4716646
supporting this

>>4716638
>>Tell them to go and shove off; you needed to get yourself dry and your clothes washed ASAP anyway

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>Tell them to go and shove off; you needed to get yourself dry and your clothes washed ASAP anyway

Perhaps the most thankful for your casual dismissal was Taihou herself, as she throws a mysterious look over your shoulder before going on her way. Abigail excuses herself just as well, deigning it a more worthwhile endeavor to cross-check whatever items she’d forgotten to go over prior to her departure for the parade. You hadn’t even managed to ask just who she’d managed to attach herself to for the parade by the time she’d scampered off … not that it mattered, anyway: you’d find out by the time you were in the crowds and she had her demonstration up. You had at least three hours before the procession final went underway … more than enough time for you to change up and make your way to town yourself; after all, the ferry between the base and the island was operational up until the wee hours on weekends (owing to the fact that a vast majority of the cadets and staff preferred to not be cooped up on said weekends) and you—

‘I see you at least finally managed to learn to swim.’

You close your eyes and count to ten.

If there was a mood of yours to be ruined … you could definitely trust him to make good on it.

‘What a waste your time here would have been otherwise.’

>Ignore the voice
>‘Shouldn’t you be buttoning up for the parade, Wolfgang?’ (Curt)
>‘Go away, Wolfgang.’ (Brush him off)
>‘Congratulations on your placement, Wolfgang. Couldn’t have happened to a better guy.’ (Patient)
>'Don't sound too happy. Your care package get lost in the mail?' (Antagonize)
>Write-In

>>4716749
>>‘Shouldn’t you be buttoning up for the parade, Wolfgang?’ (Curt)

>>4716749
>>‘Shouldn’t you be buttoning up for the parade, Wolfgang?’ (Curt)

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>‘Shouldn’t you be buttoning up for the parade, Wolfgang?’ (Curt)

You pull your wet uniform top off your shoulder, smarting it slightly from the sheer force you undertake the task by … so irritable the presence of the man before you means to you. Blonde, broad-shouldered and wearing the most punchable smirk known to man, you wonder what genetic malfunction could have deemed this arrogant piece of existence worthy of a chance at life at all. Walking towards you in the full black, white and blue dress of Azur Lane, his cap twirling at his side, you find yourself surprisingly reluctant to turn your back to the prideful blonde, instead deigning it a more appropriate show of your character to squeeze the remaining droplets of saltwater out of your soggy top, your nose wrinkling and your teeth grinding as you whiten your knuckles with every step that he takes towards your person.

Suffice to say, his company wasn’t one that you were particularly … enthused about.

‘Shouldn’t you be in the stands with the other rejects?’

It’s hard not to rise to the bait.

You manage to do so, even without your friends holding you back from indulging in a breach of disciplinary protocol. You truly had grown up.

‘I’m surprised that they’d keep a hick like you around,’ Wolfgang lets out, shrugging as he raised his palms parallel to his shoulders. ‘Well, not really. Keeping invalids around to meet PR quotas probably more than make-up for the vacuum of your existence.’

>‘Grow up, Wolfgang.’ (Sneer)
>‘Yeah, you’d know, wouldn’t you?’ (Throw his accusations back at him)
>‘Don’t you have better things to do? Maybe feed off some pond scum with the rest of your species?’ (Dry)
>‘Conner’s already gone into the city if you’re looking for him.’ (Dismissive, nonchalant)
>Keep silent but don’t take your foot off the pedal
>Write-In

>>4716833
>‘Grow up, Wolfgang.’ (Sneer)
What a lovely fellow this man is.

>>4716833
>‘Grow up, Wolfgang.’ (Sneer)

>>4716833
>>‘Don’t you have better things to do? Maybe feed off some pond scum with the rest of your species?’ (Dry)

>>4716833
>Write-In
> "Is this really the best thing you could think of to do with your time? Kinda pathetic, don't you think?"

>>4716833
>"Is this really the best thing you could think of to do with your time? Kinda pathetic, don't you think?"

>>4716833
>>Write-In
Oh yeah wolfgang at least my mother isnt a drunk and a whore and my father was there

I should be ready to go within an hour. Currently finishing up my breakfast.

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>"Is this really the best thing you could think of to do with your time? Kinda pathetic, don't you think?"

‘Don’t flatter yourself,’ he retorts, the proud smirk vanishing in an instant, making room for a look of disdain to wholly dominate his slightly tanned features. ‘Making you aware of the ballast you are is something I consider a duty to the emblem. Everyday you scurry around on this base is another day you put this operation’s resources to waste. You’d at least have my respect if you had the awareness and the honor to realize it on your own; as it is … I think I’m the only one around here that’s honest enough to put the effort in.’

>Write-In

>>4717827
>Sometimes I think you have another reason to keep seeking me out Wolfgang. I suppose its a good thing you're graduating, now I won't have to be worried about my cornhole getting poked in the showers
>Shoot him a mocking grin
ahh the old time, "u gey bruh' insults, can't go wrong with them

>>4717827
>Considering you only every attempted to synchronize with Fletchers, I'd hardly consider your "efforts" honest. You didn't even attempt to sync with Mullany, Nicholas or Stephen Potter.

>>4717838
Supporting

>>4717827
you? honest effort, please I do real work while you just bully others and lie to cover your mistakes to the instructors just because your mother is a drunk and whore and abused you while your father was never ever in your life because he left when he found out that he knocked up your mom and bailed to avoid responsibility am wrong or am i right

>>4717838
>>4717841
Again, stop going ahead with assumptions, please. Unless you want the quest to stall like it did prior. I put up with it last time. I don't want to put up with this shit now.

>>4717855
I will switch to supporting >>4717831

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>Sometimes I think you have another reason to keep seeking me out Wolfgang. I suppose its a good thing you're graduating, now I won't have to be worried about my cornhole getting poked in the showers
>Shoot him a mocking grin

His eyes narrow at the accusation, coy as it is. ‘I seek you out,’ he starts, his voice barely containing his irritation as he stops twirling his cap, ‘because no one else seems to see the sense in your waste of a presence. Of all the mongrels on the road, you are, by far, the one most lack in self-awareness.’

Flicking his cap onto his head, he keeps a tight glare on you, his nose wrinkling in a very apparent show of distaste.

The feeling is mutual.

‘So, tell me,’ he begins again, taking a slow, deliberate drawl as he rubs his pristine shoes into the cement of the harbor area. ‘Just which unfortunate souls did you deem worthy to take away from more deserving hands this time? An E-Class Battleship? An SSR-Class Destroyer? How many man-hours did you have the bureaucracy waste just so you could live out those stupid fantasies of yours for all of five seconds?’

>‘Wouldn’t you like to know?’
>‘Requests can either be met with approval or denial; I didn’t force anyone into anything so unsavory as what you imply.’
>‘Not my place to bother with the details.’
>Stay silent
>Write-In

>>4717910
>‘Requests can either be met with approval or denial; I didn’t force anyone into anything so unsavory as what you imply.’

>>4717910
>‘Requests can either be met with approval or denial; I didn’t force anyone into anything so unsavory as what you imply.’

>>4717910
>‘Requests can either be met with approval or denial; I didn’t force anyone into anything so unsavory as what you imply.’

>>4717910
>>‘Requests can either be met with approval or denial; I didn’t force anyone into anything so unsavory as what you imply.’

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>‘Requests can either be met with approval or denial; I didn’t force anyone into anything so unsavory as what you imply.’

Wolfgang’s expression doesn’t change.

‘So you’re delegating blame now? How fitting for someone of your quality,’ he scoffs, placing his hands in his pockets. ‘Or does it reflect more on the quality of those you subscribe to, I wonder?’

It’s his nonchalance that claws at you more than the words themselves.

>Write-In

>>4717935
>Write-In
I blame no-one else but myself for my own shortcomings, but I will be damned if I let your petty words stop me from working on fixing them.

>>4717935
This >>4717935 but I'll tack on a bit more and play up the Royals shtick
>Her highness's shipgirls only accept the best in quality. In both strength and character, if I had been found lacking I would not have been given time of day. I blame no-one else but myself for my own shortcomings in bridging, but I will be damned if I let your petty words stop me from working on improving them.

>>4717997
This

>>4717997
And by this I meant >>4717972, bleh. Juggling three gachas events at once is suffering.

>>4717935
>>Write-In
I could say the same about you

>>4717997
I like this revised version, and will support it over my original.

>>4717997
this

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>Her highness's shipgirls only accept the best in quality. In both strength and character, if I had been found lacking I would not have been given time of day. I blame no-one else but myself for my own shortcomings in bridging, but I will be damned if I let your petty words stop me from working on improving them.

Wolfgang sneers at your words, his eyes narrowing underneath the visor of his cap. You match his glare, your expression … relaxed. Wolfgang’s irritable attitude had worn out its intimidation factor within the first few weeks of exposure; more than a year in, the only thing that crossed your mind meeting those royal vermilion orbs of his was their presence. The man had never missed a chance to put you down … for whatever reason he could find. You hadn’t even the foggiest of just why his hatred of you extended to such an unreasonable extent … and he hadn’t bothered with explaining himself even with your insistent prompting (outside of a forceful shove and cryptic retorts). As things went, you’d gone and settled into a merely discomforting dislike of one another with an eye on the conduct board; not quite ideal but more than adequate for two grown men such as yourselves.

After all, regardless of how you felt, he was still one of Azur Lane’s best and brightest … even if your respect for him ran shallower than a jock and his prom date. Given your own state of flux, you weren’t about to jeopardize your own career stepping over boundaries prematurely. One only gained such a right after one had proven oneself … and you, as things were, have absolutely nothing to show for it.

‘I take it back,’ he starts again, looking down the bridge of his nose as he leaned his head back. ‘It’s quite unfortunate that you’ve learned to swim. The sea would have done the world a great favor dragging your worthless behind out with it.’

You wrinkle your nose, barely restraining yourself from letting loose a tirade of—

You’re immediately knocked off-balance by a burst of … something. A brief glare of light prompts you into raising your arms … causing you to resume your fall with the clumsy shift of your right knee to the right. A grunt of discomfort escapes you as you look up … only to find a gust of wind to call on your reflexes, both arms going up in an attempt to shield yourself from the risk of injury.

A click of disgust hits your ears as you finally lower them down … and are greeted by a sight that is both awe-inspiring and intimidating.

‘That’s a good look on you, trash.’

Two Shipgirls stand by his side, staring down at you with unreadable expressions.

Battlecruiser Scharnhorst

Destroyer Z23

He steps over, hands in his—

‘Now, now, boys …’

That voice.

‘Good grief.’

At your side, they stand: Belfast; Formidable.

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‘My, my,’ Belfast declares, her tone mock-outrage as she raises her hand to her mouth, ‘is this really the sort of thing that cadets should be getting up to on such a beautiful day?’

You realize that the question was for the both of you.

And there weren’t many correct answers to pick from.

>‘No, ma’am, just a … civil disagreement. My apologies, Wolfgang, for any offense on my part.’ (Professional)
>‘Only when the other side fires first.’ (Snipe)
>‘I should be so lucky.’ (Aggressive)
>‘No, he was just doing his duty, Lieutenant, ma’am, in pointing out my state of dress.’ (Negotiate)
>Keep silent
>Write-In

>>4718350
>>‘No, he was just doing his duty, Lieutenant, ma’am, in pointing out my state of dress.’ (Negotiate)

>>4718350
>>‘No, he was just doing his duty, Lieutenant, ma’am, in pointing out my state of dress.’ (Negotiate)

>>4718350
>‘No, he was just doing his duty, Lieutenant, ma’am, in pointing out my state of dress.’ (Negotiate)

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>‘No, he was just doing his duty, Lieutenant, ma’am, in pointing out my state of dress.’ (Negotiate)

Belfast doesn’t comment on your explanation, that serene yet dangerous smile still upon her lips by the time you’re back on your feet. Sparing a glance to the opposing party, you notice Wolfgang taking a more formal stance compared to the slightly-hunched casual lean he’d adopted earlier in your encounter, his verbal volley of your person put on hold with the presence of a proper Instructor in the form of Formidable, who wears a neutral—if slightly peeved—expression as she stares across at Nimi—Z23’s more practical mode of address—and Scharnhorst, who regard her with looks of indifferent acknowledgment themselves.

Then the unexpected happens.

Nimi picks Wolfgang up … in the most literal sense of the word. Letting out a huff of exertion, the tiny destroyer—barely up to your diaphragm in height—topples the cold mood with that soft huff, effortlessly holding the six feet of meat, bone and refuse above her … prompting an indignant look from the hatted blonde that is every kind of satisfying.

‘Wolfgang, we’re late!’

‘Wolf—don’t call me that! It’s Auxiliary Commander! Address me by the proper designated—’

‘My, my, they get along well, don’t they?’ Belfast snickers, watching the spectacle of the fully-grown man and his pint-sized handler … hoisting him like a petulant child.

‘Hey, don’t … where are you taking me? Hey!’

‘We must be going,’ Scharnhorst announces, throwing up a casual salute as she tilts her head slightly. ‘Belfast; Formidable.’

‘Have a good one,’ Belfast cheerfully returns, raising a hand.

‘Wait-wait-wait, I’m not—’

‘And here we go!’

The crack of the sonic boom and Wolfgang’s cries don’t quite manage to knock you off your feet, but your hands do raise up in an attempt to shield yourself from the sudden burst of air, leaving an empty spot where their trio had recently stood … and the echoes of sweet distress coming from the direction of the main island as Wolfgang’s cries for assistance hit your ears. Dusting yourself off and picking your top—which had fluttered to the concrete floor of the harbor sometime after the arrival of the two Ironblood Shipgirls—and giving it a good dusting itself before slinging it over your shoulder, you turn your attentions to Formidable and Belfast.

‘Thanks,’ you manage, offering a small smile … before remembering just who the both of them are and immediately move to adjust your lack of professionalism. ‘Thank you … Instructor; Lieutenant … ma’am … madams.’

Your clumsy attempt elicits a look of amusement from the both of them.

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'Dare I ask how you ended up in such a state?'

>Just shrug in a dismissive manner
>'I'd rather not say, Lieutenant.' (Curt)
>'Free dive fishing. Hobby of mine.' (Dry)
>'Miss Taihou, she ...' (Truthful)
>'None of your business.' (Reject)
>Write-In

>>4718475
>>'Miss Taihou, she ...' (Truthful)

>>4718475
>'Miss Taihou, she ...' (Truthful)

>>4718475
>>'Miss Taihou, she ...' (Truthful)

>>4718475
>'Miss Taihou, she ...' (Truthful)

>>4718475
>'Miss Taihou, she ...' (Truthful)