Commander's seat

In Azur Lane academy, there're many ship girls of different origins who used that place as a source of cultural exchange and also to gain favor with each other.

It all started when the technology called Wisdom Cube that could materialize a warship into a girl while also containing their history in some different time.

Just like when warships were still in use, ship girls have their own country which they served from begin with, those country then begun to put some plan to work together and then they formed a factions.

There was actually only one faction consisted of various countries in the early days, namely Azur Lane. However, as the war progresses and technology with truth are revealed some countries follow different paths with the same goal.

Crimson Axis, that's the name of the factions who picked different approach against Siren. There're a few similarities from this factions with the World War that took place in the Original earth.

There's Eagle Union, Royal Navy, Sakura Empire, Iron Blood, Dragon Empery, Sardegna Empire, Northen Parliament, Iris Libre, and Vichya Dominion. Those name are based from countries that appeared during the war with their naval force.

One more important thing about their country in this world, even though they're based from some world war ship during war era, the world they're living in right now is pretty much different than the Original earth.

Cutting the history short then its comes to when the ship girls could interact with each other. Moreover when the war with Siren is over those girl will experienced their new life, that is one of the function of this academy,

Although it sounds a bit like a puny excuses, the intention is indeed there and has been built by the agreement of each faction and the approval of the headquarters when the Siren threat is judged to have calmed down.

Currently after three month has passed since their past nightmare, Azur Lane academy have received quite many revitalization in many aspect be it from those ship girls themselves, the port, or the city.

It was proved by the face of a small ship girl with blonde hair who was holding a phone without the same anxiety she got when her queen was in a pretty critical condition.

Her hair that was tied on both sides was sometimes seen swaying in the wind, and even though she was small and only wore panties as her bottom wear, with her uniform alone everyone would know her toughness.

"Mitake...Ran? That's some name that I didn't know in my year as a flagship. Maybe she's a new ship girl...Or not. In the first place, surname was used by those with influence. Why don't you ask those young one over there?"

Just like a cafeteria during lunch break, the place was filled with many ship girls who were talking, munching on food, or just keeping things safe while they were there. The cafeteria had a combination of white and orange colors with clean environment plus some decorative small tress as refresher.

This voice came out from another ship girl that is currently enjoying her snack in the School cafeteria. She's none other than Mikasa, one of an influential member in Sakura Empire and sometime called as their senior.

"Thank you, sorry if I'm disturbing your lunch time. Next time, let's enjoy our time together as my apologize."

Warspite who was in the middle of her quest then add a pleasantries to Mikasa who are currently eating her Yakisoba Bread. It's not weird for Warspite to talk more friendly at Mikasa since they're both senior in war experience.

"It's fine, it's just a simple direction for my classmate. More importantly, how is Queen Elizabeth doing? It's enough to hear rumor spread, but these ear still function in fine."

"Her majesty has grown into a better mood after that. It was all thanks to that person who had helped us and current port which have grown livier than before. All of that had quicken her majesty recovery."

"That's a great news! Our current port and also those young one...To think they could survive all of that. No, never mind. In our current condition as the older, we need to regain our spirit! Gnamm!!!"

Even though she's happy with the good news of Queen Elizabeth's health, her trauma created a scar in her heart whenever she saw the face of ship girls who're younger than her.

The fact that she couldn't protect her countrymen and was forced to see their destruction before her eyes still lingered in her mind. And then she furiously ate that bread.

"I guess you're right Mikasa..."

'It feels like a few days, however the pain of knowing your despair and demise in those short days were real. This time as her majesty knight and his warrior, I'll never let such things happen!'

"Oh my bad you're still in your quest, about your offer I'll accept it with pleasure. Looking forward to our next tea time."

"Very well thank you."

Warspite moving to the next table where a group of ship girls were in the middle of their lunch. Just like what her queen ordered for her, she's in the middle of identifying the name that was engraved on their commander's phone.

However when she dragged her chair and intend to stood up another ship girls with crane like robe appeared with a plate full of dishes.

"Greetings! Mikasa-daisenpai and Warspite-san! Zuikaku, has arrived to eat her lunch!"

"Humu! Take any seat you like."

"A-Ahaha...Don't mind me, I'm still in my mission from queen. You two can enjoy your time."

Zuikaku, she's a ship girl with demeanor similar to a shonen protagonist. She has a rival, wanted to be strong and surpass the said rival, have a deep enthusiasm towards her friends, under the guidance of someone with great experience, etc.

Usually she often spends time with her sister-ship Shoukaku, but it seemed Shoukaku wasn't there beside her.

'Hmmm...I've search for this name through Empire's dorm and also some passerby but the result is null. Should I search from girls in other factions I wonder?'

Warspite had actually approached several places and people to identify the figure of the name, but as she expected, the results were to no avail, while she was thinking about her next destination which was a group of Destroyers who were eating pudding and parfaits, suddenly the phone in her hand ranged.

"Ah! Umm...What should I do...Yes! hello?"

At first Warspite looked panicked because she wasn't sure whether she should answer the call or not, but in the end she picked it up nervously.

["Konlulu~ Hello Machi-san. Hum? This doesn't sounds like Machi-san, who am I talking to?"]

When she picked up the phone, Warspite heard a female voice that sounded soft and full of tenderness. The figure asked the whereabouts of Sakura Zeimachi who certainly wasn't there at that time.

However...No, it's too dangerous. Let's settle with that.

'Commander name's is Sakura Zeimachi...Then could it be this is his acquittance? Let's be polite to her.'

"Kuhum...Pardon my intrusion for not telling my name. My name is Warspite, Queen Elizabeth-class fast battleship with hull number 03. Currently commander is away with some urgent matter, and I don't know when he'll return."

["Ah! I'm sorry, my name is Suzuhara, Suzuhara Lulu. Just like what you expect, I'm one of his acquittances."]

"...Ah...Yes nice to meet you."

'Did I pondered out loud!?'

The voice who introduced herself as Suzuhara Lulu could somehow read what was inside Warspite's mind. Although she wasn't sure for a few seconds, but when she thought that Suzuhara Lulu had indeed read her mind, the little old lady tensed up a little.

["Ah I'm sorry again. We usually talked like this when we're on phone so I unconsciously did that again, I'm sorry eeeto... Warspite-san? Don't worry, I wont do anything bad at you."]

"N-No please don't apologize. I can't make Commander's guest bow their head at me even though its on a call."

Their conversation continued and Warspite tried to explain Sakura Zeimachi's situation by hiding as much detail as possible, as MUCH as possible.

Meanwhile, one of the ship girls from the group that Warspite had previously targeted continued to stare at her who was on the phone with Suzuhara Lulu.

"Don't be scared Foo...It can't reach us so it'll be fine."

Kasumi spoke to calm the invisible figure who became her friend. While she was talking to her invisible friend, the ship girl who was sitting next to her also looked at Warspite who was still on the phone.

"...That darkness...No, a shadow? Not either... Hopefully Warspite-sama will be fine."

With an aura similar to that of a magician capable of seeing Foo's figure. Erebus had some concern for Warspite who seemed to be bidding farewell to Suzuhara Lulu who was on the phone with her.

["Alright~ Thank you for relying my message Warspite-san. It's very fun to have a chat with you."]

"It's the otherwise Suzuhara-sama, I'm really glad to have a conversation with someone like you. Please be at ease, this Warspite will convey your message to Commander."

["Oh my~ How cool you're! Now then, farewell Warspite-san. Looks like I've spent too much time with my phone. I don't want to let someone so diligent like you spent all their days talking with me~"]

"I see, I guess it can't be helped. It's my pleasure to Suzuhara-sama."

Their conversation ended and Warspite was waiting for the other party to end the call, however… The call was still not over. When Warspite decided to press the red button and end the call, suddenly Suzuhara Lulu's voice sounded again and made her stopped from pressing the end call button.

["Hummmhh~ It's always fun to talk with humans. Ah...The mic is still on. *Beep*."]

With that, the call ended with Suzuhara Lulu's words being satisfied with her conversation with...Humans.

...

....

.....

After Warspite searched the cafeteria and found nothing, she then rushed back to report of her new found to her queen and gather the information she had found along with the other Royal Maid members who had been ordered the same thing.

"Hmm? Dido?"

Her steps stopped after she passed a fountain since she heard a voice called her name.

"Warspite-saamaaa! Uwaah- Bhuurghh...."

In the midst of her way back to Royal Navy's dorm, Warspite met a member of the Royal Maid named Dido. She looks run-out-of-air after running away from a ship girl who wanted to ask her some questions.

Dido who tripped in the air then fell down and slid on the floor with her boobs until she arrived in front of Warspite's foot.

"Ughheh...*Gasp* This is not the time to be like this! Warspite-sama, I have a bad news."

Looks like the order from their queen is a secretive one after all.

"*Sigh* Looking at that girl who chased you so vehemently...Retreat for now, let me talk to her."

"A-Ah yes! I'll report to her majesty first!"

Far behind Dido, there is a ship girl who has the stature of a beast covered in a blue airplane shikigami. White hair, blue eyes, and the theme of a white fox demon, Kaga the sister ship of Akagi has come with her furry intentions to ask about the coward who has been hiding in his room for all this time.

"Warspite!!!"

"Calm down Kaga, there's no use to push your intentions with violence right now. We're in the same side who have experienced our own pain."

"Stop saying chivalry thing on my face!"

At the same time, Kaga has the intention to rain down Warspite with all the shikigami planes around her. Her mind at this time is indeed very chaotic, however, she did not lose control of herself even then.

"*Cough* Stop *Cough*...Stop Kaga. This is not the right way to let out your frustration."

"...Amagi-san. Kuhh..."

As soon Kaga heard and saw the person who has been calling her name, she retains her shikigami and sends it back into her special pocket.

There was a hint of guilt and frustration etched on her face as Amagi drew closer to her. Kaga current actions were due to the news she heard about their commander having finally revealed his figure after so long, but quickly disappeared without letting her inquire about her big sister condition.

"Excuse me, the one from Royal Navy Warspite-san. I'm Amagi from Sakura Empire. Since my health is in poor condition, I guess this is our first met *Cough*.... Can I ask you this one question about Commander?"

"...This is not something that I could tell you in here. Let's move to the other place."

Not long after Amagi introduced herself, several passing ship girls stopped their steps to see what was going on. Knowing that the conditions were too crowded, Warspite decided to take them to a quieter place.

After they arrived at a park near the Royal Navy dormitory, Warspite explained some of the things her queen had allowed her to tell in case something like this happen. Starting from Sakura Zeimachi who suddenly left the office and ran across the sea using a boat.

"Then as I expected that coward!-"

"However! His belonging is still in here. This phone is one of his thing that he left in the office, perhaps...Commander has some important thing to do, and since there's no one who acted as his secretary..."

"So he left without further notice...Khum...How is the search's progress?"

What Kaga was really worried about was whether Sakura Zeimachi gone and ran away leaving them. So she couldn't find out about the progress of Akagi who was still not awake.

'Nee-san...'

Considering that he was the one who appointed himself as the "Temporary Commander" and also the one who had returned all the ship girls to their original forms, Kaga didn't know who else to ask if Akagi would wake up or not.

"Not long ago, we received a beacon signal far from this port territorial water area. Since only the leader of factions could know about this fact, please help me with this one."

"I'm really grateful for this intel. Perchance this is why Nagato didn't told us about such news, not only Kaga...*Cough*...There's other girls who was in the same situation as her."

"..."

Kaga who started to accept the truth looked more calmer than her previous expression.

"Yeah...That's why don't be violent all of a sudden. Commander will return, her majesty has support this statement."

Seeing that the two people in front of her had calmed down and she managed to lighten the mood without having to fight, Warspite crossed her arms because she was satisfied with the outcome in front of her.

"Warspite-saamaa~ Uwahh-"

But her smug expression didn't last long with a figure approaching and will repeat the previous incident.

"...Be careful."

"Ah...T-Thank you."

"...No..."

Luckily there was Kaga who helped Dido before she hit the floor which was not as smooth as the floor in front of the fountain before.

The maid who received the friendly treatment began to be moved and burst into tears, but this was stopped by Warspite because she wanted to know the reason why Dido quickly returned to her even though she wanted to report to Queen Elizabeth.

"Warspite-sama! It's about Shikikan-sama! He's on his way back to this port!"

"!!! Heh...Finally!"