Divergence : Gascogne

In a realm woven with whimsical dreams, where the very essence of sentience breathed life into ship girls, a very beautiful treasure is resting on a certain ship girl's palm.

A treasure belonged to the ship girl, a treasure belonged to Gascogne, and it was also a treasure she happened to receive from the savior in her dream where she faced her own love and pain.

Beyond its mere materiality, some whispered that this beautiful treasure held the power to make her whole, yet it was far more than a missing piece to mend her broken heart. Nestled within its confines, a secret lay concealed—a mystical box that cradled a melody capable of summoning the most elusive of treasures: her radiant smile.

"... Activating emotion module."「Gascogne」

*Click*

It was a... music box.

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After she and the other ship girl were allowed to leave the Eagle Union dormitory, they later received a summons from their respective faction leader in order to explain themselves in their own dormitories.

In the beginning, Gascogne and the other ship's girls were still firm in staying by their commander's side who had fallen into a coma, they felt guilty for what had happened to their commander and wanted to make up for it.

Unfortunately, their wish could not be granted because they were not the only ones who wanted to do the same thing.

And since Gascogne belonged to Vichya Dominion who're still tied together with Iris Libre at the moment, that ship girl has to face barrage of question from Jean Bart along with their cardinal, or the current leader from those two factions, Richeliu.

Why're they ambushing someone they barely known? That question is what really important for the questioner. Not only they'd antagonize the commander, but they could also created the same scene where their commander wouldn't even think of them as nothing more than a bargain chip.

It's fortunate enough that their new commander is not a vengeful guy, Jean Bart supported this statement when Richeliu heard her testimony, moreover, Gascogne has been known for her "module" which made it very difficult for her to tell lies.

That's why, upon hearing everything from her, Gascogne was promptly dismissed, as they didn't want to further stress out the ship girl who had just been awakened from her sleep.

Jean Bart and Richeliu also advised for Gascogne to find a place to relax while they discussed matters with the other faction leader. As per according to Sakura Zeimachi's plan when he told U-101, Hamman, Abercrombie and Hood about his "little message".

Following her heart's guidance, Gascogne ultimately chose to settle onto an empty chair in the garden area of the academy. She would spend her time there, idling away whenever no one sought her out.

Occasionally she would also practice her newly gained skills, by spying on what her commander was doing. Every time she caught a glimpse of a different girl sleeping beside him, a peculiar chill crept into her heart, causing an icy sensation to slowly envelop her.

That was a scene from a few days ago.

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When Sakura Zeimachi as well as Hylia followed by Enterprise(?) were heading to the training ground, on the other hand there is a ship girl named Gascogne who is relaxing with an orange on the palm of her hand.

The ship girl referred to is none other than Gascogne, who continues to engage in the same activities within the garden, idling away while lost in her daydreams with memories of a certain item that carries a scent of nostalgia occupying her thoughts.

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As her mind was wondering about a certain treasure she could no longer obtain, her attention was suddenly distracted by the appearance of an icon that seemed to stick in midair. It was a 3D icon consisting of a small square, with an exclamation mark inside.

Filled with flashes of white and blue light, furthermore with an appearance that seemed to provoke the ship girl's sleeping emotion, that icon still persisted in the midair as if it was asking for Gascogne to press the icon.

"Space abnormality has been detected... Analyzing unidentified threat within range. Armaments activation confirmed, working module activation has been confirmed."「Gascogne」

By using her own way, Gascogne began to analyze the oddity that appeared before her.

Utilizing her distinct methodology, she initiated on a comprehensive analysis, leveraging her vast data stored within, and employing state-of-the-art algorithms to unravel the mysteries.

With her usual vacant gaze, Gascogne extended her hand towards the icon while the rigging on her body began to appear one by one at a time. First was her gauntlet and then she stopped when her leg guard appeared, thankfully she didn't fully materialize all of her rigging in that place.

Else it'll only lead to some misunderstanding.

That port has been once attacked by an Elite Siren for once (although it was nothing more than another misunderstanding again thanks to the fool), so the ship girls were constantly being asked to be extra vigilant in case there might be a follow-up attack by their respective faction leaders.

"Proceeding in caution."「Gascogne」

In a moment Gascogne will interact with the icon, her algorithm engages in maximum output to create countermeasures when she touches it, simultaneously her armed rigging emanated a controlled yet potent energy, poised to neutralize any imminent threat while minimizing collateral damage.

<!> *Click*

Her hand has finally touched the icon, and when she did, there's a peculiar sound that appeared from a button being pressed. It doesn't take long for another strangeness to be happen as Gascogne saw the previous icon disappeared, changed to be an LED array.

In an instant, Gascogne found herself momentarily startled as an array of transparent screens materialized before her eyes, revealing an awfully lot of information awaiting to be analyzed.

〈Confirmed〉

〈Synchronizing with host's consciousness... Succeed〉

〈Installing aforementioned System into host... Succeed〉

〈Updating newer protocol and regulation based from existing template... Succeed〉

Fast, maybe even too fast.

Each word that was displayed on the blue and white patterned transparent screen, appeared and disappeared from her sight in just a short moment. Thankfully for Gascogne who probably had received a gift similar to Eldridge, those data doesn't seem to pose a problem for her.

"Numerous abnormal data has been received, creating back-up for data bank."「Gascogne」

One by one the screens displayed various information that Gascogne could easily comprehend with her processing module alone, and that ship girl could catch everything that appeared in her sight before she stored it into her own personal archive.

〈Adjusting System's framework in order to lessen Host's burden... Succeed〉

〈Loading.. loading... loading... Succeed〉

〈Checking current state after installation...〉

"Report : No abnormalities has been found within Gascogne after the aforementioned installation."「Gascogne」

Gascogne who had been doing an analysis of herself, answered so. Whether it's her wisdom cube, the rigging she's wearing, the modules and also the data already stored within her archive, there's nothing unusual at all.

〈The statement has been declared to be true〉

〈Report : Gascogne has been successfully connected with System〉

〈Greetings, Host Gascogne. Is there anything I could help you with?〉

The process which was a series of demi-system installations that Sakura Zeimachi had planned was finally completed. Even though it looked like the man was still intent on hiding something, in the end Gascogne had now obtained the so-called System.

And even though it has the word "Demi" iniside of it, in reality System is System. A device, tools or equipment that is always ready to support its lord in reaching something unfeasible.

With that being said, Gascogne right now had some question to be asked.

"Identification requested."「Gascogne」

〈Yes, nice to meet you Host. I'm an artificial virtual intelligent which has been created within the bundle of instalment of your System, also known as TB.〉

〈The creator of both me and this System is someone who is called the "commander", based from his order which was to assist the host I'll be connected with, I've arrive to serve as your guide and also to serve as your communicator.〉

Simply put, TB is an AI that has been created along with the said System. Moreover in the true Azur Lane themed world, TB has become known as a virtual intelligence and similar new type of communicator interface for its commander.

So by using this set up, Sakura Zeimachi and his other persona doesn't really need to create a new System from a scratch.

Perhaps when Sakura Zeimachi created this Demi-System, he used some other element of Azur Lane's world in order to match some categories for each candidate host as well.

However, its still not enough if that's all explanation she'll got.

"Requesting for explanation of current condition."「Gascogne」

〈Currently, there are another five TBs along with their Systems that the commander has ordered to deploy.〉

〈The first to be successfully synchronized and fully connected with their host is me and you Host Gascogne.〉

〈To be more detailed about the other host candidate, beside from Host Gascogne there're ; Host #1, Host Yamashiro, Host Deutschland, Host Hakuryuu, and finally Host Hornet.〉

〈From what I perceived, they are still in the middle of the installation stage or the updating of existing regulations.〉

While the figure of TB, depicted as a girl with pale white hair and pale white skin stood prominently at the center of the screen, Gascogne has remained unfazed by the revelations that have come to light.

The ship girl stood transfixed, her eyes fixed on the dazzling display of the blue and white patterned screen. Gascogne's mental gears turn endlessly, assimilating, dissecting and reconstructing the puzzles before her.

Indeed, each information fragment has become a puzzle piece for her, and just like a master interpreter, she sought to extract the hidden meaning that lies beneath the surface of TB's reasoning.

Her emotionless eyes remained glued to the visuals of the enigmatic virtual intelligence figure, as if she were trying to peer into the depths of the digital world.

"Identification sufficient, lowering combat engagement level."「Gascogne」

As she also knew that her commander's name was also mentioned, Gascogne began to return to her usual form without any armament attached to her body. With her usual relaxed movements, Gascogne sat back and continued peeling the orange in her hand.

"Question."「Gascogne」

〈Yes, please ask me.〉

"A question from Gascogne for the guide and communicator artificial virtual intelligent TB, requesting for answer about Master's intention."「Gascogne」

Simultaneously as Gascogne uttered the title that denoted her commander's authority, a growing warmth radiated from within her reactor. It flowed through, intensified and gradually became a dormant embers rekindling her flickering flames.

〈Unfortunately for that question, host.〉

In her dream, Gascogne found a respite.

Allowing herself to be taken to a realm where emotions flow freely and to a place where words are unnecessary. As the music box unfolded its gentle melody, the door of her heart's conscience opened, letting a torrent of feelings surge out from within the ship girl's feelings.

〈The commander has instructed me to hid the detail even when the other Hosts asked me about the commander's intention.〉

Every note resonated with the unspoken desires that churned within her, created a bright colors on the canvas of her wisdom cube.

However, in the waking world, the weight of emotions that were difficult to express weighed heavily on Gascogne's shoulders.

"..."「Gascogne」

Although her heart was filled with a kaleidoscope of sentiments, but language barriers and environmental circumstances had restrained her, which made that ship girl unable to articulate the depths of her inner realm.

〈Detecting rising temperature within Host, do you need an assist to solve this problem?〉

"Report : unnecessary. Permission for thorough psychical examination will only be granted for higher personnel only, high priority : Master or the commander. Reminding for giving the requested answer."「Gascogne」

〈Confirmed, from what I understand does this mean you'll only let the commander or the master to be the one who could touch your body before the second seat of priority? Noted in my data book.〉

Even though she continued to maintain her expressionless face, Gascogne increasingly felt a warm sensation in her heart that stirred slowly and surely every time she heard her commander being mentioned.

Her soft and bare palm reached for her chest, yet she still can't found anything.

〈Instead, the commander assigned me to provide you with an explanation of the features Host can use through me. Are you prepared to listen for basic guide, Host?〉

Gascogne nodded and prepared to listen.

The ship girl inexplicably became remarkably obedient whenever she heard if there's any of her commander's words directed for her.

〈First thing first, let's check your status. Please put your palm on the left side of your chest.〉

"*Pat*"「Gascogne」

Gascogne complied the instructions, gently placing her palm over her heart.

Soon after, another kind of ethereal screen emerged from within her chest, presenting her with a new array of information that she needed to comprehend. As she seek into the same blue and white screen, Gascogne delved into the depths of the information presented before her.

〈Ship details : Gascogne〉

Race : Ship girl

Level : 115

Job : -

Power : 4039

<(Press this to see your stats)>

Skills

Active skills : Emotion Inhibition Module (Lv.10) | Precision Salvo Protocol (Lv.10) | Dimension W (Lv.1) | Dimensional shift (Lv.3) | Dimensional matrix (Lv.2) |

Passive skills : Enhanced mind (Lv.5) | Neurosync Mastery (Lv.5) | Gradient (Lv.8) | Processor (Lv.6) |

Title : <Siren Killer> <Sixth of the six troublemaker> <The ship girl with Music Box>

Omen :

Weapon :

As Gascogne scanned the myriad of details displayed before her, the ship girl kept her usual calm, composed and stoic expression. Her expression remaining serene and impassive, the ship girl's calm demeanor seemed unaltered, as if she had grown accustomed to such revelations.

However, in the middle of the information screen, there was one strange title that immediately caught Gascogne's attention.

It stands out amidst the abundance of data, Gascogne's calm facade shook for a moment, and a glimmer of intrigue flashed in her eyes. A combination of anticipation, longing, desperation all together surged from her emotion module as soon as she saw that word.

〈Please hold it for a moment, Host. I'll let Host ask everything after I show-chased these detail for you.〉

"... Affirmative."「Gascogne」

An inexplicable warmth spread throughout her being, intensifying with every passing moment.

The surge of warmth enveloped her, a comforting embrace that seemed to resonate from deep within her core. It stirred memories and emotions, igniting a flame of recognition that flickered brightly within her consciousness.

"My... master ♥ ♥ ♥ "「Gascogne」

Just like how her dream reached its end when she opened the music box, Gascogne summoned out the most elusive treasure she ever had. It was not her rigging, it was not her wisdom cube nor her determination.

It was her... her radiant smile.

...

....

.....

〈Race, refers to the fictional species or group that a player Host can belong to.〉

〈Level, representation of Host's advancement and used to determine their capabilities and access to new abilities, skills, or equipment.〉

〈Job, refers to the Host class or profession that a Host can choose. The choice of a job determines Host's specific abilities, skills, playstyle, and role within mechanics and many world's scenario.〉

〈Power, refers to a character's overall status, capability, or effectiveness in combat or other challenges. It is a measure of Host's combined attributes, abilities, skills, and equipment.〉

〈Skills, represent the specialized capabilities and expertise that characters develop as they progress through their own stories. It also refers to abilities or actions that Host possess, allowing them to perform specific tasks, combat maneuvers, or magical spells.〉

〈Title, used to indicate a character's accomplishments, affiliations, or unique qualities.〉

〈Omen, symbolic or prophetic signs that provide clues or warnings about future events or developments.〉

〈Weapon, refers to an item or tool that a character can equip and use in combat or other forms of conflict.〉