Sink or Swim

Ghosts of the Past

Sigma watches with a grim expression as Vestal and Akashi cart Purity off on a gurney. A quartet of Kansen battleships escorts them, providing a buffer between the gathered crowd and the repair ships.

"She's going to be just fine, sir," Irwin provides, his rigging already gone.

"And should you not be helping them?" Sigma says, with more heat than he intended.

Irwin dismisses the aggression, "I doubt they would let me, sir. I believe our relationship with Azur Lane is being revised. They have seen our combat capabilities, and humans generally don't like not being in control of a force as powerful as we are."

"I think the fact that I'm not a human would be more of a reason for distrust," Sigma sighs.

"Yes, but you also haven't tried to do anything the five months we have been here," Irwin argues, "Alas, I believe you will have to explain yourself, sir."

"I owe my crew an explanation as well," Sigma replies, glancing over to where the rest of the Captains are gathered.

Frank, Katherine, and Ashford stand nearby, speaking in hushed tones and throwing more than one wary glance at the Kansen around them. Sigma can tell they're agitated. Frank's hand clenches and relaxes repeatedly while he taps his foot, trying to remain serious as he comes down from the excitement of battle. Kat is unusually timid,  standing so close to Ashford that she might disappear into his shadow. Ashford, in a surprisingly open display of affection, has an arm wrapped around Katherine.

"Admiral Hurst," a firm voice draws Sigma's attention.

Prince of Wales stands before the dreadnought, her expression neutral and a hand resting on her sword hilt. Besides the leader of the base's Royal Navy ships, is Cleveland. The light cruiser's friendly grin is gone, her - their, Sigma corrects himself - expression is a mixture of betrayal, curiosity, and... hope?

"Prince of Wales," Sigma replies.

Cleveland's expression turns somber, and the Admiral wonders if they'd hoped he was a Siren trick; that the real Randal Hurst was hidden somewhere, held in Siren captivity.

"I presume I do not need to explain why you are needed in the war room," Prince of Wales pauses for a moment, and Sigma nods, "Good. Follow me."

Sigma sighs and schools his expression before following the battleship. His Captains and Cleveland falling in behind the two.

"So, do... did you guys..." Cleveland trails off, not knowing what to say.

Irwin sighs, the eldest of the Cleveland class had been one of the first friends the Echoes of Neptune made after their abrupt arrival. Katherine had been the one to help Cleveland when they went through an identity crisis.

"I was the only one among us who knew of the Admiral's... condition," Irwin admits, not flinching when four pairs of eyes snap to him, "Don't look at me like that. I have known the Admiral for longer than your entire military carriers put together."

"But why didn't we know? Why didn't he tell us?" Katherine snaps.

"He has his reasons, as do you, Katherine," Irwin says knowingly, and the redhead swallows down any retort she had prepared.

"Wait. Wait wait wait wait," Frank says, looking between Irwin and Kat, "What the hell is that supposed to mean!?"

"Now is not the time, Frank," Ashford steps in.

"Like hell it is!" Frank snaps, "I'm done. I'm done with all the secrets, all the hush hush! How about you just fucking explain it to me, ass-"

"Stop! Stop fighting, please," Cleveland begs, the stress of the day's events getting to them.