Azur Lane: Return of Davis

Chapter 11: New Year's Break

January 12, 1942

Happy New Year's, 11 days late. I think I grew taller...

Yeah, I'm a bit taller! I'm almost Bel's height. Just a couple more centimetres...

I do a little jig in my office when Belfast comes in.

Bel: "..."

"...Y-"

Bel takes a picture and casually slides her way out of my office.

...

"HEY, GET BACK HERE!"

--

A ration bar's wrapper lays by my side as I stare off into the distance, the carrier's deck cool enough to offset the warm morning.

"Another slow one, ah..."

Things have been rather slow over the past few days. Sis says it's because nobody's commissioning right now, but I bet all the commissions are denied on the spot.

Now that I think about it, we haven't had a Siren invasion in a while...

???: "BELFAAAAAAAAST!"

I look down. It's... the Commander. Chasing a real smug Belfast down the road. If they have time to play around like that at 10 in the morning, we really must have nothing to do.

Belfast: "Sorry, but this one is mine!" Belfast turns the corner and disappears from sight.

Commander: "DAMN IT!"

I chuckle. This is kinda entertaining!

Belfast, right behind me: "I'm glad you enjoyed the show, Miss Enterprise."

"AAAA!" I almost fall off my carrier, catching myself in the nick of time. "Belfast?! How did you even get up here so quick?!"

Belfast: "Trade secret. *Giggle* Now, then. Have you eaten breakfast? I did not see you at the canteen this morning."

"Naw, I already ate." I lift the ration bar.

Belfast, under her breath: "Oh my God." Out loud: "Enterprise, you must eat real food. This is not healthy."

"Who cares? I'm getting nutrients, I'm still alive, kansen don't gain weight, it shouldn't matter what I eat!"

Belfast: "Bad meals lead to bad health, and you aren't going to protect anyone if you can't even lift your head up from malnutrition!"

Commander: "Not to ignore depression. This shit is awful for your mood. I should know; I've eaten these things. They're depression incarnate."

I look behind us, seeing the Commander holding a wrapper in one hand, and... a photo in the other.

Belfast: "EEH?! How did you...?!"

Commander: "I'm playing with a full deck, Miss Belfast. You aren't as slippery as Sheffield; I can tell you that much."

Bel seems disappointed in herself for getting caught. The Commander crunched the picture into a ball before shoving it and the wrapper into his pocket.

Commander, sighing: "Enterprise. Go eat some food." I open my mouth. "Apapapapap!" He interrupted me before I could respond. "No excuses. Go eat real food, and that's final." Sliding down his rappel (that he was attached to, somehow?), he returned back to the port's concrete and wanders off to throw the trash away.

"That Commander sure is something, isn't he?"

Belfast: "You can say that again. "

...

"*Sigh* ...Let's head to the canteen, then."

--

I return to my desk, looking at a report. US Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Doolittle wanted to borrow an aircraft carrier to attack the Japanese mainland, as retaliation for the attack last month. Honestly, I'm on board. I look to the listings. 'Yorktown-class, Langley, Ranger, Ark Royal. 6 aircraft carriers on base. They're asking for Hornet, as she's the most recently launched... can we spare the (wo)manpower?'

'...'

'...I should ask her.'

Several minutes later, Hornet arrives in my office.

Hornet: "Yo, Commander! What can I do for ya?"

"Ah, Hornet. The USAF wants you for something."

Hornet: "Who? And what do they want?"

"Lieutenant Colonel Doolittle of the Air Force. He's planning a major bombing offensive against the Japanese for the Attack last month. You up to the task?"

Hornet: "Of course!"

"Right. I suggest you get ready A.S.A.P. Tell your sisters you're going too. You're heading to San Diego."

Hornet: "That's where I'm headed?"

"No. A driver will be there. The meeting point is in Norfolk, Virginia. The fastest way there is over Route 80 eastward, off near Swainsboro, Georgia, then Route 1 until South Hill. Follow 58 after that." Hornet is scribbling this down on a piece of paper. "Likely won't be more than a 2-day trip compared to a 3–4-day trip via train or a week-long trip via Panama. They need you there fast, and those Air Force guys are part of the Army. You don't want to piss off an Army man."

Hornet: "Roger! It was a short time, but it was fun to be around you!"

I laugh. "I'm supposed to say that to you, Hornet. Good luck with Doolittle."

A salute and a hearty laugh later, I was once again left to my devices.

'A kansen is born from the fusion of the Wisdom Cubes, enough 22k gold and a ship. Yet, when born, those ships have personalities, weaknesses, ideals. If Doolittle dares to harm Hornet, he'll get a lesson from both me and Enterprise.' I look to a model ship in the corner of the room. 'I wonder if the Constitution could be made into a kansen... what would Old Ironsides look like? Would she hold a similar appearance to the battleships? Or "The Fighting Grey Lady," as I've heard some call Enterprise?' I shake my head. 'No point in wondering.'

I scratch my head.

...

I lean back in my chair.

...

I stare off into space.

...

"Maybe I can ask the President..."

...

"Oh my God, dude, I am so fucking bored!"

---

God, R.I.P. to Jason, dude.

I'm going to bed. Smell ya fucks later.