Charisma, aptitude, decision making, collectedness, efficiency and personality. These six cores, determined by the KAN-SEN, can make any Navy Lieutenant to Captain eligible for a position as Commander of the Azur Lane. A written exam, a round of war...
Hornet just left. It'll be a while before we see each other again, so I bid her farewell earlier. Commissions are starting to finally trickle in, and I put the girls back to work. We're still in the red, but only by like $100 or something. Still, having backup funds isn't going to harm us too much.
...
I receive a message from Hirata. "Honolulu Police Department – 1130-1230 today" it says. Right. I get myself up.
Z23: "Where are you going, Kommandant?"
"...To see him..."
Z23 did not respond, but she can tell I'm not going to talk to Former Commander Ray just to have a good time. I have a reason.
"I'm off."
Z23: "Good luck..."
--
Two figures sit across from each other, one a healthy young man in a casual Hawaiian shirt and khakis, the other a man who looks like he's seen hell and was scared shitless in a prisoner's uniform.
Both look really similar, the prisoner's small moustache being the only noticeable difference between the two.
...
Davis: "I am Jason Davis. I'm your replacement."
Ray: "So, they've truly abandoned me..." He sighs. "To be expected."
Davis: "I'd love to wring your neck, but we both know I can't. So tell me... why? Why did you do it?"
Ray: "..."
Ray: "You wouldn't believe me."
Davis: "Maybe. Maybe not. Just fucking tell me."
Ray: "..."
Ray: "It was February. Last year. A little girl was in my room. Don't know how she got in, but she did. She asked me if I was happy, and if I wanted more." He started trembling. "When I gave her my answer, she was dissatisfied, and... I learned she was a Siren. ¡Pendeja!"
Davis: "A Siren? And a humanoid one, at that?"
Ray: "Sí. Her name, if I remember right, was... Observer α."
Davis: "α? 'The First?' The hell...?"
Ray places his hand on the desk: "Listen to me, Davis. She's a monster. She hijacked my mind, making me act out of character." He starts to break down. "I... I wish I had more strength to fight Alpha away. B-but... e-even if the g-girls knew... w-what h-happened... t-they'll never accept me a-again." He looks to Davis with tears streaking his eyes. "Please! Davis, I beg you! Take down the Sirens, so that we can all return to our lives. Please!" He bows. Tears fall to the desk, as the officer behind him looks in confusion.
Davis: "..." He looks to the officer, who gives a nod after a few seconds of confusion.
Davis: "Fine. You have my word."
Ray beams with happiness: "Oh, thank you!"
Ray, becoming solemn once more: "Honestly, I had given up on the idea of the war ending." He looks to Davis. "But if a man with that look in his eyes leads those girls... this shit might end. I'll let you in on a little secret, Commander." Ray slides closer to the plexiglass, and, although hesitant, Davis does the same.
Ray: "If they haven't moved the filing cabinet, behind it is a button. Press it, then input the code '0621.' My birthday. Inside, you'll find 2 Wisdom Cube and 15,000 yen in 10-yen coins."
Davis: "Why would you...?"
Ray: "I wanted to revive Amagi."
Davis: "What...?"
Ray: "I know about Akagi being the driving force behind the recent attack. Being honest, she'd have not done it, had her sister, Amagi, not have died the way she did. But, because she's dead, Akagi is trying to destroy what she thinks had killed her sis. I wanted to return Amagi to this realm once more, so Akagi can yield, and we can start peace talks."
Davis takes all the information in. "If what you said is true, then..."
Ray: "..."
Davis gets up: "I'll see to it you get released early."
Ray: "W-why?"
Davis: "I'll be honest, I've seen your record in prison; it's spotless. And, with how you're reacting right now, you clearly regret your actions and yearn to repent. I'll give you the opportunity by being my Lieutenant Commander; my second-in-command. Play your cards right, and you can have a normal life once this war is over. Play them wrong... and you'll rot in Hell for the rest of your life. Still seems like a good deal?"
Ray: "Sí... ¡Sí! ¡Te comprendo! I promise, Comandante, that you won't regret this action!" His tears are falling in full force.
Sometimes, a second wind is all one needs to be a better man.
Davis gets a headache strong enough to floor him.
Ray: "DAVIS!"
--
"Ow..."
???: "Are you okay? Hold on! I'm coming down there!"
A young girl slides down the hill, looking to an injured boy. His hazelnut hair caked in his own blood from the fall.
Boy: "Yeah..."
Girl: "Obviously, you're not!" The girl reaches out, grabbing the boy's hand. "We're getting you to the hospital. C'mon!"
The two children head out to the city. It's extremely active this time of day.
It might be his injury, but the boy thinks he sees... a tail on the girl.
Girl: "あ、兄さん！この少年を診療所に連れて行ってもらえますか？彼はけがをした。" (Oh, mister! Can you take this boy to the infirmary? He is injured.)
