Azur Lane: Return of Davis

Chapter 48: Leaving Home

August & September 1942

With Jason and Hernández moving to Europe in the coming months, some of the kansen on base want to not have any lingering regrets with their Commanders, former or otherwise.

I promise this is not to speed our way to the ending because the writer's running out of ideas and needs to end this book as soon as possible I swear.

Let's go on ahead and see what some of them are planning, shall we?

--

Moment I: Unsere Versöhnung

August 14

"Initial analysis of these 'Cognitive Chips,' as we've called them, seem to enhance something within shipgirls tested upon. One test subject, codename Crane, claims she is capable of gaining faster swings after a time of training, when she believed she maxed out her movement speed. It could be these chips break some form of limiters implanted into Wisdom Cubes. Further tests are needed to see how the tested shipgirls react in the long-term to the chips."

I place down my pen and stare at my handiwork. For now, this new paper will be sitting quietly as I watch several of the girls grow more proficient. Once I get enough data, I will likely continue where I left off. I stretch, feeling the tension in my muscles dissipate.

A knock at the door shakes me from my thoughts.

"Come in!"

Organizing my things, I place my rough draft inside of the desk before looking up to see a certain beret-wearing teenager.

"Z23, how can I help you?"

Z23, instead of responding, looks down, seemingly deep in thought. She takes a deep breath before entering my office, which has mostly been cleared out of most of my things (which isn't much, mind).

Z23: "Ray."

"Yeah?"

Z23: "I... I wish to apologize for how I have been acting these last f—"

"Don't." I look through my filing cabinet, trying to find a folder. "I'm the one who fucked up, not you. You have nothing to apologize for."

Z23: "But sir—"

"But nothing, Z23. I'm the one who ruined what would've been a blossoming friendship, I'm the one who caused you irreversible harm, I'm the one who broke you mentally, physically, emotionally, so I'm the one who needs to apologize." Grabbing a few copies of the papers I was looking for, I turn around and stare at Z23 in the eyes.

Z23 was the girl who I chose to be my secretary. Z23 was the girl who helped me get past the loss of my abuela. Z23 was everything to me.

I ruined it. I need to fix it.

"Z23, oldest sister of the 1936-A class of German destroyers... no. I need to do this right. Nimi. My former secretary, my old friend, my old companion." I place my right fist on my left shoulder, bowing as I do. "Allow me to apologize for what I have done in the past."

Looking back up at her, my sharp gaze softens into a warm smile. "What say we hit reset, try from the beginning?"

Z23, stunned: "...O-of course." She clears her throat as I flashback to when I first met her, back in '37.

Z23/Nimi: "Guten tag, Oberstleutnant/Kommandant. I am Z23. Let's study hard together and aim for the top!"

Present Me/Past Me: "Un placer, Miss Z23. I am Hernández Joseph Ray-Cruz, Lieutenant Commander/Commander of the Azur Lane. Let's work hard together."