Hymn From the High Seas (Azur Lane x Commander Male Reader)

Shattered Sword

"The plans will arrive tomorrow by mail," Forster continues, "Study it closely and prep Task Forces Sixteen and Seventeen for deployment; contact me if you have any questions. We set sail in a week."

The line beeps when he hangs up, and I slowly put the phone back on its dock with a shaking hand, "Schatz..." I call Eugen, "I'll be back. Something's come up."

She stands up from her chair, "What's going on? Was that your superior?"

I nod, "My own Rheinübung has come... I'm sorry," I glance back at her, Eugen's face now pale, "Call someone to help you with my duties for the day. I gotta plan for this."

"Has this happened before?" Eugen questions, stepping around the desk.

I nod, "And it's happening here. It's finally happening... I need to go," I leave my office and close the door behind me.

Midway... Out of all the battles I've fought up to now, this is the one that matters most. Even more than Atlantis. Yorktown's life is on the line, and if I screw up, it'll be Enty, Hornet's, and mine, too. If I die, the fleet goes down with me – including Leviathan's Rest. If Enty's killed... If she's killed, our strongest and most reliable fighter will be gone. My wife will be gone.

"Admiral..." TB's voice sounds quieter than usual, "You are showing symptoms of a panic attack. Focus on your breathing."

"I can't..." I wander down the hall, my head feeling heavy, "I need to tell them."

TB says more seriously, "Admiral, stop!"

The volume in her voice shocks me, and I lean on a wall, grunting, "What is it?"

"Breathe. Listen to me: inhale for four seconds and fill your lungs. Breathe," she guides me.

One. Two. Three. Four.

"Hold it. One. Two. Three. Four," she counts, "Exhale."

One. Two. Three. Four.

"Again," she orders.

I huff and follow her instructions. Again. I breathe deeply. Again. Again. How long is this going to take?

TB states calmly, "Your heart rate is returning to normal. Continue on with your mission."

"My mission..." I remember, "TB, where are Akagi and Kaga? Track their phones."

"Tracking... Locations are unknown, Admiral," she informs me.

"How?" I move through the hallways and shuffle down the stairs, "Did they destroy their phones?"

"That is the most plausible hypothesis," TB agrees as I burst out of the building and into the open air.

I look around the port, seeking signs of anything amiss, "And Hiryuu? Souryuu?"

TB pauses to work, "Locations unknown, Admiral."

"Shit..." I bend down and hold my knees, "What do I do?"

* * *

Enty, Yorktown, Hornet, and I sit around a table in the captain's quarters of the Resonant Verity. The clock ticking on the wall ticks onward despite my kansen's deathly silence following my news. Yorktown sits straight, her shoulders held high with dignity, and remains thoughtful with closed eyes. Hornet stares down at the table while Enty stares at her elder sister.

"There's no avoiding it..." I murmur, the clock ticking louder when I pause, "It's a direct order from High Command, and if the Sakura Empire takes Midway Island, they'll threaten our ports in Hawaii – even Leviathan's Rest."

At this, Yorktown's head lifts, and her beaming eyes narrow slightly, "We must repel them."

"Yorktown!" Enty grabs her sister's hand, "You're not going out to fight them! (Y/N), tell her to stay behind! (Y/N)?"