Commander's Rounds Volume 1

Entry 88: The Royal Command

The commander looked at the report that he had been handed. "And you're certain of this?"

Scharnhorst nodded. "Even if Kronshtadt seems like a goofball at times, she's someone who won't stop until she gets to the bottom of things. She thinks that Biloxi and Sheffield will be in great danger if they're left to complete their missions on their own, as the Rebel Kansen won't stay idle while they're being hunted. they may run into one of their battlecruisers, and even both of them would be no match for ships like Princess Royal on their own."

The commander pondered what was going on. the last report from Biloxi and Sheffield was positive- Sheffield had used a bit of Edinburgh's gold to bribe some of the people involved with moving the stolen goods to wherever the Rebel Kansen were hiding- all they had left to do was confirm the exact location, and Azur Lane would be ready to move in. However, Kronshtadt had some misgivings about the whole affair.

The commander looked at Scharnhorst. "So, why isn't she giving this report to me herself?"

Scharn smiled. "Kron is the kind of girl who'll jump right into any plan she has come up with. She's getting prepared to go, just in case you say yes. It's pretty impressive, actually."

The commander thought about this for a moment, and then nodded. "Tell Kron to keep her distance, but it will probably be prudent for her to shadow them. However, if this is going to be the case, I'd like you and your sister to also go. If those two do fall into a trap, they may need some more firepower to help spring them loose. Just remember, though, the most important thing is getting those two back with any information they might have. Everything else is secondary."

Scharnhorst stood at attention, and saluted. "Yes sir! Whatever happens, we will not fail!"

The battlecruiser left, pleased to have something to do. The commander was almost ready to close out the day, but there was one last matter.

It was a fleet matter that concerned his wife.

King George came into his office. While the Knight commander was known for acting with grace and manners in trying times, the commander had known her long enough to tell when something was off. As reserved as she was, the commander had learned to notice those signs that she was distressed for some reason or another.

She wasn't short on sources of stress even before her pregnancy, but...

Now, things were more obvious than usual, to say, the least. She shivered a little as she walked up to his desk. "Commander, I believe that there is a matter that you have been unfairly evading for some time. It has been something on my mind, and I know you have likely had your own misgivings when considering my place in the fleet."

It was true enough, and he was sure he'd talked about something similar at least once. While he hadn't really internalized the possibility of having children with King George V until she was actually pregnant. "It's something that has crossed my mind."

King George V nodded swiftly, and tugged at the hem of her skirt. "You know that I am not incapable."

Alex wouldn't dispute that, even if he wasn't married to her. "Of course. I would never call you an incapable member of this fleet for even a second, but as a battleship you'll be subject to extreme and intense enemy fire, We know you can take it, but..."

"Indeed, and I am... Aware of this as well." She stood up straight, and took a deep breath. "However, I shall not be removed from the fleet, and will not have a word of it besides."

Alex noted that she did seem quite agitated- this must have been something weighing on her mind, so the best he could do is try to keep things calm enough that he could ride it out. "I know that this is causing you some distress, but please be patient with this while I consider the possibilities. I'm not going to take you away from the sea."