My PoV
The gentle hum of my nuclear reactor and the soft lapping of waves against the hull were the only sounds breaking the Arctic night's silence. I sat atop my front turret, my eyes fixed on the star-studded sky above. The auroras danced in ethereal waves of green and purple, a celestial ballet that never failed to take my breath away.
Ahead of us, Tirpitz cut through the dark waters, her newly repaired systems allowing her to navigate with her usual precision. I could see her standing on her own deck, a solitary figure against the vast expanse of sea and sky.
"Penny for your thoughts, darling?" Maria's voice broke through my reverie as she appeared beside me, her form shimmering slightly in the starlight.
I smiled, not taking my eyes off the horizon. "Just thinking about how surreal all of this is. A few weeks ago, I was just a cripple in the hospital. Now I'm a Kasen, controlling this entire ship with my mind."
Maria chuckled, the sound warm in the cold night air. "Now you're the dashing captain of a state-of-the-art warship, sailing alongside living legends and battling otherworldly threats. Quite the career change, I'd say."
I couldn't help but laugh. "When you put it like that, it sounds like something out of a video game or an anime."
"Life has a way of being stranger than fiction, Andy dear," Maria replied, her voice taking on a more serious tone. "But I must say, you've adapted remarkably well to your role as a Kasen."
Before I could respond, a flicker of light on the horizon caught my attention. As we drew closer, I realized it was the glow of a port city, its lights a beacon in the vast darkness of the Arctic night.
"Looks like we've reached our destination," I murmured, getting to my feet. "Time to see what kind of welcome the Iron Blood has in store for us."
As we approached the port, I could see other ships coming into view. The imposing silhouettes of Iron Blood vessels lined the docks, their angular designs a stark contrast to my own sleek, 600-foot frame.
Tirpitz's voice crackled over our comms. "Follow me closely. I will guide you to a suitable berth."
I nodded, even though she couldn't see me, and began the delicate process of maneuvering my 14,564-ton bulk into the crowded harbor. As we drew closer to the docks, I could see figures moving about on the shore, their attention clearly focused on our arrival.
"Looks like we've drawn quite the welcoming committee," Maria observed, a hint of amusement in her voice.
As soon as we were safely moored, a flurry of activity erupted on the docks. Repair crews swarmed towards Tirpitz, while a small group of official-looking figures made their way towards my ship.
"Show time," I muttered, straightening my uniform and making my way down to the gangplank.
As I stepped onto the dock, I found myself face to face with two women who could only be Iron Blood shipgirls. The first was a young woman with short blonde hair, her red eyes regarding me with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. The other was taller, with black with red striped hair and a stern expression that seemed to radiate irritation.
"Welcome to Iron Blood territory," the younger one said, her voice crisp and professional. "I am Z23, and this is Admiral Hipper. We have some questions for you regarding the incident with Tirpitz."
I nodded, trying to keep my expression neutral. "Of course. I'm Andy, Kasen of the BRP Antonio DD-01. I'm happy to answer any questions you might have."
Admiral Hipper stepped forward, her eyes narrowing. "Let's start with the obvious. What were you doing in Iron Blood waters?"
I met her gaze steadily. "We weren't in Iron Blood waters when we encountered Tirpitz. We were in neutral Arctic waters when we came across her battling a group of Sirens. We offered our assistance, which she accepted."
