(Remaster) The Abyss Calls Out

Traumatic Tenure

The combined fleet has finally hit their splitting point, the Japanese Kansen all waving their American compatriots away as their mission had come to an end. It was only a few days after they had left that they came to this break, and many shared moments with those they fought besides.

Naturally, one such person was the currently devastated Cleveland, hugging into Kii tightly and almost refusing to let go of her. The Battleship had been there the entire time with her, and they shared many moments alongside one another both in and out of combat.

It's not hard to say they may as well have been honorarily kin.

Kii gently ruffled Cleveland's hair, making light of the situation where the Cruiser didn't. "Don't worry yourself Cleveland, you have many at home that I'm sure will help you along with your plight."

As has become typical, Cleveland hasn't given an answer back using words, only hugging her tighter in response. The Cruiser has nary said a word beyond simple requests or answers to questions she was asked, and now that the one person she leaned on was leaving, she was sure to go silent once again.

"Be strong Cleveland. They're gone, but so long as you stand, their memories and lives will live on through your actions." Kii gently separated from the Cruiser, making sure to wipe her tears as she offered a smile. "Can you at least do that? If not for me, then for everyone else who looks to you?"

There was a silence, a brief yet tense one, before Cleveland sniffed her running nose and wiped whatever tears had begun to freshly fall. She met with Kii's gaze, a smile gracing her that didn't quite reach the eyes. "I...I'll try."

"...That's all I can ask of you."

With a pat to her shoulder, Kii finally split away from Cleveland, leaving with the rest of her nation's forces to head home and recover from this nightmare of an invasion. Cleveland stood there and saw her off, the pit of worry and doubt still within her.

"You'll be alright Cleveland." She turned to the voice of her long time friend, who was at least trying to help out with this. "You've been through hell, but I promise we'll do all we can to get them back."

"Enty...do you even think they can come back?"

"...I hope they can." She said nothing more, giving the Cruiser a pat on the back before going off to act as defense for their fleet incase of an attack.

Cleveland stood there and stared at the leaving Japanese fleet, an unknown feeling in her heart as they went. She was alone now, with no one close in family remaining to stand by her side.

It sucked, more than sucked even.

'The Commander has no family though...maybe I can ask her how she gets through being this lonely...yeah.'
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With a sigh of relief, she leaned back in her chair and smiled, finally getting through a good stack of the required paperwork given to her that day. Kiana stretched and cracked her neck, feeling the stress practically steam out of her body as she did.

"God, I need a break from all this..." With a grunt, she got up from her chair and left her office behind, heading down the relatively empty halls to go find herself a snack and a drink to take the edge off the day of paperwork.

As she went, she looked out the window to the ocean, knowing that the girls would all be coming back soon from their excursion to the Philippines and...well, no doubt beyond scarred by that stain Haku. As much as she was a valuable member of her Queen's strength, Haku was a cruel and nasty person that she was glad was finally gone.

A power vacuum left behind was the bigger concern, but with her job being so different, that's a matter far from home she doesn't have to worry herself with.