[END]Iron Bloods Fall and Rise (Azure Lane)

Chapter 3: Dark Past

After enjoying a wonderful breakfast,you and Z23 decide to head towards the naval base.On your way there you admire the beautiful scenery.Z23 takes notice of that.

"Commander,are you ok ?" Z23 asks still unsure if she can trust you.
"I am fine,thanks Z.Just admiring the scenery" you say with a little grin.
"I am sorry for making you pay for my breakfast Sir.I will repay you." Z says shakingly.
"Z...i don't know what happened between you and the previous commander..and i am unsure if i want to know or not." you say with a serious and disciplined tone.
"I could tell you...b-- but only if you want to know of course." Z23 replies
"I do want to hear it...as much as it hurts...you...and me." you reply doubtfully

Walking for a bit you and Z23 spot the entrance gate to the naval base,waiting for it's Admiral.You two approach the gate show your papers and proceed.

"Kommandant,wel--welcome home !" not knowing anything else to say to you.
You grin and pat hear on the head, "Thank you Z23,i will enjoy my time here"
But you didn't expect to be bombarded with challenges and problems shortly after arriving at your new home.

You look left and right,seeing soldier demoralized and sometimes sleep deprived.Equipment laying around collecting dust,some even rusting.
"This is interesting..." you say with sarcasm in your voice.
"Z can you please show me to my office..i need to get this sorted,can't bear to see my new home in these conditions" you say,not knowing it can get worse.
"Sure!" Z23 smiles and leads the way.
Before you realize what is happening Z23 grabs you by the hand and shows you around.

She begins her tour at the port,where you can see Shipgirls working hard,you recognize some.
Among them are Z1,Z2,Z26,Z36 and the most eye catching one...Graf Zeppelin.You look amazed towards them working under Zeppelin's coordination.
"Is that really Graf Zeppelin ?" you ask Z.
"Yes Commander,want me to introduce you two ?" she replies with a smile.
"If its not a pro--" you get cut off but Z pulling you towards the hard working Shipgirls

"Hello Graf Zeppelin,this is your new Commander"Z23 speaks to Graf Zeppelin as she turns around she looks at you two.
"Ah,so your that new Commander everyone is spreading rumors about ?"Zeppelin says.
"Yes that is me,nice to meet you Graf Zeppelin i am honored to be your commander"you say reaching your hand for a shake.
Without hesitation she gently does the same.
"May i introduce you to the destroyers under your command ?" Zeppelin asks.
"Sure why not."You reply happily.
"Z1,Z2,Z26,Z36 angetreten !" as she shouts the destroyers line up perfectly before her.
"From left to right these are Z1,Z2,Z26 and Z36 there are more but these ones are here right now and are helping me." She presents them proudly.
"I can see your proud of them,happy to see it"You reply.
"Thank you Kommandant !" the four destroyer shout.
"No need to thank me girls..you earned it ,you don't have to stay like that either you can just stand normally.I don't really like this whole military stance..except the respect and loyalty." you say while laughing a bit.

Z23 is looking away at two Shipgirls moving towards what seems to be the Commanders Office.
"Commander that's Bismark and Prinz Eugen,i wonder where Admiral Hipper is ?" Z says.
"Thank you Graf Zeppelin for the introduction and help around here" you give Zeppelin a thumbs up.
"Thank you Destroyers aswell" giving them a thumbs up aswell.
Everyone smiles at you,afterwards you are leaving towards your new office,hoping to meet the two Sisters on your way there.

Just as you were to enter the building where you'r office is,you see them.Two Blond Woman standing proud,looking for something or...someone.

One of them is taller then the other and stands with her arms crossed looking curiously around.

The Other is shorter but has white hair,also looking around.

"Hello there Lad--" you cut off when realizing who those two are.
"You are Bismarck!" looking towards the taller woman with blond hair.
"And you are her sister,Prinz Eugen"looking towards the smaller woman with white hair.

Bismarck and Prinz Eugen look surprised towards you,seemingly given up on they'r search.
"Who is this civilian Z ?" Bismarck asks in a serious but outraged voice.
"Whoever he is, he looks good" Eugen remarks looking into your eyes.
"Lady Bismarck,Lady Eugen th-- this is our new commander" Z23 says nervously.
"What ?! Why don't i get notified of our new commanders arrival ?!" Bismarck saying as she scans you from bottom to top.
"Disappointing,thought he was for the taking" Eugen responds looking away disappointingly ,angered even.
"I am sorry Lady Bismarck,but i was sent to go and fetch him and lead him here" Z23 says with a nervous tone in her voice.
"You did a great Job Z!" you say putting a hand on her shoulder to comfort her.
She looks up to you and smiles.

Bismarck still looking shocked at you.
"Is there a problem Frau Bismarck ?" you say curiously.
"N-no-no Commander,absolutely not." she says shakingly.
"You don't seem like everythings fine Frau Bismarck,if there is a reason of discomfort please do tell me." you say to Bismarck.Eugen suddenly turning towards you.
"Of course she isn't fine,if keep staring at her like a pervert" Eugen pointing a finger up to you.
"EUGEN,What was that ?!"Bismarck shouts in anger and disappointment.
"Im sorry i didn't stare at he--" you get cut off by Eugen.
"Of course you where staring you creep,you even stared at me.I bet you did weird stuff to Z during the train ride" Eugen ads.
"Please just listen to me,i didn't do any of th--" you try to explain yourself before getting cut off.
"You're probably no better then the last one,you're just a pervert and a wuss."
"EUGEN THAT'S ENOUGH" Bismarck shouting loud enough so multiple people turn towards the group.
"I am saying what he is,just a pervert and he is probably not going to do much for us.Just use us for his entertainment." You stop in your tracks after the last sentence.

"What do you mean by---by use ?" you say trembling,your heart starting to beat faster then normal.
"Eugen,what in the name of the seven seas was that for ? You don't even know him yet,he just arrived!"Bismarck still shouting at Eugen,ignoring your question.
"Lady Bismarck,Lady Eugen please stop he is nothing from that list of things you called him!"Z23 looking towards them arguing.
"The commander treated me like a normal human being not like something else.He even asked me to be his secretary."Z23 tries to break the fight between the two sisters.
"U--Us--Use....what did he do..." you stutter still processing what Eugen said to you.

"I can't believe it,this filth in our ranks..." slowly gaining back your composure.
"EUGEN,I WANT YOU TO TELL ME EVERYTHING HE DID AND SAID,TODAY,IN MY OFFICE" you shout,it's echoes reaches far.
"What-- ?" Eugen replies terrified and confused,breaking the fight between her and Bismarck.
"Sir, you don't have to listen to what he--" Bismarck says afraid of something's going to happen.
"That's an Order!" you say that with all the energy you have left.Before..looking down and starting to cry a little bit.
The Girls look worried up to you.