Azur Lane: Savior

"Northern Parliament want you to what?!" Saratoga slammed the table in a surprised voice.

"Yes, they want me to assist them in a Siren's stronghold raid." The Commander sighed. 

"But why? This is all too sudden!" The petite girl huffed.

"Sara, calm down, just think of it. This is a Siren stronghold that has never been active for around their first appearance, so if we want to do it, then now is the time to investigate." Greynar explained as he rubbing his head. 

Saratoga sighed as she resigned herself. "Fine, i guess we can try to find out what is this Siren stronghold. But all of this seems suspicious from Northern Parliament moreover—"

"I mean i was also planning to go there even if they didn't ask me, but now this is a good time." The Commander continued, "And also this is because i too want to take Volga there to visit her homeland again." 

Saratoga groaned. "Alrightttyy... It's not like Eagle Union has the privilege to lock you up here."

Greynar could only gave her a polite smile while apologizing again. "Thanks Saratoga, i knew you are dependable." 

Saratoga groaned once more time. "Safe the talk about complimenting me, there's also matter with Canal Stronghold, so we will meet up in NY on later date." 

"Right... So Avrora will inform us later about it, the date will be estimated the same as Canal Stronghold operation." This time, the Commander turn to groan. "This is a busy time for us..."

"Agreed." Saratoga gave him a slight chuckle.

After spending around minutes playing around to cool her head off, Saratoga bid farewell to him and went outside. Not long after quarter of minute passed, and a knock came in.

"Commander~ Are you busy?" Volga opened the door slowly.

Looking at the not-so important stuff on the table, the Commander shook his head. "Nah, im not so busy, do you have something to ask?"

The carrier slowly came to him and sat on his lap. "Just wanted to see my Commander~ I heard that Northern Parliament is inviting you over for a stronghold raid." 

"Yeah, this is also to investigate that Siren's stronghold that has been dormant for a while, we need to be careful though, the more we left it alone, the greater the risk is." He brushed his hand on her hair while she leaned onto his shoulder. "But yeah, this probably a long journey for us."

"Mhm~ I just wish Aurora get to join us but she's still busy in Dragon Empery..." Volga looked a bit dejected, lately due to more Sirens encounter and appearance, it's impossible to really come back without an escort fleet accompanying.

"I'm sure she will finish her task soon in the future." He comforted her with a small kiss on her forehead.

"I hope so..." She stayed quiet with him for a while then got up with a new brimming energy. "I will go see the others now, since NY Harbor is good to go now, i will try to meet with Essex and Bunker Hill about our training, see you later, Commander~!" The excited girl closed the door as her hum was heard throughout the corridor.

As the sound began to quiet again, Greynar glanced to the wall. "So... Any news from Observer? Purifier."

The exterior of the wall began to materialize as a girl popped out from it. "Not yet, but she is doing a mission using her disguise at Sakura Empire."

"I see, then everything went as planned." There was a sharp smile on him.

"You will be dealing with Omitter at the Arctic stronghold, and Compiler will be the one that dealing with Enterprise using the that fog." The ponytail girl said as she scrolled through her Antiochus' mission navigation.

"Should we be worrying about the Arbiters?" The Commander curiously asked.

"Nah, don't think so... they might just lurk here and there, there's no anything noteworthy as of yet." Purifier answered with a nonchalant expression.

"That's good enough for us to move back and forth before we are going to the bigger picture of the script." Greynar put his hat on the table, "I guess i can take a break for some time." 

Purifier suddenly got a notification from her system. "If you don't have anything to say, imma get going, job's calling." She bid farewell and vanished from the air.

Getting up from the chair, he went to get a drink on the cafeteria. His throat was dry after a long talk with one of NY higher-ups. That made him thought about their talk regarding the matters of the Ashes and the META ships. He knew that being the Commander of Azur Lane, he got the privilege of checking some undisclosed information but for some reason, the Eagle Union command didn't allow him to check the information about Ashes, it could be said they didn't allow him to access the information.

It made him a bit frustrated, the only logical reason he could find was they wanted to make the information kept secret so no one can really take a peek of the information, and it's also to prevent a leak from the enemy. The command only gave a vague answer about Ashes.

Grabbing a drink in cafeteria and chugged down the waters, he felt satisfied as his dried throat is now rejuvenated. Looking at the clock, it was a good time to go have a walk. He put down the glass and let one of Manjuu take care of the cleaning. Walking along the grass patch, the sun was up on the sky complimented by the wind that blows from the north. 

He was greeted by the Destroyers that was running with a cheerful expression. The port was really busy that day, sortie and commission task appeared left and right with no end. Even for Saratoga and Memphis, they didn't rest for a bit to manage the general mission for the fleets. Siren appearance and the Ashes made them realize that the war is long from end. Even they are still monitoring the appearance of White Tower in every controlled territory of Eagle Union, but it hasn't appear ever since then. 

Queen Elizabeth cooperating with him to monitor any incident of White Tower, they didn't find any result which the queen quickly concluded that the White Tower is just one of Sirens antics. It didn't really helped him out when he knew the truth. The real enemy was still missing from the scene, even he's not confident for every faction to band together and fight it. He saw the scene what really happened, there's no possible way of fighting the beings. 

He shuddered the moment he thought of the scene that unfold if they really invaded to the timeline. 

"Fuck, i got a creeps even thinking of it." He mumbled alone, walking on the stone path, pondering about the scene he saw inside his mind. "If i have to describe that thing, it looks like a lovecraftian horror monster which i wish i never get to meet in the future." He stole a glance to the blue water in the corner of his eye, "The crucial device, S.A.V.I.O.R. i don't know what does it looks like but it's very important to this war. But for what purpose?" He closed his eyes, hearing the bird chirping and the calm sound of the drifting sea made him relaxed than usual.

He noticed several footsteps behind him, opening his eyes again he turned to the group behind him. Surprised by the unusual combination, he greeted them with a polite smile. "Hey there you three."

"Hey Commander! What's with you walking alone here." Albacore greeted him back.

"Hello, Commander. Sorry if we're disturbing you on your break time." Brooklyn gave him a polite bow.

"Albacore told us to say hi to you, Commander." Kimberly sighed and gave him a wave.

The Commander chuckles, "That's unusual for you three to be together, was there a commission task?" 

"Yes! Yes! We will start some escort supply task that will be going to PH." Albacore jumped excitedly. "I guess we will meet the legendary black dragon. She is stationed on that place in case the Siren attacked."

"And since we're on our way to the dockyard, we're just going to give you a greeting since we are departing soon." Kimberly commented.

Greynar looked to each of them and nodded, "Give your best for the commissions." 

"We will!" Brooklyn said as she gestured with a salute.

The Commander also return their salute with his. "Alright, then see you after the commission task." 

"See you Commander!" Albacore waving excitedly as they strolled past him.

The three of them went to the dockyard as Greynar went to the opposite direction, he smiled at their vigorous energy to do a commission task. 

Gazing at the sky, he murmured. "The future is uncertain. I must do what i could."

※ ※ ※

For the next few weeks, there was no any problem within the port. Everyone was working hard cleaning out the Siren zone out of their territories. Greynar too, also didn't encounter any problematic case during his work as a Commander. He went as far to make a new role on the ship that he planned, for Memphis and Helena to manage the port easily. Saratoga has been the second-in-command if he weren't around along with Enterprise. As for Volga, she is the only shipgirl with no role to play, Greynar will plan something for her when they reached Northern Parliament territory.

The Royal Navy, Queen Elizabeth communicated with him about a progression on their battle with Iron Blood. There is a new person that controlling the Iron Blood and assume the position as their leader along with Prinz Eugen as temporary second-in-command. Elizabeth said that the current leader in-command for Iron Blood, Friedrich der Große is a mysterious ship that planned every movement they made when Richelieu fleet and Royal Navy fleet went to the Bassilica in Mozabeque, Africa continent. Especially when they met with Gascogne, the fourth ship of Richelieu-class which actually a research ship.

Eagle Union and Royal Navy also has it, but their existence are still hidden from public. The Commander knew this because he had used the privilege to access some file of the faction secrets. The secret of research ship is confidental, and to confirm their existence, you need to have at least the same rank as the Commander rank. Greynar of course, made use of his access to get more information about the ships and even the existence of a secret research base, Sea of Star.

Although he didn't know whether the girls knew about their existence or deliberately hid the fact from him. He could only shrug at it, especially for Saratoga and Enterprise, they hold some secret he didn't know about.

The door opened with a click as Memphis went inside his room. "Excuse me, Commander."

"Yeah? What is it?" The Commander glanced at the cherry-haired girl while he was signing off more document regarding the content of comissions.

"Commander, we've prepared new upgraded command ship for you to go Northern Parliament." Memphis announced, standing in front of his desk. 

Greynar checked at the time as he finished the last of the document. "Can you show me the way?" He stood up as he was excited to see it.

Dumbfounded by his sudden action, Memphis just nodded and urged him to follow her. They went to the dockyard when he found a special ship in the corner of the dock. The pale, translucent ship had been upgraded to a more modern design to better withstand the weather. It now featured more lights and an upgraded radar system. The deck's surface was made rougher to prevent slipping, especially during winter conditions. The hull's armour is now enhanced with some extra armour and has been replaced with more durable armour. Looking at it, he was very satisfied.

"Wow, can't believe this is very shiny and pretty." He touched the surface of the ship, fascinated by the upgrade.

Memphis let a soft laughter, "You can take a look inside." She pushed him forward inside the boat. 

Opening the door, the interior stays the same but with some extra decorated feature of the ship. He didn't mind it since its more or less the same. One of the room was now his own bed to rest on when they are on a long journey. The ship command room has now been upgraded to withstand the jamming system from the Siren. 

"Words can't describe how im thankful for this..." He looked around the room. "Memphis, is this more or less the joint contribution of everyone?"

"Yes, to ensure your protection, we have upgraded the cube-powered command ship to more act as a impregnable walking fortress. That is, if the enemy Siren didn't launch a deadly attack straight from afar," the proud girl said.

He turned to her and boldly hugged the girl. "Thank you so much!"

The girl's face turned red and she became flustered in a second. "Wh- wha, Commander what are you doing!?"

"Just giving my thanks to you." The Commander nonchalantly said.

"R-right..." The girl steadily raised her hand to hug him back and nuzzled on his shoulder. 

'W-what are you even doing Memphis!' Memphis asked within her mind.

After a silent minute of hugging, Greynar pulled apart from her and begin fixing his uniform while turning his back from her. He wasn't thinking about hugging the pink-haired girl but his body moved on his own. He too, was flustered being close to her in a direct way. He could directly sense her heartbeat.

"S-so, Commander." Memphis innocently fiddled with her hand.

"Yes?" He turned back to the blushing Memphis.

"You will make a stop first at NY which coincide with my destination. The escort fleet that will participate will be me, Saratoga, and Volga along with the submarine Archerfish." Memphis said.

"Okay," he nodded before continuing. "Anything else i should bring to NY?"

"Nothing in particular. Helena and the Cleveland-class sisters already staying at NY for tonight, we will catch up with them using the safe water zone."

"And?" Greynar knew it wasn't the end of it. 

"And the separate mission for Baltimore fleets and me to Canal Stronghold will start once you sailed from NY." The pink-haired girl looked a bit dejected after saying it.

Greynar knew something was wrong, he guessed that she doesn't want to be separated with him. "Memphis, are you sad that you won't be seeing me?"

The girl looked at him with a bit teary eye and nodded. "Just... Im scared if something were happened to you when the fleet isn't there— Ow...!"

The Commander playfully chopped her head with his hand. "Silly girl, what are you thinking when you are working together to upgrade my ship, place your trust in me. I will be fine, the Sirens won't get as far as they could before they reach me." He softly smiled at her, cheering at the sad girl. 

"Really?" Memphis asked with a hopeful eye.

"Yes, really... Pinky promise?" He put his pinky finger to her. 

"...Sure." Memphis replied with the same gesture, their fingers touched and interlocking with each other. "This will be your promise, Commander." She looked at him with determined eye.

"I promise, as the Commander, i will go back unharmed." The Commander promised.

The girl chuckled. "Keep that promise Commander." She leaned in and planting a soft kiss on his cheeks.

Clearing his throat, the Commander said. "Alright, let's go get going and prepare." 

"Yes!" Memphis replied with a hum as she followed behind him.

As the day went forward, the fleet has set sail to NY. Greynar gave one last glance to the port and move forward with the escort ships following him. He was determined to go Northern Parliament because there's a place he wanted to see for himself. The underwater ruin, Arcana Sanctum.