Azur Lane: Savior

Before heading to the polar region, they stopped in New York City along with the escort fleet, waiting for the others to arrive. Sitting at an outdoor table of the cafeteria, Greynar was served tea by Volga. Taking a sip, he narrowed his eyes, gazing toward the north side of the sea.

"That's where we are going to..." He said.

"Yes, we will go when everyone has arrived to NY harbor." Volga replied with a smile.

"Volga..." He suddenly called to her.

"Yes, Commander?" The girl tilted her head.

"Have you ever ask to yourself, how long will this war last?" He asked her, curious about a KANSEN opinion.

"This war...?" Volga gazed to the floor. "To be honest, i don't know, Commander." 

"But do you think there's a hope for us?" 

There was a silent, she pondered for a moment before answering. "Yes, i think there's hope for us."

The Commander leaned on the chair, stretching his arm. "I see, that's good," he glanced at the sky. "I hope we can unlock the mystery of Siren soon."

Volga went closer behind him and wrapped her arm on his neck. "Im not really smart on this matter, but im sure that you will help us through this war and led us into a better future." 

He gave her a reassuring smile. "Yeah, i will, im just nervous about what will happen in the future. The war with Siren isn't really over, this was also the beginning of new chapter for us after that raid in NY City."

"There, there..." She softly patted his head. "I know that there's many things that is on your mind, Commander." She slowly put her soft bosom behind his head. "But don't worry, i will always be there for you."

He gently smiled as he relax. "Thank you, it's assuring to have you with me. I love you."

"I love you too, Commander."

The duo remained silent, savoring the cool breeze that swept over them. Sunlight filtered through the clouds, casting a gentle glow on their surroundings. Birds chirped in harmony with the rhythmic waves lapping against the shore, creating a serene and relaxing atmosphere. In that moment, it felt as if the world had paused just for them to enjoy each other's company in perfect solitude.

After enjoying each other companion, Greynar decided to go and check about the other ship, he felt like he needed to recheck every preparation so there's no problem on their way there. He met with Helena to confirm everything again for their raid and Memphis about their logistic planning while he was not in the port. Lastly, he came to Saratoga to ask about the details of Northern Parliament's defense line.

She explained about the Aleutian defense line where they will be heading to. It was said that Aleutian defense line is located in Bering Sea has some sort of harsh weather for them to sail on. The clement weather that they will be dealing with, will only last for a few hours before disappearing into thin air. Even though it wasn't much of a problem, it was pretty dangerous to sail there in night. Saratoga warned him to always be vigilant of any movement inside the weather.

"That concludes the explanation, any question Commander?" Saratoga asked.

"Nope, all good. Thanks for the explanation." He closed his notepad that noted important detail of the location.

"Anytime! You can try to rely on Sister Sara!" Saratoga proudly presented herself. "Now what we need is the rest of the fleet that will arrive tomorrow. So have a rest for today, Commander." 

"Yeah, i will. See you tomorrow." He bid farewell to her as he prepare for the expedition to the Arctic.

Walking at night was one of his favorite pastimes. With no pressing duties to attend to, Greynar took a leisurely stroll through the garden near his quarters. He settled beside a lamp that softly illuminated the pathway, casting a warm glow around him. Retrieving his worn-out notepad from his coat pocket, he flipped it open. Pages filled with meticulous notes and observations, gathered over countless days as Commander, greeted his tired eyes.  

Glancing at his pocketwatch, it was already a bit late. He put the notepad back to the pocket and went back to his room. Before he could reach the room, from the distance, he was met Memphis that stood in front of his room looking casting a nervous glance. He was pretty confident that Memphis didn't know that he wasn't inside the room. Gathering up courage, he went to greet the girl. 

"Evening, Memphis." He gazed her with curiosity.

"Hwwahh!!..." Memphis was startled. "Commander!? I thought you—" 

"Was inside? Nah, i took a small stroll around here, what is it that you need? Standing here alone in front of my door." He eyeing at her clothing, it was probably a nightwear she always use.

Memphis's face flushed with embarrassment. "No, it's not what you think!" 

He raised his brow, deciding to tease her a bit. "What i think it is?"

"Guh... I just..." Her voice slowly fading. "Want to... sleep..."

He leaned closer to her. "What? I can't hear you." 

Memphis bit her lip in resignation, she gathered her courage and speaks. "I just want to sleep with you for tonight!" After she finished speaking, she shut her mouth and turned away. "Damn it, now i've done it..." Memphis murmured.

Greynar blinked for a moment to the shock and chuckled. "Ahahaha, i mean sure, why not. Got some nightmare?"

Memphis turned to him and walked off. "Ah i guessed so- Huh?" Memphis froze, her expectation was shattered upon hearing it. "HUH!?"

"What, cat got your tongue? I said sure." He said firmly.

Memphis, still shock hearing his eager confirmation, she tried to reason off but it failed.  "But she- why-" After a lot of frantic from her, she sighed in defeat. "I've lost, Commander."

Curious about what is it, he asked her. "What lost? Did you bet on something today?"

"It was..." Memphis paused, she tried to find the right word for it. "A girl's talk!"

He nodded, seemed to be expecting about it. "I see... it's a bet."

The cherry-haired girl gave up on correcting him. she fixed herself and coughed. "So, Commander, now that i've lost, can now we go inside before anyone sees us?" She gave him an urging look on the door.

Having enough fun on teasing her, Greynar let her inside the room and closed the door with a click. Turning at her who is now on the bed, he decided to ask for the real reason. "So, Memphis, what brings you here at night." 

The girl who was busy settling herself on the bed, looked towards him with a lingering eye. "I can't sleep..."

"Got nightmares?" He went closer to her, sitting beside Memphis that seemed was about to cry.

The girl silently nod, he took his jacket off and wrapped Memphis with it. "You can stay for tonight. I hope it can ease you a bit, i will go sleep on the couch." 

Before he could stand from the bed, Memphis pulled the hem of his shirt. "Could you... stay with me on the bed."

"...Alright, then excuse me." He rustled to her side, Memphis moved a bit to give him a space to lay down.

As both lay together on the bed, Memphis turned his side, her body pressed forward to his chest. "Commander..." She called out to him.

"Yes?" Greynar looked at the poor girl with kind eye. 

"Will you be gone someday?" The girl asked.

The question by her rose some question from him. What did she meant by that? If she meant that he will be gone tomorrow, then the answer yes. But if that wasn't what she meant, then it was a hypothetical question if he whether to perish from the world or not someday in the future. 

He answered her question with a vague one. "I don't know. I probably wouldn't know until i see the future."

"Is that so..." She slid her finger to his arm. "I'm just afraid, i'm scared if someday, you were not beside me."

Greynar used his other hand to brush the girl's hair softly. "I know how you are feeling. For humans, a life is precious for them. Though i can't say the same to a shipgirl, but humans do treasure their life more. I treasure my life, and death won't come for me anytime sooner." He gently holds her chin up to his face. "There's a saying, 'Death is just another phase for human's life' which i believe it might be just true."

"Is death is just another beginning then? Or is it the end?" Her emerald eye looked up to his eye. 

"I believe it's the former, i have this feeling that death isn't the end, but another stage to something." The Commander said, he let go her chin as he slowly hugged her.

Memphis silently nodded, she curled her body under his warmth. "If it was like that, then i think it will calm my mind." 

"I hope my talk can help you ease your nightmare a bit." He pulled her into a small hug.

"Mmm... Thank you..." Feeling the drowsiness slowly seeped to her, Memphis' words slowly fading away. "Then, goodnight, Commander..."

"Goodnight." The Commander replied. 

As he felt satisfied on his little talk with Memphis, his own drowsiness struck after it. The late chilling night was his cue to just go sleep. The cloud hanging over the sky as it blocks the moon's light for it to go through. He thought to himself that tonight will be a cold rainy night. The Commander slowly drifted away to slumber with the droplets of water started to pour down from the sky.

※ ※ ※

The next day as the others fleets has arrived, Saratoga stood with Greynar alongside Enterprise that was listening as they discussed about the preparation of their journey to the northern region where Northern Parliament located on. Avrora has sent the details regarding the route they need to go through, she ensured that the Commander won't encounter any enemies as it was practically a safe route. 

"Well, that concludes our brief plan before embarking on this journey, anything you need to ask, Commander?" The petite pink-haired girl asked.

"None of that i need to ask about." The Commander crossed his arm and leaned back to the wall. "Though, we probably need some more food supply in case of something happened."

"Hmm..." Saratoga thought carefully. "I think there's no harm bringing more to the ship. I will revise supply food as soon as possible."

"Great, now that we finished." He took his hat from the table. "Let's go as soon as we done here." 

"...Right, since Enterprise will also go on a separate mission, Baltimore and the fleets will patrol around the Canal Stronghold to ensure that the area won't get any Siren ambush." Saratoga glanced at the carrier girl sitting beside the door.

Enterprise nodded. "Since the others will get a hand full of task, i will personally tell Baltimore to just be aware of anything around their location when they are stationed there." 

"And since our defense is particulary still weak due to their attack, i hope the Sirens really didn't form a sudden ambush again." Saratoga commented.

"I doubt that it will happen." Greynar answered her anxious statement. "Simply they wouldn't, but they will be around hiding in the shadow."

"Tracing back to their last battle, i also agree with Commander. The Siren's force are pretty weak due to the attack, but who knows who that they will just mass produce those ships again if they need to." Enterprise shrugged.

Greynar slowly opened the door and glanced at them with a serious expression. "Then we will get another revenge for those attack."

As the trio gone separate way with Enterprise preparing for her own sortie, Greynar went to his command ship on the opposite of dockyard and called Volga to prepare. He also bid Memphis farewell when he met her on the way to the ship, she gave him a little hug and asked him to stay safe. Saratoga took one last time peek to their food supply they will bring the winter place. Confirming that everything is ready, the fleet prepared to sail as Hornet and South Dakota will be accompanying Greynar on their journey as escort ship. Saratoga said that she needed to do something before sailing right away, she said she will be behind Greynar and catch up to him as soon she is ready to go.

Once Greynar give the signal to weigh the anchor, the fleet sailed to Bering Sea. Knowing that this journey will take some time, Greynar decided to just relax as Volga joined Hornet and South Dakota to chat about various topic on their journey, their expectation about the sea of ice was pretty high, they want to see the northern iceberg in the arctic. They also talk about the Siren stronghold on the area.

An hour later, Greynar received a notice from Saratoga that she is right behind them. Greynar told the fleets to slow down their sailing as the petite girl caught up with them and they continued their journey with a bit of increase on their sailing speed.

As long there is no disruption from outside during their journey, it was a peaceful day for them.