Chronicles of the Siren War Chapter 45

After taking breakfast on the bridge with Penny, Zed, and Shiratsuyu,  Thorson headed for the crew quarters to check on the wounded. Several  beds had been moved to other locations on the ship to give the  recovering girls peace from the everyday life going on around them.  There he found Tennessee along with the wounded, the kittens of DESDIV8,  and to his surprise, Kasumi.

"Good morning, Shikikan. Foo said you would be by soon," Kasumi told  him in a dreamy voice, nodding as Thorson rested a hand briefly on  Ooshio and Michishio's heads and rubbed their ears. He earned a couple  of low purrs for his efforts.

"Well good morning to Foo, and the rest of you as well," Thorson declared. "Where's Jupiter?"

"Javelin took her. She was in better shape than Houston and was well  enough to make the trip over. Guess her rigging still works," Tennessee  reported, sitting in her corner and throwing acidic glances Jintsuu's  way. Thorson cocked a brow, walking over to the blue haired fox's bed  with a curt nod to Naka on the way. The youngest Sendai class sister  nodded to acknowledge the gesture but said nothing further.

"Thank you Tennessee. Her status?" He demanded. 

"The fox is awake and refuses to speak."

"You are the enemy Commander? I request an honorable death," Jintsuu  defied Tennessee immediately with clarity and purpose in her eyes. The  battleship stood in a towering rage. 

"All that time, all those hours, and all that boredom and the first  words out of you mouth are a fucking deathwish?!" She roared, grabbing  Jintsuu roughly by the shoulders.

"Tennessee!" Thorson shouted to no avail.

"I should have left you to die to that bitch's fighters you  ungrateful fox! You call yourself a warrior? How the hell can you claim  to be a warrior if you want to die after one loss?!"

"TENNESSEE!" Thorson roared, drawing and cocking his pistol. "She is  not your prisoner. Step away from her, now. And heal your damn scars. I  don't know when we'll go to battle again."

"You have no right to tell me what to do with my body!" Tennessee lashed out, nevertheless releasing Jintsuu.

"They're ugly."

She was completely unfazed. "So am I, Commander."

"Maybe to your enemies," Thorson said quietly, his voice sharp as a  blade. Tennessee leered his way before leaving Jintsuu's bedside and  shouldering past him. She called a final warning from the doorway.

"You grant her wish and I'll blow you into a million pieces. She  doesn't deserve death, especially at your hands," Tennessee insisted,  leaving without another word as her heavy footfalls stomped away through  the corridors of the ship. 

"Hmm, I agree Foo. She seems nice," Kasumi decided. 

“Heh, you’re a strange little one, aren’t you?” Houston called weakly from her bedside.

“Hello to you as well, Houston. I am Kasumi. Please do not be afraid. Foo told me your name.”

The pink haired cruiser turned her head painfully to face Thorson. “What’s a Foo, Commander?”

“Near as I can tell it’s a spirit companion of hers,” he called. “Rest for now, Houston. She’s no danger to you.”

As if seeking to prove Thorson correct and ingratiate herself to his  fleet, Kasumi sat gently at Houston’s bedside and held up her half eaten  plate of breakfast. “If you do not eat all your toast you’ll not  recover. Here, say aah please?”

"It's not that simple when your ribs are killing you," Houston  lamented, nevertheless opening her mouth for a small bite that Kasumi  covered with ample amounts of butter.

"I feel tired quite often. Maybe when you're recovered you can come  visit me here," Kasumi suggested, continuing with her care of Houston as  though it were the most natural thing in the world. Naka couldn't help  the small smile on her face, but Jintsuu was not so amused.

"Perhaps I am already dead then. Such actions are not possible," she declared in a low, serious voice.

"Do you really believe your heaven or hell would be in the hull of a Union battleship?" Thorson asked her incredulously. 

"So defeat was not enough? You are here to mock me as well?"

"Your forces won the day, Jintsuu," he informed her. She quickly  locked eyes with him. They were a bright blue and complimented her  outfit well. "Kaga's aircraft forced us into retreat. Java and Surabaya  fell to the Sakura in the end. You killed Admiral Doorman and crippled  Exeter, leaving her unable to escape with us."

"Then surely you will execute me," Jintsuu reasoned.

"I will not," Thorson declined. Naka was paying close attention to  them now, her large ears rotating to listen in while Arashio and Asashio  left the room along with Michishio. The three did not wish to be  involved in such a serious discussion. Ooshio stayed to tend to Houston,  proving every bit as compassionate as Kasumi as she checked the cruiser  for tender spots and bruises that needed attention.

"And why is that, Union Commander?" Jintsuu wondered at his insistence she remain alive.

"Because I want you to join my forces, serve as an officer among my  fleets, and kill sirens until they or you are dead. That or I'll just  keep you alive until the end of the war and let high command sort it  out. I think I would find it personally difficult to order the execution  of Sakura sailors or soldiers. The idea of killing beautiful women is  even more revolting."

"My body is not for your pleasure!" Jintsuu snapped.

"Fine by me," Thorson shrugged, picking up the sound of approaching  voices. "I've got my hands full anyway, as you'll no doubt see in a  moment."

"Yooo, Commander! Fancy meeting you here! The heck did you do to  Belle? I haven't seen her so pissed since blue foxy was blocking her  shots. Oh, you're awake! Hey there, blue foxy!" Downes burst into the  room in her own signature style. Yuudachi had tagged along.

"Her name is Jintsuu-sama, Downes. Hey Shikikan, good morning. Do you  know where Pennsylvania-san is?" The dog-girl requested, her tail  wagging happily behind her. 

"Hey hey, that food is for Houston, not you!" Thorson snapped. "Yuudachi, come. Heel."

"Mmm...ok. Wan~!" She barked, receiving vigorous head patting and ear  rubbing for her good behavior. Thorson smiled as she pawed at his hands  with her own.

"Penny is on the bridge with Zed. You can go on but listen to me  carefully. You can only touch Zed if she gives you express permission.  Do you understand?" Thorson demanded.

"Why's that? Is there a problem with Zed?" 

"Just give her space and time. She went through a lot back in Germany," was all the Commander would say on the matter. 

"Sounds kind of like the Sanctuary. I'm glad to be rid of that place.  The meat was decent but everyone was too serious. Good to see you're  still kicking, Jintsuu-sama! You too, Houston. I guess we're on the same  side now, huh? Sorry about those torpedoes. Fight later? Bye Shikikan!"

"Ask Shiratsuyu before raiding the kitchens!" Thorson yelled as  Yuudachi took off on her next adventure, leaving Downes in a fit of  giggles.

"You sure have some curious characters in the Sakura, don't you?" She  asked Naka. "Oh hey there, Ooshio. Sorry for blowing right past you and  all. Who’s the new gal?"

"It's nothin' ta worry about, Downes. And good mornin' to ya. This is  my nee-chan, Kasumi. I still can't believe how ya changed. I was just  gettin' used ta you bein' short an' spunky. Now you're all tall  an'...ah...yeah, all like this an' that," Ooshio trailed off in  embarrassment, blushing heavily.

"Sister, Foo says you should be honest with the Union girl," Kasumi  interjected, never raising her quiet voice. "She will understand in  time, he says. Perhaps the Union is more interesting than I thought?"

"I would appreciate it if you an' yer Foo would butt outta my  fellings, nee-chan!" Ooshio yelped, her face turning beet red and her  tail wilting. Downes turned to Thorson.

"What'd I miss? I feel like I just missed something," she requested.

"Heh, you're hot now that you're grown up apparently. Little punkish too," he told her straight.

"You're one to talk! You're the one who made me want to be hot in the  first place you man...ugh…" Downes looked him up and down. "Darn it,  why are you hot too?" She demanded, hopping off of Naka's bed, bouncing  up to Thorson and embracing him like a long lost lover. He certainly  didn't mind, tasting her gunpowder lips and running a hand up her solid  obliques. 

"Shikikan and Downes, you will make Ooshio faint at this rate,"  Kasumi offered. The two broke apart, holding their noses close. Her  mismatched eyes glittered with captivating happiness.

"I'd like to start every morning that way," she admitted.

"Every other morning, how about?" He proposed.

"Haaaa? So you can dick Penny every other day?!" Downes accused him, mostly playfully.

“So I can run my fleet that’s currently in full retreat from an enemy controlled theater of war,” Thorson deadpanned. 

“Ah you worry too much, Commander. It is sad what happened to Admiral  Doorman and all, but you know I’m ready to go whenever, wherever.”

From behind them Kasumi giggled. “No Foo, I don’t think she meant sex.”

“I do mean sex too,” Downes whispered, as if suddenly struck by the  thought. “But if every other day is how it’s gonna be, let me snag  another of those kisses for the road!”

“Oooh, Laffey knew she sensed a disturbance, yes yes. Downes getting  too many kisses and Laffey getting not enough. Commander must kiss  Laffey next so she can go about her day as the other very powerful Union  destroyer. Hmm,” the bunny girl opined from the entrance to the crew  quarters.

“You came here just for that?” Thorson asked as she shamelessly  walked up to him, slipped in between him and Downes and stole her kiss,  ears waving happily.

“Laffey came here to see Zed. Laffey would never be so desperate as to come all this way just to kiss the Commander, no no.”

“I like her too, Foo.”

“Laffey thinks the new girl is strange but kind. Laffey approves.  Goodbye, Commander.” Laffey received a final bit of attention on her  ears before departing in search of her friend. He looked at Downes.

“Talk about ruining the moment,” the other destroyer shrugged with a  smile. “Anyway, Naka, how you doing? Feel like getting up and at em?”

“I am most certainly dead,” Jintsuu decided. “All of this is simply not possible.”

“I could punch you if you wanted. It would hurt a lot less than  Tennessee,” Thorson offered as Downes helped the red-haired fox from her  bed and onto shaky but stable enough legs. “Downes.”

“Yeah, Commander?”

“Treat her like Asashio or Arashio,” he explained simply. “She can’t leave this ship for now.”

“Oh, yeah I guess that makes sense,” Downes considered with a hint of  sadness. “Ah well, I guess you can’t expect everyone to come around in a  day, right? Let’s go take a look at the sea. Beautiful morning out  there, great for pushups! Ooshio, you coming?”

“Oh ah...y-yeah! I’ll be joinin’ ya!” The short stack cat stuttered  in reply, pleasantly surprised to find herself included in Downes’  little foray. “I’ll come find ya later, Kasumi!”

“Alright, Ooshio. I’m sure Foo will be able to find you too. Have fun with Naka and your new friend.”

The makeshift infirmary was left in relative silence as the animated  Downes departed, leaving Jintsuu and Thorson to speak as Kasumi yawned  and curled up next to Houston. The flat chested cruiser took it in  stride and stroked her hair, a wan smile on her face. 

"What are you playing at, Union Commander?" Jintsuu accused, revolted at the sight.

"I told you, Jintsuu-"

"You have no right to speak to me with such informality."

"My battleship beat the ever-loving shit out of you, blew your shard  straight out of your neck and hauled your unconscious body back to this  ship. I'll address you however I damn well want!" Thorson shot back,  reminded of the many losses the allies had suffered at Jintsuu's hands.  She was momentarily chastised. "As I said earlier. I aim to kill every  siren I can find. As of now that number rests at zero, but I know well  that they're pulling the strings of your own navy."

"You dare to insult Kaga and Akagi in such a way?"

"Siren pawns, far as I'm concerned," Thorson shrugged. "One day  you'll have to make a choice, Jintsuu. My fleet consists of more Sakura  than Union ships now, I'm pretty sure. They're all here for a reason.  They could use a leader on the battlefield."

The cerulean fox remained silent, holding his gaze but not supplying  him with any further information. He shrugged, standing from her bed and  moving to speak with Houston. It wasn't as though he'd expected a  miracle.

"Hello there, Commander. I haven't gotten the chance yet but thank  you for saving me," she whispered, giggling for a moment as Kasumi's ear  twitched in her slumber.

"I'm sorry about your ship and cube. Downes...ate it," Thorson informed her sheepishly. Houston didn't seem to mind.

"And she looks great for it! Besides, I'm sure there will be a chance  to get my ship back later, right?" Houston reasoned. Thorson hung his  head and showed her the remaining shards.

"All I've got left," he told her.

"Oh…I see. I still have my rigging though! It was so incredible in that one moment. I felt like I could take on the world!"

"You pretty much did. That was some exceptional evasion," the  Commander complimented her. "I'm just glad we were able to get to you."

"Me too, sir. Being in bed isn't the greatest feeling but it's a lot  better than being dead. And where did this little cutie come from?"  Houston laid a hand gently on Kasumi's head.

"Remember the four Sakura who accompanied me to see you in Surabaya and were here this morning? She's their sister."

"But she's a fox, sir."

"See those two orbs glowing just above her?" Thorson inquired, curious as to what Houston might say.

"No sir."

"They couldn't see them either, but I can. Don't know how or why.  She's a bit different, but she approached us all on her own and defected  to be with her sisters. I think that says all we need to know about  her."

"I'm inclined to agree, sir. Thanks for stopping by."

"Can I get you anything?" 

"I'll be fine here, Commander," Houston assured him, her cheery  manner seeming to return by the hour. "Your cooks, Shiratsuyu and  Michishio right? They've been real good to us here."

"I'll pass the word along," Thorson agreed, taking a moment to tap  Kasumi lightly on the shoulder. She groaned and blinked sleepily at him.  "Can you ask Fusou to come over here?" He requested.

"Hai, Shikikan. Kasumi is happy to help," the young woman murmured  before falling back asleep. Neither Thorson nor Houston knew if she'd  done anything, but to her credit Fusou entered the infirmary several  minutes later, bowing deeply to Thorson and unintentionally showing off  her ample cleavage.

"Tono-sama, how may I help you today?" The eldest shrine maiden requested.

"Hey Fusou, good morning," Thorson replied, walking to stand close by  and give her orders. "Listen, between Naka, Jintsuu, Arashio, and  Asashio there are too many prisoners on this boat for Penny and myself  to keep track of. Jintsuu is possibly a suicide risk and is definitely  still the enemy. Naka is trying to understand exactly what Downes is,  but when that rambunctious destroyer isn't around she's an unknown too. I  need you."

"And I will serve, Tono-sama," she agreed, looking long into his  eyes. "Are you well...A-Andrew?" She ventured, clearly uncertain about  using his name. He took her hands in his, indulging in her smooth skin  under his fingertips.

"I'm doing as well as I can be. Warspite came over last night to  discuss loss and the burdens of command. I have a fleet full of people  who are important to me to look out for. I'll be alright."

"Ah tono-sama…" Fusou trailed off affectionately. He placed a hand on  her hips. She shifted them forward sightly. His lips turned into a  small smile. Fusou rested her chest against his and kissed his nose.  They embraced one another. "I would do anything for you, tono-sama," she  whispered fearfully, feeling that gnawing uncertainty and self-doubt  rise to the surface in the comfort of his arms.

"Then don't die," was all Thorson had to say on the matter, taking  her lower lip tenderly between his teeth before stepping back and  sucking down a deep breath. "I'm sorry...not here, not now."

"It was my mistake, tono-sama," Fusou insisted, tending to her long, raven black hair as a healthy blush graced her cheeks.

"And mine. I leave them in your care for now. Radio Penny if you have any issues or concerns."

"As you command, tono-sama," Fusou agreed, bowing to him as he left  the room. She nodded politely to Houston before walking serenely over to  Jintsuu's bed.

"So you did not die? You simply turned traitor along with that chubby  sister of yours?" Jintsuu spat her way. Fusou simply crossed her legs  and looked politely at her former comrade.

"My dear sister is happier, stronger, safer, and yes, chubbier than  you likely remember, Jintsuu. This is all on account of the actions of  that Union Shikikan, my tono-sama."

"Do you hear yourself when you speak in such a way?" The fox  whispered with disgust. "You dishonor our nation, our fleets, and  yourself."

"I assume that all the others here do as well?" Fusou asked  rhetorically before turning a hard glare on Jintsuu. "And what honor do  you serve?"

"The honor of the Sakura and the way of the warrior!" Jintsuu hissed.  "Which you seem to have forgotten in your haste to press yourself up  against that man."

"Your venom will do nothing to change how I feel about the man who  saved me and my sister," Fusou countered. "Do you know what Akagi and  Kaga sought to do to us?"

"It is not my problem that you and she were afraid of power."

"Then you are blind, Jintsuu. Blind and foolish, obsessed with tactics and combat but unwilling to see the broader picture."

"And I'm sure you do," the fox huffed dismissively.

"When your own commanders attempt to turn you and your sister into  mindless siren thralls...your perspective tends to shift," Fusou agreed,  twisting her ears about subtly. "What's wrong? No coy response from one  of the Sakura's best tacticians? Or do you still believe their lies."

"I know I don't believe the words of a traitor."

"Foolish girl!" Fusou snapped. "Akagi and Kaga have destroyed the old  ways! They have surrendered our honor, our gods, and even our freedom  to the sirens in exchange for cursed power. Nagato-sama's exile,  Shiranui's murder, the disappearance of Mikasa, Mutsu, and Kawakaze, how  many more need to die before it becomes clear to you that we were sold  out?!"

Jintsuu's eyes faltered a moment but she held strong. "We finally have the power to resist the aggression of the Eagle Union-"

"Which we attacked and spurred to war! We did not defeat them. We did  not mortally wound them. We woke them! Their mightiest carrier scores  victory after victory without rigging. Imagine their power when she is  finally under the command of Shikikan Thorson!" Fusou countered  strongly.

"They would have attacked us. It was inevitable. Don't be so naive,  Fusou. Akagi and Kaga will not be defeated by her or anyone."

"I am not naive! Pearl Harbor was a disgrace and a dishonor. I have  met and fought side by side with its survivors and every day I wish I'd  been given a chance to meet those who died that day. They are kind,  strong women who have accepted me, my sister, and other Sakura into  their lives and their fleet."

"They're just using you! How can you say such a thing when you attacked your own ships?!" Jintsuu roared with indignation.

"I fight to defeat the sirens and all who serve them! I am not being  used," Fusou insisted hotly. "But make no mistake, Jintsuu. If that was  what Andrew Thorson wanted from me, a body to sate his lust and a ship  to crush his enemies I would willingly give myself to him. Akagi and  Kaga gave me a choice: a life of undeath as a siren thrall and weapon,  or my own death and that of my dear Yamashiro. Shikikan Thorson gave me  another choice: to live as a prisoner or fight at his side as an equal.  He respects the old ways and allows us to practice them even though he  is a Christian. That alone is more than your idolized senpais can say."

"You...you!" Jintsuu simmered furiously.

"The gods would smile upon my union with Andrew, Jintsuu. Do not give  me such a look. We were made in the image of women for a reason. I see  no argument to deny that nature."

"Disgusting. You are disgusting!"

Fusou shook her head softly. "I am in love, Jintsuu. And it is  beautiful. Your hatred has trapped you and your pursuit of power has  blinded you, just as it has Akagi and Kaga. I love Andrew Thorson, I  love my sisters in this fleet, and above all I love the gods of our  homeland. If you attempt to interfere with our mission I will end you on  tono-sama's orders. And believe me when I say that my justice will be  merciful compared to any of the Union battleships."

"Your threats mean nothing to me," Jintsuu replied bravely.

"That was not a threat, Jintsuu. That was a promise. I am sure you  would face death with pride. Now kindly do not make a scene while you  are aboard. I finally find myself with some time to pray for those lost  in battle."

Confusion and revulsion blended together within her as Jintsuu  watched Fusou kneel on the ground, close her eyes, and begin to pray.  The fox morph held her tongue, but offered her own wish that Tennessee  had simply ended her life. The shame of her defeat was crushing.

-----

To Thorson's relief, the remainder of the morning and afternoon  proceeded without major incident. Fusou checked in on the bridge  occasionally but had nothing untoward to report. With visibility high  and no enemy contacts visible, Arizona had chosen to visit and brought  Yukikaze along with her. She and Thorson had watched as Penny played  fetch with Yuudachi off the port bow, tending gently to Yukikaze who,  after a bit of convincing, laid her head in Arizona's lap in  anticipation of some tactile attention. Thorson sat beside her on the  floor of the bridge, her own head soon finding itself at rest on his  shoulder. It was just what he needed and the Union battleship seemed to  equally appreciate their closeness. He even managed to nod off a bit  before the sound of footsteps and excited voices reached his ear, coming  ever closer. Downes didn't seem to do stealth.

"Commander, Commander, can we keep it?" She shouted, busting onto the  bridge with Naka and Ooshio while Yukikaze let out a disgruntled  nanoda. The Union destroyer was pointing at Ooshio. He cocked his brow.

"Uh…yes we can keep Ooshio?" He replied sarcastically, watching as  the short shrine maiden loosened the fabric at the neck of her kimono  and jingled her collared bell.

"C'mon now little one, he ain't gonna hurt ya. Shikikan's a good man,  I promise," Ooshio cooed, resting a hand under her full bosom and  pressing upwards. A small tuft of pale yellow feathers poked out of her  cleavage followed by a faint chirp. "There ya go, sweetheart. Say hi to  Shikikan Thorson now," she urged, waving playfully his way. Thorson's  eyebrows disappeared into his hair as a plump, chick-like bird with  downy feathers and small black eyes looked down at him. 

"Juu?" It chirped.

"What...is that?" Thorson asked.

"Don't know, Commander. We found it down in the boiler room. Poor  fella must have tumbled down there when we were in Surabaya or  something, started chirping and crying something awful when we went  near. Wouldn't come to me at all but Ooshio seemed to know just what to  do. Guess it's that fluffy chest of yours, eh kitty?"

"D-Downes, yer gonna make me blush," Ooshio stammered, prompting the Union destroyer to throw an arm around her shoulders.

"Don't worry, I didn't mean anything by it. Woah there little guy!  Easy!" Downes backed off as the little bird glared at her before  snuggling back into Ooshio's chest. "Guess it thinks you're his mommy."

"A fertility shrine maiden with a caring touch? I'm shocked," Thorson  teased warmly. "We can't stop to let it off anywhere. Are you alright  keeping it for now? Doesn't look like it can fly very well," he  reasoned, looking at the bird's stubby little wings. 

"Could I, Shikikan? I...I guess it is a cute little thing, innit? I'd  be happy ta care for it. Should just need a bit of rice or grain?"

Thorson nodded to her as Downes pumped her fist and whispered  'yesss!', excited about a new pet. The Commander took up the radio. "All  ships please be advised that we may have a handful of fluffy stowaways  aboard. Please check your ships for birds or other animals. See you all  at dinner."

"I wonder if any others tagged along," Arizona said. "Yukikaze, why don't we go see if we have any, hmm?"

"That sounds boring, nanoda!" She pouted. 

"I see. Well I guess that means I'll have less time to pet and play  with you if I need to check two hulls all by myself," Arizona sang with a  heavy wink Thorson's way. Yukikaze scampered down the hall after the  Union battleship.

"Wait wait! I'm sure we can find a solution to this, nanoda!"

"Wrapped around her finger," Naka observed. "Sorry to intrude."

Thorson looked her over and nodded curtly. Unlike Jintsuu, she had no  tail. "Not a problem. Stay out of trouble. I'll see you later tonight."

"Yes sir. Thanks again!" Downes called, heading out with Ooshio and  her new companion in tow. Thorson considered the development as he  looked out at the late afternoon horizon.

"Maybe this sort of distraction will be beneficial. We’re looking at a  long road back regardless. Wonder if anyone else will find one…"

-----

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Warspite marched into dinner that night with a  similar bird sitting proudly on her shoulder. She'd fashioned it a  small cape in the style of the Union Jack and introduced him to everyone  as Sir Raleigh. To Thorson's amazement and everyone's endearment, the  little bird seemed to somehow understand it had been presented, puffing  its chest out as Ooshio's little one popped out and took a look for  itself.

"Well it's nice to meet you, Sir Raleigh," Thorson laughed as  Warspite took her seat. Shiratsuyu had prepared a simple chicken katsu  for them all. “Anyone else find any visitors?” A quick look around the  table met with shaking heads and other negative expressions. With a  shrug, Thorson picked up his utensils. He was about to encourage  everyone to dig in when a soft chirping interrupted them. It had not  come from Ooshio or Warspite. "What was that?"

"What do you mean? I didn't hear anything," Tennessee insisted  quickly, grabbing her silverware and making a show of cutting her  chicken when it happened again. The imposing battleship froze as Downes,  Cleveland, and the rest of the Union girls all directed their gazes at  her.

"That didn't sound like nothing," Portland sang. "What do you think, Indy?!"

"I think you should let her be, sister," the heavy cruiser said wisely.

A third chirp followed Indy's reply, prompting Tennessee to growl and  throw her cap off in a rage, revealing a third, fluffy bird seated atop  her head. "I told you I would feed you the moment we got back but no,  you just had to say hi to everyone!?" She lamented as Downes broke down  into laughter and pounded the table.

"Oh my God, Belle got one! Hihihihi, oh man, this is so good!" Downes snorted.

"Shut it you half pint!" The battleship shot back defensively with a  furious blush. Her bird did so as well, chirping repeatedly at the Union  destroyer. "Oh don't you try and pull that, Ares! This is your fault!"

"She named it Ares!" Downes squealed, hugging Cleveland for dear life  as the two descended into uproarious laughter. Thorson had never seen  Tennessee look so uncomfortable before, squirming in her seat. He  cleared his throat.

"Downes, I seem to recall you not endearing yourself particularly  well to the first one. Tennessee on the other hand appears to have made a  fast friend," he noted.

"Hey, that's no fair Commander! I can't compete with those fluffy cat tats!"

"If ya would kindly leave ma breasts out of this!?" Ooshio squeaked,  in danger of toppling from her chair as she tried to reassure her  feathered friend. "No no sweetie it's alright, ya can stay there if yer  scared. We can be workin' on the shoulder thing later."

"Anyone else got hidden...whatever they're called on them?"

"Manjuus," Houston provided from the Union section of the table,  where she'd found a place between Cleveland and Portland. She was far  from recovered, but had been warmly invited the moment she’d indicated  she was well enough to leave bed. "We saw them at Java on occasion. It's  what the locals called them."

"Juuuu~"

"Sir Raleigh concurs! Now let's eat. I'm famished," Warspite  declared. Tennessee was thusly saved from further scrutiny and the meal  was on. The end of dinner saw Kasumi aiding with the cleanup along with  Arashio and Asashio, warming Thorson’s impression of them all.

"So, what do you make of those three little stowaways?" He asked the girl.

"Oh I think they're quite nice. If my sister keeps one between her  breasts they must be very soft. Foo likes them too," Kasumi said  wistfully.

"Don't you think they'll be lonely though, just the three of them so  far from home?" Arashio wondered, reminded of herself and her sisters.

"Oh I don't think they'll be lonely much longer," Kasumi insisted softly.

"What do you mean?" Asashio inquired. Pennsylvania chose that moment  to bust into the kitchen, Yuudachi hot on her heels and panting heavily  just like a snowy-haired dog.

"Commander Thorson!"

"What is it Pennsylvania?"

"I've got contacts on radar and radio. It's Phoenix and Langley! They’ve been in pursuit of our fleet since Surabaya!"

No sooner had Thorson handed the plates in his hands to Asashio than he took off for the bridge with Penny at a full sprint.

"Wait for me! Waaaan~!"