Post by Sophie on May 6, 2024 0:46:00 GMT -5
7,217 kilometers traveled at 12 knots to maintain a healthy speed without overtaxing the fuel supplies translated into 13 and a half days. 13 and a half days at sea. Only if they managed to remain undetected by the Galrans that were no doubt swarming the silk sea like sharks. With the state of the fleet they would not survive another encounter. Not even if the strength of the Galrans was half of what attacked Hawaii. Perhaps a bit of luck could be mustered over the next two weeks? Or was it all used during the battle?
“Your highness?” Nishimura addressed the Empress the moment she sat down to rest in her state room. “Perhaps it would be prudent to... advise the Empire of the events of the day. Best that the news comes from you. Rather than anyone else.”
With a deep sigh Reito nodded. “I should, but I am much too tired to stand. Call in a radio officer and ask if I can broadcast from my state room to home.”
With a quick confirmation that the officer would relay any message from her stateroom directly to the Ministry of the Interior to be distributed Empire wide, Reito began her broadcast. “To all Citizens of the grand Empire of Kumosenkan. Earlier this morning, Vaylien 4th, in the year of our Empress, 1934. Our Empire was suddenly and cowardly attacked by the nation of Galra. WIth a grand force of carrier based aircraft the Galrans devastated the Pearl Harbor naval base. With great prejudice they attacked both military and civilian alike. Despite no notice of hostilities or declaration of war the hostile forces slaughtered thousands. In accordance with treaties agreed upon these actions were long ago deemed as unconscionable and illegal. Actions like these could only be enacted by cowards, and by cowards they were.”
“What remained of our forces gathered quickly and met the overwhelming force with superior sailing. Over the course of four hours Kumosenkan and Galran ships exchanged vicious blows until the better trained and better equipped forces of Kumosenkan shattered the resolve of the weak Galrans. Many of our brave sailors gave their lives to avenge the lives that were stolen. The Galrans were repelled for now. However, their plan is clear. The elimination of our Empire, and our people. Make no mistake. This is not a war of territory, of glory, of petty fuedes. The Galrans believe themselves superior to all peoples. They believe the only way forward for Ouhiri is the Galran way. The human way. Our people will not be so easily bottled away. We will stand together as an iron wall against the genocidal humans. They will come again, and we will turn them away every single time, until they learn that the Kumo people will not be put down. It is with sadness for the lives lost in my heart that I officially declare war on the Galran Empire and their genocidal people. I will not allow this slaughter to go unanswered.”
The wood echoed into the dark, quiet room as a fist gently knocked against the door. “Excuse me, my lady. I know you asked to be left alone for a while, but I thought you’d like to know.”
A girl emerged from the nest of covers on the bed. Her hair had become a rat’s nest, she had clearly not bathed in days. At least she had eaten, as evidenced by the food on her face and stuck in her hair. “I don’t want to talk to you.”
The girl’s voice was harsh but the maid took the pain in stride. “I understand. However I have news you might like to hear.”
“You lied to me about Reito being safe.” Rui Kure’s anger could only escalate so high beyond her depression. “I don’t want to hear anything you have to share.”
“I must apologize again. As I will do for the rest of my living days, my lady.” The maid bowed deeply before returning to her steely gazed self. “This time I have a news recording I’d like you to hear.”
Rui looked upon the maid with suspicion, but it was now that she noticed the disc in her hand. Akane Kubota placed the disc in the nearby phonograph and let it play. It began with a well known news broadcaster announcing that war had been declared on Galra, and that the Empress is the one who did it. Shortly after, Reito’s speech played.
The girl perked up instantly and shot out of bed to the phonograph. With her new found energy she looked up at the maid. “Reito’s really okay?! Is she coming home?!”
Akane couldn’t help but smile. She nodded softly, “She is. She’s taking the remnants of the Yubari fleet and heading straight home. In less than two weeks she’ll be safe and sound.”
Rui was excited, but still a large knot of worry remained in her stomach. “The... Remnants? How bad was it?”
“My Lady swore me to tell no more lies.” Akane reminded, and bowed her head slightly. “It was bad. While we dealt them back two fold anything they dealt us, they outnumbered us two to one. Less than half the Yubari fleet remains. Most are damaged.”
In a panic Rui began to pace. “We have to go meet them! We have to help her!”
“A fleet is already on its way to Hawaii.” Akane assured. “There is nothing more we can do for her but have faith that she will make it home to us. Trust in our ancestors to protect her, and guide her back safely.”
This did little to assuage Rui’s fear. “Going to Hawaii or going to meet Reito?”
Akane’s gut twisted, she wanted to lie for the young lady’s sake. “To Hawaii. They wanted to reinforce Reito’s fleet, but she ordered them to protect Hawaii at all costs.”
“Then we have to find another fleet!” Rui demanded. “We need to help her!”
Akane shook her head somberly. “All other fleets have direct orders to combat any attempts Galra may make on our homelands or Elenria”
“There has to be one! We can find one and order them to go help Reito! And we can go with them!” Rui was pacing even faster and running her hands through her hair as she spiraled.
“Neither you nor I have the authority to do such a thing.” Akane reminded. “All fleets are operating under her direct orders. Not even your mother could overwrite that.”
“We have to do something!” She shouted at Akane. “We can go take her Yacht and meet her halfway!”
“My lady, all that would do is put you in as much danger as she. It would make her worry and fret over you when she needs every minute to focus on getting home safely.” Akane walked slowly over to the girl’s bed and sat. “Come here,” she patted her lap. “Lay down.”
Rui looked at the woman with desperation and her eyes darted around until she settled on acquiescing. She crawled over to the bed and let her face collapse into the woman’s lap. Tears flowed freely into her skirt. Akane softly stroked the girl’s hair, as best she could. She tried hard not to pull her hair as she did so.
Crew morale was sky high. Not just aboard the Mikasa, aboard every ship in the fleet. With an abundance of crew on board shifts were significantly shorter than usual and the crew had plenty of time to rest without having to abandon their work. Recreation was aplenty, on larger ships with deck space to spare games of baseball started up with anything that resembled a ball and a bat. The most creative being a spare anti-aircraft gun barrel and a ball made from the leather of a Galran’s boot and dry rice. Card games were being played and even invented.
Reito spent the day resting in her state room, only making appearances during meals to show strength of presence and to meet more of the crew. Nishimura remained in the state room. Not wanting to be seen as Reito’s baby sitter she only tended to the young Empress when they knew they were alone. Massages, pseudo therapy sessions, and just comforting the girl when she cried.
“My lady, you have to eat.” Akane insisted as she placed a platter of food on Rui’s desk. “I promised you I would take care of you and I will do so whether you like it or not.”
“I already ate.” The bundle of blankets answered. “I had instant noodles.”
Akane sighed. “I haven’t given you noodles since yesterday, and you haven’t left your room.”
“I’m not hungry.” She continued to protest. “I’ll eat later.”
“Yes you are and no you won’t.” Akane shut her down. “You’re already wasting away. Reito will be worried if she sees you in this state.”
“That’s not fair.” Rui protested. “Can I at least have curry?”
“What do you think I brought you?” Akane answered with a small smile.
“I apologize for taking away from your valuable time, Ma’am.” The officer apologized.
Reito shook her head. “Not at all. All of my officer’s concerns are my concerns.” Reito took a sip of her tea and gestured toward the young officer. “Please continue.”
The officer mimicked Reito’s movements and took a sip of the tea she had been offered. “I’m afraid with the excess of downtime our crew’s professionalism has plummeted. Jobs are being left undone and equipment is being misused and damaged.”
“My,” Reito nodded, “that is concerning. What is being left undone? What is damaged?”
“A lot of cleaning jobs are incomplete. Repairs are taking much longer than expected.” The officer answered, clearly upselling how bad things were. “The crews are using tools and equipment for recreation.”
“Quite unprofessional.” Reito nodded and stood. “Care to show me?”
The officer led the Empress down to the aft deck where a mass of people had gathered to play baseball. They even had real baseballs, though like the other ships they were using spare machine gun barrels as bats. Reito parted the sea of sailors, one by one cheering stopped as they noticed the Empress. Once she got to the makeshift field a hush fell over the crowd. “What exactly do you think you’re all doing?”
The most senior officer removed their cover and stepped forward. “We were playing baseball ma’am. Please expect my apology, it was my idea to begin this game and to use this equipment. I-”
“Without me?!” She announced with mock offense. She approached home plate, which was made out of a cafeteria tray and held out her hand for the gun barrel. She took it in both hands and got a feel for the heft. It’d be hard to hit a ball with something this heavy. Still she showed confidence and faced the batter. “Hit me with the best you got!”
The officer that reported the game to Reito staring agape. She thought reporting this would earn her some report, but now she just looked like what people were whispering in her ear. A snitch.
The pitcher tossed a ball at the Empress. She pitched it carefully, as she could not imagine what would happen if she hit her. Still she had to make it look like a real pitch, so the Empress wouldn’t accuse her of going easy.
The ball flew towards the teenager with a decent speed. Without a good feel for the barrel, she missed by a mile. “Ball 1!” The umpire shouted.
“Bullshit!” Reito shouted. “That was right in the strike zone.” She said exactly what the pitcher was thinking. With the barrel she pointed at the pitcher. “Give me another! You’ll only get one on me.”
The pitcher smiled, glad to see that getting a strike didn’t end up in anger. She threw another one, still careful to not hit the Empress. She hesitated. “Ball 1!” This time everyone was in agreement.
The pitcher was overcorrecting a bit. She had to throw her a good one. The ball again flew. It was dead in the center of the strike zone. Reito swung wildly with all her strength. CRACK! The crowd erupted in cheers as the ball flew up and far. Reito tossed the barrel and began sprinting down the bases. 1st, 2nd, and as she began to run towards 3rd she saw the basewoman catch the ball, with eyes wide as dinner plates she stopped in her tracks and began to sprint back, but after taking two steps she turned back and began running back towards 3rd.
Just as she hoped, the basewoman had already thrown to second. She confidenetly stomped on the base a mere second before the ball could be thrown back to 3rd. The crowd again cheered and applauded.
Morale couldn’t be higher.
“My lady,” Akane entered the room again without permission, but Rui hadn’t said no either. “You cannot hide away for the next ten days until Reito gets home. You must come out with me.”
“I leave my room every day.” Rui tried to point out
Akane shook her head as she tore the covers off the bed, revealing the disheveled girl in the same shirt and underwear she had been given when she moved in. “Going to the bathroom doesn’t count. It’s attached to your room.” She opened up the blinds filling the room with sunlight. “You must at least get some sun.”
Rui cringed and reached for the covers. “If you read a book with the blinds open you can go back into your nest.”
A Hunter Killer’s engine temporarily shut down from damage and stress. Spare parts were donated by one of her sister ships and was brought back up to speed in a record fifty minutes. A small argument broke out over the radio as several Huk captains began puffing out their chests to the rest of the fleet. The argument escalated until the Empress got on the air. Everyone held their breath and feared reprimand, instead she wanted a definitive answer. A baseball tournament was organized to take place aboard the RBS Mikasa. Each class of ship would choose a representative team to compete and the winner would be declared superior to all others.
Akane pulled on Rui’s back most legs trying to yank her out from underneath her covers. Rui clung to the bed with all the strength she had in her body. She was out in thirty seconds.
“My lady, your unhygienic nature is simply unacceptable!” Akane shouted.”Have you changed your clothes once since you got here?”
“Yes!” Rui protested defiantly.
Akane shook her head. “Me changing your clothes while you were unconscious doesn’t count.”
Rui cringed at the statement. “What does it matter? It's not like anyone but you is going to see me!”
“That’s another problem we need to solve.” Akane pressed her fingers into her temples. “But for now you must get into the shower. What if Reito-kama were to see you in this condition?!”
“I’ll just shower before she gets here!” Rui continued to put up a fight by letting herself go limp as the maid continued to try and pull the girl toward the bathroom.
Akane gave up and collapsed against the wall of the dark dank room. There she stayed until an idea crossed her mind. “If you shower, I will bring you some of Reito’s clothes to change into.”
Rui immediately perked up and skittered toward the maid. “Really?!” Her eyes practically turned into stars with how excited she was. “Do you have any that you haven’t washed yet?!”
“Absolutely not!” She almost gagged at both the request and the unintentional insult to the maidstaff. “I will, however, spray her perfume on them.”
“Deal!” Rui cheered
“Your highness.” A radio officer approached the Empress just as the sun began to set over the calm ocean. The first match of the fleet baseball tournament had just concluded with Reito playing umpire. “I apologize for my interruption but there is an issue that requires the fleet commander’s oversight.”
Reito furrowed her brow. “The only thing you have to apologize for is not interrupting me sooner. What’s wrong?”
The officer choked a bit before she spoke. “It’s one of the officer’s ma’am. Her ship was slain in battle. Now she’s onboard the RBS Kitsumitse, a Harusame class, and uh,” She thought carefully of how to speak of someone who was technically her superior next, “she’s claiming seniority over Kitsumitse’s commanding officer.”
Reito was fully taken aback. Her eyes darted around in baffled thought. “Call the CO of the Kitsumitse and this officer to my quarters. I will solve this issue.”
Captains Asuka and Choko sat before the Empress in her dimly lit, ornate stateroom onboard Mikasa. Asuka was clearly overly nervous while Choko sat back with confidence.
Reito snarled. “You will sit up straight in my presence.” She sat with angry force. “Tell me what the issue is.” Her tone was curt, she wanted there to be no confusion about who was in charge.
“Your Highness,” Choko half bowed, “I apologize that you’ve been forced to deal with such a petty issue. It seems that Captain Asuka doesn’t understand how seniority works. She was promoted to captain last year, whereas I have 5 years of experience commanding a huk. I took the mantle of command for the Kitsumitse as is my right, and Asuka-kan took issue with that.” Choko smiled a smile only a career officer could.
Unamused, Reito glared at Choko. “The RBS Kitsumitse is Captain Asuka’s. If I recall, she has always been Atsuka-kas’s. Her crew answers to and respects her. You will not wrest command from her.”
“Your highness I do apologize, but,” Choko started.
“Silence.” Reito ordered with a slam to the table. “You will not be given another command until we return home and a command is assigned to you. Your seniority does not override Atsuka-kas’s standing command.”
“But,” Choko again tried to continue.
“Another single word out of you and I will have you sent to the brig for treason. Report to Commander Izumi aboard the RMS Maru for tasking. I’m sure she can find something worthy of your experience to do.”
“A merchant ship?!” Choko demanded. “I am a captain!”
The shattering of ceramic deafened the room. A move straight from Shiraori’s playbook settled the Captain’s uppity behavior as blood began to leak from her forehead. A shard of a teacup stuck out of her forehead like a unicorn’s horn. Choko clutched her face as more and more of it dripped crimson. Hot tea scalded the parts of her face that weren’t cut open. “That will be all, Lieutenant-Commander Choko.” Reito’s words carried with it a three step demotion. As simple as that, a woman’s entire career was derailed.
“You are dismissed. Thank you for your time, Captain Atsuka.” Reito watched the two officers leave as Nishimura poured tea into a new cup for the Empress.
“Take a walk with me, my lady.” Akane held out her hand to a Rui that had actually gotten herself out of bed for once. “I’d like to show you something.”
“Do I have to?” Rui asked. Even though Akane was technically her maid and not the other way around.
Akane smiled and shook her head. “No, but I think you’d like to see.” Akane softly grasped Rui’s outstretched hand. “Come now.”
Rui’s heart pounded as she was led out of the room. Her sanctuary. Her safety. At least she still had her armor, Reito’s pajamas. The cold, sterile yet ornate, winding hallways of the palace tightened and tightened until Rui felt each wall pressing against her shoulders. Until Akane opened a door. The outside. Unsafe. Unsafe. So bright. Can’t handle this.
Akane stopped at the threshold. “It’s going to be okay.” She turned and lowered herself down to hug the young girl tightly. “I promise I won’t let anything bad happen to you.”
Rui took a deep breath and followed the maid out the back door. The greenery before her was awe inspiring. Perfectly manicured hedges, blooming rose bushes and flower beds, gorgeous blooming cherry trees covered the grounds in their pale pink petals, and spiders had spun gorgeous webs that covered the hedges in a beautiful blanket.
The sheer beauty of the grounds made Rui forget all of her fears, her sadness, and her pain. If just for a moment. “Reito-kama and her mother planted this entire garden together. She took great pains to make sure everything was ready for spring. She didn’t want a single plant to be out of place.” Akane led the girl deeper into the garden. “Very often I find Reito-kama here. I think it helps her feel connected to her mom since she passed. Perhaps, it will help you feel connected to her?” She led her to a small bench and sat her carapace down and invited Rui to do the same.
“It’s so beautiful.” Rui sat next to Akane and looked around taking in every little detail. A small orbweaver lowered itself down from the overhead tree right in front of her face. She lifted her hand and let the spider climb into her hand. Eight eyes stared at eight eyes. The orbweaver lifted a leg towards Rui and climbed forward down her arm. She felt connected to the small spider. It connected her to the webs, which connected her to the entire garden. Perhaps that could connect her to Reito as well? Perhaps it was placebo, but she felt something. Like a hand on her shoulder, a word of affirmation, a hug. Her heart steadied.
“Your highness,” Nishimura spoke as she closed the hatch to the state room. She slowly poured steaming hot tea into Reito’s cup. “We have pulled into the Fuyo bay. In a matter of hours we’ll be home.”
Reito continued to prune her little bonsai tree, but slowly set down her sheers and nodded. “Understood.”
Nishimura watched her lady take a sip of tea. “Have you prepared yourself?” She prodded as she sat behind the Empress. “I’ve been told there will be tv cameras. Every set of eyes and ears in the empire will be on you.”
“I have.” Reito answered quietly. “Did you prepare my uniform?”
“Of course, your highness.” The maid fetched a pair of the Empress’s dress whites, burned, singed, full of holes, and even tainted with blood. The pair she wore during the engagement. They weren’t quite this bad when she stepped off the bridge after the slug fest as Nishimura had enhanced the drama for the cameras.
The entire fleet restructured, allowing the Kii class battleship to reposition from the most protected part of the convoy, to the leading element. After a few more hours Fuyonouso began to rise over the horizon. Hordes of people had gathered to witness the warships returning home. Very few remained unscarred from battle. Entire chunks were missing from the Mikasa, and many other battleships looked the same.
As much battle damage could be patched was, but most of the damage would have to be repaired in dry dock due to the extent. The crowds were unsure what to feel. Their glorious warriors had returned victorious, but it very clearly came at a cost. Many were anxious to see if their wives, mothers, and daughters had returned home safely. The casualty reports were vastly incomplete.
A dock space was made available for the Mikasa. It was decked out in wreaths, flowers, ribbons, and other quite pretty decor. As predicted, television cameras were present. The three largest news corporations had massive cameras with reporters standing in front of them, delivering by the minute updates. Several dozen radio microphones were set up at a podium just off the gangway.
As soon as the bridge was lowered, Reito began her descent in her tattered uniform. She calmly and quickly approached the news podium. The crowds were silent as all looked upon their Empress with feelings twisting about in their stomachs.
Reito looked over the crowd with a programmed steely cool. She cleared her throat, “Citizens of Kumosenkan, as you well know by now the Galran Empire has declared a violent war against the world. Without a word or hint of warning, they struck at us with a fury. Killing civilians and soldiers alike. They knew that the only way to hurt us was to catch us completely by surprise. But even with the element of surprise, superior numbers, and dominant airpower they could not stand toe to toe with our grand fleet!” She shouted and a roaring cheer erupted.
A single hand raised high silenced them within seconds. “The last time our empire saw bloodshed on our own soil was in Hawaii, Galra wished to do it again, they failed. Hawaii remains free from those genocidal monsters!” Again cheers.
“Today we say NO!” Reito slammed a fist on the podium. “We say NO to the deaths of innocents! We say NO to the bloodshed of our fellows. We say NO to the horrific ideals of the so called Soverign Union! Galra and its terroristic allies shall be taught a lesson in blood and iron. You can’t swat a spider, and expect not to get bit.” Cheers, applause, Reito couldn’t help but smile at the fervor of her people.
“We shall avenge the innocent lives lost in Hawaii.” Reito commanded the crowd as they held on every syllable. “We will avenge the brave sailors who gave their lives to keep Hawaii safe! We will bring to heel the Galran menace!”
“I call upon my sisters, my daughters, my citizens! Galra will not go quietly. We must band together! Take the fight to them before they can take the fight back to us. We must meet them on their beaches, on their soil, and on our terms. All women of fighting age, join our glorious defense force! Our fleet needs women to man the guns! Our armies need women to take up arms! Both of them need women putting bullets in their barrels!”
“Today I am declaring total and absolute war on Galra and all who should choose to defend his actions. We must use every possible resource we have available to crush them with overwhelming force, so that no one will ever think to make the mistake of enraging our great people ever again.”
Cheering erupted as Reito stepped away from the podium. Questions flung her way like a hail of machine gun fire. Radio hosts, television reporters, and even regular citizens screamed to try and get their Empress’s attention. However a path was still made for her as she strode towards her personal car. She would finally be home.
“Wake up!” Akane shouted at the young girl. “I thought I told you to be awake by ten! What am I to do with you?!”
Rui launched herself out of bed, her hair, clothes, and body was a mess. Covered in food, grime, and filth. “Fuck! Did I miss her getting home?!”
“She’s still at sea. But she will be pulling in within the next few hours!” Akane informed. “Go take a shower right now.”
For the first time, Rui had no arguments and ran to the shower. She took a very quick shower and desperately tried to wash her ratty hair. Once she felt clean she hopped out and called Akane over. The two of them worked quickly to dry her off. Once dry, Rui worked on her makeup while Akane brushed her hair.
It took an hour for them to get Rui as presentable as she wanted, but she looked beautiful. Her hair was curled up into a beautiful purple perm that cascaded down her shoulders. A pale pink, blue and white yukata covered her body.
Another maid called into the room “It’s starting!”
Akane grabbed Rui’s hand and dragged her into the only room with a television, a rarely used living room with a few comfortable seats and a fireplace. The tv was already on, and focused in on the RBS Mikasa. Everyone’s heart sank as they saw the massive damage inflicted on her. Very little relief was felt as the black and white image of Empress Reito descended the gangway. The state of her uniform was extremely worrying. However as she began to speak, all felt hope. Galra had made a great mistake.
Once Reito departed Rui ran to the entrance hall and paced for hours until finally, the door opened. “R.. Rui..?”
“Your highness?” Nishimura addressed the Empress the moment she sat down to rest in her state room. “Perhaps it would be prudent to... advise the Empire of the events of the day. Best that the news comes from you. Rather than anyone else.”
With a deep sigh Reito nodded. “I should, but I am much too tired to stand. Call in a radio officer and ask if I can broadcast from my state room to home.”
With a quick confirmation that the officer would relay any message from her stateroom directly to the Ministry of the Interior to be distributed Empire wide, Reito began her broadcast. “To all Citizens of the grand Empire of Kumosenkan. Earlier this morning, Vaylien 4th, in the year of our Empress, 1934. Our Empire was suddenly and cowardly attacked by the nation of Galra. WIth a grand force of carrier based aircraft the Galrans devastated the Pearl Harbor naval base. With great prejudice they attacked both military and civilian alike. Despite no notice of hostilities or declaration of war the hostile forces slaughtered thousands. In accordance with treaties agreed upon these actions were long ago deemed as unconscionable and illegal. Actions like these could only be enacted by cowards, and by cowards they were.”
“What remained of our forces gathered quickly and met the overwhelming force with superior sailing. Over the course of four hours Kumosenkan and Galran ships exchanged vicious blows until the better trained and better equipped forces of Kumosenkan shattered the resolve of the weak Galrans. Many of our brave sailors gave their lives to avenge the lives that were stolen. The Galrans were repelled for now. However, their plan is clear. The elimination of our Empire, and our people. Make no mistake. This is not a war of territory, of glory, of petty fuedes. The Galrans believe themselves superior to all peoples. They believe the only way forward for Ouhiri is the Galran way. The human way. Our people will not be so easily bottled away. We will stand together as an iron wall against the genocidal humans. They will come again, and we will turn them away every single time, until they learn that the Kumo people will not be put down. It is with sadness for the lives lost in my heart that I officially declare war on the Galran Empire and their genocidal people. I will not allow this slaughter to go unanswered.”
The wood echoed into the dark, quiet room as a fist gently knocked against the door. “Excuse me, my lady. I know you asked to be left alone for a while, but I thought you’d like to know.”
A girl emerged from the nest of covers on the bed. Her hair had become a rat’s nest, she had clearly not bathed in days. At least she had eaten, as evidenced by the food on her face and stuck in her hair. “I don’t want to talk to you.”
The girl’s voice was harsh but the maid took the pain in stride. “I understand. However I have news you might like to hear.”
“You lied to me about Reito being safe.” Rui Kure’s anger could only escalate so high beyond her depression. “I don’t want to hear anything you have to share.”
“I must apologize again. As I will do for the rest of my living days, my lady.” The maid bowed deeply before returning to her steely gazed self. “This time I have a news recording I’d like you to hear.”
Rui looked upon the maid with suspicion, but it was now that she noticed the disc in her hand. Akane Kubota placed the disc in the nearby phonograph and let it play. It began with a well known news broadcaster announcing that war had been declared on Galra, and that the Empress is the one who did it. Shortly after, Reito’s speech played.
The girl perked up instantly and shot out of bed to the phonograph. With her new found energy she looked up at the maid. “Reito’s really okay?! Is she coming home?!”
Akane couldn’t help but smile. She nodded softly, “She is. She’s taking the remnants of the Yubari fleet and heading straight home. In less than two weeks she’ll be safe and sound.”
Rui was excited, but still a large knot of worry remained in her stomach. “The... Remnants? How bad was it?”
“My Lady swore me to tell no more lies.” Akane reminded, and bowed her head slightly. “It was bad. While we dealt them back two fold anything they dealt us, they outnumbered us two to one. Less than half the Yubari fleet remains. Most are damaged.”
In a panic Rui began to pace. “We have to go meet them! We have to help her!”
“A fleet is already on its way to Hawaii.” Akane assured. “There is nothing more we can do for her but have faith that she will make it home to us. Trust in our ancestors to protect her, and guide her back safely.”
This did little to assuage Rui’s fear. “Going to Hawaii or going to meet Reito?”
Akane’s gut twisted, she wanted to lie for the young lady’s sake. “To Hawaii. They wanted to reinforce Reito’s fleet, but she ordered them to protect Hawaii at all costs.”
“Then we have to find another fleet!” Rui demanded. “We need to help her!”
Akane shook her head somberly. “All other fleets have direct orders to combat any attempts Galra may make on our homelands or Elenria”
“There has to be one! We can find one and order them to go help Reito! And we can go with them!” Rui was pacing even faster and running her hands through her hair as she spiraled.
“Neither you nor I have the authority to do such a thing.” Akane reminded. “All fleets are operating under her direct orders. Not even your mother could overwrite that.”
“We have to do something!” She shouted at Akane. “We can go take her Yacht and meet her halfway!”
“My lady, all that would do is put you in as much danger as she. It would make her worry and fret over you when she needs every minute to focus on getting home safely.” Akane walked slowly over to the girl’s bed and sat. “Come here,” she patted her lap. “Lay down.”
Rui looked at the woman with desperation and her eyes darted around until she settled on acquiescing. She crawled over to the bed and let her face collapse into the woman’s lap. Tears flowed freely into her skirt. Akane softly stroked the girl’s hair, as best she could. She tried hard not to pull her hair as she did so.
Crew morale was sky high. Not just aboard the Mikasa, aboard every ship in the fleet. With an abundance of crew on board shifts were significantly shorter than usual and the crew had plenty of time to rest without having to abandon their work. Recreation was aplenty, on larger ships with deck space to spare games of baseball started up with anything that resembled a ball and a bat. The most creative being a spare anti-aircraft gun barrel and a ball made from the leather of a Galran’s boot and dry rice. Card games were being played and even invented.
Reito spent the day resting in her state room, only making appearances during meals to show strength of presence and to meet more of the crew. Nishimura remained in the state room. Not wanting to be seen as Reito’s baby sitter she only tended to the young Empress when they knew they were alone. Massages, pseudo therapy sessions, and just comforting the girl when she cried.
“My lady, you have to eat.” Akane insisted as she placed a platter of food on Rui’s desk. “I promised you I would take care of you and I will do so whether you like it or not.”
“I already ate.” The bundle of blankets answered. “I had instant noodles.”
Akane sighed. “I haven’t given you noodles since yesterday, and you haven’t left your room.”
“I’m not hungry.” She continued to protest. “I’ll eat later.”
“Yes you are and no you won’t.” Akane shut her down. “You’re already wasting away. Reito will be worried if she sees you in this state.”
“That’s not fair.” Rui protested. “Can I at least have curry?”
“What do you think I brought you?” Akane answered with a small smile.
“I apologize for taking away from your valuable time, Ma’am.” The officer apologized.
Reito shook her head. “Not at all. All of my officer’s concerns are my concerns.” Reito took a sip of her tea and gestured toward the young officer. “Please continue.”
The officer mimicked Reito’s movements and took a sip of the tea she had been offered. “I’m afraid with the excess of downtime our crew’s professionalism has plummeted. Jobs are being left undone and equipment is being misused and damaged.”
“My,” Reito nodded, “that is concerning. What is being left undone? What is damaged?”
“A lot of cleaning jobs are incomplete. Repairs are taking much longer than expected.” The officer answered, clearly upselling how bad things were. “The crews are using tools and equipment for recreation.”
“Quite unprofessional.” Reito nodded and stood. “Care to show me?”
The officer led the Empress down to the aft deck where a mass of people had gathered to play baseball. They even had real baseballs, though like the other ships they were using spare machine gun barrels as bats. Reito parted the sea of sailors, one by one cheering stopped as they noticed the Empress. Once she got to the makeshift field a hush fell over the crowd. “What exactly do you think you’re all doing?”
The most senior officer removed their cover and stepped forward. “We were playing baseball ma’am. Please expect my apology, it was my idea to begin this game and to use this equipment. I-”
“Without me?!” She announced with mock offense. She approached home plate, which was made out of a cafeteria tray and held out her hand for the gun barrel. She took it in both hands and got a feel for the heft. It’d be hard to hit a ball with something this heavy. Still she showed confidence and faced the batter. “Hit me with the best you got!”
The officer that reported the game to Reito staring agape. She thought reporting this would earn her some report, but now she just looked like what people were whispering in her ear. A snitch.
The pitcher tossed a ball at the Empress. She pitched it carefully, as she could not imagine what would happen if she hit her. Still she had to make it look like a real pitch, so the Empress wouldn’t accuse her of going easy.
The ball flew towards the teenager with a decent speed. Without a good feel for the barrel, she missed by a mile. “Ball 1!” The umpire shouted.
“Bullshit!” Reito shouted. “That was right in the strike zone.” She said exactly what the pitcher was thinking. With the barrel she pointed at the pitcher. “Give me another! You’ll only get one on me.”
The pitcher smiled, glad to see that getting a strike didn’t end up in anger. She threw another one, still careful to not hit the Empress. She hesitated. “Ball 1!” This time everyone was in agreement.
The pitcher was overcorrecting a bit. She had to throw her a good one. The ball again flew. It was dead in the center of the strike zone. Reito swung wildly with all her strength. CRACK! The crowd erupted in cheers as the ball flew up and far. Reito tossed the barrel and began sprinting down the bases. 1st, 2nd, and as she began to run towards 3rd she saw the basewoman catch the ball, with eyes wide as dinner plates she stopped in her tracks and began to sprint back, but after taking two steps she turned back and began running back towards 3rd.
Just as she hoped, the basewoman had already thrown to second. She confidenetly stomped on the base a mere second before the ball could be thrown back to 3rd. The crowd again cheered and applauded.
Morale couldn’t be higher.
“My lady,” Akane entered the room again without permission, but Rui hadn’t said no either. “You cannot hide away for the next ten days until Reito gets home. You must come out with me.”
“I leave my room every day.” Rui tried to point out
Akane shook her head as she tore the covers off the bed, revealing the disheveled girl in the same shirt and underwear she had been given when she moved in. “Going to the bathroom doesn’t count. It’s attached to your room.” She opened up the blinds filling the room with sunlight. “You must at least get some sun.”
Rui cringed and reached for the covers. “If you read a book with the blinds open you can go back into your nest.”
A Hunter Killer’s engine temporarily shut down from damage and stress. Spare parts were donated by one of her sister ships and was brought back up to speed in a record fifty minutes. A small argument broke out over the radio as several Huk captains began puffing out their chests to the rest of the fleet. The argument escalated until the Empress got on the air. Everyone held their breath and feared reprimand, instead she wanted a definitive answer. A baseball tournament was organized to take place aboard the RBS Mikasa. Each class of ship would choose a representative team to compete and the winner would be declared superior to all others.
Akane pulled on Rui’s back most legs trying to yank her out from underneath her covers. Rui clung to the bed with all the strength she had in her body. She was out in thirty seconds.
“My lady, your unhygienic nature is simply unacceptable!” Akane shouted.”Have you changed your clothes once since you got here?”
“Yes!” Rui protested defiantly.
Akane shook her head. “Me changing your clothes while you were unconscious doesn’t count.”
Rui cringed at the statement. “What does it matter? It's not like anyone but you is going to see me!”
“That’s another problem we need to solve.” Akane pressed her fingers into her temples. “But for now you must get into the shower. What if Reito-kama were to see you in this condition?!”
“I’ll just shower before she gets here!” Rui continued to put up a fight by letting herself go limp as the maid continued to try and pull the girl toward the bathroom.
Akane gave up and collapsed against the wall of the dark dank room. There she stayed until an idea crossed her mind. “If you shower, I will bring you some of Reito’s clothes to change into.”
Rui immediately perked up and skittered toward the maid. “Really?!” Her eyes practically turned into stars with how excited she was. “Do you have any that you haven’t washed yet?!”
“Absolutely not!” She almost gagged at both the request and the unintentional insult to the maidstaff. “I will, however, spray her perfume on them.”
“Deal!” Rui cheered
“Your highness.” A radio officer approached the Empress just as the sun began to set over the calm ocean. The first match of the fleet baseball tournament had just concluded with Reito playing umpire. “I apologize for my interruption but there is an issue that requires the fleet commander’s oversight.”
Reito furrowed her brow. “The only thing you have to apologize for is not interrupting me sooner. What’s wrong?”
The officer choked a bit before she spoke. “It’s one of the officer’s ma’am. Her ship was slain in battle. Now she’s onboard the RBS Kitsumitse, a Harusame class, and uh,” She thought carefully of how to speak of someone who was technically her superior next, “she’s claiming seniority over Kitsumitse’s commanding officer.”
Reito was fully taken aback. Her eyes darted around in baffled thought. “Call the CO of the Kitsumitse and this officer to my quarters. I will solve this issue.”
Captains Asuka and Choko sat before the Empress in her dimly lit, ornate stateroom onboard Mikasa. Asuka was clearly overly nervous while Choko sat back with confidence.
Reito snarled. “You will sit up straight in my presence.” She sat with angry force. “Tell me what the issue is.” Her tone was curt, she wanted there to be no confusion about who was in charge.
“Your Highness,” Choko half bowed, “I apologize that you’ve been forced to deal with such a petty issue. It seems that Captain Asuka doesn’t understand how seniority works. She was promoted to captain last year, whereas I have 5 years of experience commanding a huk. I took the mantle of command for the Kitsumitse as is my right, and Asuka-kan took issue with that.” Choko smiled a smile only a career officer could.
Unamused, Reito glared at Choko. “The RBS Kitsumitse is Captain Asuka’s. If I recall, she has always been Atsuka-kas’s. Her crew answers to and respects her. You will not wrest command from her.”
“Your highness I do apologize, but,” Choko started.
“Silence.” Reito ordered with a slam to the table. “You will not be given another command until we return home and a command is assigned to you. Your seniority does not override Atsuka-kas’s standing command.”
“But,” Choko again tried to continue.
“Another single word out of you and I will have you sent to the brig for treason. Report to Commander Izumi aboard the RMS Maru for tasking. I’m sure she can find something worthy of your experience to do.”
“A merchant ship?!” Choko demanded. “I am a captain!”
The shattering of ceramic deafened the room. A move straight from Shiraori’s playbook settled the Captain’s uppity behavior as blood began to leak from her forehead. A shard of a teacup stuck out of her forehead like a unicorn’s horn. Choko clutched her face as more and more of it dripped crimson. Hot tea scalded the parts of her face that weren’t cut open. “That will be all, Lieutenant-Commander Choko.” Reito’s words carried with it a three step demotion. As simple as that, a woman’s entire career was derailed.
“You are dismissed. Thank you for your time, Captain Atsuka.” Reito watched the two officers leave as Nishimura poured tea into a new cup for the Empress.
“Take a walk with me, my lady.” Akane held out her hand to a Rui that had actually gotten herself out of bed for once. “I’d like to show you something.”
“Do I have to?” Rui asked. Even though Akane was technically her maid and not the other way around.
Akane smiled and shook her head. “No, but I think you’d like to see.” Akane softly grasped Rui’s outstretched hand. “Come now.”
Rui’s heart pounded as she was led out of the room. Her sanctuary. Her safety. At least she still had her armor, Reito’s pajamas. The cold, sterile yet ornate, winding hallways of the palace tightened and tightened until Rui felt each wall pressing against her shoulders. Until Akane opened a door. The outside. Unsafe. Unsafe. So bright. Can’t handle this.
Akane stopped at the threshold. “It’s going to be okay.” She turned and lowered herself down to hug the young girl tightly. “I promise I won’t let anything bad happen to you.”
Rui took a deep breath and followed the maid out the back door. The greenery before her was awe inspiring. Perfectly manicured hedges, blooming rose bushes and flower beds, gorgeous blooming cherry trees covered the grounds in their pale pink petals, and spiders had spun gorgeous webs that covered the hedges in a beautiful blanket.
The sheer beauty of the grounds made Rui forget all of her fears, her sadness, and her pain. If just for a moment. “Reito-kama and her mother planted this entire garden together. She took great pains to make sure everything was ready for spring. She didn’t want a single plant to be out of place.” Akane led the girl deeper into the garden. “Very often I find Reito-kama here. I think it helps her feel connected to her mom since she passed. Perhaps, it will help you feel connected to her?” She led her to a small bench and sat her carapace down and invited Rui to do the same.
“It’s so beautiful.” Rui sat next to Akane and looked around taking in every little detail. A small orbweaver lowered itself down from the overhead tree right in front of her face. She lifted her hand and let the spider climb into her hand. Eight eyes stared at eight eyes. The orbweaver lifted a leg towards Rui and climbed forward down her arm. She felt connected to the small spider. It connected her to the webs, which connected her to the entire garden. Perhaps that could connect her to Reito as well? Perhaps it was placebo, but she felt something. Like a hand on her shoulder, a word of affirmation, a hug. Her heart steadied.
“Your highness,” Nishimura spoke as she closed the hatch to the state room. She slowly poured steaming hot tea into Reito’s cup. “We have pulled into the Fuyo bay. In a matter of hours we’ll be home.”
Reito continued to prune her little bonsai tree, but slowly set down her sheers and nodded. “Understood.”
Nishimura watched her lady take a sip of tea. “Have you prepared yourself?” She prodded as she sat behind the Empress. “I’ve been told there will be tv cameras. Every set of eyes and ears in the empire will be on you.”
“I have.” Reito answered quietly. “Did you prepare my uniform?”
“Of course, your highness.” The maid fetched a pair of the Empress’s dress whites, burned, singed, full of holes, and even tainted with blood. The pair she wore during the engagement. They weren’t quite this bad when she stepped off the bridge after the slug fest as Nishimura had enhanced the drama for the cameras.
The entire fleet restructured, allowing the Kii class battleship to reposition from the most protected part of the convoy, to the leading element. After a few more hours Fuyonouso began to rise over the horizon. Hordes of people had gathered to witness the warships returning home. Very few remained unscarred from battle. Entire chunks were missing from the Mikasa, and many other battleships looked the same.
As much battle damage could be patched was, but most of the damage would have to be repaired in dry dock due to the extent. The crowds were unsure what to feel. Their glorious warriors had returned victorious, but it very clearly came at a cost. Many were anxious to see if their wives, mothers, and daughters had returned home safely. The casualty reports were vastly incomplete.
A dock space was made available for the Mikasa. It was decked out in wreaths, flowers, ribbons, and other quite pretty decor. As predicted, television cameras were present. The three largest news corporations had massive cameras with reporters standing in front of them, delivering by the minute updates. Several dozen radio microphones were set up at a podium just off the gangway.
As soon as the bridge was lowered, Reito began her descent in her tattered uniform. She calmly and quickly approached the news podium. The crowds were silent as all looked upon their Empress with feelings twisting about in their stomachs.
Reito looked over the crowd with a programmed steely cool. She cleared her throat, “Citizens of Kumosenkan, as you well know by now the Galran Empire has declared a violent war against the world. Without a word or hint of warning, they struck at us with a fury. Killing civilians and soldiers alike. They knew that the only way to hurt us was to catch us completely by surprise. But even with the element of surprise, superior numbers, and dominant airpower they could not stand toe to toe with our grand fleet!” She shouted and a roaring cheer erupted.
A single hand raised high silenced them within seconds. “The last time our empire saw bloodshed on our own soil was in Hawaii, Galra wished to do it again, they failed. Hawaii remains free from those genocidal monsters!” Again cheers.
“Today we say NO!” Reito slammed a fist on the podium. “We say NO to the deaths of innocents! We say NO to the bloodshed of our fellows. We say NO to the horrific ideals of the so called Soverign Union! Galra and its terroristic allies shall be taught a lesson in blood and iron. You can’t swat a spider, and expect not to get bit.” Cheers, applause, Reito couldn’t help but smile at the fervor of her people.
“We shall avenge the innocent lives lost in Hawaii.” Reito commanded the crowd as they held on every syllable. “We will avenge the brave sailors who gave their lives to keep Hawaii safe! We will bring to heel the Galran menace!”
“I call upon my sisters, my daughters, my citizens! Galra will not go quietly. We must band together! Take the fight to them before they can take the fight back to us. We must meet them on their beaches, on their soil, and on our terms. All women of fighting age, join our glorious defense force! Our fleet needs women to man the guns! Our armies need women to take up arms! Both of them need women putting bullets in their barrels!”
“Today I am declaring total and absolute war on Galra and all who should choose to defend his actions. We must use every possible resource we have available to crush them with overwhelming force, so that no one will ever think to make the mistake of enraging our great people ever again.”
Cheering erupted as Reito stepped away from the podium. Questions flung her way like a hail of machine gun fire. Radio hosts, television reporters, and even regular citizens screamed to try and get their Empress’s attention. However a path was still made for her as she strode towards her personal car. She would finally be home.
“Wake up!” Akane shouted at the young girl. “I thought I told you to be awake by ten! What am I to do with you?!”
Rui launched herself out of bed, her hair, clothes, and body was a mess. Covered in food, grime, and filth. “Fuck! Did I miss her getting home?!”
“She’s still at sea. But she will be pulling in within the next few hours!” Akane informed. “Go take a shower right now.”
For the first time, Rui had no arguments and ran to the shower. She took a very quick shower and desperately tried to wash her ratty hair. Once she felt clean she hopped out and called Akane over. The two of them worked quickly to dry her off. Once dry, Rui worked on her makeup while Akane brushed her hair.
It took an hour for them to get Rui as presentable as she wanted, but she looked beautiful. Her hair was curled up into a beautiful purple perm that cascaded down her shoulders. A pale pink, blue and white yukata covered her body.
Another maid called into the room “It’s starting!”
Akane grabbed Rui’s hand and dragged her into the only room with a television, a rarely used living room with a few comfortable seats and a fireplace. The tv was already on, and focused in on the RBS Mikasa. Everyone’s heart sank as they saw the massive damage inflicted on her. Very little relief was felt as the black and white image of Empress Reito descended the gangway. The state of her uniform was extremely worrying. However as she began to speak, all felt hope. Galra had made a great mistake.
Once Reito departed Rui ran to the entrance hall and paced for hours until finally, the door opened. “R.. Rui..?”