The dozen humanoid legions slowly descended toward the carrier deck.
One after another, they landed with heavy metallic impacts.
THOOM.
The larger Brutes followed.
THOOM. THOOM. THOOM.
Their massive armored frames landed behind the humanoid soldiers, forming a defensive perimeter around them.
Then—
Another figure shot out from the main carrier.
Unlike the others, this one moved with incredible speed.
A streak of silver flashed across the sky, followed by traces of red and gold.
The figure descended rapidly before landing on the deck.
BOOM.
The humanoid Legions immediately parted.
The Brutes did the same.
They formed a protective formation around the newcomer, as though the entire group had been arranged specifically to shield this one person.
Rosalia stared at the figure.
Silver armor.
Red and gold accents.
The Diving Eagle crest.
There was something unmistakably different about this one.
Rosalia took a breath and began walking toward them.
"Madam President!"
Washington's voice was filled with concern.
Rosalia didn't stop.
She wasn't afraid.
Not exactly.
But her hands were trembling slightly.
She continued forward until she was within a reasonable distance.
The armored figure simply stared at her.
Neither moved.
For a moment, the entire deck was silent.
Then Rosalia spoke.
"Please... We didn't come here looking for a conflict."
Her voice was steady despite the tension.
"If we aren't welcome, we can leave. Just... please let the members of my Eagle Union fleet go."
She slowly raised her hands.
"I am willing to remain as the hostage."
"Madam President!"
Washington immediately activated her rigging and rushed forward.
She planted herself between Rosalia and the armored figure.
North Carolina followed.
Then Baltimore.
The three Shipgirls stood shoulder to shoulder.
"You're not getting her without going through us!"
Rosalia's eyes widened.
"No! Don't!"
She stepped forward.
"Look at everything surrounding us. Those things can kill us whenever they want."
Her voice became firmer.
"Stand down. Turn off your riggings."
"But—"
"Turn them off."
Washington hesitated.
"Madam President..."
"Don't make me repeat myself."
The three Shipgirls exchanged glances.
They knew.
They had already seen enough to understand the difference in power between their fleet and the force surrounding them.
Continuing to fight would accomplish nothing.
They slowly deactivated their riggings.
The weapons and equipment surrounding their bodies disappeared.
They stood defenseless.
Knowing full well that they were essentially throwing their lives away if the situation turned violent.
The silver-armored figure continued staring at them.
Then their voice finally broke the silence.
"You came here with an entire fleet, heading directly toward our base."
The figure's tone remained calm.
"What is your purpose in wanting to meet us?"
Rosalia swallowed.
"We came in peace."
She lowered her hands slightly.
"We simply wanted to establish contact. We want to become allies."
She glanced around at the surrounding GDI forces.
"Please... If you don't want us here, we can leave."
The armored figure remained silent for several seconds.
Then—
"Good."
Rosalia blinked.
"I've been wanting to speak with the nation called the Eagle Union."
The figure paused.
"I have a bit of a problem with it."
Rosalia's expression immediately became cautious.
"You... have we offended you somehow?"
"Indeed."
The figure looked directly at her.
"You did, President Rosalia Valen."
Rosalia stiffened.
"Yes, I know of you."
The figure's gaze remained fixed on her.
"The president of the Eagle Union. Its leader."
Rosalia's heart sank slightly.
"Please... If I have offended you, then I—"
"That is enough."
Rosalia stopped.
The armored figure's tone softened.
"I have no qualms with a nation I barely know."
The figure glanced toward the fleet surrounding them.
"Besides, I've already disabled your weapons, immobilized your fleet, surrounded you with guns, and pointed enough firepower at you to erase this entire formation."
A brief pause.
"That was quite a scare."
The figure tilted their head slightly.
"Not exactly the first impression I intended to make."
Rosalia stared at the armored figure.
For the first time since the confrontation began, the tension in her shoulders eased slightly.
The figure had the power to destroy them.
Yet they hadn't.
Instead, they had chosen to talk.
Rosalia took another breath.
"Then... may we talk?"
The armored figure simply nodded.
"That's what I wanted in the first place."
"You... who are you?" Rosalia
The armor disengaged.
Panels of silver metal separated and folded away, revealing the man beneath.
He looked no older than twenty-seven.
Dark hair framed a handsome face, while his dark eyes carried a calm, almost effortless confidence. His appearance was striking enough that Rosalia found herself momentarily caught off guard.
For just a second, she forgot the battlefield around her.
She wasn't the only one.
Several female crew members who had gathered on the deck stared at him in surprise. Even Washington, North Carolina, Baltimore, and D couldn't help but look twice.
The armor had concealed far more than his identity.
A white coat materialized around him, settling naturally over the armor still covering his body. Beneath the coat, portions of the advanced suit remained visible, forming a protective layer around his torso and limbs.
On his left arm was a glowing silver hourglass-shaped watch in a gauntlet.
The remaining armor behind him reassembled itself.
KLIK—KLIK—KLIK.
The pieces locked together into their original configuration before entering standby mode.
The armored figure then calmly followed behind him like a silent guardian.
The man stopped several meters from Rosalia.
"It's an honor to meet the President of the Eagle Union."
His voice was calm.
"I am Yukihira Yuuki, High Commander of the Global Defense Initiative."
The Shipgirls' eyes widened.
That voice.
There was no mistaking it.
It was the same voice that had reached them through their Wisdom Cubes.
The mysterious voice that had called to them.
"It was him..." North Carolina whispered.
D stared at Yuuki.
Her crimson eyes narrowed.
Could this be him?
The person she had been searching for?
The one responsible for freeing the Nikkes?
The one who had somehow severed them from the Ark?
Rosalia finally found her voice.
"Global Defense Initiative?"
Yuuki gestured toward the enormous Diving Eagle insignia displayed across the fleet.
"The Diving Eagle you've been calling us."
He gave a small shrug.
"That's the official name. Global Defense Initiative, or GDI."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Yeah... that's us."
He glanced around at the Presidential Fleet, still surrounded by GDI forces.
"We must have given you quite a scare, huh?"
Rosalia said nothing.
She simply stared at him.
Yuuki seemed to understand.
"Stand down. General order."
His voice immediately became authoritative.
"All units, return to standby."
The Orca Mark III gunships responded first.
Their weapons retracted.
The gunships turned in formation and accelerated toward the main carrier, disappearing into its hangar bays.
Beneath the ocean, the three massive six-legged war machines began moving.
Their 430mm cannons folded back into their armored frames.
Missile launchers retracted.
Then the enormous machines turned and disappeared beneath the waves.
The water closed over them.
The Legions and Brutes remained on the carrier deck, but their weapons were lowered as they returned to standby.
The oppressive atmosphere immediately eased.
Yuuki looked toward Rosalia.
"Better?"
"You... who are you?"
Yuuki tilted his head slightly.
"I suppose you could say I'm like you. A president, in a sense. Though I prefer the term High Commander."
Rosalia studied him.
"You're their leader?"
"The top dog."
Yuuki gave her a faint grin.
"Yeah. You're standing face-to-face with the man who can give the order to wipe out your entire fleet."
He gestured casually toward the massive GDI forces surrounding them.
"That's me, Madam President."
Rosalia exhaled slowly.
"Just Rosalia and I am a miss... if you may, High Commander."
"Just Commander."
Yuuki smiled.
"I'm fairly used to it."
Before Rosalia could respond, Yuuki casually raised a hand.
A flash of light appeared beside him.
Then—
A complete beautiful tea set materialized on the deck.
A small table.
Several chairs.
A porcelain teapot.
Cups.
And an assortment of sweets arranged neatly on plates.
Rosalia stared.
"What are you...?"
Yuuki simply pulled out one of the chairs and gestured toward it.
"Now, let's talk."
He glanced toward the surrounding decks.
"And tell your snipers to stop pointing their rifles at me."
Rosalia's eyes widened slightly.
Yuuki tapped his chest.
"I'm four-hundred-percent protected. I can't be killed whether I know I'm being attacked or not."
He shrugged.
"Unless, of course, you want those main cannons on my carrier to level them."
Rosalia immediately understood the implication.
"Stand down."
She looked toward her security personnel.
"Give the order to stand down."
The order was relayed throughout the carrier.
The remaining crew and Secret Service slowly lowered their weapons and moved farther away.
The same applied to Yuuki's forces.
The Legions and Brutes remained nearby, watching every movement, while Yuuki's armor stood silently behind him in standby mode.
Soon, only Rosalia, the three Shipgirls, and D remained near the table.
Yuuki pulled out a chair for Rosalia.
She hesitated for a moment before gently sitting down.
Yuuki sat opposite her.
He poured a cup of tea and slid it toward her.
"It isn't poisoned."
He gave her an amused smile.
"I have no benefit in doing that."
His gaze shifted toward the three Shipgirls and D.
"You girls can sit with us."
Washington, North Carolina, Baltimore, and D exchanged glances.
Then they reluctantly took their seats.
The scene was almost absurd.
A few minutes ago, they had been surrounded by enough firepower to destroy their entire fleet.
Now they were sitting around a tea table with the man responsible for it all.
It felt less like diplomacy and more like a hostage situation where the hostages had been politely invited to have tea with their captor.
Yuuki's armor remained on standby behind him.
The Legions and Brutes watched every movement.
Rosalia slowly lifted the cup but didn't drink yet.
Yuuki leaned back slightly.
Yuuki glanced toward the four women sitting across from him.
"May I know who you four are supposed to be?"
Washington felt a spark of irritation at the question.
She wanted to snap back.
But one glance at the forces surrounding the carrier reminded her of exactly who she was speaking to. This man was effectively holding the entire Presidential Fleet hostage without even needing to threaten them.
She restrained herself.
Strangely, there was another feeling in her chest as well.
Something she couldn't quite explain.
A strange instinct seemed to discourage her from being rude to him.
Washington straightened herself.
"North Carolina-class battleship, ship number two. I am Washington."
"Oh..."
Yuuki nodded before turning toward the blonde woman beside her.
"And you?"
The blonde woman composed herself.
"I am North Carolina-class battleship, ship number one."
She glanced around at the surrounding GDI forces.
"I take it this isn't the first time you've seen a Shipgirl?"
"North Carolina?"
Yuuki repeated the name, seemingly committing it to memory.
"And yes. It isn't."
His eyes shifted toward Baltimore.
The tomboyish heavy cruiser immediately felt his gaze and instinctively stiffened.
"Baltimore-class heavy cruiser."
She paused.
"Baltimore."
Yuuki nodded.
"Baltimore."
He then turned toward the final member of the group.
D remained completely still.
Yuuki studied her for a moment.
"You must be a Nikke. Am I right?"
D was quiet.
Then she answered.
"Yes..."
A slight pause.
"I am called... D."
Yuuki raised an eyebrow.
"Just D?"
"A single letter?"
"Yes."
Yuuki considered that for a moment.
"Must be a callsign, I take it."
D said nothing.
Yuuki continued.
"From Perilous Siege?"
D's expression remained composed.
But internally, she was becoming more alert.
Yuuki leaned back slightly.
"I know of them."
His voice was calm.
"An assassin group tasked with maintaining the Ark's order."
D's eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
He knew.
Not merely the name.
He knew what Perilous Siege did.
And judging by his expression, he knew far more about the Ark than a stranger should have. D found herself wondering just how much this man already knew about her.
"To be honest, my first plan was to sneak in as a stowaway."
Yuuki took another sip of his tea.
"I figured I'd get interrogated, probably laughed at once I told everyone I was the one leading the Diving Eagle, and then spend some time being treated as a prisoner."
He glanced around at the surrounding fleet.
"Then this happened, so I figured I might as well reveal myself."
The women remained quiet.
Yuuki set his cup down.
"But I have places to be, so let's skip to this part."
His expression became more serious.
Even the Eagle Union personnel watching from a distance couldn't help but stare.
Their High Commander—the man commanding a force powerful enough to completely neutralize their entire fleet—was casually sitting across from their president, drinking tea.
Yuuki gestured toward the refreshments.
"Please enjoy the tea and sweets. My maids prepared them carefully for the president herself. They'll be offended if you don't even consider drinking them."
He glanced toward the massive carrier above them.
"I'd have them serve you personally, but they're up there."
A heavy mechanical step sounded behind him.
THOOM.
The Mark 47 armor walked forward.
It stopped beside the table and carefully picked up the teapot.
Then it began pouring tea for Washington, North Carolina, Baltimore, and D.
Yuuki casually gestured toward it.
"By the way, the one controlling it is my AI, Jarvis."
The armor's head turned slightly.
"A pleasure, Madam President. And good day to you, ladies."
The voice came directly from the armor.
Yuuki smiled.
"He'll act as our server until these negotiations are finished."
"Do let me know if you need anything."
Jarvis finished pouring the tea before the armor stepped back behind Yuuki and returned to standby.
Rosalia slowly lifted her cup.
She took a small sip.
The tea was excellent.
But under the circumstances, it was difficult to appreciate it.
She was sitting in front of the leader of a faction that had demonstrated overwhelming military superiority over the entire Presidential Fleet.
The tea felt less like hospitality and more like something she was expected to accept simply because refusing would be foolish.
Yuuki set his cup down.
"Now, straight to the point, Miss Rosalia."
He looked directly into her eyes.
"What do you want from us?"
His voice hardened slightly.
"You came in the direction of our base with an entire fleet of warships. You don't seriously expect us to see that as anything other than a possible declaration of war, do you?"
Rosalia immediately shook her head.
"No. You have it wrong. We came here to establish contact with your faction. Forgive us if our approach appeared aggressive."
Yuuki studied her for a moment.
"Hmm."
He leaned back.
"Your Eagle Union is much different from the ones I've met."
Rosalia blinked.
"You've met...?"
"I take it you're already aware of the existence of other worlds by now?"
"I am well aware."
Rosalia glanced toward the Shipgirls.
"The Sirens. The Raptures. The Kancolle world."
"Then we're on the same page."
Yuuki nodded.
"GDI doesn't exist in this world. We came here from another one, bringing weapons and technology far beyond what you understand."
He gestured toward the enormous fleet surrounding them.
"We're the Global Defense Initiative from another world. We arrived here through an Einstein-Rosen bridge."
Rosalia's brow furrowed.
"Einstein-Rosen bridge?"
"You happen to have an Albert Einstein in this world?"
"No. We're not familiar with that name."
"Oh."
Yuuki paused.
"Then, simply put, it's a wormhole."
He shrugged.
"You're probably thinking it sounds absurd. But that's what happened, whether you believe it or not."
He took another drink.
"We arrived in this world and established a colony on the former Azur Lane headquarters island."
Rosalia's expression changed slightly.
Yuuki noticed.
"Since you already know its location, I have no reason to hide it."
His voice became colder.
"Besides, even if every major faction in this world united against us, you wouldn't be able to do anything."
The words were blunt.
"But I'm not going to ask permission to live on this world."
Silence followed.
Rosalia said nothing.
Neither did Washington, North Carolina, Baltimore, or D.
Yuuki leaned forward slightly.
"So I'm going to ask you to be clear."
His eyes remained fixed on Rosalia.
"What exactly do you need from us by establishing contact?"
He raised one finger.
"And don't talk politics."
Washington's expression tightened.
Yuuki continued.
"I'm not a fan. I've met countless presidents and monarchs who believed their position placed them above everyone else. I'm not particularly interested in favoring them either."
His gaze sharpened.
"Choose your words carefully if you want this meeting to go well."
Washington gritted her teeth.
This was the President of the Eagle Union sitting across from them—a woman millions of people dreamed of meeting.
Yet this man barely treated her differently from anyone else.
Rosalia, however, remained calm.
She slowly breathed in.
"I assure you, Commander, that I will be different from the ones you've met."
She placed her cup down.
"We only wanted to establish contact. Perhaps find a way for our nations to cooperate."
"An alliance?"
Yuuki considered the word.
"An alliance only benefits both sides if both sides have something to offer."
He gestured toward the GDI forces surrounding them.
"If you're proposing an alliance, you must have something that interests us."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"What can the Eagle Union offer?"
Rosalia thought for a moment.
"Would you be interested in credits? Wealth?"
"No."
Yuuki answered immediately.
"We have no desire for it."
"Manpower?"
"We have enough."
"Land?"
"Our main base is sufficient."
He gestured toward the sky.
"We can travel almost anywhere across the world."
Rosalia fell silent.
"Then... what would your condition be for forming an alliance?"
Yuuki shook his head.
"Alliance isn't what we need."
He paused.
"The best thing I can offer is to simply become allies."
Rosalia looked at him.
"We have no desire to take your territory or invade your nation. What we have is sufficient for us."
"I see."
Rosalia nodded.
"Even as simple allies... I would graciously accept."
Yuuki considered her answer.
"If our relationship proves beneficial to both sides, I would consider establishing an outpost within Eagle Union territory."
Rosalia's eyes widened slightly.
"An outpost?"
"Somewhere we can come and go freely. Somewhere we can meet without you having to send an entire fleet across the ocean every time you want to speak with us."
Rosalia thought carefully.
"And if I agree... is there something that would benefit us?"
"Protection."
Yuuki answered without hesitation.
"And reassurance."
He looked toward the distant fleet.
"Your Eagle Union probably needs those more than anything right now."
Rosalia remained silent.
"You need time to rebuild and develop your nation."
Yuuki's tone softened slightly.
"And you want us to help you do that."
He leaned back.
"That can only happen if some form of alliance or cooperation develops between us."
He paused before continuing.
"The highest level would be establishing Eagle Union as a Blue Zone. If we consider your territory a White Zone, that would mean a neutral relationship."
Rosalia looked curious.
"What type of zones are you referring to?"
Yuuki began explaining.
"Red Zones are areas considered dangerously unsuitable for GDI operations or settlement."
He raised a finger.
"Yellow Zones are areas where we have established an allied relationship."
Another finger.
"Green Zones are formal alliances."
He raised a third.
"Blue Zones are something different. They're under GDI protection, with our infrastructure and weapons systems established there. That's total cooperation."
Finally, he gestured toward the surrounding world.
"White Zones are neutral territories. No alliance, no formal cooperation, and no hostility."
Rosalia listened carefully.
"So far, since arriving in this world, we've established two Yellow Zones and one Blue Zone."
"There are places that have gained GDI's approval?"
"Yes."
Yuuki nodded.
"Those zones are considered some of the safest places on Earth because they're under our protection."
Rosalia hesitated.
"Can I know where those places are?"
Yuuki's expression became guarded.
"That's something I can't tell you."
"Why?"
"Blue Zones are extremely valuable to us."
Rosalia nodded slowly.
"I see."
Yuuki lifted his teacup again.
"So far, I can see us becoming allies."
The words were simple.
But to Rosalia, they carried enormous weight.
The strongest faction she had ever encountered had just offered her protection without asking for territory, wealth, manpower, or political submission in return.
Rosalia took another sip before speaking again.
"Is there any way... I could see our relationship developing beyond simply being allies?"
Yuuki lowered his cup.
Instead of answering immediately, he asked a question of his own.
"I wanted to ask you something first."
His eyes moved toward the three Shipgirls sitting nearby.
"Do you see the Eagle Union Shipgirls as weapons?"
Rosalia looked toward Washington, North Carolina, and Baltimore.
"No. I don't."
She spoke firmly.
"I am quite close with these girls."
"Oh?"
Yuuki glanced at the three Shipgirls before looking back at her.
"What about the others?"
Rosalia hesitated.
"They are our assets."
"Assets, huh?"
Yuuki's eyes narrowed slightly.
Rosalia immediately realized that she had chosen the wrong word.
Yuuki leaned back in his chair.
"Suppose you found those Shipgirls again after years of being separated."
His voice remained calm.
"Would you ask them to come back?"
He paused.
"Or would you let them make their own choices?"
Rosalia looked down at her cup.
"I... would ask them to come back."
She swallowed.
"They are Eagle Union's ships."
Yuuki's expression didn't change.
"And if they didn't want to?"
Rosalia remained silent.
"Would you brand them as traitors?"
"I..."
She couldn't finish the sentence.
Yuuki sighed.
For the first time, his expression carried something closer to disappointment than hostility.
"I suppose..."
He looked toward the three Shipgirls.
"Why don't we ask them yourselves?"
Suddenly—
WHOOOOSH!
The roar of engines broke the quiet atmosphere.
A Razor Gunship descended toward the carrier deck before landing smoothly nearby.
Rosalia immediately tensed.
The side hatch opened.
Several golden-armored figures stepped out one after another.
The Eagle Union personnel instinctively raised their weapons, but Yuuki remained completely calm.
The armored figures advanced toward the table.
Then one of them stopped.
Unlike the others, she wasn't wearing armor.
Rosalia's eyes widened.
Washington stared at the familiar figure as she floated slowly behind Yuuki.
"Eldridge?!"
Her voice trembled.
"Did she... die back then?"
The armored figures suddenly stopped.
Then—
SHINK.
Their helmets dematerialized.
The faces beneath the armor were revealed.
Rosalia's eyes widened.
"San Diego?"
The red headed Shipgirl immediately grinned.
"Haloo!"
Washington could barely process what she was seeing.
Then two more familiar faces stepped forward.
"Ari."
"...Sis Penn?!"
North Carolina froze.
Arizona smiled gently.
Pennsylvania gave her a familiar grin.
For a moment, North Carolina simply stared at them.
Then—
"Arizona..."
Her voice broke slightly.
Baltimore looked toward the next two figures.
"Vestal?"
Her eyes widened.
"Laffey?!"
Laffey gave her usual sleepy expression.
"Baltimore..."
Baltimore's mouth fell open.
There were more.
Two figures emerged from behind the others.
One was impossible to mistake.
Enterprise.
And beside her stood the woman who had once been the heart of the Eagle Union's carrier fleet.
Yorktown.
The sight left Rosalia speechless.
Even Washington, North Carolina, Baltimore, and D couldn't move.
The three Eagle Union Shipgirls didn't hesitate.
They simply ran.
Washington rushed toward her old friends.
North Carolina followed.
Baltimore practically sprinted after them.
The reunion was immediate.
Arms wrapped around shoulders.
Old friends clung to one another.
Years of separation, imprisonment, loss, and uncertainty seemed to disappear in an instant.
Enterprise smiled as she embraced her former comrades.
"Hey, Washy, Carol, and Balti..."
Her voice softened.
"It's been too long."
After the short reunion, North Carolina pulled Yorktown into another hug.
"Yes, Hammann missed you a lot. She's back at the home base!" Carolina said, smiling. "Are you here to come home?"
"Ah, Hammann..."
Yorktown smiled at the thought of her old companion.
"Always the mama's girl."
But her smile slowly faded.
"Coming home?"
She looked down for a moment.
"Do I have a home back in the Eagle Union anymore?"
North Carolina's expression changed.
"What... what are you saying?"
Yorktown gently stepped away from the embrace.
"No. I'm not."
She looked toward Yuuki.
"I already have a home."
Her voice was calm, but there was conviction behind every word.
"If you had asked me this two weeks ago, before I met the Commander..."
She paused.
"I would have agreed without hesitation."
Yorktown then walked toward Yuuki and quietly took her place behind him.
The movement was simple.
But the meaning behind it was unmistakable.
Washington's eyes fell upon the shoulders of Yorktown, Enterprise, Vestal, and the others.
There it was.
The Diving Eagle.
The crest of the Global Defense Initiative.
"You..."
Enterprise stepped forward.
"We're part of them now."
She looked at Rosalia.
"I'm sorry... everyone. Including you, Madam President."
"Enterprise..."
Vestal stepped forward next.
"We decided to join the Commander's faction from now on, Madam President."
She looked down at the GDI crest on her shoulder.
"The Eagle Union may be where we came from, but GDI is the faction that found us."
Her voice remained gentle.
"They needed us. They gave us a place where we could actually live again."
She looked toward the others.
"We didn't betray our faction."
Vestal's expression became more solemn.
"But after everything that happened to us... I don't know if I can look at factions the same way anymore."
Washington stared at them.
"But what about all the times the Eagle Union supported you?"
Her voice became more emotional.
"You can't simply throw all of that away!"
Her eyes shifted toward Yuuki.
"Then he must have brainwashed you!"
The accusation immediately drew a reaction.
"Brainwashed?"
Enterprise shook her head.
"No such thing, Washy. There never was."
North Carolina looked at Yorktown.
"Why?"
Her voice trembled.
"Why don't you come back?"
She took a step forward.
"Why don't you come home to us?"
Yorktown's expression became quiet.
"Home?"
She looked at Rosalia.
"Madam President..."
Her voice was soft.
"My home was that island."
The deck fell silent.
Yorktown's eyes hardened.
"Where was the Eagle Union when that island came under attack and our comrades were being killed?"
Rosalia said nothing.
"Where were they when the late John Smith breathed his last?"
Her voice trembled slightly.
"Where was the compensation for his family?"
Yorktown's hands slowly tightened.
"Where were they while Laffey and I were left to fend for ourselves?"
She looked toward Enterprise.
"Where were they when Enterprise was being beaten by Purifier?"
Then toward Vestal.
"Vestal lost her arm."
Toward San Diego and Eldridge.
"Sandy and Eldridge were trapped at headquarters for ten years."
Then toward Arizona and Pennsylvania.
"Ari and Penny were captured."
Yorktown's voice remained controlled, but every word carried years of pain.
She looked directly at Rosalia.
"So tell me..."
A long silence followed.
"Can we really call that nation home?"
Rosalia couldn't answer.
Washington couldn't answer.
North Carolina couldn't answer.
Baltimore couldn't answer.
Even the other Shipgirls remained silent.
The question hung over the deck.
For once, there was no political argument.
No justification.
No speech.
Only the uncomfortable weight of the past.
Rosalia slowly lowered her eyes.
And the President of the Eagle Union had nothing to say.
"Maybe what we did could be called treason."
Yorktown's voice was calm.
"But we didn't sell out the Eagle Union. We didn't hand your secrets to the Commander. He has no interest in taking anything from you."
She glanced toward Yuuki.
"If he did, this entire fleet would already be vaporized."
Her words silenced everyone.
"He came here to talk. He didn't erase our identities. He didn't force us to abandon where we came from. He even allows us to wear the Eagle Union proudly."
As she spoke, the armor covering the Shipgirls began to shift.
The golden armor retracted and transformed.
Piece by piece, their familiar Eagle Union uniforms appeared beneath it.
The uniforms they had worn before.
The colors.
The designs.
The identities they had carried for years.
But now, upon their shoulders, was something new.
The Diving Eagle.
The crest of the Global Defense Initiative.
They had not abandoned the Eagle Union.
They simply carried another banner alongside it.
Washington stared at them.
"What about Hammann? What about the rest of us who needed you?"
Yorktown looked at her.
"I can come back and visit if GDI and Eagle Union could become allies."
She smiled faintly.
"But I have a home now. I have duties. I have a career within GDI. I am the mothership not to just the ones above but also Nikkes. Whom recently started seeing me as a mother figure."
She glanced toward the massive carrier above them.
"I'm not just a ship sitting in a dock anymore."
Washington's expression tightened.
"So you're just going to leave us and follow him?"
Her voice became sharper.
"You're our mothership! You're just betraying us at this point!"
Yorktown's expression changed.
"Careful, Washington."
She deliberately used Washington's full name.
The familiar nickname was gone.
The distance in her voice was unmistakable.
"That man is the only one who came for Laffey and me when we were about to be killed."
Yorktown's eyes hardened.
"He came to save Enterprise when she was all alone."
She pointed toward Vestal.
"He healed Vestal's torn arm."
Then toward San Diego and Eldridge.
"He saved Sandy and Eldridge."
Then Arizona and Pennsylvania.
"He pulled Ari and Penny out of the Mother Whale."
Yorktown looked directly at Washington.
"What did you do for them?"
Her voice remained controlled.
"Where were you when Purifier was pointing her cannons at my face and Laffey's?"
"...Sis."
Enterprise's voice was quiet.
Yorktown turned toward Rosalia.
Her expression softened.
"I am sorry, Madam President."
She bowed her head slightly.
"I never once blamed you personally for our misfortune."
She took a breath.
"Maybe when I was angry... when I was alone... I wondered whether anyone would ever come for us."
Her gaze lowered.
"Enterprise stayed with Vestal the entire time. She knew she couldn't defeat a Siren back then, but she stayed anyway."
She looked toward Enterprise.
"The Enterprise who once led the combined fleet for six months was reduced to that."
Yorktown's voice trembled.
"Maybe we really were seen as weapons. Nothing more than ships sent out to fight, sink, and die."
She looked at Yuuki.
"But the Commander made us realize something."
"We have choices."
"He made us look forward to tomorrow."
Her eyes moved toward the carrier above.
"There are so many people up there now. So many of us who were alone, broken, or forgotten."
Her hand rested over the Diving Eagle crest on her shoulder.
"He gave us a chance to be... human."
"Not assets."
She paused.
"We may have been created from the records and nature of our human counterparts, but he gave us something more important."
"A chance to actually live."
Yorktown looked back at Rosalia.
"I found my home, Madam President."
Her voice was quiet but unwavering.
"I found my strength."
She smiled faintly.
"I even fell in love."
Her eyes briefly shifted toward Yuuki.
"And I found something worth fighting for."
She took another breath.
"My own choice to live."
"If the Commander decided that the Eagle Union was our enemy, then that would be a choice I would have to deal with."
Her expression softened.
"But he doesn't."
"He prefers to be allies."
Yorktown smiled.
"And for that... I'm grateful."
She glanced toward Laffey.
"I'm grateful that I was given a second chance after burying the late John Smith with my own hands."
Yorktown then turned toward Washington, North Carolina, and Baltimore.
"You can brand us as traitors if you want."
She shook her head.
"I don't hate the Eagle Union."
"I didn't betray it."
"I simply found somewhere I can live."
Enterprise stepped forward.
"Sis is right."
She looked toward Rosalia.
"No one forced us to join."
"The Commander gave us a choice when he recruited us."
"We willingly chose him."
Enterprise moved behind Yuuki.
"He gave us a home. He brought us together again."
She smiled faintly.
"I'm sorry... but I'm going to follow him."
Enterprise glanced toward her former comrades.
"Back then, I was happy to lead the combined fleet for a while. I wanted to give everyone a chance to stand together."
Her expression softened.
"But now I've made my choice too."
Vestal followed.
"As am I."
She looked toward Rosalia.
"We're still friends."
Her voice was gentle.
"But I can't forget that the nation we served never came looking for us on that island."
She lowered her eyes.
"Maybe the Sirens found us first because the Eagle Union had other battles to fight. I understand that."
Vestal looked toward Yuuki.
"But I've made my choice."
A small figure suddenly moved.
"Commander... best hug."
Eldridge rushed forward.
"No more nightmares."
She dove straight into Yuuki's lap.
Yuuki barely had time to react before Eldridge settled comfortably against him.
San Diego blinked.
She looked around at everyone.
"Ahaa..."
She scratched her head.
"I really don't understand what's going on."
Then she pointed at herself.
"But I'm following the Commander!"
Yuuki sighed.
"Of course you are, Sandy."
Laffey slowly stepped forward.
"Laffey is always with big sister Yorktown."
She looked toward Washington, Carolina, and Baltimore.
"We stayed together for fifteen years. She worked as a teacher and I watched over the house."
Her voice remained sleepy, but there was certainty behind it.
"We buried the old Commander together. Laffey helped Yorktown a lot."
She looked toward Yuuki.
"Commander brought back Nimi, Javelin, and Ayanami."
Laffey walked toward him.
"Where he goes... Laffey follows."
Arizona was next.
She looked down at her hands.
"He healed me."
Her voice was soft.
"He helped me overcome the trauma I carried for years."
A small smile appeared.
"I don't think I've ever been happier."
She glanced toward Yuuki.
"His medical equipment helped me heal in ways I never thought possible."
Arizona looked back at Rosalia.
"I haven't fully joined yet."
She hesitated.
"But if the Commander wants me..."
Her smile grew.
"I don't think I would mind."
She looked toward the sky.
"I was trapped for years."
Then she looked at her former sisters.
"Now, I finally get to go home."
Pennsylvania folded her arms.
"I'm sorry as well."
She looked toward Arizona.
"I'll follow Ari."
Then she glanced toward Yuuki.
"But that's my own personal choice."
She gave a small grin.
"I get to be useful again instead of sitting around corroding."
She touched her cheek.
"And besides..."
Her grin widened.
"The scar on my cheek is gone."
Pennsylvania looked almost amused by how simple the reason sounded.
"I'm happier now."
Silence returned.
One by one, the Eagle Union Shipgirls had made their choices.
Not because they had been ordered to.
Not because they had been brainwashed.
Not because Yuuki had forced them.
They had simply chosen where they wanted to belong.
And for Rosalia, that was perhaps harder to accept than any threat GDI had made.
============
"So, Miss Rosalia."
Yuuki's voice broke the silence.
"The girls have made their choices."
He glanced toward Yorktown, Enterprise, Vestal, and the others.
"Perhaps you could say I poached them from you."
He gave a small shrug.
"But I want to make one thing clear. They made that choice themselves."
His expression became more serious.
"Not simply because of the weapons, technology, or whatever else I could offer them."
He looked toward the girls.
"I gave them something much simpler."
"A home."
Yuuki turned toward Washington, North Carolina, and Baltimore.
"So respect their choices."
He paused.
"Not everyone is going to make the choice you want. Sometimes, all you can do is ask them and accept their answer."
The girls exchanged glances.
Yuuki continued.
"They had one wish."
He looked toward Rosalia.
"They wanted GDI and the Eagle Union to become allies."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"And I accepted."
Rosalia's expression brightened.
"You did?"
"Yes."
Yuuki nodded.
"We're in agreement. Consider us allies."
Rosalia visibly relaxed.
"But I'd prefer it if you don't use us for your nation's selfish interests."
His tone became firm again.
"Once our method of travel is completed, we'll be able to reach the Eagle Union almost instantly. Perhaps, with time, we can develop this into a proper alliance."
He leaned back.
"If you have an island or suitable territory near the Eagle Union, we can establish an outpost there. Somewhere our people can come and go without needing to send an entire fleet across the ocean."
Rosalia nodded slowly.
"But there is one condition."
Yuuki's eyes sharpened.
"GDI is an exclusive organization. We can't simply accept anyone from this world as a member."
He glanced toward the Shipgirls and Nikkes.
"The only exceptions we've made are Nikkes and Shipgirls."
Rosalia understood immediately.
Yuuki looked toward the Eagle Union Shipgirls behind him.
"Will you let them go with me?"
He paused.
"I'll take responsibility for them in exchange for us becoming allies."
Rosalia looked at the girls.
Then at Yuuki.
She slowly nodded.
"I suppose I can let them go."
Her voice was quiet.
"You're better at caring for them than I ever was."
She looked toward Yorktown.
"If you promise to take good care of them..."
Rosalia smiled faintly.
"Please let them call your faction home."
"Certainly."
Yuuki reached into his inventory and pulled out a small device resembling a sophisticated modern watch.
He placed it on the table.
"This watch is a direct communicator to me, Madam President."
Rosalia looked at it curiously.
"You can use it as a beacon or simply as a way to contact me. It even has a built in hologram display."
Yuuki smiled.
"Yes. You now have the personal contact information of the High Commander himself."
Rosalia stared at the device.
Yuuki continued.
"And if you have requests or quests for GDI, you can use the post-quest function to send them to us."
He tapped the device.
"I can make those requests available for GDI personnel to take action."
His expression immediately became stern.
"But if you start asking us to handle personal grudges, attack innocent people, or destroy other factions simply because it benefits the Eagle Union..."
He shook his head.
"We're going to have a massive problem."
Rosalia nodded.
"So consider your requests carefully before posting them."
He glanced toward the Shipgirls.
"It'll benefit the girls as well."
Then Yuuki's expression became slightly more serious.
"And please don't try to kidnap them should you found them in the Eagle Union."
Rosalia blinked.
Yuuki pointed toward the enormous GDI fleet surrounding them.
"You really don't want me deploying an entire battleship group like those four to retrieve them."
Rosalia immediately understood.
Yuuki then looked toward the Shipgirls standing behind him.
"One more thing."
The girls straightened.
"Don't use your GDI identity to boast, bully people, claim places as your own, or demand whatever you want."
His voice carried the unmistakable authority of their commander.
"I don't tolerate bullies."
He paused.
"I'll say this once."
"We are defenders, not bullies."
His expression softened slightly.
"But if someone bullies you?"
A faint smirk appeared.
"I won't mind if you fight back."
He glanced around at the girls.
"If someone slaps you, they should expect us to slap back."
His smirk widened.
"Or worse."
The Shipgirls exchanged amused looks.
Yuuki folded his arms.
"Understood?"
Yorktown stepped forward.
"Understood. Commander, I am sure all of us in an agreement including those who listened in on us."
She gave a small, confident smile.
"We won't abuse the GDI name."
She glanced at the Diving Eagle crest on her shoulder.
"But we won't allow anyone to abuse us either."
"Good."
Yuuki nodded.
"That's exactly what I wanted to hear."
Yorktown looked toward Rosalia one final time.
"We're still Eagle Union."
She touched the crest on her shoulder.
"And now we're GDI as well."
Her eyes softened.
"We can help you any way we can, Madam President. We won't abandon our old nation should you ever need us. I am speaking on behalf of all of us."
Yorktown's voice was gentle but firm.
Rosalia lowered her gaze for a moment before looking back at her.
"I'm sorry, Yorktown. If you ever felt abandoned by us... If I could change it—"
"There's no need to dwell on the past, Madam President."
Yorktown smiled softly.
"None of us ever blamed you. Those moments brought us to the Commander. They shaped who we are today. There's nothing to change."
Rosalia's expression softened.
"Thank you."
Yorktown then turned toward Washington, North Carolina, and Baltimore.
"Washington, North Carolina, Baltimore... please tell everyone back home that we're fine and doing well. I'll visit one day."
She hesitated, then gave a slightly embarrassed smile.
"And tell Hammann that... well, she probably won't like it if she finds out I found love out here."
Washington let out a long sigh.
"I guess we can't force you."
Enterprise glanced toward Yuuki.
"Commander, you won't recruit them?"
Yuuki shook his head.
"No. Their hearts are here. In the Eagle Union."
He looked toward Washington, North Carolina, and Baltimore.
"I already said it, didn't I? I won't force anyone to join GDI. It's the same with them."
His expression became more serious.
"But I won't accept people who join out of fear, on a whim, or while their hearts remain tied to another nation. I don't want spies. I don't want half-hearted members."
He tapped his chest lightly.
"It has to come from them. From their own choice."
Yuuki's gaze swept across the Shipgirls.
"I'm connected to them as well. So I know\... whether they've truly made their choice."
North Carolina looked at him in surprise.
"You're connected to us?"
"To all Wisdom Cubes."
Yuuki nodded.
"That includes the three of you."
His eyes briefly settled on North Carolina, Washington, and Baltimore.
"I can read your hearts. I can sense your care. Your loyalty."
His voice remained calm.
"And right now, that loyalty isn't with us."
The three Shipgirls fell silent.
"So," Yuuki continued, "you three might be the ones I have to turn down if you ever wanted to become part of GDI right now. Unless you made your choices otherwise."
There was no hostility in his words.
Only honesty.
Yuuki then turned toward Rosalia.
"I hope this agreement will suffice, Miss Rosalia?"
Rosalia nodded.
"More than suffice."
She glanced toward the surrounding GDI fleet before looking back at him.
"I'll consider lending you an island from the Eagle Union."
Yuuki gave a small nod.
"Just don't plant bugs, spies, or tunnels there."
Rosalia raised an eyebrow.
"We'll cleanse the island before establishing a foothold."
His tone was matter-of-fact.
"You might not be the one who ordered it, but your people could try something anyway."
He looked directly at her.
"I trust you."
A brief pause.
"Not necessarily your people."
Rosalia understood the distinction immediately.
"And honestly, those people will value you even more if they know GDI trusts you."
Yuuki's expression hardened slightly.
"If they ever try to puppet you or undermine your authority, give us a call."
A faint, confident smile appeared.
"We'll deal with them."
Rosalia studied him for a moment before giving a firm nod.
"I see."
Rosalia looked down at the communicator watch Yuuki had given her.
"I'll make sure that trust lasts for a very long time."
She turned the device over in her hand before activating it.
The moment the interface came to life, Rosalia's eyes widened.
A holographic display unfolded above the watch, revealing a remarkably comprehensive interface. Communication channels, maps, GDI contact information, a request hub, mission listings, supply requests, and numerous other functions were neatly organized across the display.
"This thing can do all this?"
Yuuki nodded.
"Pretty much. You can explore it on your own. Tell your people not to attempt to hack or take it apart, unless you want it to permanently disintegrate. "
Rosalia nodded as she explored the interface for a moment before stopping at the request hub.
"So I can actually post missions here?"
"Yes."
"And if GDI accepts the request, you'll carry it out?"
"Correct."
Yuuki leaned back.
"Oh, and make sure you prepare enough credits to match the value of the request. I don't want to send my girls into dangerous places for free."
Rosalia looked up.
Yuuki continued.
"Judging from the value of credits in this world, you don't have to post millions of credits for every request. Something like eradicating Siren ships attacking the coast of an Eagle Union city, clearing coastal defenses, retrieving something important, or investigating a location would depend on the difficulty."
He gestured toward the interface.
"The number of ships involved, the danger level, the distance, the equipment required... all of that determines the appropriate reward. The watch will determine the credits based on the one you describe."
Rosalia nodded slowly.
"I see."
"I can even assign GDI Shipgirls or GDI Nikkes depending on the situation."
Yuuki's expression became more serious.
"And no secret requests. None of that 'that's all you need to know' kind of crap."
Rosalia blinked.
Yuuki folded his arms.
"If we're working together, we need to know what we're actually being sent into. No hidden objectives. No deliberately withheld information."
Rosalia nodded firmly.
"Understood."
She returned her attention to the interface.
"Can I use this to request supplies? Trading arrangements? Even raw materials needed to rebuild our nation?"
"You could."
Yuuki nodded.
"The girls can escort the supply ships as well."
Rosalia's eyes brightened slightly.
"Then I'll have a meeting with my chiefs of staff before we list the requests and quests for you. We can determine what we need first, then submit everything properly."
"Please do so."
Yuuki pointed at the communicator.
"And you're the only one who can make requests from this device."
Rosalia looked up.
"We won't listen to anyone else from your staff trying to make demands through it. So make sure they understand that."
"I will."
"The watch will also monitor your safety."
Rosalia raised an eyebrow.
Yuuki continued casually.
"It can detect certain irregularities. If someone tries to replace you with a clone or impersonate you, we'll know."
Rosalia froze.
Yuuki added,
"And make sure the people behind the wires in your body understand that too."
Rosalia's face immediately turned red.
"Ummm... you know about that?"
Yuuki stared at her for a moment before shrugging.
"You're the president. That's standard protocol when it comes to protecting national leaders and preventing eavesdropping."
He gestured toward the watch.
"Every major nation does something similar."
Rosalia's blush deepened.
"That's... reassuring."
Yuuki gave her an amused smile.
"Besides, even Shipgirls from other nations that I've recruited have heard us right now."
He shrugged.
"So, yeah."
"We're even."
Rosalia looked away, clearly flustered.
Yuuki smiled.
"Make sure you use this trust well, Miss Rosalia."
His tone softened, but the weight behind his words remained.
"We didn't trust the Eagle Union."
He looked directly into her eyes.
"But we decided to trust you."
A brief silence followed.
"Don't betray that trust."
Rosalia met his gaze.
"I won't."
She fastened the communicator watch around her wrist.
The device settled against her skin, its holographic interface disappearing until she needed it again.
For Rosalia, it was no longer simply a piece of advanced GDI technology.
It was a symbol.
A direct line between herself and the Global Defense Initiative.
A promise that if the Eagle Union truly needed help, she could reach out—and GDI would answer.
For the first time in a long while, Rosalia felt that perhaps the Eagle Union had gained something more valuable than another military alliance.
They had gained a friend.
And she had decided to trust them.
"Oh, and, uh... sorry about scaring you with our weapons and all that."
Yuuki grinned.
"We needed to make an impression."
He then glanced toward his armor.
"Jarvis, have all the Steel Fortresses return to the carriers. Have the Dolphins stand down and return to the Dimensional Sea."
His gaze swept across the surrounding fleet.
"And have all weapons on the carriers, platforms, and battleships stand down. Stop pointing them at the Presidential Fleet."
"Of course, sir."
Jarvis's voice came through the armor.
Almost immediately, the massive cannons surrounding the fleet began to rotate away.
One after another, the weapons systems powered down.
The Steel Fortresses began withdrawing toward the carriers, while the massive underwater machines disappeared beneath the surface.
The fleet's crew were shocked upon seeing how massive the fortresses are as they are being airlift back to the main carrier.
The tension that had gripped the Eagle Union fleet finally began to ease.
Rosalia looked around at the now-disarmed GDI forces before turning back to Yuuki.
"So... I can safely say we're allies?"
"Yes, we are."
Yuuki nodded.
"And please allow the girls to return to their hometowns and visit their old friends and allies whenever they want."
His expression softened.
"And if you have Shipgirls who genuinely want to join our cause, let them. But don't send anyone as a spy."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"I'll know if they are."
Rosalia gave a small nod.
"I see. I will respect that decision."
She looked toward the Shipgirls standing behind Yuuki.
"Thank you for trusting me. And... allow us to be part of your alliance."
Yuuki shook his head lightly.
"Thank Yorktown and the girls behind me."
He glanced back at them.
"They were the ones who asked for their former nation to become an ally."
His gaze returned to Rosalia.
"But technically, we can't be allies with your nation directly."
Rosalia tilted her head.
"We can be allies with you, and through you."
He smiled.
"You're the bridge between GDI and the Eagle Union."
Yuuki then glanced toward the Presidential Fleet.
"Oh, and you can tell your ships to stand down as well."
He raised both hands slightly.
"We're not going to hurt them."
A mischievous grin appeared.
"Really."
He paused.
"Unless they want us to."
Rosalia laughed softly.
"This will be the start of a great friendship, Commander."
"I hope so."
Yuuki turned toward the Shipgirls gathered behind him.
"Why don't you talk to Washington, North Carolina, and Baltimore for a while?"
He gestured toward the three Eagle Union Shipgirls still standing with Rosalia.
"We're going to be here for a while."
Then he paused.
"Plus..."
His gaze shifted toward D.
The Nikke had remained unusually quiet throughout the negotiations, watching everything with a careful, analytical expression.
Yuuki studied her for a moment.
"You seem to have something you want to talk to me about."
D's eyes narrowed slightly.
The others looked toward her.
Yuuki folded his arms.
"Well?"
D remained silent for a moment.
Then she stepped forward.