D stepped forward from her seat.
Yuuki slowly rose from his chair.
But before he could say another word, D's hand flashed toward her weapon.
A kunai appeared in her grip.
She lunged.
"D! Stand down!"
Rosalia shot to her feet, alarm written across her face.
After everything they had just negotiated, the last thing she wanted was for D to ruin the fragile relationship they had just established with GDI.
Washington, North Carolina, and Baltimore all widened their eyes.
Behind Yuuki, the GDI Shipgirls immediately shifted into combat positions.
Enterprise summoned her rigging bow.
Yorktown immediately summoned her weapons. She had trained with Yuuki and the Takao sisters, learning how to fight with a short sword. Now, even so far learning to dual wield.
"Wahhh... She wanted to kill us!" San Diego summoned her naval cannons.
"Commander..." Laffey did the same.
"Hate..." Eldridge summoned her lightning rigging, already preparing to vaporize D.
Arizona and Pennsylvania stayed back. Five highly experienced Shipgirls and Yuuki were more than enough.
Weapons were readied.
The Legions and Brutes turned toward D.
Even Jarvis, standing nearby in his Mark 47 armor, prepared himself for combat.
But Yuuki simply raised one hand.
"I'll deal with this."
The Shipgirls hesitated.
Then they stood down.
D's kunai slashed toward Yuuki's throat.
He tilted his head aside.
The blade passed harmlessly beside his neck.
D immediately followed with another strike.
Yuuki stepped backward.
Another slash.
He leaned away.
Another.
He turned his shoulder.
D's movements were fast, precise, and economical. There was no wasted motion. Every attack flowed naturally into the next, each strike aimed at a vital point.
Yuuki grinned.
"You're really an assassin."
He casually avoided another thrust.
"Quite sharp, too. No wasted movement."
D's eyes narrowed.
She attacked again.
Yuuki continued evading her strikes as though he were barely taking the fight seriously.
Across the carrier, the crew watched in disbelief.
They had just secured an alliance with the High Commander of GDI.
And now D was attacking him.
Several crew members looked as though they expected the entire situation to collapse at any moment.
But the GDI forces didn't react.
They simply watched.
D's frustration began to show.
She swung her kunai in a wide arc.
Yuuki slipped inside her reach.
His hand caught her wrist.
With a twist, he disarmed her.
The kunai flew from her hand.
D immediately adapted.
A handgun appeared in her other hand.
She raised it toward Yuuki's head.
Bang!
Yuuki moved before the muzzle had even fully aligned.
The first bullet passed beside his head.
Bang! Bang!
He shifted again.
Two more rounds missed.
D continued firing, adjusting her aim with every shot.
Yuuki moved through the gaps between the bullets with uncanny precision.
Then he closed the distance.
His hand struck the weapon.
The handgun was knocked from D's grip.
She didn't hesitate.
Her hand went to her axe.
She drew it and swung with enough force to cleave through a normal opponent.
Yuuki crossed his arms.
CLANG!
The axe struck his armored forearms.
Yuuki didn't move.
He looked down at the weapon.
Then back at D.
A grin slowly spread across his face.
"Not bad."
D's expression hardened.
"You really are suited to lead assassins."
Yuuki uncrossed his arms.
"But you met me."
D attacked again.
This time, she abandoned any attempt at restraint.
Knives flashed between her fingers.
She threw one.
Yuuki tilted his head.
The blade passed beside his cheek.
Another followed.
He stepped aside.
A third.
He caught it between two fingers.
D was already moving.
She closed the distance with her axe raised.
Yuuki sidestepped the swing and casually tapped her shoulder with two fingers.
"Too slow."
D spun around.
He was already behind her.
"Again."
She lunged.
Yuuki dodged.
"Too predictable."
She attacked from another angle.
He blocked.
"Better."
D's eyes narrowed.
She changed her rhythm.
High.
Low.
Feint.
Strike.
Throw.
Close the distance.
Every movement was designed to kill.
D was the leader of Perilous Siege.
One of the best assassins the Ark had ever produced.
She had spent years perfecting the art of infiltration, assassination, and securing kills against targets who should have been impossible to eliminate.
Yet now she had encountered something she hadn't expected.
Someone who simply refused to take her seriously.
Yuuki wasn't struggling.
He wasn't even angry.
He wasn't treating her attacks as a genuine threat.
His armor barely reacted to anything she threw at him.
His movements remained relaxed.
His expression remained amused.
And the worst part?
None of his Shipgirls were helping him.
None of the Legions moved.
None of the Brutes intervened.
They simply watched their Commander handle the fight himself.
D realized what that meant.
Yuuki wasn't a commander who needed others to protect him.
He was a commander who could protect himself.
And Yuuki knew exactly what she was thinking.
He smirked.
"What happened?"
D stopped for half a second.
Yuuki tilted his head.
"Perilous Siege's leader, right?"
His grin widened.
"I expected more."
D's grip tightened around her axe.
She charged again.
Yuuki laughed.
"That's it?"
D swung.
He ducked.
She reversed the strike.
He stepped back.
She followed.
He caught the axe handle with one hand.
D tried to pull it free.
Yuuki didn't budge.
He leaned closer.
"You're good, D."
His smile became almost teasing.
"Very good."
He released the axe.
D nearly stumbled from the sudden loss of resistance.
"But if this is supposed to impress me..."
Yuuki raised an eyebrow.
"You're going to have to try harder."
The two engaged again.
D surged forward, her movements becoming even faster as she abandoned any hesitation. Her axe swept toward Yuuki in a brutal arc, followed by a rapid series of close-range strikes.
Yuuki met every attack.
He blocked, redirected, and evaded with precise movements, never giving her an opening.
D changed angles.
Yuuki adapted.
She feinted high and attacked low.
He anticipated it.
She attempted to hook his leg.
He stepped over it.
She spun and brought the axe around again.
Yuuki caught the haft with one hand.
D's eyes widened.
Before she could react, Yuuki twisted the weapon out of her grasp, stepped behind her, and swept her balance away.
In the next instant, D found herself on one knee.
Yuuki had her own axe in his hand, the blade positioned beneath her neck.
The entire deck went silent.
D stared upward at him.
Yuuki didn't look angry.
If anything, he looked curious.
"Nikkes really are amazing."
He lowered the axe slightly.
"But only if you know how to use what you've been given."
His eyes met hers.
"Now, may I ask why you suddenly decided to strike me?"
D remained silent.
Yuuki lowered the axe completely.
Then he released her.
He tossed the weapon back.
D caught it instinctively.
"You're free to keep that."
D stared at him.
Yuuki folded his arms.
"So?"
D slowly lowered her axe.
"You're the one... who freed the Nikkes."
Yuuki's expression changed slightly.
"Am I?"
"Yes."
D's voice was quiet.
"Why?"
She studied him carefully.
"Did you suddenly deem me a threat to the Ark?"
Yuuki shook his head.
"No."
D remained silent.
For several seconds, neither of them moved.
Then D's grip loosened.
Her axe slipped from her hand and struck the deck with a metallic clang.
"Rapi..."
Her voice carried something different now.
"Anis."
She swallowed.
"Neon."
"Mary."
"Pepper."
"Nayuta... and Cocoa."
"Now, Cinderella.. the extremely corrupted Nikke."
D looked directly at Yuuki.
"So you really did free them."
Her eyes narrowed.
"It was you."
Yuuki didn't deny it.
"Yes."
D stared at him.
"When you freed them..."
She placed a hand against her chest.
"I felt a ripple through my Cube."
Yuuki's expression became more attentive.
"It led me to you."
D took a slow breath.
"I wanted to see the skills of the man who freed the Nikkes."
A faint silence followed.
Yuuki looked at the discarded axe, then back at D.
"So you attacked me because you wanted to test me?"
D nodded slightly.
"I needed to know whether I am bound to fail my mission or not. Should you die, my mission will be complete. If not..."
Yuuki gave a small laugh.
"Well."
He glanced around at the weapons scattered across the deck.
"Did you get your answer?"
D remained silent.
Then, reluctantly, she nodded.
"Yes."
Yuuki grinned.
"Good."
He turned away from her.
"Next time, just ask."
D looked at his back.
"You would have agreed?"
Yuuki glanced over his shoulder.
"Probably."
He shrugged.
"But where's the fun in that?"
D stared at him for a moment.
"So, why don't we sit back at the table and just talk like civilized people?"
Yuuki gestured toward the table.
D quietly picked up her axe before following him.
Rosalia was still visibly nervous.
After what had just happened, she wasn't entirely sure whether sitting down together was a good idea.
Yuuki noticed her expression.
"Don't worry. She didn't offend me or anything."
He casually pulled several more chairs from nearby, allowing his Shipgirls to sit around the table as well.
The tension slowly began to fade.
"You really scare us sometimes, you know?"
Yorktown sighed, shaking her head.
"Reckless as always, Commander."
Enterprise crossed her arms, though the faint smile on her face betrayed her concern.
"I don't understand half of what just happened, but you look like you had fun."
San Diego tilted her head.
"Hug!"
Eldridge immediately latched onto Yuuki, wrapping her arms around him like a koala.
"Really... taking on an assassin?"
Vestal sighed, shaking her head.
"I didn't know the Commander was this reckless."
Arizona looked at Yuuki with a mixture of concern and disbelief.
"Taking on an assassin like that..."
Pennsylvania added dryly,
"And then calling it exercise."
"Still, that's quite reckless."
Yorktown reached over and took Yuuki's hand.
Yuuki looked at her and smiled.
"I'm fine, Hana."
Yorktown's expression softened.
"Plus, it was good exercise."
The moment he said her name, North Carolina raised an eyebrow.
"Hana?"
She glanced between the two.
"Only people who are really close to her can call her that."
Her gaze settled on Yuuki.
"Are you that close with her?"
Washington and Baltimore exchanged a glance before looking at Yuuki as well.
Yorktown sighed.
Then, without saying a word, she leaned over and kissed Yuuki gently on the cheek.
"That close."
She smiled.
"We're all that close."
She glanced toward Arizona and Pennsylvania.
"Well... except Ari and Penny. They only recently joined GDI."
Arizona and Pennsylvania both looked away.
Neither could deny the bond they had already begun forming with Yuuki and the other GDI shipgirls members through their Wisdom Cubes.
"They'll get there soon enough," Yorktown added.
"Oh..."
Washington, North Carolina, and Baltimore exchanged looks.
There was a brief silence.
Each of them couldn't help but feel a strange twinge of envy.
They quickly brushed the feeling aside.
After all, these were their former sisters.
And now they had clearly found something they had been missing for a very long time.
Once everyone had settled down and Rosalia ordered her men to return to their post, Yuuki looked toward D.
"So, mind telling me why you've been hunting me?"
He paused.
"Or was it just a test?"
D let out a quiet sigh before sitting down.
"The Ark ordered me to track down the person responsible for freeing the Nikkes and, if possible, eliminate them."
She lowered her gaze.
"But, silently... I didn't want to do what the Ark asked me to anymore."
Yuuki listened without interrupting.
"I've never allowed my emotions to compromise my work. I always thoroughly research my targets and their involvement before deciding whether they deserve to live or die."
Her expression hardened.
"But even if I decided to let someone live, the Ark could still determine whether that person lived or died. It's the hidden truth that I have to deal with."
She clenched her hand.
"I've been ordered to kill innocent men and women simply because those higher up deemed them unworthy or become witnesses."
The table became quiet.
"Now I was tasked with finding the person responsible for freeing the Nikkes."
D looked directly at Yuuki.
"And killing them."
Yuuki raised an eyebrow.
"Quite strange for an assassin to spill the beans this easily."
A faint grin appeared.
"You're not doing this to lower my guard, are you?"
D stared at him.
Yuuki shrugged.
"Because I'm totally immune to ambushes, so..."
D shook her head.
"No."
Her answer was immediate.
"I have no desire to kill you."
She lowered her gaze.
"For too long, I have worked as an assassin."
Her voice became quieter.
"Working along the borderline between good and evil."
She paused.
"I work from the shadows believing that what I do is for the greater good."
Her expression darkened.
"But eventually, I was forced to kill innocents."
D's hands tightened.
"Even when I opposed it, my comrades would simply finish the job if I refused."
Yuuki's expression became more serious.
"So that's why you sought me out."
"Yes."
D looked up.
"I want to be free from the Ark's control."
She spoke with quiet determination.
"I want to be able to make my own judgments. To decide for myself who deserves to live and who deserves to die."
Yuuki leaned back slightly.
"And by freeing those Nikkes..."
"The Ark will not take it well."
D finished the sentence for him.
Yuuki nodded.
"If I freed you, your name would be erased from the Ark's records."
His voice was blunt.
"They would consider you compromised."
D remained silent.
"They would hunt you."
Yuuki looked directly at her.
"Your own organization would become your enemy."
He paused.
"Even the organization you lead."
D's expression didn't change.
"My comrades are nothing but assassins."
She looked toward the Shipgirls around the table.
"But all of us desire the same thing."
Her voice softened.
"To be free."
Yuuki leaned back in his chair, studying D carefully.
"Rapi mentioned that you're part of something called Perilous Siege."
His expression became curious.
"What exactly is Perilous Siege?"
D was silent for a moment before answering.
"Elysion's other black-ops squad."
She folded her arms.
"The members use single letters as their code names. We're tasked with dealing with human terrorists and corruption within the Ark's upper echelons."
Her expression remained calm, but her words carried considerable weight.
"Perilous Siege is permitted to use deliberate lethal force against human targets. That's because our limiters have been removed."
She looked toward Yuuki.
"Meaning we can and will kill humans if our mission demands it."
The Shipgirls listened quietly.
"Our targets are primarily designated by the Judges."
D's voice became more cautious.
"They're enigmatic authority figures who may or may not be aligned with the Central Government."
She continued.
"Perilous Siege is supposed to investigate the crimes of each target and determine whether they are worthy of execution. The decision is supposed to be impartial. Facts alone are meant to determine the outcome."
D's fingers tightened slightly.
"But if a member of Perilous Siege is believed to have acted out of emotion, self-interest, or deliberately distorted evidence to manipulate the final decision..."
She paused.
"That member is forced to terminate themselves."
Rosalia's expression hardened.
"Even you?"
D nodded.
"Even me."
Silence settled over the table.
"I used to execute humans without remorse," D admitted.
Her eyes lowered.
"But eventually, I began questioning my decisions."
She took a slow breath.
"Some of my executions left children without parents. Families were destroyed because of decisions I made in the name of the greater good. The same children and families become evil because of what I did. All for the sake of revenge."
Her voice became quieter.
"Some people committed crimes simply because they needed to feed their families or pay off impossible loans."
She clenched her fist.
"And once, I was ordered to execute former criminals who had already repented and turned their lives around."
D shook her head slightly.
"Just because we were ordered to do so."
Yuuki remained silent.
"The Judges were the ones who deemed you a threat."
D looked directly at him.
"If the Nikkes discover that they can truly be free, the Ark could descend into chaos. They would spend their lives searching for you. Nikkes would see you as a safe haven."
She paused.
"That is why the information about the Nikkes you freed is being kept under wraps. The Ark doesn't want other Nikkes to find out."
Her expression hardened.
"Then the Judges ordered me to find you and kill you because you were freeing Nikkes."
Rosalia frowned.
"Isn't that a good thing?"
D glanced toward her.
"Yes."
A brief pause.
"But to the Ark, it isn't."
Yuuki leaned forward.
"So... you're actually using this mission as a way to run away."
D didn't immediately answer.
"It might be."
She looked down at the table.
"If I return empty-handed, I'll be terminated."
Her gaze returned to Yuuki.
"And my judgment does not deem you worthy of death."
A faint smile crossed Yuuki's face.
"Glad to hear it."
D continued.
"Besides, you're extremely talented. Killing you would be almost impossible."
She glanced toward him.
"That is why I tested you. Should you have died, my mission would have been complete."
Yuuki shrugged.
"That's one way of putting it."
"If I use your method to become free, however, I will be considered excommunicated."
D's expression hardened.
"And Perilous Siege will hunt me down."
She paused.
"Which I will then use to free the members."
The Shipgirls exchanged glances.
D looked toward Yuuki.
"If I may ask..."
She hesitated.
"Will you make the world a better place?"
The question immediately drew everyone's attention.
Rosalia looked toward Yuuki.
So did Yorktown, Enterprise, Vestal, and the other Shipgirls.
Yuuki remained quiet for several seconds.
Then he shook his head.
"No."
The answer immediately surprised them.
Rosalia blinked.
Even D seemed slightly caught off guard.
Yuuki leaned back.
"I have no desire to make this world a better place."
His voice was calm.
"Even the world I came from wasn't better simply because GDI existed."
He looked around the table.
"Our purpose is to protect the world."
He paused.
"That's it."
Yuuki folded his arms.
"You can make the world better. You can rebuild it, improve it, and give people a better future."
"But sooner or later, someone will come along and ruin it."
His expression became more serious.
"So I'm not going to pretend that GDI can make this world perfect."
He glanced toward the GDI crest on Yorktown's shoulder.
"We can protect people. But that doesn't mean we'll do it forever."
"And it certainly doesn't mean we'll do it for free."
There was no arrogance in his voice.
Only experience.
"We used to be heroes. We used to believe we could make the world a better place."
Yuuki's gaze hardened.
"Eventually, we were seen as villains because of the power, knowledge, and technology we possessed."
He paused.
"The very world we helped make better eventually turned against us once we eradicated the villains who ruin it."
The table fell silent.
"So... I have no desire to make this world a better place."
Yuuki looked directly at D.
"People need us?"
He nodded.
"We protect them."
His expression became firm.
"But if they turn against us..."
A faint, dangerous smile appeared.
"We have an obligation to fight back."
He leaned back in his chair.
"We are the Global Defense Initiative. That doesn't mean we're incapable of protecting ourselves."
His eyes hardened.
"If a nation we protected turned against us, we would destroy them if necessary."
He paused.
"Even if we once protected them."
Yuuki then turned toward Rosalia.
"No offense, Miss Rosalia."
Rosalia gave him a small smile.
"None taken."
She glanced at the GDI forces surrounding them.
"If anything, this shows me that GDI isn't a pushover organization."
Yuuki nodded.
"Exactly."
His tone became more measured.
"If you're kind to us, we'll repay that kindness tenfold. But if you betray us, you should expect the full weight of our retaliation."
He leaned forward slightly.
"We used to follow the laws of the United Nations. We believed those rules applied to everyone."
His expression hardened.
"Now, those rules aren't applied anymore since we left our world."
Yuuki looked around the table.
"We'll still do our jobs. We'll still fulfill our purpose. We'll still protect people and the world."
"But if things escalate, we'll fight back."
His eyes settled on D.
"So, D... GDI used to try to make the world a better place."
A faint smile appeared.
"Now, we're making our own world a better place while still fulfilling our purpose."
D stared at him for several seconds.
For the first time, she seemed to understand what kind of man she had been speaking to.
Yuuki wasn't promising to save the world.
He wasn't claiming GDI would create paradise.
He was offering something much simpler.
Protection.
And if that protection was rejected, GDI would not simply stand there and allow itself to be destroyed.
"That is why I offered my trust to Miss Rosalia here."
Yuuki glanced toward the Eagle Union President.
"Not the Eagle Union. Not because she's the president."
His tone was calm, but deliberate.
"I offered it to her because I want the people to rely on her instead of relying on GDI."
Rosalia looked at him quietly.
"She is the bridge between the Eagle Union and GDI."
Yuuki paused.
"And, frankly, it's also part of the price for entrusting Yorktown and the others to us."
Rosalia gave him a grateful smile.
"Thank you... for trusting me."
"I didn't offer that trust to the Eagle Union because I'm afraid you could eventually be replaced."
Yuuki's expression hardened slightly.
"Someone else could take your position and decide to exploit GDI for their own benefit."
He tapped the communicator watch on Rosalia's wrist.
"So why don't we make it simple? Only you can call us."
Rosalia raised an eyebrow.
"Do tell your chiefs of staff that only you can request our assistance. Not them."
His eyes narrowed.
"If they try anything funny?"
A faint smile appeared.
"Well... expect us to meddle from the shadows and deal with them."
Rosalia chuckled softly.
"I'll keep that in mind."
Yuuki then glanced toward D.
"Hmm... speaking of shadows."
D looked back at him.
"You wouldn't mind joining our exclusive club, would you?"
D's expression shifted slightly.
"I need someone capable of covert operations."
Yuuki gestured toward her.
"You can lead the Nikkes in my current roster. Better yet, you can recruit those in your organization who genuinely desire freedom and bring them into our cause."
D listened carefully.
"Your skills are exactly what we need for our next operation in Lawless City."
Yuuki folded his arms.
"My Nikkes are strong, but they need someone capable of leading them through covert operations."
He shrugged.
"I can't be in two places at once."
D remained silent for a moment.
"If I join... could I be free?"
Yuuki's answer came immediately.
"More than that."
His expression became serious.
"Once you join GDI, the entire organization is behind you."
He looked directly into her eyes.
"If the Judges or the Ark capture you, they should expect our full retaliation."
D's eyes widened slightly.
Then she lowered her head.
"Then I humbly accept your proposal, Commander."
She picked up her axe and secured it at her side.
"Please free me from the Ark. I will do my best to serve your interests."
She looked up at him.
"From now on, you will be the judge of my actions."
Yuuki nodded.
"But I won't ask you to eliminate innocents unless they intend to cause harm to us."
His tone remained firm.
"This won't be about indiscriminate killing."
He shrugged.
"Although I'm sure a few bruises will be acceptable if someone tries anything funny."
D gave him a faint, almost amused look.
Rosalia suddenly leaned back with a smile.
"Pff... D serves as a double agent for me as well."
She looked at Yuuki.
"Are you poaching D from me again, Commander?"
Yuuki stared at her.
"That's the price if she wants to be free from the Ark's control."
He glanced toward D.
"She can still be terminated remotely if they retain access to her systems."
Yuuki sighed.
"Don't worry. We can negotiate further if letting D come with me becomes a problem."
"Negotiate, huh?"
Rosalia's smile widened.
"Well, I suppose I can use this opportunity to gain some favors."
Yuuki immediately shook his head.
"GDI won't serve the Eagle Union's interests."
"Not their interests."
Rosalia pointed lightly toward herself.
"My own."
Yuuki stared at her.
"I have a few problems that need solving. Maybe your assistance could be benefit me greatly."
She smiled innocently.
"And who knows? Maybe I can claim more favors in the future."
Yuuki narrowed his eyes.
"Hmm..."
He pointed toward the communicator watch.
"Post them in the request section. I'll see what I can do."
He paused.
"Consider taking D in to be a favor from us."
"Great."
Rosalia's smile became even wider.
"That way, if an Eagle Union Shipgirl wants to work for GDI in the future, I'll have favors ready to negotiate."
Yuuki sighed.
"You're really keeping track of favors, aren't you?"
He shook his head.
"You're quite a sly one, Miss Rosalia."
"Just Rosalia, Commander."
She smiled.
"I'm a politician at heart. Of course I want something that benefits me."
She glanced toward Yorktown and the others.
"I promised the girls they wouldn't be bugged or mistreated. Knowing GDI, they'll be thoroughly checked, cleansed, and healed."
Rosalia's smile turned mischievous.
"As long as I can keep claiming more favors from you, why wouldn't I?"
Yuuki rubbed his forehead.
"Why do I suddenly feel like I'm the one getting played here?"
Enterprise immediately answered.
"We did warn you about President Rosalia."
Yuuki looked at her.
Enterprise shrugged.
"She really is like that."
Yorktown smiled.
"She is the best president we've had."
Then she glanced toward Rosalia.
"But she's also incredibly sly."
Her smile widened.
"So, Commander, if any Eagle Union Shipgirls under her care decide they want to join GDI..."
Yorktown patted Yuuki's hand.
"Be prepared to have a few favors ready."
She paused.
"Or pray she doesn't have more Shipgirls to bargain with."
Rosalia simply smiled.
A very satisfied smile.
Yuuki stared at her.
He was beginning to realize exactly what kind of politician he had just made an alliance with.
"It depends."
"That is good enough. I'll be sure to let you know if claiming favors is necessary."
Rosalia glanced toward Vestal.
"Also, Vestal is our former repair ship. Have you trained her to... heal?"
Yuuki nodded.
"GDI's healing technology is the best. She had GDI's head doctor as her teacher."
Rosalia's eyes brightened.
"I see... We have a lot of wounded in our medical bay."
She hesitated.
"If it's possible, could I ask for your help? Please."
Yuuki looked toward Vestal.
"Vestal?"
Vestal immediately stood.
"Please take me to them."
She looked toward the medical facilities.
"If there are patients who require immediate surgery, that's still outside my expertise at the moment. Perhaps—"
Before she could finish, the sound of approaching repulsors interrupted her.
Another armored figure arrived.
This time, the armor was distinctly feminine, covered in blue plating.
The Mark 49 Rescue
The armor opened.
A woman stepped out, wearing a gleaming golden suit beneath it.
The armor then reconfigured itself around her, transforming into formal medical attire complete with a white coat.
Yuuki smiled.
"Looks like someone didn't want to miss all the fun."
"Ufuu..."
The woman smiled sweetly.
"I am a doctor, after all."
She raised a hand.
"Sentry mode."
At her command, the armor reassembled behind her and immediately followed after.
"I can handle it."
Several of the men aboard the carrier couldn't help but stare.
The sudden appearance of such a beautiful woman, combined with the impossibly advanced armor, left them momentarily speechless.
The three Eagle Union Shipgirls and D also watched her with curiosity.
Even Rosalia looked surprised.
"Ah, Dr. Yuu!"
Vestal immediately recognized her.
"I was going to ask for your help."
"Leave the critically injured to me."
Yuu glanced toward Vestal.
"You can handle the rest."
"Ah, certainly."
Vestal nodded.
Rosalia looked at the newcomer.
"This is...?"
Yuuki gestured toward her.
"This is Kirino Yuu. GDI's Head Doctor of GDI Health Division."
He smiled.
"And probably the best doctor on this world."
Yuu gave him an amused look.
"You flatter me, Chief."
She then stepped forward and extended her hand toward Rosalia.
"It is an honor, Madam President."
Rosalia shook her hand.
"You're the Head Doctor?"
"Yes."
Yuu smiled.
"Medicine, surgery and health issues are my specialty."
She glanced briefly toward Yuuki.
"Since Chief trusts you, consider us friends, Madam President."
Rosalia smiled.
"Rosalia will do."
Vestal stepped forward.
"Madam President, please lead Dr. Yuu and me to the medical quarters."
Yorktown immediately raised her hand.
"We'll help as well."
She looked toward Vestal.
"Just tell us what to do."
Vestal smiled.
"Ah, please do."
Yuuki glanced at the table.
"Oh, right."
With a gesture, he stored the table, chairs, and tea set back into his inventory.
"Belfast would probably be pleased to know her tea is finished."
He glanced at the remaining sweets.
"And Ade's sweets too. Georgina helped her prepare them."
The group then made their way toward the medical chambers.
When the doors opened, the atmosphere immediately changed.
The medical ward was filled with wounded soldiers.
Groans of pain echoed throughout the room. Doctors and nurses moved between beds, desperately trying to stabilize the most critically injured.
Rosalia's expression became solemn.
"These men were attacked by Sirens during an offshore operation."
She looked toward Yuu and Vestal.
"We lost some people."
Her voice softened.
"But these men are critically injured."
She stepped aside.
"Please... do what you can."
Yuu immediately took command.
"Vestal, handle the light to heavy injuries."
She pointed toward the injured soldiers.
"Repair beams should be sufficient for most of them."
Then her expression became serious.
"I'll handle the critical cases."
"Yes, Dr. Yuu."
Vestal turned toward the doctors in the medical chamber.
"Lead me to the patients who require treatment."
She then looked toward the Shipgirls.
"Please help remove their bandages and call me over when they're ready for the healing beam."
The Shipgirls immediately began assisting.
Rosalia watched closely as Vestal raised her hand.
A golden beam of energy emerged.
It washed over one of the wounded soldiers.
Rosalia's eyes widened.
Broken bones began to realign.
Damaged tissue regenerated.
Open wounds closed.
The man's labored breathing gradually stabilized.
The entire process looked almost like sorcery.
"This is..."
Rosalia could barely find the words.
Vestal continued moving from patient to patient, using the healing technology Yuuki had entrusted to her.
The device was a Gizmo Beam Mark III, normally reserved for specially trained GDI engineers and medical personnel.
Yuuki had personally arranged for similar systems to be installed into his medical apprentices, allowing them to treat wounded personnel far more efficiently.
But while Vestal handled the less critical cases, Yuu was already operating on the most severely wounded.
One soldier had shrapnel embedded deep inside his body.
Yuu carefully removed every fragment before activating the advanced healing system.
Another had suffered catastrophic injuries.
Yuu stabilized him, then used the Medical Bay's regeneration equipment to restore what had been lost.
Even soldiers who had lost limbs were given a chance to recover.
Artificial tissue regeneration began reconstructing their missing limbs until the damaged areas were restored.
The Eagle Union doctors and nurses could only stare.
They had seen advanced medical technology before.
But this was something else entirely.
Bones repairing themselves.
Organs recovering.
Wounds closing within moments.
Missing limbs being regenerated.
The medical staff watched in stunned silence as GDI's technology transformed the entire medical ward.
Rosalia stood beside them, equally astonished.
Soon, every patient is already healed up. Doctors and nurses didnt know what to say. Even Rosalia.
"Thank you... Thank you so much for helping the men aboard. Most of us thought their condition was hopeless, but you accomplished what we considered impossible."
Rosalia's voice carried genuine gratitude.
Yuu smiled.
"You're welcome, Rosalia. I enjoyed helping these people. Besides, it'll be good experience for my apprentice here."
She reached over and gently patted Vestal on the head.
"Rather than only dealing with Shipgirls, I'm training her to treat humans as well, should we ever need her to."
"We helped too!" Sandy chimed in proudly.
"Medicines heavy," Eldridge added as she floated nearby, having done her part in moving medical supplies.
Yorktown smiled faintly.
"We're actually participating in helping our former people again."
"Yes," Enterprise agreed.
Yuuki, meanwhile, finished checking on the last of the wounded soldiers.
"Now, then... you owe us a favor."
Rosalia glanced at him.
"Then a favor I shall owe."
"Good."
Yuuki nodded toward the corridor.
"Let's go to a private meeting room where we can discuss this."
Once they arrived, everyone took a seat around the table.
Rosalia discreetly disabled the listening devices in the room.
Whatever was about to be discussed was not information she wanted spreading beyond those present.
Yuuki leaned back in his chair.
"Do you know anything about Arcane Shipgirls?"
Rosalia's expression immediately changed.
"Those are classified Shipgirls."
She narrowed her eyes.
"How did you know about them?"
"Arcane Shipgirls?"
Washington, North Carolina, and Baltimore exchanged confused looks.
D also raised an eyebrow.
None of them had ever heard of such a thing.
Yuuki continued.
"The Arcane Project is a hidden project among the factions. I already know some of it."
He paused.
"I currently have one Arcane of the East and one Arcane of the North. Since you're the president, I figured I might as well ask about the Arcanes of the West."
Rosalia studied him carefully.
"May I ask... what are you planning to do with that kind of information?"
"Gather them."
Yuuki's answer was immediate.
"Unite them under a single banner. They don't have to be scattered anymore."
His expression softened.
"If there's one place where they could be safe, it's with us. Should they are united and you are our ally, we can mobilize them without other nations surpassed the other."
Rosalia was silent for a moment before finally speaking.
"Arcane Shipgirls were supposed to be humanity's last line of defense after the Decisive Shipgirls."
Her expression became more serious.
"But once the Sirens and Raptures took over, I ordered the Arcane Shipgirls to scatter and hide themselves."
"They must never fall into the wrong hands."
She folded her arms.
"The Arcanes are scattered across the world. Some may even be living as ordinary civilians now."
Rosalia glanced toward Yuuki.
"But if they heard your call, I am sure some of them already know about you."
"They simply won't reveal themselves."
Yuuki nodded slowly.
"I see."
He rested his hands on the table.
"The first pillar, our Arcane of the East, Kaguya, said she could find them. Apparently, all Arcanes share a connection across the world."
He paused.
"We found one of the Arcanes of the North through her. Irisviel."
Rosalia's eyes widened.
"You found the Fox?"
Her voice carried genuine surprise.
"The strongest one among the Eastern Arcanes."
She stared at Yuuki.
"And you even found the String Mage?"
"You seem to know them."
"As president, we knew of them."
Rosalia sighed.
"The factions across the world agreed that the girls would never be exploited because of their immense power but none could match high level sirens whom can easily capture them."
She looked toward Yuuki.
"To gather even two of them is already astonishing."
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"I assume you're planning to find more."
"Lawless City."
Yuuki's answer was simple.
"I'm going there to find the leader of the Sakura Empire Shipgirls, Nagato."
His expression became slightly more serious.
"She is being guarded by another Arcane of the East. Codenamed Yuki Onna."
He paused.
"The Snow Woman."
Rosalia absorbed the information.
"I see..."
Rosalia looked down at the table, thinking carefully.
"Lawless City? Are you sure you want to go there?"
Yuuki glanced at her.
"Do you have any information about the place?"
"Some."
Rosalia raised her arm, activating the meeting room's holographic interface. With a few gestures, she brought up a map of Lawless City and its surrounding territories.
"It's essentially a mercenary city. Over the years, mercenaries, criminal organizations, and various gangs have taken control of its districts, establishing their own factions and territories."
She enlarged the map.
"Because none of the major factions have enough influence to bring the city under their control, it has remained independent. Anyone who tries to impose their authority there risks getting caught in a conflict between the local powers."
She glanced at Yuuki.
"That's why it's called Lawless City. There are laws, of course, but whether anyone bothers to follow them depends on who's in charge of a particular district."
The hologram shifted, revealing three enormous towers looming over the city's sprawling architecture.
"At least this should give you an idea of what you're walking into."
Yuuki studied the display.
Rosalia continued.
"Lawless City is divided into three territories: white, black, and crimson. Each is controlled by one of the city's three rulers, collectively known as the Three Monarchs."
She highlighted the first tower.
"The White Tower."
A detailed image appeared, showing a towering structure surrounded by a district of entertainment establishments.
"This territory is ruled by Yukime, the Spirit Fox of the Sakura Empire. I think that one is the Arcane Shipgirl you're looking for. She oversees the city's prostitution and escort businesses, and the surrounding district has effectively become a red-light district."
Rosalia brought up another set of records.
"Despite its reputation, the White Tower also serves as a front for the Snow Fox Corporation. The organization secretly manufactures and distributes its merchandise from within Lawless City."
Yuuki's eyes narrowed slightly as he studied the information.
Rosalia moved to the second tower.
"The Crimson Tower."
The image changed to a fortress-like structure, its foundations older than much of the surrounding city.
"Elisabeth, the Blood Queen, is officially recognized as its ruler. However, Crimson is the one who actually manages its affairs."
She enlarged the tower's historical records.
"It was the first tower built in Lawless City. Originally, it served as a headquarters, a refuge, and a sanctuary for displaced people and refugees."
"Crimson?"
"The hidden ruler."
Her expression grew thoughtful.
"Whatever its current state, the Crimson Tower wasn't originally established for the sake of power alone."
Finally, Rosalia highlighted the third tower.
"The Black Tower."
The hologram displayed a much more intimidating structure, surrounded by heavily fortified buildings.
"This territory belongs to Juggernaut, the Tyrant. As far as we know, they're currently the dominant power in Lawless City."
Rosalia's expression became more serious.
"Juggernaut's people are ruthless. They eliminate anyone who stands in their way, and their organization is composed largely of assassins who want to consolidate control over the entire city."
She paused, then looked toward D.
"There's also something else. We've received indications that they have connections to Perilous Siege."
D, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke.
"That's true."
Everyone turned toward her.
"We have members operating in Lawless City. One of them is someone I know personally."
D's expression remained composed, but her voice carried a hint of concern.
"Her codename is Y."
Yuuki looked at her.
"Y... Do you think you can convince her to join us?"
"I'll try."
D gave a small nod.
"If she's still the person I remember, she won't make the decision lightly. But I'll speak with her."
"Good. We'll see what happens when we get there."
Yuuki turned his attention back to Rosalia.
"What about the Arcanes of the West? Can you provide any information about them?"
Rosalia's expression changed.
"I'm afraid I can't give you much at the moment."
She folded her arms.
"The Western Arcanes include Shipgirls belonging to the Royal Union. I can't simply disclose their identities and locations without considering the Royal Union's approval."
Yuuki remained silent, allowing her to continue.
"Those girls were entrusted to our protection because of their extraordinary abilities. I won't risk exposing them without first ensuring that doing so won't put them in danger."
She looked directly at him.
"But if you can keep the Arcanes safe, I'll relay whatever information I can to you."
Yuuki nodded.
"That's fair. I'm not asking you to compromise their safety."
He glanced once more at the holographic map of Lawless City.
"For now, we'll focus on our immediate objective. We'll deal with the rest when the opportunity comes."
Rosalia deactivated the display.
"Then I wish you luck, Commander. Lawless City isn't a place where people welcome outsiders with open arms."
Yuuki smiled faintly.
"Good thing we're not going there to ask for permission."
Rosalia gave him a warning look.
"However, I cannot guarantee that my chief of staff will accept the idea of having all the Arcanes gathered under one banner."
Yuuki nodded.
"Then let's keep this between us."
Rosalia nodded in agreement.
"Agreed."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The secret remained between them.
==============
Soon, they returned to the deck.
The Razor Gunship was already waiting, its engines humming softly as it rested on the landing area. Several Legions and Brutes stood nearby, ready to escort Yuuki and the others back to the GDI fleet.
They were still waiting for one person.
D.
The assassin had gone to collect her belongings before officially leaving with Yuuki.
Rosalia walked alongside the group as they waited, then glanced toward Yuuki with a knowing smile.
"Consider this as you owing me another favor, Commander."
Yuuki immediately looked at her suspiciously.
"With each piece of information regarding the Arcanes of the West that I give you, consider it one Shipgirl per favor you're going to owe me."
Yuuki stared at her.
"Oh, man... Why am I starting to regret making deals with you?"
Rosalia smiled innocently.
"I am a trustworthy person. I won't use the favors for bad reasons."
She held up two fingers.
"Now, I have two favors from you."
Yuuki sighed.
He couldn't exactly argue.
He had agreed to the arrangement, and he wasn't the kind of man who would back away from his word.
"Fine."
Yorktown and Enterprise exchanged glances before sighing.
Their Commander was already trapped in owing favors to President Rosalia.
Neither of them particularly minded, however. They knew Rosalia well enough to understand that she wouldn't waste those favors on petty revenge or selfish demands.
If anything, she would probably save them for the day Eagle Union truly needed GDI's help.
Washington walked over to Yorktown.
"You aren't going back to see the others?"
Yorktown shook her head.
"We have missions now, Washy. A career. Responsibilities."
She smiled faintly.
"Besides, I'm just afraid Hammann won't let me leave again if she sees me."
Washington chuckled.
"Is your career really that important?"
"We need to grow stronger."
Yorktown's expression became more serious.
"Through GDI, we can actually level up."
"Level up?"
Baltimore blinked.
Enterprise stepped in.
"Believe it or not, Sis is now thirty-six times stronger than ordinary Shipgirls."
Washington's eyes widened.
"She surpassed Priority and Decisive Shipgirls already."
"No."
Washington shook her head.
"That's impossible."
Yorktown smiled.
"That's the beauty of joining GDI."
She looked toward the three Shipgirls.
"We can keep growing stronger. We can take down Raptures and Sirens far more easily now."
She glanced toward Arizona and Pennsylvania.
"Except for Ari and Penny, all of us have already leveled up."
Her gaze shifted toward San Diego.
"Even Sandy."
"Ehehe."
Sandy grinned proudly.
"Even Sandy?"
Baltimore stared at her.
Enterprise nodded.
"If you fought her right now, you wouldn't be able to beat her."
San Diego's grin widened.
"Sandy is Level 31, along with Eldridge."
She paused.
"Both of them have already surpassed Decisive Shipgirls in raw strength."
Washington, North Carolina, and Baltimore fell silent.
Enterprise continued.
"Base Shipgirls who haven't leveled up wouldn't stand a chance against them. The only ones who can reliably match us are other leveled Shipgirls."
Yorktown nodded.
"That's how GDI's system works. The higher your level, the stronger, faster, and more durable you become. Not to mention upgraded weapons and equipment. We need to level up and we needed credits for upgrades. So, that's why we need to level up as fast as possible."
The three remaining Eagle Union Shipgirls exchanged looks.
None of them said anything.
But the envy was obvious.
Even Eldridge and San Diego had already surpassed them by a considerable margin.
And the most astonishing part wasn't simply their current strength.
It was the fact that they could continue growing.
They could become even stronger.
Washington looked toward the GDI personnel around them.
So GDI didn't just possess superior weapons.
They had advanced technology.
Healing technology capable of regenerating lost limbs.
Doctors who could accomplish what Eagle Union's medical facilities considered impossible.
And now...
A system that allowed Shipgirls to continuously increase their strength.
How far could they actually go?
Could they eventually take on almost anyone?
Baltimore's eyes drifted toward Vestal.
Even Vestal was Level 35.
Vestal.
A repair ship.
Yet if what they had just heard was true, even their former repair ship could potentially defeat them in combat now.
Meanwhile, Rosalia had already begun speaking with Yuu.
The two quickly fell into conversation, discussing medicine, GDI technology, Eagle Union's medical facilities, and various other subjects.
They seemed to have gotten along remarkably quickly.
Yuuki glanced over at them.
"Oh?"
He raised an eyebrow.
"I never knew you two could become friends that fast."
Rosalia and Yuu both looked toward him.
Yuu smiled.
"Why not?"
Rosalia laughed softly.
"I suppose we simply found something to talk about."
Yuuki shook his head with an amused smile.
"Fair enough."
As a final gesture of courtesy, Yuuki decided to make the Presidential Fleet's journey home a little easier.
The Steel Fortresses redeployed around the fleet.
Rather than forcing the ships to burn through their fuel simply to turn around in the open sea, the massive GDI machines moved into position beside them and began gently pushing against their hulls.
The force was carefully controlled.
Despite their immense size and strength, the Steel Fortresses handled the ships with surprising delicacy, gradually turning them around one by one.
Even the massive Presidential Carrier was assisted.
Above them, Condor Transport ships joined the operation.
The aircraft descended toward the ships and deployed powerful magnetic clamps, locking onto designated points along their hulls. Once secured, the Condors flew in the opposite direction, slowly pulling the vessels around and assisting the Steel Fortresses in the maneuver.
It was an unusual sight.
Massive warships being gently turned around by even larger machines, while flying transports helped rotate them from above.
But it worked.
An hour later, the entire Presidential Fleet had finally been turned around and was now facing the route home.
The Steel Fortresses disengaged from the ships.
The Condor Transports then moved into position above them, attaching their magnetic clamps before beginning to lift the enormous machines back toward the main GDI carrier.
Rosalia watched the operation with genuine appreciation.
"Thank you, Commander. You certainly made our fleet's work easier."
Yuuki smiled.
"No reason to waste fuel when we can simply help turn the ships around."
Rosalia nodded.
"It saved us quite a bit."
The final Steel Fortress was lifted into the air and carried back toward the massive carrier.
A moment later, footsteps approached from the corridor.
D finally emerged, carrying the belongings she had decided to take with her.
She stopped beside Yuuki.
"I'm ready."
Yuuki nodded.
"Good."
His Mark 47 armor briefly scanned D from head to toe.
The armor's systems quietly analyzed her body and equipment, searching for anything unusual.
No hidden transmitters.
No unauthorized tracking devices.
No unexpected implants.
D had been true to her word.
She was genuinely prepared to leave everything behind and face whatever consequences awaited her for abandoning the Ark.
The scan completed.
Yuuki nodded.
"Then let's go."
"MY PRINCE!!!"
Yuuki barely had time to turn around before a figure dressed in white descended from the carrier above.
Four shields rotated around her body as she accelerated toward the deck, moving so quickly that nobody had time to react.
Yuuki's eyes widened.
"Wait—"
THUD!
"Urghhh!"
The impact sent Yuuki crashing onto the deck with a certain white-haired Nikke practically pinning him beneath her.
"My Prince! You took too long!"
Cinderella clung to him, completely ignoring the fact that she had just tackled her beloved Commander in front of everyone.
Yorktown sighed and walked over.
"Cindy! Please get off him."
"But... I missed him."
"No buts. If you don't get off him, you won't get any hugs at all."
Cinderella froze.
"Eh?"
She looked at Yorktown, then reluctantly released Yuuki.
"Yes, Mother..."
She finally climbed off him, only to immediately move over and lean against Yorktown instead.
Yuuki remained on the deck for another moment, staring at the sky as though questioning the decisions that had brought him to this point.
Washington, North Carolina, Baltimore, and Rosalia could only stare.
"Mother?" North Carolina repeated.
Even Washington looked bewildered.
Yorktown simply shrugged.
"I took on the role of being the Nikkes' mother. Besides, Cindy here is quite clingy toward both me and the Commander."
She glanced down at Cinderella, who was happily leaning against her.
"Especially us."
"That's Cinderella," D remarked, recognizing the Nikke.
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she looked between Cinderella and Yuuki.
"How in the world did you manage to cure the Rapture's Anachiro?"
Yuuki finally sat up, rubbing his back.
"The same way I freed Rapi and the others."
He sighed.
"She's free now, but she's a tad clingy."
"A tad might be an understatement." Yuuki muttered to himself.
Cinderella immediately looked offended.
"My Prince, surely you aren't complaining about receiving affection from someone as beautiful as me?"
Yuuki gave her a flat look.
"Cindy, you've just tackled me onto the deck."
"And?"
She tilted her head, completely unrepentant.
"Isn't that a perfectly reasonable expression of affection?"
Yorktown gently bonked her on the head.
"Behave yourself."
"Ow!"
Cinderella rubbed her head before returning to Yorktown's side.
Yuuki shook his head helplessly.
"Cindy, do say hello to Madam Rosalia here."
Cinderella straightened immediately.
Her entire demeanor changed as she turned toward the Eagle Union President, presenting herself with an elegant smile.
"Ah, greetings. I am Cinderella, former Pilgrim Nikke of the Old Tales squad. It is a pleasure to meet you, Madam President."
She extended her hand.
Rosalia, who had finally recovered from the surprise, accepted it.
"The pleasure is mine. Rosalia, President of the Eagle Union."
The two shook hands.
Cinderella's smile remained flawless, and her posture was impeccable.
For a moment, she looked every bit the refined lady she was capable of being.
Then she turned back toward Yuuki.
"Now, my Prince, who do you think is the most beautiful person in the world?"
She placed a hand against her chest and smiled smugly.
"No need to answer. I already know."
Yuuki closed his eyes and sighed.
"As you can see, she's obsessed with beauty."
BONK!
Yorktown tapped Cinderella on the head again.
"Cindy."
"What? I didn't do anything wrong!"
"You were about to."
Cinderella puffed out her cheeks.
Yuuki chuckled.
"Still, she's a good girl. Especially when it comes to Yorktown."
Cinderella immediately wrapped both arms around Yorktown's arm, resting her head against her shoulder.
"Mother is wonderful."
Yorktown smiled and gently patted her head.
"If Hammann were here, the two of them would probably fight over who gets to spend more time with me."
She sighed at the thought.
"I can already imagine the headache."
Washington stared at Cinderella, then glanced at Yuuki.
"Why do I get the feeling that's going to happen sooner rather than later?"
Baltimore nodded solemnly.
"Somehow, I can picture it."
Rosalia covered her mouth, trying to suppress a laugh.
Meanwhile, Cinderella looked perfectly content, as though she had already claimed her rightful place beside Yorktown and had no intention of surrendering it.
Yuuki pushed himself to his feet and brushed off his clothes.
"Anyway, everyone, this is Cinderella. She's currently the only Nikke under my command who can fly without assistance."
He glanced at the four rotating shields hovering around her.
"And, as you've probably noticed, she has no problem making a dramatic entrance."
Cinderella smiled proudly.
"Only the most beautiful deserve such an entrance, my Prince."
Yuuki sighed again as Yuu pulls him up.
"Here we go..."
Yuu simple chuckled at his misfortune.
"Ufufu... You have your hands full chief."
Rosalia turned toward the Shipgirls standing on the deck.
Her former Shipgirls.
Despite everything that had happened, she couldn't help feeling a pang in her heart as she looked at them. They had chosen to serve GDI now, but that didn't mean she wanted to lose them completely.
"I know you've changed your allegiance, but you're always welcome back in the Eagle Union."
Enterprise smiled gently.
"Maybe as visitors, Madam President. Think of us as working abroad. GDI and Eagle Union are allies now, so there's no reason for us to be hostile toward each other."
Rosalia lowered her gaze.
"For what it's worth, I'm sorry for abandoning you girls. We had so much to deal with back then. We..."
"Madam President, it's all right."
Yorktown interrupted her gently.
"What's happened has happened. Wallowing in regret won't change anything."
She offered Rosalia a reassuring smile.
"Like Commander said, we won't blame you anymore. We'll help you whenever we can."
Rosalia looked at her for a long moment.
"Maybe... you're safer with him. With GDI."
She took a breath.
"If we need help, please come to our aid."
"We will," Vestal promised.
"Although we're part of GDI now, we're still Eagle Union Shipgirls. We still wear our Eagle Union uniforms, even with the GDI crest on our shoulders. We won't forget where we came from, Madam President."
"Home is home, after all!" Sandy exclaimed.
Eldridge nodded enthusiastically beside her.
"Home... is home."
Pennsylvania stepped forward, her expression warm.
"That's right, Madam President. Please don't blame yourself for what happened to us. We're still Eagle Union through and through."
Arizona nodded in agreement.
"Please don't worry about us. We're still your Shipgirls. If you need our help, just ask, and we'll come whenever we can."
She paused before adding gently, "As long as you don't ask us to stay."
Rosalia let out a long sigh.
"Haa... There's nothing I can do to change your minds, is there?"
The Shipgirls exchanged smiles.
Rosalia shook her head, then smiled back at them.
"Very well. You have my blessing. Take care of D for me."
One by one, the Shipgirls stepped forward to embrace their former president.
Rosalia hugged each of them in return, holding them just a little longer than necessary. There was sadness in her heart, but also relief. At least they were alive, safe, and finally able to choose their own paths.
When the farewells were over, they turned toward the waiting Razor Gunship.
D was already aboard, waiting patiently. Cinderella already started to hover. Ready to take flight anytime.
The Shipgirls followed her inside as the Legions and Brutes prepared to escort them back to the GDI fleet.
Rosalia remained on the deck, watching them go.
She had lost them once through circumstances beyond her control. Now, she had to accept that they had chosen to leave of their own will.
It wasn't the ending she had wanted.
But perhaps it was the beginning they needed.
Yorktown remained behind with Yuuki and Yuu for a little longer.
Her gaze drifted toward Washington, North Carolina, and Baltimore, who stood nearby with Rosalia.
The three Shipgirls were trying to hide their feelings, but Yorktown could see through them.
They were envious.
Their former comrades had grown stronger, gained better equipment, and acquired abilities that had once seemed impossible. Meanwhile, they remained where they were, caught between their loyalty to their nation and the desire to stand alongside the friends who had moved forward without them.
Yorktown turned toward Yuuki.
"Are you sure you don't want to have them with us?"
Yuuki followed her gaze.
"I want to, Hana."
He sighed softly.
"But right now, their hearts aren't here with us."
His expression softened.
"Maybe one day, we'll see them again. For now, I won't force them to come with us."
"I see."
Yorktown lowered her eyes.
"Still, it's hard watching them fall behind while we're gaining levels, better equipment, and new abilities."
"I know."
Yuuki understood what she meant.
He knew how much Yorktown cared about her former comrades. Seeing them struggle while she and the others continued to grow stronger couldn't have been easy.
"They can always start leveling up later if they decide to join us."
He paused before turning toward her.
"But I don't want them joining GDI just for the levels, powers, or equipment we can offer."
Yorktown looked at him.
Yuuki continued.
"Right now, their hearts are still tied to Eagle Union. Their sense of duty belongs there. That's different from all of you, who made the decision to put your former allegiances aside and follow GDI of your own free will. Then, you girls helped them out using your new levels and abilities."
He folded his arms.
"I don't want half-hearted Shipgirls who might change their allegiance the moment another opportunity presents itself."
His expression became more serious.
"I'm also concerned that they might not understand what they're getting into. The levels and abilities we grant aren't necessarily permanent privileges they can take for granted. If someone joins us only for the benefits, what happens when they lose access to those benefits or have to make a difficult sacrifice for GDI?"
Yorktown fell silent, considering his words.
Yuuki glanced toward the departing gunship.
"The Shipgirls I've rescued and brought into GDI are different. They chose to follow me because they wanted to. They were grateful for the chance to start over, and they wanted to become stronger, to protect the people they cared about, and to build something new."
He looked back at Yorktown.
"That's the kind of commitment I want. Not blind obedience, and certainly not loyalty purchased with power."
Yorktown smiled faintly.
"You really do think about these things, don't you?"
"Someone has to."
Yuuki shrugged.
"Besides, I don't want to turn GDI into a place where people come only to take what they can get."
He paused, his voice gentler now.
"If Washington, North Carolina, and Baltimore ever decide to join us, I'll welcome them. But I want them to make that choice because they believe in what we're doing—not because they're afraid of being left behind."
Yorktown nodded slowly.
"Understood, Commander."
She glanced once more at the three Shipgirls.
She hoped they would eventually find their own answers.
And if that day came, GDI's doors would be open to them.
But until then, they had their own paths to walk.
Yuuki turned towards Rosalia.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Rosalia."
His gaze fell briefly toward the device on her wrist.
"You have the GDI watch?"
Rosalia raised her wrist.
"Yes. I'll use this to contact you and relay whatever we need."
She paused.
"You said you can give us anything?"
"Not military technology or weapons."
Yuuki shook his head.
"But if you need supplies, food, or raw materials, we can negotiate payment and delivery."
He gestured toward the fleet.
"Or we can establish trade routes from our current Blue Zone."
"I see."
Rosalia began thinking.
"Then I'll hold a meeting with my staff to discuss what we actually need from your faction."
A small smile appeared.
"I might end up posting quite a lot of requests and quests."
"Please do."
Yuuki smiled.
"It'll serve as experience for our Shipgirls and Nikkes, and they'll earn credits from you for completing the requests."
He then raised a finger.
"Oh, and make sure you turn on the beacon."
Rosalia blinked.
"The beacon?"
"The beacon function in the watch. So I can safely send whatever items and supplies you request. Plus, any completed task items they retrieved for you will be sent there as well."
Yuuki shrugged.
"By ship...airlift or simply teleport them directly to you."
Rosalia stared at him.
"You can do that?"
"We have our ways. Should our relationship improves, I can lend a couple of techs from us."
Yuuki gave her an amused smile.
"Just keep the beacon active. That way, we can send your requests or supplies directly to you without any trouble."
Rosalia nodded.
"I will."
With that settled, the remaining Shipgirls boarded the Razor Gunship alongside D.
The Mark 47 armor opened, allowing Yuuki to step inside.
Nearby, Yuu's Mark 49 Rescue Armor also opened, allowing her to enter.
He and Yuu turned towards Rosalia.
"I'm glad we had this conversation, Rosalia."
His expression became serious.
"I still don't trust the Eagle Union."
Rosalia's smile faded slightly.
"But I'll trust you. The Eagle Union shipgirls trusts you. So, consider us your allies."
Rosalia understood the weight behind those words.
Yuuki wasn't offering blind trust to an entire nation.
He was placing it in her.
The bridge between Eagle Union and GDI.
Rosalia nodded solemnly.
"I won't betray it."
The Razor Gunship's engines began to roar.
The escorts moved into formation.
And as the gunship prepared to depart, Rosalia remained standing on the deck, watching her former Shipgirls leave once again—this time not as prisoners, not as defectors, but as members of a new home they had chosen for themselves.
"Be seeing you, Rosalia. Consider this the beginning of an alliance between you and GDI."
Yuuki flashed the Eagle Union President a grin before turning toward Washington.
"You should smile more, Washington. You look beautiful when you do."
Washington froze.
"W-What?"
For once, the usually stern battleship had no immediate response. Her cheeks warmed as she watched Yuuki turn away as though he hadn't just caught her completely off guard.
Yuuki then looked toward North Carolina.
"You might think you're a bit bland, but that's what makes you unique. There's nothing wrong with being yourself."
North Carolina blinked, momentarily taken aback.
"W-Well, I..."
Before she could find the right words, Yuuki turned toward Baltimore.
"And you don't have to be perfect, Baltimore. Just be yourself."
Baltimore stared at him, caught off guard by his straightforward words.
Yuuki chuckled.
"I can read all three of you perfectly."
He gave them one last grin before his helmet closed around his head.
The repulsor thrusters on his Mark 47 armor ignited.
WHOOOOSH!
Yuuki shot upward, leaving the deck behind as he accelerated toward the Daedalus.
Washington, North Carolina, and Baltimore remained rooted in place, watching him disappear into the sky.
For a few moments, none of them spoke.
Then Baltimore slowly turned toward the other two.
"...Did he just flirt with us?"
"W-What?! No!" Washington immediately protested, her face turning red.
North Carolina covered her mouth, trying to hide her smile.
"I don't know, Washington. He seemed rather sincere to me."
"Carolina!"
Rosalia watched the three Shipgirls with an amused smile.
"Oh, my. It seems our Commander left quite an impression."
"Madam President, please don't start!" Washington exclaimed.
Rosalia simply laughed.
For all his power and authority, Yuuki certainly knew how to leave people flustered without firing a single shot.
Yuu smiled and waved.
"See you, Rosa!"
Her Mark 49 Rescue Armor helmet closed before activated its thrusters, and she followed Yuuki into the air.
Cinderella waves her goodbye before she followed him and Yuu.
Yorktown remained behind for a moment, waving at Rosalia through the open side hatch. Once she had boarded, the hatch closed, and the Razor Gunship rose from the deck.
Escorted by Legions and Brutes, it flew back toward the main GDI carrier.
Rosalia watched until the gunship had disappeared into the distance.
Soon afterward, the massive shield surrounding the Presidential Fleet began to deactivate. The shimmering barrier faded away, leaving the fleet surrounded by calm waters once more.
Across the sea, the GDI Daedalus fleet finally began moving toward its next destination.
Lawless City.
A place so dangerous that even the Eagle Union had never dared to establish control over it.
Rosalia glanced down at the communicator watch on her wrist.
The crest of the GDI on its screen.
A smile slowly spread across her face.
She had obtained what she wanted.
An alliance with GDI.
Not an alliance directly with the Eagle Union as a nation, but one established through her. And that was enough.
As long as she maintained Yuuki's trust, Eagle Union would have a chance to rise again.
Rosalia turned toward her secret service personnel.
"We have a lot of work to do. Call the Joint Chiefs of Staff."
Her eyes sharpened with renewed determination.
"It's about time we finally started rebuilding our future."
The secret service immediately acknowledged her order and began making the necessary arrangements.
Rosalia then turned toward Washington, North Carolina, and Baltimore.
"Now, then. Are you three still thinking about it?"
The three Shipgirls exchanged glances.
"We are..." Washington admitted. "We really do want to become stronger, but..."
She hesitated.
"Are you afraid of leaving the Eagle Union?" Rosalia asked.
Washington nodded reluctantly.
"Yes. We don't want to be branded as traitors."
Rosalia sighed.
"As long as you keep Eagle Union in your hearts, I don't see why that should be a problem."
She raised her wrist, showing them the GDI watch.
"Yorktown and the others never betrayed us. They were the ones who proposed an alliance, and their High Commander accepted. They didn't demand anything from us."
Rosalia tapped the watch.
"He even gave me this so I could contact him directly and submit requests to GDI."
She smiled.
"It would be an honor to see you girls join them, but I'd prefer it if you informed the others back home first."
Her expression softened.
"Think of it as joining another faction under the Azur Lane umbrella back in the old days. There are plenty of our Shipgirls who need a fresh start."
She glanced toward the distant GDI fleet.
"Vestal was right about one thing. Staying here without seeing any action for years will only leave you stagnating. Now, you have a chance to become part of something greater."
Rosalia crossed her arms.
"So, make your decision. If you want to go, then go."
She paused, allowing the three to absorb her words.
"Otherwise, I could always fire you to make the decision easier."
"Madam President!" Washington exclaimed.
Rosalia burst out laughing.
"I'm kidding!"
She waved dismissively.
"Honestly, if you want to join them, just inform me. I'm sure Commander Yuuki would send a ship to pick you up."
Her expression became serious again.
"Don't worry. We won't interfere with your decision or do anything that might jeopardize our relationship with GDI. However, before anyone is sent over, I want them to undergo an inspection."
Baltimore tilted her head.
"An inspection?"
"Of course. I don't want anyone in our faction trying anything funny with GDI."
Washington looked at her in surprise.
"Even you don't trust the Eagle Union's own Joint Chiefs of Staff?"
Rosalia laughed.
"Ha! Do you honestly think every one of them would cooperate out of the goodness of their hearts?"
She shook her head.
"Some would, certainly. But others would see GDI as an opportunity to secure benefits for themselves. If Commander Yuuki placed his trust in the Eagle Union as a whole, certain people would inevitably try to exploit that trust for their own gain."
She tapped the watch on her wrist.
"That's why he chose to trust me instead. All requests and decisions go through me. That way, I can make sure no one abuses the arrangement."
North Carolina studied the device.
"Madam President..."
She looked at Rosalia with a thoughtful expression.
"Doesn't that mean you've become someone under GDI's protection?"
Washington raised an eyebrow.
"If anyone tried to replace you or harm you, you could call GDI to deal with them. And considering how friendly you became with Dr. Yuu, I doubt they'd ignore your request."
Rosalia chuckled.
"Yes, well... It's the first time I've made a friend who wasn't simply flattering me to get something."
She paused, then grinned mischievously.
"Besides, that Commander Yuuki is quite handsome, isn't he?"
All three Shipgirls immediately blushed.
"W-What are you talking about?" Baltimore stammered.
Washington looked away.
"He's... average."
"Average?"
Rosalia gave her an incredulous look.
"An average man doesn't command one of the most powerful factions in the world."
Washington's face reddened further.
"Fine! He's better than anyone!"
North Carolina stared at her.
"Wait a moment... You're not actually considering—"
"I might be."
Rosalia smiled sweetly.
"Although, I am a tad older than him. I hope her prefers older women."
The three Shipgirls stared at her in disbelief.
For several seconds, none of them could find anything to say.
Rosalia merely laughed at their reactions before turning toward the entrance of the carrier.
"Come along. We have plenty of work to do."
She began walking, with the three Shipgirls following behind.
"You can think about your decisions on the way home. Once we're back, inform the other Shipgirls about what happened here and discuss your options."
Rosalia glanced over her shoulder, her smile returning.
"But don't take too long."
She raised her wrist, letting the GDI watch catch the light.
"Otherwise, the other GDI Shipgirls might grow so strong that you'll have trouble catching up."
Washington, North Carolina, and Baltimore exchanged looks.
The thought was unsettling as they had something new to consider.
A future in which they weren't limited by the strength they had been born with.
A future in which they could grow stronger, fight alongside their old comrades, and perhaps reclaim the pride they had once felt as Eagle Union Shipgirls.
And all they had to do was decide whether they were ready to take that first step.