Chapter 83 - 75 (Rewrite)

"An weird noise?"

The main fleet had returned from their mission. Apart from the usual battle report, there was something else.

"Yes. In one of the islands near Alfonsino, we heard a weird cry." (Shigure)

"It's not an Abyssal, is it?"

"No. Our radars didn't pick up any Abyssal signatures. There weren't any planes nearby as well." (Zuihou)

"So it might not be an ambush."

"It sounded like a child crying poi." (Yuudachi)

"But what is a child doing in the middle of Abyssal-infested waters. And how did she get there in the first place." (Suzuya)

"What if it's a ghost?! Oh no!" (Agano)

"It can't be." (Yamashiro)

A weird child-like cry from one of the islands. Normal shipping vessels have a strict route to follow. It's against international law to deviate from the path. What if it was an ship of refugees hoping to seek asylum, but got sank instead? It's possible. Then the cry could have come from one of the survivors.

"We will conduct a Search-and-rescue mission tomorrow."

"A Search-and-rescue? Why?" (Agano)

"It might have been one of those sh.i.p.s carrying refugees that got sunk. The cries you heard may be from a survivor."

"Hmm... Right, we wouldn't be able to tell if there was a sunken vessel around. None of us had sonars at that time." (Shigure)

"Good point." (Suzuya)

"Yep. It's getting dark soon, so rest up for now We will go and check again tomorrow."

"Yes." (All)

Now that I think about, there weren't any signs of a wreckage. I forgot about that point. Then again, it's still better to check if there are any humans on that island.

---------------------

The following day, everyone was set up and ready. Since it's a Search-and-rescue mission, we won't be needing Yamashiro's firepower. So she will be taking a break for now. Murasame will join in instead. Currently, the fleet has reached Alfonsino.

"Anything under the water?"

"Nothing." (Shigure)

"There's a lot of fishes poi!" (Yuudachi)

"Yuudachi..." (Agano)

No signs of a wreckage. Maybe it wasn't a sunken vessel after all.

"Suzuya, Zuihou. Launch your recon planes and check each island."

"Okay!" (Zuihou)

"Sounds good." (Suzuya)

Agano and Murasame, stay vigilant. There may be Abyssals in the area."

"Heehee~ Got it." (Agano)

"Yes yes~" (Murasame)

"he~~" (???)

"There it is!" (Agano)

Through the comms, I could hear a weird cry. Was that the one they were talking about?

"Admiral, you heard that too right?" (Shigure)

"That scared me..." (Murasame)

"Huh? There is something moving over there." (Zuihou)

Zuihou pointed to one of the islands where her plane started circling around. The was a small figure on the beaching , waving something around.

"He~" (???)

"Move in closer."

As they moved closer to the island, the voice got clearer.

"Help!" (???)

The voice they heard yesterday was actually a cry for help.

"It's a girl." (Zuihou)

A small, blonde girl, wearing nothing but a small bikini, was standing on the beach and waving her hands to get their attention. She looks rather active. It's almost as if she didn't spent a day on an deserted island.

"Thank goodness! I called out to you girls yesterday but I think you couldn't hear me." (???)

"What happened? Where are your parents? Is anyone else with you?" (Agano)

"What's with that outfit?" (Suzuya)

"Parents? Oh. You are mistaken. I'm actually a submarine. I ran out of fuel and got tired. So I was stuck here for 2 days until you came along. And this is my uniform."

"A submarine? Wait, so you're-" (Zuihou)

"Gato-class submarine, Albacore, Hull number SS-218. I'm from the Eagle Union."

The Eagle Union. What the hell is an Azur Lane shipgirl doing there?! There is a look of fear on Shigure's face.

"Shigure, stay calm. She isn't the one. Yuudachi, help me take care of her."

"Yes." (Yuudachi)

Shigure is actually afraid of submarines. Not surprising, since she was sunk by an submarine.

"Say, do you have any food? I'm starving..." (Albacore)

"Admiral, what should we do?" (Murasame)

"For now, let's just tow her back to their base. She said she is out of fuel, right? She probably can't move that far."

"Roger." (Zuihou)

"But where should we put her?" (Suzuya)

"You can just come along with me." (Albacore)

"Absolutely not!" (All)

Albacore was stunned by their harmonized answer. I would react like that too if I didn't know the reason.

"Let's just let you down you at the port. Admiral, can you inform her Commander?" (Zuihou)

"Yeah, I'm sending a telegram. Once you done, return immediately."

Since Albacore is from the Eagle Union, there is a chance that those from the same faction may come and greet her. Shigure is almost at her limit, so it's better if we just drop her off and leave immediately.

"Sorry. It's just that we have some history with your colleagues." (Agano)

"I see. That's too bad."

"Is it alright if we just leave you at the port?" (Zuihou)

"It's fine. I understand your reasoning. The big sister over there seems frightened of me too." (Albacore)

Albacore looked over to Shigure, who immediately hid behind Yuudachi. Yuudachi spread out her arms and growled,

"Don't bully Shigure poi!" (Yuudachi)

"No. I wasn't-" (Albacore)

"Yuudachi, it's okay. It's not your fault, Albacore-chan. Shigure is just scared of submarines." (Zuihou)

"Oh. I'm sorry." (Albacore)

"Let's just bring you back home. Get on." (Zuihou)

Zuihou crouched down and offered to give Albacore a piggyback.

"Zuihou, let me carry her." (Suzuya)

"It's fine. I can handle this much. I took care of submarines before. I think..." (Zuihou)

"Takasaki..."

"Don't call me that!" (Zuihou)

Zuihou snapped at me.

"Ahaha. Sorry. I just can't help it."

Before becoming Light Aircraft Carriers, Shouhou and Zuihou were originally planned to be Submarines Tenders. At that time, their names were Tsurugizaki and Takasaki.

"Let's just go already. We have stayed here long enough." (Murasame)

"Looks like its going to rain soon." (Agano)

The skies are starting turn grey.