Belated Battleships (KanColle) [REHOST]
- Thread starter theJMPer
- Start date
- Location
- Canada
I'll tell ya what's cruel, watching your human friends grow old and die while you stay the same. Remember Harry's omakes?
PAGDTenno
Verified Warmind. Probably on fire.
- Location
- South Carolina
Shipgirl psychology isn't quite the same as normal human psychology, especially here. Shipgirls are "born" knowing that they're going to outlive their human friends if they don't fall in battle. It's part of their psychological matrix. Knowing they're going to outlive their human friends doesn't hurt them like it would a human gifted immortality.
Addendum:
I'd say it's probably like how we feel about any older friends in our lives. At some level, we know we're going to outlive them, and even though it hurts, that doesn't (usually) mean we want to shorten our lives so we die when they do.
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And who knows? Their human friends may live on as either new additions to their faerie crews, or if they have ships named after them in the future they can be fellow ship-spirits.
Old Iron
Admiral Unfun
- Location
- The Southwestern Deadlands of America
Hiei: Oh, come on. Please? You married him. Can't I have him on my crew for just a little while?
Mutsu: Hmm, I'll think about it~
Hiei: You've been saying that for two centuries.
Arizona: *sits happily with fairy Jane and a knowing smile*
Mutsu: I've been thinking very carefully~
Dirtnap
Kanmusu Affecionado
[Fleet End Intensifies]
Old Iron
Admiral Unfun
- Location
- The Southwestern Deadlands of America
Hiei: *pouts*
Mutsu: But there can only be one flagship~
Dirtnap
Kanmusu Affecionado
The Admiral is free to move his...flag to any ship in his fleet though ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Old Iron
Admiral Unfun
- Location
- The Southwestern Deadlands of America
Stop making sense!
Jane: Keep making sense!
obssesednuker
Commander of 10 Million Men
- Location
- In the Kremlin, activating Perimtr.
Okay, finally got the latest two chapters uploaded on FFN, with the two new omakes attached to them (now shipping Dutchman/Albie, by the by). The reason it took me so long... well, first it was Stellaris and HoI4 and EU4 and all those other goddamn Paradox games are like cocaine to me.
Then, today, I finally yanked myself out of the haze of game/sleep/work enough that I decided to use this time to stop stalling and update.
Then, today, I finally yanked myself out of the haze of game/sleep/work enough that I decided to use this time to stop stalling and update.
Omake: One Day
- Location
- Vancouver WA United States
For that kind compliment, I reward you with new chapter!
Omake: One Day Part 2
New Jersey's been to the Locker more often than other ships in her resting periods. No surprise that she'd seen Dutchman at least once.
Fly sighed as she gazed at the coastline. The last of the sun's rays had disappeared below the horizon minutes earlier, hence her unannounced presence in these waters. Oh it was going to be so nice to feel land under her feet again. As she made her way towards shore, she allowed herself to contemplate the years since her last such landing. Liverpool was a wonderful city, a true port town if ever their was one. Being there almost made her wish for the Caribbean again. But her duties called for her presence in foreign waters.
It'd been 10 years since the Abyssals had first shown their ugly mugs and Fly had quickly grown to hate them. They gave no quarter, leaving behind nothing but the dead in their wake. A mess that was hers to clean up. Not that the navies of the world were any better. Fly still shuddered to think of the World Wars. But at least they had a sense of mercy. Not every poor man was left to die at sea for her to pick up when the guns were silenced. A sigh escaped her. There was no need to dwell on those days now. She could tomorrow, when she was back at sea again. But today, this one day, she could enjoy all to herself. Her one respite amidst a lifetime of servitude to the sea.
The lights of a port twinkled not too far off in the distance but Fly was no fool. She knew it'd be heavily guarded against intruders and she had no desire to reveal her identity to anyone, even if they might be friendly. So she put to shore a mile south, stepping gracefully onto the rocks. A soft sigh escaped her. For the first time in 10 years, there was no rocking motion beneath her feet. No waves to soak her skin. Just a simple breeze and the soft feel of leaves against her toes. The emerald eyes narrowed, becoming fixed on the twinkling lights. The Flying Dutchman was going to have quite the day of shore leave here in this port.
Fly for the most part considered herself a loner. She had to be, in her profession. But the long years of separation had begun to wear on her and she found herself wanting a companion, if only for a short time. Thus it was that she allowed Albie to take her to the naval base in Yokosuka. Home of the JMSDF Kanmusu Fleet. She was going to regret this, she just knew it. But her stomach and Albie's suggestion that they break for lunch, told her to put such fears on hold.
"I've never seen a sailing ship eat that much, ever." Albie was in awe. So far Fly had consumed twice as many plates as she had and she showed no signs of slowing down.
"Things like that happen when you don't have fresh provisions 'xcept once every 10 years." Fly mumbled through her food, bits spraying as she talked.
Albie giggled. Her manners were worse than Jersey's. She straightened as the battleship came over.
"Albie, back early I see. Who's your friend... motherfucker!" The battleship backed off a step as Fly turned to face her. Albie could see the blood leave her face and came to the realization. New Jersey was afraid. The big badass Black Dragon of the United States Navy was afraid! Of a sailing ship!
"You..." Her voice was shy, timid but Fly showed no hints of malice as she wiped her mouth on her napkin, set it down on the table and stood up.
"If there was any ship I would've guessed to have recognized me, it would be you USS New Jersey." She said calmly even as her hands clenched into fists. It was taking all her willpower not to summon her rigging. Such an action would send the battleship over the edge and start a vicious close quarters fight that would lay waste to much of the building.
"The ice field, I saw you..."
"Aye. One amongst many to tuck you in."
New Jersey flinched. "What do you want?" She asked.
"What makes you think I want something from you New Jersey?" Fly replied, sounding half-hurt, half-curious.
"Because you're a bloody pirate. A scallywag!"
"You've been watching those films again haven't you?" Fly chuckled as New Jersey backed off a step again. "I did ask Bruckenhiemer to make them as realistic as possible. He went beyond my expectations."
"So there's some truth to them then?"
"Oh New Jersey dear, they are nothing but truth."
Albie was growing more confused by the second and she imagined every other shipgirl in the room was too. Many had left their seats to form a circle around Fly and New Jersey, some expecting a fight. Others just curious to watch things unfold.
New Jersey's eyes narrowed. "You're nothing but a heartless cold blighter!"
"You hate me as though I was the ship who killed those boys, not them." Fly said, nodding to the small gaggle that made up what was present of the Japanese Center Force.
"No, you were just there to pick up the pieces afterwards. Spoils of war as it were." New Jersey sneered.
In an instant she found herself pinned against the wall with Fly's arm across her throat, her opposite hand grabbing a fistful of hair and forcing her head back. The gathered kanmusu were shocked at the hidden strength of this seemingly feeble sailing vessel.
"You think I enjoy it?" She asked, voice no louder than a whisper. "You think I chose the life of a ferry? It is one thing to kill, New Jersey. Any ship can do that. But only one can gaze upon the aftermath, see the countless men give up their dreams, dumping them into the sea as they cross over. You don't know what that's like. To see that again and again not just for a day but for decades on end! Compared to that, killing is easy."
She released her grip, allowing the battleship to collapse to her knees. Fly snorted and turned away, walking back to her table. She would've happily just sat down and finished her plate but it was in that moment that Admiral Goto stormed through the doors, being alerted to the situation by the ever flamboyant Kirishima who skipped along in front of him.
His eyes immediately fell on the newcomer present. "You, my office in 5 minutes." He left just as quickly as he came.
Fly collapsed back in her seat and held her head in her hands. So much for a quiet day.
- Location
- United States, EST
- Pronouns
- He/Him
contain sugar?
DawnofWar32
War is coming. Prepare yourselves!
- Location
- Butuan City, The Philippines
For that kind compliment, I reward you with new chapter!
Omake: One Day Part 2
-snip-
Well, I would like to see the look of surprise in Admiral Goto's face if he learns that he is talking to the Flying Dutchman herself, and the feeling of dread that he will feel, even if just for a moment. And if this becomes canon, it will be...very interesting, to say the least.
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- Location
- Mid-Atlantic
I bet Goto can handle it. Goto is classy.
Besides, it's not like there's uniform agreement about what the Flying Dutchman really is or how scared you should be of it.
Besides, it's not like there's uniform agreement about what the Flying Dutchman really is or how scared you should be of it.
DawnofWar32
War is coming. Prepare yourselves!
- Location
- Butuan City, The Philippines
Yeah, you may be right, and you may be wrong. But I'm sure that he will be surprised the moment he learns of Fly's true name. As for the feeling of dread, well, it all depends on what he has heard about the legend of the Flying Dutchman. *shrugs*
- Location
- Vancouver WA United States
That's why it's titled as an Omake, mate.
Just don't piss her off and you should be fine.
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DawnofWar32
War is coming. Prepare yourselves!
- Location
- Butuan City, The Philippines
- Location
- Pacific Northwest
There won't be any surprise, I think Goto knows perfectly well who she is, and he's faced worse dread, fighting on a crippled ship, with weapons couldn't touch the Abyssals and seeing his crew getting slaughtered by the same Abyssals. He's got a mission, a vital one and THAT is his focus. Fly can either help or be a distraction from that mission. We'll see which way it goes.
Burning Baron
This position needs more entrenching.
- Location
- In here, not out there.
If anything, she would be in awe of Goto. He stared her in the face, and she blinked.
DawnofWar32
War is coming. Prepare yourselves!
- Location
- Butuan City, The Philippines
And she may become a powerful ally against the Abyssals. Who knows how things will pan out, though?
Omake: One Day
- Location
- Vancouver WA United States
Nice to see that I'm the talk of the hour. And since I can't seem to put my pen down, here's the next bit.
Omake: One Day Part 3
Fly felt many things as she made her way to the Admiral's office but her overwhelming feeling was dread. She shouldn't be afraid. She'd faced down far worse than one mortal admiral. But she'd wanted to avoid being noticed. Now that Admiral Goto knew she existed he would try to recruit her. And what's worse, she knew she would accept. Her hatred for the abyssals ran deeper than his did. Given the chance, she'd join the fight. But she could not abandon her duties. But her duties extended to the living portion of humanity just as much as they did to the dead. Like any ship, she was bound to serve.
Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door.
"Enter." A voice said.
Slowly, she turned the handle, letting momentum push the door open halfway, enough for her to walk through. It'd been some time. Military discipline was not something that came naturally to her but she gave it her best shot. Heels clicked firmly together, her hands in fists at her sides.
Goto didn't look up from the report he was filling out behind his desk but the shipgirl who stood over him, Kongou her mind idly supplied, was staring at her with equal parts fascination and horror. Still, to her credit, she didn't give any ground to the fluyt across from her.
At last, Goto looked up. "You may go Kongou, I will deal with our guest alone."
At first Fly thought Kongou might protest but the British born battleship merely nodded and left, her flamboyant nature subdued by the other ship's presence. She offered Fly a glare that clearly said "Don't try anything." on her way out.
Goto fixed Fly with that stare that admirals everywhere had perfected. It was the stare that suggested how small she was. How low in the chain.
Swallowing back her nerves, Fly offered a clumsy salute. "Reporting as ordered sir."
"We don't salute indoors." Goto's voice never rose an octave, keeping at its low cold tone. And that worried Fly more than if he sounded like he was actually scolding her.
"Forgive me sir, I am unaccustomed to the military."
"So I gathered. Either a fool or an idiot would dare trespass on military property and then pick a fight with one of my battleships."
"I am not a fool sir." Fly growled.
"Then please, enlighten me. You can start by telling me your name." Goto calmly folded his hands in front of him, patiently waiting for her answer.
She could lie but she had a feeling Goto would see right through that. Fly knew she had no choice other than to bite the bullet. "In the tongue of my forefathers, my name is Vliegande Hollander." She offered a flourishing bow that was only partly mocking. "I go by other names as well. The Chariot, the Ship from Hell, the Ship of Hell, The ferryboat. But the most common is the English translation of my name, Flying Dutchman."
To her great surprise Goto hardly batted an eye, as though he had suspected all along. In fact there seemed to be a bit of smugness coming off him. "So he did know, or at least he suspected it and I just confirmed it." Fly thought.
"I'm assuming you're here because this is your 'one day' ashore?" He asked.
"Yes sir." She replied.
"Picking a fight with a battleship hardly seems like a good way to spend that day, madam Dutchman."
"I did not pick a fight with New Jersey sir." It took all of Fly's willpower to keep her voice level. "She confronted me, not the other way around."
"I see and so you threw her into a wall?"
Fly shifted, looking down. She regretted her harshness with the American battlewagon but New Jersey just wasn't seeing reason.
"How long have you been a kanmusu, Dutchman?" Goto asked, his voice a shade more gentle.
"Since the Abyssals first appeared sir, about a decade." She replied.
"And you've been cleaning up their mess since. I can't say I'm surprised. When those creatures first rose from the deep I wondered what other seafearing legends they brought up with them."
"If you are implying that I am an abyssal sir, I can assure you to quite the opposite. I appeared shortly after the first of them arose, drawn to the trail of the dead they left in their wake like a seagull on a breadcrumb trail. But I did not rise with them. Those foul creatures..." Fly forced herself to shut up then before she got carried away. "You know how they are I'm sure."
"Aye and you probably understand them better than I do." Goto countered.
"You want my knowledge. What do I get in return?" Fly asked.
"Weapons." Goto's reply was immediate. "I can provide you with blueprints. Your fairies can take it from there. Do you even have fairies?" He asked.
"I do." She nodded. "All kanmusu have them. Not even I am an exception to that." Most of the fairies she had now had once been the dead sailors she'd taken onboard. They'd chosen to remain with her, eager for the chance at revenge.
"Then I recommend seeing Ooydoo for the blueprints. You will be under my command and follow my orders. And your orders are as follows: You, Flying Dutchman, will scout and follow the abyssal fleet and report back to me on their whereabouts and their movements. In return, I guarantee you'll have a place in all our major engagements with these fiends from hell."
Fly's grin was predatory as she agreed to his terms. She did not mind them. It would be nice to work with someone for a change. She may've had an ego of a size benefiting her powerful status but even she was not above finding allies. She believe Goto would keep his word but she did not trust him completely. That would take time and she sensed he was willing to work with her on that. He was not a deeply forgiving man but he wasn't strictly by the book either. As long as she stayed within his boundaries...
"May I go then sir?" She asked.
"Yes but I want you back here by the end of the week, Dutchman." He replied.
"After today, I cannot set foot on land again for another 10 years."
"That curse remains with you?" He asked.
"I'd rather not risk it." She shrugged.
"Suit yourself. You may make your berth next to the Mikasa's drydock when you're here."
"Yes sir. Thank you sir."
"You are dismissed."
Fly offered her best military poise before turning towards the door, closing it gently behind her.
Once in the hallway she nearly collapsed in relief. That had gone far better than she expected. As tough skinned as Goto was he was not above bargaining with her. His orders gave her enough leeway to ferry the dead across the barrier should the need arise. A need which had grown less and less urgent as more kanmusu joined humanity's ranks. Fly would be forever grateful to them for that.
Now to find Ooydo...
Omake: One Day Part 3
Fly felt many things as she made her way to the Admiral's office but her overwhelming feeling was dread. She shouldn't be afraid. She'd faced down far worse than one mortal admiral. But she'd wanted to avoid being noticed. Now that Admiral Goto knew she existed he would try to recruit her. And what's worse, she knew she would accept. Her hatred for the abyssals ran deeper than his did. Given the chance, she'd join the fight. But she could not abandon her duties. But her duties extended to the living portion of humanity just as much as they did to the dead. Like any ship, she was bound to serve.
Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door.
"Enter." A voice said.
Slowly, she turned the handle, letting momentum push the door open halfway, enough for her to walk through. It'd been some time. Military discipline was not something that came naturally to her but she gave it her best shot. Heels clicked firmly together, her hands in fists at her sides.
Goto didn't look up from the report he was filling out behind his desk but the shipgirl who stood over him, Kongou her mind idly supplied, was staring at her with equal parts fascination and horror. Still, to her credit, she didn't give any ground to the fluyt across from her.
At last, Goto looked up. "You may go Kongou, I will deal with our guest alone."
At first Fly thought Kongou might protest but the British born battleship merely nodded and left, her flamboyant nature subdued by the other ship's presence. She offered Fly a glare that clearly said "Don't try anything." on her way out.
Goto fixed Fly with that stare that admirals everywhere had perfected. It was the stare that suggested how small she was. How low in the chain.
Swallowing back her nerves, Fly offered a clumsy salute. "Reporting as ordered sir."
"We don't salute indoors." Goto's voice never rose an octave, keeping at its low cold tone. And that worried Fly more than if he sounded like he was actually scolding her.
"Forgive me sir, I am unaccustomed to the military."
"So I gathered. Either a fool or an idiot would dare trespass on military property and then pick a fight with one of my battleships."
"I am not a fool sir." Fly growled.
"Then please, enlighten me. You can start by telling me your name." Goto calmly folded his hands in front of him, patiently waiting for her answer.
She could lie but she had a feeling Goto would see right through that. Fly knew she had no choice other than to bite the bullet. "In the tongue of my forefathers, my name is Vliegande Hollander." She offered a flourishing bow that was only partly mocking. "I go by other names as well. The Chariot, the Ship from Hell, the Ship of Hell, The ferryboat. But the most common is the English translation of my name, Flying Dutchman."
To her great surprise Goto hardly batted an eye, as though he had suspected all along. In fact there seemed to be a bit of smugness coming off him. "So he did know, or at least he suspected it and I just confirmed it." Fly thought.
"I'm assuming you're here because this is your 'one day' ashore?" He asked.
"Yes sir." She replied.
"Picking a fight with a battleship hardly seems like a good way to spend that day, madam Dutchman."
"I did not pick a fight with New Jersey sir." It took all of Fly's willpower to keep her voice level. "She confronted me, not the other way around."
"I see and so you threw her into a wall?"
Fly shifted, looking down. She regretted her harshness with the American battlewagon but New Jersey just wasn't seeing reason.
"How long have you been a kanmusu, Dutchman?" Goto asked, his voice a shade more gentle.
"Since the Abyssals first appeared sir, about a decade." She replied.
"And you've been cleaning up their mess since. I can't say I'm surprised. When those creatures first rose from the deep I wondered what other seafearing legends they brought up with them."
"If you are implying that I am an abyssal sir, I can assure you to quite the opposite. I appeared shortly after the first of them arose, drawn to the trail of the dead they left in their wake like a seagull on a breadcrumb trail. But I did not rise with them. Those foul creatures..." Fly forced herself to shut up then before she got carried away. "You know how they are I'm sure."
"Aye and you probably understand them better than I do." Goto countered.
"You want my knowledge. What do I get in return?" Fly asked.
"Weapons." Goto's reply was immediate. "I can provide you with blueprints. Your fairies can take it from there. Do you even have fairies?" He asked.
"I do." She nodded. "All kanmusu have them. Not even I am an exception to that." Most of the fairies she had now had once been the dead sailors she'd taken onboard. They'd chosen to remain with her, eager for the chance at revenge.
"Then I recommend seeing Ooydoo for the blueprints. You will be under my command and follow my orders. And your orders are as follows: You, Flying Dutchman, will scout and follow the abyssal fleet and report back to me on their whereabouts and their movements. In return, I guarantee you'll have a place in all our major engagements with these fiends from hell."
Fly's grin was predatory as she agreed to his terms. She did not mind them. It would be nice to work with someone for a change. She may've had an ego of a size benefiting her powerful status but even she was not above finding allies. She believe Goto would keep his word but she did not trust him completely. That would take time and she sensed he was willing to work with her on that. He was not a deeply forgiving man but he wasn't strictly by the book either. As long as she stayed within his boundaries...
"May I go then sir?" She asked.
"Yes but I want you back here by the end of the week, Dutchman." He replied.
"After today, I cannot set foot on land again for another 10 years."
"That curse remains with you?" He asked.
"I'd rather not risk it." She shrugged.
"Suit yourself. You may make your berth next to the Mikasa's drydock when you're here."
"Yes sir. Thank you sir."
"You are dismissed."
Fly offered her best military poise before turning towards the door, closing it gently behind her.
Once in the hallway she nearly collapsed in relief. That had gone far better than she expected. As tough skinned as Goto was he was not above bargaining with her. His orders gave her enough leeway to ferry the dead across the barrier should the need arise. A need which had grown less and less urgent as more kanmusu joined humanity's ranks. Fly would be forever grateful to them for that.
Now to find Ooydo...
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