[X] Go talk with Gunzou about the situation.
[X] Protect Mary.
"We should talk to Gunzou about this, dear," you smile at Mary as you lead her out of the ship's homely halls, "After all, she is Blue Steel, and the leader should be kept in the know about his people."
Also you don't want to take the risk that you'll screw up, because if you do then Gunzou will probably withhold additional Nanomaterials. You need those Nanomaterials, you're falling apart at the seams!
Well, maybe not so much anymore since you repair your armor, but a lot of your vital systems, like your Photon Cannons, are still shot to hell and back. Dual railguns are nice, but they're nothing compared to what you're used to!
So, placing Mary atop your head (and within the projected range of your Klein Fields) you leave the ship's interior at a brisk job. Time to report to Gunzou!
The crew of the ship are crowded around her berth on the pier, along with a fair amount of Blue Steel personnel, looking on with excitement and concern. As they should, the ship is part of their family. It's only natural to be concerned about your family! Gunzou eyes you from behind the group, meeting your gaze. His solemn gaze only asks for answers, and boy do you have them!
"I'll be right down, Gunzou!" you call from the deck as you hop over to the gangway and running down it to solid ground. Behind you, the Cruiser groans softly as the engines continue to spool up.
"Surcouf," Gunzou nods as you make your way to him, the crowd parting for you, "Do you have any insight for us? What's wrong with Boston?"
Ah yes, Boston, a Fog Heavy Cruiser based off the American Baltimore class. They were quite fearsome in the war, and you can recall a few times when they saved your sorry little aft during a pitched battle!
Well, Houston did most of the saving, as you're not really designed for a pitched fleet battle. Gunzou had you participate... no, that isn't right, Gunzou couldn't force you to do anything. You participated to gain his trust, and because you knew that Houston and her two escorts would have your back. She was a good girl, and she particularly loved your deep-fried chocolate baguettes. Her escorts couldn't stand the stuff, but that was because they were uncultured plebians who have never sampled fine French cuisine!
...
Neither have you, but that's beside the point! You don't need to know about France to be French!
... Oh, you're sure that if Dunkerque could hear you right now, she'd sock you across the jaw. Thankfully Dunkerque is not a Blue Steel ship, and is in fact a Scarlet Fleet vessel. Far, far away from you and your wonderful off-limits-to-punching face.
"Surcouf," Gunzou snaps, frowning. Whoops, you were lost in thoughts.
"Ahem, of course, Gunzou," you nod, pulling up readouts and flicking them over to him. Surprisingly they sync to his body and he holds them with his own hands... there's really nothing left of his Human body anymore, huh?
"Boston is... dreaming?" Gunzou looks up at you, his mouth pursed in a thin line. Looks like he came to the same conclusion as you!
"As far as I can tell, Gunzou, yes," you flourish your hand at the Heavy Cruiser, "Behold, Blue Steel, the Heavy Cruiser Boston has stirred in her slumber! Who here calls Boston your home?"
There's some murmuring among the Boston crew, before her Captain steps up. A small slip of a girl, a redhead, caucasian. No, not a girl, a young woman... she should drink more milk.
"Acting Captain of the Boston, Lorelei Williams," she extends a hand, "Pleasure to meet you, Submarine Surcouf."
"Oh please dear," you shake the offered hand with a smile, "I prefer the term 'Underwater Heavy Cruiser'. Sounds better."
Lorelei stifles a smirk, before continuing, "I'll keep that in mind. So tell us, please, how do we wake her?"
How to wake Boston? Hm, that's a tall request. The girl is asleep, after all, and waking her in advance would make her cranky!
"Let's not be too hasty," Gunzou cuts in, thankfully, "Captain Lorelei, I need you onboard Boston. Disconnect her from her weapons systems and monitor her Core activity."
"Disconnect?" Lorelei looks to her commander with distress. You shudder too. To disconnect the Core from her systems... that's like sawing off a limb, albeit less painful and permanent.
"We can't have her shooting up the dock," he replies somberly, "When she's awake, we'll apologize and reconnect them, but for now the safety of everyone here takes priority. Get to it!"
She snaps a salute, "Yes, sir!" before she and her crew begin boarding Boston rapidly, running about on deck to carry out those orders.
"Thank you, Surcouf," Gunzou nods to you with a slight smile, "I don't know why this is happening now, but I'm glad that it is. So much of our family has been too silent for too long."
"...Your family, huh?" you sigh, "You're still the only people on Earth who could think of the Fog as family, you foolish boy."
"No!" Mary protests from atop your shoulders, "I do! I think of you as family, Surcouf!"
The sudden declaration has you pink as a pomegranate. Honestly, Mary, one does not just say things like that out loud! You try to retort, but all that comes out are sputters. Gunzou has a little laugh at your expense. Insolence.
[] Tell Gunzou that he's right, he should disconnect Boston from her weapons.
[] Tell Gunzou that maybe he should have her controls be on manual to keep her from trashing about.
[] Tell Gunzou that you can just probably do something. Wink wink wink wink wink. Be really coy and teasing, and a general piece of work when doing it.
[] Write in...
