Harry And The Shipgirls: Prisoner of Shipping (A HP/KanColle Snippet Collection)

[SisterJeanne]

A. N. -- First crosspost today. Well, it's time to continue the plotting and preparing. Prior chapter here.

A Gambit of Daggers and Serpents (IV)

Dragon's Tea Pot, Hogsmeade

2nd November 2014

If that the earth could teem with woman's tears,
Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile.
Othello, Act IV, Scene i​

Finally the coffee, tea, and food were exhausted.

Ehren nodded to Draco as she neatly folded her used napkin and placed it atop her knife and fork on the plate that her pumpkin tart had come from. "I think that covers everything for now."

Draco nodded as he put down his teacup. "True, we should get going if I'm going to show you Hogsmeade before we need to head back to Hogwarts."

Harry hugged Natsumi, who was sitting in his lap. "I promised Natsumi that I would show Taiyang around Hogsmeade as well while she bodyguards me."

The Dao nodded and her bronze eyes gleamed. "It would be for the best if we left separately though. We must make it less obvious that we are allies against our joint foes, Mikon~!"

Ehren spoke with a nod of her head as she stood up. "I agree." With that terse statement, she then began to cast the web of Jorogumo illusion that would change her appearance back into that of her sister Claire.

Draco grinned. "As planned, I'll start saying some nasty things about your competing in the Triwizard to see if our mutual foes bite on that bait. Nothing personal, of course, and for what it's worth, you have my support." He extended his hand and Harry shook it.

Finally dark haired and dark eyed, Ehren handed Draco her true body. "When the time comes to return to Hogwarts, I shall unsummon this avatar as we discussed. Just keep me close to you at all times so I can guard you, Cousin Draco." She blushed as her dagger body changed hands.

Taiyang said something in rapid-fire Japanese as an editorial comment about that statement. Harry snorted tea from his nostrils and blushed while Natsumi stiffened and glared at the smirking spirit. "ERO-KITSUNE!" Natsumi said between helpless giggles with her face as red as the remains of her cherry tart.

Ehren and Draco beat a hasty retreat to the the door.

-----------------------​

Spoiler: A Serpent's Deception

Draco and Ehren shared a smirk and nodded to each other before they stepped outside into the hall.

Ehren began to cry and whimper pitiably. "I-I can't believe that The Boy-Who-Lived was so mean to you Muffy-wuffy," she sobbed out to Draco. "He w-w-wouldn't even give me an autograph...." Meanwhile, Draco patted her shoulder reassuringly with a clear upset expression on his face.

Draco muttered loud enough to be overheard. "I can't believe Potter would say that about you, Claire. Especially not to my pureblood cousin's face...."

As they walked through the room, a witch with her blond hair in elaborate curls, jeweled spectacles highlighting her beady green eyes, and dressed in expensive Magenta robes moved to intercept them. She muttered to her acid-green Quick-Quotes Quill that was hovering next to her floating notebook. "Approaching Draco Malfoy and... friend." While her Quill wrote she gave a warm smile and raised her voice. "Lord Malfoy!! A moment of your time!"

Draco half turned and gave a polite smile that never reached his calculating eyes as beside him 'Claire' visibly pulled herself together. The witch bustled to join him in the common room. "Rita Skeeter, Queen of the Quills for the Daily Prophet. I was pursuing a lead that Harry Potter had been recently seen here, would you care to comment as a fellow classmate?"

Ehren spoke up before Draco could respond. "Ja, we can tell you all about Harry Potter." Her bubbly voice had subtle anger in it. Then she batted her eyelashes at Draco. "Muffy was going to show me Hogsmeade since this is my first visit, if you do not mind walking with us, Miss Skeeter"

Rita's eyes glittered, "Thank you miss, I'm sorry, I didn't get your name." She said pleasantly as her quill wrote rapidly.

Ehren spoke in an airheaded tone while they walked outside. "Claire du Chasteler from Belgium, I'm pureblood too; we are descended from the French Malfoys." She grinned happily. "Cousin Draco's my Muffy!"

Rita blinked and her voice sharpened with clear interest. "du Chasteler? Claire du Chasteler?! You wouldn't happen to be the songwriter for that newfangled band that is all the rage among teenage wizards?"

Ehren ignored the warning glance that Draco gave her. "Ja, that's Stahlhexe. I'm the keyboardist and songwriter, my sister is the vocalist, and Muffy's friends Johnston, Niobe and Cleopatra are our drummer and guitarists. Our friend Nimi Longstreet is the other guitarist. We never expected to be so famous...." Her voice subtly warmed.

As they passed Dominic Maestro's Music Shop a snatch of song from the Wizarding Wireless sounded. Ehren's soaring soprano sang the refrain from her band's cover of Sabaton's Night Witches. "Undetected/Unexpected/Wings of glory/Tell their story!"

Rita smiled, "Ahh, well Miss du Chasteler, tell me about your band?"

Ehren smiled, "Well, thanks to Mutti's contribution from the du Chasteler funds, we were able to get our instruments. Lord Malfoy helped us get our foot in the door with the music critic for the Wireless."

Skeeter blinked and spoke slowly, "Your mother is not THE Colombe du Chasteler, is she?"

"Ja, she is..." Ehren responded. Meawhile, Draco sighed in relief as Harry, Natsumi and Taiyang exited the Dragon's Tea Pot, saw Skeeter, and hastily headed the other way.

-----------------------​

Draco then took 'Claire' by the hand and squeezed it hard, causing her to blush. "I'm sorry Mrs Skeeter, but I do need to get 'Claire' to Honeydukes before they close! She loves her chocolates and I promised her a large selection!" He hastily spoke. "I hope to talk to you later!"

With that he dragged her off.

Skeeter grinned triumphantly at the body language of the girl as she leaned against Draco. The reporter murmured instructions to her Quick-Quotes Quill. "Hmm, looks like he's the boyfriend of Miss Claire du Chasteler, and he's been seen socially with the drummer and guitar players, perhaps the band is the cover for a sordid little group of sexual deviants using him as a boytoy, yes? Add in her mother's notorious escapades including those filthy books that she's rumored to have starred in with Lyra Potter....."

With that she headed off in search of more rumors and gossip to dredge up. Even if her contact hadn't been accurate about Harry Potter being here today, the hunting ground was fertile with all the students talking about the start of the Triwizard.

Meanwhile Draco hissed to Ehren as they entered Tomes and Scrolls. "{Next time be careful! Skeeter is one of the most notorious journalists in the Wizarding world, and will stop at nothing to get a story. She doesn't care who she has to slime or what she has to do to get a hot scoop!}"

Ehren blanched, "{So she was using me to find out about Mutti? I thought she was so sympathetic to Mutti's situation.}" Her eyes hardened.

Draco sighed, "{She does that and then drops the hammer on you. Let me show you something.}" He pointed at one of the biographies on a nearby shelf. "{Read that one.}"

Ehren walked over and slowly read the title. "{Armando Dippet: Master or Moron? by Rita Skeeter....}" She rapidly flipped through the book and her eyes widened in shock at the clear rumors and lies filling it.

"Was ist das für ein Quatsch?" Ehren snapped out in a stifled mutter, her face reddening with a mixture of embarrassment and fury at what she was reading. "{Using love potions to take advantage of juvenile witches that he was disciplining during his time as Headmaster of Hogwarts?! Müll! Lügen! Unsinn!}"

Draco joined her with a selection of art supplies for drawing that he had purchased along with a basic introduction book. He sighed heavily and placed an arm around her shoulders, feeling her quiver with anger as he whispered in her ear. "{You see what I mean. Father told me that it had more lies in one chapter than the ICW and Ministry of Magic would say in a year. But it sells well among the common folk.}"

Ehren nodded and replaced the book on the shelf with a fierce thud. "{So I see....}" She glanced at Draco's selection of art books and raised an eyebrow as she calmed down. "{I'll warn Mutti when she comes to see me tomorrow.}"

"{Good. At least our friend got out while you distracted her.}" Draco whispered as they walked through the nearly deserted bookstore toward the alcoves in the back.

-----------------------​

Draco grinned as Ehren grabbed the first two books in the The Detective Files of Conebush and Persimmons series to buy. "{I'll pay you back for these once we get to Hogwarts, Draco,}" she murmured quietly as she read the back of the book jacket.

He placed his hand over hers and leaned in, causing her face to catch flame. "{No, they are a gift from me. I do suggest A Study in Persimmon too, it's really where the series starts to get good.}" His warm breath tickled her ear as he whispered into it, sending all the blood in her body to her burning face.

They then froze at the familiar (and unwanted) voice of Pansy Parkinson casting a spell from the next alcove created by the walls bookshelves. "Lumos!"

Neither one dared breathe as they silently and slowly backed away from each other.

The silence lingered.

Ehren caught Draco's eye and then nodded before stealthily moving to the bookshelf separating them from the alcove where Pansy was.

Ehren slowly eased her head around the corner and her eyes narrowed.

No one was there. Her hand twisted and magic coursed down it as she wandlessly cast one of the Transfigurations that she had mastered. "Revelio!"

"{She's not there, Draco.}" The dagger spirit said flatly. "{And she didn't pass us to head to the door.}"

Draco moved his hand in his own wandless Hermetic spell and his eyes glimmered silver. "No invisibility spell either. But there are traces of very recent magic. Someone cast that light spell here a minute or two ago. And also..." He frowned at what his detection spell was picking up. "There's traces of something else...."

"Something... darker."

 

[Viper5497]

A. N. -- First crosspost today. Well, it's time to continue the plotting and preparing. Prior chapter here.

A Gambit of Daggers and Serpents (IV)
*Snip

Click to shrink...

That was smart of Ehren to pretend that Harry and Draco were still rivals.

Rita Skeeter, Queen of the Quills for the Daily Prophet.

Click to shrink...

Is that what she calls herself? What names would you call her?

Skeeter grinned triumphantly at the body language of the girl as she leaned against Draco. The reporter murmured instructions to her Quick-Quotes Quill. "Hmm, looks like he's the boyfriend of Miss Claire du Chasteler, and he's been seen socially with the drummer and guitar players, perhaps the band is the cover for a sordid little group of sexual deviants using him as a boytoy, yes? Add in her mother's notorious escapades including those filthy books that she's rumored to have starred in with Lyra Potter....."

Click to shrink...

And there's the thoughts of a person who's willing to ruin people just for a "Hot Scoop". How big is the dumpster fire going to be when Columbe comes over after Rita posts her garbage about her, her youngest daughter's band, and whatever else she can scrounge up (Read: Make up or blow out of proportion) on the duChastlers?

Even if her contact hadn't been accurate about Harry Potter being here today, the hunting ground was fertile with all the students talking about the start of the Triwizard.

Click to shrink...

How many students and staff are going to have their reputations torpedoed?

Ehren walked over and slowly read the title. "{Armando Dippet: Master or Moron? by Rita Skeeter....}" She rapidly flipped through the book and her eyes widened in shock at the clear rumors and lies filling it.

"Was ist das für ein Quatsch?" Ehren snapped out in a stifled mutter, her face reddening with a mixture of embarrassment and fury at what she was reading. "{Using love potions to take advantage of juvenile witches that he was disciplining during his time as Headmaster of Hogwarts?! Müll! Lügen! Unsinn!}"

Click to shrink...

Okay, what did she have to make up, blow out of proportion, or whatever else did she do to make that?

Father told me that it had more lies in one chapter than the ICW and Ministry of Magic would say in a year. But it sells well among the common folk.

Click to shrink...

Why does it sell that good?

Draco moved his hand in his own wandless Hermetic spell and his eyes glimmered silver. "No invisibility spell either. But there are traces of very recent magic. Someone cast that light spell here a minute or two ago. And also..." He frowned at what his detection spell was picking up. "There's traces of something else...."

"Something... darker."

Click to shrink...

They finally catch on to what Pansey's been practicing. If only barely.

 

[SisterJeanne]

A. N. -- Next crosspost for today. Let us return to She-Who-Ignites-Dumpsters....

A Matter of Parental Permission

Castle of Eight Banners, Takamagahara

October 16th, 2014 (Kannazuki)

"An unfulfilled vocation drains the color from a man's entire existence." -- Honore de Balzac

Spoiler: A Meeting at Kannazuki

Steel rang melodiously on steel while the two women fenced back and forth down the length of the dojo, which had been repurposed into a salle d'armes. Finally the referee called out from her position on the side watching the action. "Time!"

Colombe flash-stepped back at Tsukino's command and then lowered the practice blade that she was using. Facing Colombe, her mother Julie d'Aubigny lowered her own weapon with a devil-may-care grin.

Colombe breathed in and out, smiling at the sight of her true body in her mother's hand as the burn of hard work that was fencing began to fade. "I remember that feint in quarte, beat, then a feint in sixte combination intended to get the point to rise. Papa used that to beat me in our matches until I figured out how he was crossing my reflexes up and to use a contra-sixte parry." The Rapier racked her practice blade and nodded thanks to Tsukiko who handed her a bottle of electrolyte-filled sports drink. "That was one of your signature moves that you are using my true body to teach me, then? Come to think of it, when Father and I fought, she used that on me...."

Julie nodded as her grin widened. "Indeed. I developed that and it was one of my favorite combinations to finish a serious fight. I taught Jean and Nori the basics of it, just like I'm teaching you, Colombe. That's an interesting parry variation on Contra-Quinte that you used to bind my blade when I went for a head cut." Idly she performed the parry in question at a quarter speed. She then handed Colombe's true body back to her daughter.

"Merci mère!" Colombe looked distant and gave a bittersweet smile. "I learned that from Ehren's father Helmar von und zu Wolff. It is a parry developed in German sabre dueling between Burschenschaften student groups at the university in Jena shortly before the Great War, according to his telling me how he had learned it from his father as a boy. He taught me it after I expressed interest following that match." The smile grew more fond. "I'll have to teach that to Ehren one day as part of her heritage, thinking on it. She may never use it, but she deserves to know it as the last von und zu Wolff."

"Well said, Colombe du Chasteler." An unfamiliar voice sounded and Colombe looked at the door.A young-seeming Native American woman stood there dressed in spotless white leather robes. "If I may have a moment of your time?"

Colombe looked into the dark and knowing eyes of White Buffalo Calf Woman and curtsied. "Of course."

"Good." The American Indian deity nodded to the others present. "I'll be taking a working lunch with her, but this shouldn't be too long."

---------------------------------------------​

Colombe walked with the deity to a nearby room overlooking the gardens. A low table contained an assortment of meats and fresh berries, with floating deer hide blankets serving in place of chairs.

Colombe's eyebrows raised as she took a seat opposite White Buffalo Calf Woman, and the deity produced a lit ornately decorated and embellished pipe from somewhere. She accepted it and took a long draw of the smoke, feeling the surprisingly sweet tobacco and herbs seem to cause her spirit to expand, before handing the pipe back. White Buffalo Calf Woman took her own hit of the pipe and blew out a smoke ring. "First off, I want to thank you for assisting Delilah in her tasks that I have appointed for her. It is appreciated."

Colombe nodded, and took a generous helping of Buffalo brisket. She bit down and then realized with a smile that this was prepared with Zamarad's secret barbecue sauce. "You're welcome. I assume judging from the conversation that I had with my Papa, that the subject of discussion is going to be my daughter Ehren? He mentioned that you have plans for her as a Medicine Woman and Del's apprentice."

White Buffalo Calf Woman took a bite of her own selection of meat. "Indeed I do have plans for Ehren. While she should not be needed to suddenly take care of Delilah's primary responsibility in My Domain, her assistance there will be invaluable, especially after your sister gives birth. Also, there is a matter of grave concern for the Norse which Ehren is needed to handle involving her father's ancestral estate. Hachiman should have relayed Freya's message requesting her presence there, yes?"

Colombe nodded slowly, "Oui, He did. I do trust that she will get more specific instructions and directions than I am aware of?" The rapier sighed. "I understand the need for security, and Delilah has gotten vague when mentioning her ranch when I asked about it."

"As she should. The release of what she is the Guardian of would be catastrophic" White Buffalo Calf Woman said gravely. "I came to you both to take your measure, and also get your permission as Ehren's surviving parent to contact her. She will need to be initiated soon in order to have the power to do what must be done, and I must necessarily work through a middlewoman. Delilah's not available to handle this, and my other Medicine Woman is even less suited or trained for the role."

Colombe looked into dark and wise eyes and thought for several long moments. "How can I help you?" She finally said with a deep sigh, "I know that Ehren will live up to what is demanded of her, but I only hope that the role does not consume her or destroy her."

"As do I." White Buffalo Calf Woman smiled and then placed the pipe on the table. "Take this pipe to her primary avatar at Hogwarts when you return to the Mortal Realm. Command her to smoke it in the place that she met the Unicorns while Lugh's Chosen watches over her as the full moon rises. That shall release her spirit on a Vision Quest where I can initiate her. This must happen before you leave for Poland. Much depends on that."

Colombe bowed her head. "I'll make it happen as soon as I arrive at Moulbaix. I promise. Claire has been pestering me anyway to visit Ehren at Hogwarts, and a family trip there would be a good idea."

White Buffalo Calf Woman breathed a sigh of relief. "I am grateful that you're so willing to help. I had hoped for Delilah to handle matters, and for there to be more time, but events move at their own pace, not how we wish them to move."

 

[Wolf470]

A Gambit of Daggers and Serpents (IV)

Click to shrink...

Rita, Rita, Rita - Slandering people is not the best use of your time. You may find yourself on a deserted isle with a bunch of Abyssals playing catch the bug if you're not very careful.

And there's the thoughts of a person who's willing to ruin people just for a "Hot Scoop". How big is the dumpster fire going to be when Columbe comes over after Rita posts her garbage about her, her youngest daughter's band, and whatever else she can scrounge up (Read: Make up or blow out of proportion) on the duChastlers?

Click to shrink...

I don't think there will be a dumpster fire simply due to the fact that once Draco informs his father of Skeeters idiocy, Lucius will be happy to step on her and her slandering. She probably won't get killed but if she gets too snippy a secret that she would do anything to hide will be exposed. As far as I know she's still a beetle animagus and thus would spend six months in Azkaban for not registering (think that's the current punishment). I'm willing to bet that Lucius can get that particular secret without too many problems. It's nice having him on the side of good (however being good doesn't mean having to be nice)

A Matter of Parental Permission

Click to shrink...

More of Kami-Con - -Coool!

 

[Warwolf117]

Whenever I read Medusa's lines, I automatically hear it in my mind as a very posh English Noblewoman's voice.

Click to shrink...

*Listens*
Eh, right spirit, wrong version.
Absolute Demonic Front Gorgon is closer to what I imagine:

 

[Viper5497]

A. N. -- Next crosspost for today. Let us return to She-Who-Ignites-Dumpsters....

A Matter of Parental Permission
*Snip

Click to shrink...

So, correct me if I'm wrong, but is Ehren going to to visit Takamagahara sometime soon?

 

[Jadesteele]

"Rita Skeeter, Queen of the Quills for the Daily Prophet.

Click to shrink...

Is that what she calls herself? What names would you call her?

Click to shrink...

If i was honest, and put down what i Normally refer to Rita as, i'd be tempbanned by the mods...

 

[SisterJeanne]

That was smart of Ehren to pretend that Harry and Draco were still rivals.

Click to shrink...

Ehren and Draco, note. But yes, Draco and Ehren are playing the role of 'pissed off at Potter' to divert suspicions from them and also see if any Death Eaters target Draco for recruitment.

Is that what she calls herself? What names would you call her?

Click to shrink...

If i was honest, and put down what i Normally refer to Rita as, i'd be tempbanned by the mods...

Click to shrink...

It's what she called herself in GoF at the weighing of the wands.

And there's the thoughts of a person who's willing to ruin people just for a "Hot Scoop". How big is the dumpster fire going to be when Columbe comes over after Rita posts her garbage about her, her youngest daughter's band, and whatever else she can scrounge up (Read: Make up or blow out of proportion) on the duChastlers?

Click to shrink...

Depends on what she says, and when Colombe sees it (Colombe will be very busy in Poland soon, for example).

How many students and staff are going to have their reputations torpedoed?

Click to shrink...

**inscrutable author noises**

Okay, what did she have to make up, blow out of proportion, or whatever else did she do to make that?

Click to shrink...

Lots. There's a reason Dippet's granddaughter hates Rita.

Why does it sell that good?

Click to shrink...

Why do other tabloids (National Enquirer, Daily Mail, etc.) sell that well?

They finally catch on to what Pansey's been practicing. If only barely.

Click to shrink...

They have a hint, yes.

Rita, Rita, Rita - Slandering people is not the best use of your time. You may find yourself on a deserted isle with a bunch of Abyssals playing catch the bug if you're not very careful.

Click to shrink...

Well to be fair Colombe is more the type to hand Rita a sheathed rapier and tell her to get a second for a duel of honor. She wont; delegate to Abyssals.

I don't think there will be a dumpster fire simply due to the fact that once Draco informs his father of Skeeters idiocy, Lucius will be happy to step on her and her slandering. She probably won't get killed but if she gets too snippy a secret that she would do anything to hide will be exposed. As far as I know she's still a beetle animagus and thus would spend six months in Azkaban for not registering (think that's the current punishment). I'm willing to bet that Lucius can get that particular secret without too many problems. It's nice having him on the side of good (however being good doesn't mean having to be nice)

Click to shrink...

Well, also Rita knows that if she pisses Lucius enough she might have a Hit Wizard take her out. So there's that too....

More of Kami-Con - -Coool!

Click to shrink...

Yep, I needed to do a few things there still.

So, correct me if I'm wrong, but is Ehren going to to visit Takamagahara sometime soon?

Click to shrink...

Define 'soon'.

Next Kannazuki (October 2015) when access is allowed, Colombe will visit with her girls in tow if her duties permit. At a minimum, Ehren will visit Grandma d'Aubigny and Grandpapa du Chasteler at the earliest possible moment to get properly spoiled.

 

[sstabeler]

Well, also Rita knows that if she pisses Lucius enough she might have a Hit Wizard take her out. So there's that too....

Click to shrink...

Of course, that doesn't make her harmless even then. Offhand, for instance, the obvious way around both not pissing off either Colombe or Lucius would be to go for it being the shipgirls corrupting Draco into the arrangement. We know that wouldn't work, of course, but Rita would expect it to.

 

[Wolf470]

Well to be fair Colombe is more the type to hand Rita a sheathed rapier and tell her to get a second for a duel of honor. She wont; delegate to Abyssals.

Click to shrink...

I had the image of Rita doing one of her hatchet job pretend interviews with Harry and then the FOL reads about it and one night Rita goes to sleep and she wakes up on Avora with the entire Fleet knowing her secrets and chasing her. Not going to hurt her but teach her a lesson? Yeah I can see it.

 

[Warwolf117]

The epilogue of Medusa's Select, a smaller chapter to tie up some loose threads.
__________

Autumnal Equinox, 2014
Cerna, Gorgades

From where she sat within the treeline, Risin bit her lip. Normally, she'd be alone in the caves on this day, but Stheno had asked her to tag along as long as she stayed out of sight. So, here the Abyssal sat, in a bush, watching the shoreline where the two remaining Gorgon residents of the island "stood," looking out to sea. Then she heard a swishing of water as the tide shifted unnaturally.

A raft came into view, made of interwoven branches that had visibly withered with time… except in the center. There stood one of the most beautiful women the heavy cruiser had ever seen; not that Stheno wasn't a looker in the big and brawny kind of way, but this woman's appearance was otherworldly, supernatural. A maiden in her in a state far greater than her prime.

The raft touched the shore, and the woman stepped off, the branches immediately rotting away. She came on land, the grass flourishing where she stepped. She nodded at the two Gorgons. "Euryale, Stheno."

Euryale bowed. "Welcome back, Lady Persephone." She was speaking in Ancient Greek, something Risin was now thankful for Stheno teaching her.

And so was the reply. "It is good to be back, and soon to return to my husband." She then seemed to look for something. "I notice Medusa is not here. Did something happen to her?"

"Yes, milady."

"Was she-?"

Euryale bowed her head for a moment. "She has found love."

There was the barest widening of "Persephone"'s eyes, and Stheno began chortling. "I didn't expect you to lead her on for even a second, Eury."

Persephone had recovered and chuckled in return. "Indeed. You were always the straight-laced one. Well, we have quite a bit of time. Tell me all about this man who has healed her heart while we move. Lead on."

As the three slithered and walked, as appropriate, away, Stheno clasped her hands behind her back and leaned in teasingly. "Oh~? And why wouldn't you consider that it might be a woman that caught her fancy?"

Even from where she was, Risin could see the unamused look the new woman leveled at her girlfriend. "You know as well as I do that Medusa is as straight as a spear. She wouldn't consider any-"

At that point, they had traveled out of Risin's hearing range, so she mustered all of the stealth skill she had ever learned and began to follow. She only made it one step.

Persephone's head whipped around and her eyes locked on to the Abyssal's location. "I may not be as petty as Artemis, but I still do not like being watched by persons unknown. Reveal yourself." The woman's voice positively thrummed with Power, something that the Ri-class hadn't felt in years, and sounded as though Persephone was having a conversation right next to her ear.

She froze until she heard Stheno's voice calling out to her. Risin stepped out of the treeline, walked over to about twenty five paces distant, and prostrated herself to await judgement. She did not say a word, as she'd seen first-hand many times how that only made things worse.

"A Sea Demon? Stheno told your name. Tell me who you are."

"I am called Risin. Ri-class heavy cruiser. Formerly of the Wandering Huntresses fleet. Formerly, formerly of…" She shuddered. "...Kali of the Abyss, who had been known to humans as Sub-Continental Princess."

"Ah. Her." A hand gripped her chin and coaxed her into making eye contact with the Human Elder Princess - no, Goddess was the correct term. "Hmm. Yes. You may be her daughter, but I can see you are nothing like her. Else you would not have earned Stheno's trust, and more, nor would you have demonstrated contrition for your actions, unknowing of their significance as you were when Stheno asked you to commit them." Persephone stepped back. "Rise, Risin, and join us. I would welcome another escort."

Her mind unable to form words with how in a whirl it was processing what she had been told, the Abyssal numbly nodded and followed the goddess' orders.
__________

MACUSA Auror Headquarters, Southwest Division
Denver, Colorado

Charles Deckard watched Chief Bridges look up at him as he walked into the office. "You wanted to see me, sir?"

"You'll want to sit down."

Recognizing those words, he did so. "Who was it?"

Pulling out a bottle of Fire Whiskey and two glasses, Nelson answered, "One of your old classmates and Junior Partners, Delilah de Breuil."

Charles was silent for a moment, simply holding up two fingers to ask for the whiskey. The chief poured out the requested amount and passed the glass over. Knocking it back, the older man finally spoke. "Fuck. I was absolutely certain I'd die first, what with her becoming ageless. How did it happen?"

"Necromancer bust in Louisiana back in July. Either someone got lucky with a really powerful Blasting Curse at point blank or some idiot unleashed a Fiendfyre. Either way, by the time backup arrived, she and her partner were dead, with not enough body left to physically identify." He held up a finger to forestall any comment. "I checked. The automatic charms that record Auror deaths triggered for them both. I can see about getting you an invite to the funeral."

As Nelson poured both of them a glass, Charles nodded. "Thank you, sir." Raising his in a toast, he added, "To the lost. May they finally find peace."

"Hear, hear."

As he looked into the third glass, the old man began to ramble. "Did you know that Del was the reason I started carrying a gun?"

"Oh? I don't think you told me the story."

"It was 1880. We were on her second year of partnership when we were directed to contain a threat at some No-Maj museum. Can't remember which one. Turned out some explorer had crossed some South American mages and got himself cursed to turn into a monster with a taste for brains, which happened in the museum. Damn thing was practically immune to magic, and I was ready to break out the Killing Curse. Then she whips out the revolver she always carried around and pops its head open. Dropped it instantly with one shot. Bought my first gun as soon as the case's paperwork finished processing at the beginning of the next year.

"Fuck." He sighed and looked at the man who officially outranked him. "Let me warn you: It never gets easier, losing people or consoling those who have."

Chief Bridges nodded. "I know. Blood Week had me doing this a lot. Probably not as many times as you did in your tenure, what with both World Wars."

"And pray you never do." The two continued their conversation about the past, friends lost, and how to move on for nearly an hour.
__________

Normally, being in the middle of a spiderweb large and strong enough to hold an entire adult human would be 1) only seen in fiction and 2) be a cause of great worry. To Brant, there was practically no more comfortable place to sleep. Or, there had been, but he had grown so used to sleeping in Medusa's coils that the web hammock by itself was feeling… incomplete.

Shifting around, he looked at the movie shelves that dominated one side of the room, which were much more filled than when he had left all those years ago. Thanks, Anitza. Of course, that led to the next topic of his thoughts.

Namely that the spider girl had liked him. Not as a friend, but as something more. And he had not realized it. Not until he and someone else had captured each other's hearts. The question now was where Anitza would fit, as they couldn't go back to the way they were before.

Then he heard a thud, a short cry, and the clacking thumps that meant Anitza was climbing around on the living room ceiling. With practiced ease, he rolled out of the web and alighted on the carpet (which had been changed, he absently noted). He slid a knife out of its sheath hanging on the back of the bedroom door and stalked down the hall. When he arrived, the incongruity of the situation brought him up short.

There was Medusa, tied up and suspended from the ceiling by Anitza's silk, the latter verbally ripping into her about "stealing her man." Then her eyes flashed, and Brant's heart stopped for a second as Anitza collapsed, stiff as a board, but she didn't turn to stone. As her snake hair unbound her arms and mouth, she started a retort until she caught sight of their man looking on with a small smile on his face.

As the paralysis ended and Anitza stood back up, the human spoke up. "You know, there's nothing saying that you both can't share me." The words had tumbled out without a thought, but he considered the wide eyes and nuclear blushes to be worth it.

 

[Viper5497]

The epilogue of Medusa's Select, a smaller chapter to tie up some loose threads.
*Snip

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What kind of spider-person is Anitza?

We were on her second year of partnership when we were directed to contain a threat at some No-Maj museum. Can't remember which one. Turned out some explorer had crossed some South American mages and got himself cursed to turn into a monster with a taste for brains, which happened in the museum. Damn thing was practically immune to magic, and I was ready to break out the Killing Curse. Then she whips out the revolver she always carried around and pops its head open. Dropped it instantly with one shot. Bought my first gun as soon as the case's paperwork finished processing at the beginning of the next year.

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The part of being turned into a monster with a taste for brains sounds like the plot of a movie. I don't remember the name of it but I swear that was from a movie. Edit: I looked it up, the movie was called "The Relic".

"You know, there's nothing saying that you both can't share me."

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Well, trios will be trio'd, I guess.

Colombe will be very busy in Poland soon

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What's going to happen in Poland?

 

[Warwolf117]

What kind of spider-person is Anitza?


The part of being turned into a monster with a taste for brains sounds like the plot of a movie. I don't remember the name of it but I swear that was from a movie. Edit: I looked it up, the movie was called "The Relic".

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1) She's a granddaughter of Spider Grandmother (making the deity's name a bit literal in this case). As for her appearance, look up Chuunioniika's Jorogumo artwork on danbooru for a pretty good approximation of what she looks like.

2) Thanks for spotting the shout-out.

 

[Viper5497]

She's a granddaughter of Spider Grandmother (making the deity's name a bit literal in this case). As for her appearance, look up Chuunioniika's Jorogumo artwork on danbooru for a pretty good approximation of what she looks like.

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So she's got six arms, five eyeballs, and is the granddaughter of a goddess. Although wouldn't her divine heritage keep the geas afflicted on Select families by The Morgan from effecting her? I mean, if Anitza wound up meeting with a Select who's got a far more hostile disposition towards magical life (like Olivia McKay for example, remember that abusive old fossil who's willing to break her own granddaughter if it means she'll continue to preform "The Duty"?)? She would have likely been attacked or killed without a second thought because to the Select in question, even if she's being friendly, she's a magical being, therefore she's the enemy. And must be utterly destroyed for the sake of humanity. No mercy. No remorse.

Honestly, how many Select are out there who have a "kill them all before they do the same to us" mentality? Because I fear that there would be plenty.

 

[VirtualFox]

snip

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I think the bulk of the Select do wind up going Wayward Creed from White Wolf's Hunter The Reckoning, where they do go, must kill them all irregardless of cost.

But a solid chunk find out case by case mentality is a better survival mechanic.

 

[Viper5497]

I think the bulk of the Select do wind up going Wayward Creed from White Wolf's Hunter The Reckoning, where they do go, must kill them all irregardless of cost.

But a solid chunk find out case by case mentality is a better survival mechanic.

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Well, ultimately it would be up to OnceUponWhatever/NotHimAgain to decide how many think like that. Although the ones that do might become like Scouerers or simply join up the with said anti-magical-ANYTHING terrorists. I'm pretty sure Olivia might very well do so.

 

[Jadesteele]

Turned out some explorer had crossed some South American mages and got himself cursed to turn into a monster with a taste for brains, which happened in the museum.

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the movie was called "The Relic".

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And Viper beats me out in identifying the 'incident'. Incidentally, lets hope that it was the BOOK version of the relic - not only was it better, it had more survivors as well.

 

[Warwolf117]

And Viper beats me out in identifying the 'incident'. Incidentally, lets hope that it was the BOOK version of the relic - not only was it better, it had more survivors as well.

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Sorry. Movie version's all I know, so that's the version of Mbwum that appeared.

 

[Wolf470]

Autumnal Equinox, 2014

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Nice wrapping up of the 'Medusa's Select' series. I fully expect to see more of them later.

As for the Select I fully expect that in 75% if not more most of the new Select are protective types. One of the newest is more a negotiator and The Morgan really should have researched her before she was selected (for one thing she now has several shipgirls who act as her escorts on a rotating basis, which if I remember right surprised The Morgan immensely )

It seems to be the older families that tend to drift into the take them all out (Olivia McKay being a prime example, she killed her own daughter and framed her son-in-law for it. On second thought, no she's not a good example of anything other then a pychopath!)

 

[Das katze]

Necromancer bust in Louisiana

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I'm gonna guess this is cover up that TOTEM crafted to conceal what happened.

Edit:

As far as 'authorial responsibilities' it's kind of as follows.

Harry Lefferts: Responsible for Harry Potter and overall story progress.
RCNAnon: Weasly Warship Workshop/RoN Weasley's stuff
MagisterAurelius: Ship of Fools/Draco Mlafoy stuff. Yellowhammers stuff involving Ship of fools are canon and approved by him.
Kimisa: Setgirls.
Savato: Fleet of Laughter/Hoppou's Abyssal fleet in the Pacific
NotHimAgain: The Select
Lord Khuzdul: Turkey/Turkish shipgirls
Lord K: The Japanese Non Human Rights Organization, Muramasas and Masamunes. He had to bow out in thread 3 thanks to Rl blowing up, and Yellowhammer took over some of his plot threads with permission.
Antonio CC: Spanish Shipgirls.
Yellowhammer/SisterJeanne: Norimune's children/the Butterknife Bastards, Puppy Love, and the St. Thomas Shipgirl contigent.
K9theFirst1: Porta and the Atlantic Abyssals

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So just saw this in the SB thread. I have one question though. I thought Lord K and Lord Khuzdul were the same person?

Feel free to let me know if this needs any updates for relevancy/names on SV

Edit part the second: if this is not wanted let me know and I will delete the second half

 

[Warwolf117]

I'm gonna guess this is cover up that TOTEM crafted to conceal what happened.

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Less cover-up and more half-truth: Del and Zamarad did bust a ring of necromancers. They then used a time-turner to counter an Abyssal attack on, essentially, one of the American counterparts of Hogsmead. During the fighting, they were grievously wounded to the point that even magic thought they were dead. The community's existence was classified, so MACUSA reported to the public that Louisiana was where they bought it.

 

[Wolf470]

I'm gonna guess this is cover up that TOTEM crafted to conceal what happened.

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Part of what WarWolf117 said - The necromancer Bust in Louisiana, than as said a timeturner: Del and Zam lead a Winters Network raid on a TOTEM black project in Kingsport - it turned out that in order to cover TOTEM activity they were summoning Abyssals to raid the coast and distract shipgirls. The No-Maj government was called and evacuated Kingsport just before/during the Abyssal fleet's arrival. The Coverup was on the part of the Winter's Network and the No-Maj American Government. As far as MACUSA is concerned Kingsport was wiped off the map due to a TOTEM 'accident'

 

[Harry Leferts]

Once they were done with the meeting with the Headmaster, it did not take the group all that long to reach Gryffindor Tower. Just outside the entrance to the Gryffindor Dorms, however, the group encountered a familiar ghost. Turning at the sound, Myrtle sighed a little and shook her head, "There you are, Harry." She then greeted the others, though Tanith and the others members of the Fleet of Laughter did stare a little as they were still unsure about being around ghosts. Meanwhile, Myrtle turned and gave Harry an bemused look as she crossed her arms over her chest as she floated over, "What am I ever going to do with you, Harry? Honestly, why do you continually have trouble find you?"

Amused, Harry gave her a small shrug, "Guess that trouble just finds me too attractive." Suddenly, he grinned some, "Oh! I just thought of a good joke that I've been dying to tell you."

That got various groans from those around them, though Myrtle rolled her eyes fondly, "Okay, Harry. Go ahead and hit me. This may be a grave matter, but I don't see an issue with coffin up a joke."

Grin on her face, Nagato snickered even as Hoppou placed her face in her hands, "That was bad, Po!"

However, the grin on her face said otherwise.

For his part, the fourteen-year-old wizard laughed some, "No, that was a good one!" Harry cleared his throat, "Okay, okay… So two ghosts entered a bar, right?"

Blinking some, Nuri turned and gave him an odd look, "Why would two ghosts enter a bar, Uncle Harry?"

If anything, the grin on Harry's face widened, "Because they wanted some boo-ze. Eh? Eh?"

Nearly immediately, there were facepalms as some of those there snorted and others groaned at the joke. Meanwhile, Myrtle literally flipped over laughing before righting herself, "Okay, Harry? I am so using that joke during the next meeting of us Hogwarts ghosts. Hopefully, Sir Nick won't lose his head over it."

More snickers came from Harry as he pointed his fingers at her, "That was another good one."

Only bowing a little, the ghost's expression became serious, "Leaving that aside… I am still concerned and want to speak to you about what happened last night. Because I am worried."

With a nod, Nagato motioned for her to follow, "Well, none of us would mind you coming along, Myrtle-San. After all, you might have a few insights and such that we could use…" Pausing for a moment, she continued, "And we could use your help with some things as well."

Just nodding at that, Myrtle followed them through the portrait hole and then up the stairs to the Headboy's Quarters. Once inside, Harry, Ryuujou, and Junyou all cast privacy charms once they made sure that no one was there but them. As they sat down, the ghost floated in midair as if sitting as she looked around before focusing on Harry, "Okay, Harry? First things first, I want you to know that, no matter what? I have your back in this. And if I get my hands on those responsible…" For a few moments, Myrtle's form seemed to solidify with her hair becoming stringy and skin drawing tight to her bones with her nails turning black as weeping, black tears came from her eyes, with said eyes glowing malevolently, "I will make them regret it…"

Seconds later, she turned back to normal with some of those shuddering a little at what happened, their breath fogging in the air. After a second or two, Wanko shook her head and gave a thin smile, though not directed to the ghost, "You will need to… get into… line, Miss Myrtle."

All the ghost did was nod at that with an understanding expression, "As long as you leave me some of them, I don't mind." She then turned back to Harry with a small frown, glancing at the others, "I hope that you have a plan?"

Taking a sip of her sake, Junyou gave a small shrug, "That is what we're here to finalize."

Rolling her eyes at her fellow Onmyouji shipgirl, Ryuujou brought her focus over towards Harry, "She's righ' about tha' Harry-Chan." Frown on her face, the Carrier continued, "As much as Ah hate ta say this, it may turn out ta be a good thin' in some ways."

Frown appearing on her face, Nagato narrowed her eyes some, "Explain."

With a glance towards Junyou, the petite Carrier cleared her throat, "What Ah mean, Nagato, is tha' we can use this opportunity to prepare for wha' is likely ta happen in the next few years." She jerked her thumb towards Harry, "First things first, we're goin' ta be increasing Harry-Chan's training in Onmyoudo. He's got a good base as it is, but we need ta expand on that."

Sigh escaping her as she drained the last of her bottle, Junyou nodded, "Ryuujou's got it right, Nagato. From what I know, the Onos already offered their time turner, right?"

Very slowly, the Battleship nodded, "Hai, though from what Sakura-San and Ume-San stated, Akiyama-San may also arrive to offer the use of one from Kyoto for Harry to use. Being as he may need it for schoolwork and other things besides."

Nodding herself, Ryuujou frowned a little, "Exactly." She gave a small sigh and shook her head before turning towards Harry, "Which means that we're going to use it ta push you ta ya'll's limits, Harry-Chan. This here tournament will kill ya if given half a chance, Ah hate ta say it. But we're going ta do our darn best ta make sure that it won't."

Lips twitching a little, Harry gave her a small nod, "Thank you, Ryuujou-Oba."

Chuckles escaping her, the petite Carrier shook her head a little as she grasped the brim of her hat and tugged it lower with a dark grin, "Ya'll say tha' now, but we'll see if tha' is how ya feel later…"

Junyou, having pulled out another bottle of booze which she sipped, raised an eyebrow, "Anyways, we're going to review what you do know over the next week or two. And it won't only be us who will be teaching you either, as both Akimi-San and Miu-San will be helping us, as will Hoshi-San and Haru-San when they're available."

Even as Harry nodded, Ryuujou gained a considering look, "From what Ah know, Taiyang-San will also start teaching ya'll about Qi and such, right?"

Just blinking, Harry gave another nod, "Hai, she's going to start teaching me the very basics of that." Pausing for a moment, he continued, "Vala also mentioned teaching me some magics that she knows that were lost, Norse magics. And I think that Grandmother will also be teaching me some things."

Frown on her face, Tenryuu leaned forwards, "A packed schedule, Kiddo. You sure that you'll be able to handle it?"

Grimacing, the teenage wizard shook his head some, "Honestly, Tenryuu-Oba? I don't know if I even have much choice anymore. Not with what is happening and what looks to be coming."

Also grimacing, Tenryuu sighed some, "Well, I can't say that I blame you for that sort of thought." She then gained a steely look, "But if you start getting overwhelmed, take a damn break. Even if for a day or two, because burning out is just as bad."

Only nodding at that, Harry gave her a small smile, "Hai, Tenryuu-Oba." He then tilted his head and looked at Inazuma and Ikazuchi who both blinked, "Besides which… I figure that we could split the magic lessons up with other lessons. Like Aikido that Inazuma-Chan and Ikazuchi-Chan have been teaching me." He then turned and gave a nod towards Verniy, "Or the Russian boxing that Hibiki-Chan has been teaching me."

Mulling that over for a few moments, the Light Cruiser hummed a little, "I suppose that would help… and you also have that Yae kid helping you out with your sword skills too, right?" At his nod, Tenryuu frowned and scratched her chin, "Hmm… still a bit much, but… if you split them up, maybe…"

Suddenly perking up, Hachi suddenly smiled a little, "Well, there are some other things that we can do as well." Seeing them turn to her, she made a gesture with her hands, "With the time turner, we can take some time off. Not much, but… some. And, besides that? I've been meaning to help Harry-Chan with his German and I know that Yukikaze-Chan wants to help him learn Chinese… so that would be a break from anything more physical."

Verniy then nodded a little with a small smile, "Da, and I can help him with his Russian along with Hanna-Chan."

While suspicious of her reasoning, Nagato slowly gave a nod, "That… does make some sense, I suppose. Though I still want Harry to take breaks and not burn himself out."

Iku only smiled and nodded some as she glanced towards Harry, "Don't worry, Nagato-San, we'll all make sure that Harry-Chan takes some time to simply relax."

Tone utterly dry, the Battleship gave the Submarine a look which, along with her next words, caused a number of blushes, "I'm sure that you will." A sigh then escaped her and she shook her head, "Honestly, however… I really do not want to overwhelm you, Harry. Not with everything else…"

Reaching over, Harry placed a hand on hers, "I know, Mum, but…"

Yet another sigh escaped from Nagato as she took his hand and gave it a squeeze, a small, sad but proud smile on her face, "You need to prepare, I know. But I am your Okaa-San and worry about you just the same."

At the same time, Hamakaze was humming before she suddenly perked up, "Ah." Seeing everyone look at her, she gave Harry a small smile, "I think that, for swordfighting, perhaps we should contact Ayase-San?"

Befuddled at that, Tenryuu blinked and frowned, "Ayase-San?" When the Light Cruiser got a nod, she frowned a little bit more, "Hmm…"

Concerned, the Japanese Superdreadnought looked from the Cruiser to the Destroyer, "Is there… an issue with Ayase-San?"

Moments later, Tenryuu shook her head some, "Nah, not really. I'll be the first to admit that she is a good girl, and is progressing with her swordsmanship, but still… a bit odd for her to be brought into this."

In her voice, there was a note of suspicion, which Hamakaze ignored as she nodded, "Hai, but her progression is why she may be a good choice to help out Harry-Chan. After all, Harry-Chan does need to have someone around his level to practice against and use as a measuring stick of sorts. Or else he may become discouraged by always losing if he is up against those more skilled…" The Destroyer gave him a small nod, "No offence, Harry-Chan."

Just shrugging, Harry shook his head a little, not noticing the silent conversation several shipgirls were having, "No worries."

While Harry may have missed the silent conversation, others there didn't as it caused more than one raised eyebrow. Only shaking her head, Nagato became thoughtful, "Hmm… I suppose that it does make a little sense to have Harry match himself against someone his own level. And Ayase-San can be trusted as well…" After a moment, she shook her head, "We'll have to draw up a schedule for all of this, however. Especially once Sirius-San and Remus-San get back to me in regards to helping Harry learn more in regards to wand magic."

Perking up at that, the teenage wizard nodded some, "That's true, like I told Professor Dumbledore, Sirius did say that he is willing to help me with dueling… or at least learning more offensive and defensive magic."

Junyou took another swing of her drink before nodding, "Heh, that's good to hear. Guy was involved in the last war…" Rubbing her chin, she hummed, "And he could give us some more intel about how the Death Eaters and Voldemort operated. Which is always a good thing if you end up fighting them for some reason in the future."

Clenching her fists with the sound of groaning steel, Tanith grimaced, "I hope that Uncle Harry won't have to."

However, Hoppou shook her head with a small sigh, eyes narrowed, "Unfortunately, Hoppou doesn't think that there's any chance that Big Brother won't. If big Meanie is coming back, he will target Big Brother just because. So we need to prepare."

Grimace on her face, Sunny leaned forward and folded her hands in front of her face, "Mom's right. This Voldemort guy sounds sort of like some of the nastier Abyssal Princesses out there. You know, the ones who will kill and torture their subordinates just because."

That got her a nod from her sisters, with Ritou frowning some, "Yeah… and for some of them, getting their stern kicked was enough to send them into a fury as they needed to rectify it. So no matter what, Voldemort will be gunning for Uncle Harry… we just need to protect him the best that we can and end him when the time comes… Or weaken him enough that he can be finished by someone else."

Each of the other Abyssals nodded at that, with Regina scowling, "If he shows himself, I'll rip him apart." More than one of the shipgirls shuddered a little as the Re-Class' eyes glowed and an aura of bloodlust sprang up around her, with the only one truly not affected being Shinano who simply nodded. Then, the Abyssal was back to normal as her tail wrapped itself around Harry and she turned to him, "I'll do my best to protect Harry."

Softly smiling at her, Wanko nodded some as she placed one clawed, gauntleted hand on the Re-Class' shoulder, "And I… know that you… will."

Patty then perked up with a smile, "Oh! I actually have something that Regina might be able to use to protect Uncle Harry. Give me a moment…"

Cocking her head to the side as she watched the Airfield Princess dig around, the Re-Class blinked, "Um, you do?"

With a nod, Patty hummed some, "Yeah… Ah! Here we go!"

Right then, she revealed the Abyssal aircraft which everyone leaned in to examine and blinked at the sight of. It was similar to some of the twin-engine Bombers that the Abyssals used, including Re-Class, but there were some modifications. One of which was the large, tooth-lined cannon in the nose as well as what looked like large rockets in the wings. Blinking, Hoppou placed a mittened hand to her chin and then looked up at Patty who seemed somewhat nervous, "Hoppou is very intrigued, Patty. What is it? It looks like Bloodsucker Bomber…"

Glancing at the others, Patty nodded some, "Because its based on that, Mom. I just made some… modifications to it."

Frown on her face, Nagato glanced at her and back to the aircraft, "Hmm… Modifications? I know that they are somewhat nasty to fight as they have a long range and very good speed. Still… don't see them that often."

Only shrugging, Sunny snorted a little bit, "Because they don't carry as much 'Boom' as the Liberation type, and are also beaten out somewhat in range too." Pausing for a moment, she turned and looked at Regina, "You can carry those too, right?"

Even as the Re-Class nodded, more than one of the shipgirls grimaced at the reminder of the Abyssal version of the B-24 that some of the Abyssals carried, usually Installation types, but some of the Ship ones also carried them including Re-Class. Shaking that off, Shinano leaned in and adjusted her glasses some, "Um… what modifications did you make?"

Head tilting back and forth, Patty hummed a little, "Well… um, after what happened with us, you know…?" That got her a few nods and comforting hands on her shoulders, the Airfield Princess took a deep breath before releasing it, "Well, I wanted to make sure that it would never happen again. So… I got to work on modifying the Bloodsucker. I added a main gun in the nose with is one of the 57mm anti-tank guns we have around, it can fire HE as well as canister. Really, really good against Submarines and smaller Abyssals like Destroyers. And I also developed some rockets for it as well which lets it be a danger to Light Cruisers and even Heavy Cruisers to some extent besides the bombs. The rockets can be fitted to other planes too, and I'm working on a larger version that would be a threat to Cruisers and even Carriers or older Battleships."

Gently taking the plane, Regina cocked her head to the side in curiosity as she examined it more closely, "So I can operate it as well?"

Just nodding, the Airfield Princess pointed at it, "Yeah, shouldn't be that hard if you don't load up any bombs. You could even leave the rockets out since you probably won't need them with the machine guns in the nose as well as the cannon…" Thoughtful look on her face, she rubbed her chin, "Give me a few more months though and I'll have an upgunned version that I am working on which uses a 96mm gun. From all my tests, it seems like it will work out pretty well… And it would allow us to punch more above our weight if needed."

Clawed, gauntleted finger tapping against her chin, Wanko slowly nodded, "I am very… much interested in… such a plane… Patty. If possible could… I have the plans… for both the planes… and rockets?"

With a blink, Patty nodded with a smile on her face, "Sure thing, Aunt Wanko! I don't mind at all!"

Each of the shipgirls shared a look as they had all heard about what was happening in the Indian Ocean, and so understood why the Abyssal was extremely interested in said aircraft and their weapons. After a few moments, however, Regina gave a small nod, "I do not mind using them, Patty. So thank you."

That got her a small smile before Tanith then spoke up, "Regina? Aunt Wanko? I'm going to send some of our fleets as well to guard Uncle Harry." At the looks, she gave a small shrug, "Even if we don't find who did this… we will still send a message."

Frown on her face, Nagato gave a small nod, "I don't see much issue with that, Tanith. We'll have to run the specifics past Teitoku as well as Dumbledore and the Royal Navy, but… I can't see them arguing about it too much in this case." Her frown deepening, she shook her head, "We'll need a schedule drawn up for it, however."

Right then, Shinano perked up, "Um… I have an idea for that." When they turned to her, she continued with a small smile, glancing at Hachi, "Maybe have Niiyodo make the schedule? Because she is good at that and, um… used to doing that sort of thing."

Despite once more having a few suspicions as to why, Nagato still gave a small nod, "Agreed, I'll talk with her when we get back to Yokosuka." Her voice then became dry and more than one of the shipgirls there, and one Abyssal, were unable to meet her eye, "As I am sure that Harry will also be getting some of you as guards at times as well…"

It was then that Myrtle spoke up and caught their attention, "Harry? Do you still have the Marauder's Map with you?"

Briefly, Harry was confused before he nodded, "Yeah! And I think that I know where you might be going with this, Aunt Myrtle." Seeing the looks, he grinned some and continued, "The Map will show everyone in the castle, right? Which means that we could have someone keep an eye on it for anyone suspicious during the Tournament or who might not belong there. And if we do notice something out of place…"

Maruyu finished for him with a dark smile, "Then we might catch the bastard that entered you and get information out of them…" If anything, her smile became more vicious as she thumbed her sword, sheathed at her side, "Hai, I like that idea."

With a nod of her own, the ghost gave a dark smile of her own before it vanished, "Meanwhile, I'll do my best and keep an eye out for anything. Sometimes, being ignored is a good thing and I can turn invisible as well. Which means that I might overhear something or see something that could give us some clues. Not to mention that the other ghosts sometimes gossip alongside the paintings."

That only got her nods and soon they had drawn up a preliminary plan for how they were going to handle things…

 

[Dingdong]

Uum question boss, is Amelia or the ICW involved yet? this is turning into a major incident and has the protentional to EXPLODE massively so they'd want to dog pile it and make sure nothing happens, especially with the threat it poses to the statute.

 

[still_guns]

I'll have an upgunned version that I am working on which uses a 96mm gun.

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That's a very strange calibre for a gun. Closest I've seen was the 32 pounder AT gun at 94mm and the 95mm howitzer. I'm presuming this gun is meant to be used in the same way as those 75mm armed B-25's?