This is a continuation of This:
Kantai Collection Ideas and Recs II: Azur Boogaloo | Page 3
(SB Version cause forget finding it here..)
Through A Soldiers Eyes.
I'm doing a experiment with this on how to write this, a scene in the past with the main story in the future to support it. Let me know how it works.
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I cursed as I fought to get my clutch out of my truck's cab. It said something that I was losing that fight. I grumbled as I decided to take a moment to calm down. Still had another forty five minutes til the meeting, I had time.
"I didn't put this in the bed why…" I mutter leaning against the door. A quick glance to the right reminded me why and did wonders for my blood pressure. For the driver side fender was gone. A casualty of Hell Week, and a twenty millimeter round. How the cab remained undamaged I will never know. At least the camper I got now fitted. I grimaced as the throbbing pain in my thigh increase slightly in warning.
"Oh yeah… Thats why," I mutter reaching in to get the clutch. Which came out smoothly. "Of fucking course…"
"Know what, don't care. M4 come," I said slinging my weapon. Patting the sling to ensure it stayed I grabbed the folders. "Paperwork check, weapon and ammo on belt double check. Truck lock… check. Now where's the Admin building. Really wish they put the building number on these orders…"
With that complaint filed I began my hubble out of the parking lot thru Bremerton Naval Station. I soon found myself on the docks to my confusion.
"Ok…" I mutter looking across the sound, "That was a wrong turn, nice view at least…"
"Hey Des! Isn't it that him?"
A yell grab my attention pulling my eyes down to the docks.
"What?" I mutter in slight disbelief on seeing several girls standing on the water. Staring at me. I stared back before waving at them with my free hand. As I did one of the shipgirls turn and ran towards the nearest dock before vaulting on it. Her gear disappearing as she landed before she fook off in a full sprint.
I barely had a moment to register that before she was on me.
"Oh my god you did live!" she said into my patrol cap as she spun me around in a bearhug. A hug that did everything to illuminate the rather large size differences as my face went into something soft and warm. Unnoticing of my plight she continued, "You were so pale and had lost so much blood I couldn't know. Then we got no word and then the Admiral got sly this morning…"
"Ribs," I manage to gasp out from her generous cleavage.
" FUCK! Sorry!" she said as she gently put me down. "I didn't hurt you anymore did I?"
I reposition my weapon before answering, "Im fine! I'm fine. Mostly healed now. Actually think my weapon did more damage…"
"Good! That's um, good," she replied before an awkward silence fell on us.
I took some pride in the fact that I was able to keep my eyes above her collar as we looked at each other and not her ample bosom, something probably help by the fact I had to tilt my head back to look at her face. I did notice that she had a really nice beret on with an anchor pin.
"Thank you," I said after a moment, "For saving me. My memory of what happened is spotty at best, from a concussion, but I do remember you helping me. Docs said that you probably saved my life… Just wish I remembered your name…"
She just gave sad grin before answering with an outstretched hand, "I'm Des Moines, CA134. Nameship of the Des Moines class, last of the heavy cruisers."
Taking her hand i grin back, "Sergeant Eric Migaron. Thirteen Romeo Artillery Radar Operator. Nice to meet you. Properly and not bleeding out this time," earning a snort, as we shook hands a memory came to mind. "You know, I think my gramps may have served on you in the fifties… Or maybe used you for a waystation to his actual ship…"
Des Moines stare off at the distance humming in thought. "Maybe, Migaron does sound familiar… Wait if he was Navy, then so why are you Army?"
"Cause the Navy didn't want me, actually pointed me to the Army recruiter in fact," I replied with a grin.
"...Fucking recruiters," the shipgirl muttered under her breath as she facepalmed. "So why are you here? Don't often get soldiers over here."
"New job," I said checking my watch, still a good twenty minutes till panic time. Waving the folder with the orders I continued, "I'm here as a Coastal Defense Artillery Liaison, according to these. Apparently me having an in was enough to for someone. The fact that a communication breakdown keeps the guns shooting at you girls is something that I have to stop…"
"Eyeah that's been annoying…" Des Moines grumbled, "Thru it can be amusing. Like what happen to Washington a few nights back. Going on about how she so sneaky at night. Then star shells lite her up. Perfect timing. Through I do have several complaints I'll like to file on those guns accuracy…"
I chuckle at that, friendly fire is funny in a way when no one gets hurt. "Give me a few days and I'll set up a complaint box. But first I need to find the Admin Building…"
"That I can help with," Des Moines said grinning. "Follow me soldier boy."
"Lead the way! So long as you don't get us lost, cause I will then blame you," I said spinning on my good heel, I really couldn't wait to be rid of the clutch.
"Do I look like Air Force to you?" the shipgirl replied grinning as she walk by me.
I turn and give her a good once over. Allowing myself a moment to admire her blue with red highlights skirt and blouse before resting on her large chest. Tearing my eyes from her cleavage I watched her long braided blonde hair swing before I replied, "Hmm… Nope, better looking."
That earnt me a laugh from the heavy cruiser and a pat on the back.
"You not half bad for Army," she said grinning.
"Your not bad either for Navy," came my replied as I let Des Moines lead the way.
"Well I think that a start of a beautiful friendship," I barely heard from one of the others who had taken their take getting to us.
============sometime later=========
"Indeed it was Houston, indeed it was…" I mutter as I stare out across the sound once again for the first time in a good long while. I let my eyes drop down to the empty piers before sighing. It was late and the sun was setting on the dreary overcast winter day.
I shivered, despite spending time in Alaska the cold wet wind blowing off the sound slice through my clothes like they were nothing. Huffing, I turned and walked towards the defac, at this time everyone will be there and I was a few hours early. May as well have some food I figured. I walked on autopilot as I inspect the areas around me. Eyes lingered on new patches of concrete and new buildings from abyssal attacks. Memories of both good and bad swirl around my head, as I lost myself in thought. I notice that I had taken the long way to get to the Bremerton Defac. If I had went the other way…
Yeah still didn't want to see that even after all this time.
Soon I came to the Dining Facility and was in line for food. I was pleasantly surprised when day's meal wasn't chicken but fish. Soon I had my tray full and was looking for a spot.
As I did I couldn't help but snort as I eyed the many different clothing styles of the present shipgirls. One particular blue coat caught my eye as I spied an empty set by her.
"Ello TacoTakao," I said grinning as I let my speech impediment come out to make the two words sound the same.
"WHY YOU-ERIC!" the Japanese heavy cruiser said in joy. Or anger as she reach over to slap me on the back of the head, "I thought I told you not to call me that!"
"But you're reactions are amusing," I whined halfheartedly before nodding to the other shipgirls. "Who's your friends?"
"That's Mogami and that's Tone," the red eye heavy cruiser said indicating the two girls on the tables other side who watched amused.
"Hi!" the short hair girl said grinning. "I'm Mogami!"
"Hello," the girl with pigtails said tersely eyeing my uniform with some suspicions. "I'm Tone."
"Staff Sergeant Eric Migaron, a pleasure." I replied grinning as I went to pull out the chair. Only to find it lock in place by Takao rudder heels.
"You'll be thanking me in five, four," said Takao as she began to counting down to my confusion.
"What are you-UFF!" was my only reaction as I was glomp.
A pale face frame by white hair look up from my chest with a shark like grin, "Sarge!"