The breifing room aboard Kuroe.

Currently A young boy of around seventeen was sitting down on his chair. In front of him a group of 11 people stood in attention position. While another figure stood beside him.

“Then lets begin the introductions.”

Hakuya slowly said.

“Marshal Awashima Ayase reporting for duty as your adjuant sir!”

The girl beside him began. She had golden blonde hair and auzure blue eyes. Her face was like a gentle angle with a pair of glasses complementing her. However her very well endowed and curvaceous body could make men drool for her. Aside from Hakuya she was the only other Neo human present aboard Kuros. She was a young woman of 18 years yet she gave of an mature aura.

“ Lieutenant Yoshii Mikeo from the Weapons division! Reporting for duty sir!”

A young man in his mid twenties spoke next. Like that all the heads of the twelve divisions introduced themselves. There were 6 male and 5 female officers among them. While Ayase was the Adjuant.

“As you may Know I am Admiral Yatogami Hakuya. I will hereby be taking command of this ship and the seventh fleet. I hope we can work together.”

He Stood up and made a salute while the others returned the respect similarly. But Hakuya’s eyes caught the dislike and revolt in their features. It seemed He was not liked at all.

“Then everyone please be at your positions.”

As Ayase spoke the officers left one by one. Now left alone in the meeting room he gave a deep sigh.

“So what are your orders Sir?”

Ayase asked with a friendly smile. But Hakuya understood.

“Its fine. Marshal. You can be yourself before me. I know you dislike me like everyone else on this ship so there is no need for you to pretend.”

At his straight words, she stopped smiling and a frown appeared on her face. She had been completely read.

Ayase was not a professional actor. Yet she had the talent for it. Using that she had managed numerous situations and so the previous Admiral, Haruto had appointed her as his Third in Command.

She gave a frown and spoke.

“Quite perceptive aren’t you. Yes to be frank I don’t like you. It is nothing personal though. Admiral Haruto was a capable man. A very nice person. He gave his blood and tears to keep this fleet together and now after his death a kid is appointed to take his place! Ridiculous!”

Her voice trailled off to almost contempt at the end. Hakuya’s hollow eyes showed no emotion yet he gave a hollow smile.

“That....is a nice resolve you have there Marshal. I assure you, I have no intention of taking his place. I am just here to maintain this fleet. If someday, you do find someone better than me, I promise you I will resign voluntarilly. Till then i will do my duty be it to your liking or not”

He got up draping on his overcoat and began walking out. Ayase just looked at him with confusion at his words. They were said with no emotion yet she couldnot help but notice the sincerity in them.

“...oh and after you have completed your work report me at the bridge. I will be waiting.”

She gave a dull response.

“....Yes sir.”

Hakuya walked off into the long corridors of the ship. His mind however was thinking a different story.

(How like you Haruto. Even back in the day you were liked and respected by everyone. No wonder these people like you so much..... How I envy you old friend....for I can never....)

Nobody noticed as The Lone Admiral with his melancholy walked over across the New ship.

Left behind was a stupefied Ayase. She understood that her dislike towards him was baseless. He was just doing the duty he was appointed yet she critisized him unfairly. Yet the human heart is a strange thing. It will always try to blame some one. Howevr she remembered his words and that hollow smile he gave her.

“Why...? Why do I feel...there is more to you than meets the eye? Admiral?”

☆ ☆ ☆

About one and Half hour later the ship was ready for its maiden voyage. Marshal Ayase had completed her rounds and ensured that everything was how it was supposed to be. Then she went to the bridge as ordered.

“Engine room All clear. Bridge I have three reactors hot!”

A message through the engine room came.

“Affirmative...Admiral Sir, we have engine room on the ready!”

The operator gave the information to Hakuya. He who was sitting on his chair was surrounded by pair of transparent screes which displayed data and the position of the ships around him. A high-tech feature; one of many onboard Kuroe. He noticed Ayase coming up onto the bridge and spoke.

“You are here Marshal, please take a seat.”

Hakuya got up and the Helmsman who was a young lad moved away. It was the rite of the Navy that the Captain of the ship always began her maiden voyage. Hakuya and pulled down the radio terminal from the ceiling which was as low to touch by raising an arm.

“Attention all personell. This is Admiral Yatogami Hakuya. The Kuroe will now begin her maiden voyage. All hands to their respective stations. The fleet will move at crusing speed to point 5891. Further orders will be given after that. Then lets begin.”

*HHHHHHOOOOOOONNNNNNNKKKKKKK*

As he pulled down the ships horn lever a familiar Naval Horn echoed in the area.

“Confirm if all vessels are ready.” he instructed Ayase who immidiately contacted the other ships. A total of thirty ships including five heavy battle ships, ten light battleships, three heavy cruisers, six destroyers, one aircraft carrier, two light destroyers and three submarines were taking part in this exercise. The rest were to stay back at the dock on standby.

Their objective was to travel to point 5891 which was some 15,00 Nautical miles from Tokyo coast. A Dimensional rift had opened in the area and several monsters had been spilling out of it. The higher ups decided that it would serve as best training exercise for the new Flagship as well as a test for her Admiral.

Dimensional rifts were miniature but temporary versions of the gate which appeared and closed randomly. Spilling monsters in large numbers.

Ayase confirmed the status of the other ships and relayed to Hakuya.

“Sir all ships are ready! We have confirmation to depart from HQ”

“Then lets begin...” He pulled the radio once more “all engines ahead flank! Increase speed to 20 knots and maintain.”

The reactors reved up. The twin turbines ounder the hull began pushing the huge warship ahead. Kuroe began her first ever voyage.

The sea was raging with winds as wave after wave each over a storey high hit the bow but Kuroe easily cleaved through them. The fleet was moving in a arrowhead formation with the battleships followed by the light destroyers. Behind them was the aircraft carrier surrounded with the heavy cruisers and followed by the submarines at last.

“That defence ministry, sending me on my first day to tackle a Dimensional rift? How nice....... Nothings changed even now.”

A slight tone of hatred could be felt from his voice.

Hakuya silently muttered while Ayase watvhed him with suspiscion.

☆ ☆ ☆

Meanwhile at Admiral Of The fleet, Shoushi’s room.

“I want all information on this person. Dig out every last straw of information about this boy. Where he was born, what he did where he grew up, who are his friends and family. Find out everything.”

The old man said as he passed a file towards a coaked hooded figure. The figure took the file and silently left the room.

“Then Admiral Hakuya. I wonder what I will find out about you...”

☆ ☆ ☆