Yuuki decided to trust Belfast and the other maids with the other operation.
They were more than capable of handling it.
For now, he had another matter to deal with.
He moved through the damaged facility alongside Eugen, Nimi, Wales, Avrora, Vestal, and Hipper.
The group advanced quickly through the upper levels of the research facility.
There was no time to waste.
Yuuki glanced at the timer on his HUD.
"Seven minutes, ladies!"
His voice echoed through the corridor.
"Let's make them count."
They reached the upper floor.
The doors to the main research room stood ahead of them.
Wales and the others immediately raised their weapons.
Yuuki stepped forward.
The doors were forced open.
"Go!"
They burst inside.
The room erupted into gunfire.
Droids guarding the research facility opened fire immediately, but the Shipgirls answered just as quickly.
Wales fired into the nearest machines.
Nimi's weapons tore through another group.
Avrora and Hipper provided covering fire while Eugen moved forward aggressively.
Within moments, the defending droids were destroyed.
The room fell silent.
Then Yuuki's eyes widened.
"...What the hell?"
Eight enormous cylindrical chambers stood along the far side of the research room.
Each was filled with liquid.
Each contained a Shipgirl.
The women inside were completely unconscious.
Their bodies were suspended within the cylinders, their minds seemingly trapped in whatever system the facility had used to imprison them.
Their hair had grown impossibly long during their captivity.
It flowed freely through the liquid, some strands extending far beyond their bodies and nearly reaching the bottom of the chambers.
There were no clothes.
No equipment.
No rigging.
Nothing.
Only their unconscious forms suspended helplessly inside the cylinders.
None of them responded.
None opened their eyes.
None could speak.
They were alive.
But imprisoned within their own minds.
Nimi's eyes suddenly widened.
"Frau Bismarck!"
She rushed toward one of the cylinders.
Inside was Bismarck.
Her long blonde hair drifted behind her through the fluid, extending past her legs.
Beside her cylinder was the sister of Bismarck herself, Tirpitz.
Nimi stared in disbelief.
"It's really her..."
Wales moved toward another section of the room.
Her eyes quickly identified the other figures.
"Anson..."
Her voice caught slightly.
"King George V..."
She looked to another cylinder.
"Duke of York..."
Then another.
"Howe."
Her sisters.
Avrora moved toward the remaining chambers.
"Pallada..."
Her eyes widened.
"Diana!"
She clenched her fists.
"They're all here..."
Eugen stepped closer to Yuuki.
She immediately noticed where his eyes had gone.
"No looking, teddy."
Before Yuuki could answer, Eugen reached around from behind and lowered his helmet visor.
The armored faceplate sealed shut.
"You can only look at mine."
Yuuki stared into the darkness of his own visor.
"Eugen."
"Hm?"
"I need my eyes to rescue them."
Eugen smiled innocently.
"Do you?"
Yuuki sighed.
"I can't exactly blame myself if they're imprisoned like that."
He turned toward the cylinders.
"I need to examine the containment systems, identify how they're being kept unconscious, and figure out how to get them out safely."
Eugen folded her arms.
"Fine."
She leaned closer.
"But I'm watching you or I am telling Yorky how much of a perv you are."
Yuuki shook his head.
"Understood."
His HUD immediately began scanning the eight cylinders.
Technical data streamed across his visor.
Containment systems.
Neural suppression.
Life-support systems.
Security locks.
Yuuki's expression hardened.
Whoever had built this facility had gone far beyond simple imprisonment.
They had deliberately kept these women alive while denying them even the ability to wake.
He stepped closer to the first cylinder.
"All right."
His voice became calm and focused.
"Let's get our girls out of these things."
Nimi looked at him.
"For Frau Bismarck..."
Wales nodded.
"For all of them."
Yuuki raised his hand toward the control console.
"Then let's begin."
=====
Meanwhile, at the Nikke detention center, Yuu and the Nikkes accompanying her had already cleared the detention center's research laboratory.
The remaining resistance had been dealt with.
With the immediate threat eliminated, they pushed deeper into the facility until they finally reached the same research center where Yuuki's group had entered from the opposite side.
The moment they entered the main chamber, everyone stopped.
Rapi's eyes widened.
Neon's mouth fell open.
Anis stared in disbelief.
Pepper and Mary immediately became serious.
Even Nayuta's usually composed expression changed.
There were more cylinders.
Six of them.
And inside those cylinders were people they knew.
Four familiar faces were suspended within the transparent chambers.
Ludmilla.
Alice.
Tove.
Neve.
Their bodies floated motionlessly within the fluid.
They were completely unconscious.
Their hair had grown to absurd lengths during their captivity, extending well beyond their own heights and drifting through the liquid around them.
They had no clothing.
No weapons.
No equipment.
Nothing that identified them as the proud warriors they had once been.
They simply floated there.
Silent.
Unmoving.
Their minds trapped somewhere beyond reach.
Anis slowly clenched her fists.
"Ludmilla..."
Rapi stepped closer to the nearest cylinder.
"Alice..."
Neon stared at Tove and Neve.
"Tove..."
"Neve..."
Pepper's expression hardened.
"They're alive."
Mary immediately began examining the readings displayed around the cylinder.
"But they're being kept unconscious."
Nayuta's eyes narrowed.
"Just like the others."
Yuu stepped forward.
Her expression had become completely professional.
"Don't touch the cylinders yet."
She examined the equipment surrounding them.
"We need to understand how they're being sustained before we disconnect anything."
Rapi nodded.
"Understood."
But then Anis noticed something.
There were two more cylinders.
Unlike the others, none of them immediately recognized the women inside.
Anis frowned.
"Who are they?"
Rapi looked at the identification data displayed beside the chambers.
Her eyes widened.
"...Kashima."
Neon blinked.
"And Katori."
Yuu looked toward the two cylinders.
She recognized the names as well.
The memories came back when Mamiya and Irako told them their side of the stories.
They were Kancolle allies who had arrived not long after Mamiya and Irako.
Kashima and Katori.
They had become instructors for the Azur Lane cruisers.
They had taught.
They had trained.
They had helped prepare the younger Shipgirls for life on a battlefield with knowledge of the Kancolle world.
And they had personally witnessed the destruction of the base by the sirens.
Afterward, they had been forced to flee.
Yet somehow, their journey had eventually brought them here.
And now they were suspended in these cylinders.
Yuu stared at the two women.
"They've been here all this time..."
Mary examined the readings.
"Neural activity is present."
Pepper swallowed.
"They're conscious?"
"Not normally."
Mary's expression darkened.
"Their minds are active, but their bodies are being suppressed."
Rapi looked at the cylinders again.
"So they're trapped inside their own minds like Eunhwa, Emma and Vesti."
Yuu nodded.
"Exactly."
Nayuta stepped closer.
"And they're waiting for corruption."
The words made the room feel colder.
The facility wasn't simply imprisoning them.
It was preparing them.
Keeping them alive.
Keeping their minds trapped.
Waiting until the corruption could take hold.
Anis clenched her fists.
"Those bastards..."
Neon looked between the cylinders.
"They were going to turn them against us? Like Cinderella and Ayanami."
Yuu's expression hardened.
"That's what it looks like."
Rapi looked toward Ludmilla, Alice, Tove, and Neve.
Then toward Kashima and Katori.
"They've already suffered enough."
Mary nodded.
"Then let's make sure they don't suffer any longer."
Yuu looked toward the control systems.
"Agreed."
She stepped forward.
"First, we free them."
Her eyes moved across all six cylinders.
Inside the prison island, the eight imprisoned Shipgirls stood together on the familiar beach.
They had spent so long here that the emptiness had become part of their existence.
But now...
Something was different.
A warmth had begun spreading through them.
At first, it had been faint.
Almost imperceptible.
Now it was growing stronger.
And stronger.
And stronger.
It felt as though something—or someone—was drawing closer.
Very close.
Bismarck slowly looked around.
"It's..."
She placed a hand against her chest.
"The feeling is getting stronger."
Tirpitz looked toward her sister.
"You feel it too?"
Bismarck nodded.
The others had already realized the same thing.
Pallada looked toward the horizon.
"It feels like..."
She struggled to find the words.
"Like it's right in front of us."
Diana hugged herself.
"Why...?"
Her voice trembled.
"Why does it feel so close?"
York's eyes widened.
"The warmth..."
She could hear it again.
That voice.
That familiar presence.
"It's here."
She looked around desperately.
"The warmth... the voice..."
Her eyes glistened.
"It's here."
Anson suddenly shouted toward the empty horizon.
"We're here!"
She cupped her hands around her mouth.
"Please!"
Her voice cracked.
"We're here!"
Georgina closed her eyes.
"So close..."
She whispered.
"Really close."
Howe slowly lowered herself onto her knees.
She clasped her hands together.
She didn't know who—or what—was listening.
She didn't care.
She simply wished.
Please. Let us be free.
The warmth intensified.
The darkness around them seemed to recede.
Light began gathering around their bodies.
Howe's eyes widened.
Everyone could feel it now.
The warmth.
The light.
The presence they had been longing for.
It was no longer distant.
It was almost within reach.
Then—
Bismarck suddenly began to glow.
"Sister!"
Tirpitz lunged toward her.
But her hands passed straight through Bismarck.
Tirpitz stared in shock.
"Bismarck!"
The others recoiled.
"What is happening?!"
Pallada stared at Bismarck's glowing form.
"Is this it?"
Diana's eyes widened.
"Is this finally it?"
Bismarck herself looked just as confused.
Then her body began to fade.
Not disappear.
Phase.
Her form became translucent.
"Sister!"
Tirpitz desperately reached for her again.
But there was nothing she could grasp.
"Bismarck!"
Outside the prison containment, Jarvis suddenly detected a change in the containment system.
"Sir."
Yuuki immediately turned toward the nearest cylinder.
"What's happening?"
"Containment field destabilizing."
The liquid inside Bismarck's cylinder began draining.
Her body slowly descended.
The restraints disengaged.
Then the cylinder opened.
Bismarck's unconscious body fell forward.
"Nimi!"
Yuuki shouted.
Nimi moved instantly.
She caught Bismarck in her arms before she could hit the floor.
"Frau Bismarck!"
Nimi held her tightly.
Her eyes were already filling with tears.
"You're safe now."
She quickly took a large towel and wrapped it around Bismarck, covering her exposed body and shielding her from the others.
Vestal immediately moved in.
"I don't have enough time to deploy a portable Med Bay."
She raised her equipment.
"I'll have to do this the fast way."
A bright repair beam fired from her GIZMO.
The beam washed over Bismarck's body.
Damaged tissue began restoring.
Her breathing stabilized.
Her muscles regained strength.
But Vestal kept the repair beam focused.
"I can restore her enough to walk."
She glanced at the timer.
"Six minutes."
Her expression became determined.
"That's all I have."
Nimi continued holding Bismarck close.
Then—
Bismarck's eyes fluttered.
Her lips moved.
"...Where..."
Nimi's eyes widened.
"Frau Bismarck!"
Bismarck slowly opened her eyes.
For the first time in what felt like an eternity...
She could see someone.
Someone real.
Someone alive.
Someone familiar.
And then two figures rushed toward her.
Hipper's composure completely shattered.
"Frau Bismarck!"
Eugen's eyes filled with tears.
"Frau Bismarck..."
They had spent so long wondering whether they would ever see their leader again.
Now she was standing—or rather, being held—in front of them.
Alive.
Hipper covered her mouth as tears streamed down her cheeks.
Eugen stepped closer, trembling.
For once, there was no teasing smile.
No playful remark.
Only relief.
Their leader had finally returned.
Bismarck looked between them.
She didn't understand everything yet.
But she recognized them.
And that was enough.
"...Hipper."
Her voice was weak.
Then she looked toward Eugen.
"Eugen..."
Both Shipgirls broke down.
And Nimi held Bismarck even tighter.
The warmth was real.
The voice was real.
The light had reached them.
They were finally being freed.
"Good, Jarvis."
Yuuki kept his eyes on the remaining cylinders.
"Release the second one."
"Releasing."
Inside the prison's strange mental space, Tirpitz suddenly felt the same warmth surrounding her.
Her body began to glow.
Tirpitz looked toward where Bismarck had disappeared.
For a moment, fear seized her.
She thought her sister was gone.
Then she understood.
A small smile appeared on her face.
"Sister..."
She looked toward the others.
"It seems it's my turn."
Her body began to phase.
"Free..."
She smiled softly.
"I'll be going second."
She looked toward Bismarck's direction.
"I'll wait for all of you outside."
Then Tirpitz vanished.
The remaining Shipgirls stood frozen.
Then their expressions slowly changed.
They began to smile.
They had not expected this.
Not today.
After fifteen years of captivity, they had stopped believing that freedom was even possible.
Yet one after another, they were beginning to leave.
They weren't forgotten.
Someone had finally come for them.
Back in the research chamber, the second cylinder activated.
"Containment release confirmed," Jarvis announced.
The restraints around Tirpitz disengaged.
The liquid drained.
The chamber opened.
Tirpitz's unconscious body fell forward.
"Hipper!"
Eugen called out.
Hipper moved immediately.
She caught Tirpitz before she could hit the floor.
"Frau Tirpitz!"
She held her carefully.
Vestal was already there.
"Cover her."
A large towel was quickly wrapped around Tirpitz, shielding her body as Vestal moved into position.
The GIZMO emitted another bright repair beam.
Vestal carefully directed it across Tirpitz's body.
"Same procedure."
She watched the readings.
"Restoring her enough to move."
The repair energy flowed through Tirpitz.
Her breathing stabilized.
Her muscles slowly regained strength.
Hipper remained beside her, refusing to let go.
Meanwhile, Bismarck watched from Nimi's arms.
Her eyes widened.
"Tirpitz..."
She looked toward Nimi.
Then back toward her sister.
"She's alive."
Nimi smiled.
"She's with Hipper."
Bismarck's attention returned to Nimi.
Her expression suddenly became confused.
"Nimi..."
She looked at the younger Shipgirl holding her.
"How...?"
Nimi blinked.
"How am I alive?"
She gave a small, almost embarrassed smile.
"Long story."
Bismarck stared at her for another moment.
After fifteen years, there were so many questions.
So many things she needed to understand.
But she could ask later.
Right now, she simply wanted to see her sister.
Her eyes moved toward Hipper.
And there she was.
Hipper was holding Tirpitz tightly.
"Frau Tirpitz..."
Tirpitz's fingers twitched.
Her eyes slowly opened.
Everything was blurry.
The first thing she saw was a familiar face.
A face she had not expected to see again.
"...Frau Hipper?"
Hipper froze.
Then tears immediately filled her eyes.
"Yes..."
She smiled through them.
"It's me."
Tirpitz stared at her.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Tirpitz's expression softened.
"Hipper..."
Hipper pulled her closer.
"You're safe now."
Tirpitz closed her eyes.
For the first time in fifteen years, she allowed herself to believe it.
She was free.
And her sister was waiting for her.
Bismarck watched the reunion silently.
Then she smiled.
Two had been freed.
Six remained.
And inside the prison's mental world, the warmth continued growing stronger.
"Good, Jarvis."
Yuuki kept his attention on the remaining containment chambers.
"Release the third and fourth."
"Releasing third and fourth containment."
Inside the prison island, the warmth suddenly intensified again.
Pallada felt it first.
Her body began glowing with the same gentle light that had taken Bismarck and Tirpitz away.
She looked toward the others.
A peaceful smile appeared on her face.
"Finally..."
She closed her eyes.
"Freedom."
Diana's body began glowing as well.
She looked at her comrades.
"We'll see you outside, dear comrades."
The two of them slowly became translucent.
Pallada smiled.
"We'll be waiting."
Then both vanished from the beach.
The remaining Shipgirls stared at the empty spaces where their friends had stood.
The King George sisters exchanged glances.
Their turn was coming.
Outside, the two containment cylinders began releasing their occupants.
Jarvis announced it calmly.
"Third containment released."
Pallada's unconscious body emerged.
Yuuki immediately caught her.
At almost the same moment—
"Fourth containment released."
Diana fell from her chamber.
Avrora rushed forward and caught her older sister.
"Sestra!"
She held Diana tightly.
Vestal immediately moved between them.
"Cover them."
Large towels were quickly wrapped around both Shipgirls, protecting them from exposure while Vestal prepared the GIZMO.
She fired the repair beam.
A cold wave of restorative energy swept over Diana and Pallada.
Their damaged bodies began recovering.
Avrora refused to let go of Diana.
"Diana..."
Her voice trembled.
"Sister..."
Diana's eyelids slowly moved.
Her vision was blurred.
Everything was indistinct.
But one face gradually came into focus.
A face she knew.
A face she had desperately wanted to see again.
"...Sestra?"
Avrora froze.
Diana's eyes focused on her.
"Avrora?"
"Da..."
Avrora's voice broke.
"Da, da... it's me."
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she hugged her older sister tighter.
"It's really me."
Diana stared at her.
For fifteen years, she had believed that she would never see her younger sister again.
Yet here she was.
Alive.
Holding her.
The GIZMO's repair beam swept over Diana again, restoring her enough to move.
A short distance away, Pallada stirred.
Her eyes slowly opened.
The first thing she saw was Avrora.
Her expression immediately changed.
"Sestra?"
Avrora turned toward her.
Pallada stared at her in disbelief.
"You're alive..."
Avrora nodded through her tears.
"Da."
"I am."
Pallada's eyes filled with tears.
For a moment, the three sisters simply looked at one another.
Then Pallada noticed the armored figure standing nearby.
Yuuki was still wearing his helmet.
She looked toward him.
"You're the one who came for us?"
Yuuki nodded.
"Yes."
He glanced toward Avrora.
"For Avrora."
Pallada looked at her younger sister.
Then back toward Yuuki.
Something clicked.
The warmth.
The light.
The voice.
Everything they had felt inside the prison.
Avrora looked toward Yuuki with tears still in her eyes.
"Yes..."
She smiled softly.
"He is the beloved."
She placed a hand over her heart.
"The warmth and light."
Pallada stared at Yuuki for a moment.
Then she looked back at Avrora.
A small smile finally appeared on her face.
"...Then I understand."
The warmth they had felt had not been an illusion.
Someone had truly come for them.
And their sister had been waiting for him all along.
"Girls, get ready. I am releasing all four of them at the same time."
Yuuki glanced toward the four remaining containment cylinders.
"We have three minutes."
The others immediately moved into position.
Yuuki raised his helmet.
"Jarvis… release all containment."
"Releasing all four remaining containment units."
Inside the mental world, the four remaining sisters stood together on the familiar beach.
For fifteen years, this island had been their prison.
A place where they could neither age nor die.
A place where they could only wait.
But now—
Light began to gather around them.
Anson looked down at her glowing hands.
Her eyes widened.
"Freedom!"
Howe smiled faintly as the light surrounded her.
"Finally…"
She closed her eyes.
"Thank you, God."
Georgina looked toward the horizon.
For the first time, there was no fear in her eyes.
Only hope.
"Let's use our freedom to find Wales!"
York placed a hand over her chest, her expression solemn.
"I am forever grateful to the Lord for this freedom."
The light grew brighter.
The four sisters could feel the prison losing its hold on them.
The island.
The endless beach.
The walls of their mental prison.
Everything began to fade.
They had entered this place expecting another ordinary day of waiting.
They had never imagined that morning would be the day they finally left.
The four sisters exchanged one last look.
Then—
They vanished from the prison island.
Containment released.
The four cylinders opened almost simultaneously.
Their restraints disengaged.
The liquid drained away.
One by one, their unconscious bodies fell forward.
"Georgina!"
Wales moved first.
She caught her eldest sister before she could hit the floor.
"Big sister…"
Her voice trembled as she held King George V—Georgina—close.
Across the room, Eugen caught Duke of York.
Another elf like Centaur and Albion.
"Got you!"
Hipper immediately caught Howe in her arms.
"Frau Howe!"
And Nimi caught Anson.
"Anson!"
Four sisters.
Four rescues.
Four lives finally returned from fifteen years of imprisonment.
Vestal hurried toward Wales and Georgina.
"I'll take care of the George sisters first."
She raised her GIZMO.
A bright repair beam immediately washed over the two sisters.
Wales continued holding Georgina securely while the medical energy coursed through her body.
"Come on, big sister…"
Wales's eyes glistened.
"You're finally home."
Vestal kept the beam focused, restoring their weakened bodies enough for them to survive and walk.
The timer continued counting down.
There were only minutes left.
But for the four sisters—
For the first time in fifteen years—
They were free.
Georgina was the first to stir.
Her eyelids slowly opened.
Everything was blurry.
She felt warmth around her—arms holding her tightly, almost protectively.
Then she heard a voice.
A voice she had not heard in fifteen years.
"Georgina…?"
Her eyes slowly focused.
"Wales…?"
Her voice was weak.
"Wales?"
She stared at her younger sister in disbelief.
"Am I… dead?"
"No… no."
Wales's voice broke.
"I am alive."
She hugged her sister tighter.
"You're alive too, Georgina…"
Georgina's eyes widened.
"No…"
Her expression became confused.
"You died. In front of us."
Wales shook her head, tears already forming in her eyes.
"I did."
She gently held Georgina's face.
"I was resurrected. But I wasn't awakened."
Her voice trembled.
"Only recently."
Georgina stared at her younger sister.
Alive.
Standing before her.
After fifteen years of believing she had died.
"…Wales."
She slowly raised her arms and embraced her.
Nearby, Duke of York slowly opened her eyes.
Her vision gradually focused on the figure holding her.
Her expression changed.
"Thou…"
She blinked.
"…art Lady Eugen. I didn't recognized you sober."
Eugen smiled softly.
"Yes."
She adjusted the towel around York.
"Welcome back, Frau York."
York looked around, still disoriented.
Then her eyes suddenly widened.
"Is that…"
She turned her head.
"Wales?"
Wales looked toward her.
York stared at her sister in disbelief.
"Sister…"
Her voice trembled.
"Thou art alive…?"
Wales smiled through her tears.
"Yes."
She wiped her eyes.
"It's good seeing you again, York."
York's expression softened.
After fifteen years…
Another sister was alive.
Howe slowly regained consciousness in Hipper's arms.
Her eyes opened halfway.
"Lady Hipper…?"
Hipper smiled, tears gathering in her eyes.
"Yes."
She held Howe securely.
"Wales is here."
Howe's tired eyes turned toward the sound of her sister's voice.
She saw Wales.
Her expression softened.
"…Wales."
Then Anson stirred.
Nimi looked down at her.
"Anson?"
Anson slowly opened her eyes.
"Lady Nimi…?"
"Yes."
Nimi gave her a reassuring smile.
"Am I dead? Last time I saw you...."
Nimi almost laughed despite the tears in her eyes.
"No."
She shook her head.
"You're alive and well."
She glanced toward Wales.
"Alongside Wales."
Anson slowly turned her head.
Her eyes widened.
There she was.
Wales.
Alive.
Anson's tired expression immediately brightened.
"Big sis Wales…"
Wales looked toward her.
That was the final thread holding her emotions together.
She broke down.
Tears streamed freely down her face as she looked at all four of her sisters.
Georgina.
York.
Howe.
Anson.
All four were alive.
All four were finally free.
Wales reached toward them, unable to stop crying.
For fifteen years, she had believed she would never see them again.
Now, one by one, her sisters had returned to her.
And for the first time since her resurrection—
Wales felt whole again.
Tears began falling freely down her cheeks.
Georgina noticed immediately.
She gently reached up and wiped one of the tears away.
"Shhh…"
Her voice was soft, almost motherly.
"You're the cool and calm one among us. Shedding tears like this isn't you."
Wales let out a shaky breath.
"I just can't…"
She looked at all four of her sisters.
"Fifteen years is too much for me."
Her voice cracked.
"All of you watched me die."
She tightened her arms around Georgina.
"And I watched all of you suspended in this prison."
Georgina looked at her for a moment.
"What makes us any different?"
Wales blinked.
Georgina continued.
"You were trapped in the headquarters while we were trapped here."
She gave Wales a faint smile.
"The only difference is that you came to us."
"If the Commander had rescued us first, we would have come to you."
Wales stared at her.
Then she slowly nodded.
They would have done the same.
If the situation had been reversed, they would have searched for her too.
She looked around.
Georgina, York, Howe, and Anson were all looking at her with relief and happiness.
Even after fifteen years…
They were still sisters.
Wales smiled through her tears.
She wanted to stay here.
She wanted a proper reunion.
She wanted to hear everything they had experienced.
But there was no time.
The clock was still running.
Nearby, Diana and Pallada were just as happy to see Avrora again.
Avrora held both of her sisters close, tears still in her eyes.
"Sestra…"
Pallada smiled weakly.
"Avrora…"
Diana reached out and touched her younger sister's face.
"You're alive…"
"Da," Avrora whispered.
"I am."
Across the room, Bismarck and Tirpitz had also reunited with Hipper and the others.
The room was filled with emotions that fifteen years of imprisonment could not erase.
But then Georgina's attention shifted.
She looked toward the armored man standing nearby.
"So…"
Her eyes narrowed curiously.
"This is the Commander that my graceful hard headed sister respects."
She looked at his helmet.
"I wonder what you look like under that helmet."
Yuuki glanced at her.
"Let's keep the surprise for later."
He gestured toward the exhausted sisters.
"I need to get you girls at least able to walk first."
The others immediately looked toward him.
Their eyes widened.
That voice.
That voice.
It was the same voice they had heard inside their prison.
The voice that had reached them through the darkness.
The voice that had carried the warmth and light toward them.
They had heard him.
They had felt him.
But they had never seen him.
Wales called him the Commander.
Avrora called him her beloved.
He was the one Eugen was so close to.
The one Nimi respected.
The one Hipper hadn't lashed out at despite everything.
And now they understood.
He was the one who had led the rescue.
The one who had come for them.
Yuuki looked over the four newly rescued sisters.
"Well, I'll briefly introduce myself."
He raised a hand.
"I am Yuuki. Their Commander."
His eyes moved toward the others.
"I'd love to have a proper introduction with all of you, but we need to get you girls out first."
He gestured toward them.
"Can you walk?"
Vestal immediately answered.
"Commander, I used the GIZMO on them, but their bodies are too weak."
She glanced toward the four sisters.
"They need time to adjust again. At least a few hours."
Vestal's expression became serious.
"We really need the Med Bay."
Yuuki grimaced.
"Bugger."
He looked around the room.
"Dress them up with jumpsuits first."
He paused, already thinking.
"I can come up with something to help them move while using minimal effort."
The sisters exchanged glances.
They had been rescued.
They had found their sisters.
And now, apparently, their mysterious Commander was already figuring out how to get them safely home.
Vestal immediately activated the clothing generator.
A moment later, the machine finished its work.
The rescued Shipgirls were dressed in simple black jumpsuits, providing them with proper clothing without wasting precious time.
Their bodies had been restored.
Their breathing was stable.
Their organs and muscles were functioning again.
But they were still weak.
Very weak.
Their bodies had spent fifteen years suspended in artificial containment, and even though the GIZMO had repaired the physical damage, that did not mean they could immediately return to normal.
There was another problem.
Their minds had spent fifteen years inside the mental world.
The transition back into reality was not something the body could simply ignore.
They needed time to adjust.
Yuuki looked over the four sisters.
"I wanted to use the Goliath Atlas armor…"
He glanced toward the corridor.
"But we need to do a lot of running."
He reached into his equipment storage and pulled out eight small capsules.
He tossed them onto the floor.
"Deploy."
The capsules activated.
Mechanical components unfolded rapidly.
Heavy armor plates assembled themselves around hydraulic frames, locking together piece by piece.
Within moments, eight bulky suits stood before them.
The rescued Shipgirls stared.
The armor was unmistakably industrial.
Thick green plating covered the torso and limbs, while exposed hydraulic pistons reinforced the joints. Heavy mechanical structures ran along the arms and legs, giving the suits the appearance of walking industrial machinery turned into combat armor.
Yuuki gestured toward them.
"This is the GDI Assault Armor."
He tapped one of the hydraulic assemblies.
"It was originally created by Doctor Ignatio Mobius around a century ago."
He shrugged.
"Not that important."
He continued explaining as the suits powered up.
"It was originally designed for handling radioactive materials and other hazardous environments."
The armor's systems activated with a low mechanical hum.
"But it was eventually retrofitted with assault equipment. That work paved the way for the advanced GDI Alpha through Echo Armor we use today."
The armor's thick green plating was designed to withstand extreme environmental hazards, while the reinforced hydraulic exoskeleton provided the wearer with considerable physical assistance.
Even more importantly, the suits could interpret neural signals.
Yuuki pointed toward the control interface.
"The exoskeleton detects neural impulses from your nerves."
He looked at the weakened Shipgirls.
"So even if your muscles aren't strong enough to move properly, the armor can assist your body."
The hydraulic pistons flexed.
"You might not be able to move your arms and legs freely yet, but the suit will help you stand and walk. It was made for soldiers who lost their limbs during the first era of war where regenerative technology isn't exist yet."
Yuuki's expression became firm.
"Leave the fighting to us."
Bismarck looked at him.
"Her Kommandant…"
She slowly shook her head.
"Please let us fight alongside you."
Yuuki immediately shook his head.
"No need."
He gestured toward Eugen, Nimi, Hipper, Wales, Avrora, and the others.
"These girls who rescued you have high combat levels. Trust me. They can handle themselves."
His tone softened.
"Your priority is getting to safety."
He looked directly at Bismarck.
"They risked a lot to get here. Allow them to protect you."
Eugen stepped beside Bismarck.
"Frau Bismarck…"
She gave her leader a reassuring smile.
"Let us handle the heavy lifting."
Then she pointed toward Bismarck.
"Focus on not getting shot."
Bismarck stared at her for a moment.
Wales then turned toward her sisters.
"Just let us protect you."
Avrora nodded.
"And don't waste Comrade Vestal's healing."
That finally made the sisters hesitate.
They looked at one another.
They knew they were weak.
They knew their bodies still needed time.
And they knew the people standing before them had crossed an entire enemy facility just to rescue them.
Eventually, Bismarck nodded.
"…Very well."
The others followed.
Yuuki and the other Shipgirls carefully helped them into the assault armor.
Once each suit was secured, the systems began calibrating.
Neural interface detected.
Synchronizing.
The hydraulic exoskeletons moved in response to the Shipgirls' nervous systems.
Georgina's leg shifted.
She stared down in surprise.
The suit supported her weight.
She slowly stood.
York followed.
Then Howe.
Then Anson.
They were still unsteady, but they could stand.
They could walk.
For the first time since waking, they could actually move under their own direction.
Yuuki nodded.
"Good."
Yuuki made one more adjustment to the rescued Shipgirls' equipment.
The Assault Armor's helmets automatically deployed over their heads.
For the rescued Shipgirls, however, the dimensional helmet systems had another function.
Their hair.
After fifteen years inside the Rapture facility, their hair had grown to absurd lengths—far longer than their own bodies. Normally, Yuuki would have preferred to cut it simply for practicality.
But he understood what their hair represented.
It was part of them.
He wasn't going to take that away from them unless absolutely necessary.
More importantly, he refused to allow the Raptures to obtain a DNA sample from something as simple as a strand of hair.
The dimensional helmets solved both problems.
As the helmet sealed around each Shipgirl's head, their long hair was automatically gathered and transferred into a dimensional storage space integrated into the armor.
Nothing was cut.
Nothing was discarded.
Their hair remained preserved safely inside the dimensional space, ready to be released whenever they wanted it back.
The rescued Shipgirls were initially surprised.
They could still feel their hair.
It simply wasn't trailing behind them anymore.
Once the storage systems finished securing the last strands, the Assault Armor completed its synchronization with their bodies.
Hydraulic systems activated.
HSSSSSSS—
The armor's internal mechanisms responded to their nervous systems.
One by one, the eight rescued Shipgirls slowly rose to their feet.
Bismarck steadied herself.
Tirpitz took a cautious step.
Pallada and Diana supported themselves against the APC's interior.
Georgina tested her legs.
York carefully shifted her weight.
Howe took a slow breath.
Anson looked down at her armored legs in amazement.
They could walk.
Not normally.
Not yet.
Their bodies had spent fifteen years suspended inside containment cylinders. Even with Vestal's GIZMO repair beam restoring their damaged physical condition, their muscles and nervous systems still needed time to readjust to the real world.
But the Assault Armor compensated for their weakness.
It allowed them to stand.
It allowed them to move.
For the moment, that was enough.
Yuuki looked over the eight of them.
"Good. You can walk."
Bismarck nodded.
"We can."
Yuuki's expression remained serious.
"But don't mistake that for being fully recovered."
The Shipgirls listened carefully.
"Once we reach the med bay, you're getting extensive treatment and plenty of rest. Your bodies have been through fifteen years of hell. The armor is helping you move, but it doesn't replace proper recovery."
Vestal nodded in agreement.
"They still need considerable medical care."
She looked over the rescued Shipgirls.
"And several hours of rest at minimum before I want them doing anything strenuous."
Yuuki nodded.
"Exactly."
The eight Shipgirls exchanged glances.
They were alive.
They could stand.
They could walk.
And, most importantly—
They were finally leaving the place that had imprisoned them for fifteen years.
For now, that was more than enough.
He opened another equipment case.
He handed each of them a weapon.
First came the Talon Ion Plasma Flechette Gun.
The compact weapon resembled an industrial staple gun, earning it the affectionate GDI nickname the Staple Gun. Similar gun he had given Illustrious back in Magellan.
It fired processed ion shards at high velocity and a rapid rate of fire, making it effective at medium range.
Yuuki then handed them Ion Plasma Automatic Rifles.
"It was designed as a bullpup assault weapon using concentrated radioactive gas ammunition."
He looked at the four sisters.
"GDI reverse-engineered the design."
He raised the modified rifle slightly.
"We replaced the Tiberium-based ammunition with ion-based rounds."
The rifle's internal systems hummed.
"The rounds detonate on impact and deliver considerably more destructive energy."
The sisters examined their weapons.
Yuuki then became serious.
"One instruction."
Everyone looked at him.
"You can shoot."
He pointed toward the weapons.
"But only when necessary."
His eyes moved across the four sisters.
"You're not here to fight a war."
"You're here to survive long enough to get home."
He turned toward the exit.
"We'll handle everything else."
Bismarck looked down at the weapon in her hands.
Then she looked at her sisters.
At Wales.
At the Commander who had crossed an enemy facility to reach them.
For fifteen years, they had dreamed of freedom.
Now they finally had it.
And this time—
They would make it home.
"GDI?"
Diana looked at Yuuki, confusion evident in her voice.
Avrora stepped closer to her sister.
"We'll explain later, Sestra. For now, let's—"
Before she could finish, alarms suddenly blared throughout the facility.
WEE-OOO! WEE-OOO!
Everyone froze.
Yuuki immediately looked toward the nearest display.
"The ten minutes are up."
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Then, without warning, one of the enormous screens in the corridor flickered.
A projection appeared.
The massive form of Behemoth materialized across the display.
Her expression was filled with anger.
"Yukihira Yuuki…"
Her voice echoed through the corridor.
"You and your GDI bugs have really started to piss me off."
Yuuki folded his arms.
"Surprise, surprise."
Behemoth's expression darkened.
"At this rate, we might start executing prisoners to prevent you from taking them."
Yuuki's expression immediately hardened.
"Oh, you won't."
Behemoth paused.
"The Sirens won't allow you to do that."
He continued.
"And you still need more Nikkes to corrupt."
Silence.
Behemoth stared at him.
For several seconds, she said nothing.
Yuuki didn't wait for a response.
"We're not here to talk."
He turned toward the others.
"Let's go."
"Damn you!"
Behemoth's projection flickered angrily.
Yuuki ignored her.
"Jarvis?"
The door leading into the next corridor immediately opened.
HSSSSSS—
Behemoth stared at the opening door.
"That damned AI!"
Yuuki motioned for everyone to move.
"Let's go."
He then looked toward the rescued Shipgirls.
"Rescued Shipgirls stay in the middle. We've got the front and back covered."
He raised a finger.
"Shoot only if necessary. Don't throw yourselves in front of anything."
The eight nodded.
The alarms continued blaring.
Then Jarvis spoke through the facility's speakers.
"Sir, Rapture droids are approaching."
Yuuki immediately responded.
"Seal all doors behind us and point us toward an exit."
"Understood."
Jarvis began calculating.
"Charting a new course for an alternate route."
A series of doors opened farther ahead.
"Follow the doors I have opened, sir. This route should provide significantly less resistance."
Yuuki nodded.
"Go."
He looked toward the three Shipgirls in front.
"Eugen. Nimi. Hipper. Take the lead."
Then he looked toward Vestal.
"Vestal, stay with them."
His gaze shifted toward Wales and Avrora.
"Wales, Avrora. Cover our backs."
"Roger, Teddy Bear…"
Eugen's voice was cheerful as she moved toward the front.
Bismarck, who had been following behind them, suddenly looked at her.
"Teddy Bear?"
She glanced at Tirpitz.
Tirpitz looked equally surprised.
The other rescued Shipgirls exchanged curious looks.
That name was not something Eugen casually gave to someone.
It was reserved for someone extremely close to her.
Yet Eugen had called Yuuki Teddy Bear without hesitation.
Bismarck's eyes narrowed slightly with curiosity.
"What relationship do you have with him?"
Eugen smiled.
"I am Teddy Bear's beloved fiancée, after all."
The corridor seemed to go quiet for a moment.
Hipper's expression immediately soured.
"Can we focus?"
There was a distinct hint of envy in her voice.
Avrora and Wales exchanged glances.
They, too, clearly weren't thrilled by the reminder.
Nimi noticed the reactions and sighed.
"Long story, Frau Bismarck."
She glanced toward Yuuki.
"A lot of things happened in two weeks."
Bismarck looked between them.
"Two weeks?"
Tirpitz was equally bewildered.
"How could so much have happened in such a short time?"
Nimi gave a small smile.
"You'll understand eventually."
Another alarm sounded.
WEE-OOO! WEE-OOO!
Yuuki looked ahead.
"Anyway…"
He tightened his grip on his weapon.
"Let's hope Yuu cleared her part."
The group hurried deeper into the corridor as the alarms continued screaming around them.
Behind them, sealed doors began to shake.
Something was trying to break through.
Ahead, Jarvis continued opening a path toward freedom.
And somewhere else inside the Rapture facility—
Yuu was still carrying out her part of the operation.
=======================
A few minutes earlier, on the other side of the Rapture facility, Yuu and her Nikkes reached the Nikke containment laboratory.
The moment they entered, Yuu's expression hardened.
The scene was disturbingly familiar.
Rows of containment cylinders stood throughout the laboratory.
And inside them were the missing Nikkes.
Ludmilla. Alice. Tove. Neve. Kashima. Katori.
Just like the Shipgirls in Yuuki's research center, they had been stripped of their clothing and suspended inside the cylinders.
Their hair had continued growing throughout their imprisonment, extending far beyond its normal length.
There was no mistaking what it meant.
They had been trapped here for a very long time.
Anis stared at the cylinders.
"Thank God Commander isn't here to see this."
Neon glanced at her.
"Are you sure about that?"
She looked toward the imprisoned Nikkes.
"Maybe the Shipgirls just have terrible luck when it comes to this."
Rapi said nothing.
Her eyes were fixed on one particular cylinder.
Ludmilla.
She knew her.
Ludmilla had always carried herself like a haughty noblewoman, proud and demanding—but beneath that exterior was someone who genuinely cared about others.
She had worked to help Nikkes survive and operate in the northern tundra, and had even established ties with remnants of the Northern Parliament.
The others knew Ludmilla well too.
Anis, Neon, Pepper, Mary, and Nayuta all recognized the members of the squad.
Anis stepped closer.
"Ludmilla, Alice, Tove, Neve…"
Yuu glanced at her.
"You seem to know them well."
Anis nodded.
"They're a Tetra search-and-rescue squad that patrols the northern tundra, finding lost Nikkes and guiding them back to the Ark."
She looked toward the cylinders.
"All of them are from Tetra—except Tove. She's from Missilis."
Neon smiled.
"They're our allies, after all."
She folded her arms.
"We're good friends."
Pepper and Mary nodded in agreement.
Nayuta quietly looked toward Ludmilla.
One of her clones had encountered the Unlimited squad before.
Seeing them imprisoned like this was enough to make even her expression become serious.
Yuu stepped forward.
"Jarvis?"
The AI responded immediately.
"Miss Yuu."
A timer appeared on one of the laboratory displays.
"We have five minutes remaining."
Jarvis paused.
"I recommend releasing all of them simultaneously."
Yuu nodded.
"Do so, Jarvis."
The containment systems began powering up.
WHRRRRRRR—
Locks disengaged one after another.
Yuu turned toward everyone.
"Everyone, get ready to catch them."
She looked toward Mary and Pepper.
"Mary, Pepper, be ready to heal them."
Both doctors nodded.
Yuu then looked toward the six cylinders.
"We might need to deploy Assault Armor to help them."
She glanced at the others.
"Nikkes or Shipgirls, it doesn't matter."
Her expression became firm.
"No one can fight properly after waking up from fifteen years of imprisonment."
Mary prepared her medical equipment.
Pepper readied her GIZMO system.
Rapi moved closer to Ludmilla's cylinder.
Anis and Neon positioned themselves near Alice and the others.
Yuu looked toward the countdown.
"Five minutes…"
The laboratory remained tense.
"Lady Yuu, thou know of these two?"
Nayuta gestured toward two of the containment cylinders.
Yuu followed her gaze.
"Kashima and Katori."
She studied the two imprisoned Shipgirls.
"According to the Shipgirls, they are KanColle Shipgirls who were dragged into this world. They were eventually found by Azur Lane and appointed as trainers."
Nayuta tilted her head.
"Trainers?"
"Cruiser teachers," Yuu explained. "They trained cruisers during the era of John Smith. Basically, they were among the earliest KanColle variants pulled into this world, alongside Mamiya and Irako."
Nayuta nodded slowly.
"KanColle Shipgirls. I heard Mamiya and Irako were among them."
She looked toward Kashima and Katori.
"Alternate-dimension Shipgirls. Truly different from the Shipgirls of this world."
"Yes, they are."
Yuu's curiosity was obvious.
"I've always wondered what kind of Japan they came from."
She glanced at Kashima and Katori's cylinders.
"Judging from how Mamiya and Irako are dressed, possibly around the 1942 era. The World War II period, much like our Earth 2.0."
Her expression softened slightly.
"Plus, all of them are quite young."
Yuu folded her arms.
"I'd like to examine them further once they arrive at the base."
Nayuta immediately looked at her.
"I would prefer that thou ask the great hero first."
Yuu paused.
Then she laughed.
"Pff…"
She shook her head.
"You know me well, Nayuta."
"I have my clone's memories of her friendship with you."
Yuu smiled.
"Clone or not…"
She looked at Nayuta warmly.
"You're now my good friend."
Nayuta smiled faintly.
"As thou art mine, Lady Yuu."
A mechanical voice interrupted them.
"Containment release commencing."
Jarvis activated the systems.
HSSSSSSSS—
The cylinders began to open.
Inside the prisoners' shared mental world, something strange happened.
The snow-covered village that had surrounded them for years suddenly began to glow.
Ludmilla looked around in confusion.
"What?"
She looked down at her hands.
They were glowing.
"What is this?"
Alice looked at herself.
"Hey! Me too!"
Her eyes widened with excitement.
"Are we going to Wonderland?!"
Neve looked toward the glowing sky.
"Finally!"
She smiled.
"I can finally look for polar bears again!"
Tove clenched her fists.
"If this is an escape, I promise to improve my survival skills!"
Nearby, Kashima looked toward Katori.
"Katori-san! Are we…"
"Yeah."
Katori could feel the warmth surrounding her.
"Someone is pulling us out."
She looked toward the village they had been trapped within for so long.
"Finally."
Her voice became quiet.
"We came to this world unwillingly, became stuck in this village for who knows how long…"
She looked upward.
"And now…"
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"Someone is bringing us out."
Kashima looked at her.
"Is it the old commander?"
Katori shook her head.
"No. I don't think so."
She looked toward the distant horizon.
"It's been years since we last saw him."
Her expression became melancholic.
"We escaped alongside the Sakura remnants."
Kashima was silent for a moment.
"How long has it been, sis?"
She looked around the snow-covered village.
"How long did we live here before the Raptures and Sirens found us?"
Katori shook her head.
"I have no idea."
She closed her eyes.
But for the first time in years, she felt something she had almost forgotten.
Relief.
"I've never felt this relieved before."
The light surrounding them grew brighter.
"Knowing we're finally getting rescued…"
The snow village began fading away.
And the six prisoners finally felt themselves being pulled back toward reality.
===============
Outside the mental prison, the containment cylinders began draining their fluids.
HSSSSSS—
The liquid level dropped rapidly until the six Nikkes could finally be retrieved.
One after another, their rescuers caught them as they emerged.
Rapi caught Ludmilla.
Anis caught Alice.
Neon caught Tove.
Pepper caught Neve.
Mary caught Kashima.
And Nayuta caught Katori.
Yuu immediately stepped forward.
"Bring them here. Cover them."
The Nikkes carefully carried the unconscious prisoners toward the prepared medical area.
Yuu had already prepared the Assault Armor systems.
"Let's get them stabilized first."
Mary and Pepper immediately began working alongside her.
The GIZMO repair beams activated.
VZZZZZZT—
Energy swept across the weakened bodies.
Yuu monitored their condition while Mary and Pepper concentrated on restoring their damaged systems.
Ludmilla was the first to regain consciousness.
Her eyes slowly opened.
The first thing she felt was weakness.
Her entire body felt heavy.
She could barely move.
"Milla!"
The familiar voice immediately caught her attention.
Ludmilla slowly turned her head.
"Rapi?"
Rapi smiled with visible relief.
"How…"
Ludmilla's voice was weak.
"How are you…?"
Before she could finish, another familiar face appeared.
"Anis."
Ludmilla's eyes widened slightly.
Anis smiled.
"Yeah."
She gently steadied Ludmilla.
"We came for you."
Ludmilla stared at the two of them.
After so many years, seeing familiar faces felt almost unreal.
Nearby, Alice began stirring.
Her eyes slowly opened.
"Is this… Wonderland?"
Anis immediately chuckled.
"Wonderland isn't a science lab, you know."
Despite the joke, the relief in her voice was obvious.
Alice blinked.
Then she noticed Neon.
"Neon?"
Neon grinned.
Alice looked around.
"Are you the one Mr. Rabbit sent to save us?"
Neon tilted her head.
"I don't know who Mr. Rabbit is, but we came with our Commander."
Alice stared at her.
"Commander…? Is Mr Rabbit here as well?"
Before she could ask anything else, another voice came from nearby.
"Neon?"
Tove had awakened.
Neon immediately turned toward her.
"Oh!"
She grinned.
"Our survivalist finally woke up!"
Tove slowly sat up with assistance.
"You're still the same as ever."
She smiled weakly.
"But I'm glad to see you again."
Neon's grin softened.
"Yeah."
She gave Tove a friendly pat on the shoulder.
"It's good to see you too."
On the other side of the medical area, Neve slowly opened her eyes.
Her gaze settled on Pepper.
"Pepper?"
Pepper smiled warmly.
"I'm here."
Neve looked around.
"I'm glad to see you again."
She took a breath.
"Not the polar bear I was hoping for…"
Pepper laughed softly.
"But our all-time favorite nurse isn't bad."
Pepper shook her head with a smile.
"I'm glad to see you again, Neve."
Mary continued working as Kashima slowly regained consciousness.
Kashima's eyes opened.
"I…"
She looked around in confusion.
"Who are you?"
Mary smiled reassuringly.
"I'm Mary. A doctor."
She continued directing the GIZMO repair beam over Kashima's body.
"And I'm a Nikke, just like them."
Kashima blinked.
"Another Nikke?"
"Yes, Miss Kashima."
Mary smiled.
"I was formerly part of the Seraphim Squad. I'm a doctor now."
Kashima slowly relaxed.
"Thank you for saving me."
Her expression suddenly became concerned.
"My sister…"
"She's fine."
Mary nodded toward Nayuta.
"She's with Nayuta. One of the Pilgrims—and one of us as well."
Kashima looked toward Nayuta.
"She's a Nikke too?"
Mary nodded.
"Yes."
Kashima looked around the medical area.
"I see…"
She seemed genuinely surprised.
"All of them are Nikkes?"
"Yes, Miss Kashima."
Mary smiled as she continued healing her.
Kashima closed her eyes for a moment.
"Ah…"
She could feel the warmth spreading through her body.
"This feels better."
Nearby, Katori finally stirred.
Her eyes opened slowly.
"Wait…"
She looked toward the person supporting her.
"Who are you?"
Nayuta smiled.
"This humble one is Nayuta."
She gently helped Katori sit upright.
"A Nikke."
Katori looked around.
"There are more Nikkes?"
"Aye."
Nayuta nodded.
"Thou art safe, Miss Katori. Thy sister is safe as well."
Katori looked toward Kashima.
Her expression immediately softened.
"Thank goodness…"
Yuu continued working alongside Mary and Pepper.
Her Assault Armor had completely covered her face, leaving only the glowing visor visible.
The newly rescued Nikkes and the two KanColle Shipgirls couldn't help but wonder who she was.
Yuu noticed their curious looks.
"Two minutes, ladies."
Katori glanced toward Nayuta.
"Who is this?"
Nayuta looked toward Yuu.
"Lady Yuu."
She introduced her formally.
"Kirino Yuu."
Katori blinked.
"A Japanese?"
Yuu turned toward her.
Then, to the surprise of both Katori and Kashima, she answered in fluent Japanese.
"It is Japan, but not the Japan you know. I come from a different Japan."
Katori's eyes widened.
Kashima stared at Yuu in disbelief.
Another Japan?
Yuu continued calmly.
"Not the Japan you knew, Katori-san. I came from a different Japan."
Kashima slowly looked toward Katori.
"There is another Japan as well…"
She glanced toward the unfamiliar surroundings.
"…other than the Sakura Empire."
Yuu continued the treatment without further explanation.
For now, there would be plenty of time for questions.
First, they had to get everyone healthy enough to leave.
Soon enough, Yuu had the four rescued Nikkes alongside two Kancolle shipgirls fitted with Assault Armor.
The moment the systems synchronized with their bodies, the Nikkes immediately noticed how strange it felt.
They could move.
Their bodies still felt weak and heavy after fifteen years of suspension, yet the armor's hydraulic systems responded to their neural signals and assisted every movement.
The suit was doing most of the work for them.
Yuu also equipped each of them with the same Ion Plasma Automatic Rifle and Ion Plasma Flechette Gun that Yuuki had given the rescued Shipgirls.
Once the armor finished calibrating and the weapons were secured, the six rescued Nikkes and shipgirls were finally ready to move.
Ludmilla looked over the armor with fascination.
"Wow…"
The helmet descended over her head.
As it sealed, her impossibly long hair was automatically gathered and stored inside the dimensional compartment.
"This is some suit."
Alice immediately looked around at her armor.
"This is Wonderland magic!"
Anis rolled her eyes.
"Alice, this is the real world. Not Wonderland."
She gestured toward the armor.
"And we're not Mr. Rabbit's bunnies."
Alice tilted her head.
"Eh? You look like his bunnies coming to our rescue!"
Anis stared at her.
"She's worse than you, Neon."
She pointed at Neon.
"I thought your obsession with firepower was a hassle."
"Hey!"
Neon protested.
"Don't pin me on this! Firepower is obsolete."
Alice simply smiled seeing her fellow Nikke friends again.
Nearby, Pepper finished checking Neve's condition.
Neve looked toward her.
"Pepper…"
She glanced around hopefully.
"You wouldn't happen to have found any polar bears, right?"
Pepper hesitated.
"Uhh… no."
She smiled apologetically.
"You can ask the Commander once we meet him. I'm sure he's seen one."
Neve nodded thoughtfully.
"Hmm…"
Tove looked toward Yuu.
"Wait…"
She tilted her head.
"Doctor Yuu isn't the Commander?"
Mary answered before Yuu could.
"No."
She smiled.
"Doctor Yuu is our current organization head doctor."
Mary glanced toward Yuu.
"She is also a very capable commander despite being a doctor."
Then her expression became slightly more serious.
"But don't make her angry."
Mary leaned closer.
"She might dissect you for study."
Alice's eyes widened.
"Eep…"
Tove's survival instincts immediately kicked in.
"My survival instincts are tingling."
Yuu turned toward them.
"Hey."
She placed a hand against her chest.
"I'm as nice as a cat."
Anis grinned.
"We doubt it."
Yuu sighed.
"Anyway…"
She looked over the six Nikkes and Kancolle shipgirls.
"This is only temporary."
She tapped the armor's chest plating.
"The Assault Armor allows you to move despite your bodies still being weak. I'm not asking you to fight."
She looked toward the weapons they had been given.
"Your job is simply to protect yourselves while we do the fighting."
Yuu's voice became more serious.
"This armor was originally designed so soldiers who were injured, weakened, or otherwise incapable of fighting could still move and operate."
The Nikkes looked down at their armored bodies.
Kashima and Katori cautiously took a few steps.
The armor immediately responded.
HSSSSS—
Hydraulic mechanisms moved with them.
Kashima looked down in amazement.
The technology of their own world was nowhere near this advanced.
They had already witnessed blue beams of energy being fired from the doctors' equipment to heal them.
Now they had armor capable of compensating for weakened bodies.
A helmet that could store their impossibly long hair inside another dimension.
Weapons powered by technology they had never seen before.
How many more things had they yet to discover about this strange world?
Before they could ask any more questions—
WEE-OOO! WEE-OOO!
Alarms suddenly rang throughout the laboratory.
Yuu's head snapped toward the nearest display.
"The ten minutes are up."
She immediately opened a communications channel.
"Friday? Situation?"
Friday answered.
"Miss Yuu, it appears that Rapture forces are attempting to breach this section of the facility."
A tactical display appeared.
"It is highly recommended that you follow an alternate route."
"Show me."
A new route appeared on Yuu's display.
She studied it.
"This leads into the pyramid where Chief is."
"Yes, Miss Yuu."
Yuu nodded.
"I'll lead you to them."
Friday continued.
"Go now, before the Raptures breach this area. Jarvis has control of the doors and is holding them back."
Suddenly, another holographic projection appeared before them.
Leviathan.
Her expression was filled with contempt.
"Looks like the Counter squad and Seraphim bitches are still alive."
Her eyes narrowed.
"Even the escaped Pilgrim."
Anis immediately snarled.
"Oi."
She stepped forward.
"You have a problem with us or something?"
"Of course."
Leviathan's smile turned vicious.
"You liberated prisoners we painstakingly acquired."
She tilted her head.
"We would have been better off simply killing all of you."
Her gaze hardened.
"So stand still and let us shoot you instead of wasting time trying to capture you."
Then her eyes shifted toward Yuu.
"But I'll make sure that filth of a Commander's bitch is properly captured."
The room went silent.
Yuu merely raised an eyebrow.
"My."
She sounded almost amused.
"Calling me his bitch?"
She calmly adjusted her weapon.
"I'd rather be called his beloved fiancée."
Leviathan's expression twitched.
Yuu turned away from the projection.
"Calling us names isn't going to provoke us."
She looked toward the others.
"Ignore her and let's go."
She started walking.
"Chief is waiting for us."
Nayuta watched Yuu for a moment.
"Thou seemed unaffected by her taunting."
Yuu glanced back.
"Oh, I don't need to be riled up."
She continued down the corridor.
"She is only buying time for the Raptures to reach us."
Yuu shrugged.
"Besides, getting angry won't get us anywhere."
Nayuta smiled.
"Pff…"
She followed.
"This one might learn how to remain calm and composed from thee."
"Anytime, Nayuta."
Yuu smiled.
"We're good friends, after all."
Nayuta nodded.
"Then forgive this one if she is willing to learn a great deal from thee."
From behind them, Neon raised her rifle.
"Come on, ladies!"
She grinned.
"Don't feel weak after fifteen years of suspension!"
Ludmilla immediately looked toward her.
"Hey!"
She clenched her fist.
"We're not that weak!"
Neon laughed.
"That's the spirit!"
The doors ahead opened.
HSSSSSS—
Yuu led the group into the alternate route.
Kashima and Katori followed closely together.
They had come to this world unwillingly.
They had survived years of isolation.
They had been imprisoned by the Raptures and nearly forgotten.
But now they had new allies.
And they were willing to do whatever it took to escape this place alongside them.
Behind them, the laboratory doors slammed shut.
BOOM!
Something struck the other side.
The Raptures had begun breaching the facility.
Yuu didn't look back.
"Keep moving."