Chapter 6

(Listen (Thank you to the supporters of Wuli Zhong, Tuoba Bed Joy, and Dark Night Twelve Chapters! I also want to thank the readers who left comments and recommendations! I didn't expect to make it into the new sci-fi author's book list, but I hope to continue with this momentum. Please everyone, give more support and help spread the word~))

"Stop it, it's not like that—!!!"

Before the admiral could even reach the meeting room, a wail from the Enterprise could be heard from inside the reception room. Then, the red wooden door was pushed open with a 'bang,' and Enterprise, with tears in her eyes, darted out and ran outside.

But after just two steps, she saw the admiral standing at the top of the stairs, looking stunned. Enterprise froze for a moment, and then, after two seconds, her tears burst forth.

"Admiral~~~ They're bullying me, ahhh~~!"

Enterprise cried out and, like a fledgling returning to the nest, threw herself into the admiral's arms, which instantly turned ashen. The shipgirls who had run out of the meeting room clearly saw the admiral's pale face turn crimson, then purplish-black.

Seeing the admiral's look of despair, the shipgirls all shuddered in sympathy.

A direct hit from an aircraft carrier must not feel good, right?

Looking at the Enterprise in the admiral's arms, who wore a 'mission accomplished' expression, the shipgirls silently lit a candle for their admiral.

After a long while, the admiral, whose face was still ashen, took a deep breath. He gradually extended his trembling hand to pat Enterprise's shoulder, signaling her to get down. With a pout, Enterprise finally let go, and the admiral rubbed his stomach, which was still churning, and let out a long sigh.

"…What are you all doing?"

Rubbing his still turbulent abdomen, the admiral struggled to hold onto the railing, leaning against it and looking at the shipgirls with a pained expression.

"Didn't you say you were going to have a welcome party? Why did you make Enterprise cry? No matter what, Enterprise is your senior. Always bullying your seniors and making them cry isn't a good example for the new ones, right?"

"Ah, no, it's just that we mentioned the admiral, so it turned out like this…"

Central Planning Ship No. 1 scratched her head and laughed awkwardly.

"Ah, I see. Then be a bit more careful, okay?"

The admiral, who had been rubbing his stomach, gradually looked better, and his voice regained some strength. He spoke kindly to the shipgirls in front of him.

After all, the shipgirls hadn't intended to attack him; it was just that their physical attributes were too strong. Time would heal the damage. While there had been cases of shipgirls killing admirals, those were usually because the admirals had tried to harm the shipgirls. Generally, there wouldn't be any serious injuries.

"Right! The admiral is right! We don't need any bad guys! Just Enterprise is enough!"

Enterprise, looking excited, jumped up and hugged the admiral with a 'pat' sound.

Everyone present then heard a sharp crack.

"AAAAAAAAAA—!"

Seeing the admiral's contorted face, the other shipgirls all drew in a sharp breath, covering their faces and turning away, unable to bear the sight of this torment.

First, he was hit in the stomach by a full-force carrier collision, and then he was crushed by the entire weight of an aircraft carrier. While they weren't real warships, they were still shipgirls. Could the admiral's small frame take it?

"…Enterprise."

Taking a deep breath, the admiral, drenched in cold sweat, leaned heavily on the railing and spoke to Enterprise, who was on his back, in a trembling voice.

"W-What?"

Hanging on the admiral, the petite Enterprise smiled widely at him.

"Please, for my sake," facing that bright smile, the admiral, trembling all over, swallowed hard and forced a twisted smile, speaking softly, "I need to talk about serious matters. Please be a bit more serious. This isn't fitting for a senior…"

He couldn't hurt the shipgirls' feelings, nor could he let his body suffer such a heavy blow again. The admiral, a true man, resolutely spoke kindly.

What a painful realization!

Faced with the admiral, whose face was ashen but still wore a gentle smile, the shipgirls all felt a pang of sympathy, tears welling in their eyes.

"…Alright."

After all, just relying on her would be enough.

Hearing that they were going to talk about serious matters, Enterprise pouted but obediently climbed off the admiral. Seeing the sulking Enterprise, everyone let out a sigh of relief and secretly smiled in relief.

"To sum up, our first fleet of the abandoned base, the Imagination Fleet, is now fully staffed. I welcome the new addition, Plan Ship No. 111. Although you saw an unseemly side of me, I believe it has deepened our understanding. Since this is an abandoned base and I am just a human, I apologize."

"As the saying goes, every medal has two sides. Although you saw the bad side, I believe you will see the good side as well."

The admiral bowed deeply to Plan Ship No. 111, who was at the back of the group, and said apologetically.

"Eh?"

Faced with the admiral's sincere expression, No. 111 was taken aback and quickly waved her hands.

"Ah, it's fine, I don't mind. In fact, coming here and seeing all the seniors has broadened my horizons and increased my knowledge."

For example, night-flying planes and melee carriers.

Looking at the Enterprise, who was practically starry-eyed next to the admiral, No. 111 smiled brightly. The other shipgirls, seeing Enterprise's almost fangirl-like behavior, all had subtle expressions on their faces.

After all, she was a hero ship and a prototype, theoretically capable of taking on a hundred ordinary shipgirls. So, night-flying planes and melee battles with the Abyssals… it was understandable.

"In any case, with the addition of a new member, we can now push for 1-4."

The admiral cleared his throat and looked at the shipgirls.

"However, before that, we need to familiarize the new member with our combat style. We will re-clear the surrounding waters of the base. Clear 1-1 and 1-2 in the first week, 1-3 in the second week, and after a week of coordination, clear 1-4."

"Everyone, follow me to the command room. We need to re-mark some important areas and introduce our new friend to the current situation."

After saying this seriously, the admiral turned and ran towards the command room.

Watching the admiral's back, No. 111 was momentarily stunned.

"Sister, is the admiral so urgent about the strategic direction?"

Faced with the admiral's determined and unrelenting figure, the new shipgirl tugged at her sister's sleeve, feeling uneasy. The secretary ship, No. 110, smiled gently and kindly.

"Silly, didn't you see that if the admiral didn't run, Enterprise would have pounced again?"

"…"

Glancing at the eager Enterprise, No. 111 shuddered.

How should I put it? Although this place is poor and has nothing, there are quite a few strange people. At least I don't have to worry about a boring life.

…Can I apply for decommissioning and go home?

Stepping forward, No. 111 couldn't help but think.

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