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  2. Azur Lane: Savior

  3. Chapter 85 – Warmth of the Polar Winter
Azur Lane: Savior

Chapter 85 – Warmth of the Polar Winter

With the destruction of the Siren's stronghold, Greynar and the fleets gathered for a small celebration at the naval base along the Aleutian defense line. The joyous clinking of glasses filled with vodka echoed through the room as the girls indulged in the celebratory atmosphere. Laughter and cheers reverberated through the corridors, marking the relief and victory they all shared.

Amidst the festivities, the Commander, Greynar, quietly slipped away with Sovetskaya Rossiya. The two found a quieter corner outside the main hall, away from the noise and merriment. The stars above twinkled brightly, and the cold night air was filled with a calm that contrasted the earlier chaos of battle.

Rossiya glanced at Greynar, her expression serious. "We’ve accomplished much, Comrade," she began, her voice steady, yet carrying the weight of responsibility. "But the road ahead is still long. The Northern Parliament has many challenges left, and we could use someone like you by our side for a little longer."

"The road ahead is indeed still long. Up until today, we've only managed to defeat them thanks to the combined firepower of our joint fleets," Greynar said, raising his glass. With a resolute expression, he added, "Let's savor this victory while we can. Cheers to today."

Rossiya clinked her glass against his and echoed his sentiment with a soft smile. "Cheers."

With the party concluded, the fleets went to rest, preparing for their return to NY City the following day. They would depart after ensuring that their equipment had been thoroughly checked and deemed safe for the journey. As the cold night settled in, the Commander sat alone on a bench, gazing up at the moon. A quiet smile played on his lips as he reflected on the victory. To him, this victory was merely the beginning—a new chapter was about to unfold.

From the shadows, a petite figure approached him. "Commander... Still haven't slept yet?" Saratoga asked softly as she sat beside him, pulling her furred jacket tighter around herself to ward off the cold.

Greynar silently glanced at her and smiled. "And you? Don't you need to rest?"

"I couldn't get a wink of sleep in my room. The events from earlier are still bothering me," Saratoga admitted, her voice tinged with lingering worry.

"You're thinking about that Siren?"

"Mhm, she called herself Omitter, definitely an elite Siren," Saratoga replied, her gaze distant. "I hope nothing happened in Canal Stronghold..."

Greynar gave a dry laugh. "I'm sure whatever problems lie ahead, those girls will make it through safely."

His thoughts drifted as he pondered, 'Observer really planned this out carefully, didn't she? 'Micro-layered mixture'... a sea of fog generated by Compiler to deceive Enterprise META and stall her while experimenting with Enterprise of this timeline.'

He was impressed by her careful planning, but for now, the night was quiet, and the moonlight offered a brief respite. Saratoga silently leaned against his shoulder, her cold breath mingling with the falling snow in the air. The Commander grabbed a small snow to his palm and tightly hold it.

"You know, Rossiya asked me for a favor," Greynar said, glancing at Saratoga.

"What kind of favor?" she asked in curiosity.

"She wants me to stay here for a while and help them deal with the Sirens in the Arctic zone. It aligns with my plans, too—I'm thinking of heading to the Northern Parliament next to take care of some Siren-related issues."

Saratoga paused for a moment, then stood up silently. "I see... But you know how the Eagle Union Command is. They won't just let you go off on your own."

Greynar smiled. "Rossiya mentioned that it's already been approved."

"Really? That's surprising..." She murmured then turned to Greynar. "But anyway, since you decided to stay with Northern Parliament for awhile, then i suggest you to go sleep now!" She commanded him jokingly.

"Ahaha~ alright, alright. I'll head to bed now. Don't stay up too late. Goodnight, Sara," Greynar said, his voice warm with affection as Sara watched him leaving. 

"Goodnight then, Commander." Saratoga smiled as she looked at the moon, she murmured. "The moon is beautiful tonight."

The next day, after a night of rest, the Eagle Union fleet was already preparing to head back home. Despite the calmness, there was an eerie silence regarding the events that had transpired at Canal Stronghold. There hadn't been any news or updates, and while the others remained unaware, Greynar knew the truth. He kept silent, knowing that speaking out might raise suspicions.

"Too bad you won't be coming with us, Commander, but make sure to stay safe in the Northern Parliament," Hornet winked at him.

"You too, Hornet," the Commander replied, returning the gesture. "Stay safe in the Pacific. I'll be here, doing my job as Commander of Azur Lane."

"Don't worry about it," she reassured him with a grin. "You can count on me to help Enterprise at the Pacific frontline. We'll take care of the Sirens and the Crimson Axis. You just focus on keeping things under control up north."

"Sure, I have the Northern Parliament as my backup and Volga tagged along with me."

After exchanging greetings, the Commander approached Saratoga and South Dakota, who were discussing their sea route. He smiled warmly at them.

"Going soon?" he asked.

"Yeah, we're almost done with preparations," South Dakota replied. "The maintenance on our rigging is complete, and as per the agreement with the higher-ups, our mass-produced ships will stay behind to assist you as extra firepower."

"The higher-ups said that? I guess that's one way to ensure my protection," Greynar sighed. "It is what it is..."

"Don't worry, we won't be easily caught off guard," Saratoga added, showing off her communicator. "We got an upgrade from the Northern Parliament for our comms. It'll serve as a detector, so no more hiding for the enemy—we'll know exactly where they are."

After some final chats, it was time for the Eagle Union fleet to return to NY City. The Polar fleet and others gathered at the harbor to see them off. As the ships sailed away, the Commander stood at attention, offering a salute in farewell. Once they were out of sight, the remaining members of the Polar fleet invited the Commander back inside for a more serious discussion.

Their conversation hinted at an upcoming meeting with a very important figure, one whome Greynar quickly deduced could be none other than Rossiya's sister, Sovetsky Soyuz—the acting leader in Northern Parliament. The next steps were set, and the Commander knew that this encounter would play a part on his plan.

After the fleet reached the mainland, they took some time to explore the city. Pamiat and Minsk, full of energy, eagerly dragged Greynar along as they tried out the local foods and drinks of the Northern Parliament. It was a refreshing change of pace from the intensity of the battles they had faced at the Siren stronghold. The vibrant city life and the unique flavors they experienced created unforgettable memories, offering a brief but cherished moment of peace amidst their ongoing mission.

As the sun dipped below the horizon and the city's lights flickered on, Pamiat couldn't contain her excitement. "Commander, look! The city's lights are so pretty!" she exclaimed, jumping up with glee.

"Pamiat, be careful! You don’t want to fall off the railing," Volga warned gently.

"Ugh... Sorry," Pamiat mumbled, climbing down from the edge. Though she was older than many of the others, she heeded Volga's advice without protest.

Grozny approached Greynar, holding a warm drink in her hands. "It's cold out here, Commander. Want some hot chocolate?" she offered with a kind smile.

Taking the drink from her, Greynar nodded gratefully. "Thanks, Grozny. Northern Parliament really knows how to do cold weather right."

"You're welcome, Commander. We might not have as much variety as you do in the Eagle Union, but I can assure you, the taste is unbeatable~" Pamiat commented, looking proud of her own nation's food and drink.

"You're correct, this is a unique experience for myself. I'm thinking of learning their recipe back once I got back to Eagle Union."

"Oh, you'll love it! I think Rossiya has a recipe book or two up her sleeve," Pamiat teased with a grin, glancing at the battleship. "Right, Rossiya?"

Rossiya, caught off guard by the mention, blinked before responding. "Hmm... Well, I suppose I do have a few recipes. Like Shchi and other traditional dishes. I'd be happy to share them."

Not long after, Avrora appeared from behind. "Commander, the date has been decided. In two days you will be meeting Northern Parliament's authoritative member," she turned to Rossiya. "She called you in." 

"Alright, then i'll be going first Commander." Rossiya bid goodbye to him and went inside. 

After some small sightseeing on the rooftop, the group descended and ventured to a bustling street filled with life and activity. As evening approached, they decided to return to the port's building reserved for their rest. The warmth of dinner filled the room, and just as they were settling down, Rossiya returned, joining them once again after her early leave.

The evening dinner was a lively affair, filled with warmth and camaraderie. The group sat around the table, sharing stories and laughter from their day of exploring the city. The atmosphere was cheerful, and everyone took the opportunity to boast about their favorite spots and experiences, eager to impress the Commander with the beauty and charm of their homeland.

As the conversation continued, it shifted to lighthearted banter about their personal quirks. Avrora, with a playful grin, shared an amusing detail about Pamiat, describing how she made adorable little noises in her sleep. Minsk and Grozny eagerly joined in, adding that Pamiat often mumbled about food in her sleep, as if she was dreaming of her next meal.

Pamiat, her face reddening, quickly denied the claims, insisting that it was all made up. But her flustered reaction only drew more attention, and Greynar, intrigued, playfully asked for the real story. This left Pamiat feeling cornered, caught between the teasing of her friends and her own attempts to brush off the embarrassing revelations.

Then Volga, with a mischievous glint in her eye, chimed in, adding her own playful jab. She casually mentioned that even the Commander had his own quirks while sleeping, something she had observed during their time together. Greynar's face flushed with surprise, and he quickly tried to stop her from revealing anything more, his reaction only fueling the laughter in the room. 

As the group's curiosity shifted fully onto Greynar, he found himself at the center of attention. The Commander's usual stoic demeanor softened as he realized there was no escaping their eager questions. With a resigned smile, he began recounting his daily life at the port, detailing his interactions with the Eagle Union girls. 

The room quieted as everyone listened intently, hanging on his every word. Greynar spoke of the challenges of managing the bustling port, the quirks of the different shipgirls under his command, and the connection that he had formed with them. The group's interest was piqued as they learned more about the dynamic life he led, contrasting sharply with the battles they had fought together.

Rossiya chimed in after Greynar's story, adding her own experiences of managing the Polar fleet. She spoke warmly about how, unlike the structured and formal environment of the Eagle Union port, her leadership style was more familial. Every member of the Polar fleet was dear to her, each one irreplaceable in their unique way. 

She described how they operated less like a military unit and more like a close-knit family, where every decision was made with the well-being of each member in mind. Her words carried a deep sense of pride and affection, showing that, to her, the bonds formed within the Polar fleet were as strong and enduring as any family ties.

As his curiosity peaked, Greynar inquired about the other members of the Northern Parliament fleet. Rossiya, with a thoughtful expression, explained that most of the fleet was currently stationed at the frontlines, facing the ongoing threat of the Sirens. She mentioned that some were part of the research team, working tirelessly behind the scenes to develop new strategies and technologies. 

As the conversation shifted, Rossiya mentioned a troubling story about a missing fleet, one that had disappeared while attempting to recover a mysterious meteorite shard. The fleet’s absence had left many questions unanswered, and the Northern Parliament had been unable to recover any significant information since. It was clear that the mission had been perilous.

Hearing this, Greynar’s expression subtly changed, though he quickly masked it so the others wouldn't notice. There was a quiet intensity in his gaze, as though the mention of the meteorite struck a chord with him.

'Kronshtadt's expedition team... That was also what bug me about this matter.' He silently glanced at Volga. 'Observer... What do you know about what I don't know...' He mused about the word that the Siren said.

Gangut added that they had managed to detect a faint signal from the missing fleet, a small glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak situation. However, the ongoing war with the Sirens had made any immediate evacuation impossible. The fleet had to prioritize their resources and focus on the more immediate threats, meaning that rescuing the missing fleet would take time—time they weren’t sure they had. Despite the somber news, there was a shared understanding among the group that they would do everything in their power to bring their comrades back when the opportunity arose.

As the night deepened, the group decided it was best to rest and prepare for the journey ahead.

Chapayev tried to invite Greynar to her room, but Volga quickly intervened, playfully reminding Chapayev that she would be staying with him instead. After some lighthearted teasing, they decided it was best for all the girls to sleep together while Greynar would stay in a room alone. It was no problem for him, though there was a tinge of disappointment hidden plain sight by eye.

Under the gentle light of the moon, the Commander went for his usual walk, the cold night air biting at him with every step. The vodka he'd sipped earlier had done its job, warming him from within and giving him a sense of calm as he strolled through the quiet, snow-covered landscape. 

"Arcana Sanctum..." He muttered quietly.

There was a reason why he wanted to go to the place so badly. It was one of man-made building that the Sirens had built back during their initial invasion. Observer was the one who designed it for the Northern Parliament to discover the place. One that copies the general underwater base in original timeline and the final resting place before humanity was completely wiped out.

Though he needed some affinity with the cube, he believed S.A.V.I.O.R will be the one that become the key to access it. Since he rewrote the entire history, he was afraid if something unexpected happened along the way, which is understandable for someone like him, burdened by something huge.

A realization struck him as he stopped on his path, during the attack of Long Island defense and NY Harbor, the S.A.V.I.O.R was acting weird the entire incident. The singularity that the Ashes opened, was drawing him to go inside. There was an instance of a strange noises and a certain flashback of something. He didn't know what it was and thought it was some sort of mental attack. And there's also something about a past vision that he didn't knew.

'Those flashbacks... shouldn't it be something that the test site's Commander experienced, why did it happened to me...?' He quietly thought. 'But that wasn't the same flashback that occurred, so is that a new unseen flashback?'

As someone clueless about what happened, the mystery deepened, countless of possibility runs through his mind. One of them was something that he fears to happen. Something that told him that he wished it wasn't true. That possibility was the most logical to explain instead of a nonsense.

'That was... a memory...? But whose?'

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