25 Sept 2020

Wow, the naval base has grown a bit since I've last been here～! It's only been, what, 3 weeks? Jeez, what is up with this place.
I bumped into many old friends after entering the checkpoint in the front. It's especially welcoming to see some of my fellow heavy cruisers, but that's not what I'm here. I have a story to scoop.

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[Transcript of interview recorded on 25 Sept 2020]
Aoba: Thank you for agreeing to this interview in your free time, Adm. Tachyon.
Tachyon: It's the least I can do. Please, if you would like tea or anything of the like, then let me know.
A: No thank you, but I appreciate the offer. Shall we begin?
T: Yes, that would be great.
A: What brought you here to this naval base?
T: It was a complicated path to arrive here. I caught word that there was an experimental fleet that was completely unlike any other. Of course, back then, it was just gossip, but us officers were called in one day for some interviews out of the blue. I later found out that those interviews would be for filling the position I am in right now.
A: Ooo～...
T: I do have to say, this new fleet that I command is quite fulfilling. Of course, I'll always get heat from the run-of-the-mill guys who didn't get accepted and just loathe me for leading this kind of base.
A: Anything in particular you really love about this base?
T: Hmm... there's so much that happens here it's hard to isolate one. I'd say it's the people who keep this base lively. The day-to-day interactions with everybody on-base is the bright part of my day.
A: And the flip side, what do you hate most?
T: Without a doubt, seeing people leave. The first time, I wached one get dismantled before my eyes. It looked painful; there was loud clanging of metal, muffled screams, anesthetic. Even though I never watch that in person anymore, I can still hears the clangs of metal from my office here to the arsenal. Thank goodness Akashi can attend to that so I don't have to.
A: Ok, a few more. What was it like commanding this base at first?
T: Oh, it was quite the experience. First off, since I'm not fluent in Japanese, I had to rely on machine translations for just about everything on this base. Eventually, I found a really nice reference for what was what.
Talking with the first few kanmusu was very cumbersome, too. Fubuki was not too bad, thank goodness. She hadn't neglected her English studies, and I have to thank her for helping me ease into this base.
This base was also selected to participate in a large-scale operation very soon after I arrived here. The higher-ups must have been restless to see our potential, but we had barely enough to call ourselves a fleet. It was only towards the end of the operation that we were able to give significant aid. Even so, the orders we were given were exceedingly difficult.
A: You mentioned Fubuki. Was she your starter ship?
T: That is correct.
A: Any reason behind the decision to choose her?
T: I was told that out of the other five, she had the most potential. She rightfully is one of the strongest destroyers on base.
A: Do you have a favorite?
T: As in favorite person on base?
A: Mhm.
T: Hm, that would have to be Ms. Saratoga, who works day in and day out to make sure documents that are in Japanese can be read by me. That means translations, and that is hard work. Heading an entire board in the base is a difficult task, too.
A: A... board? Can you explain?
T: Yes, of course. The idea behind these groups and boards, or as I call it, the "bureaucracy," is that they do behind-the-scenes work so the actively serving members can give their all in military operations and not be bogged down with red tape. It's lifted a good portion of the paperwork off of my secretary's and my chest.
I should mention that the people working there are former kanmusume, which includes Ms. Sara. After being decommissioned through scrapping or modernization, typically we give them 1 or 2 days to organize their things if they previously roomed with us, then we give them an aptitude test, which measures how fit they would be for jobs on base that don't require active service, like helping Akashi in the arsenal or translating important documents to English, in Sara's case. If they score highly enough, then they are offered a job here on base. If they reject it or don't score well in any section, they are turned over to the neighboring village. Usually Houshou takes young ones in out of the kindness of her heart, but the others usually settle in and scrape a living for themselves. Since this entire base is to be top secret, though, they are not allowed to leave the naval district. The MP's have already caught and detained quite a few.
A: Oh! Are there any plans to lift this ban on leaving?
T: No, and I expect it to stay for the period for which I am commanding this base. The higher-ups simply do not want the secret to be let out, and I am to follow their orders.
A: That's all the time we have, I think. It s already 1230; I'm taking up too much of your time. Please, enjoy your lunch break and take care. Thank you for taking the time to talk with me.
T: Thank you for the opportunity. Take care to you, as well.
*shuffles*

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I was able to keep my cool!
I also requested a tour around base by Fubuki, which the admiral gave the A-OK to! Hopefully she has the time to spare...