Chapter 26 - MIA or KIA

"Altair, what are you doing?"

 After the siren invasion ended, my old friend visited my private room.

 Well... Everyone would question that after seeing the strange equipment in my private room. The strange equipment that my old friend asked about was the Siren Converter with a large capsule shape that was elongated like a bed.

 "Admiral? You didn't knock and wait for my answer to enter my private zone?" I said to tease my old friend's impudence.

 The body I was using might be his old friend but the soul inside it was not the friend he knew. We were just strangers trying to get to know each other because Quest forced me to do that.

 "Uh, are you still holding that grudge?" my old friend anxious replied.

 "What You think?" answering a question with a question is an effective defense.

 "You know, I regret my decision back then. I didn't know that decision would lead you to the wrong place."

 "Yeah, that's already happened. I'm not stupid enough to accept a former friend who sold me out for the sake of humanity."

 "…" my old friend fell silent.

 "Tell me, Admiral. Was our struggle in vain? After the Admiralty Code's order to stop the Seawolf program. Do we have a home to return to after dedicating our lives to the sea and fighting against the sirens?"

 "..."

 "Maybe, some of us found that answer. However, I had a hard time finding that answer until I met this child," I said while looking at Arbiter Temperance who was sleeping inside the Siren Converter.

 "..."

 "I will complete my duty as the Seawolf Flagship and take another path to achieve my goal. Ah! Don't worry! It doesn't mean that I will be hostile to Azur Lane. It's just that I will do it gently without drawing your attention."

 "Altair, I'm sorry. At least I have tried to contact Admiralty Eagle Union regarding the Seawolf program that was too rushed."

 "A program that was too rushed but had a high success rate on the battlefield?" I said to dismiss my old friend's nonsense.

 "Urgh! T-That… I can't deny it. You guys are too effective in destroying the siren convoy."

 "..."

 "..."

 We fell silent.

 "At least, I need some special equipment for my funeral. If you can help me make it, maybe I will accept your apology," I said to break the silence.

 "Somehow, I have a feeling that 'it' will be equipment that exceeds the Eagle Union's military budget," my old friend replied quickly.

 "Huh? That's just your hunch. All I need is a building to make light torpedoes and a shipgirl who can kill my submarine without hesitation."

 "H-Huh?! Do you think there is someone who can kill the Eagle Union's spearhead without hesitation?"

 "That's the problem! The Admiralty Code's order requires me to die!"

 The order given by the Admiralty Code is the purge of the Seawolf program. All technology, knowledge, designs, physical records, physical evidence, and everything that touches the Seawolf program must be destroyed. Including my physical body condition which is required to enter MIA or KIA mode.

 "Is there no other way?" asked my old friend in a serious tone.

 "There is one way that can be done. But, are you sure you can do it?" I replied in a serious tone too.

 "This uneasy feeling, do you want to do something crazy again?"

 "You know what's in my head."

 "Altair!" my old friend called my name in a high tone.

 "Missing In Action or Killing In Action? Which one do you choose to my funeral?" I said while giving my old friend two choices.

 "Wait! Wait! What does this mean?" asked my old friend with a confused expression.

 "I just want to untie the ties between Eagle Union and the Seawolf program. Sinking the Seawolf submarine is just the beginning of the next submarine program. They already have enough data for a cheap and mass-producible submarine, the Nautilus program."

 "They're making a new submarine program again?!" my old friend was shocked after hearing it.

 "Ah, you don't know about that? One of Eagle Union's scientists discovered a new energy source other than liquid fuel."

 "Argh! They're making me sick! Why do they always play behind Azur Lane's strict policies!" my old friend exclaimed, ruffling his hair.

 "Did you just realize it now?" I replied sarcastically.

 If we talk about the history and reality of the Azur Lane world. Seawolf and Nautilus in this era are ships that have just been developed by the Eagle Union. Seawolf should use steam turbines for its propulsion while my submarine is too young for today's technology. The difference between the nuclear Seawolf and the steam turbine Seawolf is like a grandfather-grandson relationship that interacts with each other. The Nautilus in this era has entered the stage of nuclear technology as its power source.

 Uhm, I can feel that something bad will happen to the ship before it is built and launched.

 Nuclear technology in this era is very unstable. Nautilus will be a stepping stone after the Seawolf program is stopped and I can feel someone writing my name into the Nautilus program.

 This bad feeling is getting worse.

 Alright, my decision is final!

 My little joke the day before will be a hard code for other nations.

 Join another nation or create my own nation?

 It will be hard choice. At least I want to have a home to return to and rest in peace without worrying about global conflict.

 "Admiral..." I called my old friend and handed him a paper with the raw materials for making a special torpedo.

 "Hmm... What is this?" my old friend asked.

 "Hey, isn't this it?" my old friend continued after reading the contents of the paper.

 "Can you manage to build it?" I asked to make sure.

 "This is a bit difficult to do. However, with the event that is going to happen. Smuggling these materials will be very easy to do. By the way... I have an additional idea to ensure the success of your plan."

 "Hmm... It's unusual for you to have another idea."

 "How about we invite other nations to hunt you down?"

 "Make them become eyewitnesses to the tragedy that befell the Flagship Seawolf? Quite a good idea, but..."

 "Eh? Is that still not enough?"

 "No, that's not it. I thought of a better plan than that before. Like becoming an arms dealer and living peacefully after retiring in a human colony. If... my name in death list."

 "Colony, huh? Do you still use that term? Oh! Weapons! That's right! That's the main reason I came here!"

 "Admiral, how long have you not slept? Your memory has been getting worse lately."

 "Eh? What do you mean?"

 "..." I didn't answer that question and turned to look at Helena who was sitting silently beside my old friend. Helena sat quietly and smiled sweetly covered in pent-up anger. The small paper in her hand contained her husband's schedule filled with black ink scribbles.

 "Helena, can I see that?" I asked Helena gently.

 "Hiyaaa!! Ehh? EEEHH?! Since when has Helena been beside me?" my old friend was very surprised by Helena's appearance right beside her.

 "..."

 Without answering my question, Helena handed over my old friend's daily schedule as an Admiral who was responsible for the interests of the Eagle Union nation.

 The small paper had the word "Love Date" written on it and was covered in black ink scribbles because of the missed schedule.

 "With all due respect, Admiral-"

 "Master, I would also be angry if Master forgot his important promise for my business too," Sofia said while looking the schedule.

 Before I could finish my sentence, Sofia cut me off with the same smile as Helena.

 "Aahh..." I tried to understand the situation based on their woman's feelings.

 "Uhm... Uh..."

 "Admiral, I hope you're okay."

 I could only say that simple sentence for the safety of my old friend.

 "Eh??" my old friend looked at me with a questioning gaze.

 Thinking back, my old friend came to visit alone before Helena found her position and sat beside him without he realizing it.

 "They won't get divorced anytime soon, right?" I whispered to Sofia.

 "Maybe," Sofia replied shortly.