A drydock dwarfing human forms.

Metal and concrete creating a literal cage, reinforced against any possible attack. Thick walls hiding creations within, open secrecy held from the moment of its conception.

Streaming sunlight passes between layers of camouflage netting, the beast held within illuminated by refracted light. A dry dock flooded in preparation for a full reveal, an already sea worthy asset currently floating within its designated pen. Peeking through slightly ajar blast doors the entourage approaches, led by the single Flag Officer.

“Vice Admiral sir!” A pair of Okani Naval Militia Marines stand straight at the sight of the ranking Vice Admiral and his entourage of cadets.

Rifles upon their shoulders, guards of sensitive assets holding actionable materials of lethal consequences. A momentary gaze between cadets and flag officers, the question first spoken by the ranked Sergeant. “How can we help you sir?”

“Just giving the Cadets a quick tour of the Archipelago before we head out for Sea Training.” Vice Admiral Fujisaki casually answers, waving his hands in dismissal. A pause, looking around the drydock as he notes the absence of workers, naval observers, and general guardsmen. “Where is everyone today?”

“Orders from Fleet Admiral Amber Nine Gaelsin, said they needed personnel to assist with the resupply of the Jraad and Galidian ships in dock.”

“Gods below Amber you…” Fujisaki curses, sighing aloud.

Cadet Yamada clears his throat, the young man careful in his approach. “Is there something wrong sir?”

“Fleet Admiral Amber probably wants the dockyards cleared asap for the Gaelsin Fleet that’s currently waiting out of harbor. And she’s leaving this place unguarded for it.”

“Should we assist then?” Cadet Jeong asks immediately.

“No, it’s going to take the better part of this week to get the Jraad and Galidian battleships refueled and rearmed. Even with all hands on deck, so nothing we can help with.” Fujisaki rubs his temple, taking a deep, calming breath against frustration. “When we get to the Acubens I’ll have to radio out to Fleet Admiral Miura about this. Damn Gaelsins greasers… “

Instinctive words spoken, a catching of politically inconvenient phrasing too late to excuse a soul. The Vice Admiral inhales sharply, raising hands defensively. “Gods spite, sorry.”

The singular Gaelsin Cadet remains quiet at the slur, a request for forgiveness seemingly accepted.

Fujisaki turns back to the Marine Guards. “Anyway, I suppose we’ll just take a quick tour.”

“Yes sir, of course sir.” The Marine Sergeant replies quickly, stepping aside from the cracked entrance. A sudden realization at protocol: the unusualness of her situation approached in a moment of clarity. “But I’ll have to log this, sir.”

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“I’ll sign off on the paperwork when I’m leaving.” The Flag Officer waves aside. “Now come on kids, she’s a big boat so we’ll need to make this a quick tour.”

Eyes adjusting to the shade, a coolness of temperature washing over slightly sweaty bodies in hot uniforms. The unbearable summer months in the Elysian Shelf now somewhat survivable in the comfort of a covered space.

The scent of salt mixed with iron, a light drone of waves slapping against floating dockyards echoing within the filled drydock.

The battleship at the center of the world remains silent.

Steel superstructure rising above miniscule souls, towering metal creating a sense of vertigo at inspection. Idle fire control radar systems atop masts, technologies beyond belief. Matched together with armored bridge windows, located high above the main deck.

Across its form anti-aircraft armament were bristled in turret housings across it, flak cannons already ready for action. Though, eyes were pulled towards the divine instruments laid across its form.

The Vessel’s main gun batteries were housed in four turrets, three guns each with two forward and two aft. Twelve cannons of insane caliber, city-ship killing power concentrated upon a god of war.

A titanic size, the single gangway provides a sense of miniscule scale against the nearly quarter kilometer long warship.

The legendary god of fabled land across endless seas, a hope of a paradise among the waves and storms of Kalish. Stories told by ancestors and laid beyond the surviving texts of history, now in the time of reason still worshiped within hearts.

Salvation from the waters that they so lived upon.

“The Archipelago.” Vice Admiral Fujisaki cracks his neck as he waves out towards the battleship. “First true Coalition ship right here. Took us twenty six kith ten years of back breaking work, but here she is.”

“Is it true she’s got arcane constructs inside?” Cadet Iska Lambert asks excitedly.

“I’m not privy to say.” The Flag Officer defensively pulls his own hidden excitement back. “But, I was on the design bureau for the Okiani engineering team so just to let you know; we bought the fire control system from Kith S’jin for a million and a half Col-Dollars. Not cheap in the slightest, but it made the Jraad Team very, very happy.”

“D-Divine salvage?” Both Lambert siblings answer with a near religious reverence at the notion.

“Again, I’m not privy to say.” Fujisaki cuts a smile towards the two.

Cadet Natlan speaks up, a unique base of knowledge accessed as he makes a visual inspection of the vessel’s construction. “The design of the vessel is similar to Benuli battlecruisers, however the fire control tower is of a different construction compared to the rest, I believe it is Jraad in design. However, I do not see any indication that there are items of arcane construct.”

“Even that fish-like thing up there?” Cadet Jeong coldly asks as she points to the top of the superstructure.

“That is the transceiver for a Magician-Type Radar System manufactured by Kith Galadian. Modified from a Jraad original design.”

“Getting all this technology to talk to one another was a nightmare.” Vice Admiral Fujisaki adds. “Cadet, do you know why?”

A question placed on the Gaelsin mind, trivial in creation. “Major differences are found in different software bases and power draw differences.”

“Correct.” The man smiles. “You guys better watch out, your Chief Engineer here’s going to be saving you in the damage control course.”

“Assuming he passes the tactical exams.” Cadet Jeong cuts.

“Akane…” Cadet Yamada turns towards her petit form. “Watch your words.”

A tension upon oxidizing air, Vice Admiral Fujisaki interrupting them. “Benuli and Gaelsin may have their differences, but remember you are all part of the Coalition. Work on it Cadets.”

“Yes sir.”

The Vice Admiral pauses for a moment before gripping the gangway. “Alright, let’s go. Tour’s not going to run itself.”