Kevin's POV...

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"Please be safe, Commander!"

"Commander... Don't let your anger get the best of yourself..."

"Don't forget us, Commander!"

...

"N-No... He's..."

"... Dead...?!"

There is a Young Teenager in the PAVN Militia Uniform, with only a Scoped Mosin...

As he walks further... He wakes up to find himself in a Carrier, full of bandages, and memories lost... Unable to remember them, due to a head injury.

He then became a better soldier. Thanks to General Parker and General Romanov, gave him a second life, after returning to Vietnam, disguised as an Australian Soldier...

Then, he became a UN Lieutenant... And then...

Here I am. My homeworld's War Hero, and now I'm back at my former naval base.

Looking at my own grave in my former Naval base...

They didn't know that I was still alive... But it's better this way...

After I heard that they got their memory back... The Shipgirls will come after me and will not stop until they get what they want.

Well, if they manage to remember me.

I just sighed as looked at myself in the clear seas... And I just look at myself...

Jacqueline is right. I look just like Adam Jensen from Deus Ex: Mankind Divided...

Except, I have black hair and eyes, and is a 6'4 Vietnamese, likely Mechanical Body. Since my old Human Body is gone...

I also look a bit younger. Probably because of the Augmentations. I guess it can be a blessing at times.

"Hey, Commander Jensen!"

I turned around and it was St.Louis. Good thing I used my fake name.

"St.Louis. Is there something of the matter?" I asked.

"Just wondering where you're going, Commander!"

"Just... Walking. Nothing much." I answered.

"Ooooh. Well, I think it's time for us to head back. I mean, you have a long day ahead."

I nodded.

"Sure. I'll come by when the sun sets." I answered.

She smiled.

"Alright! I'll see you later, Commander!"

St. Louis then went back to base, as I looked back to my own supposed Grave.

...

Somehow, I'm glad that I was not this stupid to use my real name. And they believed that I was Adam Jensen, and not the Commander Kevin Lee that they've forgotten.

"Well, this is a good place for a grave." I chuckled.

I'm just glad that they've moved on...

As I walked around, I just thought about my past.

I remember fighting the Ironblood in the Pacific, the Sirens, and the Crimson Axis.

I even remember the first day of my military career.

But in then end, the Second Sino-Vietnamese War Happened and then... They thought I was dead. When I'm actually alive and lying to my Shipgirls that I'm Adam Jensen.

...

And here I am.

I just remembered that I had a family, friends, and my fiancee... But, they all died in the Second Sino-Vietnam War... And while my siblings and some of my relatives are still alive... I was banished by my family, despite the proof that I'm in need of help.

I know I'm still sulking about my past, but I have to keep going. I can't turn back the clock.

After finishing, I then head back to base. And due to me keeping my identity a secret... They didn't know that I was their Dead Commander.

...

"Welcome back, Commander!" It's Brooklyn.

I nodded. "Thank you, Brooklyn. Is there anything of the matter?"

"Uhhh, I think we're out of stock."

"I see. What stock are we missing?" I asked.

"Um... Well, um. The groceries and some medical supplies." She answered.

"I'll see what I can do."

"Thanks, Commander!"

"It's not a problem."

I then requested Medical Supplies back to the Azur Lane's Logistical Department, along with groceries. Via intercom.

I got an affirmative from them, and messaged Brooklyn.

'They'll be restocked by tomorrow.' I said to Brooklyn (Eagle Union).

'That's great!'

'Anything else?' I asked on phone.

'Hmm... Oh, and we ran out of cleaning materials.' She texted.

'What? It was in good supply in the last yesterday?' I texted.

'Well, we kinda used it to clean the entire building...'

Figures, I suppose I forgot about base cleaning...

'Ah. Well, I'll request more from the Logistical Department. Do you need anything else?'

'That's about it.'

'Alright. Thank you, Brooklyn.'

After notifying the Logistical Department for Cleaning Supplies, I head back to my room. And there's everyone's favorite Scam Cat, IJN Akashi (Sakura Empire).

"New mail has arrived, nya."

"A mail? What is it?" I asked.

"A Promise Ring, nya." Akashi replied.

... Odd, why would the Admiralty would send a Promise Ring, despite I already have loved ones back home?

Oh well, better open it.

Opening it, and then there was a small note.

Dear, Adam.

It seems that you are in good condition. I have noticed that you are quite an experienced man, despite being in the military. I am glad that you are able to protect our comrades, in the sea and in the skies.

I hope that this gift will make you happy.

From, your friend.

Huh. Strange.

However, it can't be Reinhardt (NPX's Naval Admiral) or Alexis (NPX's Air Marshal) as they have been on vacation recently... Derrick (NPX's Land General) is more likely, but he'd likely prefer to give it directly. Ayouade (NPX's Intel Officer) is busy with her kids... So, it's likely my Organization's Global Affairs Admin, Calixto Alexandria, I wonder why she would send me this?

Well, I'll contact her tomorrow because it's getting dark. And I better get a safe to hide it.

With that, I went back to my Room.

As I go to sleep, I keep thinking about the gift. If anyone finds it, would it trigger a chain reaction?

Well, better be ready for tomorrow...

Well, today started on a strange note. Hopefully , tomorrow won't be any stranger than today...

...

The Next Day...

Another load of paperwork is complete. And all thanks to my Augmentations.

However, they've been asking me to get myself a Secretary. Even though I can finish the paperworks with little efforts, since I'm mostly mechanical... A Backup won't hurt.

As I was thinking in my office, a door opened and then...

"Excuse me, are you Commander Jensen?"

It's IJN Takao of the Sakura Empire. And it appears she just arrived... Just as I remember her, but she does not.

"Yes, I am." I replied. "I take that you are IJN Takao of the Sakura Empire, Correct?"

Takao nodded, and then asked...

"You must be Commander Adam Jensen, then?"

"Correct." I lied, and Takao smiled, thinking that I was honest.

"A pleasure to meet you, Commander Jensen."

She motioned for a handshake, and I accepted it.

"So, I take it the Azur Lane has asked you about being my Secretary for the time being?" I then asked.

"Oh, Yes. The Azur Lane has asked me to be your Secretary for a year. Odd for a Contract Commander, but I suppose let's make this year memorable."

"I couldn't agree more."

We went on a walk for a while, as we were walking, and talking about the future of Azur Lane...

I then got a call from Alexandria, I told Takao to wait a moment, and I walked away then accepted the call.

"Hello, Alexandria."

"Ah. General Phoenix. I heard that you wanted to call me today." Alexandria replied.

"Good to hear, well then. Let's get this straight."

After a few seconds, I then asked Alexandria...

"Did you send me the Promise Ring, Alexandria?"

"Huh? I don't remember gifting you jewelry or anything... I don't think you'd like them, even Derrick thinks you are more of a Dog Tags guy." She sounded confused.

To be honest, she's right. Jewelry isn't my thing.

"Then... Who sent it?" I then asked.

"Hmm... Currently, I don't know, Commander. But I'll send you some weapons and ammunition just for your safety. I'll contact Ayouade to investigate the odd Ring Delivery."

"That'll do. Thank you, Alexandria." I finished the call.

"You're welcome, Commander. Pax Federation."

And the call went cold, and then I headed back to Takao.

"Who was that?" Takao asked.

"A friend of mine. Don't worry, she's just an Office Worker." I replied. An another lie.

"I see. Well then, shall we keep talking about Future Commanders?"

"Sure."

We then continued...

Later...

"Kommandant. I've finished from teaching the Students." Nimi (Z23) as she reported her mission accomplished.

"I really wish you'd stay for longer, Kommandant. But, I hope you won't cause a lot of trouble to others." Koln added.

"I understand. And you two may rest for the day. Nimi, anything from the Commission Teams?"

"They all have returned successfully."

"Allow them to rest too."

"Jahowl!" Z23 salutes and then report to them.

After that, it's just me and Koln.

"So, you have any suspects of the one who being the ring to here, anonymously?"

Koln thinks for a while and then comes to a conclusion.

"It's likely thatsomeone within the Ironblood has been causing this sort of problem. And it's likely the reason for the split between the Free Ironblood and Ironblood's Old Guards factions within Europa, leading to the Iris Liber, Northern Parlament, & Royal Navy to take this opportunity to attack the them where they are as their weakest."

I was surprised that the Ironblood has fallen into a civil war, and the whole Azur Lane took the opportunity for the Weakened and Divided Ironblood.

Koln noticed my concerned expression and she smiled reassuringly.

"Don't worry, Kommandant Jensen. I'm more concerned with the New Kansens coming, and lacking skills. And Nimi is the same. I'll help you with any of my Ironblood colleagues, if they were to come here."

I let out a sigh, and...

"Thank you, Koln. Glad that you are really helpful."

"Naturich, Kommandant."

She patted my shoulder and then left to teach the new Shipgirls.

Even with Koln's intellect, Nimi and Takao's diligence, and Cleveland & Brooklyn Class Shipgirls helping a lot, with myself included, if you counted a good supply of coffee beans that I've also stocked up... And a few more Shipgirls from other Nations...

Maybe, just maybe...

We might stand a chance...

Aside the annoying Tempesta Shipgirls, but they're at least friendly...