It's been a couple days already since the arrival of Gato in fleet activities Yokosuka with the supply convoy she tagged along with, and now being re-enlisted back to the U.S. Navy as a seaman, currently she's been attached to the kanmusu or ship girl submarine squadron operating out of Yokosuka with the Japanese submarines. Much to her persistence to have her assigned with the surface ship girls of the 7th fleet, but it was decided way above her pay grade so she just have to suck it in and deal with it.

While still at bed and the morning sun shining outside of her window she thought of the current situation she found herself in. Groggily waking herself up and removing the sheets that kept her warm and snug at night, she looked at the watch they bought her at the NEX (Navy Exchange) within the base with the time only being 09:45 and she remembered that today was her assigned training session with the Japanese submarines and their minder later in the afternoon.

After taking a shower and opening her wardrobe and picking out her clothes which are all custom made for her, it was nearly all old styled Naval uniforms with an exception to her formal uniform and at least two sets of Type 3 NWU's with a few civilian clothing for off duty activities. For her on duty uniforms she has two service khaki uniforms and the aforementioned Type 3 NWU's, then her service dress uniform and summer whites with the ever so present Dixie cup hat. 

And though no longer used by the U.S. Navy since 1999 to go with her collection, a set of the old blue Navy dungarees that her old sailors used to wear before her decommissioning with her name GATO  on the left of her chest and on the right U.S. Navy and then a baseball cap with the submariner dolphins, her name and hull number and a silhouette of a Permit class SSN. And then her pajamas which she immediately throwed at the laundry basket already.

Thinking she'd opt for the dungarees today just to keep it simple though she did note that wearing the navy's Type 3 NWU would be such a pain, and almost all of the ship girls barely abide by uniform standards, since it was accepted that exemptions can be made for the ship girls in the American navy into which all ship girls could adapt quickly after being summoned, the only time they'll wear something to speak of a uniform up to date are on duty days, formal events, or ceremonies.

Gato then turned to her rack which fits her nicely for a girl of her size, though compared to the bunks her sailors used aboard her back then when she was still a submarine, it's bigger and more comfier to sleep in, and one thing to note her current rack is a total mess. She guessed she was a little frisky while asleep, sighing she then started to fix it to Navy standards.

As she fixes her rack she has this sudden thought went through her mind the fact that she is now back in the human world and and much less she used to be submarine still baffles her, but she did like the second chance she's been given and the new friends and memories she'll make at her second life.

She did find the Japanese submarines a rather interesting group of boats, though they are leagues different from one another they are all still submarines and a sense of friendship is blooming between the American Nuclear boat and the Japanese boats, she also found their assigned "caretaker and trainer" in the form of the submarine tender Taigei as a comforting and yet motherly figure with her soft and kind words, Gato wondered if it would be ok if she calls her "Mom" but alas she dropped the idea since it kinda sounded weird and is quite cringe for her own taste.

Though she thought it would be better if she called Nautilus mom since she was the first of the nuclear boats but one thing Gato is uncertain is that "Has Nautilus been summoned yet as a ship girl?"  She thought. So many questions but so little answers, the amount of possibilities is just endless, she then figured maybe she'll pay a visit to the American ship girl headquarters in Yokosuka. Where her commanding officer Rear Admiral Anderson should be by now, at least speaking of her mundane schedule at the base.

As she made her way to the American ship girl fleet HQ at Yokosuka, she met some of the other girls, some were Japanese those who can speak a bit of English gave her a "Good morning." as they pass each other and Gato responding in kind, and those who has very little knowledge of the English language at least wave or nod at her acknowledging her presence. 

But the most notable of the ones she had a run in that morning were three girls of the famous Taffy 3 none other than the Johnston, her feisty destroyer escort friend Samuel B. Roberts, and the ever so timid escort carrier Gambier Bay. As Gato approaches the three American ship girls Gato also noticed a Japanese ship girl approach the group.

Gato then decided to hide at the corner of the HQ building to spy on the conversation of the four girls she overheard nothing much of importance, other than mundane topics such as how are they doing this morning what they'll do for the day with them etc.

Entering the building, Gato was met with the sight of the battleships Washington and South Dakota and the Japanese fast battleship Kirishima, Gato guessed that the two American battlewagons might be arguing about something trivial again, like for example who did the most contribution during the second naval battle of Guadalcanal and who of the two of them deserve the distinction of sinking poor old Kirishima back then.

Ignoring the two American BB's as she walks to the desk where a man is seen wearing the Type 3 NWU and is working with another boring  clerical administrative work with the rank of Yeoman with the name patch saying Smith.

"Good morning Yeoman." Gato greeted as she goes near the man's desk and the said man looking up with a small smile. 

"Good morning seaman, how can I help you?" Yeoman Smith replied as he puts down his pen and looking at Gato in the face.

"Is the Admiral in her office? I'd like to speak to her and ask her a few questions." Gato replied.

 "Yes, the Admiral's in. She should be there with her XO and her secretary ship." Smith replied while looking at the on duty log and reaching for the phone next to him.

"I'll let Admiral Anderson know you want to see her, please wait a little." Yeoman Smith said as he dials the Admiral's office number.

"Alright, thanks Yeoman." Gato replied as she goes to window overlooking the docks where several ships were tied up with the silhouette of the carrier Ronald Reagan dominating most ships docked in the base and with the morning shine piercing through the overcasting clouds.

About 3 minutes has passed since Yeoman Smith called for Admiral Anderson while watching the busy naval yard outside of the window Gato then heard someone calling her "So what's the matter N-boat? Why'd you call for me?" Gato turning around she was presented by the sight of Admiral Anderson wearing her short sleeved summer whites.

"Ah, yes Admiral, I'd like to talk with you over some things that has been bugging my mind ever since I returned." Gato said as she puts her right hand over to her left shoulder.

"Come, let's take a walk and we'll discuss things." Admiral Anderson said as she gestured for them to leave the HQ building.

As they left the HQ and whilst walking down a path they were greeted by the sound of propeller driven aircraft flying overhead, and as they look above there they saw a formation of 12 A6M's and just a distance away a formation flight of 4 F4F and 4 FM-2 Wildcats, and at least 8 more F6F Hellcats.

"Looks like the carriers are doing some fighter training this early on." Admiral Anderson commented as they continue to walk down the path and into a small garden.

"It seems so Admiral, do the carriers practice this much?" Gato asked the woman as she follows her.

"Yeah, this is more apparent with the Japanese carrier girls, which treat it as form of sacred art of sorts. While our girls do take it seriously but are more relaxed, they won't go as far as to do something rash with their planes." The woman replied as she sits down a bench in the garden.

"Well I think if you put it that way, it does show the difference in American and Japanese carrier tactics and operations." Gato concluded as she sits next to Admiral Anderson.

"Well that's how it is actually, though the Japanese are trying to integrate some American influence into their carrier ops lately, primarily the safe stowage of fuel and ammunition for their planes in the base's so called naval arsenal." Admiral Anderson replied, with her adding "And most Japanese ship girls have been taking extra damage control lessons from our girls to increase their survivability out on the water, and then ASW 101's with Samuel B. Roberts, and Gambier Bay." Anderson said to the curious sub girl.

"I get what you are trying to say Admiral, the Japanese needs to learn from their past mistakes to increase their efficiency and survivability in combat." Gato commented with a smile.

"Well one has to adapt to the ever changing situation and state of war, plus these girls haven't seen the advances in naval warfare and technology of our era. Not until last year after Operation Pacific Trident near Midway Atoll. Where they get a full view on how we operate our blue water navy." Anderson said as she recollects her memory of the past operation she took part in.

Noticing Gato is still fidgety and a bit shy Anderson then commented about the sub's choice of clothing.

"You know not a lot of girls would go so far as to wear the old dungarees except on off duty days, you took yours to the next level and wore it while on duty." Admiral Anderson replied as she chuckled while Gato gave off some steam of embarrassment from her C.O's remark.

"A-Ah I-I see... Admiral, then I shall change to a NWU then. I'll do that after our discussion since I do need to drop by my quarters to pick something up." Gato replied with her face so flustered that it's as red as a tomato.

"Ah no need Gato, the dungarees does suit you, kinda reminds me of my uncle who was serving back in the 80's." Anderson replied while laughing. 

"I... I see Admiral, I guess I'll keep wearing it." Gato said as she gave a soft smile while her face is still a bit red.

"Well, going back to you Gato. What is your question for me?" Admiral Anderson said changing the topic and going back to the main subject of their meeting.

"Um... Admiral, how should I say this..." Gato said as she stammers and forms a small blush in her face.

"Hm... That face you are making is usually not a good sign, but don't be shy Gato." Anderson said with a knowing grin, but as Anderson said that she removed her peaked cap and her two stars in her collars. 

"Alright Gato look at me, right now I am not your commanding officer, I'm just regular ole Julianne Anderson, so ask away dear." The woman said with a smooth smile. 

"Um... Admiral, are there any other ships of the same era as me? Specifically ships built during the cold war?" Gato asked as she fiddles with her fingers.

"Ah, good question Gato I only heard some reports about them and of course the usual scuttlebutt from most sailors, but the answer is yes. But the information regarding them is classified. And is only known between the CNO (Chief of Naval Operations) and SecNav (Secretary of the Navy). And their commanding officer who I shall not name yet for the time being, the summoning staff back in San Diego, and the President and the joint chiefs." Anderson replied to the sub girl.

"I... I see, I guess it can't be helped though I am curious about the nature of the cold war ship girls that the U.S. Navy has, apart from me, also I wonder if any of my sisters have been summoned as well..." Gato replied as she trailed off at the end.

As Gato was thinking of what else to say the Admiral's phone suddenly rang, and looking over Admiral Anderson seemed a bit surprised by the call.

"What's the matter Admiral?" Gato asked the woman with a concern look.

"Come with me Gato." Admiral Anderson said as she stood up and pulled Gato back to the American HQ building.

As they were brisk walking back to the American HQ, Admiral Anderson pulled her phone out and dialed a number which belonged to her XO.

"Hello Sam it's me, I need you to ready conference room number one for a conference call on the double!" Admiral Anderson ordered as they walk faster than ever.

After getting into the American HQ building and setting up the laptop and the projector with the screen transforming from a blank online conference call, when suddenly a couple of names showed up which is showing some very intimidating names on the screen. The likes of Admiral William H. Benson, and a Vice Admiral Matthew Sims.

Gato thought "Oh boy, here comes the top brass." With the two Admirals joining and then followed up by someone named Doctor Anthony Richter, and lastly a conference participant named NS San Diego.

After a bit of shuffling the screen suddenly showed the person behind the name Admiral William H. Benson which has an imposing figure he was dressed in the Navy's service dress uniform with a large ribbon rack in his left chest denoting a lifetime of service to the Navy and the surface warfare badge which hints the man used to be part of surface warfare before resigning himself to the desk job. 

Add more to his imposing figure is the sight of the CNO's flag behind his desk which meant this man is the Chief of Naval Operations. And the highest commissioned officer in the American navy and only second in authority to the Secretary of the Navy. Next up was the one behind the name of Vice Admiral Matthew Sims. Opening his camera showed a man in his late forties wearing the Navy's Type 3 NWU, the man has a decent physical build and a bald head. But the most notable thing that Gato had an interest on is the girl or should we say, woman besides the three star.

The woman in question has a beautiful slim and busty figure with a dirty blonde colored hair and stunning blue eyes, Gato thought to herself this is no ordinary woman in the Navy... She's definitely a ship girl. She was not wearing any Navy styled or issued clothing but rather she was wearing a dark red or a maroon bomber jacket like those can be seen on personnel serving on carrier air wings with a black undershirt and white long pants, the only thing that barely resembles the navy for this specific woman was her headwear in a form of a white peaked cap and the insignia of two bars which denotes her as a full Lieutenant when it comes to commissioned ranks. 

But what piqued Gato's interest was the patch on the woman's left chest, Gato knows it was a ship's badge, but not any other ship, but rather it was an image of an aircraft carrier with the hull number 65, with two globes flanking above and below it, a large letter E in the middle of the carrier's silhouette and the atom by the ship's island.

Then Gato guessed this ship girl was the navy's one and only first nuclear carrier, this has to be it. Her first meeting with a ship girl of her era, the era of the cold war. The first to speak was the CNO, Admiral Benson "Good morning Admiral Anderson." The CNO greets Gato's CO as the man said as he sips hot coffee from a mug with Anderson replying "Good evening to you sir, how are things there back in the states?" The woman asked.

Admiral Benson replied while giving a sigh "Well as far as I can say to you, things here in the states are a bit chaotic, even though our ship girl program has seen massive success rate, there are two camps forming within the Navy and to an extent the Pentagon." The CNO replied while he sips from his mug.

Anderson then replied "Please don't tell me sir that on one side, they support the program and see it vital for the war effort against the abyssal fleet and on the other side. It's those reformer guys saying our ship girl program or should I say 'Fleet Auxiliary Personnel program' is a waste of tax payer dollars, and that the budget should be instead used on conventional forces?" Anderson asked with a deadpanned expression.

"Right on the target Admiral, though these reformer guys are a minority and very few people take them seriously. Though I fear they might influence the American public with their views, saying we are sending young girls to their deaths." Admiral Benson replied.

"But sir, these girls are not even human. They are the physical manifestation of the ships they represent." Anderson replied.

"I know that Admiral, but the public barely understand jack shit on the topic related to ship girls or the respective programs of our allies and that of our own, other than we found weapons that can combat the abyssals." Benson replied with a stern voice.

As the two Admirals throws their own opinions back and forth, Vice Admiral Sims spoke up, sensing that the conversation wouldn't end for hours as the two ramble on, and the whole point of the call is gonna be for naught.

"Alright, sir I think that's enough from the both of you. We have our own opinions to the people related in the military community and the pentagon. But I think we should focus more on the matter and reason for this call." Sims said as he had this exhausted expression on his face.

"Yes you're right Admiral Sims, I think we should get back on track." The CNO replied to Sims before continuing "The reason for this call is regarding Miss Gato there." The CNO said as he points to the sub girl behind Anderson.

As the CNO said those words Gato could only sweat in buckets, and the thought of "Why is the CNO pertaining to me, did I do something?"  As the only sole thought she ran in her mind.

As the CNO said that the two other conference participants opened their cameras, one was the man named Dr. Anthony Richter who was a man in his late thirties, the man has a short cropped black hair, and black eyes, and he was wearing a white lab coat. Gato thought this man is similar to those mad scientist she'd seen from comic books her crew bring with them when they go out in patrol.

"This is Dr. Anthony Richter, he is the head researcher for the U.S. Navy's ship girl program based in San Diego." The CNO said as he introduces the man.

"Hello Admiral Benson, Admiral Sims, and Admiral Anderson. It's an honor for me to be in this call, and thank you for inviting me Admiral Benson." Dr. Richter greeted the three high ranking officers before continuing.

 "As the two of you know, I am pertaining to the CNO and Admiral Sims here. That the American ship girl program has two wings, one is entirely focused on the ships we have during the second world war. While the other wing is focused on bringing back cold war era ships we used to have." Dr. Richter said as he made hand gestures trying to illustrate the two wings.

"Dr. Richter here is the one responsible for the supervision of the entire U.S 'Fleet-Auxiliary-Personnel program'." The CNO said as he sips some hot coffee from his mug.

"Yes and it's such an easy job for me, especially with those pencil pushers in the Pentagon demanding I get them results immediately." Dr. Richter said sarcastically and continuing "Even though that is not feasible since after a summoning a ship girl has to go through an adaptation phase, where they gain their bearings and accept the fact they are human, not steel ships. Then comes their re-enlistment in the Navy and training if they do so accept the offer to serve once again." He said as he begins to rant.

"Whoa there, calm down Dr. Richter, we don't need you to rant right now, but instead please deliver the report you want to share to Admiral Anderson first." Admiral Sims said as he overrules the scientist.

"Yes of course, I think we should go back to the main topic now." Dr. Richter said as he clears his throat and continuing "As you know Submarine Gato is the first SSN that surpasses the current fleet of SSN girls that's been called back, but I'd like Miss Gato to meet this lady besides me." Dr. Richter said as a woman came into view.

The woman in question has a height of at least five feet and six inches, a silky white hair tied to a pony tail, green colored eyes, and an absurdly large chest and she was wearing the Navy's service dress uniform with the submariner dolphins. And two ribbons which is the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) with a clasp from operation sunshine, and the national defense service medal and a nametag on her right chest with the her name written on it NAUTILUS (SSN-571).

With this revelations, it left Gato with a mouth wide open like that of a fish, with the astonishment at the fact that the very first, the VERY FIRST Nuclear powered submarine is in front of her.

"Hello Gato, it is my pleasure to meet you I am USS Nautilus SSN-571, the first of our kind of boats in the American Navy." The woman greeted with a soft yet knowing smile on her face.

"Y-Yes it's an h-honor to meet you ma'am." Gato replied, stuttering a bit due to her sweating buckets as to not screw up in front of the very first Nuclear powered submarine, and that of the high ranking officers with her.

"Gato, relax there is nothing to be afraid of in this conference call, we all are meeting discretely and not in a official manner, so please rest easy." Nautilus replied with Gato nodding her head.

"Moving along then, what's the true purpose of this call sir?" Admiral Anderson asked the CNO.

"Well I guess we should let you know that we are transferring Task Force-1 and a handful of SSN's from our forward base in NS Midway to your area of command around Japan Admiral Anderson." The CNO replied.

"Task Force-1 sir? Isn't that a fleet of ships similar to that of Operation Sea Orbit but on steroids?" Anderson asked while massaging her head from the thought of the amount of paperwork she'll drown in again.

"That is correct Admiral, I'll have one of my subordinates run the fleet, but he'll be under your direct command." Vice Admiral Sims replied.

"And where is this fleet of girls, and add to that containing personnel still deemed as classified will be stationed?" Anderson asked Vice Admiral Sims.

"Task Force-1 will be stationed at Sasebo, Task Force-1 will be flagged by Enterprise here along with her air wing and her accompanying escorts, Long Beach, Bainbridge, Truxtun, California, South Carolina, Virginia, Texas, Mississippi, and Arkansas along with their respective Destroyer Division and Frigate Division." Sims replied.

"Wait don't these girls, especially the nuclear powered ones have better ranges than the other girls?" Anderson questioned. 

"Correct, they have far greater range than the other fleets, especially the cold war fleet we've summoned." The CNO said.

"Let me get this straight, Task Force-1 is being reassigned to Sasebo, what about the others?" Anderson asks the CNO.

"First fleet is at San Diego, Second fleet is at Bremerton, Third fleet is at Hawaii, Fourth fleet is being transferred to Midway, and Fifth fleet is at Norfolk, Sixth fleet was transferred to reactivated Joint Naval Base Holy Loch in the United Kingdom, does that satisfy your question Admiral?" The CNO replied to the question.

"We are preparing the modern fleet of ship girls in global operations as of the current moment, and the rest of the command staff along with the President agrees that the sooner we do this, the better." Vice Admiral Sims added.

"Alright that should answer the first part of my question, but what boats would be attached to Task Force 1 in Sasebo?" Anderson asked again.

"The nuclear boats would be Scorpion, Sturgeon, Dallas, and Louisville, and lastly as a surprise for Gato her recently summoned elder sister Thresher along with Barb volunteered to be part of this fleet." Vice Admiral Sims replied.

"Wait, my sisters are coming as well..." Gato said in a soft voice as the realization of one of her dreams of meeting her beloved sisters once again came to fruition.

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Author's Note: Hiya, it's me again I've managed to churn this out despite my schedule being very hectic (Thanks to college) but here you go folks the newest chapter in this story and the revelation of new characters along with it. I hope you guys enjoy it and I'll see you all in the next one.