After the gawking, what next? 

Enjoy.

~~~~~

Clovis sat in his chair waiting for Prinz Eugen or someone to return with his coffee. Outside the door and down the hall Eugen was approaching a table with the same crowd as last night. Tipper, Odin, and Z23. She poured herself two cups and smiled at the girls. "Would you mind coming with me?"

"All of us?" Asked Hipper.

"Ja."

"How is the newly Commander holding up?" Asked Odin.

"Young Clovis is having a hard adjustment. Him and his father are not seeing eye to eye. He has many questions for his father when he us well enough to talk."

"How long?" Asked Z23.

"Clovis was told weeks. Maybe months."

"So what is next?" Asked Hipper.

"We delivery him the coffee and he goes over more reports. The role of Commander has paperwork." Eugen nodded and proceeded back to the door of the important quarters.

"Allow me to get the door." Tipper opened the door for her sister.

As the small group walks in Clovis is dialing the phone. He is waiting impatiently while on the phone.

"Hallo?"

< Guten tag. How may I help you? >

"I need to speak to the Commander."

< This is family only as he is resting. >

"I am his son and Interim Commander of Iron Blood. Is that not good enough?"

< Will notify him when he is well. We do not want stress to effect his outcome. >

"Nein!"

*Click*

"Schwachsinn!" (Bullshit) He slammed the phone down. "Ladies, guten morgen. I apologize for that."

"Here you are CJ." Eugen placed the coffee right on his desk. "Is everything alright?"

"Nien." He shook his head. "Might be a week at this rate until I see my father. So by doing so I cannot change his path until I get answers. That will take days, weeks, or even months. That is poor results."

"Do you think that we can steer into a better direction?" Asked Odin.

"We always can. We are Iron Blood. We have the tools, facilities, the drive, and the people. These are the foundations that make this a great nation. But reversing procedure for only a few months at most is poor leadership. That I cannot risk. I would love to make a move. However I will only sink the ship of Iron Blood if my father The Commander is to take my place is such a short amount of time."

"Aye. Makes sense." Agreed Tipper.

"Ja. Now only if your father was well. Might be a nice chat over some coffee."

"Nein." Clovis sighed before taking a sip of his coffee. "Thank you. Very good." He cleared his throat. "I think my business conversation with my father will end up just being a room of shouting with only two people inside."

"We cannot stay the course?" Cried Z23. 

"Z23." Clovis called.

Z23 looked sharp. "Yes Commander!?"

"Looking at my case notes I am unsure if my father's decision is wise. I need to know more. Knowing my father there are details that still need to be explained. Furthermore I wish I could reach out to allies as well as enemies. However I cannot do that either. I cannot reach out to Eagle Union or Royal Navy both of Azur Lane. They are against us at the moment. My father as well as others might see it as treason. And Sakura Empire seems to be hiding something and it can damage the bond we have with them. That said, we cannot afford to risk Azur Lane and Sakura Empire going against Iron Blood. Let alone The Sirens. The Sirens are around. I just know it. To what extent I do not know. I need to read more and sit down my father."

The ladies were shocked. This was an intense business meeting with just a small amount of them. They seemed to be the only one in the mix. Who else knew Commander was sick and out of commission? Who else knew that there was an Interim Commander in his son taking over the role? Where was his mother? Where was everyone else?

A knock came to the door. "Hallo? Jurgen?"

"You can come in and leave a message." Called Clovis.

The door opens up slowly and an unfamiliar face walks in. "You're not Jurgen."

"My apologies Miss-"

"I am Friedrich der GroBe, prototype H-Class of the Iron Blood Navy. And who are you my child?"

"I'm Clovis. I'm the Interim Commander for hopefully a short time." He answered.

She gasped. "Where is Jurgen? I haven't spoken to him in days. What has happened?" 

"My apologies. My father has taken ill. He asked me yesterday to take his place."

She shook her head. "I wish he told me."

"I couldn't even get a good response from the nurse. I told her I'm his son and that wench hung up on me." Clovis wasn't happy and this worried Friedrich more. 

"Tell me my child." She stepped forward and sat on the edge of the desk facing him. Putting a hand on his cheek. "All your emotions bottled up. All the conflicts outside of these walls and over the sea. You seek success and are unsure of your actions. Tell me, what do you desire?"

"Hold on-" Clovis was starting to blush again. He couldn't grab his coffee either. He was trapped. Friedrich wasn't going to harm him, although the young man thought these questions were difficult. 

"Can you let the boy breath?" Asked Z23.

Friedrich smiled. "So much overflowing your mind. Close your eyes and lets talk this out. Jurgen. Your father. Talk about him first."

"Has pneumonia. Might need a ventilator. Find out in a few days." He tried not to squirm.

"I see. So he is in the infirmary and being watched."

Hipper nodded. "I can confirm it."

"Now my child. You are wearing an Iron Blood coat that seems a little big on you. What happened?" So motherly. Though poor Clovis couldn't tell the difference. 

"I came to see him for an update. He told me take his place for a weeks and then he closed his eyes to rest. I feel the pressure. I know already that I do not agree with his decisions. But right now I am head. I cannot drive Iron Blood underwater. I'm waiting for my father to sit down and talk. Until then all I can do is follow suit, read more, and make sure everyone here is healthy, repaired, and able to lunge forward at all costs." 

"Easy my child." Friedrich tightened her grip. "Soon enough. Do not hurt yourself in the process. You are still becoming a man. You can drink, but you have much to learn."

"I ralahaa..." Clovis mumbled.

"Apologies." She let go.

"I realize that. And it is very tough for me. But I have no choice. I can either stress myself and lead in a way I don't feel confident or take action and make myself ready." He picked up his mug for a little more coffee. "So, ladies is there anything I can clear up for this morning?"

"Hipper? May you escort me to the infirmary?" Asked Friedrich.

"With pleasure." She nodded.

The two of them decide to leave which left only Clovis in his Captain's Chair, Prinz Eugen, Z23, and Odin. "Ladies?"

"I shall allow you to indulge in the paperwork. I'll take my leave." Z23 went on to make her exit.

"Tactics on hold for now?" Asked Odin.

"I need readings on if there are any Sirens in the area. Any enemy near any of our ships or too close near here I would like to be informed priority one. You may be dismissed." Clovis ordered.

"Thank you Sir." Odin bowed and made her ways. 

"And now that only leaves you and I." Smirked Eugen.

"I believe so." He leaned forward on his desk. "I guess time for more reports. Have all day to sort through things."

"Feeling better now that her ladyship is not smothering you?" She teased.

"This is all new to me. I had no idea my father had any interests after my mother passed."

"Ah. I see. Charming. Ja?"

"If you would like to call it that. Just not used to that sort of thing. I am not used to such affection." You know 'CJ', that was probably not a good thing to say. Open mouth and insert foot. 

"Oh," Eugen smirked. "You mean," She sat on the edge of the desk in front of him. Putting a hand on his face and went to cuff his chin. Bringing her face closer to his. "Such as this?" She grinned and pulled away.

"Nein! Do not bring me to such acts." Exclaimed Clovis.

"Aye. No girls I see. Shame. Cute boys should be broken in by now. Usually that is."

"Must we proceed with lewd comments?"

"Nein. You seem flustered CJ. Even after the vote of confidence for your leadership and you staring at my arsch (ass) you still seem a bit off."

"I was not staring!" He blushed.

"Then you had a pretty peak. Ja?" She giggled.

"I saw you leave. That is all." Trying to defend himself but she isn't going to buy into anything he says from here.

"So you find me attractive? Thank you. And you are quite handsome with a little work. Or is that a little much for you?"

"Ummm-"

"I may have stretched it too much. Ja?"

"Ja."

"Am I being bad? Do you want me to grab you more coffee? Need another massage? Anything?"

"I think I just need to read more reports before I head to the docks." He said softly.

"Very well." She kicked her feet over and whipped her hair back. "Shall I meet you at the docks so I can show you the U-boats?"

"Good idea."

"Should I bring my swimsuit?" Another rise out of the poor guy.

"Not necessary!" 

"Very well Liebling. (Darling)."

"Until then."

Prinz Eugen made her exit and closed the door behind her. Then put her ear to the door. She heard Clovis catching his breath. She smiled and laughed to herself. But she felt a little bad for him. He is just a boy. Without a mother for some time, didn't know Friedrich had relations with his father, and he has never had a girlfriend. Leadership, affection, and composure. They need work. But even though he is in a fearful mind he cares and is going forward. He's brave and smart. This is going to be interesting. He is cute. Maybe he can be fun.

Important notes below.

~~~~~

Yes I do have a beach chapter in mind. 

Yes I only know English and am doing my best to adapt to this.

And yes this is out of my comfort zone but charging ahead the best as I can. I hope this turns out well. Thank you everyone. Any questions I am always here.

-Rel