The agreement ran to several dozen pages, written in the polished language of a formal diplomatic communiqué.
It was clear the shipgirls of the Port had taken the matter seriously.
Adam read it through carefully.
The core points were straightforward.
A trade agreement: the Azur Lane world would send a pioneer fleet to help him rebuild civilization on Earth and develop its resources, with a portion of those resources regularly shipped back to the Port as payment.
An immigration agreement: shipgirls would be free to travel between the two worlds and choose where to live…
whether in the main Port or on Earth.
Adam would guarantee their citizenship rights.
A military alliance: if either side came under attack, the other would join the fight.
The pioneer fleet would accompany Adam on campaigns into other worlds, and he in turn would help the Port deal with the Siren threat in the future.
Rights and obligations were balanced.
Every detail was spelled out clearly.
The terms were as fair and even-handed as they could be; there was nothing to nitpick.
“I agree.” Adam signed his name.
“It’s a pleasure to work with you.” Enterprise signed on behalf of the Port.
Cheers erupted from the shipgirls below.
“Yes!!” … Once the treaty was sealed, the Port threw itself into preparing supplies and assembling the pioneer fleet.
They needed to be ready to establish a foothold and a basic industrial base the moment they arrived on the other Earth.
Manjuus and Bulins scurried everywhere, packing crates.
Container after container filled with construction materials, naval fuel, coolant, and all the other supplies shipgirls required to live.
Rough estimates suggested there was enough to assemble a small naval base from scratch.
The Royal Navy girls made sure to slip a few toasters, tins of black tea, and other specialty goods into the luggage as well.
“Since the main force has to stay here to protect the Port, the pioneer fleet can’t be too large,” Enterprise announced in the square.
“A standard combat fleet of twenty-four, plus a few Bulins for logistics.
We can send more later if needed.
“Who’s willing to join the pioneer fleet and help open up another world?” “Me me me me!!!” “Me me me me!!!!” The enthusiasm was overwhelming.
Shipgirls scrambled to raise their hands.
The shorter destroyers shoved their way to the front with everything they had.
“Yukikaze wants to see the other world!” “Javelin too!” “The Four Heavenly Kings are all signing up!!!” “Commander, pick me, pick me!!” The flagships stared.
“If everyone leaves, what happens when the Sirens attack?!” “Then we just hand the Port over to the Sirens and move in with the Commander in the other world!” a certain French shipgirl suggested again.
Thwack.
She received another flick to the forehead.
Richelieu looked at the wildly enthusiastic crowd and cleared her throat.
“For fairness, I’ll lead the pioneer fleet.
Each major fleet will contribute three shipgirls.
“We depart first thing tomorrow morning!” … The next morning the Port square was packed shoulder to shoulder.
Richelieu stood before Adam with the thirty selected shipgirls.
“These are the members of the first pioneer fleet.
“Once we arrive, we’ll follow your command, Commander.” Adam took a quick look.
Carriers, battleships, cruisers, destroyers…
everything was represented.
And of course Akashi was there too, the shrewd merchant who had already freeloaded a Wisdom Cube and was already planning a chain of shops in the new world.
By the standards of old Earth, this force was enough to wipe out a nation.
The chosen girls looked excited to see him.
“Hohoho~~ We meet again, Commander.
“Listen well!
I am the noble, fortunate, invincible eighth ship of the Kagerou-class destroyers…
Yukikaze-sama!
“Having me in your fleet is your good fortune.
Rely on my luck to your heart’s content, hohoho~~” A white-haired, orange-eyed beast-eared destroyer in a sailor uniform planted her hands on her hips and looked up at him with pure pride.
“Alright, alright.” Historically Yukikaze had a reputation for getting her teammates into trouble, but Adam figured surviving the entire war intact had more to do with solid fundamentals and an almost inexplicable streak of luck.
Having her around would probably lead to plenty of interesting moments.
“Commander-sama, do you still remember me?
“Mmm, there are a few pests tagging along, but it doesn’t matter.
The Commander belongs only to me… hehehe…” Another Sakura Empire carrier, wearing a short red kimono that left very little to the imagination, gazed at him with a yandere smile.
Her features were alluring, and her rigging was a distinctive fan that resembled a peacock’s tail feathers.
“Taihou?!” Adam felt a sudden tightness in his lower back.
Thankfully Albacore was also in the group.
Otherwise he might not have been able to handle her.
Eagle Union had sent two submarine girls plus the carrier Essex.
The Royal Navy contribution was a three-girl team of Illustrious, Formidable, and Belfast…
by far the faction with the highest average cup size on the field.
Even the sparsely populated Dragon Empery fleet had sent Yat Sen along with the sisters Ning Hai and Ping Hai.
At the rear stood a neat square formation of Purple Bulins, each holding a wrench as tall as herself.
A Colorful Bulin led them; their clothes, expressions, and even the direction of the ahoges on their heads were eerily identical.
If not for the different numbers on their chests, they could have been clones.
“Commander, remember to come back and visit us often~” “I still want to hear stories from other worlds…” A small shipgirl in a naval dress uniform with a bob cut clung reluctantly to Adam’s sleeve.
“There’ll be plenty of chances to talk later.
Once we defeat the Sirens, all of you can move over.
“Who knows, maybe I can even get you stronger rigging…
something like a Type 055 or better…” Adam ruffled Taiyuan’s hair, then focused and reached into the empty air.
“Everyone in position.
Move out!” Hum…
Power from a higher dimension tore open space.
A temporal corridor roared into existence.