The Cleveland-class third sister, Montpelier, soon returned from the dormitory with a Sardegna camera and set it up for a timed photo.
Once all the Sea Knights were seated on the couch, with Intrepid and South Dakota standing behind the couch filled with chibis surrounding Lin Lan, the timer hit zero.
"Click!"
With a crisp shutter sound, Lin Lan and the Eagle Union shipgirls stationed at this base had their group photo taken.
Montpelier and Columbia had borrowed the camera from a famous "shock journalism" reporter of the Sardegna Empire, the founder of Port Gossip Weekly.
Conveniently, this camera had an instant photo printing function.
Taking the photo handed over by Cleveland, Lin Lan couldn't help but smile as he looked at the Eagle Union shipgirls in the picture, each wearing a happy expression while standing beside him.
"By the way, why didn't you borrow a camera from Gridley? I remember she's one of your best Eagle Union reporters and has a bunch of cameras…
Ow! Kalk, playing with my hair is fine, but don't yank it! I only just managed to grow young again!"
After asking Cleveland to put away the photo, Lin Lan saw Montpelier packing up the uniquely Sardegnian camera and couldn't help asking out of curiosity.
As everyone knew, there was this special group of shipgirls in the port known as "reporters," always trying to break some sensational news in daily life.
There were the likes of the Sakura Empire's heavy cruiser Aoba, this Sardegna Empire destroyer Alfredo Oriani who owned the camera, and Gridley, the destroyer and hardcore Saratoga fan.
All of them were well-known reporters in the port.
"Well, Commander, that's something you don't know."
Cleveland, with her usual cheerful tone, plopped down beside Lin Lan and explained:
"Gridley's cameras are all old antiques that use film and often have focus issues. Alfredo's camera was modified by Da Vinci—it's way more convenient than those relics."
"I see,"
Lin Lan nodded in understanding. No wonder Montpelier and Columbia chose to borrow the Sardegnian one.
Da Vinci was a submarine shipgirl from the Sardegna Empire, and also its renowned inventor and mechanic.
She not only frequently came up with new gadgets, but also often had flashes of inspiration to modify equipment around the port.
"No wonder. Since it's been modified by Da Vinci, that explains the quality. Still, I'm surprised Alfredo was willing to lend it to you."
"Oh? Why's that?"
Cleveland tilted her head in curiosity—a girlish gesture that stirred something in Lin Lan.
"Well, you guys love Hawaiian pizza so much, I thought your relations with the Sardegna shipgirls would be… tense."
Lin Lan chuckled as he remembered the fruity Hawaiian pizza he had seen on the table earlier.
"Come on, we're not that dumb—we'd never eat it in front of them."
Cleveland laughed while watching the Commander gently stroke a sleeping Laffey's head, and continued with a story from the past:
"I forgot which year it was—during a New Year's banquet hosted by the Dragon Empery, the Royal Navy actually made xiaolongbao with blueberry jam filling. Ning Hai and Ping Hai turned green after taking a bite."
"No way, blueberry jam xiaolongbao? That's just wrong."
Lin Lan's smile froze upon hearing such a culinary abomination existed.
"Haha, sorry, I forgot you're from the Dragon Empery too."
Seeing Lin Lan's expression change, Cleveland scratched her head and smiled awkwardly:
"That's why, Commander, see, we all try to avoid bringing up these taste differences between factions. As long as nobody mentions it, we all pretend not to know."
Lin Lan nodded in agreement.
Still, he couldn't stop thinking about that blueberry-jam-filled xiaolongbao.
As for the Royals...
If it wasn't a deliberate sabotage due to their dreadful cooking skills, it was likely the handiwork of a certain mischievous chuunibyou heavy cruiser brat.
Lin Lan had his suspicions—next time he returned to the old port, he'd have to give that troublemaker a stern lesson in respecting sacred Dragon Empery cuisine.
"Say, Commander, why don't you sleep in the same room with me and my sisters tonight? Our dorm's actually pretty big."
Just as Lin Lan was mulling over the Royal prankster, Cleveland casually dropped this line, freezing the atmosphere in the lounge.
Even Kalk, who had been playing with Lin Lan's hair, suddenly stopped. The previously sleeping Laffey slowly opened her eyes, sensing something.
Lin Lan wasn't dumb—he immediately sensed the subtle shift in the air.
"Uh, Cleveland, maybe I'll just find an empty room to crash in for the night. Gotta get up early tomorrow…"
Before Cleveland could respond, Laffey suddenly raised her head and said drowsily:
"Commander… You're not sleeping with Laffey tonight…?"
Seeing her little sister step up like that, Benson gave Laffey a thumbs-up from the side.
But then Intrepid walked over, blushing, abandoning all pretenses:
"Commander, you promised me this afternoon that we'd talk about rigging tonight…"
"Senior Saratoga also told me via comms to stay by the Commander's side and protect him at all times."
Even the usually quiet South Dakota pulled out Saratoga's direct orders to stake her claim under the guise of official duty.
Seeing the Eagle Union shipgirls so eager to compete over him, Lin Lan was starting to panic—but Cleveland just burst out laughing:
"Well, since everyone loves the Commander so much, why don't we all sleep with him?"
"Didn't the Annápolis representative send over a bunch of furniture recently? One of them was that extra-large bed—Intrepid, you even complained it took up too much space."
Cleveland's suggestion seemed to spark a realization among the shipgirls. All of them showed expressions of sudden understanding.
"Um, just to let you all know—I did obtain the Hero's Power from the Ironblood faction not long ago. I can go all night without rest."
Seeing the girls respond so positively to Cleveland's proposal, Lin Lan decided to make a timely addition.
He could tell—there was no escaping tonight's "activities."
Especially since every shipgirl present wore a sparkling promise ring on their right ring finger under the light.
Chances were, aside from sleepy Laffey who genuinely just wanted to snuggle, the rest had already planned out every position.
Not wanting to disappoint them, Lin Lan resolved to fulfill his duties as Commander.
Plus, he had a valid reason: who knew if the Observer might sneak in tonight to kidnap him again?
The Observer could perfectly mimic anyone—be it person or shipgirl.
Having everyone together would actually be safer.
After Lin Lan explained his reasoning, none of the Eagle Union shipgirls had further objections and all agreed to Cleveland's proposal.
As Intrepid led the Benson-class chibis and Sea Knights to prepare the bedroom, the light carrier girl with chestnut hair—Independence—blushed as she approached Lin Lan.
"Commander, um, you know I'm kind of straightforward, but… really, can you actually… with everyone…"
As Independence whispered in his ear, her voice growing fainter, Lin Lan chuckled, wrapped an arm around her slim waist, and looked at the shy girl with confidence:
"You can count on me—I won't let you down."
Receiving Lin Lan's firm assurance, Independence shyly nodded, covering her face with excitement before running off to help the others.
"By the way, South Dakota—if you're all going to sleep in the same room tonight, what if the Sirens attack suddenly?"
Watching Independence leave, Lin Lan turned to ask the loyal South Dakota beside him.
After all, the fact that he had entered this military base without any resistance earlier still left him a bit uneasy.
"We've deployed many defense facilities at sea, and there are automated detection cannons around the base. If the Sirens really attack, it actually gives us the advantage."
Hearing South Dakota's composed reply, Lin Lan blinked in surprise:
"Automated detection cannons? I didn't see any when I came in this afternoon."
"That's because Saratoga already registered your image in the Eagle Union's defense system—to avoid any friendly fire, Commander."
Lin Lan nodded in sudden understanding. Thankfully, Saratoga had the foresight to prepare, or he might've been blasted down at the front gate. Now that would've been a laugh.
While chatting with South Dakota, Benson soon ran over to inform them that the bedroom was ready.
"Commander, this way please."
South Dakota stood up and made a gesture inviting Lin Lan.
Gazing at the tall, tanned, model-tier battleship lady before him, Lin Lan swallowed hard.
"Well then… tonight, I'll be counting on your protection."
Alright, even though he knew full well what was about to happen, as Commander, Lin Lan still forced a smile and gave a fully reasonable excuse.
And so, the nighttime party began.
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50 advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta
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