Chapter 1 – Awakening on the Shore
The sun had barely risen over the endless horizon, but the air was already thick with the roar of modern warfare. Helicopters churned through clouds of smoke and fire, jets streaked overhead like steel ghosts, and the USS Enterprise, 4th Class—the Black Ghost—loomed in the distance, a titan of the sea.
Commander Adrian Kade gripped the controls of his UH-60, eyes scanning the battlefield below. The carrier was his home, his anchor in a world of chaos, and every decision he made echoed the countless hours he had spent commanding her.
"Hang tight, Enterprise," he whispered, as though the massive ship could hear him. "We'll get through this."
The words barely left his lips when a tracer round tore through the helicopter. The machine shuddered violently, spinning as flames licked the fuselage. In that instant, time seemed to stretch. Adrian's mind flashed over every mission, every strike, every life he had sworn to protect. I'll see you soon… Black Ghost.
The world erupted in fire and darkness.
---
When he opened his eyes again, the chaos was gone. A gentle wind brushed against his face, and the rhythmic crashing of waves replaced gunfire. Adrian's body ached, but he was alive—or at least, he could still think.
He was lying on a sandy beach, the water washing around his boots. His hands instinctively reached for the familiar weight of his uniform, and relief surged through him. He was still wearing the modern USS Navy garb, pristine as if untouched by battle.
A soft voice echoed in his mind:
"Commander… welcome."
The system interface appeared before him, holographic and precise. Ships. Fleets. Contracts. Tactical modules. Every bit of information a Navy officer could dream of—and more.
Adrian staggered to his feet, eyes widening as a massive shadow passed over the shore. The Black Ghost—his Enterprise—was here. Not in metal and steel alone, but alive. A shipgirl, radiant and imposing, with her signature dark armor and piercing eyes, stepped onto the sand.
"Commander!" she cried, rushing forward, her hands trembling slightly. "I… I thought I would never see you again!"
Adrian's throat tightened. The bond he had always felt for his flagship was now alive, tangible, emotional. "Enterprise… you've been waiting for me."
"Yes," she whispered, stepping closer. Her gaze softened, worry etched into every line of her face. "I've worried every day… every battle, every storm… I couldn't do it without you."
He reached out, fingers brushing against her hand. "And I'll never leave you, Black Ghost. Not again."
---
Around them, other members of his fleet began to appear—USS Delta, USS Reaper, USS Cruiser, USS Ghost, USS Annihilator, and even USS Yamato, the newest ship who had arrived a year and a half ago, already integrated and waiting. They were all here, fully sentient, ready, and perfectly synchronized in their formations.
The system beeped, offering prompts and options, showing new ships available for recruitment, upgrade paths, and tactical simulations. Adrian's military mind instantly kicked into gear, analyzing his surroundings and preparing for the challenges ahead.
But for now, he let himself savor the reunion. Enterprise Shepter's eyes shone with affection and relief, and the other ships—loyal, aware, and powerful—stood ready at her side.
Adrian knew one thing: no matter what this world threw at them, they would face it together.
The Black Ghost had finally found her Commander.
And the world of Azur Lane, with all its guilds, shipgirls, and lurking mysteries, would never be the same.