The Interlude of Glorious

Note:
[1. I have taken the liberty of splitting the text between choices. Not certain on accuracy. Choices are marked with [?]*]
[2. Not exactly certain if the story is told in first person.]

1.
Glorious interlude
Her name is Glorious

Port · Commander's office

Glorious: Royal Navy aircraft carrier Glorious reporting. Once again, I shall be your secetary ship for today.
Glorious: Commander, I will do everything in my power to assist you, so please guide me!
Glorious: After what happened at sea that day, I won't take my duties lightly anymore!

An hour later ——

Glorious: Okay, the schedule for afternoon is... hmm... yes! I remember! It should be an exercise! I shall participate too!
Glorious: Spare materials should have been sent.. Ardent has helped me confirm so it's probably okay.. hm.. I'm not sure...
Glorious: I've arranged these documents. Yes, everything is here! .... The Narvik observation report? Er... hm, I don't remember, I thought it was done..
Glorious: (in a soft voice) Glorious, you have to show a little of the Royal Navy's glory! I am the most senior and experienced ship after all..!

Even though I have clearly completed the report, how did I forget..

Glorious: The Commander must have mistaken me for the person in that event at sea.
Glorious: I'm not that person anymore.
Glorious: For the sake of the light which has given the Royal Navy's Glorious a second lease at life, I shall obtain the Commander's highest honors!

(Flash——)
Glorious is shining as if she's using special effects.

2. Glorious interlude
Port Area · Exercise field

Lexington: Okay, final confirmation. For today's Eagle Union and Royal Navy's carrier exercise, the objective is to destroy all ships piloted by manjuu.
Glorious: Understood! The Eagle Union is the most experienced in carrier operations, so please be sure to teach me!
Saratoga: Good, good! Let me, Saratoga, show you what carriers are supposed to be like ♪
Glorious: Haha, Teacher Sara is the same as always~
Lexington: First, let us launch aircraft to search for targets... Glorious!?
Glorious: My aircraft capacity is lower.. but if I use my 38.1cm guns... Hm? But aren't I an aircraft carrier...
Glorious: Eh? Why did I rush out by myself?
Illustrious: Glorious, you're going too fast!

A few hours later

Saratoga: Aircraft recovered! OK! Very good, Saratoga is still in excellent shape today! Let's see whom amongst you still dares to call me a "repair dock idol"!
Saratoga: Ah... Glorious, are you okay?
Glorious: I-I'm fine! We did destroy all targets.
Illustrious: And for that we broke into a pinch of cold sweat...
Glorious: Sorry, I've caused trouble for everyone...
Glorious: Speaking of which, why hasn't Ark Royal arrived? She told me she'd participate today..

3. Glorious Interlude
Queen's incident I

Glorious: Sorry Commander, I need your help to search for Ark Royal..
Glorious: ....T-that is!!
Ark Royal: Your Majesty, I'm innocent! I was simply worried about the little destroyer sisters who were back from commission, so I was secretly escorting them back. I wasn't stalking Warspite!
Warspite: Even if it's Ark Royal, I think.. she wouldn't do such a shameless thing...
Queen Elizabeth: Shut up! I saw it! You had a weird grin on your face, creepily stalking behind Warspite!
Ark Royal: That's why I'm saying I wasn't stalking Warspite, I was st-... following her destroyer escorts who were at the back!
Belfast: Your Majesty, please allow this maid to make a suggestion: I believe it's possible to substantiate the veracity of Ark Royal's claims.
Queen Elizabeth: No need! We have circumstantial evidence! If we consider your previous offenses, you won't be let off this time!
Ark Royal: Your Majesty! T-this time it's truly a misunderstanding! Please investigate!

Looks like there's some trouble...
1. Pretend you didn't see it
2. Keep your distance and observe

Glorious: ...Your Majesty, please don't be hasty!
Queen Elizabeth: Glorious!?
Glorious: I can prove Ark Royal is innocent!

4. Glorious Interlude
Queen's incident II

Glorious: My defense is is threefold;
Glorious: Number one, Ark Royal was supposed to participate in our exercise. She must've met our returning fleet on the way and simply escorted them back.
Glorious: Number two, even if Ark Royal truly was stalking Miss Warspite, it's impossible for Miss Warspite to have missed it.
Glorious: And finally, the question of motivation... I believe Ark Royal's heart to be pure and free of evil thoughts!

Warspite: Eh.
Queen Elizabeth: Eh.
Belfast: Eh.

Together: Eh, Eh, Eh!?

Ark Royal: Miss Glorious... You....
Glorious: I too have a partner that is as - no, a partner that is more important than my little sisters.
Glorious: Just like protecting a beautiful flower, I can understand the feelings of the destroyer loving Ark Royal!
Glorious: "Dutifully protect our compatriots" this isn't just the flagship's duty, but it represents the probity of the Royal Navy!
Glorious: It is with such lofty aspirations in mind, Ark Royal expressed it in her own way - to protect the honor of Miss Warspite!
Warspite: Agreed.
Queen Elizabeth: Hmph, Hmph! Fine! The evidence wasn't enough, so I'll let you off today. Ark Royal, you're free to leave!
Warspite & Belfast: We are thankful for your Majesty's insight.
Ark Royal: Haha! Glorious, thank you!
Glorious: Don't mention it! It was a piece of cake. It's great Ark Royal could clear her name.

A strange friendship forms between the two (?)

5. Glorious Interlude
Together with the destroyers

Port area · Factory

We received a consignment from Akashi today, so we came to the factory to prepare supplies and equipment.

Ardent: Acasta, don't be lazy! Didn't we promise to help Glorious?
Acasta: Yawn.. I'm on it.. this place is too dusty..
Glorious: Please wait a moment, I'll clean this place myself, Ardent and Acasta please inspect the spare parts list.
Acasta: Feels like Glorious is the only one being busy.. even though we came here to help, were we truly of any aid...?
Glorious: Please don't mind, leave the menial labor to me, besides, I have the commander too.
Ardent: Glorious, are you sure you're okay? This stuff is heavy.

1. Finish the job alone with Glorious
2. Ask the destroyers for their help

---- choice 1 --- [?]*
Glorious: No problem. See, even the Commander agrees.
Ardent: No...
Acasta: It's fine if we hand it over to the Commander. Ardent, let us first finish our jobs before returning.
---- choice 2 ---- [?]*
Glorious: Commander, they're busy over there too, the two of us should be enough for this place..
Ardent: We're fine! Even though it was I who promised to help Glorious...
Acasta: Ardent, come over... (whispers) ...Okay, we'll go tidy up over there.
Glorious: I'm relying on you. ....Okay. Commander, let us get to work too!

Though the task isn't difficult, but there's plenty of heavy equipment even an aircraft carrier like Glorious struggles with. It looks like the destroyers won't be able to help much.

Glorious: Ha... I-It's heavy... ha... ha....

Is Glorious going to be okay..?

6. Glorious Interlude
By her glorious name* (1)
*(I think this is a reference to her motto "Explicit Nomen" - [The name says it all])

Glorious: Ha... I'm finally at my limit...

Halfway into the job, Glorious tiredly leans against a large piece of armor.
1. Comfort Glorious
2. Quietly pass her water

--- Choice 1 --- [?]*
Glorious: T-Thanks! Sorry, it's my fault for being useless..
Glorious: Hm? You say "If only I'd had known, I'd send more help"?
Glorious: That won't do! It's more important that everyone prepare themselves for battle!
Glorious: In fact, I didn't want Ardent and Acasta to come either... but I couldn't convince them no matter what..

--- Choice 2 ---- [?]*
Glorious: No, I'm not forcing myself...
Glorious: I have an aura of fatigue...? Er... I have nothing to say to that...
Glorious: No, as the Royal Navy's Glorious that everyone trusts, I should be the first to bear the brunt!*
(word used - (首当其冲) - lit: [first to get rushed] - roughly means "first to voluntarily get into unfavorable positions")

Glorious is doing her best to stay strong. Since it's like this ——

Glorious: Yes! Please issue me any orders! Glorious will never disgrace herself!
Glorious: I'm "forbidden to force myself"...? This is Commander's order? ... This...
Glorious: ..... Because of my clumsiness, I'm not useful in battle, the least I could do is try my best to not drag everyone else down!
Glorious: Even if it's Commander's orders... I'd still....!

7. Glorious interlude
By her glorious name (2)

For her, attaining victory, and being the "Glory" that everyone relies on is the most important. But ——

Glorious: At the very least I shouldn't "force myself" around the Commander...
Glorious: Does the Commander feel... that I'm not capable of being your glory...?

No such thing.

Glorious: Then... what should I do....
Glorious: I glitter in front of everyone else, but when in front of the Commander, I'm useless..?
Glorious: .....Ah.....

I pull her hands and have her sit at my side
I have actually secretly contacted everyone to come over and help right after their meeting.

Glorious: In front of Commander I can be weak, less reliable, and be spoiled ——
Glorious: This way Glorious can continue to shine in front of everyone else ——
Glorious: and the clumsy Glorious, could also be the Commander's Glory?
Glorious: I-I....

Glorious' voice trembles

Glorious: I understand. Since it's the Commander's order.

She gently gripped the hand she was holding. I could feel the weight of the young girl on my shoulders.

Glorious: Order received. ... As your Glory, I-I'll sprinkle a little pampering..
Glorious: Before everyone else arrives... would you permit me... a little rest?

The sound of a deep sleep reverberates quietly through the factory...