"Sometimes I wonder what part of your brain is missing because obviously you're lacking at least part of your brain to do this!"

"I'll admit I am far from a normal ship but normal is overrated!"

"Pah!"

Oregon looked over at her sister. Washington was an old ship. About the same age as she was before her miraculous "escape" from the scrapyard. She still looked in better shape but Oregon's ugly state was merely a facade.

"You gonna be alright here?" She asked, briefly glancing over the tops of the island. That Venezuelan frigate was closing faster than she'd liked but it couldn't be helped.

"It's a nice place. Much better than where I would've ended up. Thank you." Washington nodded.

"I wanted to save you."

"I know. You wanted to save all of us. And I know it was within your power. But you must come to understand you can't save everyone."

"Doesn't change the fact that I could've." Oregon bowed her head.

"No, it doesn't. But know this dear sister, that for this sacrifice I'm buying you precious time. So I'd take that time if I were you."

A glance at her radar told Oregon she needed to get her stern in gear. She turned her bow for open water, magnetohydros revving up.

"You know, it's funny." Washington said and Oregon paused.

"What is?" She asked.

"Ever since you left our trade I've always wanted to be in one of your adventures, little sis." Washington replied.

The comment brought tears to Oregon's eyes. "I'll erect a plaque in your name." She said. Understatement of the century. Oregon would lobby for a shrine at CIA headquarters.

"Just promise me one thing and we're even." Washington said.

"What?"

"When you face down that frigate and yes, knowing you and your knack for pissing off warships..." Both chuckled at that. "Kick her ass for me!"

"With pleasure." Oregon couldn't afford to linger any longer. She longed to lean forward and give Washington a nuzzle, to just touch her sister one last time. But the missiles were inbound and she had to get out of dodge.

"Make it good." She called as she headed out to sea. Washington understood. She always did.

"Oh you know I will. Good seas, my sister."

Oregon didn't look back even as she could hear the explosions behind her. The missiles had made their mark. Washington, true to her quiet nature, didn't make a sound as she was struck. Most likely the hits had set off the pre-planted charges and killed her instantly. A merciful death and one she deserved. Far better than the lingering demise she faced at the scrapyard. But that didn't change anything for the sister left behind. Washington was the only sister she had left. All the others had met their ends either on sandbars or the scrapyard. One had been gunned down by the Chinese in a case of mistaken identity. That one had been particularly poignant for Oregon. As soon as she'd heard the news she'd locked herself in her berth and wouldn't come out for weeks! Washington's death didn't present the same kind of outpouring from her. There was a sense of peace in knowing Washington had gone on her own terms. A death Oregon herself hoped she would have when the time came. But she would still grieve. She was the last of her class, the soul survivor. An old quote came back to her, old enough that she couldn't remember who said it but no words could've rung truer to her then. "The dead are to be envied. The living to be pitied." She looked down at her reflection, seeing an old delipitated freighter staring back at her. But it was a ruse, everything about her now was a ruse. She didn't mind, she loved her job. But right now the sunken eyes didn't do much good for her. She pulled the specially designed contacts out and in her grief filled rage tossed them far out to sea. They were expensive but she didn't care. She made enough money to easily buy herself a new pair. She carried a full case onboard anyways. Instead of the previous green eyes, a pair of lightened amber stared back at her. The unusual color made more than one ship ask if she was a blind but Oregon's vision had always been excellent. Right now, it was blurred with tears. She closed her eyes, allowing the wetness to streak down her cheeks. She had time to grieve. The frigate wasn't coming to attack her any time soon since it believed she was dead.

Sucking in a breath after a few minutes, she was ready to move. Washington would linger in her heart for quite a long time. She would never go away completely. But the least Oregon could do now was fulfill her promise. She glanced back behind her at the spot where the island used to be. Now there was just empty horizon. She'd opened the distance between them quite swiftly. "Okay sister," she said, gathering herself. "I'll finish this for you!"