Disclaimer: Massive time skip to keep the story on track!
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That feeling when you realize that Portland hasn't seen Indy in a year and a half. (╥﹏╥ )
At least there's only a few months more!
Reviews:
The One: The truth is hard, cold, and uncaring. Unlike Indy! (Cue Indy Copypasta)
Severak: Fair enough. Enty is kinda carrying the Eagle Union ngl.
John: Ah. I was going to write about the second battle of Guadalcanal, wasn't I. I completely forgot. Whoops.
Portland's POV:
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Where am I?
I opened my eyes. Only light shined in through my right eye.
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Am I partially blind now?
Well that can't be good. I leaned forwards and sat up. A couple of bones in my back popped as I lifted my arms to stretch. A soft creak of mechanical gears began to twirl on my side.
Gears?
Attached to my waist were a series of simple machines churning back and forth. I lowered my arm and raised it again. The cogs spun clockwise and back.
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That's right, the sirens did puncture that. Then there was the elephant in the room.
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I took a deep breath before looking at my leg.
It was surprisingly normal. Though part of it was covered extensively with bandages, it still looked almost human. Slightly tan with some pinkish spots. I'm surprised they were able to fix my leg, it seemed to me that it would have been almost impossible. Vestal must be a magician. I wiggled my toes back and forth. A little tingle shot up my leg, stinging me with several volts. I winced.
Of course. It's not real. I don't know what I expected.
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Sighing, I laid my head back down on the medical bed, glimpsing outdoors. Several tulips bloomed as groups of destroyers rolled around in the emerald grass. Almost picture perfect.
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Wait.
IT'S SPRING?
Essex's POV:
"Essex?" Cleveland walked up to me. "You might want to come for a bit."
"What's up?" I nailed the sandbag for a final time before turning to the Cruiser.
"That's a very cringy T-shirt." Cleveland winced.
"Shut up!" I defended my Enterprise branded workout gear. "Enterprise is a real hero to the Eagle Union, you know!"
"Yeah yeah." Cleveland handed me a bottle of water. "Put on your uniform, w-"
"This is my uniform." I took a sip before screwing the lid back on.
"Wear your Enterprise coat or something." Cleveland compromised. "That's at least somewhat formal."
"Wait, are we meeting somebody important?" I took off my shirt. "Didn't we already arrange Brooklyn to accommodate Victorious?" (1)
"Yes, Victorious has been accounted for." Cleveland nodded. "She seems to be enjoying her stay."
"So who are we meeting with?" I tucked in Enterprise's spare jacket and followed Cleveland out of the room.
"Well, you are the highest ranking ship here at Pearl Harbor." A breeze greeted Cleveland as the wind ruffled through my gruff hair. "But you are not the most experienced here now."
"Yeah." I shrugged, catching a basketball in my right hand before throwing it back to some cruisers. "All of the Battleship row did participate in the First Siren War. But the times are different now. They're experience is almost worthless now."
"I'm not talking about Battleship row." Cleveland bounced across the chalk hopscotch. She missed the 8. "This is the ship who once had the most battlestars in the Eagle Union."
Enterprise!?
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OH MY GOD OH MY GOD IT'S HAPPENING !
I quickly untucked my shirt and ran my hands through my hair, the dandruff spilling out like a blizzard.
Natural look, Natural look, Natural Look!
Do I smell?
I haven't taken a shower in two days. I took a sniff of my armpits. Of course it smells, I'm an idiot. Perfume, Perfume… This will have to do…
"Ew..." Cleveland gagged. "Is that Axe?"
"You should have told me beforehand we were meeting her today!" I complained, shoving a handful of tic tacs in my mouth. I decided to just finish the can.
"We're not meeting Enterprise!" Cleveland had to pry the lotion bottle from my hand.
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"We're not?" I stopped.
"Obviously not." She shook her head.
Screw you Cleveland. I stuffed my field kit back into a duffle bag between the Enterprise figures and the Enterprise graphic novels before zipping it shut.
"Do you want me to teach you about basic hygiene after this?" Cleveland offered.
"If it will help me get a good first impression with Enterprise." I responded.
"It will, It definitely will." Cleveland took the AXE body spray and jumpshot it into the trash bin. "You know, I'm an expert in first impressions. I'm not employee of the month for nothing."
"Employee of the month in what?" I narrowed my eyes.
"Nothing…" Cleveland turned away.
"Are you one of those speed dating hookers?" I probed her. "We've been trying to track down that illegal strip club for a while, perhaps you might be involved in it?" (2)
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Skill Activation: Anti-Air mode
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"If you turn a blind eye, I can get you some contacts with Enty." Cleveland whispered.
Enty?!
The AUDACITY of this lowly cruiser, to give a nickname to THE Enterprise!?
Who does she THINK she is?
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I stammered for a response.
"Anyways, let's get back to topic." Cleveland grabbed a stack of papers from the front office of the drydock and ringed for an elevator. "So we're going to talk with one of the strongest ships in the Eagle Union. You might learn a bit from this."
"Alright." I set aside the matter concerning Enterprise. I'll settle that later. "Who are we meeting then?"
"Well, remember a few months back when a ship got carried in?" Cleveland repeatedly jabbed the up button on the elevator. I only managed to recall a large object wrapped inside a white bag bag.
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"Somewhat." I gave up trying to remember as Cleveland sighed before walking to the stairs.
"Well, she just woke up from her coma." Cleveland opened the door for me. "And it might be worthwhile to speak with her."
"Who is she?" I asked.
"She's…" Cleveland mumbled.
"If you don't tell me, I'll just go back." I pointed in the opposite direction.
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"Cleveland?" I raised my voice slightly. "Is this going to be a waste of time?"
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"It's Portland." Cleveland didn't bother looking at me.
"Portland!?" I yelled in shock. "But isn't she second on the 'ships you want to avoid' list? You know, the failure of Guadalcanal and stuff? This was a waste of time, I'm going back."
"Wait!" Cleveland grabbed my sleeves. I clicked my tongue. Was Enterprise's arms this much bigger than mine? "She still is very strong in battle, and has plenty of experience."
"If Enterprise says to avoid it, then we must." I pulled Cleveland down the stairs.
"Let's be real." Cleveland was dragged back into the Hospital lobby. "Portland can't be the whole reason why we lost the first battle."
I continued across the hallway towards the exit.
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"Besides, if you want to make a good impression with Enterprise, perhaps you could talk to the only current person in base who has sortied with her?" Cleveland desperately dug her heels against the door frame.
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I bit my lip.
"You better not be wrong." I warned.
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"I won't" Cleveland sighed, walking back to the staircase. "Just trust me."
"The elevator arrived." I pointed.
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Cleveland threw her hands in the air before turning around.
Cleveland's POV:
"Here's the news from the past months." I opened the door, throwing the papers at Portland.
"With the help of Enterprise, Deputy San Francisco leads Union forces to a stunning route at First Guadalcanal!"
"Through Enterprise's command, Washington annihilate Battleship Kirishima at Second Guadalcanal!"
"While Enterprise was leading a carrier strike, Northampton valiantly sacrifices herself when surrounded at Tassafaronga!"
"Under the indirect influence of Enterprise, the Aleutian Campaign nears its end as Sakura forces retreat west!"
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I'm almost certain all of this is propaganda, but at this point, who cares. It can't be too fake, right?
Then again, Saratoga is head of PR. And Saratoga is probably the only Enterprise nut on equal ground with Essex.
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"Wait, that's not true." Portland pointed at the first headline. "We retreated during Guadalcanal. In fact, we didn't sink anything." (3)
"This is what Enterprise reported, you filthy liar." Essex crossed her arms.
"Now now. That's not how you make friends." I laughed nervously, trying to defuse the conversation. "Say, Portland, would you mind telling us about Enterprise? Essex here is a huge fan of her."
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"I guess." Portland shrugged before gesturing. "She's like this tall. And she loves fast food. She wears a jacket four sizes too big."
"More!" Essex was scribbling down a live transcript. "What is her favorite hobby?"
"I really don't know." Portland shrugged. "Enterprise just kinda sits in the back of her chair doing work."
"What about her harem?" Essex pointed to the sky. "There's gotta be some girls who are just head over heels for her."
"She doesn't have a fan group." Portland informed her. "Well, I mean, there's this one carrier but that's about it."
"But her harem!" Essex fired her headcanon.
"She doesn't have one." Portland flipped through the newspapers sprawled across the hospital bed.
"Well all respectable ships have their own harems, right Cleveland?" Essex desperately turned to me.
"Well yes of course!" I puffed out my chest. "Very respectable indeed. Quite venerable, if I may add."
"Having a harem means that you are a never loyal mongrel." Portland countered. (4)
"Oi." I glared.
"That's true." Essex was enlightened. "Are you a perfidious harlot, Cleveland?"
"No, it's called being popular." I shook my hand in the air.
"Why are you defending affairs?" Portland turned on me.
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Wait, Am I defending that? Hold up. What?
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"I don't know what happened." I pointed to both of them. "But this is your fault. Anyways, let's get back to topic."
"What was the topic?" Portland asked.
"Enterprise?" Essex guessed.
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I forgot. Oh dear. Trace your steps. Before entering the hospital, we picked up papers. Then we came upstairs. Back down the stairs and into the elevator. No, before that. Hopscotch. Battleships. Experience!
"We were going to ask about how to improve training for the newer generations of ships!" I snapped my fingers. "So what do you think we need to improve on?"
"We need a second Indy shrine." Portland turned to me.
"Shrine?" Essex narrowed her eyes.
"Second?" I was flabbergasted by the influence that Portland held.
"Indeed! Here is why!" I started. "Indy is an absolute necessity for morale! You see, Indy, known as Indianapolis, is a heavy cruiser enlisted into the Eagle Union with the signal CA-35. Part of the Portland class, Indy is the cutest ship in the entirety of Azur Lane. She boasts silky white hair and cocoa chocolate tanned skin, making her the cutest ship ever built. While she is most famous for her cuteness, she is also world renowned for her love of donuts, steak, and her older sister that she adores. Although she tends to have insecurities and communication problems, Indy outshines all other cruisers through sheer cuteness. Furthermore, she is talented in many things, such as laundry, massages, and being cute! It should also be included that she is battle hardened, as she employed her cuteness while serving with the aircraft carrier Lexington before being transferred to the Aleutian islands for seducing too many ships with her unparalleled cuteness. Did I also mention that she's super cute?"
"We might need an Enterprise shrine." Essex nodded her head. I facepalmed; She wasn't following along at all.
"But an Indy shrine comes first." Portland negotiated.
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"Indy." Essex muttered. "She's a New Orleans cruiser?"
"I… might have to check on that." I whispered back. "I think Portland is in her own class."
"So yeah, what else do you think we need?" I began to jot down some notes.
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"Indy restaurant chain."
"Related to the war effort."
"Indy record label?"
"Related to naval combat."
"Indy retrofit?"
"Not related to Indy."
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"Maybe better radar goggles." Portland tapped her chin. "Oh and Anti-Siren weapons!"
"See?" I clapped my hands. "Now we're getting somewhere!"
"Anti-Siren equipment?" Essex wondered. "Why would we need that?"
"To fight Sirens!" Portland responded. "They are the most dangerous out of all of the Crimson Axis."
"I get that this was classified information, but didn't Enterprise say that the Sirens are our allies?" Essex raised her eyebrows.
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Complete horror engulfed Portland's face.
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"What?"
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Footnotes:
(1): Cleveland was scarred for life upon seeing an Enterprise branded sports bra
(2): Short answer: Yes. Long answer: Undoubtedly.
(3): Technically, Portland was only there for the First day of Guadalcanal, so she didn't know the hard carry Washington did a day later.
(4): Unless, of course, you are Indy. Only Indy is allowed to have a harem, which must solely be approved by Portland.
What happened in the four months that Portland was asleep?
Are the Sirens Enterprise's Allies?
What about war?
None of these questions are going to be answered because I can't keep track of plot! Yay!
At least I learned how to underline things in fanfiction.
Anyways, see you next week!
