Bismarck got up from the table shortly after Isaac and Nimi left.
"And where are you off to, Bismarck?" Elizabeth asked.
"I am going back to keep an eye on one of my subordinates who was tortured by the sirens. She attacked the Kommandant yesterday, so she has been confined to the med bay." Bismarck said.
"Oh my. Surely the Commoner is alright. I mean he wouldn't be here otherwise. Would it be alright if I went with you as well? I have a few words for them." Elizabeth said.
"I don't see why not, she might not be the happiest to see you. What happened to you having plenty to do today?" Bismarck asked with a hand on her hip.
"I was being facetious. The only thing I truly have to do is ensure that we make it to Australia without sinking. The world has changed. My days of commanding the Royal navy have all but gone away." Elizabeth said sadly.
"So is that just a long winded way of saying you're bored?" Bismarck asked.
"So rude. No wonder why we despised you krauts for so long." Elizabeth said.
"It's not rude, we just get to the point without all the pomp and circumstance." Bismarck said, correcting her.
"It is really a miracle that someone like the Commoner could think someone like you and Ironblood in general would be his type." Elizabeth spat.
"Nimi is a special character even among the others. But Friedrich and Odin? I couldn't say. I never met Friedrich before I sank, so I have no idea as to her temperament, but I know she fits the Kommandant very well. And Odin... I don't know anything about her either. She seems similar to me... so... it might only be a matter of time before he breaks through my shell too." Bismarck said as she shrugged.
"Is that some form of wishful thinking?" Elizabeth asked with a small chuckle.
"Nein! It's... just a reasonable possibility. Statistically speaking, it would make sense." Bismarck said, attempting to save face in front of a smug Elizabeth.
"I already have my own idea for that sort of thing." Elizabeth said.
"You? No way such a prude and uptight little battleship would do such a thing." Bismarck said with a slight smile.
"Your majesty, you never mentioned such a thing!" Belfast said.
"Of course not, Bel. This is my personal affair after all. Only Warspite would have the slightest idea, as she didn't seem too thrilled about it." Elizabeth said as she rested her chin on the back of her hand.
"Well, you could have told me, your Majesty. After all, I can steer him in your direction." Belfast said with a bow.
"Now Bel, that would not be proper. After all, if we are to be wed, it will be as equals. So i will not have my servant doing the heavy lifting for such a thing." Elizabeth said.
"As you wish, your Majesty." Belfast said as Elizabeth stood.
"Shall we be off then? I believe I am calm enough now to hear your subordinate out for her attempt on the Commoner." Elizabeth said.
"Please keep in mind... she is very close to me, and she has been through a lot." Bismarck said softly.
"That matters not, Bismarck. She still attempted to kill the Commoner, and that is something I will not tolerate." Elizabeth said.
"Just... don't hurt her anymore. We had to piece her back together a few days ago, so she has been through enough physically." Bismarck said as she opened the door.
The bulin sat idle by the bed as U-556 was asleep.
"You can go, little one. I'll take over." Bismarck said
"Thank you miss Bismarck." The bulin said.
"There's breakfast in the galley if you're hungry." Bismarck said as the bulin nodded.
"I shall head there than." The bulin said as she walked out.
Bismarck sat next to the bed as Elizabeth and Bel sat on the bed across from U-556.
"She certainly doesn't look like she would try to kill the Commoner." Elizabeth said.
"Your majesty, I had to sew back together the Commander's jacket as she had sliced at him with a scalpel." Belfast said.
"Is that so?" Elizabeth asked as she looked at the submarine.
"I, U-556, hereby declare before Neptune, Lord over oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, brooks, ponds, and rivulets, that I will provide any desired assistance to my Big Sister, Lord Bismarck, at any place on the water, under water, on land, or in the air." A voice spoke in the darkness that surrounded 556.
"Huh?" 556 asked as she looked around, suddenly surprised to be in such a place.
"Do you remember that promise?" The voice spoke.
"Yes... It was what I said to Lord Bismarck... the day I went to sea." 556 said softly.
"So why do you let Strength dictate what you do? You made a vow, no?" The voice asked.
"I... I did. But... she'll be killed." 556 said softly.
"So, you'd give up your vow, just like that?" The voice asked.
"Who are you?" 556 asked as a mirror image of herself came through from the darkness.
"I'm you." The copy said.
"I... we were tortured. We were told that she would be killed if we didn't kill Apollyon." 556 said.
"And that is where you fell. Because I know myself. I know that I would walk right to the gates of hell and kick them in to get my Lord Bismarck home. But you... you can no longer say the same, can you?" The copy asked.
"I am willing to kill for her! To sully my hands to protect her!" 556 cried.
"You've become weak. You are not a sister of Ironblood. You lost that title the moment you attacked him." The copy said as 556 looked at her feet.
"Then help me! What do I do!?" 556 cried out.
"You snap the hell out of it. And you protect Lord Bismarck with your fucking life. If Strength comes, you will be the one to protect her, even if it means taking her place at the bottom of the ocean. If you can't do that, you don't deserve the vow you gave, or the respect she has for you." The copy said as the darkness slowly began to turn to light.
"Looks like it's time to wake up, make your choice." The copy said as 556 opened her eyes.
"It looks like she's waking up." Belfast said as Elizabeth and Bismarck looked over at 556, who was now awake and staring at the ceiling.
"Good morning, Parzival." Bismarck said softly.
"Lord Bismarck... good morning." 556 said softly.
"How are you feeling today?" Bismarck asked.
"Why does it matter? She tried to kill the Commoner. She deserves to sty like that for all I care." Elizabeth said scornfully.
"Elizabeth please." Bismarck said.
"I haven't laid a finger on her. Just like I promised." Elizabeth said as she bore daggers at 556, who could clearly see her.
"Lord Bismarck... I am deeply sorry for my actions... If Apollyon is to be your beacon of hope... then I will honor that in accordance to my vow." 556 said softly as she turned to face Bismarck.
"It isn't just me you have to apologize to... and I can't just let you out like that." Bismarck said.
"I know... and I understand. I did try to kill the Kommandant, so it fits." 556 said as she laid her head back.
"Then you understand why you are not being released?" Bismarck asked.
"I do... although, I regret being unable to make things right." 556 said.
"The Kommandant will return eventually. He is just spending some time with another right now." Bismarck said.
Odin left the galley as the bulin walked in, passing her by on the way towards the Med Bay.
"I figured you'd be here." Odin said as she knocked on the door of the Med bay.
"Odin. Guten Morgen." Bismarck said.
"Guten Morgen, Frau Bismarck." Odin replied with a smile.
"The Kommandant left me with a message for you." Bismarck said.
"Very good, what did he say?" Odin asked.
"He requested you to go and check on Eagle. None of us have heard from her since we left port, and even before then." Elizabeth said.
"If those are his orders, I shall be off." Odin said as she left the doorway and headed for the top deck.
Several minutes later, Odin arrived on the flight deck of the Eagle, greeted by Flight Lieutenant Malan.
"Good morning, Odin." Malan said rendering a salute.
"At ease, ace. I come on unofficial business." Odin said as she smiled.
"Ah, then what can I do for you?" Malan asked.
"We haven't received a single transmission from Eagle since before we left New Guinea. The Kommandant is beginning to worry a bit." Odin said.
"Huh... now that you mention it, Eagle hasn't been around much lately. It only really started after that fox lady came on board the other night." Malan said.
"Fox lady? You mean Shinano?" Odin asked.
"Tall, grey fur, nine tails, and..." Malan said as he looked off to the side.
"Yes, and before you say it, I already know. Her outfit does nothing to conceal or hide them." Odin said, a tinge of jealousy tainting her tone.
"I didn't want to say anything about it, but yeah." Malan said.
"Did you see her leave?" Odin asked.
"No, actually. And I would notice that from the other end of the flight deck." Malan said.
"Anyone would." Odin spat as she began walking towards the island.
"Do we have a progress report on that aircraft I sent the bulins?" Malan asked.
"They should be over later today. They machined all the parts needed to create it. The bulins complained that the blueprints didn't have a name however." Odin said.
"It has one. Technically the aircraft already exists as the de Havilland Sea Hornet. But the RAF was experimenting with it as of late, or so I'm told. The designs sent were for reduced weight on the engines through use of alloyed steel as opposed to the standard material. This makes for better efficiency with fuel, and easier maneuvering." Malan said.
"And if the test goes poorly?" Odin asked.
"Then I have my personal fighter, a gift from the RAF." Malan said.
"I shall eagerly await the results of the test." Odin said as she entered the island.
Odin walked towards Eagle's quarters and knocked on the door. Several seconds passed with no reply.
Odin opened the door, surprised to find that it wasn't locked. Inside, was Eagle and Shinano laying on the bed fast asleep.
"Ah. So this is where you've been." Odin said.
"Hmm?" Eagle groaned as she opened her eyes.
"Wake up and report to Queen Elizabeth. Everyone's been worried about you." Odin said as Eagle looked at her with wide eyes.
"Worried? How long was I out?" Eagle asked.
"Nobody has heard from you since before we left New Guinea." Odin said.
"And how long ago was that?" Eagle asked.
"Almost 2 days." Odin said.
"Damn. It didn't feel that long. Shinano came over, complaining that she was a bit lonely. We ended up taking a nap... but it seems our nap was two days in length... god I'm famished." Eagle said.
"Breakfast on the Norfolk if you need it. Take her too, since she probably hasn't eaten either." Odin said as she turned to leave.