A/N: A/N: Time for Enty to do some stupid things again~
Enjoy~
Stardust
Chapter 5: Continuum
The morning sun rose up high over the port, the clocks ticking over to half past seven.
The air was crisp at this time, the sea breeze accentuating the slight chill, yet the pleasant warmth of the sun helped ail any bitterness and made it feel almost relaxing. Which made it the polar opposite of Vestal's mood.
The medic marched through the main doors of the hospital, the key in her hand slipping up into her dress sleeve with a flick of her wrist. Something wasn't right. She wasn't sure how she knew, but some gut instinct set the nerves alight and made her quicken her pace. Her heels clicked against the hard floor repeatedly, echoing in the stilted silence. Even as amber sunlight poured in through the windows she couldn't help but feel a rising sense of dread, the warm atmosphere almost feeling like a traitorous illusion, hiding the dark truth.
She took a turn, walking down one of the patient wings – and as her legs moved practically on their own, she realised where she was going without even thinking. Enterprise's room. The thought made her walk speed up into a light jog, her cross necklace jiggling and her breathing audible in her ears-
-until she finally came to a stop in front of the door.
Vestal swallowed slowly. ''E... Enterprise?''
She knocked, but no answer came. She waited, not even considering the prospect that Enterprise might be asleep – the prior mornings had dissuaded such foolish notions. When still no reply came Vestal tentatively grasped the handle, pushing the door open slowly, as if subconsciously afraid of what she would find on the other side.
The cold breeze that tickled her face only heightened that fear.
''Enterprise?'' Vestal pushed the door open fully, her eyes growing wide as she found an empty bed... and an open window.
''Enterprise?!''
X-x-X
Yorktown liked to sleep in on mornings.
It was a pleasant thing, to just be able to lay against her pillows and gaze out the window, feeling the slight morning chill weave its way in through the open window. She'd listen to Hornet grumble and try to stuff herself under the bed covers, she'd watch Enterprise get up from her bed and drag herself down to the communal baths, and she'd gently agree to join her sister and leave Hornet to stumble after them, the bed sheets inevitably getting tangled around her feet and making her face-plant on the carpet.
Until Enterprise went missing. Suddenly those days were gone; no longer did she take pleasure from laying in silence with nothing but her thoughts, no longer did Hornet childishly protest getting up, no longer did either of them have the same chaotic but enjoyable mornings. It was a little thing, a bite sized piece of their daily lives, but it was one she so dearly treasured. It was, in a way, 'family time' in her eyes.
But now Enterprise was back. She was in the hospital, yes, and there was still much to worry about – and training with the Royal Navy carriers had left her more weary when she went to bed, leaving less time to savour the mornings – but she knew in her heart it would only be so long until those pleasant mornings would return.
Or so she thought.
Bang-bang-bang!
The sudden harsh banging on her dorm door was enough to jolt her halfway out of bed, startled. Hornet was much the same, slurring out something incoherent and pushing herself upright, eyes blinking groggily as she was so suddenly snapped out of slumber.
''Yorktown! Hornet! Please wake up!'' Vestal cried out from the other side of the door.
The genuine panic in Vestal's voice was enough to get Yorktown moving, the carrier ignoring the slight dizziness she felt and rushing over to the door – swinging it open the moment she could. Vestal stood on the other side, fully dressed in contrast to Yorktown's own nightgown, but her attention was fully on Vestal's face; soaking in the dread and panic that paled her features.
''What happened?'' Yorktown didn't even consciously say the words that spilled out of her lips, something cold settling in her gut.
''Enterprise.'' The coldness grew. ''She's gone.''
''H-Huh?!'' Hornet's voice came from behind Yorktown, the blonde carrier cursing loudly as she struggled out of her bed. ''W-What d'ya mean she's gone?!''
''I don't know. I went there first thing this morning to check on her and she's just gone.'' Vestal quickly relayed, unease creeping across her visage. ''I-I didn't check in with the other patients, I just came here the second I couldn't find her nearby...''
Hornet shook her head furiously. ''She can't have left! I was there until just an hour ago!''
''The window.'' Vestal's reply shut Hornet down. ''It was wide open.''
''I thought there were locks on it?'' Yorktown whispered, numb.
Vestal nodded distractedly. ''Y-Yes, there are, they're alarmed. I'm not sure why it didn't go off though. I'll have to dismantle it to figure it out, but that isn't the time for that!''
''Tell me this.'' Yorktown's soft voice stalled Vestal's growing panic. ''Was it broken from the outside?''
Vestal paused, lips moving, before she shut up and thought. The heavy silence that followed worsened the anxiety of the two carriers, both struggling to stay silent as they let Vestal think.
''...no, it couldn't of.'' Vestal finally decided. ''The lock couldn't be broken from outside, and if the window had been ripped open then alarm would've been shattered into pieces, not cleanly broken apart. This was done from the inside. But then why...?''
Hornet twitched. ''Hey, sis?''
''Yes?'' Yorktown turned a confused look upon her blonde sister.
The look on Hornet's face could only be described as worried irritation. ''What're the chances that Enterprise broke herself out?''
Yorktown's expression hardened at the thought.
''Get dressed. Quick.'' Yorktown ordered, pushing past Hornet for her own closet. ''Vestal, run down to the command building and call ahead. There should be some patrols still coming back; they might've seen something if she left via the sea. We'll catch up with you.''
''R-Right!'' Vestal nodded swiftly – and barely took a step before a familiar voice interrupted them.
''Hey, is everything alright out here...?''
Cleveland. The blonde Light Cruiser had her head poked out from her own dorm room next door, and in the back of Yorktown's mind she realised Vestal's heavy knocking probably drew her attention; though the fact she was already fully dressed made it clear she had been awake already anyway.
''No. I mean, erm...'' Vestal hesitated. Saying that their star carrier had suddenly gone AWOL wouldn't do any good – the last thing they wanted the others at the base to think was that Enterprise was unstable.
Even if it might be true, it would do bad things for morale. Best to keep it under wraps... assuming they had the manpower to fix their current problems.
Yorktown saw Vestal's hesitation and came to her aid, undressing even as she called out to the cruiser. ''Cleveland, I need to ask a favour of you.''
No hesitation came from the loyal blonde. ''Name it.''
''Go with Vestal; she'll explain on the way. Take your sisters if they're willing; Hornet and I will catch up in a few minutes.''
''Right! C'mon girls, you heard 'er!''
Yorktown smiled faintly, expression retaining its grim tinge. She was lucky to have such friends.
Now, time to find her bullheaded sister before she got herself into trouble once again.
X-x-X
Many hours passed.
The assembled group of Ship-Girls hunted all over the base for Enterprise, and when nobody could find her they fanned out – searching the seas around the base. At first they all ran with the assumption that she surely couldn't have gotten far... but as they continued exploring they began to realise they may've underestimated Enterprise a touch, as the star carrier couldn't be found even with the aid of Cleveland and her sister's radar, nor Yorktown and Hornet's planes.
Thus, Vestal soon had to call in a favour from none other than Belfast. To her credit the head maid accepted the request for help without even thinking about her other duties, rallying some of her more discreet maids and spreading out throughout the nearby areas as well, hoping to widen their search area better. However even with their aid, their search was unfortunately bore no fruit either.
''Haah...''
Cleveland sighed, the hissing of water and howling of the wind the only sounds to join it. Fatigue ached at her body but she stubbornly ignored it, continually sailing forth. Next to her was Montpelier, and further back was Hornet – the three of them forming a small task force to search up to the north. Yorktown had went away with Belfast and Edinburgh to search south, whilst Vestal was searching off to the east with Columbia and Denver as well.
Night had fallen though, which meant much more limited visibility – though their one saving grace was the clear skies, giving them some moonlight to work with. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing. The sentiment wasn't shared by Hornet, who had grown increasingly grumpy the longer their search stretched, in part thanks to her lack of sleep and mounting worry. Cleveland didn't blame her; she imagined she herself would get quite prickly if one of her beloved sisters went missing and she was running on minimal sleep.
Cleveland frowned, gazing up at the looming moon. 'Why'd you go, Enterprise? What's so important you had to just up and run?'
She thought for a second before mentally hitting herself, chastising herself for not checking on the carrier when she was recovering and being a better comrade. She wasn't the closest with Enterprise – they knew each other and were sorta-friends – but that wasn't an excuse. She should've at least checked on the carrier to make sure she was doing alright. Heck, even if Vestal turned her away and told her she wasn't taking visitors, at least making the effort might've made an impact on Enterprise, to know that people were worried about her.
'Though I imagine Yorktown does enough worrying for everyone anywa-'
Her thoughts came to an abrupt halt as she felt a mental push in her mind. Something had come up on her radar.
Cleveland immediately sent out another ping, and less than a few seconds later she got a ping in return.
''I've got something!'' Cleveland shouted out – startling Montpelier and nearly making her trip over her own feet. ''North-east, about four and a half miles out! Bearing forty-five degrees right!''
An affirmative shout came from her sister-ship, and Hornet shook off her fatigue and sailed after them with renewed vigour – the three of them making their way into the darkness of the night. The water frothed beneath their heels as they kicked up wakes, multiple more pings coming from both her and Montpelier as they activated their own radars, honing in on Enterprise's signature. In truth it was something of a surprise they hadn't detected her sooner, especially considering how often they had been using it. A strange oddity.
However any such thoughts soon fled Cleveland's mind, the blonde vigorously shaking her head before refocusing on her task. Minutes bled by in painful silence, their radar pings only growing more frequent as they closed the distance. Four miles. Three and a half. Three. Two. Then one.
When they were within a mile the night's darkness failed to mask their target any longer; their eyes adjusting enough to make out the still form standing stiff in the middle of the ocean. Enterprise.
Gradually Cleveland slowed down as did Montpelier, the two of them spreading out around the unmoving carrier, when Hornet took the chance to speak.
''Oi, Enterprise!'' The blonde carrier sailed right past Cleveland, exasperated irritation on her face. ''What the heck are you doing all the way out here?! We've been looking for you all day! And night!''
Enterprise didn't answer, staring off somewhere in the distance.
''Enterprise! Hey, answer-!''
THUM-!
With a low thrum a golden arrow abruptly appeared out of nowhere and shot past Hornet's face, missing by a scarce few inches and splashing into the ocean behind her, dissipating upon contact.
''...eh?'' Hornet didn't seem to fully register it for a second, disbelief clearly visible. ''Oi...''
''Leave.'' Enterprise's words were softly-spoken and almost monotone, her gaze fixated somewhere past Hornet.
''Leave...?'' Hornet repeated, disbelief changing – irritation resurfacing in rapid motion. ''Like hell I will! You don't get'ta bust out the window of the hospital and just bail on us like that! You're still injured, ya think ya can just go and hunt Sirens out of the blue?!''
Enterprise said nothing, still staring at some distant point past Hornet. Cleveland glanced over to check, but saw nothing but endless ocean.
The silver-haired carrier's words, however, snapped Cleveland's eyes right back onto her.
''None of this is real.'' Enterprise declared with eerie calmness. ''You aren't real. None of you are. Even if you don't know it.''
Hornet stiffened. ''...what?''
''This is all just another Siren simulation. All of you are AI, built to talk and act like the real versions.'' Enterprise explained in a matter-of-fact tone. ''Sorry for firing at you though. You probably don't even realise what your predecessors did. Or successors. Not sure which one of you is which.''
A beat of weighty, shiver-inducing silence.
''...this is a good time to tell me you're joking, Enterprise.''
Enterprise said nothing. Instead she held out her right hand, and in a flash of light her oversized black bow manifested into her hand. Then with ominous slowness she raised it, a golden arrow manifesting into her hand as she notched it – and pointed it straight at Hornet.
The lapping waves seemed to fall silent in the ensuing stare-off.
''...I won't fall for your tricks again.'' Enterprise said softly. ''You may have her face, but you're not the real Hornet.''
Wind blew Hornet's hair about, failing to hide the rising anger in her green eyes. ''I'm as goddamn real as they come, Enterprise. I don't know what shit the Sirens did to your head, but we're all real – every one of us. And don't you dare insult them by saying they're like those fakes the Sirens spit out and use like fodder against us!''
Enterprise slowly shook her head. ''Even now, you can't accept it.''
A flash, and Hornet manifested her own rigging. ''Shut it. You're coming back to base; even if I have to beat you up to do so.''
Behind the blonde carrier Cleveland tensed up, grimacing as she armed her own cannons. Montpelier did the same, the slow churning of their rigging audible in the stifling silence of the open ocean.
Enterprise tilted her head slightly, not taking her eyes of Hornet. ''...if that is what it takes to dissuade you, then so be it. Just know I won't show mercy.''
''Tough talk from someone stuck comatose just a couple days ago.'' Hornet fired back, raising her rigging
A heavy silence descended upon the assembled group.
Until the roar of an aircraft rotor suddenly shattered it.
Cleveland snapped her head up, alarm filling her as she managed to make out the patchwork frame of a Dauntless dive bomber – one soaring straight down towards them. Not a second after she spotted it the machine guns on-board opened fire, bright flashes preluding the bullets that spat up small columns of water in front of her. The cruiser gasped in surprise and raised her arms, a harsh wince twisting at her visage as multiple tiny gashes tore open across her arms, the bullets mostly bouncing off her armour-like skin before the aircraft passed overhead.
Click.
Cleveland's eyes widened and acted on instinct, kicking off of the water and leaping aside. It proved to be the right call as not a second later a bomb dropped right where she had been standing, plunging down into the water before detonating beneath the waves – kicking up a pillar of seawater that soaked her, but mercifully did little more than leave her coughing in surprise.
Instinctively the blonde triggered her radar, sending out a ping and detecting the Dauntless curving back around in a wide arc, clearing intending to do another gun-run. Immediately she raised her anti-air guns, eyes squinted as she gazed through the harsh spray of saltwater. She barely made out the darkened frame of the aircraft, the moonlight glinting off of the shattered cockpit glass. That was enough for her; mentally calculating the distance and speed as she primed her guns – and then fired.
Only to hit nothing.
Instead of going straight for her the Dauntless did a sudden barrel roll and banked a sharp left, and went for Hornet. The blonde was busy shouting something at Enterprise, halfway through leaping back to avoid a golden arrow and unable to see it coming at her from behind. She most certainly heard it though, her head already twisting around to face the roaring engine.
Until a dozen blasts of flak polluted the sky behind Hornet, courtesy of Montpelier – forcing the patchwork Dauntless to abort its attack, sharply ascending up into the sky before curving away, dodging several more anti-air bursts as it gained some distance.
''Thanks!'' Hornet shouted, landing on the surface of the water. ''So that's how it's gonna be, huh?!''
With a flash Hornet manifested a golden arrow of her own, notched it and fired. Enterprise narrowed her eyes and tilted her body to the side, passively dodging the arrow and twitching when it flashed behind her, transforming into multiple Wildcat fighters. They formed into a three-man formation and curved around, engines roaring as they went straight for the sole Dauntless bomber.
Hornet however didn't wait to see what would happen. Instead she notched another arrow – and cursed as she leapt aside, avoiding an arrow from Enterprise herself. The arrow splashed harmlessly down into the water but Hornet didn't let up, growling as she returned fire. Her arrow soared with pinpoint accuracy, yet Enterprise once again dodged it with barely a few inches to spare, simply tilting her body out of the way and sailing backwards.
BOOM!
Multiple shells hailed down on the silver-haired carrier, courtesy of Cleveland and Montpelier – the shells meant more to distract than to truly hurt. Enterprise remained unphased by the pillars of water that erupted around her however, instead opting to dig her heels into the water – and then suddenly change course, rushing Hornet. The sudden rush was accompanied by a loud, distracting roar that came from above; and when Hornet dared to glance she made out the form of another Dauntless dive bomber.
'When the hell did she launch that?!'
There was no time to think. Hornet gritted her teeth as bullets spat into the water around her, tearing into her clothes and forming slight gashes on her skin but no more. The bomb however was more dangerous, forcing her to suddenly change direction and leap aside – but was startled to find a golden arrow already hurtling for her.
''Gh-?!''
It pierced through the side of her stomach, going straight out the back without stopping. Hornet landed and stumbled, shocked – and was unprepared for the second Dauntless bomber to curve back around. She sensed it through her fighters before she saw it, and with gritted teeth she raised her hand formed a finger-gun, firing another arrow up into the sky and willing it to transform into more Wildcat fighters. The aircraft opened fire upon the incoming Dauntless bomber but failed to down it, only a scarce few sparks lighting up the aircraft's frame as it performed sharp evasive manoeuvres.
The gunfight however helped light the aircraft up for Cleveland and Montpelier. More bursts of anti-air fire erupted in the sky, the clouds of black smoke soon joined by the glaring beams of searchlights. The patchwork form of the Dauntless was perfectly illuminated until it ascended higher, narrowly outpacing the fighters on its tail. The second Dauntless wasn't able to aid its ally either, courtesy of the numerous bursts of flak and gunfire.
However, Enterprise was far from limited to her planes.
Something Hornet was bitingly reminded of as another golden arrow shot past her. She spat out a curse, raising her rigging just in time to deflect another arrow that came a mere second after the first – the force behind it jolting her back a half-step, the arrow dissipating into glowing motes of light. As it turned out however it was merely a stalling tactic, and when she peered out past her rigging she found Enterprise a mere few feet away.
Then faster than she thought possible, her sister swung her arm out and hit her – and hit her hard.
''Gah-!'' Hornet was sent stumbling back and clutching at her stomach, coughing. ''S-Shit!''
Steel glinted in the midnight and Hornet raised her rigging, blocking Enterprise's bow – the silver-haired carrier using her bow like an oversized dagger. Their weapons rattled and clanked together, both warring in a contest of physical strength. With only one arm on her rigging Hornet knew she was losing, but didn't dare release her stomach less she weaken her stance.
That became a non-concern however as multiple golden arrows appeared out of thin air around Enterprise, all of them hovering and pointed down at her. Hornet's eyes widened and she barely had the air to curse before they fired upon her with twin, synchronised booms. One pierced into her shoulder and drew blood whilst the second cut her underarm, narrowly missing the tendon by less than an inch; still managing to cut the skin regardless.
''Mn-!'' Her shock also allowed Enterprise to get past her guard, stabbing her in the thigh with the sharp edge of her bow.
Multiple booms echoed, and Enterprise suddenly leapt back. Montpelier's shells splashed into the water past Hornet and the blonde coughed as she got some of the water in her mouth, but didn't dare shut her eyes lest she lose sight of Enterprise. Something that proved to be a wise decision, as Enterprise suddenly twisted to the left and raised her bow, aiming for Cleveland's unguarded side. In the dark Hornet struggled to see the cruiser, but Enterprise most certainly did.
''Cleveland, watch-!''
Boom, an arrow flew. Cleveland twisted mid-way, crying out in surprise when the arrow pierced her left turret base and blew it up in a shower of fire and shrapnel. Montpelier shouted in alarm but Enterprise was already moving on, her bow taking aim at Montpelier's back.
'Oh no you don't!'
Two Wildcat fighters aborted their chase on the Dauntless, opening fire. It was a wide spray that missed Enterprise by a dozen metres, but the spray of water helped distract the carrier – making her head jerk towards the planes. Hornet took full advantage, launching an arrow of her own that raced for Enterprise's side. It struck true-
-or so Hornet thought.
Instead Enterprise grunted and jerked to the side as if physically struck, but the golden arrow shattered on impact with her side. At the same time part of Enterprise's bow shattered into tiny pieces, losing the sharp tip at the base as it was left a blunted stub.
'The hell?' Hornet could only stare in disbelief.
Enterprise looked over at her, holding her gaze for a second. Then in a flash she raised her bow, a golden arrow already forming and forcing a curse from Hornet's lips as she twisted to the side, avoiding the inevitable arrow. Once more however Enterprise took her by surprise, this time by raising her bow straight up and firing – allowing the golden arrow to transform into a pair of Wildcat fighters. Beaten up and looking like they'd seen better days, but the airframes were unmistakable.
The two aircraft roared down at her, machine guns rounds peppering the sea in front of her and putting holes in her coat, several puncturing small holes in her skin. Hornet endured it, firing an arrow up at one and taking a small chunk out of its side, but missing her intended target of the wing. The Wildcats didn't curve back around for her though, instead they soared straight up towards the currently-evading Dauntless still dipping and diving to avoid the four Wildcats on its tail.
A distant explosion drew her eye – and Hornet grinned as she saw the other distant Dauntless finally get hit by Montpelier's anti-air fire, going down in a plume of flames before crashing into the ocean in a spray of white foam.
''Hah, keep it up Cleveland!'' Hornet shouted through her radio, aiming at Enterprise. ''Leave her to me!''
''You got it!''
Two explosions wiped the grin off Hornet's face, a grimace replaying it as she felt two of her own fighters get suddenly destroyed – courtesy of the two Wildcats that Enterprise fired. Almost subconsciously she controlled them, sending the remaining two into evasive turns whilst the two near sea level lined Enterprise up in their sights; a hail of gunfire marking trails across the lapping waves.
Enterprise turned, a golden arrow firing from just over her head and piercing through the frontal engine of one – immediately setting it ablaze and sending it corkscrewing down into the ocean. The second one soared right overhead, sending Enterprise's hair fluttering in the process. Hornet didn't miss the opportunity presented to her and fired another arrow above Enterprise.
Or so she intended; a stray burst of machine-gun fire hitting her side, and making her flinch.
Causing the Dauntless she arrow she fired to transform into a Dauntless... and soar straight at Enterprise, instead of above her.
BOOM!
The aircraft collided with Enterprise head-on, erupting into a massive plume of flame. High winds were kicked up from the gust and blew past Hornet, deepening the bitter grimace on her face – a harsh expletive fleeing her lips.
It'd take more than a kamikaze attack to take down Enterprise, but given how sick she was... the thought made her gut churn.
Much like how the flames ahead of her churned and roared, the oil contained within the plane keeping the fire burning atop the water. Chunks of aircraft began to dissipate and fade, the oil and other fluids slower to disappear, prolonging the fire for that bit longer-
-when the fire was parted by a golden arrow.
There was no time to dodge. It went into her stomach and out of her back, the pain sharp and incendiary in its ensuing punch. Hornet stumbled back with a breathless wheeze, clutching at her stomach with her free hand, her gaze locked onto her wound. She was punished for that, the blunt edge of a bow hitting the side of her head and sending her onto her side, darkness mottling her right eye and blurring her left. Yet with stupid, stubborn determination she pushed herself up, barely able to wobble up onto one knee.
With squinted eyes Hornet gazed up at Enterprise, finding her to be standing right before her. From the edge of her vision she could make out the forms of Cleveland and Montpelier, shouting and firing up at the sky as four more Dauntless bombers assaulted them. In the back of her mind she wondered where they had come from; Enterprise surely hadn't launched them, and neither had she.
However she soon realised she wouldn't be getting any answers as Enterprise levelled a golden arrow at her face.
''...feh.'' Hornet coughed, glaring up at her expressionless sister. ''Not even a scratch, huh?''
Enterprise stared back, nigh-emotionless. Aside from some singe marks on her jacket and shirt, she was remarkably unharmed. Scarily so. Not even she could take a literal aircraft to the face and walk away so unharmed. Yet as Hornet gazed up at her sister she noticed her bow was more damaged than before; deep cracks lancing up the side of it.
Hornet gritted her teeth. ''Go on then... Mn, do it. If you think I'm a damn fake, kill me.''
Enterprise was silent.
''Do it!'' Hornet shouted angrily. ''I'm not real, right?! So just shoot me!''
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Her own heartbeat sounded so much louder, and through her connection to her planes, she realised all of Enterprise's ones had suddenly disappeared.
And then, Enterprise lowered her bow.
''...I can't.''
Hornet hung her head, chuckling mirthlessly. ''Well ain't that good to hear...''
She coughed roughly, antagonising the wound in her stomach and making the pain flare, pulling a groan out of her throat. Dimly she was aware of Cleveland and Montpelier surrounding them, all guns pointed at Enterprise, but the carrier just stood still staring down at Hornet's kneeling frame.
''Mn... gimme a hand, will you?'' Hornet asked stiffly, cracking a tight grin up at her sister.
Once more Enterprise stared for a long few seconds – until with a flash her cracked bow disappeared. She extended her slim, pale hand and Hornet took it, feeling how surprisingly firm Enterprise's grip was as she was hauled up to her feet. The position worsened the pain and she hunched over with a groan, unconsciously leaning on Enterprise. The silver-haired carrier didn't make a sound of protest, stoic as she held her.
''So uh...'' Cleveland awkwardly spoke. ''We good now? No more aerial drive-bys?''
Hornet chuckled, wincing at the action. ''Mn, yeah. Call ahead for Vestal. This dummy gets to carry me. Ain't that right, Miss I'm-Gonna-Run-Away?''
Enterprise said nothing, but the faint quirk of her lips told of her amusement, and the remorse that flashed in her eyes spoke the apologies she didn't verbalise.
Hornet reassured her with a silent grin. She knew there'd be hell to pay when they got back to base – no way the radars didn't detect all the activity. Enterprise might even get in real trouble, and perhaps she deserved it for attacking her own allies.
But in Hornet's eyes, she saw no malice or mischief in Enterprise's stiff visage.
Instead, all she saw was a girl who was lost in the abyss.
And she was going to make damn sure she pull her out of it.
[END]
A/N: And thus, more of Enterprise's mysteries start to come to light~ And some that'll be explored more in the next chapter too~
Also, as a rule of thumb for this fic there won't be too much 'magic' - at least not the sort seen in Whispers of Saturn - but rather some extensions of current abilities. I'm sure you can guess where that might lead~
Anyway, see you next time in Chapter 6: Endless Ocean~
Preview:
It gave her shivers. It honest-to-god made Vestal shiver.
She knew Enterprise was strong. She was their star carrier for a reason.
But to be in such a terribly wounded state, and beat Hornet – a very skilled carrier – whilst suffering minimal injuries? It was unfathomable. Akin to hearing how someone with two broken arms beat up a heavyweight boxer, it just didn't make sense.
It also left her with an ominous question. If this was how good Enterprise was in a wounded state...
...what would she be like when she was fully healed, and her rigging perfectly repaired?
'...perhaps the Sirens knew what a threat she'd become.' The thought struck Vestal.
'Or perhaps... they wanted to make her into one...?'