A/N: Welcome back~ Time to see what Enty has tucked away in her ship, eh~?
Enjoy~
Stardust
Chapter 8: Refractions
The slow, methodical ticking of the clock resonated throughout the hospital room, undisturbed by anything else.
Enterprise listened to it in silence, back to the wall and hands folded in her lap. It was night by now; the sun long having set beyond the horizon and calling many back to their beds. Not that Enterprise found herself doing the same; she'd long since gotten used to running on little sleep, perhaps to the point that sleeping for more than a handful of hours felt unnatural. Thus whilst others laid snug in their beds, she spent her time staring at nothing, waiting for the morning to come.
Of course even then she didn't get peace. The slightest gust would snap her eyes over to it, wary of an illusion. A creaking of wood would make her tense, prepared for an ambush. A groaning pipe would have her glancing at the ceiling and walls, wondering if something was about to burst through, and if she needed to take cover. Paranoid thoughts that circled her mind endlessly, and unintentionally staved off the boredom, albeit not in a pleasant manner.
'...then again...' The carrier frowned.
Something else was bothering her. Specifically... how the simulation was progressing so far. Anomalies had shown up already; the most recent one being Belfast. The maid hadn't shown up in past ones all that often. Sure, she was there, but rarely so involved. The subtle change was enough to inspire Enterprise's interest, doubly so because Belfast herself wasn't involved in fighting her – instead it was Hornet and the Cleveland-class girls. So it couldn't be that the Sirens were pitting her against a new foe.
Yet she couldn't wrap her head around why she was suddenly involved. What changed? Was there some clue she was oblivious to? Was it meant to lull her into a dangerous daze, making her easier prey for a betrayal? In fact, could it be that they intended to use Belfast as a red herring, to draw her attention onto and leaving her oblivious to a more dangerous threat? Was she a cog in a bigger plan, or the king piece itself?
Too many possibilities, too many risks. Even after all this time she'd only gotten marginally better at anticipating the Siren's actions.
'...perhaps, I could relax for once...? They seem realistic enough...' Enterprise dared to think, screwing her eyes shut. '...no. The real ones are still out there. I just... I just need to keep looking. I'll find them one day. I can't give up now.'
Enterprise was snapped out of her morose thoughts however as the door clicked open. She jolted, eyes flickering up in alarm – only to relax slightly as she laid eyes on the familiar face of Hornet. The blonde had poked her head into the room, one hand on her tilted hat and a curious quirk to her brow, wiggling it questioningly. Reading her sister flawlessly Enterprise just nodded, giving Hornet permission to enter. Which the blonde did with her usual swagger,
''You alright?'' The carrier questioned lightly, but there was a subtle undertone of softness that had been showing up more and more recently.
Enterprise wondered if her sister was starting to see through her. She was always good at that.
''Mm.'' The silver-haired carrier responded, shrugging. ''Just thinking.''
Hornet made a thoughtful sound, meandering over and plonking herself down into the guest chair. By now most of her wounds had healed, largely courtesy of Vestal's efforts, though she was still being held for another day or two to make sure things were in perfect shape. The blonde didn't have many protests, since it effectively meant two free days off, and with Vestal being in charge she could get a bit of leeway in what she could do. It was essentially an unofficial vacation.
Thus she wasn't surprised when Hornet pulled out a bottle of alcohol from her jacket, flashing her a cheeky grin and hefting it up, offering. After a second of thought Enterprise shrugged an agreement, seeing no harm in it. To her amusement Hornet even had two shot-glasses with her, tugging said glasses out of a secret coat pocket.
The slow glugging of the alcohol filled the air, the amber liquid pouring itself down until it sloshed to a stop, and then Hornet filled the second glass too, leaving both filled up to the rims.
''Cheers.'' Hornet cheekily said, lifting her glass.
Vaguely amused Enterprise accepted the other glass, lifting it half-heartedly and taking a drink. It burned on the way down but she didn't cough; holding the reflexive action back so she could savour the burning taste. Whiskey, she recognised. The slight burnt wood taste, the burn, the warmth...
It'd probably been years since she'd had it. She missed it.
''Ahh, that's the stuff~'' Hornet rasped out, grinning as she plonked her glass down onto the wooden bedside table. ''Hits the spot, don't it?''
''Mm.''
Hornet just grinned, undeterred by her subdued response and pouring herself another shot. ''By the way, you ever gonna tell me how you did that weird trick? When I hit you and you didn't get a scratch? Would be handy to know.''
Enterprise lifted a brow, slight surprise colouring her expression. Then she took a moment to think on it, a slow hum arising from her lips. She supposed it wouldn't hurt; the Sirens already knew how she did it. Telling a clone wouldn't change anything.
''I transfer the damage.'' Enterprise said quietly, lifting her glass up and taking a quick drink. ''Instead of me getting hit, the damage goes to my rigging. Too much damage, the rigging breaks. But it keeps me alive.''
''Eh?!'' Hornet leaned forward, immense interest clear. ''How'd the hell ya do that?!''
''It's complicated.'' Was Enterprise's lame answer.
''Try me.'' Hornet was undeterred, a steely glint in her eyes.
Seeing that Enterprise puffed out a breath, extending her glass. Hornet had it refilled within the second. Neither spent a second to care whether or not she should even be drinking alcohol.
''When I fight.'' Enterprise began. ''I can summon my ship form briefly. Only for a moment. But it's enough to protect me, to 'redirect' the damage to my hull and not my body. Since my hull is gone in the next instant, the damage is transferred to the only part of it still present; my rigging. Think of it like summoning a shield around me.''
''And you can do this until you're rigging breaks?''
''...pretty much.'' Enterprise agreed after a second of thought. ''It works offensively too, since I can launch planes off it in the brief instant it's there. Lets me take opponents off-guard, since they're not expecting me to attack from above. That, and I can set it up so they can't dodge both me and the plane.''
Hornet's eyes all but sparkled in awe and excitement. ''Seriously?! Is that how you caught Cleveland off-guard with those planes?!''
''No.'' Enterprise shook her head slightly, silver hair swaying from the movement. ''I wasn't lying. I just had them stall in the air for as long as they could. If they got detected by radar, I'd just make them disappear so whoever did it thought it was a fluke. Makes scouting easier.''
The blonde carrier leaned back into her chair, pouring herself a glass with a stupid look on her face – jolting out of her shock only when she spilled some whiskey on her thigh, cursing under her breath and reaching for some tissues. Enterprise smiled faintly at the sight, downing the last of her glass. It wasn't the first time she'd told a clone about her 'trick', a trick that she hadn't failed to notice was completely unheard of amongst Ship-Girls.
Even in simulations it was unheard of. But to her it was natural. She hadn't acquired it suddenly; the knowledge of how to do it came after numerous desperate circumstances and life-or-death moments, and it took many more to refine her skill in using it to the point it was. Even then she knew she still had room to improve; ways to decrease the miniscule time to even smaller windows, perhaps to the point of never even needing to summon it in the first place.
As it stood, her hull appeared and disappeared so quickly many would struggle to even see it unless they were actively looking for it; a very literal blink-and-you'll-miss it. But to the Sirens, who could see such lightning-quick motion? It wasn't fast enough.
The numerous holes in her hull spoke of that.
As if jinxed by the thought, Enterprise felt her hull stir. Located down at the docks as it was, the innate connection she shared with it allowed her to feel the slow plodding of heels across her internal hallways, meandering but cautious. She shut her eyes and tried to focus on the feeling, straining her connection to her metallic half, but she couldn't visualise whom the heels belonged to.
Only the plodding of heels registered in her mind...
...and the fluffy brushing of fox tails across the metal walls, trailing behind their footsteps.
'…I see.' Enterprise opened her eyes.
She supposed it was only expected of Akagi. A woman who was a friend, an enemy, a rival, a megalomaniac, a caring protector – depending on what course this simulation took, she would either become a mad tyrant, or a benevolent guardian.
She hoped it was the former.
It made it easier to put her down when the time came.
''How about we take a walk.'' Enterprise suggested, swinging her legs over the edge of her bed. ''We can look at the stars from my deck; I just need to check some things inside first.''
Hornet, still wrapping her mind around the new revelations, could only agree in startled confusion. ''A-Ah? Sure...''
X-x-X
''Are you sure about this, nee-sama...?''
''Of course I am. Just keep an eye out, Kaga-chan~''
Kaga flushed lightly and murmured an agreement, peering around them. The docks were exposed even at night time, a string of lampposts lining the length of the dock, worn and rusting as they were. The two Kitsune carriers carefully walked around the circles of light in the hopes of reducing the chances of being seen, their meandering pace silent aside from the dull click of their heels.
Their target, naturally, was the massive carrier resting next to the dock. Even in the dark Enterprise's hull looked distinctly imposing; if anything the darkness made it seem more foreboding and menacing, wreathed in shadows as if truly the Grey Ghost from legends. Akagi shook off the thought as it came to her, dismissing it from her mind and turning her gaze onto the walkway still lowered down onto the docks. A small fence had been set-up to stop anyone from climbing onto it, and it spoke of how few were eager to anger Vestal that nobody had yet scaled it just to get a peek at the interior of Enterprise's hull.
Naturally Akagi had no problems lifting the fence and moving it aside, the slight clank it made the only sound aside from the lapping waves. Sparing one more cautious look around them the brunette Kitsune began to ascend, feeling the walkway creak beneath her unsteadily. She glanced at it warily but when it creaked no more she continued her ascent, not daring to hold onto the railings lest they give way beneath the slightest touch.
''...hm...''
Akagi frowned as she reached the top of the walkway, peering inside the hull itself. It was dark and unlit, predictably, but... something felt off. There wasn't any real words to describe it other than instinct, but something within her felt uneasy. Like knowing you were being watched, but unable to decipher where. She looked around to be sure but saw nobody, and the feeling didn't abate even when she stepped inside the unlit hallway.
''Nee-sama.'' Kaga spoke up. ''Do you feel...?''
''Mm.'' Akagi hummed slowly, igniting a fire in her hand and casting them in an orange glow. ''We may not be the only ones here. Guard up. I'd rather not startle someone and cause friendly-fire.''
Kaga grunted an agreement, the subtle tensing of her shoulders the only indication of her preparedness. Akagi smiled thinly at that and began to walk down the long hallways of the aircraft carrier, but didn't make it more than a few metres before she found an obstacle – one in the form of a hole in the floor. Losing her smile and lifting a brow the carrier leaned forwards, peering down into the hole and illuminating it as best as she could, amplifying her fire slightly to see better.
'Hm...' Akagi inspected the hole intently. 'Too narrow for a bomb... perhaps, plunging fire? From a Battleship...?'
Whatever ship had enough firepower to punch through several floors from such a range could only be of Siren origin... and a powerful one at that.
Making mental note of that Akagi stepped over the hole, having to hop slightly to cross the gap. Behind her Kaga followed, the duo making their way down the long hallway – only to have to make a right turn, as the rest of the hallway ahead was too damaged to progress. Thus Kaga took the lead, her blue flame flickering in her palm and casting ominous blue light across the dirty and scorched steel walls of the hull.
''What are we looking for?'' Kaga inquired evenly, not looking back.
''Nothing in particular.'' Akagi admitted. ''Truthfully, had Enterprise captured or integrated any Siren technology, it would be in a vital compartment of some kind, not in any old room. As far as I would assume, that is.''
Kaga hummed. ''But we don't exactly know the layout of Enterprise.''
''Then we'll just have to hope for the best.'' Was Akagi's merry reply.
Grunting an agreement Kaga slowed as she neared an intersection, looking left and right. Long hallways stretched both ways, the darkness so absolute that it was impossible to see more than a few feet. Even with their flames providing some light it didn't penetrate far enough to do much, and if anything made things a touch more unsettling, as the slightest flicker of fire sent writhing shadows dancing along the walls and floors.
''...Kaga...''
''Hm?'' Kaga tilted her head. ''What is it?''
''Leave.''
''Leave?'' Kaga looked back at Akagi, frowning.
Akagi blinked at her. ''What is it?''
Kaga opened her mouth, shut it, then looked around. Nobody else was around.
''...it's nothing.'' She finally decided, taking a right.
The slow clank of their heels against metal rung throughout the narrow corridor, the gentle roaring of their flames the only other thing audible. To Kaga however she couldn't shake off the feeling of being watched, a strange tingling in her ear and forcing her to constantly look around, the sound gnawing at her focus.
''...it's over...''
''...go...''
''...your last chance...''
''...fine. Be that way.''
''Are you alright, Kaga?''
Kaga nearly jumped as Akagi laid a hand on her shoulder. She contained the reflexive action only barely, instead stiffly tilting her head towards her sister-ship. ''Of course.''
''You don't look it then.'' Akagi loftily commented. ''Something's unnerved you.''
Kaga went quiet, looking around them... before discreetly whispering. ''Don't you hear it?''
Akagi's eyes narrowed. ''...I don't. But I feel something amiss, indeed.''
Kaga's lips thinned silently in response. The uneasy feeling within her was growing, as if standing within Enterprise's hull was a feat worthy of a deity's curse. Yet she couldn't begin to comprehend why, her mind failing to come to any reasonable conclusion.
Neither could Akagi, clearly. ''Let's continue. I'll watch from behind; we'll move right until we find something.''
Nodding stiffly Kaga agreed, and once more the two continued on their trek. The faint whispers, so near yet ever so faint, didn't abate but Kaga ignored them this time, pushing any haunting words from her mind and focusing on her task. The long shadows that danced along the walls nearly left her flinching but she restrained the urge, focusing on her task – repeating the concept in her mind like a mantra, keeping her cool.
And soon it paid off, as they came across a bulkhead – one marked in particular. The citadel of the ship; specifically, the command room. Kaga looked back at her brunette sister, and with a building grin Akagi stepped past her and cracked open the heavy bulkhead door.
A soft red glow filled the corridor as a result, wiping the grin from Akagi's face.
''...what... is that...?''
To that Kaga had no reply. The command centre was beaten up and worn, but none of the broken machines or navigational equipment truly drew the eye. Rather, it was the object at the far end of the room that encapsulated the brunette's attention.
A thick black cone arose from the metal floor, several black rings around the cone's length. Crimson streaks ran along them horizontally, whilst a blue tip laid at the top of the cone itself – and above that was a glowing scarlet Wisdom Cube. It pulsed as it floated, the irregular beats not entirely unlike a heartbeat, and seeming to cause minor sound waves with each pulse; the vibrations tickling Akagi's skin and irritating her fox ears slightly.
''I knew it.'' A slow, wide grin spread across Akagi's face as the fox-woman stepped into the room. ''I knew she was hiding something.''
Kaga slowly stepped inside as well, unable to take her eyes off of it. ''I've never seen such a device before...''
''Nor have I.'' Akagi agreed, soaking in the sight of it – scanning any miniscule detail for a hint of its purpose. As with much Siren technology, however, its sleek appearance gave little away. ''Perhaps some kind of fire-control system? Or a navigational upgrade?''
''Something like that.''
A third voice joined them – startling Kaga enough that she whipped around, multiple shikigami already manifesting between her fingers. ''Y-You-!''
''Grey Ghost.'' Akagi's voice was for once not dripping with derision, but a mixture of awe and curiosity. ''What a pleasure to meet you at last. I hope you've been recovering well.''
Enterprise stood in the doorway, leaning against it and expression neutral. ''Been getting better.''
''Good, good.'' Akagi's smile was sweet as she turned to face her fellow carrier. ''And, forgive my boldness, but would you mind elaborating on what this device here is? And how you managed to get your hands on it so easily?''
''It wasn't 'easy'.'' Enterprise remarked, pushing off of the wall. ''Only got it since they weren't expecting it. As for what it does... well, it makes Mirror Seas.''
The single, almost casually-spoken claim, was enough to draw a double-take from both sisters.
''Mirror Seas...'' Kaga repeated the words in disbelief, gaze flickering back to the device.
For years they had been trying to find a way to counter or dispel the time-space distortions that were Mirror Seas. And now Enterprise had the very device mankind had so desperately sought for nearly as long as the war had gone on for.
''Truly?'' Akagi all but brimmed with eagerness; grinning broadly as she gazed over at the Siren machine. ''Magnificent. The advancements that can be made, the technological leaps... I doubt either you nor even I know how far this could take mankind, once the researchers and technicians take it apart and get a good look at-''
''It's not going anywhere.''
…
The silence that followed Enterprise's words was deafening.
''...what?'' Akagi turned slowly back towards Enterprise.
''It's not leaving my hull.'' Enterprise said matter-of-factly, not a trace of emotion on her stoic visage.
''What are you on about?'' Akagi repeated, as if she couldn't believe Enterprise would refuse. ''Don't you understand how groundbreaking such a device would be in the hands of mankind? How much of a difference it could make?''
''It's not leaving here.'' Enterprise reiterated stiffly.
Akagi shook her head, disbelief fast fading – allowing anger to take its place. ''Why?! Has Vestal got you so drugged up to your gills that you can't see reason even as plain as this?!''
Enterprise said nothing in reply, eyes narrowed
The brunette Kitsune glared, smouldering silence filling the tense air between them – until Akagi reached a dangerous conclusion.
''There's nothing stopping us from taking it.'' She noted aloud, tilting her head. ''You're still weak, aren't you? Too weak to put up a fight. If we so desired it we could wrench the device right out of your hull.''
''Nee-sama...'' Kaga warned, uneasy.
''The investigation of this technology could benefit mankind is ways unthought of before now! Save countless lives!'' Akagi barked out. ''And you'd refuse – for what? You're own selfishness?!''
The shout echoed off the cold patchwork walls, the sound taking a good second to fully fade. For a dangerous moment it looked as if Akagi was genuinely about to attack Enterprise, anger burning in Akagi's crimson eyes and the flame in her hands roaring spitefully-
-before she drew a breath, and staved off the temptation.
''Kaga.'' Akagi curtly beckoned.
Kaga quietly obeyed, not protesting and instead silently falling in-line with Akagi. The brunette marched her way out of the room, brushing past Enterprise and sparing the pale woman a scathing look, anger present but restrained enough to not lash out like a child having a tantrum. Though that didn't stop her from sniping out one last infuriated comment.
''The Sirens have changed you.'' Akagi hissed at her. ''No wonder where that famed selflessness of yours went.''
Enterprise flinched hard, jolting back a step. Akagi paid her no more mind however, storming past the carrier and with Kaga quietly on her heels, the two Kitsune women disappearing out of sight within moments. Though not before Kaga slipped a piece of scrap metal into her sleeve, fully intent on 'investigating' it later.
Enterprise however didn't notice it. The words rung in her head, a frightened chill lancing up her spine. The world around her seemed to tilt on its axis and she grabbed at the steel wall behind her, stumbling as she attempted to walk backwards into it.
'Have they...?' Enterprise thought with mounting panic. 'Why would...? Unless...'
'...this is the 'hint' to this simulation?' She thought in horror.
It made sense, in her mind. This entire time she'd been looking for a hint, a key to what she was supposed to do, what the Sirens hoped she would do. Only this time things were different – they were taking advantage of her growing apathy, trying to use it against her. But why? What plans were they concocting behind the scenes, now that she was aware of what they were doing? Or what if they weren't doing that at all, but instead trying to make her believe that was the plan, when it was perhaps something entirely different – a red herring?
''No, no... it's lies...'' Enterprise clutched at her head, moaning. ''I-It's all lies... I... I can't... no...''
She slid down the way, words jumbling out of her mouth as her mind corkscrewed in on itself in a meltdown, the fear of failing so soon driving a wedge of panic deep into her heart.
And unseen by the carrier, Hornet entered the room. The blonde had been waiting for Enterprise up on the flight deck, awaiting her return, but when the carrier was gone for more than the 'few minutes' she promised, she got worried.
And rightfully so, Hornet realised as she gazed at her increasingly-hysteric sister, stunned by the look of pure panic on Enterprise's face – one she had never before seen on her sister's visage.
''Enterprise...'' The name slipped past Hornet's lips almost numbly – until her brain kicked into high gear. ''Enterprise!''
With panic bubbling up her throat the blonde rushed in through the doorway, her boots clanking harshly against the metal floor as she ran and all but slid down to her knees, catching Enterprise just as the silver-haired carrier was about to slide onto her side – sweeping her up in her arms and holding her close.
''What's wrong, I-'' Hornet tried to babble out, but Enterprise's own whispers drew her ears.
''It's lies... it's... it's...''
As she held Enterprise against her chest, hugging her as if to shield her from the world, Hornet felt something wet. It took her a second to realise what it was. Tears.
Enterprise was crying.
Enterprise was crying.
And as her mind turned back to the two fox-women she passed in the corridor, Hornet's mind was consumed by burning, murderous fury.
'Oh you done fucked up now you fucking foxes.'
[END]
A/N: Oh dear, Akagi and Kaga are in trouble now~ Let's hope Hornet doesn't roast them alive~
Poor Enty though; getting triggered and having a panic attack just as she began to think that everyone was oddly realistic and not-robotic~
See ya next time in Chapter 9: Epochal~
Preview:
''Fuckin' foxes.'' Hornet swore. ''Left your honour at midway.''
Kaga's eyes flashed, and in a heartbeat lunged in close-
-before with a loud clang, her blue shikigami clashed up against Hornet's swiftly-summoned rigging, stopping the smaller weapon from striking her throat.
''Don't you dare mention that day.'' Kaga snarled with a fearsome glare.
''Why, not wanna relive it?'' Hornet spat scathingly, glaring right back. ''Because if you want we can re-enact things right now!''