Isaac and Norfolk arrived at the dry docks after a short walk across the port.
"If I didn't know better, I'd say Vengeance's vessel is ready for launch." Isaac spoke softly, as the sun had not yet crested the horizon.
"Actually, Isaac. She is ready. Technically... We just need to get Vengeance linked to her vessel. After that, the Bulins requested to look at the vessel after linking Vengeance to it." Norfolk said.
"Any reason?" Isaac asked.
"They want to see how she changes it." Norfolk explained.
"Change it?" Isaac queried.
"According to our research, Isaac, if a being is linked to a vessel like this, there are bound to be changes to make it more comfortable for the Kansen... or in my case, Siren controlling it." Vengeance explained as she walked up behind Isaac.
Isaac jumped at the sudden introduction of her voice in the humid pacific air.
"Vengeance. It's usually common courtesy to not sneak up on somebody like that." Isaac spoke as he held a hand to his chest.
"I am not a human, Isaac. I have no intention of acting like one." Vengeance spoke bluntly.
"I understand that, but please try not to give me a heart attack. I have enough of your friends trying to end my life." Isaac deadpanned.
"They are not my friends, Isaac. Do not get it confused. They may be the same in terms of species, but I hold no value in their lives... not anymore." Vengeance spoke angrily.
"Yeah... about that..." Isaac said, venting his collar.
"You are about to give me bad news." Vengeance stated.
"Graf Zeppelin has captured Observer Zero." Isaac spoke.
"And?" Vengeance asked as she cracked her knuckles, causing Norfolk to step between her and Isaac.
"She has surrendered to our forces in exchange for not being killed." Isaac said, earning a huff from Vengeance.
"So I can't kill her then?" Vengeance asked.
"I will allow you to do anything you wish to her, so long as you don't kill her." Isaac spoke, seeming relieved to see Vengeance smile.
"I have several things I have wanted to try. And since I can't kill her, I have to ask for clarification." Vengeance spoke.
"She must still be able to provide us with information to back up Norfolk's and your own vast knowledge of the Sirens." Isaac clarified, shuddering at the thought of what Vengeance was thinking.
"She doesn't need a physical body for that." Vengeance said as she cackled silently at her own hellish idea.
"I do not want to know. Just please make sure we can still use her in some capacity." Isaac requested.
"I can do that. Now, let's get this under way. I want to feel the weight of this monstrosity of iron and plating." Vengeance said as she walked towards the gangway.
"I guess we can check on 13 after this." Isaac said as Norfolk nodded.
"13 is still asleep anyway, Isaac. She can meet us here after this." Norfolk stated.
"Alright. So, is there a specific process to doing this, Vengeance?" Isaac asked.
"Yes. But there is nothing you can do to aid it. The Kansen has to quite literally feel the vessel beneath her. If she cannot, she will not bind to the hull." Vengeance said as she stood on the deck of the AL Vengeance.
"So? How does it feel?" Isaac asked.
"Strong. Powerful. As one of the beasts found in the folklore of humanity." Vengeance said as Isaac felt the ship hum beneath him.
"It looks like it's taking..." Isaac said as he lifted his foot out of the way of the glowing yellow trail making its way across the deck.
"Of course it is. Something like this is child's play." Vengeance said as she breathed a sigh of relief.
"Is it done?" Isaac asked.
"It is." Vengeance said as Isaac looked her up and down.
"There wasn't as much change as I thought." Isaac said.
"Sorry to disappoint, Isaac." Vengeance said sarcastically.
"No you're not." Isaac jabbed back.
"I know." Vengeance said with a smirk.
"Well, the Bulins have requested that they be given a tour of this vessel, could you oblige them?" Isaac asked.
"You want me to let those demons walk around my hull?!" Vengeance cried.
"They have never seen this before. They may need the knowledge since 13 is about to attempt the same thing." Isaac said.
"I won't be here when they are. Those little gremlins can do whatever, but I won't be a part of it." Vengeance said as she scoffed at him.
"Alright. Fine. But aside from that, how does it feel?" Isaac asked.
"It's structurally sound. Armor is adequate. And the materials used in the construction of the weapons allows me to modify them to my will." Vengeance said.
"That's good. And what about the aircraft side of things? After all, you have a flight deck attached to the ass end of this thing." Isaac spoke, lightening the mood in conjunction with the rising sun.
"It feels... odd. It feels like another gun, nothing out of the ordinary." Vengeance spoke as the three of them went towards the stern of the vessel.
"Wow..." Isaac whispered as he saw up close what the Siren aircraft really was.
The sleek black aircraft formed a triangle with its nose and wings. Vector jets were all over the craft in every 3 dimensional direction. Isaac looked closer and saw what he thought were mounting points for munitions.
"What the hell is this thing?" Isaac asked.
"A Plasma reactor with wings essentially." Vengeance clarified.
"So..." Isaac pondered.
"Basically the craft draws in the surrounding air to form a plasma within the reactor. The craft then uses that plasma to change the trajectory of the aircraft." Vengeance explained.
"Huh... you know... I think I need to go relax for a bit... my head is starting to hurt from all of this." Isaac said.
"You have opened Pandora's box, Isaac. You've tapped into the knowledge of beings that have lived thousands of different timelines. Some when the world was naught but sails and broadside cannons, and some, where even the most up to date methods at your disposal would do little to a destroyer. You have been granted wisdom. This is the cost." Vengeance said as Norfolk looked at Isaac.
"Isaac, your nose." Norfolk spoke as Isaac's white uniform was marred by several blotches of red.
"It's fine... just need to rest for a moment." Isaac said as Norfolk looked at the aircraft.
"It's doing it passively. Isn't it?" Norfolk asked.
"Yeah... I tried to play it up, but theatrics wasn't really my thing. We should probably pull him away from here if we want him to live. That thing is taking the easiest route to form plasma, which is oxygen." Vengeance said as she lifted Isaac onto her shoulder and walked away from the aircraft.
"He isn't getting better..." Norfolk said, her voice now holding a growing concern.
"Those engines are just as ferocious as we are. They will rip oxygen from wherever they can get it, in the highest quantities first. Isaac here just so happened to be rather high up on the list of oxygen rich environments. It probably took all the oxygen from his lungs, making him lightheaded, and from the blood in the lungs. We need to get him to the bow. Thankfully, those craft only draw oxygen in a 10 meter radius, so as long as he stays away when I'm launching aircraft, he should be fine to remain on this vessel in combat." Vengeance said as she looked at the human on her shoulder.
"Are humans always this... dense?" Vengeance asked, feeling the incredible weight of Isaac's body on her shoulder.
"He's not dumb..." Norfolk spoke.
"Not mentally... physically." Vengeance corrected herself.
"Not all from what I've seen. Isaac used to be a full time mechanic, so lifting things and moving constantly would be something that increases his muscle mass." Norfolk explained.
"So this one is special?" Vengeance asked.
"A lot of humans work out, but I have yet to see... or feel one with such a toned figure." Norfolk said with a blush.
"Feel?" Vengeance asked.
"You know... sex. Being with him naked allowed me to see everything he has... and I have to say, none of the Missouri boys or the men in MacArthur's unit can top the man on your shoulder." Norfolk spoke into her folded hands.
"Sex, huh? The act of mating like animals. Is there a benefit?" Vengeance asked.
"Eh. Depends on what you want from it. It feels good, and Isaac is very kind when you want him to be, but he can also be very rough if you ask him." Norfolk spoke, shuddering at the memory of her own first time with Isaac.
"Anything else besides a pleasant feeling?" Vengeance asked.
"I mean... it helps you break the walls needed for proper communication. I mean, talking and communicating while doing... that kinda breaks any inhabitation you might have." Norfolk admitted.
"Hmm. Very well." Vengeance said, seemingly making up her mind on some undisclosed dilemma.
"Hey... can you put me down now?" Isaac asked as he slowly woke up.
"Welcome back. Sorry about that, Isaac. I forgot to mention that those engines take any oxygen they can find... including the stuff in your lungs." Vengeance spoke in an oddly friendly tone.
"Thanks for the warning... I'll be sure not to go near those things." Isaac muttered as Vengeance put him down.
"Now, bring those Bulins here... I might as well chaperone those little hellions, who knows what they'll do if I'm not here." Vengeance said with some discomfort in her voice.
Isaac scratched his still aching head before turning to Norfolk.
"Let's let her relax. I still have to ensure 13 can do the same." Isaac said as Norfolk nodded and led him down the gangway.
Vengeance smiled when she was sure they were gone.
"I might have to invite you over sometime, Isaac. Pick your brain about a few things while... training." Vengeance said, finding her face becoming warm at the thoughts in her head.