A/N: Welcome back~

Time for your weekly dose of Enty angst~

Enjoy~

Stardust

Chapter 13: Try

''What the fuck was that.''

The deep, infuriated voice of Henderson resonated throughout the office, the windows all shut and the doors similarly locked. Barely ten minutes had passed since the end of the should-be spar. A spar that everyone could agree, ended up getting out of hand on both sides.

Enterprise sat in a chair before what technically was the Commander's desk; albeit one not in use, given his current absence. She sat with her hands folded in her lap and her head tilted down, face stoic even as Henderson marched circles around her, his expression furious and visage tightened to the point bulging veins could be seen in his forehead.

''Well?'' Henderson snapped. ''What was that?''

''Akagi started it.'' Enterprise uttered in a monotone.

A hand slapped itself down on the desk, loud in the silence and making her tense on instinct. ''Akagi started it? You aren't a child Enterprise! I don't care if Akagi went out of her way to pick on Yorktown! What you do is call off the spar until the issue is addressed – you do not respond by nearly killing one the Sakura Empire's flagships in full view of one of their ADMIRALS!''

Henderson's voice boomed; the deep, wrathful tone a new one. Never before had she been shouted before by such a voice, not even by the Sirens; instinctively making her sit stiffer, her head bowing a little deeper. It was a voice made for commanding; for barking orders and bellowing chastisements at misbehaving crewmen. And she found herself on the receiving end of it. She didn't like it.

''I... I didn't mean to...''

''Tell that to Admiral Yoshinoya.'' Henderson growled. ''The man's livid and threatening all sorts of diplomatic actions – all because you couldn't think to not retaliate and use common sense instead!''

''It was reflex!'' Enterprise found herself arguing back; a wedge of defiance entering her voice.

''Then clearly you need more self-control!'' Henderson barked back

Enterprise grimaced, looking down. The silence didn't last for more than a few seconds.

''Do you have any idea what your act of carelessness might've caused?'' Henderson grunted harshly. ''You've shown him first-hand proof that the Eagle Union can and might well kill Sakura Empire ships in training exercises, even if by accident. He can use that as an excuse to withdraw all stationed Sakura Empire ships not just from the Eagle Union, but from all other nations. Undo all the work that Azur Lane has done to unite the world against the Sirens.''

''He wouldn't.'' Enterprise argued – but she knew it was a weak one.

A fact proven when Henderson continued. ''He would. Admiral Yoshinoya is many things, but hesitant he is not. Many in the Sakura Empire are still on the fence about this alliance, not least because of their isolationist tendencies – all your act here has done is give them one more reason to withdraw their forces, reducing the Eagle Union's own defences and possibly breaking international ties.''

To that Enterprise had no response; grimacing deeply.

Henderson stared at her hard, burning a hole in her head with his glare alone, before storming behind the Commander's desk and dropping himself into the oversized chair. ''Since the Commander isn't present, I'll be dishing out your punishment.''

''Punishment...?''

Henderson glared icily at her. ''Yes, punishment. I'm not sure if you're familiar with that, what with being ever so popular.''

A flash in her mind. Chained to the wall. A bowed body before her, staring at her wide eyes of terror, tears running as they were forced to look into each other's eyes. Then a snap, and one bone was broken. Then another after that, one following the next as Empress III smirked cruelly behind the sobbing victim.

Humans had around 206 bones in their body. Ship-Girls were the same.

Enterprise learned this fact intimately, as did the victims the Sirens used to demonstrate that fact to her.

She was snapped out of her anxiety-inducing thoughts, however, by Henderson's voice. ''Your punishment will double as a means to reassure the Sakura Empire and convince them to not break off diplomatic ties.''

''One.'' Henderson raised a finger. ''You are hereby forbidden from leaving the base under any circumstance other than a full-blown Siren assault. In the event the Sirens attack the surrounding waters, you are permitted to launch your planes to provide aid, but you are not physically permitted to leave the base. Failure to comply will result in being locked away for a period of time.''

''Two.'' He raised another finger. ''You are not permitted to partake in any spars or exercises henceforth, pending an official permission slip signed by myself and two other admirals that says you can.''

''Three.'' A third finger came up. ''You will wear an ankle-monitor that will constantly monitor your location. Removal of it will also result in being locked away for a period of time.''

''And four.'' Henderson lifted a fourth and final finger. ''Your pay will be docked severely, providing only enough for basic meals and no leisure spending... though I have a feeling you don't particularly care about that, do you?''

Enterprise wisely stayed silent.

''Good.'' Henderson leaned back into his chair. ''See yourself out. Colorado will escort you to the dormitory.''

''I'm currently staying in the hospital.'' Enterprise pointed out.

Henderson narrowed his eyes. ''Did I stutter, Enterprise?''

She stayed quiet.

Slowly Henderson stood up, leaning forwards. ''Do not forget your place, Enterprise. You are a soldier. You take orders. Just because you are powerful does not mean you get to dictate the rules. If you think you can feel free to sail off into the ocean; see how easy it is to survive without a nation backing you up.''

Enterprise's fingers tensed into fists. She wanted to say she did know. She wanted to mention the weeks she spent at sea, floating aimlessly between engagements on surviving on minimum fuel and ordinance with pursuing Siren forces on her tail. She wanted to point out that she'd survived battles few could without repairs in-between. She wanted to say that had survived without a nation backing her up, when the Eagle Union collapsed entirely.

But instead she stayed silent. He wouldn't understand. Few did.

Huffing at her silence Henderson leaned back. ''Get out and do as I say. I don't want to hear about another incident involving you, understood?''

''Yes sir.'' Enterprise quietly said, rising to her feet.

Grunting Henderson waved her off. Seeing that Enterprise departed the room, silent aside from the slow rattle and click of the door; the hinges squeaking as she stepped outside

Colorado was waiting there, standing just to the left and with her arms by her side, eyes guarded. Enterprise met those eyes, head dipping in the slightest of nods and earning one in return. Without a word shared between them Colorado laid a hand on her shoulder, guiding her along the hallway and back down to the ground floor.

Washington was sat in one of the waiting room chairs, hunched forward and resting her chin upon her folded hands. ''How'd it go?''

''...could've been better.'' Enterprise slowly shrugged. ''Not allowed to leave the base, got pay docked, not allowed to spar anymore, and will have to wear an ankle monitor.''

Washington's lips thinned. It was obvious she wanted to say something very unflattering about Henderson, but held her tongue due to Colorado's presence. Whether out of respect for the other woman's loyalties or out of caution, she didn't know.

''C'mon.'' Colorado quietly murmured to her, nudging her shoulder.

Enterprise grunted an affirmative, taking the hint and continuing to walk outside. Washington was swift to follow her, the three of them departing for the dormitory.

X-x-X

Hours passed.

Many people came and went, most coming to see the burning hull and causing much feverish debate. Some even nearly got violent, the Eagle Union girls getting testy with the Sakura Empire counterparts stationed at the base; only for the more level-headed ones to come in and settle any disputes before they could turn ugly. However the mere fact they happened set a dangerous precedent.

Enterprise spent the entire rest of the day in her room. The dormitory walls, once so familiar, felt strangely alien to her now. It'd been so long since she'd truly just sat in her room that it felt more like a stranger's bedroom than her own. The feeling was only amplified by the absence of Yorktown and Hornet, the former currently in the hospital getting treated for her burns whilst Hornet stayed with her, mostly to keep her company.

''Haah...'' Enterprise exhaled a slow breath, forcing the tension out of her body. There was no use worrying; she would be alright.

'But what if she isn't?' A dangerous thought was quick to enter her mind. 'What if they're hiding the damage?'

'They wouldn't.' Enterprise shut her eyes. 'They couldn't.'

Logically she knew the damage couldn't be severe. Despite the kamikaze attack, the fire had been the worst part of it – scorching Yorktown's exterior and undoubtedly blowing some nasty holes in her deck, but ultimately that was it. Out at sea it might've been a dangerous injury, but at port, where she could be doused with water within minutes? It was more bark than bite, in the end. She'd been up and running within a matter of days under Vestal's dutiful care.

Yet that did little to stop the anxiety bubbling up within her. Thankfully however, she was offered a distraction in the form of someone knocking at her door; the slow, repetitive thuds sounding so loud in the silence.

''Come in.'' She called out, shifting more upright, her bed traitorously comfy underneath her.

A quiet click, and the door crept open – allowing a head of pink hair to poke itself inside. ''Hey.''

Saratoga.

''You alright?'' The idol inquired softly, stepping inside the room at Enterprise's gesture.

''...yeah.'' Enterprise looked away after a second, gazing at her knees.

Saratoga clearly didn't believe her, but said nothing. For all her whimsical attitudes and over-exaggerated idol acts, Saratoga was one of the Eagle Union's finest carriers, and one of their oldest too. She had a wicked mind and was far from the silly prankster many mistakenly thought she was. Though personally Enterprise couldn't blame some for thinking that; Saratoga didn't make any real moves to correct their mistaken assumptions.

So Enterprise wasn't entirely surprised when Saratoga eased herself down onto the bed next to her, eyes locked with hers. ''Yorktown's doing alright.''

''I heard.''

Saratoga nodded slightly. ''Just some burn damage. A paint of coat and some extra metal is all she'll need.''

''I know.''

''Then why do you look so wound up then?''

Enterprise grimaced. When she didn't immediately reply Saratoga shifted closer, expelling an exasperated sigh-

-and then yanked Enterprise by her shoulder down onto her lap.

''S-Saratoga?''

The pink-haired carrier just looked vaguely amused. ''Remember when I used to do this with you, back when you used to get all worried over Yorktown? Guess we're doing this again.''

Enterprise's cheeks flushed a light pink, but she didn't pull away. She considered putting up some half-hearted protest but she honestly couldn't muster the urge – not to the mention the position was a familiar, inviting one. It brought her a sense of calm that she had been sorely missing the last few days, as if the whole universe bled away to just leave the two of them alone.

''...y'know, even though I'm always the one pullin' pranks, you seem to be the one causing all the trouble.'' Saratoga's words briefly took on a teasing lilt, but swiftly settled back into a more serious undertone. ''Though that does make me wonder why you did that. To Akagi, I mean.''

Enterprise shifted slightly, but Saratoga carried on before she could formulate a response. ''I mean, don't get me wrong, I'd love to shove a plane down her throat at least once a week, if only to wipe that dumb smirk off of her stupid face, but... still. Why'd you do it?''

''It was reflex.'' Enterprise responded quietly, but when Saratoga didn't immediately reply, clearly waiting, she reluctantly continued. ''...the Sirens put me through simulations. Tests. Akagi became the villain in them more often than not. It gave them a familiar enemy to dangle in front of me, to motivate me. Someone who I couldn't just paint as a black-and-white evil.''

''So when you saw her attack Yorktown, you acted on instinct.''

''Reflex.'' Enterprise softly corrected. ''...Akagi wasn't always the bad guy. She was our friend a lot of times too... just enough times to make sure I was always cautious about her loyalties.''

Saratoga hummed, laying a hand on her head. Enterprise tensed briefly only to relax when the petite carrier ran a hand through her hair, stroking her fingers through it soothingly. She repeated the motion in silence, each subsequent pull of her fingers easing the tension from Enterprise's body, almost ready to be lulled to sleep upon Saratoga's soft thighs. Caution, however, once again kept her awake and aware.

And Saratoga noticed. ''You don't have to be so tense. I'll keep watch.''

Enterprise shook her head. ''I know, I... I know... I just can't.''

Saratoga eyed her closely. ''...how well have you been sleeping?''

She didn't meet the idol's eyes. ''...fine.''

''Gimme a number.''

''...three, four hours. Six at best.'' Enterprise reluctantly admitted.

Saratoga clicked her tongue. ''Does Vestal know?''

''She probably has some suspicions.'' The silver-haired woman replied with a slight, slow shrug. ''She's not mentioned it... but I wouldn't put it past her to realise.''

''Haah~ What am I going to do with you, Enty?'' Saratoga sighed exaggeratedly, bonking her lightly on the head with her knuckles. ''Are you having trouble sleeping?''

She wanted to lie, to say no... but she could never lie to Saratoga.

''...yes.'' Enterprise pushed her face into the shorter carrier's thighs.

Saratoga was quiet, continuing to pet her hair without much comment for nearly a full minute. Yet Enterprise didn't relax; even if she wasn't looking she could feel Saratoga's contemplative expression, the eyes that peered down at her with an intelligence rarely shown outside of the war room. The expression made each second an eternity, dragging out the full minute and leaving her wondering what the other carrier was going to say.

So she was surprised when Saratoga didn't suggest a medication or seeing Vestal – but instead posed another alternative entirely. ''Alright then! Guess I'm staying here with you then!''

''H-Huh?'' Enterprise made to sit up.

Only for Saratoga to push her back down into her thighs, petting her head. ''Don't worry Enty; Sister Sara will take good care of you~! Since Yorktown won't be here, I'll stick around and make sure to chase away all the big bad nightmares, 'kay~?''

She had a feeling she didn't really have much choice in the matter. ''...alright...''

''Sweet~! Now c'mon, let's go pick out a movie! We'll make it a neat movie night!''

''H-Hey, wait- Saratoga?!''

The diminutive carrier didn't reply, grinning cheekily as she hauled the stumbling Enterprise out of the room.

And in the back of her mind, Enterprise realised this was the first time Saratoga had ever done this in any of the simulations.

X-x-X

Meanwhile at the Sakura Empire dormitory, Kaga found herself within her shared bedroom, sitting by the low table quietly sipping some tea.

Memories of the battle she just witnessed was still fresh in her mind. The fire, the viciousness, the sheer killing intent that shined in Enterprise's eyes. It was brief, ever so brief, yet the sheer intensity of it send a spike of terror into her heart. One look was all it took to confirm to her that yes, that nightmare could very well happen. In fact it almost did; Akagi was currently hospitalised and heavily bandaged, and was expected to remain as such for nearly a full week at least, even with Vestal's care.

Which was perhaps part of the reason she had requested Admiral Yoshinoya's explicit presence. Leading to the situation she currently found herself in; sat at a table drinking tea with the strict admiral, a perfectly stoic mask adorned on his visage. Even from so close she couldn't decipher what he was thinking, though she didn't take it personally; many of the admirals in the Sakura Empire were very reserved individuals, unlike the more colourful characters that populated the Ship-Girls of the nation. She'd have better luck reading a rock.

''So.'' Yoshinoya finally broke the silence. ''You say you have a piece of Enterprise's hull.''

''Hai.'' Kaga nodded. ''I acquire it when myself and Akagi-neesama initially ventured into Enterprise's hull.''

Yoshinoya hummed, and at his pointed look Kaga reached into her sleeve, withdrawing the metal. It was nothing special, truly – it was quite literally a lump of metal and no more. However Ship-Girls were far from normal, and even a fragment of their hull could provide scientific interest. The amount of information that could be gleamed varied depending on the method and who was looking, but even if all one caught was a sliver of information, it could be groundbreaking all the same. And in Enterprise's case, may perhaps give them some insight into what she had become.

Kaga laid the piece of metal down onto the low table, watching silently as Yoshinoya picked it up and inspected it. The man spoke after a lengthy silence. ''Does she know of this?''

''I do not believe so.'' The carrier responded. ''If she does, she has made no move to retrieve it. Though I have doubts she would even notice, given its insignificance in the grand scheme of things.''

Yoshinoya nodded. ''It would be easy for Enterprise to forget about it amidst her reconstruction. I shall take this back to the Sakura Empire for analysis promptly.''

Kaga nodded – and then added another titbit. ''I would like to return with you, Admiral.''

The man paused, lifting a brow questioningly.

''Shinano.'' The single word drew a warning look from the admiral. ''She might be able to provide some... insight.''

Admiral Yoshinoya was silent, the slow clatter of china the only sound as he lifted his cup again, taking a tip.

''...you should be wary of slipping information so carelessly.'' Yoshinoya remarked ambivalently. ''Prying ears might think you're referring to something else.''

The implication was clear. Don't let anyone know Shinano is waking up.

''Of course. My mistake.'' Understood.

''Hmph.'' Yoshinoya took another sip of his tea. ''As for your request; granted. I'll leave Zuikaku and Shoukaku here to act as protection for Akagi. Kongou and her sisters will be meeting us tomorrow afternoon to help escort us home. Be by the docks no later than one, understood?''

''Hai, Admiral.''

And though she didn't voice it, Kaga couldn't quite quell the bubble of relief that swelled within her.

Because at least this way, she would be away from the monstrous carrier that resided here.

X-x-X

''So... I know you probably won't like this, but I believe it's the best way to get you on the path to recovery, Enty.''

Vestal's words rung clearly through the quiet hospital room, making it all the clearer to Enterprise. The carrier shifted uncomfortably in her seat, the plush leather chair failing to ease her discomfort even though it was just her and Vestal in the room, the medic sat across from her in a chair of her own. The reason why was simple.

Therapy.

It felt silly. Ridiculous. Stupid. Yet here Enterprise found herself sat, the morning sun barely visible through the drawn-closed blinds to her left. Vestal had been the one to venture to the dorms first thing that morning and propose it, and while Enterprise had been initially quite against it, some coaxing words from Vestal and Saratoga, two of her most trusted companions, had whittled down that resolve until she tentatively agreed to try at least one session.

Looking at her for a moment Vestal slowly continued. ''This will make you feel uncomfortable. It might even make you upset. But I want you to know that's alright; I won't tell anyone what's going on if you don't want me to. Not even to Yorktown or Hornet, if you don't want me to. It's up to you.''

Enterprise shifted slightly, swallowing. ''...alright.''

Vestal smiled gently, nodding. ''Okay. Let's start with... well, the start. The day you went missing. What can you tell me about it?''

A spike of unease crept up Enterprise's spine. She quashed it stubbornly, drawing in a slow, deep breath. She could do this. Even if this Vestal was just a clone, even if this whole world was fake... she supposed she could take the chance. Just this once.

And soon with unease in her heart and a weight on her tongue, she spoke.

''...it started when I was coming back from a sortie...''

…

Enterprise sailed forth at a steaming pace; her hull lurching beneath her in tandem with the waves that crashed against her hull.

It had been a fairly standard sortie. Some Sirens were spotted further out in the Atlantic, no doubt hunting around for possible merchant shipping they could sink. Thus she and a band of escorts were sent out to eliminate them, and had in fact done so with envious ease; eliminating the enemy Battleship and multiple cruisers within minutes of engaging them. It hadn't been a fair contest in any respect.

And that was what bothered her. It had been too easy. The Sirens usually put up more of a fight, yet the armament of the Siren warships was decidedly lower-grade than the usual mass-produced hulls they fought in Mirror Seas or during invasions. When she had brought this up Cassin and Downes had brushed it off as the Sirens using their weaker ships for low-risk tasks like convoy raiding, and it was entirely possible; it was easy for the Sirens to sink a convoy and then flee before the cavalry arrived. No need to waste resources on upgrading it so much when it was less likely to engage a powerful enemy.

Still, she couldn't shake off the thought that something was amiss.

And as it turns out, her intuition turned out to be correct as a Mirror Sea began to phase into existence around them, fog arising from the ambient air around them.

''Crap!'' Downes' startled curse came in over the radio. ''Hey, we got a proble- aw come on!''

''...can't reach the outside anymore?'' Cassin inquired, her voice troubled.

''...yeah.'' Downes clicked her tongue. ''Atlanta, you gettin' anything?''

''Nothing.'' The pink-haired cruiser denied. ''Wichita?''

''Nada.'' The Heavy Cruiser replied. ''When this shit starts, you only get a couple seconds to get a message out before all transmissions get blocked. We didn't notice until too late.''

''Sorry.'' Downes apologised, remorseful.

''It's alright.'' Enterprise spoke up for the first time since the battle, eyes hard as she stood on the edge of her flight deck. ''Guns up. We'll just fight our way out. We aren't too far away from port; somebody will have noticed it and set the base on alert.''

Affirmatives came from her escorts, the sound of machinery whirring audible even from a distance as gun turrets turned in their rings and anti-aircraft weapons armed themselves. Radar pings, as dampened as they were by the Mirror Sea, were sent out in frequent bursts – sonar waves singing under the sea, searching for a lurking Submarine that might threaten to assassinate them when their backs were turned. It was a full-proof screen.

Or, it should've been.

Skrree~!

A loud, ear-piercing shriek – and a golden laser tore itself through the mist, thicker than a shipping crate, before it then blasted full-force into the side of Atlanta's hull.

The cruiser cried out in pain; alarmed cries escaping the others as the massive gaping hole in Atlanta's hull began to take in water, flooding her at a scarily fast pace. Without any other option Atlanta had to de-summon her ship form, a pain-filled wince on her face as she manifested what remained of her rigging around her, only one turret functioning – the equivalent damage her ship took transferred onto her rigging.

Enterprise reacted swiftly. Her aircraft took off with a thunderous roar, a wing of dive bombers soaring up into the sky and flying in the direction that the laser came from. However the mist severely inhibited her vision; having to fly low enough to the ocean to keep it in sight, even at the detriment of her bombing ability. No matter how far she flew though she couldn't see anything; nothing was there.

Skrree~!

Another laser – this time from the left. It shrieked past Cassin and ultimately missed her, but not before taking out her stern; inflicting flooding damage irreparable at sea, forcing her to follow Atlanta's lead and return to her rigging form. Though not before moving to protect her allies.

''Laying down smoke...!'' Cassin called out over the radio.

True to her claim clouds of white smoke began to fill the air as she sailed, pushing her engine to its limit to keep sailing despite the damage to her stern and rudders, managing to create a wall of smoke between Enterprise and the direction of the laser before her rudders finally gave out. Downes did the same, deploying smoke as well to cover her. Enterprise paid them back by launching more aircraft, eyes hard as she sent them searching for their anonymous attacker.

''If it's a laser, then it's likely one of the humanoid Sirens.'' Wichita noted. ''You got eyes on 'em, Enterprise?''

''Negative.'' Enterprise sent her aircraft in a wide sweep... but found nothing.

Who were they fighting? And for what purpose?

It was then she sensed it. A faint pulse on her radar straight ahead, followed by a golden light that grew brighter within the span of seconds – locatable only because she was looking straight at it.

''Incoming!'' Enterprise yelled over her radio.

At the same time she hit the brakes, harshly steering her hull to the left – but she had nary a few seconds to evade the incoming laser, her ears ringing as it screamed past her and tore through her superstructure, obliterating it in a single searing blast. The laser trickled off a second later, fading into motes of floating light before they too faded, but by then the damage was done – what remained of her island collapsing in on itself, taking with it her radar systems.

''Enterprise!'' Atlanta called out over the radio. ''Are you alright?!''

''Yes...!'' She called back. ''Lost my radar! Last saw the enemy ahead, about three hundred metres!''

''It must be a Submarine!'' Downes guessed. ''No wonder it keeps popping up and vanishing!''

''Right!'' Atlanta began sailing straight ahead. ''Downes, with me! Let's go blow this sub out of the water!''

''Right...!''

Together the pink-haired Atlanta and white-haired Downes sailed into the mist; quickly fading out of radio range despite Cassin's best attempts to keep communication lines open. In the meantime Enterprise sent several squadrons behind her, warily searching her flank for any possible attackers, but found none. The concept of it being a Submarine attacking them seemed more likely, but without her radar and Cassin weakened, their chance of spotting it felt distinctly low unless aid came to them. Quick.

It was then Wichita piped up. ''Shit! Torpedoes in the water, right side!''

With a groan Wichita's hull banked a harsh right, turning to face the incoming torpedoes. From her position atop her hull Enterprise could just barely see the wake the torpedo left as it narrowly passed Wichita's hull and missed her own by a larger berth. Several more however came from the same direction, forcing Wichita to constantly adjust; sailing directly away from Enterprise despite trying to stay as close as possible.

And soon, she too left radar and visual range.

''Guess it's just you and me Cassin.'' Enterprise grimly called out. ''Keep an eye out. I'm nearly blind without you.''

''Right...'' The black-haired Destroyer replied uneasily.

Enterprise smiled, and at her direction Cassin joined her up on her deck; the Destroyer taking her place not far from her and using herself like a mobile radar, given her rudders were damaged. The regular pings sent themselves through the surrounding ocean, searching aimlessly, hoping to pick up a hint of the source.

And miraculously, it did. ''S-Straight ahead!''

Enterprise narrowed her eyes, commanding all her bombers down. ''Light it up!''

Cassin obeyed, and with a loud blast her main cannon fired; lobbing a golden shell across the water and splashing it down, the eruption of sea water barely visible through the mist. Yet with the aid of her planes Enterprise took note of where the shell hit, hitting the air brakes on her Dauntless dive bombers and sending them down, lining up the shot – before with a synchronised click they dropped their loads, a barrage of bombs falling beneath the waves.

A muted explosion, a lurch of seawater – and a roaring column of sea water splashed up. But no fire or debris. A miss.

It was then Cassin spoke, alarmed. ''W-Wait, it's closer...! Approaching fast...!''

''Where?'' Her planes were already turning around, ready to use their guns if need be.

Cassin opened her mouth, words forming on her tongue-

-only for their target to reveal themselves as they shot up out of the ocean right in front of her hull, a grin on their lips as they ascended through the air, locking eyes with Enterprise for a solid second. Bright, gleaming gold eyes seemed brighter against the misty background, unlike the pale flesh that meshed with the grey horizon. A thin black dress and panties clad the figure's petite frame, a myriad of tentacles and laser cannons wrestling behind their back in a monstrous rigging.

Observer Alpha.

The Siren's eyes gleamed, and then in unison her tentacles shot down with malicious intent. Reacting fast Enterprise leapt back, grimacing as the tentacles punched holes through her deck with startling ease, retracting back out a moment later. With alien grace Observer Alpha landed, her bare feet lightly tapping down onto her deck. Just having the Siren stand on her hull set Enterprise's instincts off, the hair on the back of her neck rising.

''...Observer Alpha.'' Enterprise called out cautiously, eyes narrowed. ''What do you want?''

''Hm~'' Tentacles slid across her deck tauntingly, a wicked glint in the Siren's glowing eyes. ''Many things. Unfortunately now isn't the time for me to share them with you.''

''Oh?'' Enterprise kept her talking; subtly shifting to the left and putting herself between Alpha and Cassin; giving the Destroyer time to back up further. ''Why's that?''

''Hmph. Just acting in the interest of time.'' Observer Alpha smirked, lifting herself up with her tentacles. ''Thus I took some added precautions to ensure the operation's success.''

Enterprise saw it from the corner of her eye, the bright light illuminating the left side of Alpha's smirking visage a moment later – before with an unearthly shriek, a thick gold laser rushed past her.

Behind her.

Her eyes went wide. ''Cassin!''

The carrier twisted, wide eyes spotting the Destroyer's burnt form as the golden laser waned. The momentum of the laser knocked her straight overboard, her mismatched eyes rolling back – and with a distant plop, Enterprise heard her crash down into the ocean below. Alive, dead, somewhere in-between; she didn't know. What she did know was who shot that laser. Namely, because they revealed themselves to her.

By way of crashing down onto her deck with an axe-kick.

Enterprise narrowly leapt back in time to avoid it, alarmed and angry eyes fixating on the familiar form of Purifier. The Siren grinned wickedly at her, the oversized hammerhead shark rigging that she used hovering behind her, its mouth still glowing with faint wisps of golden light. White hair whipped as Purifier dug her heel into her cracked deck, disturbing the chunks of steel her axe-kick had created – before with a cackle, Purifier lunged at her.

Glaring furiously Enterprise de-summoned her ship form, the giant hull beneath her glowing a bright blue before snapping out of existence; reforming around her into her rigging in a matter of seconds, fully formed before her feet even touched the ocean. However the short few seconds also gave Purifier the time to grab onto her rigging and tilt it, pressing her heels against it – and then kicking off it like a springboard.

''Nn!'' Enterprise blocked the incoming punch with her bow – but Purifier was stronger than she expected, jerking her whole body back from the force.

And of course, Purifier's momentum carried her forwards regardless. The Siren shoulder-checked her, unbalancing her and giving her the time to make her own landing, heels skidding across the water's surface. With reaction times befitting of her skill Enterprise drew an arrow and spun to face Purifier, launching an arrow that soared harmlessly over the Siren's shoulder – only to transform into a wing of three dive bombers, the three warplanes ascending up in preparation of their dive.

Her other planes all converged on her as well. Torpedo bombers that she had previously launched came in low, engines roaring as they took aim at Purifier's unguarded side. They never reached their target, as a long black tentacle lashed out like a whip, slamming through all three aircraft and detonating them in plumes of fire and rent metal, the two chunks corkscrewing and skipping across the water before sinking into it.

''Tch-!'' Enterprise gritted her teeth, glaring at Observer Alpha out of the corner of her eye.

Movement, ahead. She tilted her body to the left and dodged the axe kick that went for her face, retaliating by jabbing her bow out – but she was far from skilled in close combat. Purifier easily dodged her blow and batted her bow aside on the second strike, slipping into her personal space with a wide, manic grin.

And then buried her fist deep into Enterprise's gut.

''Huah-!'' Enterprise folded like a card, eyes wide as her organs were shunted up into her chest.

The strength behind Purifier's punch was enough to send her flying back off it, wheezing as she stumbled on her landing, barely avoiding falling into the ocean. However Observer Alpha then chose that moment to intervene, a tentacle lashing down and curling itself around her bow, yanking. She kept a steel hold on her rigging, grunting in effort as she pulled back – but Alpha never intended to take her rigging away. No, it was just to stall her.

Purifier made use of her immobile state. Grinning wickedly the Siren came in close once more, leaping up to close the distance with a fist cocked back, her eyes alight with mad glee. Enterprise glared right back, teeth gritted – and with a click, the Dauntless diving upon Purifier dropped their bombs.

Neither of them hit their targets. The bombs plunged harmlessly into the water as Purifier twisted her mechanical body, avoiding them but overshooting in the process, all but flipping above Enterprise... and the carrier's eyes widened as she found the hammerhead shark rigging bearing down on her mid-flip, the maw of it glowing bright. Even if her initial attack had failed, Purifier had more than one up her sleeve.

Skrree!

A golden laser shrieked down, plunging into the water and boiling it from the sheer heat.

Enterprise leapt out of the laser with a tight wince, narrowly avoiding the worst of it. Her left side however had took the brunt of the damage; sizzling flesh marring what was once pristine pale skin. Part of her shirt and skirt were incinerated with it, her leg barely avoiding the same damage. However even if it was undamaged the pain made it hard to think straight, her mind briefly slowed as she tried to focus first on landing, and then counter-attacking.

The Sirens would give her no reprieve, however. Without mercy another, smaller golden laser pierced straight through her stomach, eliciting a pained wail from Enterprise as she stumbled, clutching at her open wound – glaring through pained tears at Observer Alpha. The Siren merely smiled back, another one of her laser cannons tilting down and aiming; the tell-tale charge-up glow the only warning she got.

It was enough.

When the laser came Enterprise forced herself to leap out of the way, spotting a hint of surprise in the Siren's luminescent eyes. Acting upon that temporary surprise Enterprise raised her bow and fired, launching an arrow straight at Observer Alpha. It struck – though not at her intended target.

''Hmph.'' Observer Alpha huffed, lowering her raised tentacle – her golden arrow buried within the tentacle, stopped halfway through. ''Interesting. The pain from such a wound should've debilitated you more.''

''Let's just say I can take a few hits.'' Enterprise gritted out, glancing around for aid. Nobody.

Had the others escaped? Had they managed to break free from the Mirror Sea?

She hoped so. At least then, they'd be safe from the monsters before her.

''Is that so.'' Observer Alpha didn't so much ask as she did note aloud. ''Purifier. Cripple her. Nothing irreplaceable.''

''Oho, you don't even have to ask~'' Purifier crooned, cracking her knuckles. ''Here I come~''

Enterprise grimaced, raising her bow and unleashing an arrow just as Purifier charged her. The Siren dodged the arrow with a mad cackle, uncaring even when a wing of Dauntless came down, dropping their bombs – all of them missing by the modest margins, their aim hampered by her own disorientation. Purifier took advantage of that and paid her planes no mind, not even attempting to shoot them down.

And in moments, Purifier closed the distance. With gritted teeth Enterprise stabbed her oversized bow out but Purifier blocked the attack with the back of her arm easily, grinning as she came in low. An elbow struck her chin and Enterprise stumbled out of the way of the punch that came for her face – only for Purifier to grab ahold of her shirt and yank her back into the next punch.

One, two three – three punches before her nose audibly cracked.

Purifier let her go, the force behind her fourth punch breaking something in her cheek and sending Enterprise flying back well over a dozen feet, water splashing at her legs as she landed on the water harshly; the liquid soaking her back as she laid upon it. Coughing she tried to get up but Purifier was on her like a rabid dog, cackling as she brought a fist down. One became two, then two became three, and three became four.

Across her face. Onto her shoulder. Into her collarbone. Against her diaphragm. On her jaw.

Each hit was potent enough to break bone and it was only because of Enterprise's tenacity that they didn't; but she was far from the sturdiest carrier out there. Two strikes to the same spot was all it took to break bone, ripping out cries of agony from the carrier as her left arm was jerked and bent at impossible angles, bloodied bone jutting out of her elbow or protruding from her shoulder, fresh blood staining the water beneath her scarlet.

''Hey hey, this is kinda fun~!'' Purifier laughed, striking her cranium. ''Like... hitting a training dummy!''

Another hit to the skull, and another. One, two, three.

The fourth hit was stopped by a tentacle wrapping around Purifier's wrist. ''That's enough Purifier.''

Purifier whined like a child who had their toy taken away, but complied all the same; climbing off of Enterprise's prone form.

The carrier was only peripherally aware of it, coughs lurching up out of her throat as she stared at the grey sky, her vision growing black at the corners. She tried to think but all she could feel was an agonising throb in her mind, wetness trickling beneath her skin. Internal bleeding, she dimly realised.

Pain flared across her torso as a tentacle wrapped itself around her stomach, inflaming the hole still seared through her stomach. Her head lolled about painfully and Enterprise felt her eyelids grow heavy, struggling to so much as wheeze in air, her diaphragm throbbing painfully, sharp bits digging into what felt like her lungs.

It was only because of the tentacle that cupped her chin that her head was lolled back, allowing her to make eye contact with Observer Alpha.

''...hah...'' Enterprise twitched.

Shaking and trembling the carrier raised her left arm, pushing past the raw, burning agony and broken bones – and aimed her bow at Observer Alpha.

With her other hand she grasped the bow string, pouring her energy and will into the gap between her thumb and index finger, creating a golden orb. An orb that slowly lengthened out into an arrow, the tip of which was aimed for between Alpha's eyes. Eyes filled with immense surprise, and burning curiosity.

''...even now, with your physical form and mental faculties reduced to such a state...'' Observer Alpha commented. ''Impressive. There's no other word for it.''

''...I was right to choose you, above all others.''

Enterprise said nothing; laboured, gasping breaths escaping her as she aimed, aimed... aimed...?

What was she doing again?

Why was the world spinning?

Why had everything gone black?

And before the carrier knew it, she had blacked out into unconsciousness – the arrow between her fingers dissipating before it so much as left the bowstring, her strength finally leaving her.

X-x-X

Enterprise finished her recounting quietly, hands gripping her thighs tight enough to bruise them.

Vestal absorbed the information carefully, keeping her emotions in check. She pressed down the anger that bordered on hate that she felt towards the Sirens, she suppressed the tears that she felt sting at her eyes, she held back the discomfort that tightened at her stomach. She kept all of it in mind but didn't let it control her, reminding herself that Enterprise took priority here.

Though she never doubted Enterprise, it was good to know her story corroborated with what Atlanta, Downes and Wichita had said; all three having been found exiting the Mirror Sea lost and confused. Cassin however had made no mention of seeing Observer Alpha, though that could be forgiven given the state she was found in; the Destroyer having washed up on a nearby shore and been left there for a whole day until a fisherman found her and arranged for her to be taken to a hospital to have her severe burns treated. She barely even remembered deploying smoke; clearly having lost part of her memory, whether because of the attack itself or the trauma, nobody quite knew.

The inclusion of Observer Alpha, however, only painted a grimmer picture than before.

'What did Observer Alpha want with you, Enterprise?' Vestal thought quietly, troubled. 'Why did she choose you, 'above all others'...?'

She shook off the thought for now.

She had a carrier to help heal.

''...I see. Thank you for sharing this with me Enterprise. Let's talk about how you felt when the Sirens appeared...''

[END]

A/N: Poor Enty~ A saying that can be attributed to this fic as a whole, but still, she really needs a break~

Henderson getting mad, Kaga doing Kaga things, and Vestal being the doctor she really is~ Let me know what you think~

See you all next time in Chapter 14: Trust~

Sneak peak:

And as much as she hated to admit it, she knew that the moment she was stuck alone with Observer Alpha and Purifier she was doomed. Alpha alone was a monstrosity she doubted she could've beaten, but with Purifier to back her up she had next to no chance of overcoming them. With a fleet of others to aid her, perhaps – but alone? Even if her radar hadn't been knocked out, she didn't believe for a second she could've won against them. She couldn't tear her focus between them both. They were too dangerous to.

'...what about now though?'

Enterprise stopped as the thought struck her. Stood alone out behind the Royal Navy dormitory she raised her hands and gazed at them, swallowing.

Could she do it? Now. after so many battles and life-death scenarios, did she have the strength to rebel? To fight back?

To free herself?

Enterprise curled her fingers into fists. Her palms were clammy. 'I... I don't know...'