A/N: Welcome back~
Won't spoil much, but do enjoy what's to come~
Stardust
Chapter 26: Reflections I
''...it's way too peaceful.''
Essex's languid remark drew a raised brow from Shoukaku. The white-haired crane floated atop the water just a scarce few feet behind her; following the blue-haired woman's lead as they sailed just outside the waters of New York Harbour. Zuikaku sailed alongside her, and around them in a wider spread were the forms of their escorts; various Light Cruisers and Destroyers, with a couple Heavy Cruisers the base could spare to give them some heavier guns should such a thing come to it.
Zuikaku herself still looked a bit groggy; eyes heavy and shoulders slumped slightly from having been woken so early, but she understood the necessity of things and didn't protest beyond some petulant grumbles between eye-rubs – the three of them forming the centre of 'Task Force York', the group assigned to guard the city from a presumed attack. The plus side to it though was that they both got to see New York for the first time in a long while; the city just as grand and vibrant as they'd seen in postcards, even from a distance. A shame that the tension in the air ruined any attempts at enjoying the sights.
''What do you mean by that?'' Shoukaku spoke after a long moment, curious.
Essex waved a hand lightly at the sky. ''Like I said, it's too peaceful. Siren subs were spotted here, yet we haven't seen even one despite hanging around for hours.''
''Perhaps they were scared off.'' The graceful crane answered amusedly.
''I doubt it. The Sirens wouldn't care about losing a single sub.'' Essex disagreed, frowning. ''I have a bad feeling. Like... like there's a plane overhead, and you know it's armed with a bomb, but you don't know whether it's dropped it yet or not.''
''Quite the metaphor.'' Shoukaku complimented. ''Then what would you propose us do?''
Essex was quiet for a moment, the slow hissing of the water under their heels the only sound, before the carrier sighed. ''I don't know. Part of me wants to send out more fighter squadrons, but I don't wanna spread them too thin in-case the Sirens do launch an attack whilst they're refuelling.''
Zuikaku then interjected. ''Well why don't we just-''
She never got to finish however before a transmission came to them on a shared frequency, culling any conversation like a verbal scythe.
''Attention Task Force York, this is NYC Radar Station 6.'' A male voice came over the radio. ''Detecting anonymous aircraft fifteen kilometres from our position; twenty from your locations. Spotters reporting plausible Siren fighter-bombers coming in at 35,000 feet. Unidentified larger aircraft accompanying them.''
''Copy!'' Essex sharply responded, already raising her rigging; miniature planes manifesting along her flight deck. ''Shoukaku, Zuikaku!''
''Right!'' The twin cranes affirmed, setting to work summoning their own planes.
Essex's eyes hardened and she launched her own planes, the miniatures glowing gold shortly after taking off – expanding in size to full-scale Wildcats that soared up into the air. Tapping into her inbuilt radar Essex scanned for the Siren aircraft but they were still too far out for her to pick up, in part thanks to their natural stealth capabilities. Undeterred she launched another wave of fighters, and then another after that; syncing them as best she could with Zuikaku and Shoukaku's as they all climbed higher.
Together their air wing climbed high into the sky to meet the incoming Siren fighters. Viewing the sky through her fighters Essex kept her eyes peeled, searching for the slightest flicker of movement even as she regularly sent out radar pings to search – when the shrill spittle of gunfire cut through the clouds on her upper-right. The fighter she looked through was blown apart, flames engulfing her sight just before she switched to the one next in line; banking the squadron sharply up to face the incoming black planes.
'Mn...!' Essex winced as more fire came down from above, ricocheting off of her Wildcat's airframe.
Mercifully some of Shoukaku's fighters came to assist, gunning down a Siren fighter-bomber that swept in to unload its guns into her other fighters; blowing it up with a shower of flame and black shrapnel. Sending her planes into evasive Essex tried to focus more on getting a good number on the enemies, straining her radar to reach far enough; tallying them up in her mind. As she grimly expected, they were outnumbered.
A fact that perhaps contributed into over a dozen Siren fighter-bombers flying past their fighters, all of said fighters currently tied up. The other girls in the fleet with her noticed that too, a growing chain of shouts echoing across the water as several of the cruisers summoned their ship forms; presenting themselves both as bigger targets, and allowing more of their anti-air armament to be manifested.
An armament that was put to good use as the Siren aircraft breached through the clouds overhead, their engines roaring as they rocketed down towards them.
''Protect the carriers!'' It was Fletcher who shouted out; arm raising and pointing her rigging cannon at the skies – before with a loud blast she fired up at the sky.
It was just the first of many shells, the harsh rattling of machine guns, booms of cannons and eruptions of flak clouds littering the skies. Swerving and twisting the Siren aircraft weaved past the black clouds and streams of bullets, but even then they were far from infallible – sparks dancing across the wing of one fighter-bomber before it erupted into a ball of flame, a second warplane getting hit directly with a flak shell and falling from the sky in three burning pieces.
However these planes felt a step up from those that attacked the base the other day. Moving with far greater self-preservation and agility they dove, twisting past incoming shells and releasing a slight whine from how fast they dove down – before their bomb bays opened, and with a resounding click the seven fighter-bombers dropped their bombs on their targets.
''Mn-!''
Digging her heels in and twisting Essex changed direction at the last moment, dodging the two bombs that plunged into the ocean on her left; detonating and erupting columns of seawater over her. Ahead of her Fletcher also evaded her own attack, but Atlanta wasn't so lucky – three separate explosions detonating amidship, sparking gouts of flames that rapidly swallowed up parts of Atlanta's deck in fires; the harsh spray of anti-aircraft fire sharply slowing down.
However the fleet was quick to avenge their struck ally; accurate anti-air fire knocking down two, four, six, and then the seventh Siren fighter-bomber before it even got remotely close to escaping their anti-air bubble. The victory was short-lived however as Essex detected another wing of fighter-bombers breaking through their swarm of dogfighting fighters. With Atlanta's powerful anti-air down as she fought the fires on-deck Essex focused more on her own anti-air, summoning her own ship form – prompting Shoukaku and Zuikaku to do the same, their combined anti-air helping pepper the skies as the Siren fighter-bombers descended towards them.
Engines whined, bomb bays opened – and at the last moment Essex turned her hull to the right, narrowly avoiding the explosive bomb that plunged over the side of her deck, missing. Mercifully the other fighter-bombers also missed their shots, all their bombs plunging into the waters before the aircraft themselves were shredded to bits.
It was them, however, that Essex detected something larger than a fighter-bomber. Peering through the eyes of her Wildcats as they dogfought she caught sight of something much larger, its black silhouette at odds with the blue sky behind it, prompting her to break one Wildcat off just so she could get a good look at it – and her stomach dropped.
'Oh shit...'
A Siren bomber – a proper, four-engined heavy bomber, its airframe black as the fighter-bombers escorting it. They were far from unheard of but so rarely deployed a uneasy infamy had been built around them about their obscene amount of armour and self-defence guns, to the point some referred to them as ''Flying Battleships''. What made Essex truly unnerved, however, was the rarity in which they were used – and only ever used when the Sirens were making a genuine, full-scale attack; one intended not just to test Ship-Girls but to grind entire cities to dust.
The thought, ironically, was enough to snap Essex out of her stunned state – urgency colouring her tone as she tapped into her radio. ''Enemy bombers detected! Shoukaku, Zuikaku, focus on them – everyone else prioritise the regular Siren aircraft, got it?!''
Affirmative shouts and calls came from over the radio, and with haste Essex pulled as many Wildcats as she dared off of the Siren fighter-bombers, making a beeline for the heavy aircraft. An aircraft that wasn't alone, as multiple more black monsters followed it in formation, five in total flying through the clouds with the low roar of their powerful engines. Naturally however the bomber's escorts were far from idle; some passing by the Wildcats towards the ships themselves... whilst others sharply curved around, and gave chase to the incoming planes.
Essex found that out acutely as twin beams of bullets tore through two of her Wildcats, sending them plummeting in flaming wrecks. Mercifully Zuikaku came to her aid, gunning down the Siren fighter-bombers behind her and covering her from behind – but that did little to protect either of them from the sudden burst of gunfire from straight ahead. The numerous frame-mounted guns on the Siren bombers opened up with a shower of bullets; spherical underbelly turrets opening up with much heavier guns that boomed with every punctuating shot.
Her Wildcats swerved to avoid the bomber's guns – but they didn't gain their moniker for no reason. With five bombers flying in formation the sheer number of bullets thrown their way was far too many to fully avoid, causing chips to be taken out of the Wildcat's wings or tail, inevitably breaking off the tail of one and de-winging another, sending both spinning out of the sky. Behind her the sleeker forms of Shoukaku and Zuikaku's Zeros did better, but they too inevitably plummeted from the sky in dizzying death-spins.
And in what felt like moments they got within range – and opened fire.
The loud rattle of machine guns belted through the high skies, sparks flashing across the heavily-armoured airframes of the Siren bombers – some managing to punch small holes through the metal, but failing to damage anything significant. In an unorganised wave her Wildcats passed the bombers, several of her fighters bursting into flames or exploding as they finally took too much damage, tumbling out of the sky. The Zeros that followed her were more successful however; their 20mm cannons blasting chunks of armour off that the Wildcats had weakened – and soon scored a lucky shot on the left wing, blowing out both the engines and igniting them, trailing a baleful flame behind both bombers.
It however failed to take the heavy bomber down; the aircraft tilting to the side, but still continuing to fly in formation, albeit gradually lagging behind. Scowling at the sight Essex redirected her fighters around to give chase, but in the process flew directly in the path of the Siren's fighter-bombers – a renewed chain of gunfire obliterating half-a-dozen of their aircraft in exchange for just one or two Siren ones.
Mercifully however, New York was not undefended.
A fact made apparent to the Sirens as large blasts of flak suddenly and viciously peppered the sky around the five bombers. Anti-air batteries that populated the coast and rooftops of the city opened up fire with accurate, long-trained personnel, scoring several close if not direct hits on the bombers as they flew overhead. Three of the rightmost one's engines burst into flames and the middle bomber lost chunks of both armour and key parts, the metal flying away in its wake.
Redirecting her fighters to focus on the Siren fighter-bombers Essex left it up to Zuikaku and Shoukaku to shoot down the five bombers – under no delusions that there would be more than five. The Sirens were just testing them first. She had enough experience under her belt to know that much.
'The real question is where their carriers are launching all these planes from-'
That question took a sharp back-seat, however, as an interruption cut through her thoughts.
Namely in the form of a searing-hot laser that shrieked across the ocean – and tore a searing hole straight through the side of her hull.
''Gah-!''
''Essex!''
''Miss Essex!''
Cries of alarm came from her allies. Essex didn't respond to them; one hand clutching at her chest as a brief but ungodly wave of pain overtook her, reflecting the damage her hull took. Within her mind's eye it was frighteningly easy to see the gaping hole straight through part of her hangar bay and other internal rooms, part of it reaching the waterline and nearly making her take in water – thus the moment she could Essex de-summoned her hull, wincing as she fell down onto the ocean's surface and stumbled upright, her rigging missing part of the end of its flight-deck, but little other damage was represented upon it.
Even as the rattle of anti-air fire continued to pepper the skies Essex's gaze went to the source of the level, her expression growing tight as she saw the mass of tentacles at the source. The lithe form of Observer Alpha met her gaze with a smug smile, sickly golden eyes gleaming with satisfaction as she lowered her laser cannons, the ends still glowing from the energy that had passed through them moments beforehand.
''Hmph.'' Observer Alpha's eyes gleamed with toxic amusement.
The Siren took a single dainty step forth, the water rippling around her feet before she seemed to phase out of existence, her whole body warping and twisting until she faded out of sight – camouflage, Essex realised with a chill up her spine.
However, Alpha was not alone.
Something Essex also realised as half-a-dozen small purple portals emerged behind Observer Alpha's last location, and from them escaped nearly a dozen pale-skinned figures with snowy hair and luminescent purple eyes; wide, unnatural grins curled at their hauntingly familiar faces. One look at them was all Essex needed to realise what they were, Yorktown's recounting of Bermuda coming to mind. One of the new Siren types – the 'Avenger-class'. The Siren war machines bearing a twisted version of Enterprise's face.
Without so much as a word, the ensemble of monstrous Sirens charged the fleet – gleefully grinning even as their escorts turned and opened fired. Cannon blasts displaced water as shells flew, whizzing across the distance and plunging into the water around the surprisingly nimble Sirens. The sheer number of shells prevented them from dodging them all, however, several taking hits-
-only for those still running to grab their fallen, and use them like a shield. Holding their lifeless, limp-necked clones the Avenger-class Sirens dashed across the water even as they got within secondary-gun range; Shoukaku and Zuikaku diverting some Zeros down and kamikaze striking them. Under such an overwhelming gauntlet of shellfire, many of the suicidal Sirens fell, the dozen withering down to eight, then six, then five.
Many fell. Many, but not all.
''Incoming!'' Essex yelled and started backing up.
Coming to her aid Fletcher sailed in front of her, gun raised and opening fire every few seconds – but the Avenger-class were frighteningly fast, making every second seem so agonisingly long. Shells whizzed past the incoming five monsters, shells kicking up columns of foamy water, spraying it down over them and inhibiting everyone's aim.
And then one burst through a column of water just as Fletcher was reloading, and grabbed onto her with a swelling torso.
''H-Hey!'' Fletcher cried in alarm, wheezing as the surprisingly-strong Avenger-class held her. ''S-Someone help g-get it-!''
Fletcher's voice hitched as she felt metallic skin press against hers, expanding, swelling-
BOOM!
Until with a deafening eruption, the Avenger-class self-destructed.
''FLETCHER!'' Essex screamed, eyes wide and pupils dilated.
Movement to her right made her jerk her head towards it, spotting another Avenger coming for her. She raised her crossbow and hastily fired a blue bolt, but her haste made her miss, the projectile blowing off the Siren's left arm but otherwise failing to slow it down for more than a moment. In the time it took her to reload it grew closer, eyes gleaming in the mid-afternoon sun, and just in time she reloaded, and fired another bolt. One that blew straight through its chest.
And one that failed to down the creature.
Panic flashed up through Essex's throat – and just as the Siren was about to grab her Downes appeared, ramming the Siren off-course with her shoulder with a yell. Not expecting the attack the Siren stumbled somewhat past Essex, turning around to pursue – only to get several rapidly-fired shells to the face courtesy of a cursing Downes, blowing chunks out of the humanoid monster until eventually it went down, flopping backwards onto the ocean lifelessly.
Cassin arrived a moment later, positioning herself in front of the carrier. ''Essex.''
''H-Huh? I...'' Essex took a harsh second to snap out of her shocked state, the near-death experience stalling her mind. ''Is Fletcher...?''
Cassin's expression fell and she silently nodded her head in the direction ahead of them; towards the space where Fletcher previously stood. Nothing was left. Not even a scrap of cloth. She had been completely, utterly annihilated.
Just then one of the remaining Avenger-class Sirens charged from the left, bursting through a falling pillar of seawater – carrying the lifeless form of its comrade ahead of it like a shield. Reacting swiftly both Cassin and Downes raised their guns, loud blasts echoing across the water as their shells flew, blowing out chunks out of the deceased Siren meat-shield. Its body however protected the living Siren behind it, even when Essex herself shot several bolts, blowing through the Siren's heavily-armoured body and piercing the living Avenger-class behind it.
Only to be shocked when said Avenger-class suddenly slowed, and then threw its deceased comrade at them. On instinct both Cassin and Downes moved to the left and right to dodge the lifeless body, slowing their aim and giving it time to close in. Gripping her crossbow tight Essex took aim with her own crossbow, holding fire, waiting, waiting.
And then just as the Avenger-class slowed down to bend its knees and leap at her, she fired – piercing it straight between the eyes.
The Siren went down like a sack of bricks, any pre-built momentum waning in an instant and sending it flopping down onto the water's surface. The chaotic blasts of gunfire slowed down at that, and even the anti-air fire too slowed as the number of incoming fighter-bombers thinned, if only for a moment.
''Are you alright, Essex?'' The worried voice of Shoukaku came through the radio.
''Y... Yeah.'' Essex put a finger to her ear, tapping into her own innate radio. ''What's everyone's status?''
''Atlanta's still on fire.'' Wichita remarked over the radio. ''Said she's handling it though. Nearly took a hit from one of those creepy little things, but shot it before it reached me. Got a burn but nothin' else.''
''I've taken a few bomb hits.'' Zuikaku piped up with a grunt. ''Nothing too bad though.''
Others piped up too, but aside from the fires still burning on Atlanta's deck and some near-hits, they were all in serviceable states.
Which made Fletcher's death all the more poignant. ''Fletcher's down. Was grabbed by one of the Avenger-class Sirens.''
''...ah.'' It was Wichita who answered after a prolonged pause. ''I see.''
It wasn't the time for mourning however; a fact emphasised to the fleet as loud, deafening blasts echoed from the shoreline and drew all eyes onto it. Large bomb blasts erupted across the concrete coastal fortifications, throwing sprays of smoke and fire into the sky – each bomb far larger than the ones carried by the fighter-bombers, and far more devastating; silencing anti-air batteries in an instant and reducing several city blocks into collapsing mounds of rubble. The three Siren bombers still airborne did a long pass over part of the city, bombs dropping in a constant stream and taking out part of the Brooklyn area with the swathe of destruction. One of the bombers at last succumbed to the numerous anti-air guns below, one of its wings breaking off and sending it corkscrewing somewhere into the city below, but the other two bombers continue their flight of destruction further inland even as they were pelted and pursed by Shoukaku and Zuikaku's Zeros.
They weren't the only bombers however. Even as the Sirens bombed part of the city another wing of five Siren bombers were coming in from the same direction as the wing prior had come from. At the sight of them Essex could only grimace and start launching more Wildcats to replenish those lost in thus far, casting a worried gaze to the city itself, already seeing fires breaking out and various emergency vehicles driving about to aid the civilians within.
''Tch...'' Downes gritted her teeth at the sight. ''Bastards...''
''Hmph. Is that all you have to say?''
The sudden, amused voice sent a chill up Essex's spine – and in a flash she spun, raising her crossbow-
-only for a tentacle to lash out and hit her hand, knocking her aim off-course and causing her blue bolt to fly harmlessly into the air.
Observer Alpha emerged from thin air behind her, sat upon a writhing tide of tentacles and bearing an infuriatingly smug smirk, the last of her optical camouflage flaking away. ''You've performed as expected. However, I'm afraid this fleet is of no use to me... beyond, serving as motivation for someone more interesting.''
As if to punctuate her words two purple portals opened up to their north and south; and from them spilled more identical Avenger-class Sirens, their arrival done to the haunting symphony of bombs detonating across New York City.
Then with golden eyes gleaming with malice Observer Alpha raised a hand, her fingers curling inwards – before speaking in a slow, amused drawl.
''Remote detonation: activate.''
In unison all the deceased Avenger-class Sirens twitched, those not beheaded swelling in size in the span of mere seconds... including the one at Essex's feet.
Essex's eyes widened. ''Everyone, move ba-!''
BOOM!
X-x-X
Enterprise had a bad feeling.
She'd learned to trust her gut over the years, and right now it was screaming at her that something was terribly wrong. Perhaps because of that the carrier found herself sailing near the front of the fleet, the familiar forms of Yorktown and Hornet on either side of her and Illustrious not too far behind her, most of the fleet organised around them. Air groups were regularly sent out to search for possible enemies, and PBY aircraft run by the air force regularly flew around the fleet on the look-out for any Siren Submarines that might be lurking around and attempting to delay them.
The worst part was that they were made aware of everything as they travelled. At first the mention of the attack came, and then shortly after they were underway received updates about Siren fighter-bombers attacking the task force stationed at New York, followed by said fighter-bombers being engaged by the combined force of Essex, Zuikaku and Shoukaku. Then things took a graver turn as the announcement of Siren bombers came over the radio, grimly followed by the notice that said bombers had succeeded in striking the city itself, regardless of the fact many had somewhat expected it. Siren bombers didn't get their fearsome reputations for nothing.
Then it was announced that Observer Alpha had appeared on the battlefield, and the collective mood of the fleet changed from anxious to downright uneasy.
An unease further fuelled by the arrival of a number of Avenger-class Sirens. From a distance the coastal observers couldn't relay much, but did state that Essex had taken a laser to her broadside – dealing significant damage. The ensuing explosions of the Average-class Sirens only further sowed worry amongst the fleet, but from that point on information was made sparse due to the bombings forcing the observers to relocate to safer locations before they could send more updates, a process that would take time.
Thus Enterprise found herself with a conundrum. On one hand, she could quite easily teleport ahead of most of the fleet using the Mirror Seas device within her, but of course that might well be playing into the Siren's plans. On the other hand she could stick with the fleet and help protect them should an attack come their way, but it would take a lot longer to reach New York that way.
The indecision ate at Enterprise so much she got lost in thought, almost not noticing the familiar set of heels that tapped down onto her deck. Almost.
''Hm...? Belfast...?'' Enterprise wasn't all that surprised to see the maid; Belfast was just strangely in-tune with her. Perhaps equally as much as her own sisters were. ''What is it?''
''Something's bothering you, isn't it?'' Belfast inquired softly as she walked along her flight deck, coming to a stop next to her at the end. ''And I don't mean the potential confrontation with your alternate self.''
Enterprise shifted slightly. ''...remember how I got us from Texas to back here? With the Mirror Sea?''
Understanding flashed in Belfast's eyes. ''...you wish to use that again, to reach New York sooner.''
''Mm.'' Enterprise dipped her head in a slight nod. ''I'm... just hesitating, on that. If I stay here everyone will have a better chance, but if I go, I can help Essex and the others...''
''They are in more danger than we are now.'' Belfast agreed.
''But what if it's just a ploy?'' Enterprise murmured, sighing.
The maid was quiet for a moment, before gently she laid a hand on the carrier's shoulder. ''Do you desire my honest opinion, Enterprise?''
''Very much so.''
''Then I would suggest doing as you did with me.'' Belfast declared simply. ''Take a number of ships here with you whilst the rest of the fleet continues on. You've proven yourself capable of transporting me, thus there is no reason you cannot take multiple people with you.''
Enterprise frowned and glanced back at the fleet. ''Who should I take, then...?''
Her gaze wandered back to Belfast herself almost questioningly, earning a reassuring smile from the maid herself – assuring she'd be first in line to come with her. ''I would recommend Washington, Ise and Hyuuga, and Edinburgh. Additional firepower would most certainly be needed, and the latter two have proven themselves capable of holding back Observer Alpha herself, biding time for the rest of the fleet to arrive whilst you inevitably come into conflict with your other self. Edinburgh will also be able to aid me in tending to the wounded and combating the enemy's aircraft.''
Mulling it over for a few moments Enterprise agreed, tapping into her radio and sending a summons for the ships in question. It took a few minutes for all to arrive given they were on their own ships, forcing everyone to reorganise a little before things settled down and the ships in question boarded her flight deck. Mercifully it didn't take much explaining, nor did it take much convincing.
Handing over flagship duty to Yorktown and bidding her sisters good luck, the carrier steeled herself. ''Belfast. Hold onto my arm. Everyone else hold onto someone else so nobody's not connected.''
The others agreed, either holding hands or onto arms, and only once everyone confirmed they were secure Enterprise focused on the device within herself – and then pulled.
The world warped, space itself twisted and turned; until with a loud splash her ship form crashed down onto the previously-still waters of a Mirror Sea. Unlike her first few times using it however Enterprise felt very little nausea, only a brief dizziness lingering for a second and no more than that. Belfast also endured it with some difficulty, but the other four Ship-Girls handled it much worse – curses and nauseous groans escaping the mouths of all four as they stumbled momentarily, their sense of balance tilting.
Edinburgh herself, being the klutz she was, ended up falling with an almost-comical 'oof!' – but now wasn't the time for humour, unfortunately.
''Come, sister.'' Belfast grasped Edinburgh's hand; helping her sister upright.
''A-Ah, yes, my apologies...'' Edinburgh mumbled, adjusting her round glasses.
Washington held the side of her head and squinted at their surroundings. ''So this is in a Mirror Sea, huh? Looks kinda... plain.''
Enterprise shrugged. ''Maybe this is what they all look like. So long as no Sirens break in, it'll stay this way.''
''They can break in?'' Ise said dubiously.
''Sort of...?'' Enterprise frowned at that. ''Observer Alpha had done so when I was escaping her at Bermuda.''
The Sakura woman still seemed baffled by the prospect, but didn't protest further.
Enterprise was grateful for that; taking the chance to speak. ''The distance in here translates to the outside world. I should be able to make it so our journey is quicker, but be prepared for anything in case something goes wrong.''
Affirmatives came from those present... aside from Washington. ''So, we're sailing?''
''Yes.''
The Battleship poked a finger at her. ''Why don't we just pull a Commander and take a little flight instead, eh?''
Enterprise blinked in befuddlement at that – before recalling how the Commander and Kaga crossed the Pacific so quickly. ''That... could work. I'll get a plane ready for everybody; give me just a minute.''
''Uu... I'm not too good with flight...'' Edinburgh worriedly mumbled to herself.
''I'll fly low so you can jump out if something goes wrong.''
''T-That's not quite reassuring, Miss Enterprise!''
X-x-X
Over New York City, midnight-black bombers continued to fly overhead with increasing frequency, leaving trails of destruction on the grounds far below.
Anti-air batteries fired with increasing rareness as they were taken down by the heavily-armoured bombers, those that plummeted from the skies often taking some with them as they crashed themselves into streets, bridges and even into waterways, the heavy armour of the ''Flying Battleships'' only ensuring they could deal maximum damage upon impact – and those rare few that survived continued to fight, their guns spraying upon any civilians unlucky enough to run past their crashed forms unwittingly. Even with the aid of the air force's own heavier planes, it was a challenge to take down the seemingly-endless waves of bombers.
Not least because the Zeros that had been chasing them, were now gone.
''Gh...!''
Essex gritted her teeth, down on one knee. Stubbornly she attempted to stand, her other knee flaring in protest, but with a stifled cry the carrier stumbled up onto her one good knee. Panting, heaving breaths strained the burnt muscles on her ribs and underarms, cauterised-shut wounds marring her flesh and with blood freely flowing down over her right eye, forcing it shut. What remained of her rigging was blown apart and seared black by intense heat, her left flight deck entirely missing and her right barely holding itself together.
''Hmph. Is this all you have?'' Observer Alpha remarked with languid amusement. ''Whilst you put up a decent fight, I still expected more. Perhaps I set my expectations too high for you. A pity.''
Essex glared, raising her broken crossbow to fire – only for Observer Alpha to cross the distance faster than she anticipated, grabbing her by the throat and bending her arm aside. Due to the height difference however she didn't raise her up, but rather forced her down onto her knees, smirking smugly as they saw eye-to-eye. Essex tried to defiantly spit at Alpha but it didn't leave further than her lips, the act of defiance only serving to amuse Alpha further.
Despite her words, however, Alpha did not come away unscathed. Though the forms of her allies laid still and unmoving on the waters around her, some alive, some dead, Alpha's artificial skin was marred with blackish burns and several of her tentacles had been dispatched, the exposed ends still sparking with disconnected wires and internal systems. However, with the aid of the Avenger-class Sirens she had brought with her, Alpha had systematically demolished the entire task force with frighteningly little effort on her part.
''M-Monster...'' Essex spat out, coughing. ''That's all... y-you are...''
''Is that so.'' Alpha remarked. ''If memory serves well, and I believe it does, then surely the 'Hero' is supposed to slay the 'Monster'? By that logic then, you would be either a very poor 'Hero', or not one at all. Perhaps the 'Damsel in Distress' is a more fitting role in this hypothetical story for you?''
''I'm not... a damn...!''
A squeeze of her throat silenced Essex. ''Hmph. You seem to be in quite a bit of distress though. For reasons unbeknownst to me, of course.''
The comment, whether intended as humorous or not, failed to elicit a laugh from Essex – a tight, rasping choke escaping her instead as Alpha squeezed tighter, pressing her slim but lethally strong fingers down upon her neck. The Siren progressively held her throat tighter and tighter, cutting off her oxygen supply entirely-
''Hm?''
-only for Alpha to blink, and then lean backwards – narrowly avoiding the golden arrow that otherwise would've pierced through her head.
''Hmph. Ahead of schedule somewhat, but not unexpected.'' Observer Alpha remarked, gazing in the direction the arrow had came from; and when Essex herself strained her neck to see, she found the approaching forms of Enterprise and a small fleet of others behind her. ''Alterprise.''
A chilly breeze hit Essex as a purple portal opened on her left, the wavering light allowing an identical clone to her 'senpai' to step out. Eyes growing dark from a lack of oxygen Essex lolled her head to one side, gazing up at her and meeting the quasi-Siren's golden eyes. And to her befuddlement, worry gleamed behind those golden irises.
Not for what was to come, but for her.
''...leave her alive, Alpha.''
''Hm?'' The Siren seemed slightly surprised, but had no reason to refuse. ''So be it. She's outlived her usefulness regardless.''
Observer Alpha loosened her hold on her, but Essex had been starved of oxygen too long, her world tipping on its axis as she went slack.
The last thing she saw before blacking out being the concerned gold eyes of Alterprise, before darkness took her.
[END]
A/N: Oh dear, poor Essex~ At least she did her best, as did a certain Destroyer~
I've actually been toying around with the idea of Siren bombers/heavy bombers for a while now for another story fic in the works, but decided to put it into use now rather than hold onto the idea for who knows how long. Makes sense when you think about it; the Sirens would need such aircraft to hit further inland, especially due to the lack of established (but likely not non-existent) ground troops. Oh well~
See you next time in Chapter 27: Reflections II~
Tiny sneak peek:
Only for a burst of shells to nearly strike Alterprise in the back, splashing down into the water as the carrier dodged with snap reflexes.
''Forgive my intrusion.'' A familiar voice said, smile audible. ''But allow me to render assistance, Enterprise.''
With a flutter of cloth Belfast gracefully landed down atop the water across from Enterprise, blood staining parts of her dress from the damage she'd taken, but a wicked gleam of determination laid within her eyes. One that would brook no arguement, and would accept nothing less than total victory. Eyes, that Enterprise found herself finding renewed determination in.