A/N: Welcome back~ Bit of a longer pause between chapters, but we're back at it and - hopefully - no further breaks will happen between chapter, especially since we're now in the end game - 2-3 more chapters and an epilogue chapter, though I'm aiming for just two more chapters plus epilogue (it'll depend on how long certain scenes last)~
Enough of that though; do enjoy~
Stardust
Chapter 28: Clarity
The mood of the returning fleet was sombre. Downtrodden, even.
It was understandable why. Though Enterprise and a small force of Ship-Girls had reached New York, by the time the main fleet arrived the Sirens were already in the process of retreating, in part due to the small fleet of Siren warships that delayed the fleet further. The only ones to see any combat were the carriers such as Yorktown, Hornet and Illustrious; the three of them launching their air wings and helping to shoot down the fleeing bombers, but by that point the damage had been done and any victories they gained were pyrrhic at best.
As such all that was left to do was collect the injures, and the dead. Out of the task force of nearly twenty ships sent to New York, only six survived the onslaught that was Observer Alpha; the Siren thrashing them about with a mercilessness that hadn't been seen in a while. Something that was both a compliment, as it meant the Ship-Girls fighting her were strong enough to be a threat, but also a major danger, as it only increased the risk of dying when fighting her as opposed to just being thrown around.
''Hah...'' Enterprise sighed, grim-faced as she sailed into port.
When she was close enough to the still-under-repair docks Enterprise de-summoned her ship form and hopped off, boots tapping against the hard concrete path below. Around her the fleet was gradually coming into port to do the same; those with damage coming in for repairs whilst others just hopped off onto the ground itself. Despite being uninjured however many walked with a slump to their shoulders or discouraged grimaces, some with distant gazes and minds on New York City itself.
Walking up onto the shore Enterprise caught sight of Edinburgh; prompting her to hurry over to the maid before she went off to undoubtedly help the others. ''Edinburgh!''
''Hm?'' The maid turned, adjusting her glasses. ''Ah, Miss Enterprise, is there something you need?''
''Mm.'' Enterprise nodded; voice becoming soft as she got within a few feet. ''I wanted to ask... about the wounded.''
''Ah.'' Was the only sound Edinburgh made; falling quiet for a long moment. Mercifully, only for that long. ''Ise and Hyuuga took some damage, and Ise's shoulder was broken during the skirmish, along with other injuries. Washington took some burns but is otherwise alright, as am I. Belfast was with you, last I recall.''
''And the others?''
At that Edinburgh grimaced. ''Essex, Zuikaku and Shoukaku all survived Observer Alpha. As did Atlanta, Cassin and Downes. Everyone else... didn't.''
Deep down Enterprise had expected such news, but to be told that stung more than she expected, a grimace marring her visage as she looked away. Edinburgh sympathetically petted her shoulder but had to leave after just a second, whispering an apology before catching up with her Royal Navy comrades to help out. Enterprise didn't begrudge her for that, meandering away from the main area so others could file past her – gaze wandering off to the side as she saw several of the injured being carried away from on-board stretchers.
Firm movement drew her eye past the convoy and onto the confident form of the Commander, instantly capturing the carrier's attention and luring her over to the man. He saw her and beckoned her over, talking with an officer before sending the man away just as she neared, said officer saluting before marching off.
''Enterprise.'' The Commander greeted with a nod. ''How did it go?''
The carrier could appreciate his straight-to-the-point tone. ''I didn't manage to take down Alterprise. Belfast and the others handled Observer Alpha and stalled her, but took some hits.''
He sighed, but didn't seem surprised. ''I figured as much from the reports, but it's good to have it confirmed. Damn.''
Enterprise dipped her head in a slight nod and peeked around them, but everyone was too busy to really mind them. ''I have some intel though. Private.''
''Ah, I see. Meet me in my office in five minutes. Drag Akagi or Kaga with you so they can get filled in too. I'll pass the relevant details onto Belfast and Spee afterwards.''
''Understood.''
X-x-X
Ten minutes to the dot Enterprise arrived at the Commander's office, knuckles rapping upon the firm wood, and gaining a muffled 'enter' through it.
Stepping inside she felt a brief wave of nostalgia come over her, gazing around the modest but expressive room. Brown walls and burgundy carpets were complimented by paintings adorned across the chocolate walls and bookcases were set up next to filing cabinets for an afternoon reading during breaks, aided by the comfy couch set up next to the sun. At the far end of the room laid the Commander's desk, one already populated with numerous documents neatly shoved off the side, a dinosaur paperweight placed atop one stack and a coffee mug next to another.
The Commander sat behind his desk, offering both her and Akagi a smile and gesturing for them to sit in the two chairs before the desk. Nodding slightly Enterprise moved forth and took a seat, gaze drawn to the fox-woman with her as Akagi also took her seat with equal grace, hands folding delicately in her lap and eyes drawn to her too. Neither suspicious nor hostile as they once were, but almost tame, almost... curious, in a way. Not overtly friendly, but relaxed. Unguarded. Honest.
''So.'' The Commander's voice stirred Enterprise out of her thoughts. ''What intel is it that you have, Enterprise?''
''A couple bits.'' Enterprise stated straight-forwardly. ''For one, I can confirm that Alterprise now has the same ability to jump in-and-out of Mirror Seas like I do. During the course of fighting her, I also discovered that she can actively heal wounds to her body, and with some help from Belfast, I can too. Though it hurts a lot.''
''Regeneration, in a sense.'' Akagi cut in with a curious expression.
Enterprise shifted slightly. ''I'm... not sure. With my hull I essentially pull the metal from my hull to fix damage elsewhere. It's a limited resource; I can't pull metal away if there isn't enough to spare, and even then doing so weakens my hull overall, hence why I always left it as a sort of last resort option. I'm unsure if that applies to human body too, since it doesn't seem like I'll pulled... flesh, from somewhere to heal the wound.''
Akagi made an interested sound and gestured for her to continue, to which Enterprise did. ''I also figured out how to force myself into Mirror Seas not my own, and how to pull people out of it. I did this on Alterprise, so I'm not sure if it might only work on her, given she's so like me...''
''...but the use of such a technique cannot be undervalued.'' The Commander concluded with a firm nod. ''You've made great strides thus far, Enterprise. That technology has proven to be a big help as of late.''
''There's a catch to it though.'' Enterprise brought up, shifting uncomfortably. ''Alterprise revealed that... the Sirens can read my thoughts. At will. Ever since I stole the device.''
A long pause.
''I... see...'' The Commander slowly responded, frowning. ''Hn. Guess Henderson wasn't being overly paranoid for once.''
''That will prove to be difficult to work around.'' Akagi pointed out carefully. ''Not that I don't put it past the Sirens to already know of our actions regardless, but the risk of them having a direct view into our battle planes is one I'd, personally, prefer to avoid.''
''So do I.'' Enterprise nodded firmly, looking at the Commander. ''So I wanted to ask to be left out of any planning. Don't tell me anything, don't give me orders for anything – just leave it until the last minute if possible.''
''Done. I'll have anything relevant forwarded to Saratoga instead. She'll be able to act upon the information in the field better and pass it onto you as needed.'' The Commander wisely agreed. ''Anything else?''
''Two things.'' Enterprise hesitated for a moment – worried that the Sirens would read her mind and act upon the information she knew. But she needed to have it passed onto the others, so that they could act upon it before something terrible happened regardless.
Thus she drew a breath, and spoke. ''First, I know where Observer Alpha is based.''
''You do?'' It was Akagi who spoke, sitting up in her chair before the Commander waved her off, prompting the fox-woman to ease back into her chair.
''Where?'' The Commander was serious; eyes hard as they gazed at her.
For good reason. Since the war began they had been unable to strike back at the mysterious Sirens... but now, she knew where they were hiding. Not on this Earth, perhaps... but they still needed a physical space to exist, even if it was woven behind a veil of time and space.
''Base Upsilon. That's the name of the Siren base housing her, and possibly also Purifier and Tester Beta. Alterprise too, most likely.'' Enterprise stated matter-of-factly. ''It is also where I was held captive, during my times with the Sirens.''
Closing her eyes Enterprise could remember it well. The desolate room. The long, hauntingly tall hallways that seemed to stretch on for needlessly long. The experimentation room littered with devices and artifacts she didn't dare remember lest it entice the Sirens to use them against her. The acrid smells. The cold steel. The rush of bitter seawater as she stepped outside the base, weak and dizzy and with alarms blaring over her head, of the haunting groans of metal hulls as Siren warships were deployed en masse to recapture her.
She remembered it well. She'd just chosen to forget it, to pretend that horrid place never existed.
''Can you return there?''
It was Akagi who posed the question. Enterprise didn't answer immediately, instinctively about to mull it over in her mind, but stopped herself lest she unintentionally reveal her capabilities to the Sirens. They might well know... but, they might well not. Their study of her ceased when she stole the Mirror Seas device and ran away with it. Even if they had been listening to her thoughts this whole time, influencing her and leading her around in circles with their games, they had no overt way of checking the limit of her abilities. Only she knew that.
So Enterprise answered via a shrug, tapping the side of her head. Mercifully the two in the room with her realised what she was trying to convey and grimaced, realising that she couldn't share without revealing it to the Siren also. However, there was one more thing she needed to share... even if she couldn't directly name it.
''Secondly.'' She continued, reminding her two comrades of her earlier words. ''The Sirens. They have a weapon. A... torpedo, of some kind?''
''A torpedo.'' Akagi repeated dubiously.
''It looked like one. I only have a hazy memory of it.'' Enterprise elaborated. ''But just thinking about it... makes me uneasy. It feels dangerous. Far more than most of the weapons the Sirens have fielded thus far. I'd put it on the same level as someone like Observer Alpha – it gives me that same... that same dread.''
The Commander and Akagi looked equally dubious, but neither doubted her words.
''I see.'' The Commander mused. ''I'll draft a plan of things moving forwards and have Saratoga inform you of anything needing your direct intervention. Until then, I'll have everything kept hidden from you to be on the safe side.''
Enterprise nodded. ''Thank you.''
A chuckle escaped the Commander then. ''You know, it's usually that people ask to be in the-know, rather than out of it.''
A wry smile curled at Enterprise's lips. ''I aim to please, Commander.''
Ruefully smiling the Commander nodded, and with a simple wave of the hand dismissed them, barely waiting for them to reach the doors before picking up the phone and starting to dial someone – HQ or one of the other admirals, undoubtedly. Enterprise paid it no mind however, meandering down the hall with a quiet Akagi by her side, the two soon reaching the main doors and stepping out into the evening light, the amber sun shining across the ground as the skies diffused to purple.
Only then, as they stood in silence gazing across the sunlit base, did Akagi deign to speak.
''You cannot consciously think of things, lest the Sirens detect them.'' Akagi remarked. ''Then what of your unconscious mind?''
Enterprise shifted. ''...I'm not sure. So long as I don't think about it, I'm guessing they can't detect it.''
Akagi let out a thoughtful hum. ''I have something that could work with that, then. Be at my room in an hour?''
''Sure.'' Enterprise agreed lightly.
Dipping her head in a slight nod Akagi was about to leave – before Enterprise stopped her.
''By the way, Akagi?''
''Yes?''
''...when Alterprise came into the medical tent... what did she do?''
Akagi was quiet for a moment, almost pensive. Only after a prolonged pause did she speak. ''She simply came in, looked at Yorktown, and touched her face. She said nothing.''
The thought made Enterprise frown but she murmured her thanks all the same, watching as the fox-woman languidly departed for her dorm.
X-x-X
Given she had an hour to spare whilst Akagi made preparations, Enterprise opted to visit the field hospital to check up on her friends.
It was quieter than it had been earlier, thankfully; most people either resting or away doing other duties, leaving the field hospital staffed only by a sparse crew of doctors monitoring the injured. Amongst them however was a familiar face, lighting Enterprise's visage up and hastening her steps as she neared the field hospital, one hand pushing aside the flaps to step under the tarp canopy.
''Vestal...''
The Repair Ship lifted her head, a bright look crossing her own face. Glancing hurriedly at the human doctor next to her she murmured something to him and handed over her clipboard before rushing over, crossing the distance – and faster than Enterprise expected the short woman could move she hugged her, and hugged her tight.
''Mm!'' Enterprise winced a little. Momma-Bear hugs never seemed to get any gentler. ''Hey... didn't know you were back.''
''Got back just an hour ago.'' Vestal informed with a sigh. ''I've been pulled across the country twice now. First they sent me to Pearl, then they wanted to divert me back but ended up sending me to Pearl regardless, I was there for about a day healing the worst wounded while we waited for Akashi to be sent over from the Sakura Empire. The moment she arrived I was shipped back here, but had to take a detour to the hospital to help with the injured there... goodness, I've had a long week, Enterprise.''
The nun looked up at her, eyes softening. ''But you've had a much longer one, haven't you?''
Enterprise smiled tiredly. ''Mm. I'm managing, though.''
''That's good. How's your health? Have you been eating well? You've not done anything stupid while I was gone, have you- oh who am I kidding...'' Vestal shook her head, sighing.
The silver-haired carrier smiled wryly. ''Nothing too bad, I promise... though, it's been dangerous lately. Observer Alpha was at New York; so was Alterprise. Adding to the attack on the base while you were gone, and we've lost a fair few.''
Vestal's visage became sombre. ''Mm. I heard.''
A moment of silence hung between them; both recalling the lost. Neither dwelled on it for long, however.
''How are you, really?'' Vestal asked quietly, retreating from the hug at last – gazing up into her eyes with the care only a motherly woman like her could have.
Enterprise exhaled a long breath. ''Tired. I've been fighting a lot lately... my head's been abuzz too, can't tell you why though.''
Vestal dipped her head in a slight nod. ''Don't bottle it up Enterprise. Last thing any of us needs is you having a relapse of when you first escaped the Sirens.''
At that the carrier just smiled wryly and shook her head. ''I won't.''
''Promise?''
''Promise.'' Enterprise assured, glancing past Vestal. ''How are the others, by the way?''
Vestal let the topic change with a hum. ''Depends. Zuikaku and Shoukaku got off comparatively light, though Essex took quite the beating before she went down. Atalanta took a lot of damage; her ship-form had been ablaze and she took several lasers to her hull before she went down, but is expected to make a full recovery given time. Under my care, about a week, assuming the work on her hull goes as expected too... though, I won't be able to give her back her arm, unfortunately. I'm planning on having a prosthetic made for her as soon as possible. Cassin and Downes too will need some work, but will make a full recovery in a few days with treatment.''
''Ise and Hyuuga?'' The carrier inquired, spotting the two further back and awake; though both clearly drugged up to help with the pain of their injuries until Vestal could heal them.
''They'll be good in two days tops.'' Vestal assured. ''Ise's shoulder was broken, which will take a bit of time to fix, but she'll be ready for duty soon.''
Enterprise nodded, relieved to know her comrades were all in good care. Movement made her glance past the short medic however, laying eyes on the bedridden form of Essex as the carrier stirred. A slow, sluggish moan escaped Essex as she shifted onto her side, blinking blearily up at her. Vestal was swift to approach Essex's side, her hands emanating a soft green glow as she performed a diagnostic on the carrier, but apparently saw nothing of immediate worry judging by the relaxed expression on her face.
''Senpai...'' Essex croaked, wincing as she rolled onto her back. ''Fuck my back hurts...''
''Your back took some hits, judging from the trauma.'' Vestal kindly informed, helping Essex sit upright on the bed, moving her pillows to facilitate that. ''Easy. You only got here less than an hour ago. Don't try and move too much.''
Knowing better than to argue – unlike a certain class of stubborn carriers – Essex nodded, drawing in some breaths. ''How'd the battle go...?''
The question was directed at both of them, but it was Enterprise who answered, sighing as she sat herself down in the chair next to Essex's bed. ''Depends on how you look at it. How much do you remember?''
''...all of it.'' Essex quietly said. ''Fletcher... she...''
''I know.'' Enterprise held Essex's shoulder, squeezing. ''I know.''
Essex looked down and was quiet. After a prolonged moment, Enterprise spoke. ''After you passed out I arrived with some reinforcements. They handled Observer Alpha while I took on Alterprise. It ended with a draw for both of us, but I picked up some new tricks and the attack was repelled... though, a lot of New York is currently rubble.''
Vestal intervened before Essex could feel worse. ''Though the upside of the attack, if you can even call it that, is that the shot-down bombers have been located and neutralised and taken apart for experimentation. With any luck, thanks to your efforts, we can further analyse them and find out their weaknesses for future bombing raids.''
''Mm... I guess.'' Though it wasn't much, the good news did stem the wave of negativity within Essex, the faintest of smiles crossing her face.
Enterprise chose then to speak up, regarding something that had been bothering her. ''Also, Essex. About that note you left for Belfast.''
''Huh? What about it...?''
''I was asleep at the time. When I apparently talked to you.'' Enterprise grimly said. ''It was Alterprise who told you to leave that note for Belfast. She'd sneaked into the base during the night.''
Essex looked up at her for a second, then groaned – had she the energy, she no doubt would've slapped a hand over her eyes. ''You're kidding me.''
''I wish I was.''
''A Siren sneaked into the base and had me write a letter for her.'' Essex muttered in disbelief. ''That's the dumbest crap I've done to date, isn't it...''
Enterprise cracked a slight smile. ''Maybe.''
''But why did she want me to give it to Belfast?'' Essex mused.
''I was sleeping with her at the time.'' Enterprise said before her brain caught up to her, causing her to blush. ''I mean staying with her. Because the dorms weren't stable. That's all.''
''...uh-huh.'' Essex gazed at her with squinted eyes full of suspicion, but let the topic drop. ''Still though... a Siren sneaking into the base...''
''Mm.'' Enterprise nodded. ''What did she tell you, by the way? Aside from writing the letter?''
''Uh...'' Essex had to think for a moment. ''Not much. Found her by the sea, she said she was thinking – I thought it was you at the time, see – and she told me to stay safe on the trip to New York. She also said there would definitely be an attack at New York, which in hindsight makes much more sense... though...''
''Hm?''
''...when you arrived, Alterprise came out of a portal behind Observer Alpha.'' Essex recalled with a troubled frown. ''Alpha was going to kill me, I feel... but, Alterprise told her to leave me alive.''
''She did?'' Vestal said, blinking in surprise. ''That's odd...?''
Enterprise agreed with that, a deep frown on her face. For what purpose would Alterprise spare Essex? Was this part of the Sirens plan, perhaps? Was it a rehearsed act between the two Sirens... or, perhaps, was this a genuine show of mercy?Did her previous interaction with Essex give Alterprise a new sense of kinship with Essex?
Or, perhaps even... did she truly not want to hurt Essex more than needed?
Silently Enterprise shelved that thought for later. She still had time to kill before her meet-up with Akagi; she may as well spend some time with her dutiful kouhai and mother-hen of a friend.
X-x-X
Within the hour Enterprise found herself in one place she never thought she'd actually be; Akagi's bedroom.
It was about as she expected; half grandiose and regal and half more casual, with everyday objects like closets, a dresser, so forth. Currently she was sat away from them and instead nearer the open window, a cool evening breeze wafting in through it and with a low table sat in front of her, the cushion beneath her soft against her knees. Ahead of her Akagi sat on the other side of the table, laying out a piece of parchment paper and and inkwell with quilled pen, the two of them surrounded by several lilac candles radiating a soothing, almost lavender scent mixed with a pleasant burnt-candle smell.
''So... what do you want me to do?'' Enterprise inquisitively asked.
At that Akagi nudged on the parchment paper, pushing it towards her. ''You claimed you could not think of certain things lest the Sirens 'hear' those thoughts. Therefore, I propose that you empty your mind and let your unconscious mind take control; to write, to draw... to convey what you're thinking deep down, without consciously doing so.''
Enterprise frowned. ''I'm not sure if I could do that...''
''There's no harm in trying though, is there?'' Akagi loftily queried. ''The potential fate of mankind is on the line. Is this not a mere pittance in comparison?''
At that Enterprise murmured an agreement, drawing in a deep breath and letting it out, eyes shut. ''Alright. How do I do it?''
''Clear your mind. Think naught of what is going on, of what might happen or what has.'' Akagi intoned almost serenely. ''Think instead of the blue sky, dotted with clouds. Of the summer ocean waves lapping slowly against the golden beach. Of a vast field with cresting green hills and a clear blue sky. Think of the slow trickle of a river as it laps over small pebbles and stones. Of water splashing into a pond as it comes from a waterfall.''
The words became softer and more lilted, giving them an almost soothing tone that made her relax – the images Akagi planted in her mind rich in detail and almost life-like. ''...okay...''
''Let your hand move. Keep yourself relaxed.'' Akagi remarked quietly. ''Your arm is in water, sluggish but cool. Think of running your other hand through the bed of a shallow creek, fingertips touching the muddy sand and dislodging pebbles. Of your ankles getting soaked as you trek through it.''
The borderline-hypnotic words guided Enterprise, the carrier letting herself relax and think solely of the peaceful, scenic views Akagi gracefully planted into her mind. She immersed herself in them, experiences letting her visualise the feeling of her fingers passing through the cool river water or having water droplets splash up her shins, the thoughts only further fuelling her tranquil state.
And unbeknownst to Enterprise herself her body moved on its own. Like her arm truly was immersed in cool water it moved with a weighty, sluggish slowness, drifting across the page and dragging the ink brush with it. The strokes were slow and lacking in grace, but succeeded nonetheless in drawing a line across the parchment. Another slow stroke followed, and then another after that; brief flashes of subconscious thought manifesting in an almost doodle-like creation, one gradually drawn line by line.
Until soon Akagi could make it out. A rectangle became a box of sorts, one that narrowed near the bottom and with X-shaped parts near the rear – propellers. It was a crude drawing of an Aircraft Carrier. With further strokes Enterprise drew vertical lines atop the carrier's hull, one line after the next, until Akagi realised they were supposed to represent people riding on top of the carrier's deck.
'Ah. I see.' Akagi's eyes gleamed with understanding. 'Quite the inventive use of your newfound technology, Enterprise... hmhm.'
Carefully Akagi reached out, grasping the parchment and pulling it away – the sound of it hissing across the table breaking Enterprise out of her trance-like state. Akagi rolled the parchment up just in time, preventing Enterprise from seeing what her subconscious mind had drawn.
''Out of curiosity.'' Akagi asked in an absent-minded tone, mind whirring. ''Have you ever considered the limitation of how many people you can transport via that Mirror Seas of yours?''
''I don't know...?'' Enterprise murmured, eyes opening and brow dipping into a frown. ''Originally it was just me. When I fled Texas, I could pull both me and Belfast. En-route to New York I took... five, including myself. If there's a limit I haven't found one.''
''Interesting.'' Akagi remarked. ''Well, this has been nice, but I think Yorktown and Hornet might wish to see you before the night is over, yes?''
Enterprise knew a hint where she saw one, not missing how Akagi held the parchment to her chest. ''Ah, sure. Thanks for having me over.''
''The pleasure is all mine, Enterprise.'' Akagi remarked in turn, merrily leading the carrier out.
All whilst plotting in her mind, her grip on the parchment careful but firm. 'The Commander needs to see this... perhaps then, this war might finally take a turn for the better.'
X-x-X
The slow, methodical taps of boots-on-steel were nigh-inaudible as Alterprise walked down the long, long hallways of Base Upsilon.
She wasn't sure why she was moving. Sat in her bedroom – or 'quarters' as the Sirens called it – she had everything she needed. There was a miniature library of books from every branch of mankind's knowledge including thought-lost texts. There was a machine capable of making any meal she desired with a press of a button. She could head to the testing grounds at will and practice if she wanted, or even just conjure up a beautiful landscape for her to explore and relax in. The Sirens were quite lax about what she did, provided she didn't enter certain areas.
She was even allowed to inspect the construction facilities that made the Siren warships, from the sleek Destroyers to the hulking twin-decked Aircraft Carriers, each one made by a mind-boggling number of automated machines that churned out multiple carriers a day or dozens upon dozens of smaller Destroyers in the same time frame. It was easy to see why the Sirens saw them as so disposable with that knowledge; who cared if they lost a carrier when they could build three more in a single day? And that was assuming the construction facilities she saw were the only one of its kind... and not one every different Siren base had.
More over she even had free-reign to mingle with the lesser Sirens... though, that was hardly a benefit. Most lesser Sirens didn't have personalities and were simple humanoid machines – ones with more 'awareness' than a regular machine, yes, but still basic. Most couldn't even speak and would just stare at her when she approached until she indicated for them to continue what they were doing previously, making them far from pleasant people to hang around. Not that they did much beyond basic weapon testing, or being the target of said weapon testing.
She almost felt pity for them. Until she remembered that, despite their humanoid figures and faces, they were a literal, thoughtless machine. Still didn't make it any easier to see them willingly stand still and get decapitated from a bored Purifier's roundhouse kick.
However, despite having all that at her disposal... Alterprise found herself entertaining herself with none of it.
Instead she found herself wandering down the deeper, less-tread halls, making her way under blinding lights until soon reaching a pair of thick metal doors. The Experimentation Centre. The location of where many of the Siren's darker tools were kept and where many more were experimented with and created, most of which were never deployed because, as Observer Alpha once said-
''It'd be too easy, then.''
The thought made Alterprise grimace, but all the same she marched over to the panel next to the door. It would require a retina signature of a Siren, which she didn't have...
...normally, anyway.
Reaching into her pocket Alterprise withdrew a metal eyeball, one she'd slipped into her pocket after killing an Intruder-class during her mandated training under the guise of it being a memento. Her mind was kept carefully blank, nothing but the ravenous churning of the waves outside in her mind as she held up the eyeball to the retina scanner and tapped the button. It glowed a bright blue and swept a beam over the eyeball several times... before with a sharp beep, it flashed green.
Then with a deep groan the heavy metal doors pulled themselves open, their thickness easily evident with a glance. Alterprise stepped through the threshold and slipped behind a pile of metal materials still contained within their plastic-like container, hiding lest a Siren be lurking about. None were, and when she carefully shifted around the edge of the plastic-like crates she found an empty hallway ahead of her; branching off into various rooms on the right and with a metal railing on the left side, looking down somewhere.
Carefully Alterprise crept over to that edge, peeking over – and then immediately jerked back as she caught sight of the familiar forms of the Avenger-class below, the short Sirens skittering about like wild animals in a cage.
And unfortunately those wild animals were attracted to her much in the same way as they were to Enterprise – homing in on either of them. Thus, it was in her best interest to avoid being detected by them lest they alert whoever else was within the Experimentation Centre; prompting the carrier to keep her footsteps as silent as possible as she crept down the metal hallway. Progressing past multiple doorways she made her way down a maze of corridors; even more locked doorways present on both sides of the halls as she took a right, then a left, then passing an intersection to go right again – until soon she reached her destination.
One also locked behind a optical sensor. Lifting up the Siren eyeball she let the retina scanner read it, and with a hiss the door opened vertically, revealing a dark, barely-lit room. The moment she stepped over the threshold the motion-sensors in the walls activated the lights overhead, a sharp hiss echoing as they gradually brightened one after the other in rows, revealing the narrow, almost T-shaped room ahead of her.
And at the end was the source of her strange desire. The one Observer Alpha intended to use on humanity.
From up close she got a much better view of it than the hazy memory she conveyed to Enterprise. Standing tall and sleek with fins at the base it looked remarkably like a torpedo, but one with an engine at the base and danger markings all around it – a rarity given how danger-aware the Sirens usually were, perhaps to further convey to the likes of Purifier that this wasn't something that could be damaged and cleaned up with ease. The emblem itself garnered her gaze the most; a yellow circle with three black triangles facing inwards, with a black dot in the centre; forming a sort of trefoil.
According to Observer Alpha, it was a grade above what the Sirens had used on mankind before. It was, quote, ''A Weapon of Mass Destruction''.
Or as Alpha liked to call it – a 'WMD'.
''Might I ask what you're doing in here unauthorised, Alterprise?''
Alterprise flinched at the smooth, bored voice that reached her ears, coming from about a dozen feet back. Tilting her body slightly she looked back at the disinterested form of Tester Beta, the Siren standing with one hand on her hip and a vaguely-annoyed air about her, as if the discovery of her sneaking into one of their top-secret rooms was more of a bothersome eventuality than a shock and surprise.
''I...'' Alterprise honestly didn't know. Something base, almost subconscious had compelled her to just look at it.
Perhaps... her other half was influencing her more than she originally realised?
''I came to see it. That's all.'' Alterprise then said on the spot.
''Hn.'' Tester Beta didn't really seem bothered either way. ''Is that so. Well, you saw it, so get out. I'm busy with other work and don't want to have to keep an eye on you.''
''Right.'' Alterprise dipped her head in a nod, stoic as she marched past the equally-stoic Siren.
Her footsteps carried her out of the room, and with naught but a metal command Tester Beta shut the door behind her.
Allowing the Siren in question to sigh.
''How bothersome... now, where did I leave my tools...''
[END]
A/N: I'm surprised that so few comments on the 'torpedo' that Alterprise showed Enterprise. The Sirens have a nuclear bomb you know~ Surprised some thought Essex died too, given Alterprise asked Alpha to spare her; I wouldn't kill off Essex for dramatic effect...
...or would I~?
Either way, see you next time in Chapter 29: Upsilon~
(No sneak peek~)