A/N: And thus the penultimate chapter arrives (not including the epilogue)~
Do enjoy and tell me what you think~
Stardust
Chapter 29: Upsilon
A week had passed since the attack on New York City.
Naturally it had been anything but a peaceful week, for both the Ship-Girls and the Eagle Union as a whole. The civilian casualties inflicted by the attack had been severe, even with evacuation plans undergone and much of the city itself was razed to the ground. The deaths of a dozen Ship-Girls had also called for several funerals that left the base weighed with grief too; some dealing with it by focusing on improving themselves, to avenge the fallen, whilst others slunk about with despondent eyes and hung heads.
However their spirit was not broken, nor was mankind's. The sun had barely set upon New York City before repair works were already being undergone; fresh anti-air fortifications with newer and better equipment being built up, any previously-planned upgrades now being pushed to the forefront of the planner's agenda. The Ship-Girls too recovered from the initial shock and despair, and with each passing day the depressing air waned – not forgotten, but shelved, if only for a short time as they motivated themselves with practice and drills and honing their skills.
And now, just a week after the fateful battle that took over a dozen Ship-Girl's lives, the base was abuzz with activity. For reasons that Enterprise herself remained completely unaware of.
She knew something was up, of course – and she was sure it wasn't a birthday party or anything innocent like that. Not only was the whole base active and about, but they were receiving deployments not just from other bases, but other nations; a detachment from the Royal Navy and Sakura Empire ships pulling into port just the night before under the cover of darkness. The Royal Navy detachment consisted of Hood as the flagship with King George V and Howe accompanying her, alongside a swathe of Destroyer escorts – in contrast to the Sakura Empire, who sent a detachment of Heavy Cruisers with the unsure Mogami at the head.
''...something big is going on...'' Enterprise murmured to herself.
The carrier found herself stood on the balcony of the Royal Navy dormitory, gazing out at the base below as people milled about. Presently she didn't have anything to do; a by-product of being left out of operational planning, no doubt. Even Belfast was busy, although granted that was more to do with helping her Royal Navy companions into their new accommodation.
However, it would soon prove that she wouldn't be alone on the balcony for much longer.
''Ah, there you are Enterprise!''
The familiar but long-missed voice snapped Enterprise out of her languid daze, the carrier standing upright and turning – only to find herself summarily glomped by a familiar blonde Battleship.
''N-North Carolina?!'' Enterprise said in surprise, awkwardly returning the sudden hug. ''It's... Mn, been a while.''
''Oh it has, hasn't it.'' North Carolina gave her one more rib-crushing squeeze before letting her go, all smiles as she laid her hands on her shoulders. ''It's so good to see you again. Hawaii was nice and all, but getting to see you and Saratoga again is definitely better, hehe~''
Enterprise smiled, still a little in shock at the appearance of her old companion – but movement helped stir her out of her daze, her eyes landing on the slim form of Saratoga as the short carrier followed after the blonde. Though quite amusingly her short companion looked vaguely exasperated.
''Why did I nearly get tossed in the ocean when I tried hugging you, yet Carolina gets a hug back?'' Saratoga deadpanned. ''Oi. I'm sensing some favouritism here.''
Enterprise chuckled sheepishly. ''Sorry. I was really wound up back them. I won't do it again, promise.''
''That's good.'' North Carolina nodded, a soft, concerned expression dipping her brow. ''I heard about what happened from Saratoga... I'm so, so sorry I wasn't here for you Enterprise, I really should be a better friend to you after everything that's happened.''
''No, no, it's fine. There was nothing you could've done.'' Enterprise was quite to assure her old friend, smiling softly. ''Don't feel guilty about what happened. I don't blame you – or anyone but the Sirens – for it.''
''The Sirens...'' North Carolina murmured, and then nodded firmly. ''Mm. You're right. Instead of moping about, I'll pour my energy into beating those jerks into scrap!''
Enterprise cracked a light chuckle at that and nodded, glad that North Carolina didn't let herself feel bad over it. Insistent coughing from Saratoga however drew her gaze onto her short companion, curious; only to notice how she rocked back-and-forth on her heels and gave North Carolina an impatient look, as if trying to hint at something. It took the blonde woman a minute to realise what, a surprise 'oh!' fleeing her lips before she blushed, stepping back.
''Enterprise.'' A bit of formality laced Saratoga's voice. ''We need to talk. Mission details.''
''Ah.'' Enterprise nodded, becoming serious. ''Do you want to discuss this privately, or...?''
''No. Most others are aware of it. I've just left you out of the loop on the Commander's orders.'' Saratoga shook her head, marching up to Enterprise's side. ''I'm sure you've realised that something big is going on.''
''That's obvious.'' The silver-haired carrier nodded, sending a pointed look at North Carolina. The blonde just smiled merrily.
''Mm. The Commander has organised 'Operation Hydra'; a multi-pronged attack against the Sirens. I won't share more than necessary, but one key thing you need to know is what you'll be doing.'' Saratoga explained professionally.
''And what'll that be?''
''You'll be taking us to Upsilon.''
…
''Huh?''
Saratoga didn't crack a joke or tease; deadly serious. ''The plan is for the whole fleet to ride on the deck of your hull as you pull us all into Upsilon. From there we disembark and attack, with various side-objectives and such.''
Enterprise frowned deeply. ''I'm... not sure if I can...''
''Then you have to try.'' Saratoga said, a softer lilt entering her voice. ''It'll be hard – and I don't mean the teleporting bit. I know for a fact you can do that. But I know going back to that place will be hard... however, you've got the whole fleet behind you. Nobody will let you get kidnapped a second time.''
''Not that the Sirens could at this point.'' North Carolina noted, drawing eyes onto her smiling visage. ''You've grown so strong... I can't fathom them detaining you, as you are.''
''You'd be surprised...'' Enterprise muttered, but the sentiment remained all the same, giving her a touch of strength. ''I... I'll do my best. Let's just hope I don't mess up and make a fool of myself in front of the whole fleet, eh?''
Saratoga at last cracked a grin. ''Then best not mess up~ We're mobilising in half an hour.''
Enterprise drew in a breath, and gave a firm nod. ''Alright. See you at the docks by then.''
''See you. And Enterprise?''
''Hm?''
''Don't die.'' Saratoga's softer words drew a smile out of Enterprise.
''Same to you.'' Enterprise murmured back, glancing at North Carolina. ''And you. We've got catching up to do you know.''
''That we do.'' North Carolina said with a small smile, dipping her head. ''Well, I best get going. Gotta help Washington get in the fighting mood, after all!''
Enterprise chuckled and waved the blonde off, gaze turning back out across the base, a sense of anxiety twisting at her stomach... but one also joined by a firming resolve. One that brought with it the echo of Alterprise's words.
''Our next encounter will be our last. Whether you die, I die, we both die... the outcome is inevitable for one of us. The only question is what will remain of this world once the experiment concludes.''
'Perhaps so... but neither of us will go quietly, will we?'
No answer was forthcoming.
X-x-x
Thirty minutes later to the dot, Enterprise found herself out floating on the sea, her hull bobbing slowly beneath her.
She stood at the very end of her flight deck, gaze out on the ocean and quietly watching for any Sirens lest they attempt to make a last-minute attack. Behind her, murmuring and talking and whispering, consisted of most of the Eagle Union's navy – numerous Battleships, Aircraft Carriers, cruisers of both light and heavy varieties, countless Destroyers; the sheer number of people totalling way over a hundred and possibly reaching even two-hundred. Large by fleet standards, but understandable when considering they'd have no aerial or logistical support beyond what they themselves could support. The moment they were at Base Upsilon they were separated from reality itself; if they lived or died, mankind would know only by their continued absence.
Clanking to her right indicated someone approaching her, and when she glanced she found Yorktown stood next to her. ''Everyone is on-board and ready.''
''Alright.'' Enterprise swallowed and dipped her head. Though everyone was really too busy psyching each other up to really focus on her, being at the front of the fleet was a bit nerve-wracking.
It was almost funny. She, who had survived Siren captivity, who had survived fighting one-on-one with some of the most powerful Sirens known to man... was nervous about being in front of a fleet of her own ships and making a fool of herself, and not the risk of her potential demise. Priorities, who needed them?
Yorktown laid a hand on her shoulder, squeezing. ''You can do it. We believe in you. All of us.''
''That's right~'' Hornet sauntered up to her side, smirking. ''Let's get going. These boots of mine been wanting to kick some Siren butt since they bombed the hospital.''
Enterprise smiled and nodded, tilting her head up. One hand came to her ear and she focused, tapping into her innate radio and reaching out on an open channel. ''Preparing to depart. Final checks.''
The chatter behind her quietened, the sound of metal shifting and rigging whining as everyone, perhaps even subconsciously, double-checked their rigging to make sure everything was in order and functional.
''Good.'' Enterprise shut her eyes and focused. ''Stand firm. You'll feel nauseous, but that's normal. Get moving as soon as it wears off.''
Some murmurs came back over the radio, as did some enthusiastic or determined shouts, but the majority was silent – tense, anxious, stalwart, bracing; regardless of reason they remained resolute in their silence. That was fine with her, however. With a slowly-inhaled breath Enterprise reached out with her hand, envisioning the dreadful Base Upsilon in her mind, of the black-stone building amidst an ocean of torrential rain and tumbling waves. The image brought her heart pain, fear a cold knife that twisted itself into her chest, stealing her breath... but the warm hand of her sister on her shoulder abated it.
Until soon she felt it – a connection, not unlike a cold weight on the front of her mind, chilling and foreign. She grasped it, hand curling into a fist as she manipulated the sirenic device within her-
-and then with a strong pull, the world around her hull warped.
It was worse than her usual Mirror Sea diving. The world twisted, blue blurring to graphite grey and the skies blurring into a messy mucky crescent – before her hull crashed down onto the water below. The rough tides struck her hull and made her grunt, awareness taking a dangerous few seconds to return to her before Enterprise managed to think straight ahead, gaze flickering around. Her hull was still there. Yorktown and Hornet still there. So was the rest of the fleet behind her.
And ahead of them, laid Base Upsilon. A massive, almost castle-like structure made from midnight-black stone and metal with glowing red lines streaking over it in apparent random directions, the front of the building containing a massive gate-like entrance way, no door present to stop anyone from entering or exiting. Even to call it a castle would be insufficient; the sprawling, cube-based structure so complex and winding that it defied any feasible vocabulary. Not helped by the stormy grey skies that cast little light onto the structure itself, the turbulent tides beneath foaming wildly to complete the scene's perfect chaos.
''Mn...'' Beside her Yorktown regained her composure, a severe frown on her face. ''So this is where the Sirens kept you, huh...''
''Mm.'' Enterprise grimly nodded.
''Good. About time we take the fight to them.'' Hornet stepped forth, cracking her knuckles. ''Hey, San Francisco! Time to break some knees!''
An upbeat cheer came from the mass of stumbling Ship-Girls behind them, but was soon drowned out by the individual squadron leaders barking out orders.
''Get going, go! Over the edge!'' Washington barked out.
''Illustrious, please get your planes up as soon as you can~'' Hood chimed.
''With me, Zuikaku~'' Shoukaku merrily commented, Mogami a step behind her.
In rapid order the entire fleet unmounted from her hull, hopping over the edge and summoning their full ship form the moment they had the space to. Yorktown and Hornet too hopped over the edge, summoning their ship-forms alongside side her own and already getting their aircraft in the air, the whirring buzz partially muted by the howling winds that whipped through the muddy clouds high above.
Upsilon was not silent, however. Even from such a distance Enterprise could see the base's automatic defences come to life; flat edges sliding apart to allow bulky turrets to haul themselves out, anti-air guns protruded from higher points and wide panels began to open up at the far end of the base, allowing the familiar form of a Siren Battleship to begin sailing out, her keen eyes catching a peek at at least two more behind it, waiting to sail out. With how active the base was becoming, there was no doubt in her mind Observer Alpha knew of their arrival, if not, then she would in a matter of moments.
''Enterprise.'' The familiar voice of Belfast graced her ears. ''Has Saratoga informed you of your part in this operation?''
''Yeah. Told me as everyone was boarding.'' Enterprise dipped her head in a nod. ''We're going after Alterprise.''
''Mm. The Commander deemed her too high a threat to be overlooked. If we can eliminate her quickly, we can diminish the Siren's strength and leave Observer Alpha more vulnerable.'' Belfast remarked. ''I have my own objectives to accomplish alongside that, but for the sake of security I won't mention them.''
Enterprise smiled her thanks. ''Got it. You lead, I'll follow.''
''Understood~'' Belfast stepped up to the edge of her flight deck and leapt off, landing atop the water.
Enterprise followed, amusement swift to fade and be replaced by a determined expression as she fell – her ship form dissipating into blue cubes and her rigging forming by the time she landed atop the stormy ocean. Swiftly she followed after Belfast, peering out from under her cap and narrowing her eyes as she laid eyes on familiar black fighter-bombers taking off from the roof of the Siren base; whether from an airstrip or simply shot out of some unseen catapult, she neither knew nor cared.
''Incoming!'' Enterprise called out, raising her bow and launching an arrow, two more golden projectiles shot from over each shoulder.
The trio of arrows transformed in a blaze into a total of nine Wildcats, the roar of their engines lost amidst the storm – and the ensuing shellfire as fleet unloaded at the Siren base. Shells from Destroyers all the way up to Battleships laid into the stone-metal base, blowing chunks out of its armoured frame or denting metal panels. The base wasn't motionless however; the turrets on-board returning fire with deafening booms, some of the larger guns bigger than any Battleship cannon and with projectiles to match, said projectiles mercifully missing and splashing loudly down into the water before erupting, spewing the organising fleet with seawater.
The sight only hardened Enterprise's resolve, and with her brow set into a firm line she sailed ahead, catching up with Belfast. Joining them came the form of HMS Sheffield, then joined by a surprising face, one Enterprise had only seen a scant few times – HMS Monarch. A Prototype Battleship.
Behind her the red-haired woman followed, catching her gaze easily. ''I hope you won't mind me accompanying you.''
''Not at all.'' Enterprise murmured, glancing at Belfast. ''I just wasn't aware you'd be sent here. I thought Hood was the flagship.''
''She is.'' Belfast smiled coyly. ''Miss Monarch merely covertly arrived to reduce the risk of her, and others, being spotted in advance by the Sirens. Prototype ships such as her are quite good at combating the Sirens, you know~''
Enterprise hummed and nodded, vaguely aware of the details – something about cube resonance – but pushed the technical details from her mind. Just in time too, as she caught sight of several fighter-bombers soaring down towards them even as half a dozen were shot out of the sky in plumes of black flak bursts. Belfast saw them too and reacted practically in-sync with her, both of their anti-air guns opening up and adding to the spray of bullets, successfully downing the incoming swarm before they got a single bomb off.
An incoming shell wasn't so easy to shoot down however; forcing the squadron of four to break apart momentarily as a heavy shell splashed into the water between them. They regrouped without a moment's pause but the incoming fire only grew in density as they grew closer to the base itself. Around them the others also attacked, laying siege to the base, but most of the fleet hung back to get a better shot at the turrets rather than needlessly get in the range of the smaller self-defence guns. And apparently the guns operated on a proximity-threat ratio, because more and more of them began to target the group.
''Mn!'' Enterprise winced as one shell grazed her shoulder – blowing apart the cloth and bouncing off, but still succeeding in leaving a scrape across her flesh.
Vengeance was swift however; multiple large air wings of Sakura Empire planes soaring straight overhead before they dropped their bombs on the offending turrets and those near them – detonating them in a showering of sparks and flame. Shoukaku and Zuikaku's planes. Essex's signature dive-bombers came from above just a few moments later, soaring down and taking out the larger turrets that were aiming at them, Saratoga herself just a step behind. Though nothing was said, the message was clear to her. They had her back.
''Enterprise!'' Belfast's shout drew her eye off the planes overhead.
Instead her gaze was focused onto the open gateway into the base itself – one that swiftly snapped shut, a pair of hefty metal doors clamping shut and sealing them out. Pursing her lips Enterprise was about to issue orders, only for two wings of Dauntless dive-bombers to soar right overhead, flying unusually low to the water. The reason why becoming apparent when they lifted up, dropped their bombs; and let the bombs skip across the stormy water the last few dozen feet.
Until with a loud explosion the dozen thousand-pound bombs erupted across the metal door. The high winds scoured the smoke away, revealing a hole blown through near the middle of the door – burnt and warped black metal torn inwards. Sending a mental thanks to her sisters for the quick thinking she took the lead, sailing just ahead of Belfast and drawing an arrow just in case.
It proved unneeded, as soon they crossed under the heavy metal doors, and with a leap jumped through the warped gash in the metal doors – allowing the squadron of four access into Base Upsilon itself.
''Alright.'' Enterprise murmured as the three others landed with her. ''If memory serves right we'll have to go straight ahead from here. I'm guessing your objective is 'that', Belfast?''
The maid smiled knowingly, neither naming 'that' device outright, but both knowing what it meant. ''Mm. Would you know the way?''
''I can take you there. If we come across Alterprise we'll focus on her while you or Sheffield deals with 'it'.'' Enterprise spared a glance at the braid-haired maid, earning a stoic nod. ''Good. Follow my lead then.''
Affirmatives came from the three Royal Navy women, and with them at her back the four of them broke out into a run down the long, metal hallway ahead of them. Steel-grey walls stayed at their sides and rows of lights illuminated their path ahead, dim but enough for them to make their way down the hall – though every shifting shadow instinctively drew Enterprise's attention onto them. Paranoia, at first.
Until one shadow of a wall panel moved too life-like for her to ignore. Digging her heel in Enterprise turned – and with the simple tug of a bow string fired her arrow, and pierced through the head of an Avenger-class Siren hiding in the shadows. The creature died with a pitiful squeak, convulsing only momentarily before going completely limp; but it had alerted the group of four to its presence all the same.
And in the process, alerted its fellows as well.
''More incoming!'' Enterprise yelled out, sensing more than seeing movement on the wall higher up – and when she fired an arrow, the projectile scraping across the steel wall and generating sparks, it momentarily lit up the wall-climbing Avenger-class hiding there, waiting to ambush them.
A second arrow followed, but by the time it struck the wall the Siren was gone – leaping at them with a wide, unnatural grin. It twisted as it flung itself in time to avoid a shell from Belfast but wasn't fast enough to twist of the way of Sheffield's shells; both fo her hand-cannons raised and firing a blistering chain of shells up at the beast until it smashed into the ground at their feet, half of its body blown apart. Enterprise shot its head to kill it for sure.
Fast footfalls behind them preluded the trio of Avenger-class Sirens charging them, bodies low and sprinting full-speed towards Monarch, wild grins on their faces. Grins that remained even as Monarch spun with a yell of exertion, her sword cleaving a flawless line straight through two of their necks, their headless corpses throwing themselves into her. With a deafening blast the Battleship downed the third that tried to grab at her, but even as the lifeless Siren fell its body began to expand, swelling and swelling.
Until with a loud boom, it erupted at Monarch's feet.
''Mn-!'' The Battleship stumbled back, wincing harshly as the heat rushed past her. ''Tch... fast, they are.''
''Yeah.'' Enterprise drew an arrow, spotting more. ''High!''
''On it.'' Sheffield intoned, a chain of shells blasting skywards.
Though few of the shells hit they exploded with enough force to dislodge the crawling Siren from their ambush points and illuminate them in full clarity, allowing Belfast and Enterprise to pick them off with much greater ease. Arrows found themselves into skulls and killed them instantly, whilst shells blew them apart and left them to self-destruct far out of range, the group of four carefully progressing deeper down the long hallway all the whilst.
Until one by one the numbers fell, and they weren't replaced. Soon Enterprise found herself scanning for targets more than she was engaging them; her eyes narrowed as she marched ahead with her bow raised, unable to find any further targets. By her side Belfast lowered her guns cautiously and Monarch did the same, though Sheffield kept her guns up as she brought up the rear, guarding the Battleship of their group loyally.
''Is that all of them?'' Monarch dared to inquire.
''Seems like it.'' Belfast concluded. ''Enterprise?''
''Mm.'' Enterprise confirmed with narrowed eyes. ''Maybe they only have a limited supply of them left and are holding them back. It's not like the Sirens to be reserved with resources, after all.''
''Indeed, it would make sense.'' Belfast agreed, nodding ahead. ''Shall we?''
A grunt from Enterprise was all the sign needed, and as one the group once more broke out into a fast job bordering on a run, crossing the distance as fast as they could before more Siren reinforcements came. Suspiciously none did; the halls barren of even lesser Sirens, when it would be logical for the Sirens to deploy them to halt their advance. At the same time it could simply be that the Sirens instead deployed them outside to help deal with the massive fleet currently battering the base, but that would mean someone would have to be inside to defend its interior.
Someone who Enterprise detected a moment before she fired; an arrow seeming to plunge straight out of the darkness further down the hall and whizz past them, nearly taking off Sheffield's head had the maid not jerked her head to the side in time, earning a cut across her ear but little else. With remarkable speed however both Belfast and Sheffield retaliated, a chain of shells smashing into the hallway ahead of them, the smoke generated blinding their opponent to their approach and also buying the four of them time to spread out; Monarch herself raising her cannons and preparing to aim.
''...Alterprise.'' Enterprise was much less guarded – wary, but she knew that the arrow was just a warning shot, nothing more. If she was in Alterprise's place she wouldn't have aimed for the head; she'd have gone for the body. Less lethal, but almost a guaranteed hit with the element of surprise.
She was just announcing her presence. Not trying to kill Sheffield.
Rather than reply verbally Alterprise did so by walking out of the shadows ahead of them, the shellfire smoke gradually clearing to reveal the look-a-like. From such a distance they were almost identical, the overhead lights casting a tinted-gold glow over them that made it hard to even distinguish their eye colours.
''Go ahead.'' Alterprise then spoke, voice quiet but firm. ''The three with you... they can go ahead.''
Sheffield didn't take her eyes off of her doppelgänger. ''We don't need to. Our mission is to take you down, simple as that.''
Alterprise didn't take her eyes off of Enterprise. ''No... it's not. You're here for that 'thing'. I might be a side-objective or something, but I'm not the main one.''
Sheffield didn't respond to that, merely holding her hand-cannons firmer, prepared to fight.
Alterprise shifted. ''Go on then. I won't stop you. This is between Enterprise and I.''
Enterprise dared to take her eyes off of their opponent, looking at Belfast. The maid covertly glanced back at her and shot her a worried look, unsure if she could trust the quasi-Siren's words – and more importantly, whether it was right to risk leaving Enterprise to handle Alterprise alone in Siren territory. Enterprise grimaced at that, part of her reasoning that she could beat, or at least hold off Alterprise until the others returned from disabling the Siren super-weapon, but at the same time, did she dare to trust Alterprise?
She never got the chance to find out, as a refined, languid voice cut through the tension. ''Hmph. Getting battle-hungry, are we?''
Alterprise glanced behind herself, lips thinning at the sight of Tester Beta. ''This is between she and I.''
''But she is not alone.'' Tester Beta corrected with a smile. ''I hope you weren't planning on letting them into the experimental rooms uninhibited, were you?''
Alterprise didn't deign to answer that, earning a chuckle from Tester Beta.
''Hmph. Whatever.'' Instead the Siren moved behind Alterprise, nudging her forth with a hand. ''Go then, fight your little battle. I will deal with those alongside her separately... though, do hurry back. That Prototype woman may be problematic to deal with.''
''Understood.'' Alterprise intoned.
Enterprise tensed as Alterprise seemed to vanish out of thin air. ''Good luck.''
''You too.'' Belfast whispered back.
The load blast of shells from Monarch muted any further conversation; all of them missing Tester Beta as the Siren leapt back further down the hall, opening fire with her own Battleship-class guns, forcing the party of four to evade. Alterprise took advantage of the confusion and appeared out of thin air right in front of her, one hand grasping ahold of her clothes.
And then in a brief bout of nausea Alterprise pulled her into a pocket Mirror Sea, both appearing the misty ocean. The second the dizziness abated Enterprise went on the attack, bow raising – only to find Alterprise was faster on the draw, an arrow whizzing past and cutting into her shoulder. Grunting sharply the silver-haired carrier fired a retaliatory arrow, clipping Alterprise's jaw but little else as the arrow whizzed past.
The arrow also failed to stop Alterprise from charging her; the doppelgänger closing the distance between them in a flurry of rapid steps – until with a slash their weapons clanged together, sparks jolting out from the impact. Enterprise was familiar with bow-on-bow combat by now however, eyes narrowing as she twisted her bow in such a way as to stop her counterpart from simply yanking her onto unstable footing.
Something that Alterprise seemed to realise, as twin arrows manifested above her head and shot down towards her.
''Mn!'' Twisting her bow out of the deadlock she redirected the arrows; letting them ricochet off of her weapon.
Alterprise took the chance to get inside her guard, their faces mere inches apart – before with a lightning-quick twist of her hip she brought her right hand in, striking her in the stomach with a palm-strike. The strength packed behind the blow sent Enterprise skidding back across the water, a hiss of pain escaping her, but Alterprise gave her no reprieve; a trio of golden arrows whizzing past her and cutting across her flesh, drawing blood and staining her clothes with it.
Yanking herself out of the Mirror Sea she was forced into Enterprise found herself in the middle of a random hallway, barely lit and indistinct – when she felt a chill behind her and reacted, twisting around and raising her blow. Alterprise reappeared and their bows clanged together, jolting her arm from the harsh impact; though failed to stop Enterprise from summoning an arrow low down close to her waist, firing it up at the still-falling Alterprise, and piercing a hole straight through her side – undoubtedly hitting something vital judging by her gasp.
''You've gotten faster.'' Enterprise remarked, jerking her arm out and pushing Alterprise away, eyes on her counterpart as she landed further down the hallway from her.
''So have you.'' Alterprise noted, tilting her head with a frown. ''Though it's not been from any form of training, has it? Rather... it's more like you've come to terms with things.''
''...yeah.'' Enterprise raised her bow, aiming. ''I'm not scared of the Sirens anymore. I can't afford to be; not with everyone out there counting on me to do my part. So no matter what it takes...''
An arrow formed between her fingertips, nocked against the string of her bow. ''I'll win.''
Alterprise stared at her for a hard second. The frown refused to abate from her visage, yet she didn't bother to raise her weapon either, as if struggling to figure her out.
''I don't...'' She trailed off mid-sentence, a spark of realisation lighting up Alterprise's golden gaze. ''Ah... is that, why...?''
''What are you talking about?'' Enterprise prodded, cautious.
''It's nothing.'' Her counterpart was swift to reply – too swift. ''Ignore it. It's irrelevant to us now. Just don't lose focus, otherwise...''
Alterprise tapped the side of her head. ''She'll be the winner here.''
Enterprise merely hummed. ''Got it.''
A moment of pause hung over them, silence reigning.
Then in an instant the battle continued, both vanishing out of sight before manifesting farther apart, arrows shot at each other.
X-x-X
Tester Beta was a troublesome opponent.
Much like the rest of her kin her physical strength was on a level above average Ship-Girl; and far above that of a normal human, with the closest rival being the physically-strong Battleships. Her armament of six large cannons with an additional six smaller – but still powerful – lasers meant that she was a potent threat at long range as well; the combination of both rounding her out as a truly formidable opponent. A formidable opponent Belfast found herself going up against.
''Mn!''
Multiple shells exploded across the steel floors of Base Upsilon, throwing shrapnel and fire about and earning a wince from Belfast. Leaping out of the way of the heat the maid landed down on one knee, panting lightly before she had to leap again with a grimace, evading the trio of lasers that shrieked past her last location, burning a hole in the wall behind her.
Putting one hand on the adjacent wall she used it like a springboard and leapt over Tester Beta, a unified boom erupting through the hallway as she fired all cannons straight down at the Siren. She heard the Siren curse as they struck, bringing a tight smile to Belfast's face as she landed behind the Siren – and without mercy Sheffield rushed in, hand-cannons raised and unload a tirade of shells straight through the smoke cloud, detonating a chain of them across Beta's front. Not wasting any time Belfast opened fire at her back too, far too close to miss.
Tester Beta wasn't going to just stand there and let them wail on her, however. With little to no warning a trio of golden lasers shrieked out of the smoke and scorched a burn across Sheffield's thigh, earning a tight gasp from the maid and forcing her back. With a swept-out arm Beta blew away the smoke and turned, glaring in annoyance back at Belfast and commanding her sea creature rigging to turn with her.
The tell-tale glow of its cannons were Belfast's only warning before six shells blasted out, detonating with a roaring explosion.
''Mn...!'' With a grunt Belfast leapt up out of the smoke, wincing and with mild burns singing her flesh, part of her uniform scorched away.
Tester Beta made to engage her in close combat – only for Monarch to intervene, dashing up behind Tester Beta with a speed unbefitting of a Battleship. With a fierce gleam in her eye Monarch brought her sword down from on high, swinging it down as if to cleave her in two. With a dexterous twist of her heels Tester Beta narrowly side-stepped the powerful attack, but the sheer force put behind it blew a slight gust and cleaved a gash into the floor. For what seemed like a short instant the Siren and Prototype locked eyes, gazing.
Then in a heartbeat Monarch moved, twisting her wrist and slashing upwards. Tilting herself back Beta evaded the sharp swing, put on the back-foot as she swiftly tilted and twisted out of a furious chain of swings, each one missing by increasingly narrow margins – soon earning Beta a cut across her side. Eyes narrowing at that the Siren ceased her retreat and dug her heels in, right arm cocked back before thrusting out, passing by Monarch's cheek as the Battleship tilted her head out of the way. When the red-head attempted to slay the Siren with a downwards slash however Beta met her halfway, her free hand grabbing the blade and stopping it dead before it could build too much momentum – earning nary more than a cut to her palm.
''Foolish.'' Tester Beta sniped.
And then with a deafening blast of her cannons the Siren fired point-blank, engulfing the two in a gout of black smoke.
Narrowing her eyes slightly Tester Beta adjusted her eyesight; pupils dilating as she switched from normal vision to infra-red, easily spotting the form of Monarch as she backed up, coughing. Thus with a gleam in her eyes Tester Beta rushed her, bursting out of the smoke and swinging a leg out in a powerful roundhouse kick, smashing her shin into Monarch's hastily-raised arm and sending the Battleship slamming into it.
Grunting Monarch hastily put a hand on the wall, pushing herself off of it – but Tester Beta was upon her in moments. A thunderous fist missed narrowly and smashed itself into the wall instead, denting it inwards but leaving the Siren vulnerable to a counterattack; one that Monarch gladly provided in the form of a fist to the gut, earning a hiss out of Beta. A pommel strike to the chin jerked the Siren's head back and a furious yell preluded the sword that slashed down Beta's front, a salvo of Monarch's cannons blasting the Siren out of melee range.
''Tch...!'' Tester Beta scowled, rising up from her crouched position. ''Hm?''
Looking ahead through the dissipating smoke Tester Beta noticed the missing form of the two cruisers, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. Connecting to the base's network she searched for them, numerous, miniscule camera perspectives flickering through her mind at hundreds a second, looking for the slightest trace – until she found Belfast. Running ahead towards the experimental department.
'Hm, sly... but where is the other-'
Tester Beta got her answer as she felt a hand-cannon press itself against the back of her head, startling the Siren with the stealth – but didn't get to so much as tense before the trigger was pulled. The impact of a shell straight to her head jarred her and sent her stumbling forwards with a gasp, disoriented for a dangerous moment, but Sheffield was not one for mercy. With brutal efficiency the cruiser marched right up to her and pressed her right hand-cannon against the side of her head and fired again, stomping on her foot so when she stumbled she fell over onto one knee, allowing the maid to put her other gun against her arched spine and blast several more cruiser-class shells into her at point-blank range.
''Mn-!'' Until with something almost like a growl Tester Beta swept an arm out, forcing Sheffield back lest she be thrown into a wall.
Detecting movement the Siren twisted, one arm raising just in time to block the downwards slash of a sword. Monarch attempted to throw a punch but Tester Beta blocked it with her other hand, scoffing as she charged up her lasers and sent them shrieking straight at her opponent, scorching several deep burns across Monarch's side and charring her flesh black with the incinerating heat. The pain that flashed across Monarch's face was all the information Beta needed, and with brutal swiftness she tilted her arm, letting Monarch's blade grind along it – and allowing her to grab Monarch by the face.
Monarch gripped her wrist, squeezing – until with a grunt Tester Beta slammed her face-first into the ground. The ground shook from the impact and it left Monarch gazed, giving Beta time to release her head and curl her fingers into a fist-
-when she detected movement behind her and twisted, grabbing Sheffield's foot as the maid attempted to jump-kick her. Paying no heed to the maid's grunt she swung Sheffield around and threw her bodily into the adjacent wall, earning a pained gasp from the stoic maid as she slid down it to the ground, groaning.
''Hmph.'' Tester Beta scoffed. ''How foolish.''
''...arrogance.''
The comment came from below – and Tester Beta gasped as a sword thrust itself up, piercing into her stomach. The Siren wasted no time in moving back, causing the blade to cut up her mechanical insides as she retreated.
A scowl was quick to form across Tester Beta's face. ''Hmph. I didn't anticipate you to overcome your disorientation so quick. I will avoid that mistake in future conflicts.''
''Mn... bold of you, to speak of future conflicts.'' Monarch grunted, rising back up to her feet, scowling too. ''For you will not merely meander out of this skirmish alive. Of that, I assure you.''
Beta's eyes gleamed. ''We shall see about that.''
And with the ring of their cannons, their battle continued.
X-x-X
Belfast's heavy breaths were all the cruiser heard as she ran down the long, desolate hallways of the Siren base, beyond the sound of her heels clanking against the steel floor underfoot.
Using the blast as cover she escaped the battle and went after her true objective – the unknown Siren weapon that Enterprise had seen a glimpse of, so much so that she felt it necessary to communicate that fact despite the risk of the Sirens overhearing and taking retaliatory action. Thus, as one of the best infiltrators of the Royal Navy and amongst the best of all Ship-Girls available, she was chose to locate, and hopefully eliminate the weapon.
Locating it was harder than anticipated, however. The hallways were all the same and barely marked, presumably due to the fact the Sirens themselves wouldn't need such a basic system – they were machines after all. They undoubtedly knew the base like the back of their hand, and that fact made it worryingly troublesome for the maid to find her way about – dashing down hallways that seemed to lead right back to where she started, or ending in dead-ends or unneeded rooms.
Until soon she found a change – one that came in the form of a doorway that ended at a pair of thick metal doors. With hope flaring in her chest Belfast rushed up to them, eyes scanning for any potential handles, but to her frustration found none. Instead all she found was a scanner of sorts that displayed an eyeball icon; and she didn't need to touch it to know it wouldn't open for her retina. Probably only for Sirens.
Thus left with no other choice Belfast raised her rigging and prepared to try and blow open the door...
...when the overhead lights glinted off of something on the floor that made her pause, frowning as she knelt down to get a better look.
''Hm...? This...'' With confusion furrowing her brow Belfast carefully pinched what was unmistakably an eyeball and held it up, tilting it slightly to examine it better.
The firmness alone told her it was a Siren's eyeball, prompting the maid to peek up at the retina scanner... before cautiously she approached the device and held the eyeball up to it. After a second a blue light emanated from it and swept over the eyeball several times before it flashed green, causing the doors to open with a weighty groan. Tensing Belfast hung to the side, hiding in the shadows, but when nothing came bursting out at her she cautiously crept inside.
More long hallways greeted her, though now there was a balcony-like railing off to the left – and when she peeked down she saw... nothing. Just an empty pit of sorts. Pushing the weird sight from her mind the maid continued with her search, footsteps becoming as quiet as she could make them as she ran, slowing only when she passed by several doorways – each of which were locked shut. Using the retina scanner on them yielded no result however; the scanners flashing red instead of green and refusing to open; presumably openable only to certain people. Perhaps a good thing, considering the danger labels on many of the doors, some labelled [Gaseous Hazard] to [Chemical Bioweapon] to [Anti-Matter Materials]; whatever the last one meant.
Thus her search continued, fruitlessly trying every door... until at last one opened.
Startled that one actually did open Belfast tensed; waiting for a second before cautiously entering. The lights came on automatically, illuminating the grey-walled room – and more importantly, the weapon as described to her. It truly did look like a torpedo of sorts but standing upright, more narrow and closer to the old missiles ballistas used to use in the olden days of mankind. The copious amount of warning signs around it however spoke of its danger, especially given how few of such signs she's seen thus far.
Swallowing Belfast carefully approached it – when she heard metal squeak. Her foot hadn't yet touched ground.
Something displaced air above her and she spun, hand raising – and with a blast of her cannons Belfast shot the Avenger-class Siren that had dropped off of the ceiling. Its momentum carried it down however and Belfast gasped as the Siren landed on her, its chest swelling up rapidly-
-before in a moment of gracelessness she punted the deceased corpse out of the room with a kick, skidding it out into the hallway beyond where it detonated, blowing out a wave of heat and smoke, but not killing her.
''K-Kuh...'' Belfast coughed a little, waving a hand about. ''Goodness...''
Scanning the ceiling Belfast saw no other threats, and so with a sigh, refocused on the weapon of potential mass destruction ahead of her.
''Now... what to do with you...''
X-x-X
Teleporting in-and-out of Mirror Seas was disorienting at the best of times. Doubly so when one was in unfamiliar territory.
Alterprise had no such problems. Apparently familiar with the endless halls and vast open spaces between she was much quicker on the draw than Enterprise herself, frequently forcing the carrier onto the defensive until she could find an opening and make her counterattack. Evenly-matched as they were the battle between them was gradually turning into a battle of attrition, both earning their fair share of wounds only to heal themselves of it with just a few seconds of pain and patience.
As the battle continued however Enterprise began to see the drawback of her so-called 'regeneration' – fatigue. Healing herself several times in quick succession left her out of breath and almost dizzy, forcing her to lean against the wall and stall Alterprise with a flurry of arrows just to give her enough time for the adrenaline in her veins to quell the sudden wave of tiredness. Alterprise was better off, presumably having known about the drawback in advance and using her regeneration more sparingly, but even she too felt the toll of it.
Which led to their current situation. Stood across from one another and panting, the bloody scars across their clothes showing no wounds, but the blood that remained stuck to their uniforms all the same.
''You said, once before.'' Enterprise spoke up then, more to bide her time than anything else. ''That the reason you stayed with the Sirens was to find the purpose of your existence.''
''That's right...'' Alterprise nodded slightly, gripping her bow. ''Alpha, she told me... by fighting you, the one who I came from... that I would understand what she could not – what my purpose in this world was...''
''The one I came from...'' Enterprise repeated, narrowing her eyes.
Her counterpart nodded. ''Yes... to 'make' me, Alpha... she took a part of your soul. When, how, where, I was never told... but she used that part to make me. She wanted to understand you – us better.''
''My soul?'' Enterprise subconsciously clasped at her chest. She didn't feel incomplete; she felt normal, even when she escaped the Sirens... or, as normal as one could be, she supposed.
Alterprise nodded regardless. ''Yes. Did you never wonder why the Avenger-class Sirens were drawn to you so often; why I never fought alongside them – why Alpha never used them during her attack on the base, when I was there? Because they're made of you too. Smaller, tiny fragments, but part of you all the same – they're drawn to you because of it, because they want to become whole, to understand, to be whole and realise what they really are. To stop being mindless beasts that are just starting to learn instinct, let alone humanity.''
Enterprise's grip on her bow tightened, then loosened. Visions of all the Avenger-class she had killed in the past came to mind, leaving her conflicted. On one hand they were trying to kill her, no question – they had to die. But the idea that she had unknowingly, and even mercilessly killed literal fragments of her own soul felt icky to her in a way few things did; as if her very soul ached at what she had been forced to do. Maybe the Sirens knew it would invoke that reaction and were just waiting for her to figure it out on her own, to further drive her in despair. Had she not escaped their hold, that is.
However the revelation didn't dispirit her. Rather, it only encouraged her in a way. ''Then why are we still fighting?''
''What?'' Alterprise narrowed her eyes. ''I told you why. To find my purpose.''
''And haven't you?'' Enterprise challenged. ''I saw how you reacted earlier. How you treated Yorktown and Essex? You've realised it too, haven't you?''
Alterprise was quiet.
''I'll admit, I didn't realise until then either.'' Enterprise conceded, her grip on her bow becoming firm. ''But coming here, with everyone counting on me... it reminded me of why I still fight the Sirens, despite all that's happened. It's for them. It always has been.''
A soft frown marred Alterprise's visage. ''Is that so...''
They were interrupted, however, by a hauntingly familiar voice.
''Well well, interesting as this conversation is, I'm afraid I don't exactly have the time to sit and listen in. I'd rather not have my base reduced to ruin, you know.''
Enterprise tensed, gaze drawn up to the petite form of Observer Alpha as the Siren phased into existence not far behind Alterprise herself, smiling as her camouflage wore off. ''Considering that, I do believe I will intervene on your battle, Alterprise.''
Alterprise said nothing but merely gripped her bow, nodding.
Enterprise grimaced and held her own bow tightly, tense-
-and with the shrieking shot of a laser, the battle resumed once more.
[END]
A/N: And thus Observer Alpha joins the fight directly and has no reason to hold back, oh my~
See you all next time in the finale, Chapter 30: What Defines Us~
Tempted to share a snippet, but I won't spoil anything~ See you in a week~