The first to wake up was Yorktown. She was in the same bed as before, with the difference that instead of her mother, her little Enty was in the adjacent one.
As if to relieve some tension in her body, she stretched, but reflexively retracted herself when the first arrow of pain flew through her spine.
Gently lifting the blanket, she saw how the bandages she was wrapped in were all bloody. Legs, torso, all were gouged by gaping holes and heavy wounds.
She would be here for a while, much to her worries, unable to protect her sisters.
"Enterprise!", she then thought, immediately turning her view towards her sleeping sister. Fortunately, Enterprise was sleeping calmly and with a slight smile on her face.
With a smile of her own, Yorktown closed her eyes, letting herself fall into a peaceful slumber, the first in a long while.
Mannerheim looked at the humanoid made out of light.
(Mannerheim)-Are you Silver?
(Silver)-Yes. Glad to meet you, in flesh and bones.
The two shake hands.
(Mannerheim)-I don't know who you are, or WHAT you are, but I am grateful that you helped me fix my wrongs. Lexington, Yorktown and many more are all alive and happy.
(Silver)-It was my honour, saving the woman I love. Now, we must think of a way to make sure they STAY alive.
(Mannerheim)-No problem. I have an idea.
(Silver)-What do you-oh, you mean doing THAT?
(Mannerheim)-Yes. We'll let them rest and be happy for now, then we'll put Operation Gaia in motion.
(Silver)-Say, aren't we a bit too cruel? They barely escaped death with their tails attached, now we want to put them through hell again.
(Mannerheim)-It's what we have to do to shorten the war.
(Silver)-Fuck the war, we shortened it already. Let's let them have a moment of peace. We'll wing it until then. The Sakuras have little if no carrier fleet, so there is less danger than before. Our light carriers can do the job.
(Mannerheim)-Aye. The poor girls deserve it.
Hornet gently opened the ward's door and peeked in before entering. Her misfortunate slamming the door woke up both Enterprise and Yorktown.
(Hornet)-I'm so sorry!
Enterprise lifted her torso. Yorktown tried to do it too but failed.
(Enterprise)-It's no problem. I'm so glad you're safe, Hornet!
Both girls started crying as Hornet lunged to hug Enterprise. Yorktown had a few tears rolling down her cheek too.
(Hornet)-Wasp is safe too, God bless! And after you're out, we'll go on a vacation! The Captain said so!
(Enterprise)-Really? Where?
(Hornet)-Wherever we want! He's treating us to it!
(Yorktown)-Where's Wasp?
(Hornet)-She said she would not be able to stop crying if she was here, but she helped me make a pack for you.
She placed a bag which contains fruit, crackers and jam on the nightstand between the two. She then took out some to feed them.
(Hornet)-I am going to nurse you back to health. Wasp too.