(Mannerheim)-Nothing. We are focusing on reorganizing and repairs so I want all of you to get some R&R.
(Hornet)-But I have no idea what to do! Woe is me who has no-one to be with.
(Mannerheim)-You have Northampton and your sisters, isn't it right?
(Hornet)-But my sisters are either mouth-to-mouth with the commanding officers[she winks] or playing video games all day. (Mannerheim)-Well, unfortunately for the commanding officers, they have to go and bark at the industrial officials, so their lovers cannot be with them. Would ruin all of the barking effort.
(Hornet)-Oh, but what did they do?
(Mannerheim)-Shoddy rivetwork on some of the older girls. Seems like they are using poor(for lack of an adequate word) rivets and do not shoot them well. All while charging us extra for 'unavailability of resources'.
(Silver)-Unavailability my ass! I got friends in the industry and they brag how production tentupled. They're clearly taking us for fools!
(Mannerheim)-As my comrade full of pathos said. Only I would have put it more elegantly. (Hornet)-Wait a second. Rivetwork? Aren't we human-like? (Mannerheim)-Eh, this is a complicated subject. Ask your older sisters with which you got time to spend after all.
That night, the four sisters met for a 'girls night'. Karaoke, cheap pretzels, cards and gossip. Speaking of which, the karaoke was good but everyone kinda felt outclassed by Wasp, whose voice was more clear and nuanced, and they left it. Then, they tried poker, but Enterprise and Yorktown became too competitive and Hornet too moany about losing every time, so they switched to Macau.
Yorktown put a '2'.
(Enterprise)[puts a 3]-Hornet, take 5 cards!
(Hornet)-But why!? Why do I always take lots of cards?[takes 5]
(Yorktown)[puts a Joker]-Enty my dear, please take 10 cards. Macau!
Enterprise[puts a 2]-Sorry, but Hornet is gonna take 12 for me, isn't it, my dear sister? Macau as well!
(Hornet)-I hate you all!
[starts counting 12 cards and finally manages to gather them.
(Yorktown)-I'm done[puts down a 5]
(Enterprise)-Dammit, you beat me again![puts down an 8]
(Hornet)-AND I LOST AGAIN ! WHYYYY!?
(Enterprise)-Why do you always win, big sister?
(Wasp)-Pardon me? I am the one who won.
(Enterprise)-Yes, but she is always ahead of me, and you just rolled a lucky quad.
(Yorktown)-Well, my dear sister, you are strong, vigourous and full of willpower, but I have my own ace up the sleeve.
(Enterprise)-Are you talking about cheating?
(Yorktown)-Not at all. I am talking about using my wits. (Enterprise)-Is it something I can do as well as you do?
(Yorktown)-Possibly. We should spar sometime.
(Enterprise)-But aren't you weak after giving birth?
(Yorktown)-That is precisely what I want to teach you. No matter how high the gap between two's strength is, experience and wits can more than bridge it.
(Hornet)-You can do that some other time. But me? I wanna have some goddamn screentime!
(Wasp)-You don't see me complaining about that, though. I don't really wanna be the center of attention. I am fine where I am.
(Hornet)-Yeah, but you're not me.
(Yorktown)-Oh me, oh my, I don't want you to feel left out.
(Hornet-"Left out, huh? That does seem to be the case quite often.")
She blinks a few times in rapid succession.
(Hornet)-It's ok.
Yorktown's smile started to wane as she realized the situation their family was in. Enterprise and her were drifting apart because of their newly-started love lives, and Wasp was fine all by herself. This naturally left Hornet out. With herself knowing how bad it feels to be ignored and lonely, she felt a slight burning in her heart, a growing sensation of disapointment in herself.
Out of nowhere, Yorktown hugged Hornet.
(Hornet)-Huh? Big sis, where's this coming from?
(Yorktown)-Ssshhhhh Despite being still confused, Hornet hugged back and closed her eyes. A tinge of bliss washed over her, reminding her of the good old days.
She smiled. Those good old days, when there was no war and they could just hang out together and enjoy the moment... She longed for them, becoming aware she should have treasured them while she could.
(Enterprise)-Is there something I am missing?
(Yorktown)-I'm worried that, ever since we began our love lives, we've strayed from eachother.
(Hornet)-It's ok. We have to build our own lives at some point, I understand that.
(Enterprise)-Big sis has a point. All we had before was eachother. We must keep a bond with eachother (Wasp)-I will be frank, we cannot no matter how much we want to. After the war is over, we're going to scatter to the four winds.
(Enterprise)-If we think hard enough about it, we could come up with a solution...
(Yorktown)-Enty, she's right.
(Hornet)-In the grand scheme of things, it's my fault. I cannot stay a child forever. I have to start building my life too.
(Yorktown)-If you need advice, I am here for you, sis.
(Hornet)-Thanks. I'm actually thinking of moving to Texas and starting my own ranch.
(Wasp)-What? Hornet, have you been abducted by Sirens or what?
(Hornet)-I want nothing more than a peaceful life with lots of friends and a loving family.
(Wasp)-But you can do it anywhere!
(Hornet)-I know. But that place has a calling for me.
Yorktown looks at Enterprise with a face that betrayed her suppressing laughter.
(Enterprise)-Sis? Why are you looking at me like that?
Yorktown pushed Enterprise on the bed, stole Hornet's cowgirl hat, and started mimicking riding Enterprise in cowgirl position. All except Hornet burst out laughing (Hornet)-Heyyyyyyyy!
(Wasp)-So you're gonna be a cowgirl in more ways than one, lil' sis!
(Hornet)-Why are you making fun of me!? I am the only virgin here and I don't understand your jokes!
(Wasp)-I am a virgin too, you know?
(Hornet)-But you'll always be one, so it doesn't matter.
(Wasp)-The fuck did you just say?
Yorktown gets down and intervenes (Yorktown)-Now let's not jump to arguments (voice behind the door)-Oh man! Why?
(Hornet)-Who's there?
(voice behind the door)-FBI, open up!
Yorktown, slightly pissed off, grabs the door key and goes to open the door.
(Yorktown, sarcastic face)-Yes dear? What does the "FBI" want to inspect?
Silver pulls down Yorktown's shirt enough to reveal her breasts and starts playing with them in front of her sisters and Mannerheim.
(Yorktown)-Honey, please stop...
He covers her breasts back and kisses her cheek.
(Yorktown)-You're quite a card...
He kisses her lips (Silver)-And you love it (Yorktown)-Hehe...
(Yorktown)-What are you two doing here, by the way?
(Mannerheim)-He misses you. And I miss my Enty.
Enterprise gave him a tight hug and Yorktown did the same to Silver.
(Silver)-Say, can we stay with y'all? We can paint our fingernails together and talk about how bad Yorky's boyfriend is.
Yorktown kisses his cheek.
(Yorktown)-He's not bad. He's just a card, that's all.
(Wasp)-It's a girls's night, boys! You're not supposed to be with us.
(Mannerheim)-Well, we don't really want to stay. We just wanted to visit.
(Hornet)-Great. I feel lonely again.
Silver and Mannerheim stare at eachother.
(Mannerheim)-Should we tell her?
(Silver)-Naaaaaah. We'll let her boil a bit.
(Hornet)-What are you talking about? I wanna know!
Silver runs away laughing. Mannerheim backs down slowly and leaves too.
(Hornet)-What...what are they hiding?
They spent the night wondering exactly that, and talking a lot more. Until it got late enough that they had to go to sleep.
The following morning, they woke up to see Yorktown smiling and carrying a plate of pancakes dipped in caramel sauce and a bottle of wine.
(Enterprise)-Oh, Yorktown, what's up? Did you make pancakes for us?
(Yorktown)-As a matter of fact, I did. I want to spoil my little sisters a bit, hehe!
(Hornet-excited)-PANCAKES! Is this my birthday?
(Wasp)-Oh my gosh, pancakes!
They nibble and nibble at the puffy delicacies, and at some point, Yorktown asks:
(Yorktown)- Hey girls, I convinced the commanders to sponsor a shopping trip for us four!
(Wasp)-How did you do it? (Yorktown, bashful)-You can say I got on my knees in front of Silver and then he went and convinced Adm. Mannerheim.
(Hornet)-Begging is a powerful weapon it seems, right?
The older sisters make funny faces and don't reply.
(Hornet)-Whaaaat?
The older 3 laugh.
(Yorktown)-Aaaanyways. Anyone know a good place to shop around?
(Enterprise)-Well, there's this "Anachronistic Shopping Mall" uptown.
(Wasp)-Anawhat?
(Enterprise)-We're supposed to be living in the '40s, when there weren't any shopping malls, what with the war and all. But for the sake of a good story, the author pulls it out of his ass, quite literally.
(Wasp)-Wow, we just broke the 4th wall!
(Yorktown)-Oh God no, let's return to our own sheep and pretend we never talked about this.
(Wasp)-Wait, why?
(Yorktown)-Because!
(Enterprise)-Ok, shopping is all well and good, but what are we gonna buy?
(Yorktown)-Whatever we want!
(Enterprise)-Can we pass by the bookstore then? And maybe some clothes store. I want to look for something more... attractive.
(Wasp)-I never saw these sides of you, Enterprise (Enterprise)-I guess you never truly know a woman, am I right?
Yorktown laughs. Hornet laughs confused.
(Wasp)-Then I'll go to the -
(Everyone, laughing afterwards)-Gaming store (Wasp)-Hey, I'm supposed to be the mysterious one!
(Hornet)-Well, I know I'm a bit old for it, but I want to go to the playground.
Yorktown pats her head (Yorktown)-It's alright! Everyone has their childish side.
(Hornet)-Even you?
(Yorktown)-Well, yes. Anyways, I'll join Enty at the clothes stores.
A bit more discussing and gossiping later, the girls were ready to go.
Yorktown put on a purple trench dress, black pantyhose and a pair of red heels. Enterprise went the other way, with a red jacket over her "Route 66" tee, jeans, white sneakers and a pair of sunglasses. Wasp threw on a pair of jeans, a cardigan and some sneakers, and as for Hornet, she put on a yellow T-shirt, short skirt, black kneesocks and some sneakers.
(Hornet)-This is one HUGE shopping center!
(Yorktown)-I know, right?
(Enterprise)-Have you been here before?
(Yorktown)-Oh, yes I have. Don't feel overwhelmed, nobody is staring at us.
(Enterprise)-Why do you say that?
(Yorktown)-So that you don't feel overwhelmed by the number of people.
(Wasp)-Too late.
(Hornet)-Less talking, more walking! I am excited to get to see what's in here!
(Enterprise)-That's so like you, Hornet.
Once inside, they walk around curiously, until they spot the kids playground.
(Hornet)-Oh yeah! Drop me here please!
The other three smile. (Wasp)-I think I would like to kick back and enjoy these too.
They ended up going for it together.
Enterprise chose to spend her time alone on a swing, thinking. Yorktown came by to push her.
(Enterprise)-I'm fine by myself, sis.
(Yorktown)-What are you thinking about?
(Enterprise)-...nothing.
(Yorktown)-You don't look like you're thinking of nothing. You always look lost in thought.
(Enterprise)-I'm just worried about the future.
Yorktown pats her head and puts a coin in her ear.
(Yorktown-smiling)-Penny for your thoughts?
(Enterprise-smiling)-Sure.
She took a break to compose her words.
(Enterprise)-After the war is over, me and the commander will live a beautiful life together. Settle somewhere nice, start our own family, and things that seem to good to be true.
(Yorktown)-But they are. The commander really loves you.
(Enterprise)-I know, but there's still the war until then. The Sakura are down but not out. What if I have to lay my life down for victory?
Yorktown hugs Enterprise. (Yorktown)-That will not happen as long as your older sister still draws breath. Cheer up.
Meanwhile, Hornet was on the see-saw with Wasp.
(Wasp)-You look so happy.
(Hornet)-Well, I am. Why, aren't you?
(Wasp)-I hope no one recognizes me.
(Hornet)-No one would mock you for it. Few people even notice you. Why care?
(Wasp)-I don't even know if I want to be alone anymore. (Hornet)-You're not really alone. You and I, we're not that different.
(Wasp)-You're a proper carrier. Not a leftover. We're not the same.
(Hornet)-Are you ok, Wasp?
(Wasp)-Yeah.
She gets up and heads for the gaming store.
(Hornet)-At least you have it all figured out...
Yorktown and Enterprise soon left for a bookstore. Hornet stood behind.
(Hornet)-I'm always the one who gets left behind. The last one. The child of the family. Why are you the one who complains, Wasp?
(Hornet)-I wish I was taken seriously. (Hornet)-...there's only me I have to blame. I cannot be taken seriously if I keep refusing to act my age.
(Hornet)-I want to act mature, but I just can't. I live in the past where I didn't have to face enemies who want to destroy me. Where I could just fuck around with my sisters without worries.
(Hornet)-This cannot go on. I have to change.
Hornet struggles to get up from the swing. Once up, she fights her desire to go back on, and moves forward.
(Yorktown)-Say, what exactly are you looking for?
(Enterprise)-A cookbook.
(Yorktown)-Entyyyyyy, you could have just told me or mom and we would have taught you.
(Enterprise)-I don't want to be too much trouble, sis.
(Yorktown)-You aren't. Quite the opposite. I wish to spend more time with you before we leave for our own lives.
(Enterprise)-It's good we're here then.
They finish their purchase and head to adjust their wardrobe.
At the third store, they encounter a blondie dressed in a black plain skirt, a red cardigan, and with her hair let down.
(Enterprise and Yorktown)-Hornet!?
(Hornet)-Sisters?
(Yorktown)-What are you doing here, and, you look so good!
(Hornet)-Thank you! Just trying out a new style. Something more becoming.
(Enterprise)-Did you hit your head when falling down a slide?
(Hornet)-As a matter of fact I almost did but that doesn't matter!
Hornet paid for her acquisitions and while Yorktown and Enterprise browsed through, they were talking amongst themselves as Enterprise was trying out a mini-skirt in the changing room. (Yorktown)-What happened, Hornet?
(Hornet)-I guess I felt like accepting that life moves forward.
(Yorktown)-That's true, my dear. (Enterprise)-Isn't it funny how we wanted to spend time together but split up?
(Yorktown)-Yeah... 'cause we got strong personalities, that's why!
(Hornet)-Wasp's missing. And there's something wrong with her. I can feel it.
(Yorktown)-I think so too. She might be feeling like a second-rate member of this family, as far as I can say.
(Enterprise)-But she isn't!
(Yorktown)-I think we need to make it clear.
(Hornet)-I'll go do that.
(Yorktown)-We should all do that.
They finished their business then looked and found Wasp coming out of the gaming store.
(Wasp)-I am done with my stuff. Let's go home.
The three looked at her in silence.
(Wasp)-What's wrong?
(Hornet)-Hey, sis. Wanna play whatever you got there later?
(Wasp)-Ok, I'm freaking out. Why are you all staring at me?
Yorktown moves forward and gives Wasp a big hug. Hornet and Enterprise do the same. Wasp freezes.
(Wasp)-What is this?
(Yorktown)-We know what's bothering you, Wasp. And it isn't so.
(Enterprise)-Yes. You are every bit as important as we are.
(Hornet)-You matter to us.
(Wasp-with a knot in her throat)-I...am not. I am a surplus.
Hornet kisses her cheek.
(Hornet)-And I wasn't even needed. Yet we are all equal. And we all matter.
Wasp tries to hug the trio back. Strangers are staring at the weird scene of affection.
(Wasp)-I have no idea what to say. This is all out of the blue. But... thanks. I appreciate this.
When they returned to the base, someone was waiting.