Final Frontier

by Cipher32

For us the storm has passed, it's time to honor those who never return in this dreadful voyage. As human carved their loved ones' names to a stone pillar of remembrance, they carved ours' into their hearts as an utmost symbol of gratitude, and in them we would never be forgotten amidst time for it is the greatest way they honor us. UNSC Enterprise, requesting immediate recovery.

11. Chapter 11: Per Mare, Per Terras

Warning: Might contain real world politics. What is written does not reflect Author's politic view and is purely for entertainment purpose.

Chapter 11: Per Mare, Per Terras.

"That was unexpected"

The stiff silence was broken by none other than Cleveland who sat impatiently on one of the beds lining in the room, hazel eyes trained to a certain blonde haired girl while one of her hands was dedicated to keep a pack of ice on her sore cheek.

Across her Columbia sat with her back facing her older sister, bare skin exposed for Cleveland to see her multitude of wounds and scars. Vestal was currently tending her, muttering something every now and then to nobody in particular while Columbia didn't even bother to speak. In fact, she hadn't said anything since Cleveland and the party first encountered her, not even to Vestal whose concern steadily dwindled with each passing seconds she worked.

Cleveland was aware of this. She chewed her inner cheek, pondering her next course of action, before sighing deeply when she found nothing fitting.

"I'm sorry, okay? I did what I thought was the best" Cleveland eventually settled to say but when Columbia wordlessly stood up she knew she said wrong.

Columbia picked her borrowed shirt, head casted down as her hands balled around the black fabric. Enterprise gave it to her when her usual blue one was proven to be beyond salvation for her utility, a plain black shirt with a string of blocky letters she didn't know the meaning of nor care to ask imprinted on the back.

"Look, Columbia-"

"Shut up, Cleve" The Light Cruiser growled, throwing the shirt on to cover her decency before stepping out behind the drawn curtains around her bed. Her steps were hard as she stomped towards Cleveland, hazel eyes filled with rage the rest of CruDiv 12 girls immediately noticed.

Denver noticed it first, of all people present she was the first one to respond and intercept the livid Light Cruiser. Stepping forward, she grabbed Columbia by the shoulders in a placating manner.

"Hey, quit it Columbi-AAAAAAAHHHHH!"

It didn't go well.

Columbia all but threw Denver off her path, sending the girl skidding across the metal floor on her left. The sound of a body falling and scraping against the cold hard surface snapped everyone's eyes to the corner where the Clevelands were, confusion and wariness were their first reactions until they saw Denver lying on the floor and a very upset Columbia looking down on her.

"Off my fucking way!" The blonde spat to a withering Denver as she struggled to catch her wind back before turning her attention to Cleveland once again. "And you! What in the damnable world were you thinking trying to sacrifice yourself?!"

Cleveland jumped off the bed and stood, glaring disapprovingly at Columbia in return. "I was fulfilling my duty, my responsibility to keep you and-"

"Miss me with that shit! I don't need you keeping my ass safe if it means neglecting your own!"

From another part of the medical bay, Biloxi audibly snorted with how stupid Columbia's phrase was. She had secluded herself from the rest of the Clevelands, opting to bother Helena with the questions instead, knowing this was how it would be with Cruiser Division 12. She didn't feel like being a part of their argument.

Helena visibly grimaced, despite her records of working with the Clevelands she was yet to understand their most fundamental nature.

Nothing fights as well as they argue like the Clevelands.

"Stop, you don't want to be a part of it" Biloxi said when Helena walked off to where the Cleveland sisters were, grabbing her hand to accentuate her point. "Spare yourself from the crossfire"

"Columbia is going to hurt Cleveland..." Helena said softly, tone filled with uncertainty and dilemma.

"Relax, princess, it's how usually it was. When words didn't work they would duke it out" Biloxi responded with a barely concealed amusement as Columbia threw Montpelier this time off her path, the third ship of the Cleveland-class didn't relent though even when she hit the floor with the same force Denver did, immediately jumping to her feet and hurling her weight to Columbia in an attempt to knock her off.

Between Montpelier's dazed state and Columbia's wounded body, the damage was shared equally yet differently.

Montpelier failed to bring Columbia down, instead she shifted around her grip so her arms were around Columbia's midst, doing whatever it took to stop Columbia so no harm might fall upon her dearest sister Cleveland. She wasn't aware with how much force she was putting she unintentionally opened Columbia's wounds again, making Columbia more agitated thanks to the pain burning her entirety as warm, crimson, liquid seeped to the fabric of her shirt.

"Let... GO!" Columbia threw Montpelier over her hip, accidentally to where Denver was. The youngest of the four was in the middle of picking herself up when Montpelier crashed on her, turning them into a tangled heap of limbs and bodies. Denver groaned in pain and annoyance as Montpelier tried to stand once again.

"Monty... please..." She grumbled, pulling her arm off below her body with great effort and pain thanks to Montpelier's erratic movements above her.

"Montpelier... stand down" Cleveland ordered just when Columbia grabbed her by the collar and forced her into a wall. The sheer force from the impact was enough to knock the wind out of her yet she barely flinched, keeping her eyes steady to meet Columbia's own.

They were so similiar to hers, except the burning anger and sadness, so intense their heat licked the very depth of her heart and soul.

A sadness Cleveland shared and understood.

"Punch me and kick me however you like, Columbia. I deserve it for what I made you go through" Her voice was soft, so was her touch as Cleveland reached the hand holding her down. "Your pain, your anger and your sadness... I will take it all"

Something flashed in those eyes, a sense of recognition perhaps, despite the intensifying snarl on Columbia's face. The younger blonde raised her other hand up, fist balled, and with a yell filled with pent-up frustration she let it sail forward.

Helena closed her eyes, head turning away to shield herself from the upcoming violence. Much to her surprise, instead of the all too familiar sound of flesh being hit, a rather loud thump resonated across the room, followed by another and another as Columbia's yell turned into scream.

"God... damnit, Cleve... God fucking damnit..." Columbia whimpered, the hand holding Cleveland drifted down Cleveland's front until it fell to her side, while her other hand rested on the wall beside Cleveland's head. "Why do we have to suffer so much...?"

Cleveland grabbed Columbia's downcast head and lifted it up. "I pray everyday... that none of us have to" She began, thumbs rubbing circles on Columbia's cheeks. "But until that day comes I can only hope and do what I can to keep all of you safe, even if it means being hated and resented by my own sisters. Whatever the cost, Columbia, I will keep all of you safe, it's a promise"

Columbia let out a short, humorless, laugh as she pulled Cleveland into a hug, burying her face on her shoulder. "You selfish bitch. Do you know what that did to me?" Her voice was muffled by Cleveland's shirt yet it couldn't mask Columbia's miserable quivering as her body shook due to her unstable emotions.

"Even if you hate me, Columbia, even if you curse me" Cleveland reciprocated the hug, holding Columbia tightly.

"I hate you and your sense of self-righteousness already. If that's how it would be then you better work hard to keep us alive because if you die then I'm going to find and kick your sorry ass in hell so hard Satan wouldn't have a piece of you"

Cleveland merely hummed in response, patting Columbia's back. Columbia always had a habit to rant her tongue out whenever she was being emotional, a unique trait she picked up a long time ago. "Let's get your wound fixed" She said eventually, frowning slightly when she noticed the crimson liquid painting her palm behind Columbia.

"Nah..."

"You punched me during our reunion and now you don't even want to let me go?"

"You're right, I regret that. I should've done more"

"Columbia..."

"Shut up, Cleve, just shut up"

From another part of the medical bay, Biloxi smiled and crossed her arms over her chest, sending Helena a knowing look.

"See?"

---

"No"

"Essex..."

"No, sir, with all due respect I refuse to share table with these traitors" The blue haired Carrier spat heatedly, her glare never subsiding as she looked at the assembled Ship-girls and Officers around her until it settled back to the three Sakura Empire fellows. "We should've been using our time to protect our people instead of waiting for a battle that might or might not be happening the past few months just because they decided to flip us the bird"

David grimaced, shifting on his seat. Enterprise had led them to another room deeper into the bulkhead, a fancy chamber obviously meant for delegation and diplomatic purposes. The walls were adorned with paintings and decorations, colored in a wooden brown to match the large circular table on its middle.

They were currently situated around the said table, sitting on a surprisingly comfortable chair that didn't really fit her picture as a machine of war. It was enough to accommodate the group minus the escorting Marines who stand guard near the door.

Door, not even a bulkhead.

"Essex, sit down" His father said sternly, and when Essex seemed about to complain he made sure to let her know he didn't leave a room for argument. "That is an order"

Almost instantly Essex's mouth snapped shut and with not little disdain she settled down beside the three foreigners, glaring at one of the figures all the while.

"Eighty seven" She growled, eyes narrowing and teeth baring. "Eighty seven civilians have been killed by the Siren in the past six months because our forces are focused on the Sakura Empire. Those were fathers and mothers of oblivious children, waiting for their parents to come home from their fares. Families ruined just like that"

"I hope you know the weight of your sins"

The leftmost figure exhaled shakily, her fingers went to caress her arm in an attempt to comfort herself. The room had suddenly fallen silent following Essex's claim, and the atmosphere had gone cold.

"I... am sorry"

"Sorry does not fix the deeds done, neither does punishment!" Essex slammed her fist into the table, rattling it. Across from her the escorting Marines tensed up along with the rest of the Ship-girls but with a different reason. "I would have ripped your tails one by one and fed it to sharks but what would it achieve?! Nothing! My people would still be dead!"

"I..."

She brought her hand up "Not a fucking word yet, I'm not done" Essex fell quiet for a moment, her fingers crossed as she leant forward on the table. "Do you know how stupid your actions are?" She said with a calm tone concealing an immeasurable amount of distaste as her eyes skipped to the three Sakura Empire girls.

"That is not our doing" This time, it was the rightmost figure who growled in return, meeting Essex's glare with her own. The aforementioned figure was locked in a silent staring contest with the person next to her, the only Battleship in the room whom she could consider as rival, before she turned her attention to Essex. "You cannot blame us for something we didn't do"

"Oh, really?" Essex laughed cynically, wiping the fake tears from the corners of her eyes. "It was your friends who got my friends almost killed a few days ago if I recall, or maybe my memories elude me? What do you think, Hornet? Think I'm old enough to suffer memory loss?"

The blonde Carrier almost jumped off her seat when Essex suddenly addressed her, blinking and looking uncertain she stammered her answer. "U-uh..."

"Oh, right, I'm sorry you're older than me so maybe you too suffer the same thing I apparently do" Essex interrupted before Hornet could even formulate a comprehensive answer, sarcasm dripping from each word she uttered. "But what about you guys? Surely you, as collective individuals, can give a solid answer? Anyone? No? Come on, don't be shy!"

When nobody responded to her outburst Essex scoffed and leaned back, arms crossed as she ignored the series of disapproving gazes she received. It was when she noticed the same look on her senior's face did it tick Essex off.

"What?" She almost snapped at Enterprise, only at the last pitch she managed to lower her tone so it didn't sound too harsh.

"You're better than this" Enterprise simply said with a sigh.

"Yeah, well, I remember we were better than this" Essex exclaimed, motioning at Hornet with her hand. "We fight for the interest of mankind's safety, but what does it do when we can't even ensure our own safety?"

Hornet shrunk under the stares, subconsciously moving her hands to cover the injury under her clothes. She risked a glance to the Commander, seeing the conflict raging in his eyes, before her green eyes focused on a certain girl standing far off behind him.

The Heavy Carrier Enterprise stood silently, her back ramrod straight and unmoving. She too looked tense, but it was different to theirs. There was no hesitation, no underlying emotions possibly acting as a dampener for her next course of actions, only a focused logic ready to order a total pacification if things went off the hill.

Somehow, the sight comforted Hornet, as she let herself lost in that strong visage Enterprise gave off. Essex said something more that invoked another heated response from a certain Battleship yet all Hornet could hear was Enterprise's voice in her head, originating from a conversation she had with the Heavy Carrier a long time ago.

"Can I ask you something?"

Enterprise blinked and looked at Hornet before she nodded slowly, the endless blue behind her rippled and danced as a steady wave built up and crashed on the beach site. "Sure" she said after a while, it didn't take a genius to notice the slight hesitation in her tone.

Hornet's smile wavered slightly before she forced a bigger one, was she not even allowed to speak without fear of security breach?

"Your name"

"Yes?"

"How many Enterprises were there before you?"

The ravenette stared at Hornet in a long silence, her feet stopping as she considered her answer.

"Twenty six... there were twenty six Enterprises before I am"

"So... nineteen since my big sister? And you are the twenty seventh ship?"

"Yes"

"Well, that's a lot"

"The name Enterprise carries a great historic significance, your sister started the legendary quo thanks to her almost supernatural odds"

Hornet's grin broadened as she felt pride swell in her chest. "Well, that's my sister for you!" She giggled, watching the corners of Enterprise's mouth twitch.

"Enterprise is not the only one"

"Oh, really? Do you know someone who shares the same name with us?"

"... there was Savannah FFG-371, a Paris-class Heavy Frigate" Her voice was soft as she spoke, hiding a sadness and solemn pride. Hornet didn't get the chance to think of it before she continued, though. "She shared name with a Brooklyn-class"

Shared

It was clear enough for Hornet to understand the fate of that other Savannah. "Oh, Savannah, yep. She's one tough girl, a bit shy but can kick ass"

"They're alike in one department and it was their unwavering resolve. Against unimaginable odds they'd prevail, if it was what it took to win they would give up even their own well being"

"Even with a broken turret"

"Or clipped wings"

Hornet grinned.

"So what's her story?"

" —Is what I said!" Essex roared, pulling Hornet out her train of thoughts. Once again she slammed her hand on the table and once again Hornet almost jumped off her skin.

The spaceship's gaze fully settled on Essex's back, not a second later her feet began to carry her from the corner she observed them right towards Essex. There was a dangerous glint in those red orbs of hers as she regarded an oblivious Essex, a terrifying sight that made Hornet's throat tightened and unable to warn anyone.

Thankfully, before Enterprise could literally take matters to her own hands, someone jumped in to scold the pensive Carrier.

"There will be time for this conversation, Essex!" Surprisingly, Commander Allenforth was the one to silence Essex. He glared at her, face morphed into a heavy scowl. "I know and understand your feelings but it can wait, it has to wait, we have more pressing issues to discuss"

His voice halted Enterprise's advance, instead she slowed down to make her presence clear. Fortunately for Essex, her attention was directed to something else now.

"It's come to my attention that neither the Commander nor the Ship-girls actually didn't want to fight back in this conflict, not with the tension and hatred exhibited by some of them" Just then, a knock resonated from the entryway, startling the closest Marine to it. He furrowed his eyebrows and looked at the Admirals and Heavy Carrier as if asking for his next course of action, eventually it was the latter who gave him the directory. "Let them in" Enterprise said evenly with a nod, removing herself from behind David to stand next to a wall. A section of it slid open revealing a large screen, right when the newcomers entered.

"Um..." Helena began, unsure and uncomfortable with the sudden tenseness of the atmosphere. Beside her Cleveland blinked owlishly while Columbia scoffed to the three certain women. "I'm sorry for entering so suddenly but Cleveland insisted on joining..."

The aforementioned blonde snapped her head to look at Helena, a look of trepid disbelief clear on her face as if Helena had just driven a knife into her heart. "I never... did you just throw me under the bus?! We all agreed on this!"

"Can't deny you're the most eager, though" Columbia mumbled before she straightened up and saluted the Admirals. "Sirs!"

"At ease" Admiral Allenforth said, waving his hand dismissively. "How's your injury?"

"I should be combat ready soon, sir"

"Good" Was all he said. Rear Admiral Snow shook his head before he addressed her.

"That must have been one hell of a night for you, I'm impressed you succeeded to escape"

"Thank you, sir, those around me helped too" Despite the praise, Columbia couldn't really find it in her to feel prideful about what happened. She gave Cleveland a look that went unnoticed by the blonde before adding "My sister kept me safe even when she wasn't there so if there's anyone deserving the praise it should be her"

"Oh? Please do elaborate, Cleveland"

The elder Light Cruiser nodded slowly, stepping forward. "I... requested Sakura Empire Heavy Cruiser Takao to spare my sister shortly after our battle. She and I are— were— colleagues, sir"

Essex's face morphed to a silent surprise for a split second before she recomposed herself, crossing her fingers on the table in an obvious display of curiosity. "Huh, so they knew how to repay our kindness" She lamented out loud. "What a pity they're on the minority"

"Allenforth-dono, I understand our position but these vehemently delivered insults are starting to sound too excessive" The Sakura Empire Commander spoke for the first time since her introduction, turning her head to look at David. "My people know gratitude and we hold high regard to your people for what you have done for us in the past. In times of great peril, your people brought us salvation, even those originally held as Prisoners of War helped us defend our country when the Siren first emerged. Your compassion is a lesson for us, an invaluable enlightenment that showed us how precious life is, and thanks to that we managed to take what was rightfully ours"

She stood up then, walking to where the Eagle Union officers were situated on her opposite end, and sank to all four right beside David. "On behalf of my people I apologize for all the inconvenience my fellow countrymen have done until now, for all the pain you must suffer because of our actions" Her voice was muffled by the cold metal floor, yet she kept it steady even when her body visibly shook. "I offer you everything I am, my body, my soul and my position but please... please save us"

David was at loss for words.

He stared at the prostrating woman with wide eyes, unsure what to do, and a quick glance to her escorts did nothing to help him escape his predicament. Yamato had a tight expression which hardened significantly when their eyes met, a hint of sadness was present in her eyes as her gaze flickered to her Commander, while Shinano on her side didn't even try to hide the tears running down her face. It was a miserable sight, for them to witness the very person they looked up to present herself in a such manner.

The Heavy Carrier Enterprise merely stared with those impassive eyes of hers, if David didn't know better it almost like she was uncaring.

"That is not my decision to make" He eventually decided to say, turning his chair so he was facing Alicia directly as his brain recalled whatever lessons his late stepmother taught him about Sakura Empire culture. "To be honest, if it weren't for Azur Lane policy I would have given the order to counterattack and eliminate the Carrier Division girls, but with things as they were I couldn't do anything about it"

"I understand that we deserve punishment, but my people are innocent from our misdeeds. I do not care what sentence awaits me and my colleagues for what I seek is the safety of my people"

David opened his mouth to reply but before a word could leave his mouth a snort suddenly interrupted him, coming from a certain blue haired Carrier.

"Punishment... heh. Easy for you to say I bet you consider yourself redeemed once it was carried out" Essex mumbled loud enough for everyone to hear it. "It solves nothing"

Yamato glared at Essex, her face turning red with anger. She wasn't aware of it until her feet carried her forward to where Essex was sitting, a hand on her sword and ready to be unsheathed, and a fully prepared Enterprise slamming her down to the deck floor. The Battleship blinked, feeling sharp pain on her stomach, shoulder, and arms where the Heavy Carrier had her pinned.

Nobody in the room saw her move, the moment they realized Yamato's anger had gone off its threshold was the moment she could have beheaded Essex. Almost immediately, all of the Marines had their sidearms drawn as they hastily moved to encircle Yamato and Shinano despite the latter's pleas for her sister to stop. The Staff Sergeant swiftly pushed her against the table, handgun aimed to the back of her head.

"STAND FUCKING DOWN!"

"TAKE HER SWORD! HER SWORD, DAMMIT!"

"JOHANNES! PAT THE BITCH DOWN!"

"FUCKING TAILS KEEP GETTING IN THE WAY!"

Shinano could only sob silently on the table as the Marines probed her entirety, feeling so humiliated than she ever had, whimpering now and then whenever her tails were pulled and yanked roughly and left disheveled. The hard metal on the back of her head kept her from seeing anywhere but to her left where Yamato was, still being held down by Enterprise, as one of the Marines repeatedly kicked her hand wrapped around her Katana in an attempt to make her release it.

Yamato didn't let go.

Her eyes were wide with surprise as regrets flooded her mind, the realization of what she could have done and what it might have done to their whole goals filling every single cells of her brain. They've waited for months for this day, and she just ruined it, just because of a provocation she knew as the truth.

With bloodied hand, she released her grip around the hilt of her sword as tears flowed down her eyes, barely registering her sword being kicked away from her reach.

"I'm sorry" She mouthed to her sister, not even having the energy to rasp out the words. Shinano closed her eyes and nodded in response, knowing their fate was sealed.

Hope has just abandoned us.

---

She felt empty.

The gentle glow of the artificial lights above her was too harsh of a glare as she walked in the cold metal corridor, casting a dizzying and confusing illumination all around her as her feet carried her forward almost automatically.

She couldn't think of anything, couldn't feel anything, and couldn't do anything except walk, walk and let her body move to where she felt the safest. Everything around her was a series of mixed, muffled and incomprehensible sounds. Almost all of them had no meaning, almost all of them her brain rejected to protect itself from overloading her mental capacity, almost all of them was a tone of regrets.

Vaguely, she saw something shot up to the ceiling in front of her, vaguely she could see a familiar place she'd grown accustomed to for days, before once again her feet jerked and moved her to a spot she considered as hers since she was first led here into this chamber.

Her eyes were empty, dead, and whatever resemblance they had to their former forms were obscured by a layer of glazed tears, concealing her usual fire from the rest of the world.

Such eyes were lost, unfitting as lights to see what was before the owner, for they would never reveal what's hiding beneath the shadows of doubt and remorse. Guilt extinguished their once vibrant fire, the knowledge that she had failed drown her alive, mercilessly and ruthlessly washing her heart.

She couldn't bear to see the world with those eyes, diving her face into her hands and buried it deep, more believing than sensing the fresh tears wetting her palms and fingers and slipping down to her lap below. She didn't cry out loud, instead letting her heart bleed silently, just like she vowed since she lost her, refusing to shed crystal tears no more, not until she succeeded, not until she was freed from this jeering destiny mocking her ill fate.

There was a ghost of touch on one of her knees, hauntingly cold and soft yet filled with uncertain tenderness. It was enough for her to slowly unconceal her face, tentative as if afraid she then focused on the person kneeling before her, taking in her appearance from the edge of her bed where she sat.

She knew her.

She was her friend.

Her comrade.

Her subordinate.

She was the best of her folks.

She...

She was the cause of all this.

"I'm so sorry... I... I don't know why I did that. I shouldn't have done that! I— What would have happened if I wasn't stopped? I—" She came to an abrupt stop, a hand held level in front of her, a clear signal her apologies weren't needed and unheeded. She looked afraid now, panicked and probably hurt. "Commander... please... forgive me..."

She was forced to retreat when she stood up, following her example to stand on her two feet. One she didn't do was following her aimless pacing, back and forth, and two was keeping her silence.

"I'm sorry, Liz... It's all my fault. I understand but please don't do this to me..."

Alicia stopped and turned on her heels, facing a hunched Yamato. The latter was staring at the former with wide eyes, unblinking, even when the accumulating tears began to trail down.

"Why...?" She asked, voice alien even for her, low like a rumble yet filled with nothing but despair. "Why did you do that?"

"I couldn't—" Yamato choked on her words, hastily wiping the tears from her face. "I couldn't stand the insults aimed to you"

Her reply came in a whisper, so small had it not because of the silence permeating in the air it would have been unnoticed. "I was prepared, even as far as to offer my own life"

"No! Please! Not that! We may beg but we shall never surrender our dignity! It's one thing we should keep ourselves as the master!" Yamato reached forward, grabbing the slightly smaller woman's hand and held it close to her chest. "Please, Liz"

Alicia closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, feeling the oxygen clearing her mind, and after a short pause she then let her breath out slowly. "Right..." She began, now a little bit calmer and rational as her training took over. "It's not your fault either"

"No, it was definitely my fault. I let myself act without thinking the consequences again"

"Perhaps in some other times but not this time. You did what you were taught, you protected your battle buddy, and in turn she will protect you" The Commander tried to smile but she failed to muster anything that didn't look like a grimace. "It's unfortunate but we can still fight"

"Th-that would be suicide..." Yamato laughed but it came out in a series of choking noises. "We would never reach our destination much less kicking someone off the government!"

"It's worth a try. Even if we are to fail we will be the martyrs for everyone to rise up, from there it will be up to them"

"You really put a lot of faith in our people, huh?"

"We've suffered, but Japan proves we can rise and be a better people. If our sister-country can, then more reason to think we too can"

The bulkhead leading into the room slid open, revealing an uncertain Shinano. The fox-woman looked at both of them with clear concern, ears drooped over her head reflecting her dejected self.

"Commander..." She whispered, fingers wrapped around the hem of her dress tightly. Alicia noticed her distress and decided to answer her unspoken question.

"I'm alright..." She said with an ounce of false truth, yet it sounded so convincing she almost believed it herself. "I'm sorry for marching off on my own"

The Supercarrier shook her head, trying her best to muster a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "No... it's fine" She said, tone soft. "Would you like me to make you a cup of tea?"

The Commander pondered the offer for a split second but when she noticed the slight tremor on her hand she decided to accept it, she needed something to calm her nerves.

Shinano moved quietly into the shared room as Alicia sat back to her bed, one of four making up the generous quarter they called temporary home. It was decent for a warship, definitely bigger than any room with similiar function they had in their ships, even Shinano and Yamato didn't have a crew quarter of such size despite their massive proportion.

It was comfortable, it's a shame they wouldn't be able to enjoy it any longer.

Yamato sat across from her, on her own pristine white bed, sinking a good portion of the crisp sheet under her weight. She didn't say anything as she stared at the Commander, heart heavy with remorse and self-loathing.

"Your hand" Alicia began and Yamato uncurled her fist, glancing down to her bloodied knuckles and fingers. "Let's patch it up"

The Battleship nodded, not offering any verbal answer in fear of her voice giving up on her, and almost immediately the woman across of her stood up and walked towards where Enterprise told them the nearest first aid station was. There was a series of cursing over where Alicia went, followed with a rather audible thud and a yelp, before she came back with a box of white and red first aid kit.

"Who the hell makes their first aid box from composite metal..." She mumbled to herself, settling down beside Yamato. "Here, hold your hand level"

Once again Yamato didn't answer, she just sat there silently as Alicia pushed a small metal basin below her hand, before she uncapped a bottle of water and poured its content over her injured hand. It stung but it didn't compare with her shambled feelings, they made everything felt numb.

She wasn't aware how much blood she was bleeding until she saw the intermixed water in the basin. Judging from the light crimson color, it was fairly much.

"I can't do anything to your dress" The Commander spoke as she draped Yamato's hand to dry any residual water, gesturing to her sleeve. "It's seeped in, you might want to wash it later"

"Sorry" An underlying tone, a single word with double meaning they both understood.

Alicia hummed, rummaging through the first aid box for a good few seconds until she suddenly stopped and lifted a small canister of something from the inside.

"Oh my... This is the drug of wonder Shinano told us"

"You call, Commander?" Asked the fox-woman before Yamato could respond, coming back from a water dispenser after hearing her name called. A steaming mug of tea was on her hands.

"Huh? Oh, not really. This is what you told us you saw in your dream?"

Shinano leant forward, squinting to get a bead on the letters printed on the container. "Ah, yes certainly, they call it Biofoam. Though, I must correct you, it's not really a drug for its function is to seal open wound until further medical assistance is possible"

"Neat" Alicia simply said before throwing the Biofoam onto Yamato's bed. "We don't need it for this. What I need is... Ah, an antiseptic! Sorry, Shinano, but you can put the tea on the table over there"

"I think I prefer to hold it for you"

"Eh, whatever you see fit"

For the next few minutes, silence reigned over the three women, none of them uttered a word, none of them knew what to say to the others. When the Commander had finished her task dressing Yamato's injured hand into bandages she then hastily stored back the content of the first aid box, exchanging the tea with the said box.

"Thank you"

Shinano wordlessly left once again, returning the first aid kit to where it was taken from. She and Yamato shared a glance, the former noticing the unease raging inside the latter's eyes.

Yamato's thumb stopped fiddling with the bind of her bandages, fingers clenching shut as she swallowed the lump stuck in her throat. It had not done, it had not come to pass, they needed to speak about it even if it felt like ripping their hearts out.

"Commander..." The Battleship began, doing her best to straighten her back to give an illusion of control. Alicia's eyes were still distant, and the way she gripped her tea was anything but gentle despite the steaming hot liquid. The Commander was working in automatic now with her mind preoccupied over thousands of thoughts at once, so it was only natural for her to miss Yamato's call. "Liz!" She repeated, this time using her call-name, a name reserved for those she considered as close friends.

Her pair of brown eyes blinked, once and then twice before they focused on Yamato, seemingly snapped from whatever daydream she was having. She tried to respond once, but her voice was caught in her throat, a signal for her to taste the tea Shinano made for the first time since the fox-woman gave her. "Y-yeah?" Alicia queried after gulping half the mug's red-ish content, feeling the strange aftertaste of the artificial product Enterprise gave them as a form of hospitality. And tea substitute, apparently.

"I'm sorry"

There they were, returning to square one again. She tried to laugh it off, saying it was alright and they would fix it somehow. But the more she thought about brushing the matter off, the more difficult it became to not think about it. They screwed up, badly, and their whole plans were ruined.

Alicia liked to think she was a capable person, being the youngest of any formerly Azur Lane Commanders to command a base and all, but right now she felt like crying. As much as she wanted to scold Yamato, to be angry and to vent off her frustration on Yamato, she just couldn't because it was just so wrong.

"I... really, really, wanted to punch you" She conceded to say, a hint of humour and half-truth riding along her train of words. "But I couldn't bring myself to be mad at you"

"I doomed our people" Yamato whispered, feeling her heart clench inside her chest. "You should be mad at me"

There was a flash of darkness on Alicia's face as she regarded Yamato, setting off all sorts of alarms for the Battleship. Brief as it was, it terrified her more than anything she had ever encountered in her life. It almost relieved her when the expression came to a pass, just almost.

Yamato was older than Alicia was, even if she excluded the time of her service as steel-hull she still had 3 years excess over Alicia's overall age. Yamato was first revived in 1947, the Commander was born in 1950, in what her people called as the Second Era of Stabilization, a time of Sakura Empire's second phase of nation-wide rebuilding. At that time, most of Sakura Empire's territory had been restored and brought back under Tokyo's order after months of communication blackouts, a beginning of prosperity as her people called it.

It was also the year the world formed the Azur Lane Coalition.

Things had been hectic after that, what was once a defensive stance turned into offensive almost in a blink of eye. They pushed the Siren back to the deepest hole the sea could offer, working hand in hand to claim what they lost, and a coming of prosperity it was. The massive needs the military required cranked up world's industry, millions of people flocked to factories, mines and even related government agencies, offering the needed manpower. Everyone wanted one thing and it was a piece of Siren for them to beat, being finally able to fight back against the invincible tidal waves sweeping their home.

Against a common enemy, they united. The Commander knew of this, she was taught strength in numbers since she was little, watching Eagle Union troops walk down the street of her homeland, working to help her country rebuild, some she shared good childhood memories with. Their culture was exactly to always pay good deeds back, to return the kindness given, so it was only natural for her to help them fight the menace.

So there she was, practically skipping into Eagle Union's Yokosuka Naval Base to draft in the day after her 18th birthday. Yamato could still recall the eagerness in those innocent brown eyes, a naiveté only found in those unblemished by the cruelty of the world, clear as day without any hint of certain wisdoms. She thought of her as just another foolish kid who didn't know what's best for herself, once she knew what she had to go through she would quit by herself. Even the officer attending her request was left mostly puzzled and in disbelief.

It could be because she ran straight into Eagle Union administration, though. They did kick her out after telling her she should go to Sakura Empire Naval Center if she wished to join the military.

It was also the first time Yamato wanted to kick herself in the shin for judging someone too quickly but she refrained, mainly because it's physically impossible, partly because Missouri did that already.

Five years later she met Alicia again, turned out the girl had certain talents for leadership, something the country was in desperate need. She was assigned as a Senior Officer to a Destroyer, tasked to observe Eagle Union and Sakura Empire joint operation in the Pacific by the latter. Yamato was surprised to see her again, but it was mostly because of what she saw in those eyes.

She had become wiser, the once naive young lady had learned the cost and struggle of a war. The way her eyes grew distant, and the blank expression she often showed when she thought she was alone, those were a clear telltale of someone who had witnessed death and destruction. Yet they couldn't vanquish the spark of hope, the belief that she was doing something right, from her soul. Usually all it took was one sortie for the greenhorns to understand they fought not like what they thought, to know the pictures inside their heads were wrong and nothing they could do to correct it. But Alicia was different, wherein she showed her moment of respite when alone, she would always have this... normal... face that screams friendliness and unbending resolve when she was surrounded by her girls.

It was what driven Yamato towards her, the way hope never seemed to fade from her eyes. She was just like that girl she met seven years ago, incorruptible and pure in the heart like a beacon during heavy seas. It was shallow, but it was the truth about the Commander.

So it's only natural for the Battleship to feel something broke inside of her when she saw uncertainty and doubt in those war-hardened yet compassionate eyes, and whatever it was, was shattered to dust when the first tear rolled down her cheek. She felt the drive to protect her, to support her, but all she did was disappoint her.

At one point, Shinano had rejoined them, settling down beside the Commander. The Supercarrier didn't say anything, just quietly sat there even when Alicia stroked her many tails out of habit. It calmed her down, somewhat, but the next word she uttered sent their stomachs crashing.

"Reiko, she..." Alicia trailed off, once again her eyes focused on everywhere but Shinano's back despite her facing it. "She always told me to do what is right, not what I think is right"

"Where did I go wrong? This is the right thing to do, this is what I think is the right thing to do. I know the world will go against me and I was ready, but fate too? I... I can't do this anymore, I'm sorry"

It cut deep, her words pouring in like a hot poison. First to their brains, registering the meaning behind them, and then they trickled down painfully slowly to their hearts. Horrifying and at the same time saddening.

Yamato stood up and strode forward, hands raised only to stop mid-way. What should she do? She was the cause of this, she was the one responsible for this, she was who started all this, her egos and impulses were to blame, all in which was a part of her. She had no right to comfort Alicia, to reassure her everything would be alright because it wouldn't.

In the old times, she would have taken her own life for it.

What was it her Commander told her? That a life exchanged for honor is a life go to waste? They couldn't fight back when dead. Without honor or self-esteem, they'd still be able to fight and regain it, whilst death offered nothing but false escape.

Maybe it was true, punishment even when self inflicted wouldn't fix anything. It gave a satisfaction to a related person, perhaps, but it was nothing but a devil's illusion, for it wouldn't correct all the wrongs done. A fleeting moment of pleasure seeing someone you hated die wouldn't bring back what you lost.

It didn't mean all crimes shouldn't be unpunished.

"Don't say that..." Shinano whispered from her side, tentatively reaching out to her white naval cap and taking it off her head. She let her fingers rested on the Commander's cheek, wiping the stray tears. "You are the only one we can rely on in this time of crisis" Continued Shinano, fully aware her sister Yamato was currently fighting a mental battle with herself. She too felt a great dread for what her sister had done, and for what it meant.

While Yamato considered Alicia as a close friend, she on the other hand saw the Commander as but a child. Young and full with dreams for the future. The Supercarrier had seen her fair share of tragedies, whether in the real world or her dream ones. She knew what suffering was, the true horrors of wars fought in distant stars, the screams and cries of hatred and agony from the people living a once peaceful life.

They would accompany every of her waking moment, filling her thoughts with hues of red. She didn't fight in those wars, couldn't imagine the real feeling of participating, or just being a part of it, the atrocities alone were enough to make her head spin and stomach rise to her throat, threatening to spill.

It made her wiser, more knowing, and more appreciating of the world around her.

It made her understand a single-minded person was a blessing to this world, a person who stayed true to her goals with all the moral compass she had before she witnessed any of the uglies the world threw her in. It was like a breath of fresh air for someone who was stuck underground for too long, filling and expanding her chest, clearing her mind, refreshing her body and soul.

Alicia was such a person. Perhaps, it was also the reason why she was... punished... in the first place. She refused to follow her superior orders and commit aggression against the Azur Lane Coalition, and seeing how scarce talented leaders were in their country they couldn't throw her into the brig either. Instead, they sent her to a remote base, away from the mainland to fight the Siren on her own, away so she couldn't be a bother to their whole plans.

They thought Yamato and her friends would mold her into the puppet they wanted her to be, because their loyalty was undying for the Empire. They didn't know it was the other way around. Their loyalty had never rested on the Empire, their loyalty belonged to its people, and with a leader who understood the two were not one and the same it was pretty much the final ingredient needed for their resolve to bloom.

She was young, younger than any of them even, yet she had more courage than any of them combined. Age had always been a strange prospect for Ship-girls. Shinano was sure—and she wasn't ashamed to admit—she saw the Commander more to daughter than a superior officer, no matter how odd it sounded since maternal instinct was ambiguous at best for her and her peers along with many other prospects. She just thought she understood after living with humans for almost three decades now, granted there was still many things she didn't understand, if what she was told meant anything.

Shinano had asked Alicia of it, strangely enough the Commander didn't give a definitive answer like how she would do in other occasions. What she did was turn red from embarrassment before promptly walked away, muttering apologies all the way.

Alicia didn't meet her eyes for the whole evening after that.

"I'm doing the right thing..."

It was low, it was filled with untold misery, it was delivered in woeful whisper.

It was heartbreaking.

Shinano's lips quivered, a stab of coldness like she never felt before piercing her chest. A hand drifted low to grab the idle one on Alicia's lap, squeezed around the cold digits. She formulated a string of words, anything to help the smaller woman go through her inner turmoil but nothing came fit. It was after a quick moment of consideration Shinano decided to let her heart speak.

"Yes, you are" She said simply, yet the shadow of doubt in those brown eyes began to dissipate just because of those words. "You have sacrificed too much in this ordeal. You should be the last person to be accused of the sins committed"

"They're not enough, too much but never enough. What else should I sacrifice? I've done my family, my home, my country and even perhaps my future yet... they're never enough. I'm just one foolish woman trying to fix a world"

"You cannot stop"

"With the way the world wants me to?"

She peered up to meet Shinano's eyes, innocent brown eyes but not naive, staring back into her blue ones. It was a simple question with a simple answer Shinano found in the Commander years ago.

"You never let that stop you before"

Alicia fell quiet. "If we... go... with our plan, no backup and no ally, it's ensured a lot of us will die. I know all of you will follow me, but I don't think I can send you to your death"

"Loss is inevitable" Shinano recited, a phrase she heard many times than what she liked to hear in the past, both in reality and in her dreams. She didn't want to go down this path, and Alicia was more than understand it for her to be so presumptuous and reminded her. But it was exactly what the Commander needed. "It's unfortunate" She added, taking half of what she said to herself.

"It's avoidable but the cost we must pay in return is too great"

Shinano shook her head. "Don't deny us this. We live and die to protect our country. Exchanging the lives of innocent citizens with ours is just unthinkable" Shinano paused, sending a glance towards her sister Yamato. The Battleship had regained her bearing but was still hesitant to chime in, with a nod from her, however, it was quickly resolved.

She made her way towards Alicia's other side, step light and careful as if treading a ground riddled with landmines. Sitting down, Yamato then put a reassuring hand on her Commander's shoulder. "I will ask for their forgiveness, and if that doesn't work then... I can only hope you forgive me in the afterlife"

Yamato didn't wait for her reply, swinging her legs forward and jumping to her two feet. Her hands find purchase on her Katana, stopping for only the briefest of moment it's imperceivable before she untied the bind keeping it on her hip. The sword and its scabbard came loose, held in one hand almost rigidly. She then put it on her bed with certain ceremonial movements.

"Where are you going?" Alicia managed to whisper just when Yamato was about to step out the room, stopping her on her track.

"I will beg for them to give us a second chance, you have done enough it's my turn to fix things"

Alicia wanted to tell Yamato to stop, to let her do the deeds, but before Yamato could go as far as a step to the bulkhead it suddenly shot upward, almost making Yamato jump in surprise, but she didn't. What it did was stopped her breathing in her chest.

Nobody uttered a word as the newcomer walked inside, not even bothering for a permission from the room's occupants. The tall shadow lying flat below her was large, a copy of her abnormal proportion, as it casted aside in accordance with the lights in the ceiling. Alicia steeled herself to meet her eyes, craning her neck from her sitting position, hiding an unspoken fear from her complexion when she realized the woman before her looked more intimidating than usual.

She looked pissed, and it was outright a terrifying sight, more so when she didn't seem to realize the negative emotion leaking out of her.

The Commander swallowed, standing up to meet the woman after schooling her disheveled dress and hair. The remnants of tears on her face were wiped last, drawing unwanted attention from the woman.

"I... uh..." Alicia stammered, not knowing what to say nor how to respond with the whole situation unveiling around her, which equaled the woman before her. "I want to apologize"

There was no immediate response, just like the usual and just like how she predicted. What existed was this long, uncomfortable, drag of time that stretched in silence as they stared at each other, with Alicia being more meek under the gaze she received.

So she tried again, smiling ruefully. "I hope you don't mind giving us a ride down"

"No"

Alicia nodded, slowly and lightly it was easy to miss but not to this person. She whom would notice the sway of a leaf from hundreds of meters away.

"Thank you. I'm sorry for all the troubles we caused you, if there's something you need from us you know where you can find me"

Like, perhaps, you want to maintain secrecy and thus deem us a threat to your protocol. Was left unsaid. It was not a distant possibility that one of these days there would be brimstones raining down on her base to erase whatever trace and knowledge they had about the UNSC and the war they fought from the world. And there was nothing they could do to stop it.

Alicia tried to move, feeling the pressure was too much for her petite frame, but before she could finish turning a looming figure suddenly blocked her path. A hint of fear and resignation settled down on her stomach, a brief realization that perhaps she wouldn't even have the chance to die with her subordinates. But much to her surprise the first thing she heard was not the cracking of her neck or the tearing of her muscle, instead a low and dangerous growl escaped the figure, forming a coherent word that pierced any remaining shadow of doubt inside her.

"No"

---

Despicable.

It was the first thing coming to her mind.

All these political squabbles and disputes gave a bitter taste on her tongue, rolling down her thought process and leaving an indescribable discomfort to her person. Even since she was aware of her predicament, she had prepared herself with the all too unstable geopolitical situation of the old world where countries acted for their own interests rather than the collective ideas of mankind. Men were divided by borders, cultures clashed and what they wanted didn't mean what the others needed, everything was for selfishness of one.

Being prepared didn't make it any less displeasing.

She understood hatred, the reluctance to forgive and forget and the unwillingness to do the former. But with their safety at stake, they should have learned to put their contempt aside and listen. Perhaps when the crisis had passed they might continue their conflict but until then it should be the least of their priority.

Primitive.

Was what came next. The very idea itself had been abandoned for over four centuries. In her time, any political dispute was solved in matters of hours and it was never about a single benefit of a nation, everything was always about humanity as a whole.

Unacceptable.

Her duty was to protect mankind, all she had done and all she had sacrificed in her previous life. Having the very people she vowed to protect destroy each other was completely opposite of her duty. She couldn't afford that, couldn't let them dooming themselves from inside out.

The room was cold despite her life support system working in earnest, blanketing the silence in a tense atmosphere. Something felt off about her today and she doubted it the cause was today's meeting since she had felt it far before the party's arrival. No, it had started since she woke up this morning, a new feeling of discomfort on her lower stomach that affected her emotions, somehow she felt annoyed and moody towards everything.

She wasn't in the best of mood, thanks to whatever was happening to her, and the earlier conflict had worsened it.

Enterprise was about to make it clear to them.

"I have had enough of your petty quarrel" She began, a bit too harsh than what's necessary but she just didn't care. They tensed up, good, as any traces of hostility left their eyes. "Now I shall talk and you shall listen"

From a corner, Essex glared at her but didn't say anything, probably because Enterprise specifically sent her a glare with tenfold intensity in return. They were back to the Conference Room, situated on the same seats they were before minus Essex and a certain Battleship who opted to stand, Essex's previous seat was occupied by Vestal. The Repair Ship had finished her check up on the injured girls and decided to join in along with Biloxi and any remaining Ship-girls capable of walking on their two feet. That meant everyone minus the Dragon Empery girls.

The blue haired Cleveland-class Cruiser stood somewhere with the Marine complement and the maids while the remaining Clevelands bunched up together behind the Commander. The Brooklyns, meanwhile, mirrored them but it was the Admirals instead. It was almost a tight fit, more reason to make the room more hotter instead of cold.

"Let's start with history" Again, Enterprise sent them a glance to gauge their reactions as the large monitor before her lit up, frowning slightly when she noticed Alicia in particular seemed distant instead of interested like how the others were.

Not good.

The woman was eager to learn about Enterprise's history, even since she picked her up she had mostly been spending her time reading the history section of her humanity. Alicia was aware of the existence of Japan and her Earth but her knowledge was just a glimpse of the real deal, bits and pieces of what Shinano saw and told to her, never to witness the actual history.

That was until Enterprise gave her the access to her mainframe. The Heavy Carrier could still recall the way her eyes lit up when she saw the capital of early 21st century Japan, more and more when she read through the post-war information.

"Oh, history? Nice. I always like history" Bremerton said, perhaps in an attempt to lighten the mood. She didn't seem like she did.

"Right" However, it was welcomed. "September the first, 1939. Does it ring any bell?" She asked, clasping her hands behind her back to face the assembled Officers, Marines and Ship-girls, maroon eyes purposefully glided across for no longer than a second.

Vestal was the one to answer, her absence during Essex's outburst made her oblivious to the whole ordeal. "Case White?"

"Yes" Enterprise affirmed, hiding a frown with her impassive visage. It would have been better if they didn't know. "In my history, there are two world wars. The first one transpired in 1914 to 1918, lasting for around 4 years 3 months and 2 weeks. The war was fought by two major powers, respectively the Allied Power and the Central Power, in the European Continent of Earth" The display changed, showing Europe and the countries in it. Many of the attendees perked up, silently reading the names of each country.

"The fuck?! That's the Middle Earth!" One of the Marines inadvertently hollered, his voice booming in the chamber. His friend slapped him on the back of his head for his action while the Staff Sergeant glared at the man.

"Shut it, Daniel"

"Aye, Sarge"

"I'm well aware of the naming discrepancies between our two worlds, and it's beyond strange. Continents and water bodies are still the same geologically but somehow the countries and continents have different names altogether" The Heavy Carrier said, addressing practically everyone with a sweep of her vision. "And now... are our histories the same?"

"They are" David answered for her, crossing his arms over his chest as he leaned back on his seat. "At least so far"

"That's... problematic" She mumbled, frowning. "So the First World War, too?"

"The war that ends all war? The Great War?" The Commander scoffed, a dry smile forming up on his face. "All that bullshit"

The war that ends all war. It even left a bad taste in her tongue, knowing full well it ended nothing even centuries later. How naive and stupid the people of old time were.

"So I'm guessing you are aware of the Treaty of Versailles?" A collection of nods later and Enterprise sighed. "Good, that saves me the breath and time" While both World Wars were connected, it was mostly because of Germany being begrudging after the war, and a certain man rising to power. Technically, there was no need to cover the first war, despite her conscience screaming at her she practically skipped over the sacrifices of many men. "So, back to the topic. September 1st 1939, the day Nazi Germany initiated their plan to invade Poland"

---

It's unfathomable at first, as Enterprise went on to explain her version of the Old War, and then it became clear they shared the same course of events, down to every detail written in history.

David listened keenly to Enterprise's presentation, watching the screen change as various points were brought up throughout time. Apparently, her world had 4 major powers, and apparently they were exactly the 4 major powers' copy of his world.

First was the Nazi German, the distant sister of the old Iron Blood and their rotten ideology prior to the 1945's Political Purge. It was a sentiment both worlds shared, apparently, judging from the clear disdain in Enterprise's eyes whenever she glanced towards the infamous Swastika which turned to outright disgust when the picture of Adolf Hitler came forth. The spaceship glared at it for a moment before she continued her passive demeanor, noticing the stares she was receiving.

So she elaborated, albeit hesitantly. "Adolf Hitler... One if not the most evil human ever existed. The ideology he created was too dangerous and despicable it is still prohibited even to this day by the UEG"

"Even five hundred years later?" Prince of Wales asked from her position, fingers crossed as she watched the Heavy Carrier intently.

"Any form of teaching, practicing and or owning Nazi-related attributes is considered as crime against humanity" The unspeakable atrocities, ethnic cleansing and genocide under the name of Third Reich, all of it went against everything mankind worked to achieve. People of old times had the mindset of races, each in which they were divided by body features. Skin colors, facial features, physical constructions, all were different and considered as one to others. It was a backward way of thinking, and absolutely unheard of in her time where humans considered themselves as one and one only race.

"Well, good to hear, I guess" Hornet mumbled to nobody in particular, yet her musing earned her a series of nods. "Space Nazis are the last thing I want to encounter"

They wouldn't be the last thing you want to encounter for there are worse things out there.

Enterprise then continued with her presentation. "By the late of 1941, almost all of Europe has fallen under their control and the tide of the war is anything but under the United Kingdom's favor" She paused then, eyes specifically zeroed in to Prince of Wales. "That's you guys"

Wales merely stared back.

Of course she was aware. She had been around long enough to know. Besides, 1941 was a year she probably hated the most, in both her lives.

"France fell a year prior and on its place is a puppet government instilled by the Nazi, the people aren't happy and the country spiralled down into civil war. Fighting in Europe has come to a standstill with both sides repeatedly trying to overtake points of interest only to lose it later on. That is, of course, until December the 7th 1941"

The image changed, this time showing the hauntingly familiar picture of Pearl Harbor in the aftermath of the attack. Smoke billowed high from everywhere in the frame and fire could be seen raging on ships and ports despite the lack of color in the picture.

The Brooklyns, in particular, could be seen stiffened up from their positions. Helena was visibly in distraught, fingers rubbing together as if to find something to hold, Phoenix looked as if someone just stepped on her foot while St. Louis' eyes were focused towards the Sakura Empire Commander as if to demand the woman for an explanation. Of course, Alicia was aware of the stares she received from around her but she ignored them and focused on the picture instead.

Even Vestal involuntarily flinched, hand coming down to rub the non-existent wound on her leg. The Repair Vessel caught herself pretty quickly, though, immediately recomposing her demeanor.

"The day of infamy" Enterprise began, noticing the way the Ship-girls shivered. "It was the start of the end of World War 2. The United States, previously refused to join the war, was immediately thrown into the fray after the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked one of their naval bases in the Pacific without preceding declaration of war, resulting in heavy casualty and material loss"

The infamous picture of Arizona burning came into view, this one was enhanced and colored by an AI. For Enterprise, the picture was five centuries old, but for them it looked just like yesterday. Many of the Ship-girls present during the attack could still recall the avid details, the blistering heat from explosion and fire, the wheezing of bombs falling from the sky, the terrifying sight of torpedoes creeping under the sea surface and the multitude of aircraft flying above them as their crew and naval servicemen tried and failed to repel the attack. It was the start of an end, indeed, but it was also the end of their peaceful lives and the start of years worth of suffering.

"The attack was later declared as war crime during the Tokyo Trials"

Silence. Nobody uttered a word after Enterprise finished her monologuing as everyone had their eyes on Alicia, as if expecting her to say or react to it. She would have, had she not been too distracted, or known about all of these.

She knew, for she had read through it shortly after Enterprise brought her in. Shinano had told her of the story, of a country split into two, of a war fought in a shadow, and many others in place of the Siren War, but when Enterprise gave her the access to her history section she had taken the knowledge like a starving man to food, processing and assorting everything into her little mind.

And like a starved man fully stuffed, she felt great satisfaction and joy when she finished. Enterprise went on again to explain the course of World War 2 but Alicia tuned her out, not rarely that included the many stares she received here and then.

The Sardegna Empire, Italy. Iris Libre and Vichya Dominion, France and Vichy France respectively. The Northern Parliament, USSR. Eagle Union, United States of America. The Associated Kingdoms of Commonwealth, the United Kingdom. Iron Blood, Germany. Dragon Empery, China. And then her country the Sakura Empire, Japan. She had read through them and many other countries, how they fared after the war and what they had become, wondering why they couldn't be like them.

Enterprise's history by no means was peaceful, but it was far better than their history. They got to put aside their differences and unite, mankind as a whole, to challenge the stars above not even a century later after the end of the war.

"By the early to mid 1945, fighting in the Pacific had taken the worst of turn on both sides. Japan, fighting for their very homeland, refused to yield and utilize the most brutal mindset; suicide attack"

A video began to play, showing a group of Marines pushing forward on a tropical island. Fiery rage of flamethrower washed on a fortified position, leaving in its wake a thick column of black smoke, yet a figure emerged from the burning entrance, equally engulfed in a sticky fuel matter and fire. The figure charged, an active grenade in hands, towards the closest Marine but before he could get close enough a barrage of machine gun fire hit him on his mass center, ending his blind rage and final attempt of bringing his foe down as the grenade exploded harmlessly inside a pit.

"I remember this..." Essex muttered from her position, a grimace visible on her face. "Okinawa, right?"

"Yes"

"Fuck that place, man..." Wisconsin muttered, her fingers idly if not nervously tracing the fine wooden table's surface. "Shit's a hellhole" She added then. "I can't get anywhere close to that place without feeling my stomach twist even to today"

"Okinawa and Iwo Jima in particular... Those are some hard fight" Biloxi supplied, arms crossed over her chest.

A Sherman tank came rolling over a slope ground, its cannon letting loose a round to an unknown target beyond the camera's field of vision. Coconut trees shook and got cut down by explosions and gunfire as men from both sides set hell upon the land.

"Japan is losing" Enterprise continued as more and more was shown, including a picture of Wisconsin with her main gun barrels hot from shooting. It should have excited the Battleship, to see herself fighting so gallantly even in another world, but the unease in her heart overshadowed the feeling. "And they don't want the invaders to set foot on their land" The Heavy Carrier paused, bringing her gaze forth to Alicia. "I was told it was around this time our history branched off"

"August the first" Alicia breathed out, leaning back on her seat. "The Siren emerged exactly on that date. First in the Pacific, reports coming from Union task forces they were under attack by unknown... things... before it intensified to the point of total annihilation"

David cleared his throat before joining in the conversation. "All men, all ships and assets were lost in the span of one month. Most of our forces were out in the Pacific and they just got wiped out like that"

"There were confusion in both sides, orders of evacuation and retreat were given but nobody made it back"

Enterprise furrowed her eyebrows, lips forming a thin line. She had done her research but hearing it again didn't make it easier. Tens of millions people died, those were big numbers even for her. "Right" She settled to say, continuing on with her presentation. "August the first is actually a close date with the end of the war"

Her words piqued their interest, many sat straight after hearing her.

"We... won shortly after?" Vestal whispered, her soft words filled the otherwise silent room. "I know we were close but actually that close?"

"It's..." Enterprise trailed off as her gaze shifted towards the Admirals and Commanders, searching and looking for any form of recognition. "On August the sixth, the Allied dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, destroying the city and killing almost all of its occupants"

The image changed, showing a mushroom cloud rising high into the sky, complete with the date and location. Almost all Ship-girls gasped, some in shock while the others were horrified, but all equally speechless. Alicia, for her part, couldn't bear to see the hauntingly familiar image, closing her eyes and exhaling shakily.

That had been her home. In another world the Takahashi bloodline was wiped out with a bright flash of radiation and heat, turning everyone of her family into dust. She was never born in that world, her pregnant mother died along with her first daughter and her father was killed somewhere fighting the American days before the event.

"And on the ninth-"

"We dropped TWO?!" Hornet nearly screamed, green eyes wide and full of horror. She couldn't fathom this. In a world where nuclear weapons were used against Siren and Siren only. She had never thought the same weapon would be used against humans. "W-why? One was not enough?" She tried to keep her voice level but as the second mushroom cloud was displayed she simply couldn't.

Hornet had seen her fair share of nuclear usage, often against underwater Siren facilities all throughout the world. She had also seen them used on ground targets, whether for areal or asset denial, even on Union soil. It was never an easy decision to basically nuke yourself but back then a city was nothing against the assaulting tidal wave that was the Siren. Granted, all of those nuked cities were evacuated so little to no human casualty ever existed, but this? It was a city full of people.

It was mortifying.

"It was a necessary evil" The person who said that was not who Hornet expected. "We would fight until the very end, to the last drop of blood and last bullet. Every single citizens would, no matter the age or gender"

"I mean, it's a given, right?" The blonde Carrier began. "Their country was attacked so they fought tooth and nail to defend it. I know even we would have done the same"

"It's not that simple" Enterprise, her Enterprise, interjected. "When Commander Takahashi said every single citizens, she meant every one"

Hornet fell quiet, and after a moment her eyes went wide as realization struck her. "Oh..."

"Yes, oh." Alicia sighed, opting to keep her gaze on Hornet instead of the monitor. "Appropriately called Operation Downfall, it was a proposed plan to invade Japan's main island in November had they not surrendered. It was estimated the casualty count itself would be around ten millions"

"Hence, the necessary evil" The Heavy Carrier Enterprise added, nodding to the Commander. "It was a controversial call. Many think it was not justified, to wipe two cities off based on a possibility that could or could not have happened, but in the end it worked and the war came to a close"

A familiar Battleship came into view, her deck filled with countless tall sailors manning the rail, as she floated on a peaceful water. The double digits hull number flashed for a brief of moment as the camera moved along her port before once again they appeared, this time on her bow.

"That's... Missouri" Wisconsin mumbled, forehead creased. "Is this...?"

"Tokyo Bay" Enterprise answered the unspoken question, moving closer to stand beside the Monitor. "Operation Magic Carpet sees the restitution of Allied soldiers captured during the war after the Axis Powers capitulate. The surrender of Japan is the beginning of this operation in the Pacific"

The view changed, this one was recorded from onboard the Missouri herself. A set of tables and chairs were arranged on the deck as sailors and soldiers alike encircled it, waiting for the Japanese delegations' arrival. Despite the blurry nature, it was clear who they were.

"Emperor Hirohito..." David muttered, just hard enough for everyone to hear. They watched as a group of sailors ushered the Emperor and his attendees towards the arranged furniture, finally noticing the documents strewn about it, as General MacArthur stepped to meet the defeated faction. "This is the end of the war right here, what might have been had the Siren never emerged"

Alicia hummed, eyes fixated to the screen. "It is, Commander... It is"

"What happened to General MacArthur?" Enterprise asked, now realizing she hadn't asked about the wellbeing of many prominent figures.

"The Siren happened" David answered cryptically, but for Enterprise it was clear enough. She crossed her arms and frowned but didn't say anything in return as another recording began to play.

"We are gathered here, representatives of the major warring powers, to conclude a solemn agreement whereby Peace may be restored"

"That old man was still kicking I see" Columbia mused out loud, furthermore cementing Enterprise's hypothesis. Beside her Admiral Allenforth grunted and shifted.

"He would have made great difference"

"The issues, involving divergent ideals and ideologies, have been determined on the battlefields of the world and hence are not for our discussion or debate. Nor is it for us here to meet, representing as we do a majority of the peoples of the Earth, in a spirit of distrust, malice or hatred. But rather it is for us, both victors and vanquished, to rise to that higher dignity which alone befits the sacred purposes we are about to serve, committing all of our peoples unreservedly to faithful compliance with the undertakings they are here formally to assume"

"Sounds like a plan" Phoenix commented offhandedly, earning a subtle nod from her sister Helena.

"They lost, their imperialistic nature was proven wrong in the war" St. Louis agreed, surprising many of the Ship-girls with the blatant hatred in her words. "As history has proven"

"You know how we were" Yamato mumbled from a corner, her eyes focusing on nothing in particular as she stood isolated from the rest of the party. Unlike Shinano who stood company behind Alicia, she decided to watch everything unravel from as far away as she could, finding the shame and guilt of her actions too much for her to bear. "We looked down on those we declared as enemies, thinking our courage was unrivaled as they were nothing but lesser people. But bravery is a mere hair breadth away from foolishness, and foolishness brings about destruction" She fell quiet, head lolling down to stare at her two feet. "I know that personally..."

"It is my earnest hope and indeed the hope of all mankind that from this solemn occasion a better world shall emerge out of the blood and carnage of the past- a world founded upon faith and understanding- a world dedicated to the dignity of man and the fulfillment of his most cherished wish- for freedom, tolerance and justice"

"Ten-Ichi Go? Sucks to be a sacrificial goat" Wisconsin huffed.

"Heh, yeah... Indeed. I was dumb for believing I could make a difference" Yamato lamented, shooting both Essex and Intrepid a glance. "Thanks for the wake up call"

"I will gladly do it again"

"Please, by all means"

Enterprise stopped the video a moment later after the signing, once again explaining what transpired after the war had come to an end. They were surprised to learn Germany was split into two with each territory being controlled by the USSR and the West separately, the civil war raging in China and the geopolitics instability over the rest of the world.

"Peace is nothing but a distant dream. The end of World War 2 sees the emergence of two superpowers, the United States and the USSR, whose influences reach all the way across the globe. What follows is a war of ideology, a silent war known as the Cold War that lasted for decades and affected many countries" Enterprise explained, switching back to the world's map, this time blue and red filled a large amount of it. "You see, both countries tried to gain as many nations as their supporters, more often than not by directly influencing the target's government itself through either manipulation or usurper. The Cold War is also the start of a new front of war known as intelligence war, which while silent is not any less brutal"

"In Europe, famine and resource shortages were the main issues especially on the territories under the USSR government. West Germany underwent a massive economy rebuild after the war while the East Side suffered for years to come, the difference was stark contrast"

"In Asia, countries formerly occupied by the Japanese spiraled into political struggle. Most was due to the difference in beliefs. China, in particular, was locked in civil war between the People's Liberation Army and the Republic's Army which resulted with the former's victory"

"War against Communism reached its peak in 1975 when the Vietnam War came to a conclusion, until in 1989 USSR collapsed. Many believed the Communist government fell due to internal strife and economic impacts the Cold War brought but the truth is lost in time"

Hornet frowned, bringing her hand up to gain the Heavy Carrier's attention. "Um... Why so?"

"History is written by the victors, and the West had to make history at that time. We do not know what happened exactly except for what was written centuries ago, but we are certain there's more than what meets the eyes. You can't blindly trust information coming from that era"

"Wait!" Vestal cut in before Enterprise could continue. "Okay, so your people don't have full closure despite the fact your governmental body is basically a combined nation of Earth? From what I understand, the United States should have a great influence in the making of UNSC and whatever information they have should have been a part of your government too, right?"

"I was getting there" Enterprise replied sternly. "First you must understand that UNSC is not our official government, it would be the UEG"

"Huh... I thought the UNSC was the main government" Vestal mused out loud.

"No" The Heavy Carrier said simply, toggling with the controller of the screen, it blinked for a second before the symbol of UEG came forth. Two golden wheats flanking a globe. "The UNSC is a standing emergency military government enacted in time of war, it was originally a UEG military body" She said, gesturing towards the symbol.

"I remember you said something similar to me before..." The Aircraft Carrier Enterprise mumbled, hardly loud enough for others to hear minus her counterpart. "The UNSC is a military, scientific and exploratory force"

"And also emergency government in stead of UEG"

"So how old is UNSC now?" Cleveland asked.

"Well, we were founded back in 2163, the year now is 2552 so we are almost four centuries old"

"For real?! That is a very long time!"

"The UEG is established in 2075, by the way"

The blonde whistled, crossing her arms over her chest. While it wasn't unheard of, centuries old organizations were usually regarded under a great light. Their expertise throughout the years must have been superlative.

"The UNSC was created in response to multiple conflicts in the 22nd century, specifically after the Jovian Moons campaign in 2158. It was a conflict of old, conflict of ideologies between Communism and Fascism that marked the founding of UNSC as UN main military force. Previously, the United Nations didn't have a standing and appropriate military so they called upon governments for aid to fight against the opposing factions on Jupiter's moons. That didn't end well"

"So the UN was not always in charge?"

"No, it was later after the opposing parties capitulated the UN came into full control in form of UEG, being the dominant faction and all that"

"The Rainforest Wars brought us a new problem and the following Interplanetary War accentuated it. Mass population and famine became issues throughout the Sol System and the UEG, now with a military too large and no enemy to fight, was faced with a possibility of economic failure. It was until April 2291 when the solution present itself in the form of these two gentlemen"

Enterprise pressed another button, and the image of UEG symbol was replaced with a picture of two men in lab coats.

"Doctor Wallace Fujikawa and Doctor Tobias Fleming Shaw, respectively, discovered a Faster-Than-Light transport method called Slipspace Transit. They invented the Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine"

"The Slipspace Drive you used?" Vestal asked in which Enterprise nodded.

"Yes. Centuries have passed since the discovery and many improvements have been made but the fundamental ideas are still the same, it was also our ticket to expand past the crowded Solar System to the outer space"

Hornet shifted on her seat, mindful with the way she was leaning so as to not upset her injury. "So how vast is your territory? With this Slipspace Drive being the key for expansion beyond?"

Something happened at that exact moment. It was subtle, barely noticeable despite the well lit nature of the room but it was there. Enterprise seemed to freeze, the edges of her mouth twitched as if she just swallowed something so bitter down her throat and the way her eyes darkened complimented her sour expression caught Hornet by surprise. As soon as it came, though, it was gone not even a second later.

Silently, she pressed another button and the display changed to show the galaxy with almost half of its lower side colored in blue. "Humanity controlled and explored space is shown in blue, as you can see we settled mostly on the Orion Arms and the outer rim of Perseus Arms. These dense clusters are known as the Inner Colonies whilst these separated ones are the Outer Colonies"

Warspite was the next to ask after Hornet felt satisfied with the answer. "How do you keep order and security? That's a very large territory"

"We don't cover all of these, they're simply too big to be efficiently managed. Instead, we had what we called Colonial Military Administration, which was basically the UNSC for the Outer Colonies. It was an organization created in 2310 by the UEG to safekeep the more distant planets and colonies but unlike the UNSC their main purpose was security rather than full fledged military body. They did possess more than enough military power to counter piracy, though"

"The way you talk about them implies they no longer exist, why?"

"They've been absorbed into the UNSC as of recent years"

"Why?"

"It was rather stupid reason but completely understandable; the UNSC didn't like another military body sharing the same authority as it has since it might cause some complications in the future, so we did everything we could to strip the CMA off funding and support. It was when we found out some CMA high ranking officers had been a part of rebellion did we fully take matter into hands"

"That brought us into another issue, which is still an issue even to today; The Insurrectionist. In the late of 2400's, the Outer Colonies are faced with outspread rebellions carried out by a group called The Insurrectionist, or Innie as we call them, whose goal is to cut UEG influence off of her distant worlds and establish an independent government"

"Even in an era where Humanity has reached the stars..." Warspite began solemnly as she leaned back. "War still follows wherever she goes"

"Wars will never disappear, we either emerge victorious or die. As it has been proven" Enterprise said as she changed the display, not slightly bothered by what Warspite said. "The Insurrectionist is not just a ragtag group of rebels, they're trained by professionals and have enough backups to challenge the UNSC. They attack worlds and raid UNSC facilities, stealing classified data and terrorizing the people"

Another video began to play, this one was from a helmet mounted camera. On the right lower corner a set of words showed whom it belonged.

Sgt. Williams Jennings, Hotel-Nine.

ODST, 10th Battalion.

Cleveland paused and looked at Columbia's borrowed shirt, frowning she then asked. "What's ODST?"

Enterprise glanced at Cleveland and then her sister, understanding why she asked. "Orbital Drop Shock Trooper"

Wisconsin and Cleveland spoke at the same time in response to her answer, not even trying to hide their shock.

"Orbit?"

"Drop?"

The Heavy Carrier didn't answer their almost rhetorical questions, instead she merely shifted her weight and set her eyes on the screen as the recording began.

The answer was not to be delivered orally.

UNSC LOG #625-321-2525

LAMBDA SERPENTIS SYSTEM.

JERICHO-VII, JANUARY 12 2525.

ONBOARD UNSC FIRES OF LIBERATION.

CODENAME: OPERATION TREBUCHET.

PHASE 4.

"Alright, drop preparations check?"

"Check"

"Check"

"Green across the board"

"All good, Sergeant"

"Nothing unusual"

"Solid, team"

"What's going on?! I can't see anything!" Wisconsin cried out, practically leaning on the table and brimming with anticipation. "It's so damn dark!"

"Sergeant Jennings, is everyone ready?"

"We're good, Captain"

"Right. Remember, your mission is to capture the enemy's head officers as quickly as you can while the Marines and Army boys on site engage the rebel forces. Jericho-VII is a hellhole I suggest you keep contact with enemy at minimum while en-route"

"Fucking Innies..."

"I know, son, that's why we need to cut the head of the serpent quickly. Also, I have a new information for you"

Something flashed in the pitch darkness before a screen lit up, illuminating the surrounding area just enough for them to realize the Sergeant was in some sort of small metal compartment, his hands braced against the safety handles in front of him. "We've got reinforcement coming in to help the main force secure the area, once you've completed your objective hunker down in one of these designated points until we take care of the enemy AA facilities. UNSC Belfast will provide you recon and fire support but IF only the latter is necessary, we cannot afford collateral damage especially in such clustered area. Any question?"

"Sir, I know we've got a team of Special Forces coming to extract us out but who?"

"New addition to the branch, I don't know the details but they told me anything with UNSC insignia is friendly so you better check your fire once down there"

"With all due respect, sir, that is stupid. If we don't have ID confirmation of our friends we might accidentally shoot them. In account we will be running from a crowd of angry farmers with guns"

"I know... I know but you have to make do. Besides they are very well distinguished in appearance so it should be not too hard to identify them"

"I just wish none of my teammates get thrown into the brig"

Enterprise lowered the volume before she spoke, gaining the attention back. "Operation TREBUCHET is a codename for UNSC massive campaign to squash the rebellions in her colonies. Hundreds of warships participated in the campaign along with millions of our troops and sailors, all fighting across the galaxy. The campaign itself was over a decade old, starting from 2513 to February 2525 where it was indefinitely suspended to now 2552"

Hornet frowned at the last bit of information. It was suspended for almost three decades? but why?

The blonde opened her mouth to ask but before a word could escape her mouth Enterprise had raised the volume again, cutting her off. Somehow she felt the Heavy Carrier did it intentionally but she dared not to bring it up.

"Geosynchronous orbit achieved, dropping in 5 seconds... brace... brace... brace... mark!"

Once it was pitch black, but as soon as the voice finished announcing the countdown light exploded immediately in the compartment. It was not sort of stunning rather than awe inducing, as the light was revealed to be emitting from none other than the lush green planet in its view. Even as the people inside the recording began to coordinate with each other, everyone's focus was still aimed at the beautiful world.

"Thrusters good, trajectory and course are on mark. Smooth drop!"

"They're really dropping from orbit..." Cleveland whispered, her tone filled with wonder and shock that reflected in her hazel eyes. Wisconsin, who shared the same sentiment with her, made it very clear she also felt the same, judging from the way her jaw hung loosely. Had it not been connected, she would have had it on the floor, abandoned and forgotten since the Battleship was too absorbed on the recording.

"One of the best and toughest of our forces, their motto is—"

"We cheated death from his rightful victory we are glad to plunge feet first into hell with the knowledge we will rise"

Sergeant Jennings could be heard muttering the phrase as the ground came into view, getting closer and closer until the video abruptly cut off, a triangle of some sort replaced it with the word ONI under it.

"... Feet first into hell"

"WAIT! WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?!" Wisconsin jumped off and nearly tripped on the chair she sat on. "WHAT THE HELL IS ONI?!"

"The footage is classified in accordance to UNSC Office of Naval Intelligence Sanction 2 Act IV regarding first contact protocol"

"... What?"

Hornet could almost see Enterprise's brows twitched in annoyance, feeling apologetic for the woman she had to deal with an eccentric girl like Wisconsin. "I'm not allowed to show excessive combat footage to preserve and deny the other party from learning UNSC weapons and combat tactics"

"So there is nothing more to see" Intrepid interjected, her hands crossed over her chest with her finger tapping her elbow impatiently. "That is your clue to sit back down, by the way"

For once, Wisconsin didn't bite back. She merely blinked before slowly settling down, face contorted in silent bewilderment.

"So..." Baltimore cut in, turning her head from Wisconsin to face Enterprise. "The operation is suspended...? And for almost three decades now? Why's that?"

"Something has happened" The Heavy Carrier replied curtly as her expression hardened, but it was not an answer she immediately provided. "I think this warrant a break"

Curiosity was the general atmosphere that surrounded them, more so when Enterprise didn't even try to hide her attempt to divert the subject. None spoke of it, however, and they just quietly agreed on her proposal.

"Right" The Commander inhaled deeply before he got up and stretched, feeling and hearing the crack on his back. "So... any ideas?"

"A moment, sir" Enterprise declared, stepping forward as the screen behind her shut down. She looked at Vestal, and then all Eagle Union personnel in the room. "To answer Vestal's earlier question; a civil war broke out in the United States in 2034, resulting in the total reform to the government, one of the outcomes of this conflict is the burning of the National Archive. Thus, the details on the previous conflicts are all but gone"

The Repair Ship felt cold run down her spine, shakily pushing herself up. "It can't be... It should be impossible! Even today we have a great many printed history books!"

"What about that uh... that net stuff...? What is it called again?" Alicia interjected, pushing through both Yamato's and Shinano's comparably taller forms.

"The Internet went down a few months prior thanks to a massive global power outage" Enterprise explained. "2030 to 2040 is considered as the modern dark age for mankind, many conflicts erupted on the planet stemming from crisis happening in the regions. China collapsed after a series of general protests, Russia was covered in years long blizzard due to global warming and the Middle East had almost run out of oil well. A Nuclear power plant exploded in Germany sending radioactive hazard across Europe, half of South East Asia had been submerged due to the rising of sea level"

The Sakura Empire Commander paused. "I... didn't know about this... is this why you refused to give me the full history recount of the 21st century?"

"Not really, it was mostly because of the fact nothing really came out of those years aside from conflicts and struggles" Enterprise affirmed, already she was on the way to the exit. "To put it simply, the United States are no more, after the 2034 Civil War the country was left in a state of 'political ineptness' that until 2075 UEG foundation. The US was one of the first nations to join the UEG body and although it still retained a sense of independence almost all governing actions were carried out by the UEG. It was not until 2524 the country is officially disbanded and on its place The United Republic of North America took hold"

"That really didn't explain why many records were lost..." Vestal muttered, still not believing what she just heard.

"Well, to be fair not all records were lost. What we don't know is the in-depth knowledge. We know what happened, how it happened, and why it happened but we don't know who killed the Russian President Vladimir Putin in what seemingly an accident during his visit to Beijing, or how a pair of supposedly lost nuclear bombs found their way to Mexico and turned the country into a radiation wasteland"

"Wait, can you repeat that last one?" Columbia cut in, a concerned look visible on her face.

Enterprise turned around to face the Light Cruiser, hands clasped together behind her back as she regarded the blonde with neutral expression. "I take it none of you lost a pair of nuclear bombs in the 1956?" She asked back, though this time the question was subtly directed to the Eagle Union officers.

"None that we know of, unless it's a classified information" David answered, giving his father a glance which he returned with a shake of his head.

"No record"

"Well... you might want to check it with the Air Force. Perhaps once the Siren is no longer a threat you can prevent the 2025 tragedy" The Heavy Carrier fell silent as she pondered her next words. "There are a lot of wrong decisions humanity took and all I know might just stop you from repeating them... but I cannot freely give you that knowledge"

Vestal frowned. "Why?"

"As it has been proven... experience is the best mentor, what does not happen will hurt you in the long run. People argue whether their thinking is correct or wrong, and in uncertainty conflicts brew" Enterprise gestured over behind them to the spinning UNSC logo on the screen. "Take World War 2 for example. While it's undeniable it's a terrible event, what comes out of it is nothing but a better world. Technology advances in breakneck speed, people's living conditions improve and the invaluable lessons it carries even centuries later are more or less a moral point of what is acceptable and what is not. It's better for you to fight now where killing apparatuses are still in early stages rather than later where worlds are nothing more than a staging point"

"Of course, if you're wise enough you will not have to fight to begin with. But then again, asking a man to not wage a war is like telling the ocean to stop being so full of water. It's possible to quench that desire, but just like the ocean you will need a very large explosion to get rid of those water"

Nobody said anything in return and Enterprise was left pondering her own words when she realized how sentimental she was being. It wasn't normal for her to be so, perhaps it had something to do with her unstable hormones.

She sighed then, straightening her posture before addressing a certain blue haired Light Cruiser. "Helena, if you don't mind please show the Admirals and Commander the cafeteria, along with the others, too. I will leave you with the consumptions, it's about time for lunch"

"Um... what do you want me to make?"

"Anything you see fit. You know where the necessities are"

Helena opened her mouth but before another word could leave her the Heavy Carrier was already making her way outside, leaving her alone with her fellow Azur Lane members.

"I'll help" Cleveland proposed not a moment later, possibly after noticing the uncertainty in Helena's eyes. The blonde smiled and put her arms around Helena's shoulders, earning a surprised squeak from the Brooklyn-class. "Now, let's go make our first space dish together!"

"Ohhhh that sounds cool! Me and Phoenix are in!" Columbia declared, already she had the dumbfounded redhead in a headlock.

"Wait, I didn't say that!"

"Sshhh be quiet, Phoenix. I know you want to join too"

"I don't! I can't cook for shit!"

TBC