Foreword:
Thank you for the positive reviews I have received. But before you read this chapter, I want to tell you something. The current situation in Ukraine is very bad. I'm sorry when I hear the news and hear about all the bad things that are happening. As you read this chapter, please remember that Russians are neither monsters nor heroes. I see the Russians, the Americans, and many other countries and peoples as impressive people on earth. And as Sting sang in 1985:
We share the same biology, regardless of ideology
But what might save us, me and you
Is if the Russians love their children too.
(Song: Russians by sting)
Chapter 3: The cold water of the Atlantic
The ambulance drives in front of the regional mental hospital. The two paramedics and Lynn get out.
"Come with us." said the paramedic.
Lynn walked alongside the paramedics. She was holding her bag where her clothes are. The three enter the clinic and board an elevator. The medic puts a key in the control panel where the fourth floor button should be and turns it. The elevator moves. When the elevator stopped on the fourth floor, they got out.
"This is level four. Children and young people your age are treated and clarified here. The people here are very nice, believe me." said the paramedic.
They walked down a corridor until they reached a glass door. The paramedic pressed a bell and it was unlocked. They entered and were greeted by a woman. She wore normal clothes, had red hair, and had kind, brown eyes.
"Hello, I'm Michaela. I'm responsible for you." she said kindly.
Lynn said nothing.
"This is Lynn Loud. I'll tell you all about her later."
"Ok. Lynn, I'll show you to your room." said Michaela.
Lynn followed Michaela. They again walked down a corridor that had many doors. Then Michaela opened a door on the right. The two entered a room with a bed, a bedside table, and a desk with a chair.
"Here, this is your room. If you need anything, tell me." said Michaela and left the room.
Lynn sat down on her bed and cried. She was so unsure and had a very big fear.
"Don't be afraid. I'm with you." said a voice that sounded like Lincoln.
"You are always with me." said Lynn, feeling relieved.
"I'll never leave you, you know that."
There was a knock at the door. A girl, 14 years old, entered the room. She wore black clothes and had black, curly hair that hung down to her shoulders.
"Hi, I'm. SILICON! Eve. My name is Eve, not Silicon." laughed the girl.
Lynn looked at the girl confused.
"My name is Lynn." she said shyly.
"Lynn. A nice name. How old. XENON! Are you?" asked Eve kindly.
"I'm thirteen. Why are you always yelling stuff like that?" Lynn asked.
The laughter faded from Eve's face.
"I have Tourette's Syndrome. I can't control it. I yell. PLUTONIUM! Yes, things like this. That's the harmless stuff. As I was walking past a mosque, I said something, uncontrolled, that was extremely bad. The Imam the moshe heard this and when i explained to him that i have tourette, he said that allah will help me, and smiled at me, but not everyone is as kind as that imam. KRYPTON! i'm glad if i just scream the names of elements."
"Sorry." said Lynn quietly.
The enterprise fights its way through the atlantic. Preparations are being made all over the ship for the exercises. On the bridge are Lori, Lily, Sybille, and Decker.
"Lori, a radio message from Admiral Sintnikov." said Lily.
Lori goes to the computer terminal and presses a button. The voice of a 65-year-old man with a Russian accent sounds.
"Captain Santiago. Is your ship ready?"
"Yes Admiral. Is your ship ready?" asked Lori.
"Yes. The battleship Leonid Brezhnev and the destroyer Valery A. Legassov are also ready. We have already towed the target to the coordinates. Our pilots will have fun with it."
"I believe so, Admiral."
"Sitnikov out."
Lori steps away from the computer terminal.
"My god, she's beautiful." said Sybille excitedly.
Lori, Lily, Sybille and Decker look through the windows at an aircraft carrier. It's a lot longer and a lot slimmer than the Enterprise. The flag of the Russian Federation hangs on the flagpole. On the hull was written in gold letters, Михаил Горбачев, Russian for Mikhail Gorbachev. Next to the Mikhail Gorbachev was a small destroyer, on the other side next to the Mikhail Gorbachev was a modern battleship. On the battleship's hull was written in silver letters, Леонид Брежнев, Russian for Leonid Brezhnev. Lori sat down in the captain's chair, which is in the middle of the bridge.
"Decker, red alert. The fighter jets are scheduled to take off in three minutes or less."
"Aye ma'am."
"Ensign Hawk, adjust our course to that of the Russian forces."
"Aye Captain."
Two minutes later, the roar of fighter planes was heard. Lily looks at the flight deck and sees a squadron of F-35 Fighters take off.
"The Russian air squadrons are also taking off."
Lily takes out her binoculars and sees the Russian squadrons, made up of Sukhoi SU-57 fighter jets, now following the Enterprise squadrons.
"Another radio message from Sitnikov." said Decker.
Lori went back to the computer terminal. Again she pushed the button.
"We want to use the missiles. Get ready." said Sitnikov.
The radio message was ended. Lori looked at the Russian ships. The two ships, the Valery Legassov and the Leonid Brezhnev, now fire a hail of missiles and the two ships are engulfed in black smoke.
"Those Russians." Lori grinned.
Lily checked the radar. The target detected by the radar suddenly disappeared. It was sunk.
"That's it? That was the exercise? Less than five minutes?" said Sybille.
"Why do you mean Ensign? We only sunk the first target." said Lori.
"Turn hard to starboard. Our pilots should have something difficult to land on." said Lily.
Sybille turned the wheel and the Enterprise began to move away from the Russian ships. The Russians imitated this and immediately turned around.
"We seem to have admirers." said Sybille.
The roar of jet fighters resumed, and F-35 fighters took off from the Enterprise's flight deck. Lily watched the movements of the Enterprise's fighters, and those of the Mikhail Gorbachev, with her binoculars. Another radio message came from Sitnikov.
"Proceed to your 27 knots top speed, on a course, south-southwest. We will match our speed to yours."
"You heard Sitnikov, Ensign Hawk, course south-southwest, 27 knots." said Lori.
"Aye Ma'am."
Sybille turned the wheel again and the Enterprise turned to port.
"I'll tell Doctor Zimmermann that he has to continue ramping up the reactor." said Lily.
"Do that." said Lori.
Lily pushed a button on the computer terminal and a Marine whistle blew.
"Doctor Zimmermann, I need the reactor on high power." said Lily.
"Understood, I will now extend the control rods further." Zimmerman said over the communication system.
Lily looked at a screen on the side of the bridge that showed a graphic of the reactor. It could be seen that the control rods were being moved out of the reactor and being moved from 58 percent to 86 percent.
"The reactor will be ramped up to 86 percent in a minute." said Doctor Zimmerman.
"Thanks." said Lily.
Lily went back to the bridge window and looked again at the F-35 fighters, which were now preparing to land. Sybille turned the wheel back and the enterprise stopped turning. Decker wanted to leave the bridge.
"Where are you going, Decker?" Lily asked.
"I go to the hangar to oversee operations." he said in an arrogant tone.
"Good." Lily said, fixing her gaze on Decker, who was leaving the bridge.
"Like I told you, a stubborn man." said Lori.
"Yes indeed." said Lily softly.
Sybille heard Lily say this but said nothing.
"I will now simulate the failure of flight control, our pilots will have to contact flight control Mikhail Grobachev." said Lori.
Lori pressed the buttons on the armrest of the chair. Then an alarm sounded.
"Flight control has failed, the reserve system is not booting up. And our pilots are now assigned to Russian flight control." said Lily.
Lily took out her binoculars and watched as the F-35 squadrons reformatted and now circled around carrier Mikhail Gorbachev.
"The simulation was successful, the F-35s are now under Russian control." said Lily.
"Well, the Russian ships will now simulate a fire control failure, our computer will connect to that of the battleship Leonid Brezhnev. Our radar will replace the Russian radar." said Lori.
The computer beeps, and Lily confirms the connection between the two computers. Now the Leonid Brezhnev started firing rockets again.
"I'm reactivating our flight control." said Lori.
Lily saw that the formation of the F-35 planes didn't change, but in a moment changed into an attack formation and headed towards the second target. Lily looked back at the computer screen and saw that the Leonid Brezhnev's fire control was activated again and the connection was lost. Now the Brezhnev was firing at a faster rate and the destroyer, Valery Legasov, passed the Enterprise and when she was forward of the bow created a smoke screen which hid the Enterprise. Now the Enterprise was only visible through radar. Sybille was now looking at the radar screen. Now she was driving according to the data from the radar, basically blind.
"I haven't done anything like that in a long time." said Sybille excitedly.
"Concentrate Sybille." said Lily.
Sybille kept correcting the course slightly. Again there was a roar from the flight deck as a squadron of F-35s landed. But now other aircraft were also taking off. Black Hawk Helicopter. Three started. Lily stalked them with the binoculars and in the distance she saw a burning ship. The exercise target was an old Russian cargo ship. Now she could see exactly how the Black Hawks started firing. They launched torpedoes and then nothing happened for twenty seconds. Then there were explosions on the cargo ship. The hull broke in two.
"Now the exercise is complete, Ensign." said Lori.
Another radio message came in from Sitnikov.
"Good job, Captain." he said friendly.
"Well, you did a good job too, Admiral." said Lori.
"Thanks, we're going parallel for a while, about two days, eastbound."
"Understood, I will arrange this."
"Sitnikov out."
The bridge door opened and four NCOs entered the bridge.
"The night shift is ready. Ensign Collins will be in charge." said one of the NCOs.
Lori saluted.
"Hawk, Lily. Closing time." said Lori.
The three left the bridge and went to the canteen. There was kibbeh, Arabic-style meatballs. The cook was Arab, so for the evening meal after the exercise he cooked something that could celebrate success in Arabia. Lori, Lily and Sybille went to the food counter. The chef was bald and had a brown beard that he had shaved short.
"Gibril, you made an effort today." said Lori to the cook.
"As always, Captain. I hope you like the kibbeh." he said kindly.
Gibreel took out three plates and gave each a large portion. He gave them the plates.
"Enjoy your meal." said Gibril.
Lori, Lily and Sybille sat down at a table and started to eat.
"Do you already know the latest?" asked Sybille.
"No, what is it?" asked Lori.
"The Yamato is delayed again. They will need another two months because of a defect in the reactor pressure vessel. At least that's what I heard." said Sybille.
"Again? The yamato is already late, and now it will be put into service even later?" said Lori.
"Acceptable." said Lily.
"What do you mean?" Sybille asked.
"Because the Yamato and the Enterprise have lost their military importance. Because of the peace negotiations with Russia, carriers are no longer needed. Our Enterprise is the last. It is even possible that the Yamato will never be put into service as an aircraft carrier." said Lily.
"That could mean that the Enterprise will be retired even earlier," Sybille said.
"It's worth it for peace. But I'm sure that the Yamato will be put into service. Again two U.S. destroyers were lost and three by the British. Captured by the extremists. It's possible that it too great naval battles are coming, which will be anything, but not harmless." said Lori worried.
"Didn't the Germans sink one recently?" asked Sybille.
"Yes, the heavy cruiser Konrad Adenauer was engaged in combat two weeks ago and was victorious. But over twenty other destroyers and four heavy cruisers are in the hands of the extremists." said Lily.
"That means we may have to hunt destroyers." said Lori.
"Eight ships were sunk. Also military ones, like the German destroyer Helmut Kohl, three weeks ago." said Sybille.
"Wasn't there a very successful Russian operation in the North Atlantic about six weeks ago? Lily, did you know that?" asked Lori.
"The battleship Vladimir I. Lenin took part in a very successful operation with the heavy cruiser Nikita Khrushchev and the destroyer Boris Shcherbina. Two destroyers and a cargo ship were sunk." said Lily.
"I hope we never get into a fight." said Sybille.
They finished their meal and continued talking. Until they were interrupted by shouts. They turned. Five sailors were standing at a table that was mostly seated by pilots.
"Excuse me? I think I misheard?" the sailor shouted at the pilot.
"Don't yell like that, you can cry somewhere else." said the pilot.
"Don't ever call our beautiful ship a boat, you overrated asshole." shouted the sailor.
"Fucking shit, this nutshell is a boat." said the pilot, extra provocatively.
The sailor punched the pilot in the face. The other pilots jumped up and attacked the sailors. Gibreel hid in his kitchen and Lori was overwhelmed. Lily and Sybille went to the crowd, who were all beating each other, and tried to defuse the situation. One of the female pilots hit Lily on the nose, causing her to bleed. Sybille didn't like that at all and attacked the pilot while Lily tried to get back up and resolve the situation diplomatically. In doing so, Lily suffered even more injuries because no one could contain herself except Lily, who was only defensive. A pilot hit Sybille with a stump over the head. Lily, who already had quite a few injuries, tried to get Sybille out of the danger zone and also received a few hits. Gibreel went to the phone in his kitchen and dialed a short number.
"Security, there's a fight in the canteen and there are people injured."
"We'll come immediately." said the voice on the phone.
Gibreel locked the kitchen. Outside in the canteen, Lily dragged the unconscious Sybille away from the brawl and brought her to Lori, who tended to her immediately. Lily went back to the brawl and tried to drag more people away. Lily was dizzy and getting sick. She tried to drag a pilot away, but again only got hits that she was able to partially parry. She felt a strong hit on her head and could not stand. She had to sit down somewhere. She walked away from the brawl, got on her knees and sat on the floor in a daze.
"Lily, are you alright?" Lori asked, bringing her even further away from the fight.
Lily tried to look Lori in the eye, it was too much effort and she felt nauseous again. She looked down. Now security officers came into the canteen, who now ended the brawl with all their might. When officers got the situation under control, doctors came. One immediately went to Sybille. He was about 50 years old, had dark gray hair, and wore thick glasses. He had Sybille transported to the infirmary and took care of Lily.
"I'm Doctor Davis. Where are you injured?" he said incredibly quickly.
"I was hit in the nose and in the head." said Lily.
Davis shone a flashlight in Lily's eyes, then placed his fingers on Lily's carotid artery.
"Concussion." said Davis.
He controlled Lily's head. He ran his gloved hands through Lily's hair, searching for injuries.
"No head injury. Take her to her quarters." he said to Lori.
"I'll do it." said Lori.
A doctor could give orders even to an admiral when it came to someone's health. Lori sat Lily up and took one of Lily's arms over her shoulder. They slowly walked to Lily's quarters.
"Are you feeling better?" asked Lori.
"No."
Lori opened the door of Lily's quarters and they entered. Lori felt like Lily had become a little girl again. Lily sat on her bed and Lori sat next to her.
"Shall I go on telling how I got into the Navy?" asked Lori.
Lily nodded silently.
There are not only footpaths and roads through the forest at Royal Woods, but also tracks. Meter gauge tracked by the Royal Woods railway which ran from Great Lake City to Royal Woods. It wasn't the fastest route, as the three-part railcars, painted red with graphite-grey window bands, were only 80 km/h. But when Vanzila wasn't working or her parents needed him, Lori always took the tram. It was a bit noisy inside, but it was still comfortable. Lori and Carol were on the tram that was on its way to Royal Woods as an express. Carol looked out the window and saw the landscape at dusk. Lori looked at the plaque hanging next to the cab door. The names of the manufacturers were written on the plate. At the top it said, Schindler Waggon AG Pratteln, in the middle it said SIG, and at the bottom of the plaque it said ABB, ASEA Brown Boveri.
Lori took out her phone and Googled the term, Schindler Waggon.
"Hey Carol, did you know that this railcar was built in Switzerland?" asked Lori.
"No. Where did you get that?" asked Carol.
"I just googled it. I can't believe it. We're really going into the Navy. They accepted us." Lori said happily.
"Yes, I'm really looking forward to it. While you're allowed on the ship, I have to stay in Royal Woods. How boring."
"And work at the nuclear power plant to work in the reactor section of an aircraft carrier. You call that boring?"
"No, not. But you're going to sea in about a month and I'm staying at Royal Woods."
The driver's voice came from the loudspeakers.
"Next stop on request. Woods Hill."
The railcar slowed down and stopped at a stop in the woods. The doors opened and Leni got in. She saw Lori and Carol and sat down with them.
"Hello Leni. What are you doing here?" asked Lori.
"Not important. Were you with the ships?" Leni asked.
"No Leni, but we were accepted. Carol and I are recruits now. And Carol will spend her early years producing electricity." Lori said with a grin.
Carol also started to grin.
"Why electricity?" Leni asked confused.
"Because on the very large ships, which are like an airport, a lot of electricity is needed there. That's why a small nuclear power plant is installed on such ships." explained Carol, and tried to say it in such a way that it didn't overwhelm Leni.
"And that means that you drive with electricity?" Leni asked shyly.
"We have something that's like a cooking pot. We call this, reactor. This is where radioactive elements, that is, elements that fall apart, are split. That makes heat, which we then send through a turbine as steam. Now all these ships are like that , that this turbine will drive the ship's propellers directly. But eventually this turbine will generate electricity and drive electric motors." explained Carol.
"That means you have a big cooking pot on the ship?" Leni asked
"Not quite, but almost." said Lori.
"They want to install the electric drive variant in carriers of the Demon class. That means in ten years, when the next aircraft carriers go out of service, they will build more that use this system. Maybe then we'll be captains."
"Demon class? Don't tell me they want to name a carrier USS Demon?" asked Lori.
"Of course not. From what I've heard they want to name the ships, that are still in the concept phase, Rhode Island and Montana. Better than demon, but the project name is it." said Carol.
"Carol was wrong. The last aircraft carriers are not the Demon class carriers, but the carriers like the Enterprise. The Satan class aircraft carriers."
The tram reached Royal Woods. They crossed the level crossing and entered the station. The tram stopped in the station and the doors opened. The three got out.
"Hey, all the best. Lori, see you tomorrow." Carol said and left.
Lori and Leni left the train station and walked towards the Loud house.
"Leni, what are you always doing? We've seen you very rarely lately." asked Lori.
Leni took a deep breath. The crickets chirped in the gardens of the houses. Then Leni answered.
"I'm going to scream."
"I'm sorry, what?" Lori asked confused.
"You heard me right. Every day I take the tram to the forest, run up the hill, and scream as loud as I can."
"Why?"
"Because Lincoln is gone, Lily holding back her feelings and Lynn. I don't understand what's going on with Lynn, but it must be bad, right?"
"Leni, Lynn won't die from it. But she sees, and she hears Lincon, in her head."
Leni started to cry. Lori led her to a bench by a brook. Because of the darkness they did not see the brook, but they heard its rushing. Lori hugged Leni.
"All good Leni. I'm with you." Lori said in a soothing tone.
"Isn't it good if Lynn thinks Lincoln is with her?" asked Leni, which was difficult because of the crying.
"Leni, what Lynn has is a serious disorder. Maybe it's even schizophrenia."
"What happens to Lynn?"
"Well, now she's talking to people who know. Psychiatrists. And they can tell us exactly what's going on with Lynn." Lori said, trying to be reassuring.
"And then there's the fact that you're leaving soon."
"And I will remain your sister."
Leni stopped crying. They got up and went on. When they got home, something they didn't like. Two fire engines were parked in front of the Louds' house. Lori and Leni ran over there. The fire brigade packed up the equipment. Lori walked up to a firefighter.
"What happened here?" Lori asked the firefighter.
"The homeowner was baking and the cake started smoking. No fire and no damage." Then he turned to another fireman. "John, there's still pressure in the hose. Turn off the hydrant."
The two entered the house. Luan was standing in the living room, looking as if she had never been so scared. Lynn senior stood next to her.
"It's all right Luan. I made a real fire once. Everything's fine." said Lynn senior in a calm voice.
Luan was still in shock. Being reassured by her father, Lori decided to go to her room. Leni stayed with Luan.
Psychiatry wasn't all that bad, Lynn thought. A week had passed since Lynn was admitted to the psychiatric ward. She quickly became friends with a girl named Eve who had Tourette Syndrome. Eve was very friendly and always apologized when a swear word crossed her lips. However, Eve's tick was to shout out the names of elements. Names like, xenon, plutonium, and silicon, came up frequently. But Lynn wasn't bothered by Eve's tics. The two enjoyed talking. Lynn felt like they'd known each other for a long time. They talked in Eve's room.
"So, I put the sliced grape in the microwave and when I turned it. IODINE! on there was a beautiful arc." told Eve Lynn.
"Brilliant. You would get along well with my sister Lisa." said Lynn.
"She is great." said the voice in Lynn's head.
"You know, I think you. HELIUM! have to be a bit adventurous in life. You know what I mean?" asked Eve.
"I can only agree."
The two continue to talk. When it was bedtime, Lynn went to her room.
She changed to sleep and lay in her bed. She tried to sleep.
"I need your help." said the voice.
"What kind of help?"
"I need you."
"What do you need?"
"Help us!"
"Save us!"
Lynn kept asking, but the voices don't have the right answers. Lynn was getting confused, these voices were getting more and more. A huge chaos in Lynn's head. The voices grew even more. Each one asked her for something, but didn't say what.
"Give it to us!"
"We need you!"
"What do you want?" shouted Lynn.
She was becoming more and more overwhelmed. The bad thing was that she heard every voice clearly, and not as usual, the voices merged into a hissing. Every voice wanted something.
It was getting to be too much for Lynn. If you don't experience something like this yourself, it's hard to describe. But if you described it as an affected person, the expression was overload. Lynn was thirteen and couldn't take this pressure, these voices, anything anymore. Lynn did not sleep that night. She didn't sleep the next night either. For days, for weeks, she was accompanied by this chaos. You couldn't blame Lynn for breaking down. No one could have endured such a burden.
Lori called an emergency siblings meeting. She wanted to tell them that she had to go soon. Her parents knew and they supported Lori. Now everyone was in Lori's room.
"Well, you're here because I have to say something." Lori said to her siblings.
Lori took a deep breath.
"I'm going on a ship soon. And I won't be here for a long time."
"How long?" Luan asked.
"Very long."
"When are you leaving?" asked Lana.
"I'll be leaving in three months."
Lola started crying. Lori went to her and hugged her.
"We will support your decision." said Luna.
"I'll miss you." cried Lola.
The mood in the room was sad, but everyone supported Lori's decision.
Five weeks passed by. Lynn's condition began to improve, and otherwise the Louds' life slowly began to move towards normality again. The tree that Lincoln planted with Lana started to grow. Lucy came out of the ventilation shafts again, and Luan, too, started making jokes again. Lisa had done more research into Lincoln's tumors and concluded that medical technology was not yet advanced enough to cure such diseases. It was a Saturday evening. And it was the first concert Luna was scheduled to play since Lincoln's dead. The Railway Tavern was busy. The guests missed Luna's talent on the guitar. Family was there too, as the Louds hoped Luna's music would do them good. Tabby was next to the Loud family. Luna's biggest fan never missed one of her concerts. Luna entered the stage, behind her Sam, with her bass, and Chunk holding his sticks. Luna ran to the microphone.
"Hello everyone. I'm back." she said calmly.
The people in the tavern clapped briefly.
"Thank you, thank you very much. I would like to dedicate this concert to Lincoln, my beloved brother, and my sister Lynn, who is not well. I want to tell you, my music style is not the same as it was a month ago. I hope you like this kind of music too."
Luna picks up her guitar and starts playing. A slightly faster beat and full of feeling, as known from Luna. The people were happy and the louds were happy too to see Luna play. Sam and chunk started now too. Luna started singing.
«I had your back, but it's no use
False accusations are on the loose
Know what?
It makes no sense that you tied your own noose
You never felt the shores decay
Your perfect world is ending today»
The audience likes Luna's performance.
«So what?
I wouldn't have it any other way
Is this your paradise?
You think you thought this through?
'Cause when you rolled the dice
That house came down on you
Don't care what you do or say
The suicide begins today
Have fun in paradise
This hell is just for you
You against you
Shitty time to make a stand, all without a master plan, just you
You against you»
Rita covered Lily's ears and Lynn senior tried to cover the twins' ears, which didn't work.
«So how's your paradise
Hindsight just laughs at you
With conflict comes the price
That price weighs heaviest on you»
"Everyone in our family became aware that Luna was singing about Lynn."
«I guess I should say thanks
Dissention in your ranks
Your panic lit the fuel
Now it's you against you»
Lori listened carefully to the lyrics of the song.
«You against you
When you're looking for a fight, when I'm showing up tonight
Shitty time to make a stand, all without a master plan, just you
You against you»
«You against you.» She sang about Lynn. Thought Lori.
«These seeds are what you sow
Never should have lit that fuse
Enjoy your paradise
This hell is just for you»
"This hell is only for you." This song was about Lynn, that's how Lori interpreted the song as she listened.
«You against you
When you're looking for a fight, when I'm showing up tonight
Shitty time to make a stand, all without a master plan, just you
You against you»
Luna finished her performance and the audience applauded loudly.
"Thank you. Me, I'm honored. You know, I'm doing one more song, but the last one, because I have to go home too. But, I think, the seasons are in the abyss now." said Luna, and the audience cheered.
And Luna's family cheered too, except for Lucy, who was never loud, and Lily, who showed no emotion.
Luna began to play, the beat and the way she played the guitar was soft and slow. She played like that for a minute, then she started playing at her typical strength. There were some rock fans and metalheads in the audience who recognized this melody immediately. And it got quiet.
"This is seasons in the abyss. This song is legendary." Tabby whispered to herself who was in the audience.
«Razor's edge
Outlines the dead
Incisions in my head
Anticipation, the stimulation
To kill the exhilaration
Close your eyes
Look deep in your soul
Step outside yourself
And let your mind go
Frozen eyes stare deep in your mind as you die»
Everyone in the audience thought the same.
«Close your eyes
And forget your name
Step outside yourself
And let your thoughts drain
As you go insane... go insane
Innate seed
To watch you bleed
A demanding physical need
Desecrated, eviscerated
Time's perpetuated»
Luna was feeling weird too, why this song?
«Close your eyes
Look deep in your soul
Step outside yourself
And let your mind go
Frozen eyes stare deep in your mind as you die»
The sound waves created by Luna were pleasant to everyone in the tavern.
«Close your eyes and forget your name
Step outside yourself and let your thoughts drain
As you go insane, go insane»
And Luna knew that this song, even the song she had played before, had a meaning.
«Inert flesh
A bloody tomb
A decorated splatter brightens the room
An execution, a sadist ritual
Mad intervals of mind residuals»
The resonance, the wavelength and the amplitudes, just perfect.
«Close your eyes
Look deep in your soul
Step outside yourself
And let your mind go
Frozen eyes stare deep in your mind as you die
Close your eyes and forget your name
Step outside yourself and let your thoughts drain
As you go insane, go insane»
When Luna was done. She left the stage and went to her family and Tabby.
"Well done Luna! You rock!" said Tabby euphorically.
"Thanks." said Luna softly.
Rita approached Luna. Rita also understood what these songs were about. Rita said nothing. She hugged Luna, which said more than any word ever uttered. As they broke the hug, the other siblings also commented how much they liked it.
"The lyrics were pretty dark." said Lucy.
"I liked it." said Leni.
The congratulations were nice. Luna remembered her last concert, Lincoln's farewell. She would never forget that. Lori approached Luna. She held her hand on her shoulder. Her look said, "Message understood."
Chunk now went to the microphone.
"Well, I'm glad you're back, luna. The Railway Tavern was empty without your music. The sound was missing here. He knows what I mean." Chunk said, pointing to someone in the audience who was bald, had a long beard, and had a lot of tattoos.
"Wasn't that right, Kerry? Yes, I missed the sound of Luna too. Cheers to the new times, and cheers to Luna and her family."
The concert was successful. It was also helpful for the Louds.
That evening, Lynn was with a psychiatrist. Dr Malach was an expert. He had glasses, long blond hair, and a short beard that was already turning white in some places. He was very competent. And aready Lynn trusted him. Lynn had dark circles under her eyes from not being able to sleep properly at night. Lynn suffers because the voices in her head won't stop talking and she saw Lincoln again. He always went after her, and that helped Lynn too. He always stood by her.
"So how are you?" asked Malach.
"I think good." said Lynn.
"And Lincoln?" asked Malach.
"He's fine too. He saved me from a tricky situation."
"How did he do that?" asked Malach, taking notes.
"He suggested I retire when the others were teasing me. Except for Eve, she's my best friend."
"What were you angry about?"
"They said again that I talk to ghosts."
"And Eve? Did she help you?"
"Yes, very much. She had comforted me."
"You cried?"
"Yes. Because everyone says my brother is dead. But that isnt true, because I see, hear, and even feel him."
"You're right, I'm not dead." said a voice in her head.
"And your brother? What does he say to that?"
"He says he's not dead. Which is true."
Malach considered again what to say, but there was no answer.
It was exceptionally quiet in vanzilla. Mainly because most of them were asleep. Rita drove. She drove because Lynn senior had a pint with Chunk and he was responsible. She drove extra carefully. She didn't like driving at night because she couldn't see as much.
"I'm proud of you." whispered Rita to Luna.
"Thanks." said Luna.
Lori was still awake too. She texted bobby. Ronnie Anne's cast was removed. The two wanted to come by tomorrow. Lori looked forward to it. Rita cautiously stopped Vanzilla. The level crossing was closed. Now they waited. After twenty seconds, a seven-car articulated railcar drove through. On the side it said, Stadler Tramlink. The streetcar drove by and the level crossing opened. Rita drove on cautiously.When they got home, Rita, Lynn senior, Lori, Leni and Luna carried the sleeping siblings into the house and put them on their beds. When Lori picked Lola up, she woke up.
"Lori? What are you doing?" Lola asked tiredly, and yawned.
"I'll put you to bed. You fell asleep on the drive home." whispered Lori.
Lori carried Lola up the stairs and entered the twins' room where Lynn senior, Lana lay in her bed.
"I'll miss you when you get on the ship."
"You too." said Lori.
"Can you stay here until I fall asleep?" asked Lola quietly.
"Of course." whispered Lori.
Lori sat down next to Lola's bed and held her hand. When Lola snored softly, Lori got up and left the room.
Lily lay on her bed, which was in her quarters. Lori sat next to her. Lori slowly stroked Lily's forehead.
"It was a fascinating story." said Lily.
"But it's not over. I'll tell you more some other time." said Lori.
Lori sat there for another ten minutes. She remembered the first time she saw Lily. And to all the siblings she'd seen as a baby. But the memories were interrupted. Lori got a message on her radio. It was the officer who ran the night shift.
"Ensign collins to Captain Santiago."
Lori pressed a button on her radio.
"Got it, what's there Collins?"
"A radio message from Sitnikov. He says it's urgent."
"Put him through." Lori said.
Sitnikov spoke now. He sounded worried.
"Santiago, we have a huge problem." said Sitnikov.
"What is it?" asked Lori.
"The extremists have a task force in the mid-Atlantic. Three destroyers and two heavy cruisers. They have already sunk three civilian ships. We need your help."
"How can we help you?"
"We have orders to attack and sink the task force. We ask for the support of the Enterprise."
Lori was speechless. Now they should go into a battle? She turned to Lily.
"Lily, what do you think? Shall we help?" asked Lori.
Lily leaned on her arms and sat up.
"I don't know much about friendship. But you help friends. Sitnikov is a friend." said Lily softly.
Lori spoke into the radio.
"Sitnikov, you have our support."
"I owe you one. Thank you, Captain."
The radio message was ended. Lori pressed another button on her radio.
"Collins, follow the Russian ships. And the crew is to prepare for battle."
"Aye Ma'am." said Collins.
Lori got up.
"Lily, I have something to do. I'll be back soon." said Lori.
Lily nodded. Lori left Lily's quarters and ran to her own quarters. She entered and went to the phone that was on the desk. She picked up the phone and dialed a number. It rang and someone answered. A man.
"Santiago. Who's there?"
"Hello Bobby. It's me." said Lori.
"Lori. I missed you. How are you."
"I'm fine. Listen, we're going with Russian ships... to... a battle."
"What?" said Bobby stunned.
"The Russians are chasing five ships that the extremists have hijacked. We're helping them."
Bobby said nothing.
"I'll call to hear your voice if I don't come back." Lori said and tears started to flow.
"I love you Lori." said bobby.
"I love you Bobby. Can you put Lorraine and Miranda on the phone? I want to hear them both."
Lori heard the phone being put down and Bobby called two names. Then she heard two voices.
"Hello Mom, what are you doing?" asked Lorraine's voice.
"I'm going with my ship. What are you doing?" said Lori.
"I just rode my model train. The new train that Aunt Lily gave me."
Another voice said something. Miranda was the young daughter of Lori and Bobby. She was seven years old.
"Hello mom. Where are you?" Miranda asked curiously.
"I'm in the North Atlantic."
"Have you seen fish?" asked Miranda.
"No. Unfortunately not. Listen, I need to get Dad back on the phone, I love you both." said Lori.
"I love you too." the two girls said at the same time.
The two give the phone to their father. It was Bobby's turn again.
"Lori, I wish you the best of luck. Please come back safe." said bobby.
"I'll come back healthy, I promise you." said Lori.
"Bye Lori. I miss you."
"Bye. My Bobby-Boo-Boo Bear."
Lori hung up. She slowly walked to her bed and sat down. She took off her captain's cap and laid it beside her. She wiped the tears from her eyes with the sleeve of her uniform. She got up again and looked out the porthole of her quarters. She looked at the carrier Mikhail Gorbachev. The Enterprise has set a parallel course. She saw Russian sailors making preparations on the Gorbachev. Dark clouds were gathering on the horizon. The picture Lori saw was perfect. Four ships, on their way to their battle.
Luna had another concert. two thousand people. She could sell more tickets, but the 39-year-old didn't like crowds that were too large. She was in the artists' waiting room, the Small Concert Hall. She was sitting there on a couch, watching the news on her cell phone. The news anchor was sixty years old, and had light gray hair.
"Now for more news. The US aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, under the command of Captain Lori Santiago, is on its way to its first battle. Together with the Russian aircraft carrier Mikhail Gorbachev and the battleship Leonid Brezhnev, the Enterprise is to destroy a task force of extremists. According to US Navy information, the Enterprise set course three hours ago."
Luna couldn't believe what she was hearing. Lori on a martial mission? She hoped nothing would happen to her. She looked at a clock. Now she has to go on stage. She picked up her guitar and left the room. She walked down an aisle, and then she was on stage. Sam on her bass, kept the waiting crowd busy, and Chunk tuned in the electronics, and. now went to his drums. Luna plugged a cable into her guitar. Then she went to the microphone.
"Well, Great Lake City? How are you?" Luna yelled into the microphone, and the audience cheered.
"Do you want music?"
Again there was cheering.
"Do you want to rock?"
The audience cheered even louder.
"You know what I just saw on the news? The Enterprise, she's going into battle. My sister is the captain. So let's honor the crew of this honorable ship, with a song. First song, a cover of Bismark, by sabaton." said Luna.
Luna started playing, and Sam and Chunk started playing too. After a short start, Luna started singing.
«From the mist a shape, a ship is taking form
And the silence of the sea is about to drift into a storm
Sign of power
Show of force
Raise the anchor, battleship plotting its course
Pride of a nation, a beast made of steel
Bismarck in motion
King of the ocean
He was made to rule the waves across the seven seas
To lead the war machine
To rule the waves and lead the Kriegsmarine
The terror on the seas
The Bismarck and the Kriegsmarine»
The audience cheered again.
«Two thousand men, and fifty thousand tonnes of steel
Set the course for the Atlantic, with the allies on their heel
Firepower
Firefight
Battle stations, keep the targets steady in sight
Into formation, the hunt has begun
Death and damnation, the fleet is coming
He was made to rule the waves across the seven seas
To lead the war machine
To rule the waves and lead the Kriegsmarine
The terror on the seas
The Bismarck and the Kriegsmarine
At the bottom of the ocean the depths of the abyss
They are bound by iron and blood
The flagship of the navy the terror on the seas
His guns have gone silent at last»
Luna was now playing a solo.
«Pride of a nation, a beast made of steel
Bismarck in motion
King of the ocean
He was made to rule the waves across the seven seas
To lead the war machine
To rule the waves and lead the Kriegsmarine
The terror on the seas
The Bismarck and the Kriegsmarine
To lead the war machine, rule the waves and lead the Kriegsmarine
The terror on the seas, Bismarck and the Kriegsmarine
To lead the war machine, rule the waves and lead the Kriegsmarine
The terror on the seas, Bismarck and the Kriegsmarine»
People liked Luna's performance. They cheered, and the concert that evening was a great success. But Luna's only thoughts were with Lori and Lily.
News was also watched in Royal Woods. Especially at 1216 Franklin Avenue. An old couple was sitting in the living room of this house. Rita had light gray hair and Lynn senior was balding. No wonder, because the two are 64 years old. The news was on the TV. When they heard what was going on, they were shocked.
"Did you hear? They go into battle." said Rita stunned.
"I hope they both get away safely." said Lynn Sr.
"Lynn! Come here please." called Rita.
Lynn junior, Come down the stairs. The 37 year old wore a red sweater and blue jeans. She ran to her parents.
"What's up?" Lynn asked.
"Check the news."
The voices in Lynn's head started talking again.
"The news? Did something happen?"
Rita rewound and played the news again. Lynn stared at the TV, and just like Rita was stunned.
"I have to go." said Lynn, and went up the stairs.
Rita looked after her. Then she turned to her husband.
"I hope she doesn't worry too much." said Rita.
"You know Lynn. She worries a lot." said Lynn Sr.
And he was right. Lynn locked herself in her room and took a deep breath. A voice spoke again in her head.
"They go into battle. You heard five ships against four. They will not survive." said the voice.
"Shut up. Those two will survive." said Lynn.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Therefore, go away!"
Lynn took out her cell phone and checked the phone book for a contact. She found the contact and called. The call was answered. Lily was on the other side of the line.
"Hello Lynn. Is something bad going on?" asked Lily's voice.
"Yes. You must come back immediately. You are not allowed to go into this battle." said Lynn stressed.
"That will not do."
Lynn started crying.
"You can't die. I can't lose you."
"I will not die."
"Yes. You only have four ships and the terrorists have five." Lynn cried.
"Yes, that's right."
"You see, you're going to lose this battle."
"No. The enemy has three destroyers and two heavy cruisers. But we have two aircraft carriers, a battleship and a destroyer. We're winning because we have more firepower. I have to prepare for the battle. Bye Lynn."
"Okay. Bye Lily." said Lynn sadly.
Lily hung up. Lynn was even more stunned than before. The voice in her head spoke up again.
"She lied to you."
"Shut up. She would never do that." said Lynn loudly.
Lynn sat on the floor and leaned against the wall. She began to cry softly. There was a knock at the door. Lynn senior came in. He was very worried.
"Lynn? Are you okay?" asked Lynn Sr.
"No. Lily and Lori are in danger." said Lynn worried.
Lynn senior knelt down next to Lynn.
"Lynn. Lori and Lily are on the strongest ship in the fleet. Nothing will happen to them."
"I don't know if I can believe that."
"Have I ever lied to you?" asked Lynn Sr.
Lynn didn't answer that question because they both knew the answer. Lynn hugged her father.
"What would I do without you?" Lynn said, pressing her face against her father's shoulder.
Lynn felt safe with her father next to her. It was terrifying for her to think about losing another sibling.
Preparations were in full swing on the Enterprise. The planes were filled with ammunition and refueled. The Russian reconnaissance planes have already located the extremists' task force. The battle is about to begin. Lily, Lori, Sybille and Decker were on the bridge. They knew that now everything would count. It was cloudy and a strong southeast wind was blowing.
"Perfect weather for a battle." said Decker.
"And a good day to die." said Sybille.
"No one will die here." said Lori.
"But we can count on one ship being damaged. The strength of the task force is considerable." said Lily.
A radio message came in. This was not from Sitnikov, but from Captain Yuvchenko. He spoke relatively good English. But he had such a strong accent that Lori had to concentrate while listening.
"Attention, the battleship Leonid Brezhnev will fire the first salvo in a minute."
"I understand, Captain."
The radio message was ended.
"Red alert. We're attacking." said Lori.
The roar of fighter planes taking off could be heard. Huge squadrons of aircraft took off from the Enterprise and the Mihail Gorbachev. Now the Leonid Brezhnev also began to fire. Not as fast as the practice, but it seemed like the team was focused on winning. Lily was standing at the front of the bridge, looking through her binoculars. Lori walked beside her. She looked at Lily. Lily looked dangerous in a way, looking emotionless through those binoculars. Lori took out a pair of binoculars and on the horizon she could see the extremist task force. Then the officers on the Enterprise heard a hiss. They looked around and a rocket hit water on the port side.
"Hawk, zig zag course." said Lori.
"Aye Ma'am." said Hawk.
Sybille turned the wheel and the Enterprise began to turn to starboard with a slight turn. The officers heard another hiss and a missile slammed into the water on the starboard side. The Leonid Brezhnev fired the second salvo.
"Our squadrons are attacking." said Decker.
Lori looked at the Mikhail Gorbachev, which was running parallel to the Enterprise on the starboard side. Lori heard another hiss and saw a missile hit the Gorbachev's flight deck. There was an explosion and a huge black cloud arose.
"The Gorbachev." said Lori softly.
Sybille looked over and was shocked. Lily also looked at the Gorbachev. Another rocket hit the water on the port side. The smoke on the Gorbachev cleared. Lori looked at the flight deck through the binoculars. No damages. The armor held up. Sybille got behind the wheel again. There was another roar from the flight deck and a squadron of F-35s took off. Lily looked at the opposing task force, and saw a black, mushroom-shaped cloud rising. The radar also confirmed a ship sunk. They heard another hiss, and then there was a loud bang and the Enterprise shook. A missile hit the Enterprise's bow.
"We were hit." said Lily.
"I'm sending rescue teams." said Decker
The smoke from the explosion cleared and Lily looked at the impact site through the binoculars.
"Minimal damage." said Lily.
"Continue attack." said Lori.
Sybille turned the wheel and the Enterprise turned to port. A good decision because a missile hit where the Enterprise would have been. They heard hissing again. Then there was such a loud bang that the windows of the bridge broke. Lori's ears were pounding. The bang came from the rear. Lily ran to a door, and entered a stairway that led directly outside to the flight deck. Lily saw a terrible event. A missile hit the battleship Leonid Brezhnev. Lori walked over to Lily, and covered her mouth with her hand. The two looked at a burning Leonid Brezhnev, which was torn in two. Pitch black smoke rose into the sky and a fire burned on the deck. Sailors jumped off the ship trying to save themselves from the fire. But this didn't help. Oil spilled out of the Brezhnev, causing a slick of burning oil on the water. It was a terrible inferno.
"What happened?" Lori asked shocked.
"The missile must have hit the magazine. I can't explain it any other way." said Lily calmly.
Another missile flew in and hit the Brezhnev again. Lori took her hat off her head and began to pray.
"Our Father in heaven
Hallowed be your name
Your kingdom comes
Your will be done
As in heaven, even so on earth
Give us today our daily bread
And forgive us our guilt
Just as we also forgive those who are guilty upon us
And lead us not in temptation
But save us from evil
For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for eternity
Amen."
Lori put her hand to her forehead, then to her left shoulder, and then to her right shoulder.
The two went back to the bridge.
"Start helicopters immediately. They have to save the survivors." said Lori.
"What happened?" asked Sybille.
"The Leonid Brezhnev was destroyed." said Lily quickly.
Decker gave the order. After three minutes, the Black Hawk helicopters took off. Lily looked at the horizon. She saw two more ships. And one of them was burning. It started to get dark. Lily saw another explosion and the other ship disappeared. Decker ran to Lori.
"All ships have been sunk." said Decker.
Lori just nodded. She sat down in the captain's chair and began to process what she had seen.
At midnight the Enterprise was on its way to west. Lily stood on the roof of the bridge. It was dark, but there was a red glow on the horizon. Lori approached Lily. She leaned against the railing. she smoked
"What just happened today?" Lori said sadly.
"I got a message from Johnson." said Lily.
"What did he say?"
"The marines have started the invasion of Nuuk. There has been fighting for two hours. They have conquered about fifty meters of the beach."
"That's not good. How many victims?" asked Lori.
"Three thousand. If you ask me, this will be a second Stalingrad. Do you see the glow in the sky?"
"What about it?"
"This is Nuuk. They want to liberate the city, but now it's burning."
The two said nothing. Only the rushing of the water could be heard.
"1,500 people died on the Brezhnev today. And now another three thousand? What's wrong?" asked Lori.
Lily said nothing. A cold wind blew around their ears. But the wind was certainly not as cold as the cold water of the atlantic. Lily and Lori went to their quarters. Lily changed clothes and went to sleep. Lori stayed awake. She wrote a report about the Leonid Brezhnev and her brave crew that she would never forget.
End of Chapter three