Chapter 31: Nurturing Bonds
Zuikaku and Alt walked through the eerie corridor of the stronghold that they had taken over.
While the others were outside tending to wounds and some keeping a distance from Alt, the carriers of operation Scourge Breaker had taken the East entrance within the fortress to follow the path that would lead them to the plant ingredient.
"What are the chances of seeing Sirens in here?" Asked Zuikaku while glancing to her sides at the shadows that loomed over them. This place had a horrible lighting system that made her wonder if the Sirens were able to see in dark places.
"If there were any Sirens still around, they would have left once their leaders abandoned them. And on the off chance that they suddenly grow a consciousness and stay, I'll kill them," said Alt sternly.
Zuikaku shivered at how cold her partner carrier delivered it as if it was merely her batting an eyelash. It wasn't lost on the crane that her partner carrier was locked in the events that happened not even half an hour ago, and that was all that consumed her.
The crane then randomly remembered the scene from before with how savage her "partner" had been to Loader. She felt at odds with herself because while Alt did save her older sister, the level of savagery left her confused about how she should respond. Should she be disgusted while scolding her, or should she praise her?
She blushed awkwardly and told herself that she would rather eat tempura smeared in excessive wasabi before praising her. That response, made her remember how ungrateful she had conveyed her gratitude when Alt returned Shoukaku to her.
"This seems to be the place," said Alt, pulling the crane out of her thoughts.
"Huh? R-Right." The layout of a terminal next to a big metal door graced their eyes and instead of Alt using her Siren eyes to unlock the door, she encouraged Zuikaku to cut loose... literally.
With the burning katana of the crane, Zuikaku sliced the door wide open as the pieces of metal fell loudly onto the hard floor.
"Good, you made that look effortless," commented the battle-worn carrier with a hand on her chin.
Zuikaku tensed and pivoted sharply toward her. "What's with the praise!? It's too weird coming from you. You don't have to try so hard to be nice to me, you know?" She paused trying to figure out in what way did she mean those words. Did she say them to convey that she saw her as a friend now even though the archer was always unkind? Or did she convey to express that no matter how nice she tried to be, she would never see her as a friend? Completely at a loss for herself, her partner carrier completely ignored what she said as her attention had been ensnared by the scenery of angelic and pristine flowers.
Beyond the doors, an indoor garden of a rainbow flora paradise drew their eyes. It was jarring to see something like this within a fortress of darkness and empty coldness.
The ceiling above was glass that allowed light into the room making this room more of an outlier to the rest of the fortress.
"What the heck? I didn't take Sirens to be gardeners," said Zuikaku with a chill running down her spine.
"They aren't. They built this place around this garden, leaving it untouched. The Intel from what Nagato gave listed this spot as the exact coordinates on the island that Iron Blood had relayed. Whether that was before this fortress appeared or after is incredibly vague."
"The fact that they left this place untouched is not creepy at all," said the Sakura carrier sarcastically. "Have you stopped to think that this is all too good to be true considering the Sirens were here before us?"
"Yeah... I have." She spoke gravely.
Zuikaku placed her hands on her hips and gave Alt a stink eye. "Is that all you're going to say? Nagato trusts Bismarck and the Iron Blood's Intel, but what if they are wrong? They didn't inform us that there were two Purifiers now and the massive reserves of mass-produced ships that challenged us."
For some reason, being reminded of the fight that her Kansen allies had gone through caused her to drift her gaze toward the stained red dress and white crane coat of the carrier. It was then that her eyes inadvertently lingered a bit too long on the bosom of the crane, and her mind quickly snapped her back into reality. "W-Who could have predicted the second Purifier? And how can you predict Siren ships phasing into reality? She said that their numbers were lower in the morning and the reserves that flooded from within were accounted for. For the second Purifier, she seemed to have kept herself in the shadows while her twin was the center of attention. I'm not trying to defend the Iron Blood, but Nagato and Akagi trust their information gathering, and I trust them. Their Intel was pinpoint and there were just too many unknowns for it to be flawless. It never is flawless when the Sirens are involved." She reached a level of composure after mentally berating herself for where her eyes had landed.
Of course, it was the crane's fault for wearing such a dress, and this all stemmed from her slowly realized urges of companionship that this body was instilling. Both on a logical and intimate level, there was nothing aside from a "pretty face" when it came to the brunette carrier that annoyed her. They were hardly friends, even if there was any semblance of validity to that claim.
Zuikaku lightly punched her on the shoulder, noticing that the carrier had a far-off look. "Hey! All I'm saying is that this plant might do more harm than good. If I was a Siren... um..." she paused, looking at Alt with a reserved face, since the doppelganger gave her a raised eyebrow of confusion as to where this was going.
Zuikaku comedically pointed a finger at the other carrier. "Gah! Why are you giving me that look? It's just an expression! If I thought like them, then I would have burned this base and everything in it if I had to abandon it."
The archer walked past her, and a small chuckle resounded. "Makes sense—an aspiring arsonist like you would think like that."
Zuikaku grew stunned and a pout quickly formed on her face.
The pseudo-Eagle Union turned quickly, and her serious face replaced whatever smile she had. "...that was a joke, relax."
Zuikaku kept her mouth closed, wondering when they had suddenly become chummy to make jokes like that.
"Zuikaku, their reasons stem from a demented and confident stance. They want us to regain hope after instilling despair because it will only make it sweeter for them when they reveal their true hand. Their true despair has yet to be released and true despair is only achieved when there is a greater hope to be swallowed up." She looked at the crane, who looked frightened and pale from the level of philosophy.
She did not tell her what Tester had carelessly spouted out and she rather Nagato and Akagi be the first to know about this before panic washed the ranks of the Sakura Empire like wildfire.
"I guess it takes one to know one." The brunette immediately regretted saying that, and it was more of a reflex.
Alt remained unreadable, not caring about the insult that was thrown her way. "You're wrong. I don't speak from a place of familiarity that aligns with their thinking. I speak from being on the receiving end of their brutality and perversions." She turned and began to move deeper into the room.
At the same second, Zuikaku hugged herself defensively and pondered what Alt said. "Those memories of that dark sea, right? At the end where that looming warship pulverized you."
Alt immediately stopped and stood straight, feeling fearful and exposed as if she just stepped on a sea mine. She didn't want to be forced to remember her first experience with Akagi's data machine that would now help her split from Enterprise, but at the time, it had caused her a lot of anguish. The thought of being permanently split was a comfort to her, and once she got back to the Sakura Empire, she hoped Akagi would be back from the Iron Blood.
Ignoring that, she was surprised that the crane even remembered the ending to the nightmare compared to the other flashes of memories before that one.
"This place is making me unsettled. Let's look for the right flower and be on our way."
Zuikaku reluctantly agreed. Those dark memories of shadowy figures dying left and right by the woman in front of her had been hard to watch similar to Alt killing Loader. She would be lying if she said that she didn't fear the archer on some level. However, she came to understand her a bit more on this day.
As soon as they approached the first vegetation within the room, another door across from the garden activated its unlocking seal.
That startled the carriers but they quickly calmed down when it was Belfast and Enterprise on the other side. Calm had been a light word to use as once the initial wave of finding out that it wasn't a Siren group, it truly became dire.
"Guess she didn't want to leave the resources collection to us," said Alt under a tense breath that was enough for Zuikaku to hear. She then noticed that the maid had a paper clip while crouching near the locking mechanism of the door. "What the...?! A very capable woman to unlock such a strange device with only a paperclip," added Alt.
Zuikaku all of a sudden grew jealous. Having no earthly idea as to why and internally infuriating and confusing her. The fact that Alt praised Belfast was the only comprehension she could grasp as to why she had grown jealous, but it wasn't as if she even cared about how she was viewed in comparison to Belfast in the eyes of her partner carrier. Or so she told herself.
Enterprise equally tensed and subconsciously took a step back, which Alt had also done. "Bel, I hate to ask this of you, but could you gather as much of this plant?" She handed her a piece of paper that Washington had given her.
Belfast silently understood and walked forward with the paper.
Alt cocked her head toward the crane woman that was still speechless about the situation. "Zuikaku... I'll keep guard outside. I think I'm starting to understand your concern for the darkness of this place. The last thing we want is an unexpected assailant emerging from the darkness to flank us."
The crane turned her head back to see her partner carrier walking away without another word. "Y-You don't have to make a lie up to save face. I get it if you're afraid to get close to Enterprise now," she spoke with genuine concern.
Alt remained silent and merely crossed her arms while stepping back into the shadows of the corridor.
"You're welcome," added the crane despite Alt never saying, thank you.
Zuikaku and Belfast walked forward until they were looking at each other while an exotic giant flower stood before them.
"Miss Zuikaku, I see you've been expanding your horizons with a different type of company." She didn't mean to be rude but the memory of Zuikaku stealing Enterprise's first kiss held just an equal number of frustrations to that of Enterprise kissing the crane. Regardless, it was all connected in the end, and she found herself at odds with both women.
Zuikaku scoffed and hide her scowl with a smile. "Wow, what a backhanded compliment. Try going for something sharper next time, and just for the record, this is work-related from the Sakura Empire."
They said nothing more and quietly collected the material all while both archers kept their distance and exchanged glances from time to time.
Half an hour went by when Belfast and Enterprise were the first to leave the Siren stronghold. Shortly after that, Alt and Zuikaku emerged as well.
The warm rays of the sun felt inviting and a much-needed comfort once their eyes readjusted to the sunshine. In their hands, they each carried two large cases that they materialized from within Alt's ship. Both were brimming with the life-saving plant material to heal their allies.
Zuikaku turned to see Alt and witnessed a smile of happiness filling the woman's face. It had been something that she didn't prepare for and ended up watching the smile far longer than she should have.
Off in the distance, Enterprise was talking with Hornet. Takao and Atago were with Hipper and Wales under a palm tree.
From Alt's first impression of them when she returned from her battle within the singularity, she only saw soot stains on their bodies, but she later found out that they had sustained minor injuries from Siren attacks. All four, even Zuikaku, had fought hard in her absence. A commendable show of camaraderie that made her feel proud. The archer smiled, watching them act like a team, patching their wounds, keeping each other company, and smiling while they talked. It was then that her smile turned serious at looking at Hipper's current state.
The blonde looked like she had one foot in the grave while trying to hide it from the others with an annoyed and tough frown. She was so good at it that even Wales felt at ease, thinking she was stable since that was par for the course for Hipper.
Alt knew better as she discreetly used her Siren eyes to see how far the scourge had progressed.
Zuikaku had not seen her eyes activate as she too was lost in her mind. The swordswoman felt a certain amount of guilt that her role in the fight was more of a passive effort as she had avoided the serious fights to keep her sister safe. They all wouldn't blame her, but she did so to herself, nonetheless. She would have been afflicted by the scourge if it wasn't for the woman beside her, that fact alone was unavoidable.
The brunette then looked at her companion, seeing a deeply distrustful glare toward Enterprise.
Both carrier twins locked eyes once again as if trying to find something critical within their eyes. Nothing came of it, and they immediately looked away once being caught. Their almost forced merging was the most horrifying thing that happened that day, taking the cake by far.
Shoukaku came up to them and began talking to her sister. Their conversation sounded happy, and Alt didn't pay attention to what they were saying. In fact, sensing herself to be a disturbance, she walked away, not knowing that Zuikaku had turned to her last known spot to get Alt into a conversation with all three of them.
The battle-worn carrier walked to the four wounded members of her team. "How's she doing?"
Hipper scoffed, her response causing her great pain in her chest. "Well, Wales had a bit of bruising on her arm, but it should heal up nicely."
"I was talking about you," said Alt with concern that mentally staggered the heavy cruiser.
"I… I just need some quality beer to dull the pain," spoke in a championing manner. She looked away, swallowing sounds of pain that her body wanted her to express.
Wales smiled softly, none the wiser just like Takao and Atago.
Alt could have called the blonde out on her fake nonchalant attitude, but she could sense that it would only make the blonde hate her more. The carrier crouched down and showed them the plants they had gathered. "This probably won't taste good in a beer, but it'll make good medicine."
Hipper laughed genuinely and for the first time, grew a bit of admiration for the carrier. "I guess the beer will have to wait," she said with a hopeful tone for there to be a later for her to enjoy that beer.
Takao smiled with relief. "You were able to gather so much. Then there's no time to waste."
"Right, we mustn't dilly dally and take this to Akashi right away," agreed Wales.
"Hey, Sis...?" Everyone stood quiet at the blonde newcomer that entered their bonding moment.
Alt stood up and turned to see Hornet smiling at her, and she smiled in response that made the other shipgirls gaze at her as if they were seeing rain with sunshine.
The carrier twin sighed easily and gathered her words. "Hornet, thank you for helping to pull on my side back there—"
A quick hand silenced her and the blonde shook her head. "Nah, don't mention it. I wasn't picking favorites—just so you know... if there were only three pulling on your side then it was a no-brainer to help out that side."
"I wasn't... I understand what you feel for the both of us..." She quietly and somberly stated, causing the other shipgirls to look left and right when the other would respond.
Hornet nodded with content in her green eyes. "Good, at least that's one of you who thinks that. Anyway, we're going to be tagging along with you. I'm sure that you all noticed by now that we came under the same reason as you. And the Iron Blood's plans stated that we would need to rendezvous with Akagi in the Sakura Empire to help develop the cure."
"Plan? Iron Blood handed you the same Intel as they gave us?" Said Alt, causing the others to also take on the same confused expression.
Hornet chuckled, knowing what the Iron Blood had done now that she had the whole picture. "Sure heck seems that way, of course, they didn't mention the part where we would be teaming up at the fortress location with you guys."
Alt grew serious, hating when she felt foolish and taken advantage of. "They didn't mention that either to us. There was only the possible notion that we might get support directly from them if anything."
Everyone glanced at Hipper who suddenly felt the burning stares of all of them. She grunted a few times and adjusted her pained position on the ground. "Hey, don't look at me! I'm just a worker bee and Bismarck doesn't say much unless it's tantamount to the situation."
"Why would she not disclose to us or Nagato that she also gave the information to the Eagle Union?" Said Takao.
Alt gritted her teeth, feeling like the answer pertained to her and Enterprise. "This Bismarck, what's her game?" She sighed and dispelled the rabbit hole of conspiracy she could easily fall in. "It doesn't matter right now. Takao, radio the Sakura Empire that we completed our mission and are returning. Zuikaku will go into ship mode and transport the materials, Shoukaku, and Hipper while the rest maintain a perimeter. We don't know if the Sirens will attack again."
They all agreed and began the journey back to the Sakura Empire. The Eagle Union fleet followed behind them.
That whole time, Enterprise remained silent with her thoughts just as Alt did. Hours went by until they all returned safely and victoriously.
Akagi and Kaga had also returned with two Iron Blood ships with them, but they were nowhere in sight when everyone reached the harbor. Though absent, the fox sisters were already informed that Alt and her team had gathered the missing material to synthesize the cure to combat the scourge, and Akagi couldn't be prouder.
More time went by after that, and it was late in the afternoon when injections were rolled out with the cure. The first ones to be tested on were Hipper and Wales.
Hipper had been sent directly to the medical wing where she shared a room with her sister while Wales kept to her side like gum on a shoe.
They both argued left and right to be the first ones to be tested as they wanted to make sure it was safe for Eugen. Long story short, Akashi stuck them in the arm simultaneously while they were nearly deep in the heart of their heated debate.
The results were instant, as they both felt a heavy burden suddenly evaporate like a toxin from their bodies along with the soot-like stains on their skin related to the scourge.
Throughout the Sakura Empire, cheers and joy resonated as shipgirl after shipgirl was being cured of their affliction.
That night, Wales smiled softly when she gazed at her lover's pleasant breathing while she was in her room. Eugen hadn't awakened yet, but that was because of the physical damage she had sustained, and not the scourge. She was expected to wake up as early as tomorrow morning.
So, in the meantime, Wales would sit there and watch over her. She, herself, had a sling on her arm where Chaser both cut her and inflected her brutal kick.
A piece of wadded-up paper suddenly hit her on her cheek, and she turned her head, gazing at a restless green-eyed blonde who was in a bed across from her sister. "Hey, Heartthrob… stop eye-humping my unconscious younger sister and get me something to drink," she said harshly.
Wales jumped from her chair and a red blush that matched her jacket appeared. "I wasn't... doing what you just said!"
"Yeah, whatever. Drink please, my lips are dry as hell."
Wales sighed defeatedly yet noticed that the pitcher of water was between the two beds of the Iron Blood sisters. Hipper knew this and maybe as a show to start up a conversation, she masked it with an order.
The heavy cruiser watched with disappointment and disbelief as the other blonde poured her a drink with one hand. "Stop! What are you doing?" She barked.
Wales tilted her head with worry. "You asked me to."
"Gosh, are you just going to follow all my orders like a dog? I insulted you and still... you shrug it off?" She was blushing now, feeling like a total bitch for doing this to the blonde.
Wales smiled softly and she turned to the Iron Blood. "Are you calling them insults? To me, they sound like your way of reaching out to me."
Hipper blushed and snarled at her. "Are all Royals like you? Stubborn with loose bolts?"
"Hip..." She noticed the Iron Blood didn't lash out from being informal with her. "... I understand the love you have for your sister, and I understand how protective you can be with her. I just want you to know that I do love her. I feel happy and complete with her. She makes me smile, adds excitement to my life, and protects me just as much as I try to protect her. Sure, she can be a bit sarcastic and tends to hide her feelings with playful flirting, but I won't change her in any way. I plan to marry her when the time is right."
The blonde Iron Blood lowered her head, and her bangs covered her eyes. "Is that so? My sister... I hated her, you know? A while back, our connection never had any type of sisterly bond. She would always keep her distance or tease me when she had to talk to me. Then it all changed, when you and she got together. She became a bit more open, and it was enough to see that she always cared for me, respected me, and our bond grew. It grew because of you." She looked up at her with tears in her eyes, but they were born out of anger.
"Hip... sometimes it takes people coming together to make them realize the value that they have in their life."
"But that's a needless co-dependence! She didn't learn to love life and is only loving it because you're in her life. And when you get bored of her, huh? What's going to happen to her?!"
"I'm hurt by how little faith you have in me. That is worse than any insult you could ever throw at me. Hip, I wouldn't be trying to form a bond with you if I merely saw Eugen as a fleeting fling. I genuinely love her and see her as someone I could spend my future with... no, my life with!"
Hipper leaned back in her pillow, blown away by the steady and bold words from the blonde. "I see," she quietly responded.
"I'm happy you're finally listening to me, big sister." Happily smiled Wales which grew to an infectious level, making Hipper smile. The doors opened, breaking them out of the new bond they had forged of understanding.
Their former flagship entered. "Umm... hello. Am I intruding on something?"
Hipper frowned and sulked childishly at Alt. "Yeah, you were... but be honored that I'll let this one slide, considering we all made it out of that battle, and you saved that girl's sister."
"You... approved of my methods?" She asked self-consciously with evasive eyes.
The Iron Blood determinedly stared at her to get her feelings across. "A dead Siren is a good Siren, but I'll happily make the golden exception for you. Know that you chose one life over another and you didn't go about it like a jellyfish. No, you went at it like a shark—even a dragon. You might have what it takes to be Iron Blood, just a thought."
"I see. Thanks for the positive words, but you took most of the abuse and did just as much as I did."
Wales couldn't agree more since her arm was still feeling it. "We Royal Navy ships take our wounds and dish them out accordingly, so no worries."
Hipper lightly tapped on her bandaged chest. "Pfft, I took a direct hit to the heart from that hard bitch and it's still ticking."
Alt chuckled softly and ended up feeling more at ease with herself. "I see. I'll be sure to do better next time in keeping you safe."
The heavy cruiser rolled her eyes. "Enough with the apologies. Here I thought you were one of those strong and silent types when I saw you. We don't need the big strong carrier to watch over us while we play, so just ease up. No one died and that's always a plus."
"Agreed," said Alt with ease in her voice.
Wales joined in on the positiveness. "As you can see, Hipper is as vocal as ever, not even a punch to the chest could stop her."
Hipper puffed her cheeks proudly. "Ha, I'll let that one slide. Just proves that I can tank whatever comes my way."
The unconscious Eugen began to stir, and her ears picked up the conversation near her along with a sleepy smile. "Sister, if you had taken that blast, your chest would have been concaved." Her delirious state told that she was not fully there, and her comment was more of a reflex from a dream she was only waking up from.
Hipper, while in pain, immediately moved off her bed, almost falling to the ground as she staggered all the way to her sister's bed. "Sister!"
Wales's delighted smile widened with tears of joy in her eyes. "My love, speak to me. Eugen!"
The silver-haired woman struggled to open her eyes. A sight that she never thought she would ever see stood before her. "What's this? Am I still dreaming?" She reached out and felt Wales's warm blushing face, and with her other hand, she interlocked her fingers tightly with her sister's own. She looked between both and then her eyes landed on Alt who was in the back.
Eugen gave her a shy smile, knowing that she hadn't talked with her much after she had stolen the woman's first kiss. "It looks like I missed out on a lot. Alt, what do I owe this pleasant bedside greeting?"
The carrier scoffed, finding sarcasm in that question. "This is not a social call for you."
"What the...?! Rude much!?" Shouted Hipper.
The silver-haired heavy cruiser nodded at the carrier's harsh but fair tone. "You were here to make sure my sister and Wales were all right. That's enough for me." Eugen then visually showed worry for the wounds both of her cherished women in her life were brandishing. Wales relaxed her and conveyed with a warm smile that they would bring her up to speed on all that happened.
Alt crossed her arms, feeling disappointed that she couldn't get a rise out of the woman. "Good... I'm going then."
The doors opened and a woman in a black officer's uniform entered. Her eyes showed a continuous sad expression, as If she was in a perpetual state of deep thinking that brought her more woes.
"Huh?!" The doppelganger widened her eyes as the woman looked awfully similar to her in appearance.
"Oh... Hello..." she spoke in a soft manner to one who desired for the conversation to be ended quickly. She clearly didn't like being the center of attention or even like confrontation.
The first thing Alt noticed, was that she didn't get a headache from seeing this new face. She could only conclude that she never faced off with this woman in her dark sea. "Who are you?"
The mysterious woman hesitated to answer. "Me? I should say that to you."
"Bismarck, I'm surprised to see you here," said Eugen happily. She winked at Alt, as she did her a favor and revealed the woman's name much to the annoyance of the former mysterious shipgirl.
Sizing Eugen up for a second, Bismarck cleared her throat and spoke. "Yes. I heard the success with the Siren stronghold went smoothly... er... maybe smoothly was the wrong choice of words." She glanced at Hipper and her current state of bandages and to Wales who had a sling on her arm. "Anyway, Z23 and I are going to be leaving soon with the cure to the scourge to help those afflicted in Iron Blood."
"Ah, so you're also not here for a social call. Birds of a feather," teased Eugen.
A frown that felt doubled reflected across both women who sternly gazed at the silver-haired cruiser. Eugen reflexively gripped her lover's hand out of fear that she might not see another day.
Bismarck closed her eyes, masking her upset demeanor. "I knew you would pull through and had no worries."
"Well, thanks for that, I guess," said Eugen with a relaxed tone to her voice.
"Miss Wales, I have a request," she said, walking closer to the Royal.
"What is it?" Asked Wales with a perplexed look in her red eyes.
Bismarck paused for a bit before taking off her hat which made Hipper and Eugen do a double take. "Miss Hood was hurt just like many In the Iron Blood."
"What?! She was!?" The haunting notion that perhaps Queen Elizabeth and Warspite were calling her was to also inform her that Hood had been injured. It was unfathomable that Hood would be taken by surprise.
"By your face, it seems you were busy playing a personal crusade against the Sirens. Well, it can't be helped now. The time for sorrow has passed." She offered her an unabated smile despite her grave tone. From her black outfit, she pulled out a vial of orange liquid that glowed softly in the light. "Please, take this and hurry back to the Royal Navy and administer this to Hood. I rather not wait for the Eagle Union to do it." Her tone took on the impression of someone eager and desperate for a response.
After the initial shock that she received, Wales regained a composed face and smiled softly at the Iron Blood woman. "Miss Bismarck, in fairness... I think Hood would prefer if you were the one to administer it to her."
Bismarck's hand faltered, and a semblance of a panicked face showed. "No, that's... out of the question. She's your ally and you have a responsibility to her," she said in a low roar fueled by a sternness to take responsibility.
Wales sighed disappointedly. "Well, you got me there. Still... I think she would have loved to see you."
For a fraction of a second, a shine of invigored light bounced off the Iron Blood's steel blue eyes. "I doubt that." Her tone ended somberly and the light in her eyes faded like dust in the wind.
Alt could see a semblance of a blush form on the Iron Blood's face, causing the battleship to glance in her direction. They both exchanged a held glance that was full of intrigue from the Iron Blood.
"May fate allow us to see each other again," she said casually without any hint of malice.
"I rather it didn't," Alt said harshly. Despite not knowing this woman, every cell in her body told her that this blonde was a crafty and dangerous individual. She was like a black cat that invoked trouble when crossed and it was best to stay away from her.
Bismarck made no attempt to look upset and walked away.
Before she could reach the door, Alt couldn't hold back what was eating inside her. "Hey, would you mind telling me what the big idea was sending the same information to the Eagle Union about the Siren plan while not informing the Sakura Empire?"
Bismarck paused and her eyes showed an amused light to them. "It slipped my mind to inform both groups. I didn't think it would be a problem since we're all comrades fighting against a common enemy. I apologize if any inconvenience happened because of that," she then waited for no response and left the room.
Alt growled softly, hating that look and tone. It was from someone that knew too much about her while she knew very little of that person.
Once the Iron Blood woman that resembled her had left, Eugen laughed freely. "I guess it was a social call but not for me. Oh, Bismarck... that relationship of theirs is going nowhere fast."
Hipper then immediately darted her head toward her sister. "Huh!? Bismarck and Hood?! Sister, are you saying they're together?" She shot her sister a goofy incredulous look.
Eugen giggled joyously. "Together would be a strong word for them. They are more like... gravitating around each other like a set of inept planets around the proverbial sun known as love."
"Eugen, be nice. You know they have... hard history that makes it even harder for them to talk to the other," reminded Wales.
A wave of sympathy washed over the Iron Blood. "Forgive me, darling. I'm grateful that you and I didn't end off like them." They both lovingly connected their hands, emitting a sweetness that made Hipper groan to herself.
The carrier stood observant and drawn to the tender display in front of her. So much that her perpetual stern eyes had softened to the display. She turned away, feeling a sense of longing for something similar to that. A hand went up to her chest and she questioned her sanity as to why she was feeling this way. Shoving this feeling deeper into her heart, she turned back to them. "I'm going, see you."
All three remained quiet once she left until the blonde heavy cruiser stated something that didn't need to be stated. "Hey, seeing those two in the same room, I noticed how she looks eerily like Bismarck."
"You do have a point," agreed Wales.
Eugen snickered. "A mere coincidence and that's me being honest. The better statement is how Enterprise looks like Bismarck, but I'll leave that to the beholder. There are only so many faces in the world until overlapping occurs and the brain starts seeing what it wants to see."
Both blondes in the room leaned back, giving a baffled look at how closed-minded the silver-haired woman acted. "Are you saying she doesn't look like Bismarck?" Said Wales with a raised eyebrow.
"Not really. Bismarck always has that suppressed worried face and that gloomy stare you can't tell what she's thinking. Alt is always looking upset or angry but she's at least honest with her feelings in that regard even if they are harsh to others."
"Gahh! I'll have to disagree—on them not looking the same at least," said Hipper.
Outside of that room, Alt made her way to her next destination. She didn't know why she was doing this only that she knew it felt right. They all fought with her and took down the threat that would have crushed them all if left unchallenged. The more she tried to understand her reasoning, the more she understood that she didn't want to be alone right now. The fear of almost losing herself, of becoming one with Enterprise when they were at sea had not left her mind. However, for now, she suppressed those worries until Akagi was available to help her deal with this new turn of events. Her feet took her in front of another door.
With a calm breath and steady hand, she pushed open the door. The first thing she saw was Atago laughing blissfully. Whatever sisterly aura she exuded quickly faded when her curious eyes landed at the door. "Who said you were allowed entry?!"
Both Sakura sisters looked normal, being in their uniform and they were not the ones admitted to the medical wing. They did both have head bandages and whatever light wrappings they might have around their body hidden under their clothing, but they were there as visitors while sitting bedside.
Takao, who had been sitting on one of the other beds away from Atago lifted herself eagerly. "Alt! I'm so glad you came!"
Atago looked crushed. "Sister! We shouldn't introduce her to our other sisters." Both were conveniently blocking Alt's point of view, so the battle-worn carrier couldn't see fully who they were visiting.
Takao twitched her eyebrows, anger, and disappointment rising. "Sister, have you learned nothing from us fighting together?"
"Big sister, who is this person?" The cautious and somewhat harsh voice of one of the two bed patients sounded out, and Takao moved aside to reveal the girl that was one of the two patients.
The first patient looked younger than Takao and Atago. Her white hair reached her neck, and she had small animal ears at the top.
Alt could see the trepidation in her orange eyes due to the unscrupulous-like woman that entered, which was her. It also didn't help that her sister Atago tensed up, further reinforcing the bad light her image was giving off.
"She's the enemy!" Cried Atago.
"Her name's Alt!" Cried Takao.
Their simultaneous shouts crashed into each other, making the two bed patients express confusion.
Takao, with shame directed at her sister, moved away while getting ready to drop a grand lecture to everyone in the room. "This is Alt. Her backstory is that she's a Siren who resembles someone from the Eagle Union. Now, I know what I said might alarm you both, but know that she's flesh and bone just like us and has no affiliation with the Sirens whatsoever. Yes, she was a prisoner here, and yes, she injured me when she was under my watch, which is why Atago is enraged by her—even though it was forgiven! Understand that she did it to rescue an irreplaceable family member who's from the Eagle Union. The time when we all saw her as an unknown has long since passed and she was our flagship when we attacked the Siren stronghold containing the medicine for the scourge you both had."
After the initial wave of shock received by Takao's speech, the other bed patient responded. "You're a Siren? You look too beautiful to be one," she said with the kindest of smiles.
Now putting her full attention on the second patient, Alt felt thrown off because this sister looked like a younger, more adorable, version of Atago. Her long black hair, with a white flower clip nestled just above her right eye, gave her this sweet girl next door vibe. Her approachable smile was more genuine than her older sister's. "T-Thank you..." said Alt. That was all she could muster. No one had ever called her beautiful at least to her knowledge.
"Choukai, you shouldn't say stuff like that, or else someone might get the wrong idea," said the white-haired sister.
The younger sister that looked like Atago remained steadfast as she shook her head. "I already reserved myself, Maya. My kindness is reserved for my friends only."
Maya grew stunned, along with Atago. The smiling younger version of Atago trained her attention toward Alt. "It's okay, Miss Alt. If my sister Takao sees you as a friend then you are my friend, too. I was in a lot of pain from what the Sirens infected me with, and you leading the charge to save us leaves no room for hate in my heart."
"Choukai, I'm proud of you little sister." Takao patted her roughly on the back which earned the younger sister a sharp look of comedic pain that left Takao looking at her hand.
"Hmm... well, the Siren infection did hurt. Thank you for helping... um... Lady Alt," said Choukai nervously.
Atago shrunk, even more, sensing that she no longer had anyone in her corner.
Alt watched the rude sister get her just desserts. However, despite what the Sakura heavy cruiser had said about her being a witch, and even insulting Hornet, seeing Takao's torn expression between their friendship and sisterhood was not something she could bare. In a surprising action that stunned everyone, Alt swallowed her hate and got down on her knees.
"Kyaa! What's this!?" Proclaimed Atago as she nearly fell backward on the bed where Choukai rested.
Maya and Choukai remained silent, and Takao reflexively reached out to her friend before stopping herself.
Alt with her knees bent, forehead low to the floor, and her hands spread on the floor spoke somberly. "Isn't this how the Sakura Empire goes about asking for forgiveness?"
"Alt, you have nothing to forgive," declared Takao. She immediately stopped when she saw her friend clench her fingers.
"-No, I do! That night... the line between listening to my heart and listening to this cold mind was so thin that... I could see a reality where I didn't shield you from the blast."
Atago fumed silently as she heard the words that fueled her rage. This woman had nearly bashed her sister's face in and left her for dead in a sea of fire and rubble.
Alt lifted her head from the floor and her violet eyes held remorse. "Atago, I know I'm a Siren. No matter how hard I reject it or despise it, it's a part of me. It's the same with me being in the shape of that Eagle Union woman. My whole existence is one I fight against. Fighting is all I have ever known, but your sister, along with the others has shown me a place where I can live without my bow. Please, can we bury this grudge between us? For the sake of Takao, Maya, and Choukai?"
The long-haired heavy cruiser grew fidgety feeling deeply impacted by those sad words. "I... I..."
"You showed me kindness when you gave me chocolate to eat, remember? The secret bars that make you aggressively perky."
"Ah! They don't make me that, I'm already that way!" Shouted Atago while glancing at her sister nervously. She didn't want Takao to know of her stash and end up confiscating it.
Alt smiled apologetically. "Right, that bar... was the first time I ever truly tasted something sweet that gave color to my world. Can't we go back to that time?"
"Do you hear yourself? Going back will make you a prisoner and a total bitch that insulted Nagato after that event happened."
"I meant to the time when you wanted to reach out to me. I know I pushed you away but... can you accept me now?"
"Alt..." Whispered Takao in silent respect.
At first, it looked like the sisterly heavy cruiser was going to go off on a rant as to why she wasn't going to forgive her, but she sighed and looked at Alt without anger. "Despite it all... very well. You did save Shoukaku, Kaga, and Hornet. Hehehe, I think I might start calling you sister saint from now on."
"Please don't..." said Alt with a glum expression.
"You are nothing like I have seen before and a part of me still hates you, but the part that wanted to know you better is still there. I'll forgive you, but know that if you ever hurt my sister again, I'll get a free shot out of you, got that?"
"Yeah, I'll hold my end," smiled Alt as she was properly introduced to the two younger Takao-class sisters.
An hour went by, and the carrier stepped out of the medical wing into the cold night air. The events that happened today replayed in her mind yet again. However, the unsettling merging that even reality had come to bend around them returned to burden her mind once again. She could hardly care about there being two Purifiers, an enslaved Tester, or even what their sinister plans lay in wait in the not-so-distant future.
Alone outside, she gritted her teeth and let the mental dam she built up obliterate into pieces from the woeful worries that acted like the water pressure behind that dam. A fist came flying into the metal wall nearby the entrance to the medical wing, and she leaned on that same wall for support. "I reject her... I reject her—I reject her. I refuse to merge with her. Is that what this connection we have is leading up to?" She thought that her past was all she had to overcome to become her own person, but reality proved that it was all a mere fool's dream as not even her future would be her own to choose from.
She removed her fist from the door and dried her tears with the arm sleeve of her sweater. The anger on her face remained, looking utterly sour and vengeful after her defenses had lowered. That anger continued to boil, getting hotter and hotter. It was the very essence of a white-hot rage that quickly made her faint slightly from out of nowhere. Her stomach then cut all malice in her heart when she felt it groan for food. Her eyes grew blurry, and she let out a half-hearted laugh full of self-mockery. "That's right, I didn't have a proper meal all day," she quietly mumbled to herself.
"You think Enty felt that one?"
The archer flinched and darted in the direction of the familiar voice that came from the pathway heading toward the medical wing. "Zuikaku!?" She witnessed the crane donning an evasive face, most likely witnessing the anger and self-pity she allowed to show. Alt composed her face back to her usual stern glare, completely not realizing that her face also donned a red blush. "Pfft, as if I would even care... what Enty would feel." The sarcasm was high while she casually massaged her knuckles, seeing that they looked red and bruised. "Khh, why are you even here?" She demanded, hoping to exit this predicament quickly.
"I... well... why are YOU here, huh?" She quickly blushed and avoided her true reason like the plague. For an added bit of sass, she placed her hands defiantly on her waist.
Alt scoffed and rolled her eyes very hatefully. "I don't have time for this."
The crane clenched her teeth. If the archer left, then she wouldn't be able to sleep the night knowing she blew her chance to do what she wanted. "Now hold on! Come on—what other things do you have to do that is so urgent this late at night?"
"Anything but this. My time is limited after all." She pushed Zuikaku away, knowing that the one she needed to see was Akagi. She didn't see it, but Zuikaku's face was inevitably saddened by the rejection.
It started to infuriate the crane that her mind and heart were on opposing sides, yet once the carrier had mentioned her limited time, Zuikaku knew she needed to toughen up and say what she wanted to say. There were many things that were bubbling at the surface that she wanted to say to the archer. Some were insulting, yet there was one that stood above them all. It related to her pride and respect when it came to being helped. "Let me buy you something..." She ultimately spoke with a mournful voice.
Alt stopped and turned her head to her side, her stern violet eyes analyzing what intentions the crane had. "Come again?"
Zuikaku puffed her cheeks, feeling like she had just done the impossible, and was asked to do it again like some kind of circus act. "I said, let me buy you something. I'm sure you haven't had anything to eat all day, right?"
She turned fully toward Zuikaku, her face looking unreadable. "There's no need for that. The mission is done, and we no longer have to speak to each other. Besides, I thought we were even." That was what this all was about, and she could read the crane like a book. The crane didn't pity her, all she wanted was to not feel bad about herself anymore.
Zuikaku recoiled and tried her best to not look vulnerable in the presence of the other woman. "I said that because I wanted to feel like I didn't owe you anything. The more I look at it, I don't feel like I did enough to repay you. You let me join the strike on the fortress, you helped my sister, and you saved the both of us from getting hit by the Scourge."
"Stop trying to keep score. It's enough if you say it's enough. I never expected anything from you to begin with anyway."
The words that cut across her skin like shards of ice caused her to take a step. "You're a selfish bitch, you know that?"
That caused Alt to make a flared glare at her, but that did not stop Zuikaku from getting her feelings across.
The crane's head lowered as she began to speak. "You go around helping those that despise you, making us feel worse when you help us. Then when we want to return the favor, you cast us away as if doing it out of spite. Regardless..."
Alt widened her eyes and noticed that the crane looked more determined than mad when she lifted her head again. "... You're right about one thing. It's not enough. Let me have this or you'll find out how persistent I can be!" Declared Zuikaku.
Alt witnessed the fire in her eyes and knew that refusing really would be its own string of headaches. "What place do you have in mind? –and no Udon."
Zuikaku beamed at the archer letting up on the whirlwind of a blizzard she usually gave off. Despite the stipulation, she knew just the place that had a ton of variety.
(Enterprise)
Out at one of the piers of the Sakura Empire, Enterprise was on her phone. "Yeah, Vestal... the cure has been finalized and we'll be bringing a large supply first thing in the morning. I would like to set sail now but... " She paused, watching rapid bolts of lightning gliding across the night sky in the distance of the ocean. "... Weather looks incredibly ominous."
On the other end, Vestal spoke. "No, it's fine. The last thing we need is a Siren ambush coupled with a dangerous thunderstorm that would ultimately end up sinking the supplies in a fight. The girls here are in pain, but they're fighters. Have faith in them."
Enterprise mournfully made a face. It butchered her into a bloody mess that she had to wait more time to help her allies. After a brief pause in which she collected her breath and nerves, she raised the phone again. "Alright, how's Hammann?"
Vestal expressed a content sound from the concern. "Loud as ever and putting on a brave face."
Enterprise let that comfort her. "I see. The storm will pass before the sun breaks and it's best that my team gets a few hours of sleep at the least. I'll contact you again later." She hung up the phone and tiredly sighed. All of a sudden, her hand stung irritably, as if she hit something metal. Her eyes glazed over in tiredness, knowing her twin was up to no good. She cursed this connection and held back a tear of frustration.
"Enterprise."
Her name called out to her through the brisk night. Her eyes grew lively, and she pivoted around, thinking it was the one she had in mind, the royal maid that ruled over her thoughts.
"Akagi..." She unceremoniously frowned in acceptance.
The Sakura carrier acknowledged her with a smile before looking a bit down. "Hmm, why do you sound disappointed?" She began to walk across the wooden surface of the pier toward the Eagle ace.
The archer blushed and placed a hand on her black sleeve shoulder. "Nothing, I thought you were someone else."
Akagi showed intrigued and couldn't help the call of love that she could feel with every cell in her body. "Could it be a lover?" She said with a light playfulness.
Enterprise widened her eyes. "What!? What makes you say that!?"
Akagi playfully giggled. "Oh... your newfound passion for that someone is like a burning aura that I know all too well. Who needs a fire on a cold night when someone's passion for love is the hottest thing there is?"
Enterprise found that statement to ease her while also making her genuinely laugh. "Figures I can't hide it from you. But it's not like that. We aren't even together." Bitterness sounded out clearly like a light piercing through the night.
"But would you be opposed to that? On being together, I mean. Don't let your love be lost by the heartless waves. Pick a direction and sail toward that goal with iron conviction."
Enterprise smiled with a lack of whimsicalness. "I'll keep that in mind. Say... I've been meaning to talk to you." Her violet eyes turned pressing, making Akagi join her on that equal level.
"Same here," spoke Akagi.
"Akagi, I like to think we are friends."
The dark-haired brunette eased her with a smile. "Don't be shy about your feelings. We are friends, Enterprise. Someone who saved not just me, but my sister has more than earned that right."
"Then why? I'm speaking out of a place of trying to understand and not anger. Why is the Sakura Empire letting my twin roam like she owns the place?"
Akagi sighed, knowing that Nagato's schemes would inevitably come crashing down. "Because deep down under all that anger and hate, there is a kind heart that has saved my sister Kaga from her slumber."
Enterprise showed visible elation and confusion. "Kaga, she's awake!?"
The feeling was like two people finding out they had the same interests and basking in that excitement. "She is, and I owe it all to her."
"Alt..." Uttered the Eagle Union carrier, feeling like they were talking about two different people. "I find it hard to believe that she did it out of the kindness of her heart."
Akagi made a sheepish face, knowing her limits on what to reveal to the carrier before her. Maybe later down the road, she would tell her the deal they made. Sadly, her intuition told her to reveal that now would only spiral the conversation and make the archer too furious to understand the reason. After laughing to herself in a small and subtle way, she searched for a way to restart the conversation. "This might sound rhetorical, but do you know her as a person?"
She crossed her arms and deeply pondered on the level of understanding she has with her twin. "I rather not answer that."
Akagi could feel that response coming from a mile away, yet she pressed forward. "She shares the same heart as you Enterprise. A heart that deeply cares for her fellow Kansen and the same heart that saved more than just my life that day when Orochi fell. Maybe it's guarded and wounded from her past experiences, and maybe she numbed herself to the cruelness of the world, but she has made an effort to reawaken her kind heart. It all started with Hornet's life being threatened. No one cold-hearted could have stood by and done nothing."
Enterprise lowered her eyes, relating to those words greatly. Even she had forced past those she loved to rescue Hornet from the Sirens. "She's chasing delusions. Hornet and she shouldn't even see each other as sisters. She's a Siren after all, and I know that she's really Observer, did you know that?"
The sounds of the waves faded from Akagi's cognition, and the light breeze seemed to die off. Putting it in a simple manner, Akagi's face froze, and her breathing grew. Time slowed down for her, and she remembered a day when Eugen taught her how to hide her emotions when something truly earth-shattering graced her ears.
First and foremost, was to accept that any unexpected event could happen. It was a daunting task to get her mindset to that point and she would not say she had mastered it completely, but her mind raced just as fast as her growing worry. She held herself from showing the look of shock and dread Enterprise had expected.
The second was to think before acting and she got that down quickly, knowing that she refused to show the dread in her heart and allow Enterprise to rule over this discussion.
The last thing was to maintain a positive attitude even if fake. She did that when she softly smiled, further throwing the Eagle Union carrier into confusion.
"Yes, Enterprise. I know that she was Observer. And I use 'was' very literally. Are you one of those that think people can't change?"
It rubbed Enterprise the wrong way that it was the exact opposite response she had expected. "It's not about that! It's in her nature and don't you think that you're all being fooled?" Even though she believed her twin to have nefarious goals, it was hard to be steadfast about it.
"I don't think so..." Said Akagi with a controlled tone of voice and a locked smile on her face.
"Khh, I refuse to let Hornet be around that woman if she is who she is claimed to be."
Akagi moved past Enterprise to gaze out at the incoming storm that might as well have been her internal emotions manifested. She wanted to make sure she couldn't see her face for she couldn't determine how long she could keep her smile. "That's not your decision to make and doing that will only push Hornet away. Only Hornet can make that choice, and something tells me, that Hornet already knows. She did get saved from Tester and Alt learned about her Siren background from her. It's not hard to believe that they also crossed that bridge of conversation."
"Hornet...," said Enterprise. This whole time her sister hadn't mentioned something grave that couldn't be ignored. It was a betrayal of the highest caliber.
"They forged a bond that transcends her being a Siren and her having fond memories of her sister that she never truly lived. Alt knows all her wonderful memories are fake and yet she accepts Hornet just as much as Hornet does her."
Enterprise widened her eyes, her mind forcing her to dig up the bitter and sad emotions of something akin to what Akagi said via the brief mental connection they shared when they almost merged. "Akagi... this is just too much to process."
That was the understatement of the century for Akagi who continued to fight her troubled emotions and continued to see the bright side of things. "You don't know her at all then. So, why don't you make an effort too before you hate her?"
"She tried to kill me!" Roared Enterprise, grabbing Akagi and turning her around.
Akagi grimaced but she was able to fake that into being angry with the carrier before her. "She had her rough reasons for that, but she's come a long way."
Enterprise faltered, the words that Alt told her when she refused to kill her rang in her head. She didn't want to be interrupted.
"She has too much pride to be the one to talk to you first so as her older sister, be the one to do it," demanded the Sakura carrier.
"Older sister...!? This isn't funny," remarked the Eagle ace.
"I'm not trying to be funny. Like you reached out to me when you held my hand and told me you had me, extend that level of kindness to her."
A struggle was brewing deep within Enterprise. "It's not that simple, to get close to her would be… physically impossible."
"Huh?" Said Akagi, feeling that tone to have a deeper meaning.
Enterprise felt uncomfortable and annoyed about having to acknowledge it. "Something happened out there at sea..."
The sounds of the waves returned to both and a thunderous roar from the distance masked the revealing truth to anyone else nearby. Akagi staggered and held a hand to her mouth. "Good god..."
Enterprise had finished and suddenly felt arms wrap around her in loving support. This comfort let her tears feel heavy as they began to fall with the first drops of light rain. "I felt as if I was in a state of union with her. Moments felt like they stretched on, and I felt her pain and lived the hellish life she lived repeatedly. It was all too much to take in and I'm left with more questions than answers."
"Let me run some tests on you tonight. I was going to tell you before the storm of chaos set in from the scourge but I'm close to finding a breakthrough that will unbind you both. Whatever that force was, it had to be related to the bond that you have with her."
Enterprise broke away from the hug and gazed at the carrier with a fragile smile. "Akagi... that's very comforting to hear at this time."
"Enterprise, some advice, you are destined to clash again with her, and it's up to you whether you want that confrontation to be verbal or physical."
At that moment, Enterprise's stomach made a noise, and she blushed while looking away. The light rain soon began to up in intensity that finally made them both acknowledge it.
"Why don't we get inside and have a meal before anything else?"
Enterprise agreed, gazing at the pier one more time as if she would see the one she had been expecting until she turned away and headed with Akagi. They left the pier before the rain soon turned into a downpour.
I'm trying my best to get this story done as after giving it some thought, I can't let it end without a conclusion. Lately, I find myself wanting to write other story ideas aside from this one. It makes sense as this story has been going on for three years now since I first started it and my thoughts about it have changed along the way. I initially made this story because I wanted to tell a story about there being two Enterprises, one with the burdened past of war that you saw in the anime. Of course, the game's plot has revealed more about her backstory that's why in this story, I decided to set her apart from whatever the game would go with in the future. A lot of people tell me that they find this version of Enterprise's twin interesting and that means a lot to me considering that in the beginning, I only had a rough idea of how she would unfold as a character. I never intended for this story to extend this long, but sometimes it's warranted to get everything across. I hope that Alt's character is progressing smoothly and do stick around for the ending.