Essex jumped a bit.
"Oh, uh. The Admiral used an instant repair on me. Yorktown's damage is better to slowly recover and Hammann's doing fine, she's planning to watch over Yorktown."
Zuikaku turned to Shoukaku. "She kind of reminds me of Katsuragi."
"Don't overwork yourself, okay Essex?"
"Will do, E."
Enterprise turned towards the Crane sisters. "Could you guys give Essex a tour of the base, if you don't mind?"
"Sure, why not?" Zuikaku said.
"Are you busy with something?" Essex asked the older carrier.
She stretched her arms. "I have an appointment with the Admiral, he wants me to give a report about things so far."
"Good luck. I heard he's stressed out today."
Enterprise waved goodbye to the three carriers and headed back to her dorm room.
Into The Abyss - Chapter V
"What should we start with?"
Essex looked at the white-haired woman. Still feeling cautious, she kept her guard high. Shoukaku didn't notice this, but Zuikaku clearly did. She decided not to speak up about it, at least for now.
"Anywhere is fine." she shyly said.
Shoukaku lightly chuckled. "You're just like Enterprise."
"…You think so?" Essex looked up at her.
The Japanese carrier nodded and smiled. She rose and walked in a random direction and the other two followed.
"Do all Americans have guns?" Zuikaku blatantly blurted out.
"Of course, who do you think we are?"
"What other weapons do you guys use? We just use bows for carriers with the exception of some scroll-wielders."
"Wha–? How does that even work?"
Zuikaku shrugged. "Not sure, never thought about it."
Essex put her hand on her chin. "Well, most of us use different types of guns…"
The younger Crane interrupted. "You guys are American after all."
"Gee thanks." She thought about her fellow carriers again. "I think Saratoga used a sword."
"Huh? Last time we saw her, she used her flight-deck gun thing."
"Oh yeah, around one of her recent sorties, she decided to try out the prototype sword method. I don't know the finer details, you'll have to ask E for that."
"Sounds like Tenryuu." Shoukaku mentioned.
"The method involved a sword that was stored in the flight. I think you had to charge it up or something then when she pulled it out, planes came out."
"That sounds cool, but how would that work?"
"No idea. I mean, do any of us know how launching works in general?"
Zuikaku opened her mouth to say something in return but stopped. "Touché."
"Did you get your dorm rooms yet?" asked the white-haired carrier.
She shook her head.
"You'll probably be roomed with Enterprise. I don't think we have any single rooms, mainly doubles."
"I get to s-share…a r-room with E-Enterprise?" Essex turned red and had her mouth open. Her disbelieved face made the sisters look at each other.
"…Is that a bad thing?" Zuikaku questioned.
"I d-don't deserve to room with her."
"Why's that?"
"I'm not sure how you see here, but most of the carriers that were built during the war look up to her as a hero, some even think of her as a goddess."
Zuikaku shivered. "Jeez."
"I suggest you stay away from the other Essexes. They're not as forgiving as I am." Essex sheepishly smiled. "Especially Lexington." she added.
"E-Lex correct?"
"Yeah, the younger one. Older Lex is like Yorktown and Langley, motherly, overprotective. Well actually, that last one only applies to Yorktown."
"How is it like having so many sisters? I heard there were around 24." Shoukaku asked.
"24 completed, eight were canceled. But who knows, you might see them out there. Like Iwo Jima, she was canceled during her construction, and she's been summoned, surprisingly."
"I think we had one as well, I don't remember who though…"
Essex crossed her arms. "I kind of advise you to stay away from Leyte. She plays a good-girl type of personality but is very crazy when it comes to Enterprise."
"Good to know." Zuikaku replied and sweatdropped.
Shoukaku changed the topic. "What is Iwo Jima like?"
"Iwo has an inferiority complex."
"Ah." was all Zuikaku said.
"Yeah…but Enty inspired her. So she's been getting better."
"I would very much like to hear this story."
Flashback
"Iwo? What are you doing here?" the older asked.
"O-Oh, Enterprise. I was…about to ask the Admiral to take me off the next sortie." the younger said meekly.
"And why is that?"
"Because s-someone like me shouldn't be the one handling such an important mission. H-He should've picked you instead."
"Now why would he do that if he personally chose you for it?" Enterprise declared with a light-hearted smile.
"A f-failure like me…shouldn't even deserve another chance."
"Don't say that, there's a reason you were brought back. If it's you being canceled you're worried about, it's all in the past." The pre-war carrier ruffled her hair.
"I didn't get even a sliver of a chance in battle though…"
"If so, why are you refusing to battle now?"
Iwo Jima looked at her with confusion. "Huh?"
"You don't want to take part in this new mission, you've been given a chance to fight."
"I-I don't deserve a chance t-though."
Enterprise closed her eyes and frowned for a moment. When she opened them again, she looked at Iwo straight in the eye. The shyer tried to avoid meeting her eyes, and just looked down.
"You won't know until you try, right?" She still didn't say anything. The Yorktown-class sighed and continued. "Then, why don't you try working to be someone worth fighting a battle."
She slowly looked up to Enterprise, still not answering.
"You've never faced a battle, was scrapped, and then brought back. Fight to make a new name for yourself. The past is the past, you can't change anything about that. I know, we don't all enjoy fighting, but there's more to it for us than just fighting? Would you protect humanity if given the opportunity?"
"Y-Yes." She finally said.
"Okay, now say it again."
"Y-Yes!"
"One more time."
"Yes!" she shouted. Almost immediately, she realized that she raised her voice and awkwardly looked down in embarrassment.
"I know it's hard." She gently patted Iwo on the head. "Confidence isn't easy, but so is life. You can't pick your battles, the battles pick you. If you just run away from them, they're still going to worm their way into your life. If you keep running, then all you're doing is running your whole life. You won't get anything done."
Iwo gazed back at her, meeting her eyes. Jima's eyes could sparkle if they wanted to, but her face still showed her iconic shyness.
"Would it make you feel any better if I came along? I can watch over you."
She got flustered again. "B-But I'm not deserving to sortie with you!"
"Then prove you aren't in the face of the situation. If you still can't accept it, work your way to be someone that can watch my back." Enterprise gently smiled again.
"I-I…" After a bit of time, she spoke up again. "I'll do my best!"
"That's the spirit. I'm not good at these inspirational things. Now…" She turned and opened the door to the Admiral's office. "Admiral, we've-."
She stopped when she heard the wooden door hit something.
"A-Admiral?!" Iwo saw him sitting on the floor next to the entrance. He sheepishly chuckled.
"Looks like I've been caught."
"W-Wait so you heard all that?" She quickly turned red.
"Er, it's kind of hard not to when someone's shouting in front of your office."
Iwo continued to stand there, frozen in place with her mouth open.
"IJ?" The Admiral called her name in concern. Neither of them were expecting it when Iwo made a mad dash out of the main building and ran off.
"Whoops."
Leyte and Bunker Hill were watching the events unfold from around the corner.
Essex was walking around when she spotted the two. "Hey sis, what are you doing-."
Leyte grabbed Essex and covered her mouth with her hand. "Shh." Essex would've been in a deadly headlock if she wasn't her sister. Well, she was in a headlock position, but Leyte generously hovered her arms over her.
Essex finished telling Iwo's little story to the Crane sisters. Although, her stomach cut both of them off before they could say anything.
"How about we get some lunch, yes?" Shoukaku said with a light chuckle at the end.
"Would be appreciated." the American carrier said.
The older sister of the Cranes gave a quick run-down of the base, all containing pointing to a building and explaining what it does.
"I have a favor to ask of you two."
"Hm?" came from Zuikaku while Shoukaku said, "What is it?" at the same time.
"Don't bring up Saratoga around Enterprise."
"Can we ask why?"
"…" Essex looked down.
"Did they have a fight?" Shoukaku asked.
"Something like that…I'll tell you later."
"Let's go to the mess hall."
"Good idea."
Battleship Dorms
Arizona sighed and took a deep breath, preparing herself for the worst. She slowly opened the door to her room. Surprisingly, Washington and South Dakota were still sleeping. She accidentally hit the doorknob against the wall, which woke them up.
They both yelled out in confusion and pushed each other away. Dakota fell on the floor while Washington hit her head against the wall.
"Ow, what the hell?!"
"Seems like you two had a great night's rest." Arizona commented.
"Why are you sleeping with me?!" Washington yelled.
"What are you talking about?! I fell asleep first!" South Dakota shot back. "This is my bed."
"Do you want me to absolutely wreck you in a fistfight again?"
"The only reason you won because I was busy chatting with my sisters!"
"Your fault for not noticing me! Or were you too deaf to hear me come up behind you?"
"Why were you even creeping behind me! I needed to catch up with my sisters, it'd been weeks!"
"Likely excuse, you just can't accept defeat."
"I know when to back-off from something, unlike you! Miss 'I'll charge everything head-on'."
"Oh yeah, when are you going to stop going around claiming my kill?!"
"If you mean Kirishima, I didn't need your help, Washington."
"Sure, sure. Say that again when your radio systems weren't fried."
"Tch."
Washington was about to continue the argument but was cut off by Arizona's glare. "Both of you just shut up, alright? It's 1100 already, get your asses up."
Despite Arizona's warning, South Dakota decided to continue the argument. "And what about that time with the Battleship Princess?"
Washinton spat out. "What about it? The time you almost got killed?"
"You were about to get killed yourself, idiot."
"I could've survived the blast myself. I didn't need your help!"
"Says the person who was damaged before the real fight with her even began." South scoffed.
"Then you try dodging all those dive-bombers, plus one or two salvos." she fired back.
"I had torpedo-bombers to take care of. Those Abyssal pilots are fearless, they don't care if they die or not. Sending torps at point-blank, suicide runs; looks like they learned a thing or two from how much damage they cause to us."
"Wait, another flashback?!"
"Washington, what the fuck are you talking about?"
Flashback
"I thought the Japs killed her before. What the heck?" Washington shouted.
"I guess it was true…"
"What was, Intrepid?"
"I overheard that past Abyssal Princesses could be brought back. I thought it was just a baseless rumor."
Washington looked down. "Crap…"
"Everyone disperse!" shouted the carrier.
They quickly got out of formation to dodge incoming volleys.
"Washington, move!" Atlanta yelled.
The battleship just watched as a salvo was about to hit her, getting closer and closer. She then closed her eyes to brace for impact. However, she was shoved to the side and into the water by a blue blur.
"Ow."
She reopened her eyes and looked at what hit her. Washington stopped. She just gaped in horror as her "friend?" took the brunt of the attack, while she was cowardly on the sidelines.
"South Dakota!"
The fast battleship coughed, blood spewing out of her body and mouth. She was brought to her knees, one hand clutching her side, the other on the water.
"S-South?" the gray-haired battleship falteringly called out.
"You bastard…I'll show you the power…of an American battleship!" She fired a full salvo as fast as she could. Wiping off the blood dripping out of her mouth, she scooped Washington off the waves and back on her feet.
"South…"
"Shut it." Dakota faced the Abyssals again. "Fire!" Her fairies blasted her guns in another salvo. "If I die here because you refuse to fire, I'll kick your ass and drag you down to hell with me."
"Noted." The older battleship slapped both her cheeks and took in a large breath. "Give 'em hell!" Her fairies fired all their usable guns.
Washington was caught off guard when South Dakota hugged her. She was mainly confused at the gesture. "SoDak, what are you doing? We're in the middle of a battle!" Thinking about it, it was somewhat logical she was hanging onto her because she was damaged.
Being lost in her mind would soon be one of her greatest regrets throughout the battle. She hadn't even noticed the torpedoes headed their way. The blue-haired Kanmusu was still in front of her, nearly blocking her entire view, but manageable.
Explosions erupted from beneath them, Washington being on the luckier side, as she didn't take damage. "South! What are you-!"
"Shut it." was all she said.
"Get off me! Or at least behind me, you're going to sink!" roared the not-as-damaged battleship.
"…As long as my shield isn't broken, I won't back down!"
"What are you blabbering on about?!"
South Dakota pressed a button on her bracelet that made it transform into a shield. "I gotta…cough…thank Medusa for making me this." She got ready to accelerate towards the opposing fleet. Washington grabbed her wrist before she could.
"Answer me, X! What are you trying to do?!"
"What…cough…does it look like?"
"Looks like you're about to get your ass in a swarm of crossfire and die! What are you thinking?! It's suicide at this point!" yelled the older girl.
"Main turrets critically damaged, secondary guns jammed. What do you want me to do?"
SLAP!
The sound echoed through the smoke provided by friendly destroyers and cruisers. The fleet kept their guard up, but all heads were turned towards the two damaged battleships. The force of the slap forced the younger's head to turn sideways.
"You're the one who kept pushing me to never give up! And now you're the one?! Why do you give advice to others you don't even follow?!"
Dakota was stunned for a bit in surprise at the action. She quickly recovered and fired a counterattack. "I never said I was giving up dipshit. I'm not that lacking in the brains department, unlike a certain someone."
Of course, the "certain someone" ignored that sly remark. "Then what were you going to do? Charge in there recklessly?"
"Yeah, and I'm not giving up if I do that. Giving up would be retreating because I can't fire. I have more power than only just my guns. Now's not the time for idle chatter! The Abyssals couldn't give two cares about anything!"
"You know you're going to die if you do that!"
"I know that already!"
"Then why are you still doing it?!"
"We don't have a choice okay?!"
"And you don't give a shit if you die?!"
"Well, what can a useless battleship like me do?!"
"You're not useless! You-!"
"I am! Just drop the fucking act already!"
Washington clenched her fists and jaw. She was absolutely infuriated, ignoring the chaos and Abyssal threat slowly approaching them that could strike any second now. The battleship wanted to smack so much sense into her friend to send her to the next week.
"You aren't useless! Have you got your head up your own ass?! You're the reason we even won Guadalcanal because they gave away their position to fire at you!"
"Shut up! I was a sitting duck, while you had to protect me even though I'm supposed to be a part of the face of America's firepower!"
"Sitting duck or not, you weren't useless!"
"I was, JUST SHUT UP ALREADY!"
She raised her voice so loud even Washington stopped. All attention was drawn to South Dakota if it wasn't already. "I'm just a pathetic overeager and confident kid standing on her tip-toes pretending to be an adult! I've got an ego so big and head up my own ass that it can reach the goddamn stars! I just!…"
South was about to burst into tears but held it in. "…want to actually be recognized for one of my own achievements."
Shells struck a spot near them, reminding them that the Abyssals weren't going to stay put while they argued. Washington put her hands on her shoulders and looked down.
"…you idiot…" She too, sounded like she was about to burst out crying but held it in. She turned her hands resting to a grab on the shoulders and hit her head against her own.
Both yelped in pain, even Washington, who was the one to initiate the headbutt. "You idiot." Tears fell onto the ocean as she looked down.
Silence followed soon after, only to be intervened again by the Abyssals.
"It's nice that you two threw your pride and egos into the sea and finally be honest with each other, but we still got Abyssals on our ass." Houston interrupted.
"Yeah, can you two stop flirting and get ready to attack?" Atlanta said sarcastically.
"What's the game plan then, Miss 'Rushing in is suicide'."
"Cause it is!"
"You come up with something better then."
Washington hastily tried to find a suitable plan. "Wait, can't we just break radio silence."
The entire fleet mumbled, "Oh, yeah…" She face-palmed.
Helena took charge of that plan. "Admiral, we're facing a Battleship Princess." she reported.
He answered immediately. "What?! Since when?"
"We've been engaging her for the past few minutes."
"Why am I being informed just now?"
The rest of the fleet didn't say anything, they couldn't say they forgot.
"We couldn't, we were focused on surviving. Currently, we are laying low in smoke so we can think of a battle plan." Helena covered. They all let out a breath in relief.
"Alright, are you guys combat-capable to hold off for a few more minutes? Reinforcements are on the way."
"We'll try.I'll radio in if anything happens." Helena said and then turned off the radio.
"New plan." The fleet turned to the destroyer, Johnston. "Don't die."
"Amazing plan." Atlanta rolled her eyes.
"You try to come up with something better then."
The light brown-haired carrier sighed. "Whoever has a plan, you're the new flagship. An incomplete plan is better than nothing."
"Intrepid, how many planes do you have left." South Dakota asked.
"I lost around nine planes. Only a little over a half are still armed."
South Dakota took charge of the fleet. "Any casualties?"
"Still a fighting ship!" Johnston shouted.
"Intrepid, just some minor damage!"
"Atlanta, conditions green."
"Medium damage. I can still fight." Washington said.
"One gun jammed, other than that I'm undamaged." Helena replied.
Houston called out, "Might run out ammo, but I'll be fine."
"The smoke is about to run out soon!" came from the destroyer.
"Here's the game plan since I can't rush." Dakota started. "Intrepid, on my count, launch all your unarmed planes, 360 from above. That will divert their AA. While they're distracted, launch torpedo bombers, no diver bombers. Make sure to keep low and keep the empty planes high overhead."
"…And when they've focused on the torpedoes, launch your dive bombers." Washington finished. "That's pretty smart for your standards." she remarked.
"Yes, now shut up and let me finish." interposed the younger battleship. "Houston and Johnston stay on the left, Atlanta and Helena on the right. Assault on both sides while they're dealing with the faint planes. Torpedo bombers launch straight ahead and possibly behind them if possible. Ship torpedoes launch with the planes. Washington and I will guard Intrepid."
A blast hit the battleship's leg. "Argh…! Get in position now!"
Everyone quickly complied.
"South, guard Intre's flank. My defenses aren't as damaged." The said battleship grumbled in agreement and moved to the back.
"Death from above, now!"
The only carrier in the fleet shot her gun, the bullets transforming into planes, and commenced the plan. The planes went out, and so did the wave of anti-air. Torpedoes were launched, they were only noticed once it was a bit too late for them.
The escort ships loyalty protected the Princess from any harm, some sinking in the process. The Abyssal got one last salvo off before the dive bombers crept upon them. They released their payloads. One hitting the Abyssal battleship's guns.
The bomb caused a chain reaction of second-hand explosions, detonating the Princess' magazines. Anticlimactically, she sunk to the bottom once again.
"Wow…that was unsatisfying."
"Johnston, shut up. At least we survived, somehow."
The salvo scrapped over Intrepid's head and hit the side of Dakota's face. None impacting her but the force of the blast causing some damage.
The battleship at the front quickly went over to the now half-conscious South Dakota. "That bitch! If she ever gets reincarnated again, I'm ripping out her throat before she sinks" Washington yelled in frustration.
"Admiral, we defeated the Princess." Helena reported.
"Damn. Anyways, conditions? Do I need to prepare a funeral?"
"Everyone is fine, Intrepid got some minor damage. Washington medium damage, but South Dakota is critically injured."
"Head back to port as soon as you can. I'll have Vestal wait for you at the docks. She'll take South to the repair bay immediately."
"Yes sir."
Washington slung Dakota over her shoulder.
"How fast do you think you can go?" the fleet's carrier asked.
"Give or take seventeen knots."
"Not the best, but it's better than nothing. Alright everyone, let's go home."
As tired as they were, they didn't stop to rest for some shuteye nor resupplyment. Idle chatter appeared here and there, but nothing too intriguing.
"South Dakota, I know you've been lacking in the brains department, but that was plain toddler stupid."
"Oi just shut up."
Regardless, she continued. "You really are the definition of all brawn, no brains."
"I don't need you to lecture me. Iowa does that enough…" Her head started to lower and raise.
"Did you want to die? I mean, we've been given another chance and all."
"…I guess not."
Washington looked downwards. "There's a lot of people that would care if you died y'know. So don't just jump without fear."
"Yeah, yeah…" she sleepily agreed.
"Live your life to the fullest, every battle is a risk."
"Risk…yeah."
The older battleship let her hair cover her eyes from view. "Don't do anything stupid, I want to…stay like this just a bit more…"
"…If I do something stupid…you'll be there to stop me, right?…"
The still wide-awake battleship looked to her other side where the vast sea was. "Yeah, we'll always…be together, no matter how many arguments and fights. Because…"
South Dakota leaned over and rested on her shoulder, asleep somehow in that terrible position.
"…I care about you, don't you know? You're…that closest person I can confidently call my friend. So…" She looked over to the younger but found her sound asleep.
"Damnit…Well at least she didn't hear me being all sappy. Would've told the whole world and beyond while laughing in my face."
"But I did." Intrepid said and winked.
Washington groaned in annoyance and heard a *CLICK* sound. "Did you just use one of your planes to just get a picture…?"
"Yes, but hey, I think it turned out great." The ponytailed girl turned to face the others. "What do you guys think?"
"Cute…"
"Yikes, Intrepid. You might get murdered tomorrow."
"Oh-ho, San Diego is going to flip out if she sees this."
Washington sighed and cursed under her breath.
South Dakota and Arizona didn't know about the last part, only Washington did. She got up and opened the door. "See your ass later, I'm gonna go and get some grub."
"Trip over air and fall." South deadpanned.
"Yes, yes I love you too." she said sarcastically. When she was about to leave, she saw Kongo looking in. "Uh, hi."
The Japanese battleship covered her mouth and put on a thinking face. "I see! She's a tsundere!"
Washington scratched the side of her head. "What's that?"
"You'll have to ask Laffey for answers, she's a weeb after all." Arizona replied.
"I think this 'Laffey' person and I would be great friends!" Kongo interjected.
"I believe introductions are in order, I'm USS Arizona."
"USS Washington."
"South Dakota, BB-57."
"Plain and straight-forward, I like ya yanks." she said and nodded her head.
"I'm the name ship of the Kongou class! Born in England and raised in Japan, I'm Kongou desu!" She struck a pose.
"Second ship of the Kongou class! I won't lose to love or war! I'm Hiei!" A girl, similar to Kongo, popped out of thin air and appeared behind her.
The three foreign ships looked in disbelief and some amusement.
"There are usually four of us but they are out on a big sortie."
"At this point, I am not surprised anymore."
Mess Hall
"To think that it's only been two days since they arrived…"
"On top of that, three more to add."
"When is the rest of the base coming back?" Shoukaku asked her sister.
"In two or three days, unless the Admiral cancels."
Another voice called out to them. "I'm back." It was just Essex. She sat down across from them and began eating.
"It's awfully quiet. What time is it again?"
"1200."
"So…What do you guys want to know?"
The Crane sisters looked at each other. "Shoukaku-nee, you can ask first."
"…What was Enterprise like before the war?"
"Sorry, I was built in the middle of the war, I don't know too much about that. You have to ask Arizona for that."
It was at that moment that four battleships walked into the mess hall.
"Speak of the devil." Essex commented as she caught sight of them. Kongo and Hiei were in the front while Washington and Arizona strayed more towards the back.
"Hey, Ari!" The younger carrier called out and waved. She motioned her to come to their table. She spoke with the other battleships for a bit and then went over to the carriers' table.
"Sit down, it might be a long talk." she said as Essex gestured towards the seat next to her.
"Shoukaku and…?" Arizona stretched out.
The other sister introduced herself. "I'm Zuikaku."
"I see." The battleship said. "So what'd you need me for?"
"They want to know how Enty was like before the war." Essex responded.
Arizona's face turned solemn. The other three took notice of it and just watched patiently. "Little E…got hit the worst out of all of us. She's a whole new person." She looked down, yet it felt like she was staring distantly.
"She grew up, too fast. Sure, I was proud she'd grown, but I just wish it wasn't that way." The dreadnought wistfully chuckled. "I'm sure no one would've thought shy, timid Little E would turn stoic and serious."
"It's hard to imagine Enterprise as the shy-type. That also might be why she was like that with Iwo."
Arizona nodded. "It was because she never knew the taste of war. I hoped she never did. If a battle can turn someone serious like WeeVee even more dangerous, then leave it up to the imagination for the rest."
"Things were really different back then huh?" Zuikaku commented.
They all agreed to that statement.
"Yorktown was very protective of her because of how she was, a lot of us were, mainly the older ships. She was pure and so sweet. Sort of like…the personification of peace and kindness. That might be a bit too much." The older scratched the back of her head.
"If she was like that how did she…ah." Shoukaku realized before she finished. "Pearl…"
Arizona twitched but kept silent. "You guys really came out of nowhere, we thought you would've attacked the Philippines so you can continue your voyage to the Dutch Indies."
"I heard that it was a surprise attack, was this true?"
"Ha? What do you mean, of course, it was! Wait…was that not your intention…?"
Zuikaku answered this time. "Yeah, we sent a formal declaration of war thirty-minutes before we attacked."
"Well, knowing my government, they probably make a mistake like that." Arizona logically put the two together. "They danced and partied on our decks while Ward was yelling her heart out that an enemy sub got in our harbor."
"Zuikaku…"
"I know. We did something horrible, but back then, we had no choice but to blindly follow orders."
"It's fine, don't beat yourselves up about it." Essex reassured with a smile. "We both know we've done bad things."
Arizona got up and stretched. "I believe my job here is done. You can ask Yorktown for more details, she's in drydock." She was about to leave when she thought of something.
"Hey, Essex? When you were first launched, how did she treat you?"
"She was…strange, to say the least. When I would approach her, she would look at me fearfully or sometimes as the enemy. Although once she recognized me, she returned to normal. I don't think my sisters help with how they would cling to her."
"Fun. I'll be taking my leave now, see you guys later." Arizona waved at them and went back to find Washington, praying she didn't do something stupid.
Carrier Dorms
"…And that is all, Admiral." The carrier finished reciting to the screen.
The Admiral on the other side applauded. "Well done, Enterprise."
"Is that all I had to do?"
"Yes, but how's life over there?" He put his hands together.
"It's only the second day, I guess it's going fine. What do we do with Yorktown and the others once she's finished repairing?"
"Hm…Ah! We just bring a plane over."
Enterprise sighed. "I guess that's better than making them sail back."
"Yes, it is. I have some news."
"Good or bad?"
"Err, probably the worst news you'll hear." He tapped the desk out of habit.
"Spill."
"Might be easier to show, but it's her." The Admiral typed on his keyboard and then an image popped up on Enterprise's screen. "One of our subs got this picture, pretty lucky if I do say so myself."
"Now you all, believe me, right?"
"We've always. It's hard not to believe when a fleet was wiped out. Anyways, that's all. Goodnight, or technically afternoon."
"Goodbye Admiral, take care."
The call ended. She didn't move, her eyes still wandering to the image she was sent. The image consisted of the sea, with nothing but a lone figure standing near the horizon. Their features were too dark to see, but the shape was unmistakable. It was the shape of an Abyssal. Its unearthly yellow eyes glowed brightly.
Enterprise tightened her fists.
Completed: February 1, 2021
A/N: I don't know why but I always have writer's block. I only get inspiration late at night when I need to sleep.
What do you guys think of the cover? You can see the full image on Pixiv. ID: 87293237.