I apologize for the delay, but chapter 12 is finally here! A month delay is at least better than a 2 month one, right? This was partially due to revisions of past chapters to fit the continuity and what I planned for this story. So far revisions are only up to chapter 4, but writing has improved and spelling/grammar mistakes have been fixed as well. The next chapter is where things might get interesting, so stay tuned! Anyways I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Broken Promise
"OBSERVER ALPHA SPOTTED IN THE DISTANCE, DO NOT PANIC, THAT WAS A WARNING SHOT. ANY CARRIERS NEARBY ARE ADVISED TO ENGAGE BEFORE SHE REACHES THE SHORE, CRUISERS ARE TO GO WITH THEM!"
. . .
The afternoon tranquility quickly gave way to chaos as everyone scrambled to get to where they were needed. Some tripped and fell into the sea of people just to get up and fall again. Vince quickly led his group to a raised section of the plaza where everyone can see him.
"EVERYONE CALM DOWN!" his voice firm with authority.
As quickly as the panic started, it stopped in an instant.
"Calm down and listen to what I say. Carriers, you heard her, cruisers follow them as well. Destroyers, I want you all to find your sisters and go to the academy; spread the word to all in the dormitories. Battleships stay here and when I give the signal, prepare to bombard the area once we evacuate. Proceed in an orderly fashion, go!"
With order restored, the girls calmly but swiftly prepare for what's to come. Vince quickly ran towards the command ship, stopping Belfast and Valorie before they can get on.
"Belfast, I need you to meet up with Nimi and keep the kids safe; they're our priority right now."
Belfast wanted to object, but she knew better than to go against her master's wishes.
"Alright, but please promise me that you'll be safe."
"I promise, you know that Purifier and the others will protect me, now go." giving her a reassuring kiss she desperately needed to calm her nerves.
"Can I come along too?" Valorie meekly asked, only to be shut down by Vince.
"No, I can't guarantee your safety even with so many of the girls around, and that's final. Go with Belfast." she reluctantly agreed, mumbling something about being safe under her breath before running after Belfast.
The Middle of the Ocean...
Both fleets met with just 500 feet between them, ready to fire at any sign of aggression. Observer was floating idly in front of her fleet of over 200 ships, but she hadn't given orders to fire yet. Vince had an inkling that she was here for negotiations, though with that many backups a battle is inevitable. He flipped on the speakers of the ship.
"Observer, why are you here?"
He saw a yellow glow before her voice projected across the vast space between them.
"I'm here for the deserter of course, though I guess capturing you would be a side objective."
"Who's this deserter you're talking about? Any rogue Siren would think twice before seeking refuge here. And I doubt any of these fine ladies would allow you to do so." he was partially telling the truth as the girls fired upon Purifier when she first came here.
"Don't lie to me, I know Purifier is hiding here! I was already suspicious when she came in for her report, all happy and smiles. Then in the middle of the night, she disappeared. Where else would she be besides where you are?"
"I told you she's not here, turn back now before I have to use force to do so."
"You never listen, do you, I guess your capture will suffice." she gave the signal to fire until Purifier took the microphone piece from Vince.
"Hey Observer, you better take me instead of him or I'll hunt you down and end you myself!" she yelled into the mic.
"Oh, it's so nice to see you again Purifier," Observer said in a faux tone of kindness. "How has the Commander treated you? Not too poorly I hope."
"Haha," it was a humorless laugh. "Better than how you and the others treated me. Now why don't you take those stupid toys and turn around? I'm not going back unless I have too."
"Since both of you are here, the mission has been revised. Both of you are to come with me, don't and I'll use force to accomplish my goal."
With no choice but to fight, he relented the idea of a peaceful resolution.
"All carriers, release your squadrons! Cruisers, destroy any stragglers!" his radio crackled with many affirmations as sounds of aircraft and artillery flew by.
Belfast...
Perhaps it was Vince's words or maternal instinct that compelled her to run towards the academy. But something within was driving her to make it there as quickly as possible. Valorie was a few paces behind her though struggling to catch up. Coming to an abrupt stop at the entrance of the cafeteria, Belfast was frantically looking around for Z23 among the sea of destroyers.
"Bel! Purity! Emilia! Miss Z23! Where are you!" she shouted into the crowd, but it was drowned out by all the noise.
"Calm down Belfast, I'm sure whoever you're looking for is in here. Tell me how they look and I can help." Valorie suggested.
"Ok... ok... I'm looking for a girl about this tall," she raised her hand to right about where her collar bone is. "Blonde with purple eyes, she wears a beret."
Valorie looked around for a bit, spotting a few blonde destroyers yet none with a beret. Some destroyers shifted in their spot, and in the corner of her eye, she saw a group of four destroyers together by the window. One of them was blonde, purple eyed, and wore a beret. Sat around her were three children, one looked strangely like the destroyer, another like 'Camilla' or the now unmasked Purifier, and last one looked like Belfast herself.
"Hey Belfast, is that who you're looking for?" Valorie asked as she pointed over to where the group was.
Relief washed over her as she nodded, making her way over to the quartet.
"Congratulations on marrying the Commander!" Javelin said as she embraced the flustered blonde, Z23 was with her usual group of Laffey, Javelin, and Ayanami.
"T-thanks Javelin... Oh, Belfast, what're you doing here, shouldn't you be with Vince?" Z23 asked, freeing herself from Javelin's crushing hug.
"He told me to accompany you and the girls as a safety precaution."
"Shouldn't you be by his side instead? And where is Purifier?"
"She's with him at this moment in time, I couldn't bring myself to object his decision."
Z23 simply nodded, inside praying for Vince's safe return to them. Belfast checked in on Bel and the others, assuring them their father's going to be alright. Too crowded at the table, they took an empty table away from most of the crowd but still keeping Z23 within their sight. Valorie sat in silence, something on her mind.
"Miss Valorie, perhaps you can tell me what plagues your mind?" Belfast politely asked.
"How can you tell?"
"Your face says it all, Vince has the same expression when he has something on his mind."
"Well, it's about Vince and those three little girls over there." she pointed to Purity and her sisters.
"What about them?"
"First of all, why do they all look like someone here? You, Z23, and... Purifier. And why is there a Siren on this base, two no less?"
"Purifier deserted to our side to join Azur Lane. As for the girls..." Belfast told her a shortened version of the story regarding their future daughters. Valorie was silent throughout the retelling, only giving a slight nod or 'uh huh' every once in a while.
"They're here for the moment until the complication in the future is resolved. Are you confused by anything?" Belfast asked as if Valorie wasn't in total shock.
"No, it makes perfect sense, I'm just still confused on how Vince got with a Siren."
"They do say love comes in many forms. Though I really don't know what happened for it to happen."
"His half for her whole, I guess they were destined for each other."
"Destined for each other? You mean Purifier and Vince?" Belfast repeated in a confused tone.
"Uh huh, he is half Siren after all, don't know if he knows it or not though."
The Battlefield...
The water was slick with fuel from the mass-produced units as they slowly sank into the depths. A single spark from the explosions ignited, transforming the surrounding area into a sea of flames. Even with the raging inferno, neither opposition never stopped to acknowledge it. Observer joined the fight this time, going hand to hand with Purifier as the others skated around them. No one intervened in their brawl, a slight distraction can cost either triumph or defeat. Both were equal in terms of combat. Where Observer lacked strength, she more than made up for with her intellect and strategic thinking. Purifier chose brute force over strategy, though it wasn't a disadvantage. Observer brought up her tentacles like a shield as Purifier struck, one of the appendages grabbing her though she quickly broke free.
"When was the last time we had a fight like this? It seems like eons ago."
"Shut up, I know you're trying to distract me Alpha." another punch came her way as she countered.
"Seems like you learned a thing or two from those times." Observer jumped back as Purifier sent a high kick her way.
"Why are you doing this Purifier, is it really worth getting captured and having your memory wiped for a human? You're Siren and always will be."
"What's wrong with that? He loves me and I love him! The rest of you always treated me like I'm nothing, at least he treats me equally!" she screamed at Observer.
"What do you know about love anyway? All you care about is gathering data and making fun of me! So I hate you, I hate everything about being a Siren!"
"Yet you can never change that fact, it's meaningless to think about it. Eloping with humans never ended well for those who've tried before."
Purifier cried, she cried like she never had before. Her emotions overcame her as she thought of everything Observer said, she's a Siren and always will be. Part of her accepted that, another loathed it as much as she hated this trivial war.
"Just take me and leave them alone Alpha..." a defeated look on her face.
She looked up as Observer came over, stars filled her vision; and then she slipped into the darkness. Vince saw everything through his binoculars, fearful of her capture, he steered his ship towards where the two were. Many protests were on the radio but he ignored them. Just as a portal opened, he abandoned the wheel for the bow, his pistol drawn and aimed at Observer. The bullet bounced harmlessly off of her, but it caught her attention.
"You want to trade places with her I assume."
"Just leave her here and I'll go with you."
"For a human, you are very peculiar. Why would you risk your life for her, a Siren?"
"Love, love compels us to do stupid things to make sure we keep the other person happy."
"Yet you know she isn't going to be happy if you do that right?"
"Of course, of course. She and the others will most likely try to rescue me."
"Alright enough chit chat, seems like they already have that idea. Call them off, I'll leave Purifier here and you come with me."
He complied with her demands, telling everyone to stop coming closer before he turned off the radio. Uncharacteristic of her, Observer gently put Purifier in Vince's arms.
"Say what you have to say before we go, you have thirty seconds." she said before turning her back to him.
"I know you'll do anything to save me, and I would do the same for you. Tell Purity and the others I love them. Comfort them if you need too, same will Belfast and Nimi. I love you Purifier." he kissed her forehead before leaning her against the wall.
"I'm ready."
With a wave of her arms, he felt a cold and prickling sensation as he slipped into unconsciousness.
A Few Hours Later...
Fire, fire everywhere, a landscape Purifier's been familiar with for a long time in her dream. Bodies of her fallen used-to-be comrades and Kansens scattered around for as far as the eye can see. Her usually empty arms held the lifeless corpse of Vince, tears rolled down her cheeks yet she can't think. These nightmares haunted her, though her time on the base reduced their occurrence to nearly none. Awakening with a scream, she expected to be strapped down in the infirmary of the Siren base, another scene she's so used to waking up to. Instead, she was in a room with the light of the sunset streaming in through multiple windows. Something stirred besides her, she lifted the blanket to see Purity curled up to her. Remnants of where her tears fell stained her face, Purifier gently picked he up and held her close as her own tear threaten to fall again. Belfast walked in at the sound of her scream.
"You're awake, Purifier."
"How long was I out for?"
"At least 7 hours."
"Oh..."
A heavy silence blanketed the room as the last of the sunlight slid under the horizon. Belfast flipped on the lights, taking a seat besides Purifier.
"How are Bel and Emilia?"
"They're asleep right now, not without a great deal of crying."
"It should've been me..." she looked down at her bandaged hands, flexing them.
"Don't say that, he would've felt as much guilt as you are right now if that were to happen. All we can do now is wait and plan his rescue, get some rest and be ready for tomorrow." Belfast lightly kissed Purifier on the lips, a blush crept onto both of their faces.
"Goodnight then." she quickly darted out of the room. Purifier licked her lips.
"Huh, strawberry flavored."