Madelene's other sisters make their appearances. I made Norma Jean (New Jersey) a Captain because she's more highly decorated than her siblings are. Irene's a commander because she's class pathfinder. Wilma (Wisconsin) is a Lieutenant (Jr. Grade) because as the youngest, she has yet to be promoted.

Irene stood with the rest of Command as she listened to Bates' plan. Her two other sisters, Norma Jean and Wilma, had joined her. The three other Iowa-class battleship girls listened carefully to the plan that would rescue their sister. "Seal Team 5 will launch from Nimitz aboard an Apache. At the designated drop area, the helicopter will take out Missouri's radar and her electronic weapons' systems." None of the girls could hide their winces at that. The loss of radar would render Madeline blind, leaving the girl disorientated and helpless aboard her own ship.

"What are our chances, Admiral?" Norma Jean spoke up.

"We're dealing with a madman who has only partial control of the ship, the chances are good. If he's prepared for our arrival, the chances are not good." He replied grimly.

"Captain Franklin," another admiral spoke up. "Seal Team 5 are the best there are."

"Now bear in mind if this doesn't work, we will have no choice but to send in an air strike and destroy the Missouri." Admiral Bates said which resulted in protests from all three Franklin girls present.

"Sir that's our sister!" Norma Jean cried.

"Respectfully sir, there has to be another way." Wilma growled.

"No Iowa gets left behind, sir." Irene practically snarled.

"Girls, girls, please." Bates raised a calming hand. "An air strike is the last resort. Now I don't want to lose Madeline anymore than you do. But we have to consider the possibility that this won't work. Missouri's strike capabilities cannot be used against us."

Norma Jean nodded and backed down. Her sisters followed her lead.

"We'll get her back for you Captain." Bates said, looking her in the eye.

She nodded. "Thank you Admiral."

...

"So let me get this straight." Madeline said. "You were a SEAL? A Navy SEAL?"

"Yes." Ryeback replied.

"Decorated with the Silver Star, Legion of Merit. What happened? Why'd you become a cook?" She asked.

"Picked on the wrong people." He replied. "In case you haven't noticed I don't have a good track record with authority."

She snorted, recalling the incident in the galley. "So you became a cook."

"It was either that or become a captain's chambermaid." He replied, earning himself another snort.

"I'm a girl, why do I have to carry everything?" Tate whined, interrupting them.

"You should be honored. In most culture's its a sacred right." Madeline replied.

"Yeah sure." Tate snorted.

"I could always carry the stuff if you shoot all the bad guys we encounter." Madeline said.

"I have a rule about killing people." Tate replied.

"This'll be good, let's hear it." Madeline said, facing her at the base of a latter as Ryeback climbed up it.

"No, two rules actually. I don't date musicians and I don't kill people!" Tate growled.

"I'm thrilled to death to hear that, actually." Madeline replied with a false smile. "Now up the latter pollywag, let's go."

"I think you've got the wrong partner here." Tate sighed.

"So am I." Madeline thought.

...

After ensuring that Tate would stay put, Madeline followed Ryeback outside onto the deck where she quickly took care of the guard with a nice punch to the face.

"Nice right hook." Ryeback complimented.

"Thank you chief." She replied. They continued forward.

Krill's operation had been going on steadily and now the beginnings of a crane were forming on the conning tower, leading down the deck and to the railing.

"What do you make of this Madeline?" Ryeback asked.

Madeline opted to ignore the use of her first name and instead replied "Looks like some sort of launcher for something. Something big. But what and where to? He must have another ship."

"That's very likely so the question still remains, what is he transporting off the ship?" Ryeback asked.

"Definitely ordinance. I have no shortage of that onboard." She replied.

"Which one though?"

"Not the small guns. They'd have very little use for those. Good for close range but that's about it. Not the 16 inchers either. Unless they were building some kind of shore installation, won't do them much good."

"So that just leaves..." Both shared horrified glances as the realization struck him.

"The tomahawks, Krill's after the tomahawks." Madeline whispered.

"8 of them are nuclear tipped right." He asked.

"Aye and Krill has the launch codes. He's already fired one missile." She replied.

"We have to get word to fleet command." He said. "Is there any way we can get word out without alerting the bad guys?"

She thought for a moment. "I think I know a way, follow me." She ordered and the two were off again.