Chapter 2: Running into the Bull

1939

CV-6 Enterprise's POV

I had just finished my shakedown cruise which brought me to Rio de Janeiro which was in Brazil which I must saw a very exotic city. I was amazed to see the mountains that dotted the city. I marveled at the gigantic white statue of Jesus Christ that was called Christ the Redeemer which I thought was simply magnificent. Then I headed back for Hampton Roads where I stayed until winter.

January 2nd

North Atlantic

"So are you ready for some exercise, sister?" I turned to my older sister, Yorktown who sailed beside me. She had long blonde hair and had the same attire that I did which was a white short-sleeved shirt with a black sailor collar and black cuffs. She also had a brown belt followed by a skirt made of two pieces of white cloth tied together at the top end. However instead of wearing a Navy peaked cap like I am, she adorns a black tricorne.

"Yes am I, I hope I will be able to conduct this exercise without problem" I said softly. I was nervous as I was about to conduct my first ever carrier operation in my career and I was worried I might not be up to the task.

"Oh cheer up Enterprise, you will do fine" Yorktown said.

"My, my, is the USS Enterprise feeling nervous?" Someone asked. I was surprised by this sudden voice that it made me jump.

"WAHH" I said as I turned around and there was the admiral in charge of the carrier force that was my sister, our escorts and me, Rear Admiral William Frederick Halsey Jr. "Sorry sir…I didn't mean to shout"

'I bet he thinks I am a scaredy-cat' I thought.

"That is alright Enterprise; it was my fault as I spoke so suddenly" Halsey said.

"I am still sorry sir, for reacting the way I did" I said as I was still embarrassed, especially since I was Admiral Halsey's flagship.

"It is alright, we can get a little jumpy at times, just remember to keep a level head and steady hands and you will do fine" Halsey smiled.

"Yes sir" I said.

"Now, the skies seem a bit empty, don't you think?" Halsey asked as he looked to the sky.

"Eh? I see clouds sir" Yorktown said.

"Sir, permission to launch aircraft for carrier operation exercises" I asked.

"Ha, ha, looks like someone is sharp today" Halsey smiled, "Yes, we better begin our carrier operations"

We practiced for months. I had a very excellent fairy captain by the name of Charles A. Pownall who made sure my readiness was high. I was soon called Efficient Enterprise or Efficient E. Later I was ordered with my sister to head for San Diego on the West Coast as I was now part of the Pacific Fleet. I sailed with a number of other ship girls which included battleships.

Transit to San Diego

CV-5 Yorktown's POV

I was heading to San Diego with my sister, Enterprise as we were now part of the Pacific Fleet. I saw that along with us there were battleship girls, California and West Virginia and other girls as well. The other girls were alright but California was rather annoying. She kept making dismissive comments.

"Oh look it is the flattops" California said.

"Hey, Prune, don't call the carriers girls that" West Virginia said.

"It is alright, West Virginia, California is telling the truth, we are just flattops" Enterprise said.

"I know but you girls are aircraft carriers, the future of naval warfare" West Virginia said.

"Please, Wee Vee, you can't be serious? Those girls are just barn doors on bathtubs! I mean, look at their ship forms, they are pathetic, they don't have an aura of power like we battleships do and besides their planes are nothing like flies against us" California said.

"Remember what happened to Ostfriesland's ship when Mitchell bombed it" West Virginia said.

"Ah, she was not moving and she wasn't firing back besides the damage caused was minimal besides Enterprise here is looks too shy for war" California said. California's comments were bad enough but her insult of Enterprise, my sister, which is where she crossed the line.

"Oh, you think you are so great! I hope that you get your ass sunk by carrier bombers, bitch!" I shouted.

"What did you say you bitch?" California growled as she tried to charge at me. I in turn got ready but suddenly a figure appeared between us. It was Enterprise and she had two pistols drawn. I saw it was her Colt M1911 pistols which she told me, she only will use in situation that she deemed fit. California froze when she saw the pistol aimed for her head. Enterprise also had one of her guns aimed at me.

"Can you two calm down?! You two are supposed to be the honorable, wise, intelligent and respectable seniors of the US Navy not a bunch of school bullies! I have seen destroyers behave better than you and they are a fraction your size; and by god's name, we are Americans! Why are we fighting amongst ourselves? We are in a world where the waters are no longer as safe as they used to be. We are supposed to working together to defend our shores so that our fellow countrymen don't fall victim to chaos and turmoil but if this how we are to be then I will gladly defect to the enemy than to fight alongside girls that would get into a brawl just because you two glanced at each other" Enterprise's bark was a shock to all of us. Even Rear Admiral Halsey turned to look at the normally humble and quiet Enterprise now firm and stern. She saw that we were both quiet, she holstered her pistols, "Now I want the two of you stop this petty argument and return to being the proud ship girls of the US Navy"

"I take back what I said about you Enterprise, it looks like you can be firm" California said as she backed off. I then turned to the Enterprise's ship to see Rear Admiral Halsey grinning. I could tell that he admired the Enterprise even more than he did before. We made it to San Diego in April however before the month was over, we were transferred to Pearl Harbour after reports of unknown forces attacking ships in the Pacific. We stayed there. Though Enterprise and Lexington would at sea for long periods at times to conducts combat drills. I was soon called back to the Atlantic as to reinforce the Atlantic Fleet in April 1941 especially with the Germans being a pain in the ass, I do hope we can stay out of the European war.