This should work. By her will alone, the turbine engines of her carrier body stopped and then reversed, bringing the entire mass of over two dozen thousand tons to a full stop in the middle of the open ocean. That efficiency and response time alone, a feat only accomplished by the linking of a soul directly to such a war machine, was leagues above anything that a human crew would ever be able to achieve.
Enterprise had chosen to come to a halt at the halfway point to reaching Azur Lane's Pacific Joint Base and no matter where she looked from the deck of her ship, there was nothing in sight save for the still blue of the ocean. Even the mighty presence of an aircraft carrier seemed insignificant in comparison to this display that was what constituted most of the planet.
For good measure, her radar pulsed and detected nothing, but this was all to her expectations. This specific sea lane had been deemed secure for quite some time – practically ever since the Eagle Union and its European allies were able to break the hold of the Sirens that blocked them from one another and reestablish the secure paths of travel they shared in the past whether it be for military or commercial purposes. Enterprise had taken this specific route twice, void of trouble.
But one couldn't be too careful, especially with the reality-warping capabilities of Sirens. Double when considering the recent actions with the Sakura Empire. Despite how vast the waters around Enterprise were, there was no telling just what circumstances could line up so perfectly to have enemies crossing paths, even way out here.
Satisfied, she turned and wandered more openly across the signature flattop of her vessel.
Insignificant a carrier may be to the world she sailed upon, within the more contained battles she participated in she was a dominating presence. Long ago, the evolution and construction of warships relied heavily on the escalating principles of guns and armor: a better gun would inspire better armor to defend against it which would then inspire an even better gun to bypass it. Flimsy wood became tougher metal, and the round cannonballs became penetrating shells.
The battleship and its variants epitomized this; from the faster battlecruisers to the bristling dreadnoughts. All were shaped by the struggle of gun versus armor, and it was the image of battle lines of these fearsome warships accompanied by smaller vessels to support their monstrous volleys of fire that humanity relied upon. That thinking persisted with the development of Wisdom Cubes. The strongest picture of defending, fighting back, and triumphing for the human race was linked deeply to those ships that became the basis of the tremendous capabilities that were passed on to the shipgirls who had been selected to carry their arms and armor.
But then there were carriers, their smooth flattop decks at odds with the gun platforms of battleships. Humanity instinctively fell back on the more open display of might concerning battleships and, to a lesser extent, cruisers and destroyers, but there was a deeper wish that formed the core of carriers. A longing for what had been stolen from them by the Sirens: freedom to navigate and explore the wide oceans that linked them all together. Carriers symbolized that will and bore it as securely as the fighters and bombers that would fly out to restore and project the peace and stability in a way that no other ship could.
If battleships were the strength of the human spirit, carriers were mankind's yearning heart.
That was what Yorktown always believed in anyway.
Enterprise stopped, her feet balancing perfectly on the line between the emblazoned E and N of her name painted at the fore of her deck, and then spun to face the other end eight hundred feet away.
Rather than cannons, her power came from the tightly neat rows of aircraft that encompassed the rear section of the flight deck. The fix-winged Dauntless dive bombers were her main means of damage against enemy vessels and emplacements, with bombs currently fitted in the racking beneath the fuselage and the wings. Each plane could carry over a thousand pounds of explosive power and Enterprise couldn't even begin to remember just how many Siren ships had been broken in the countless bombing runs her squadrons conducted over the decades.
Nor could she do the same for the aircraft that had been felled by the machine guns of the other half of her complement: the Wildcats. The distinctive squat design of her interceptors with wings folded up were far from the picture of grace that some of the other fighters of Azur Lane possessed or the more sinister nature of Siren ones. Nonetheless, the resilience of both the Dauntless and Wildcat, buoyed by the experience and command of Enterprise, made them fiercer and far more dangerous than any would expect until they saw firsthand how the two craft could gain air superiority.
One Wildcat was rolling forward now, the wings unfolding once it cleared the rest and locking into position. The engine chugged to life and the propeller began spinning which transformed into the telltale buzzing that started sending it speeding across the deck. Enterprise flexed her fingers as the Wildcat sped past her, her coat billowing around her with the close passing. It flew over the edge, dipped, and then stabilized while the landing gear tucked into the fuselage.
Stiff. Enterprise could detect it – the heavy rudder and elevator, the aileron and flaps. The plane was not operating as smooth as it usually would. Two more Wildcats took off, one after the other, but the results were the same.
She was stiff.
Brilliant blue light burst from the interior of the carrier. Like thin, sharp blades, they cut through the flight deck, the island, her remaining planes – her entire body being divided into tiny, numerous sections to the point that the entire hulk of the ship was being illuminated before it burst apart into hundreds of cubes. They did not scatter into the ocean, instead hovering in the air as they shifted and folded upon themselves, becoming smaller. In short order, the reformatting cubes came streaking towards Enterprise to form her rigging.
Her flight deck, now many times smaller, reformed at her side, connecting to the armored harness that latched firmly to her back. The island of her deck remained firmly in place, the carrier having no need for the bow that she would've usually armed herself with. The transformation complete, she fell back towards the ocean.
Heavy.
Her feet sank. They dipped beneath the surface, the red stabilizing fins at her ankles briefly submerging before they bounced back up, her heels only then properly bracing atop the water as footing was established. Enterprise directed a frown down at them before continuing with the rest of her self-examination. She rolled and stretched out her arms, raising the left one enough so that she could stretch her flight deck out beneath it in a motion that she had practiced and carried out whenever she had to send out additional aircraft.
Her movements and the weight of her rig all felt heavy.
Enterprise directed her attention upwards where her three Wildcats were climbing high up in formation towards the targets that she had released earlier: over a dozen large balloons that would act as the main objective of this training exercise. Her planes had caught up and then overtook them swiftly, rising above them, and though Enterprise was blinded by the sun, she knew how her planes dropped into a dive and came screaming down at the balloons with it at their backs.
Striking at such high altitude was a maneuver they excelled at to ambush and break enemy formations. Mere balloons were no match, seven of them popping when her planes opened up with their machine guns, tracer rounds ripping them to shreds. The attack lasted seconds but half the targets had been shot down with one pass. The Wildcats separated and began looping around for another run, one pulling up while the other two went hard to port and starboard respectively.
But the impression that Enterprise had before remained unchanged. As successful as the opening assault had been, she could discern the hesitation in her aircraft before they began looping and the maneuvers themselves were not as tight as they normally would be. Something was weighing them down.
She was weighing them down. A carrier's performance of her aircraft was reliant on the carrier herself. Interceptors and bombers alike depended heavily on her guidance. Much like the torpedoes and cannons of other warships, her aircraft could only fly and shoot steadily as long as she was the same.
To not be so...the results said enough. When Enterprise's Wildcats came around, they were too close. Their maneuvers had taken too long and the time they had to center their shots too little. Two of them fired, barely catching the edges of their chosen balloons that had them sinking slowly, bleeding air rather than the outright dropping of the previous victims. The third one missed.
Calm down. Enterprise directed the order at herself. Relax.
Tension had been creeping through her entire being. It had started at her back, stiffening her spine and shoulders, and it was progressing further. Where it touched, her muscles were being wound tight like the strings of an instrument. This carried over to the actions of her planes, and being able to perceive it all so clearly was making it worse when one Wildcat missed with its next burst of machinegun fire while the other two had to break off, unable to get even the hint of a proper shot off.
Enterprise breathed deeply, trying to imbue it with calm control to assert itself over her mind and body. Clear the mind, she thought, thinking that the mental order would get her to accomplish it. Inhale. Hold. Exhale.
Her body began to loosen with the small amount of tension that left with her breath. Similarly, the trio of aircraft above added a little more distance before performing steadier loops around to come again at the balloons.
Fighting should be as natural as breathing. They were both something that she instinctively knew how to do ever since her birth. She was an aircraft carrier of the Eagle Union, fighting almost nonstop against the Sirens. She should not be hesitating or finding any sort of difficulty here. She was-
"Grey Ghost."
Her body seized up.
"Entertain me, phantom!"
"There you are, Grey Ghost!"
Don't think about that. The sudden anxiety and the weight that was pressing down on her nearly petrified body bordered on painful. The calm rhythm that Enterprise had established with her breath moments ago was broken and the next ones she took strained with effort. Don't think about that name.
Moreso, she didn't want to imagine the faces that said that name. Not the shipgirls who had said it with eagerness, anger, hatred, and pure fanaticism. Enemies, but shipgirls all the same.
"This isn't over, Grey Ghost!"
"Rest in peace, grey phantom."
"Grey Ghost!"
Her shoulders had become bunched together, painfully tense, which put Enterprise in a slight bow. She was staring down at the bottomless deep blue beneath her feet and the ability to breathe slipped from her mind as she was sucked into the nothingness that was below, so close, with her lungs beginning to burn-
Look away! The rational thought snapped sense back to her, Enterprise taking a rejuvenating gasp. Suddenly remembering her planes, she looked back up to the sky and her eyes went wide. Wait!
One Wildcat collided into another. It had been pulling out of a dive, inadvertently putting it on a direct path to the other that had been unknowingly turning towards it. The results were catastrophic, the entire nose of one craft shattering through the canopy of the other and disappearing into the cockpit, bulging and then breaking through the belly. The fuselages of both planes twisted together from the impact, the pair spiraling down in a warped embrace, flinging debris everywhere.
Enterprise had been staring with wide-eyed shock at the sight and it almost didn't register that the reason that the destroyed planes were mysteriously getting closer to her was because they were falling towards her.
She reversed, her heels splitting the ocean's surface and sending out scattered waves with how fast she moved. It almost wasn't enough, and the combined mass of the Wildcats sent out a giant geyser of seawater that had Enterprise lifting an arm to shield her from the makeshift downpour that soaked her and her clothing. When she lowered it, it was to see the ball of wreckage that had been her formidable craft floating before her, on the verge of sinking. They finally dispersed before that could happen, disintegrating into the same cubes that, soon after, broke down into mere dust that scattered into the wind.
Enterprise nearly slumped with weariness and her rigging becoming many times heavier wasn't helping. She forced herself to stand regardless, staring at the ripples that were the only sign left behind by her Wildcats until they eventually settled.
However, the same couldn't be said for the hand that was shaking at her side.
What was a carrier who had lost her fighting spirit?
When Enterprise resummoned and reboarded her ship – and, coincidentally, when her shaking hand stilled upon touching the safety of the deck -, that was the question she was forced to ponder over during the rest of her voyage.
She still didn't have an answer when she sighted Azur Lane's joint base. Woefully, the sight of the cliffs that acted as the perfect natural barrier exacerbated the problem. Rather than return to the flight deck, Enterprise had wandered off to the side towards the catwalk, letting her legs hang over the edge while her arms were wrapped loosely around the safety rail, allowing her to lean against it. Seeing the island had her left hand unconsciously sliding over and rubbing along the back of her right.
She wasn't unaware of the problem beforehand. Since returning to Eagle Union, she recognized a powerful reluctance of returning to the battlefront. First when she saw the warship-filled ports of the naval base, and then every time she would gaze out at the waterscape of Yorktown's home. It did not surprise her considering what had happened to her, but she had assumed that time away from the front would prove to be the cure to bringing her back to her proper mindset.
Instead, the events with the Sakura Empire and the Sirens had deposited a seed that had used her insecurities as the perfect fertilizer to sprout. During her leave, the roots had grown to embed and entangle themselves around her and by the time she had to return to duty, they had spread so far that each constriction in response to the thought of battle was near total. At least that was what she just confirmed.
In particular, the name Grey Ghost was quite the potent irritant.
How can I fight like that? Enterprise wondered.
She had expressed the inevitability of it to Yorktown. She was a carrier, born to fight, and there was nothing else to it. She fought not only for humanity, but for the comrades who fought with her. Her battles were to protect them against an enemy that she always knew to be mercilessly vicious, but only recently understood how foul they really were when it came to their gleeful manipulations of the human race and their shipgirls.
In the process, she had made a name for herself. Or, to be more precise, it was a name that others had created for her and one that she was indifferent to – never accepting it, but not rejecting it either. There were the expectations that the name carried as well but, though she understood that fact, they were all part of the duty that she was already following to begin with.
So why was it that she had come to reject it so strongly to the point of it hampering her ability to fight?
That was something else she noticed too. The name Grey Ghost would slip into her thoughts during her leave and she had been surprised to discover the dislike she felt towards it whenever it did. She couldn't explain why, but when she had been within the safety of her home nation, she had thought of it as something else she would learn to bear with while fighting.
No matter what her feelings may be, she intended to go out and fight again. That was her purpose. This reluctance should not be holding her back. However, rather than her duty that she should be upholding, what would flash to her mind were the names and faces of the members of the Sakura Empire and Iron Blood who would speak that name of hers so, the taunting visages of the otherworldly Sirens, and the visions of the miserable existence of a carrier who had become consumed by war.
Enterprise thumped her foot against her carrier body to throw off her train of thought. Right now she shouldn't think about it, especially not out here. Dock at the base, disembark, and…figure out where to go from there. Maybe a day or two of reintegrating herself with the help of the daily going-ons of the base would better restore her.
There was an opening within the impassable barriers of the island that Enterprise was able to make out: a wide mouth that shrunk into the inlet leading to the protected base. It was large enough to let a battle group pass through it with space to spare, but any large armadas that would be needed to carry out any successful assaults on the base would be restricted and put at a disadvantage – a perfect impediment for their main enemy, the Sirens, and their mass-produced ships. That is, as long as the defenders didn't let their security become lax as was the occasion when members of Azur Lane were flooding in in response to the Sakura Empire's threatening movements. During that instance, war hadn't been formally declared yet with the Sakura Empire, and the significant presence of Eagle Union and Royal Navy should've been enough to deter any plans for a direct assault. Any large fleet movements between the Iron Blood and Sakura Empire necessary for a combined assault would've been detected beforehand, and though Sirens had their own means of travel that could have them appearing in waters where they should have little to no presence on occasion, their threat was deemed as the most negligible.
The possibility of a combined Sakura Empire-Siren assault had never crossed anyone's mind.
Lessons had been learned, and the patrol that was leaving the inlet and entering the open sea was one. Shipgirls with rigs deployed so Enterprise couldn't identify the types at range, but she could make out six of them. Clearly the lessening of hostilities wasn't doing the same to Azur Lane's caution.
Their paths were going to run parallel with each other and they weren't going to miss Enterprise's carrier body. With that in mind, Enterprise rose to her feet at the same time one girl broke off from the patrol on a direct approach towards her, a hand already coming up to wave.
"Hey, Enterprise!"
Enterprise lifted her own hand in greeting but held her tongue for the time she needed to rummage through her memory. Ah. "Columbia."
The light cruiser lifted her shades to show off her proud expression at being recognized – and the slight bulge in her cheek that had to be some gum tucked away. Coming alongside the carrier, she rapped her knuckles against the hull. "Glad to see you're back! Cleveland's been excited for your return! Make sure to pay her a visit, okay?"
Enterprise settled with a nod which satisfied the girl. After another wave, Columbia pulled away to rejoin her patrol group.
At the head of the group was the imposing Nevada who passed on a casual two-fingered salute that Enterprise answered with another nod and the only other one that she could recall from memory was the smaller Long Island who was content with being hidden in the battleship's shadow. The other three were Royal Navy girls, none of whom Enterprise could attach names to but guessed one to be another cruiser while the remaining two were destroyers.
Joint patrols between factions were a common practice amongst Azur Lane members who were to be stationed together for a lengthy period of time and one that had been taken up by those in this base. Enterprise watched them go, waiting until they pulled out of sight before redirecting her gaze ahead.
By then, she had entered the inlet and beyond that was the full expanse of the massive Pacific Joint Base. Every single inch of the surrounding shore had been put to use, forming an entire ring of docks and port facilities that stretched for miles. The island within the middle of the harbor was the home of the Azur Lane Academy/Base Command and accompanying dormitories, the three bridges that extended from it connecting to the hearts of the various sections of the base.
Enterprise wasn't immune to how impressive the base was in size and scope, able to rival any of Eagle Union's own naval bases save for New York. It could easily accommodate the fleets that had gathered here already and have room to house a couple more. Its numerous facilities certainly had the capacity to provide for that number and they had been vital for repairing and resupplying their many casualties undertaken during the entire length of the war with the Sakura Empire to peak condition in time for the next engagement.
Remarkable as the base was, relief was eluding Enterprise. Seeing the rows of docked warships served to remind her of the troubles that were out there in the world, and the question of when it would be her that would be heading the next patrol out at sea to look for the next engagement or to subjugate the one that was found encouraged that uncharacteristic distress to rise up. What was becoming a disturbing occurrence, she flexed the fingers of her one hand to break the petrifying spell that was coming over it.
She hailed the main headquarters and was directed to an open berth to the northern section. While her ship moved to comply, there was nothing for Enterprise to really do except satisfy some mild curiosity in scanning the ships nearby. Most carried the insignia of the Eagle Union and Royal Navy, but she caught the rare emblem belonging to a member of another faction that either took refuge or had some business here. Though she was keeping an eye out for two specific light cruisers of the Dragon Empery, a white-and-blue color scheme attracted her to an Iris Libre destroyer and a couple berths over- she did a double take.
A Sakura Empire aircraft carrier.
At first she thought she was mistaken, but before she eventually saw the insignia that proved it, she took note of the wide, wooden flight deck and the port side island. It was a Shoukaku-class carrier of the Fifth Carrier Division although Enterprise couldn't identify which one it was. What was it doing here?
It weighed on her mind, heavier than the anchor her ship released upon aligning with the docks. The boarding ramp swung down and though Enterprise was aware of traveling down it, her attention was stuck on the ominous shape of the ship she saw, so much so that by the time she reached the bottom she stayed in place. Her hand lingered on the rail, unwilling to part, and its grip gradually began to grow tight.
"Welcome back, Enterprise."
The gloom was swept up in one stroke. Disciplined at its core but spirited with unabashed mirth for the elegance in life – not only with her own and those she served, but for what seemed to be the world. It was a tone that Enterprise was unused to and had thrown her off quite often, but for this moment it did well to stave off the atmosphere that had been descending on her.
When Enterprise beheld her, she was already exiting her bow to brandish a smile that matched her tone. The morning light was not here, not like when she made her first proper introduction, but the white hair did not require it – far more vibrant than the carrier's own duller shade. Enterprise was not sure why, but the bangs that were pulled off to the one side of her face, done up in the braid that circled behind her head, always had the enchanting effect of coaxing her to look directly into those blue eyes that openly welcomed her each time in a way that she was not used to.
They were welcoming her now and Enterprise was put off by the authentic earnestness she felt of someone who was happy to see her. What's more, the bright smile changed, turning coy, and the carrier was sure that she could read the words they were silently conveying: I'm here, just like I said I would.
And Enterprise felt herself relax, the promise that had been made and now kept surprisingly relieving. The curve of her lips was made entirely on their own. "Yeah, I'm back, Belfast."
"I'm glad." The cruiser lifted a gloved hand, hiding and suppressing a noise of pleasure which was replaced by the jingle of the chain hanging from her collar. "My work has become a tad dull without our lessons."
Enterprise lifted a brow, encouraged to play along. "Is that a fact?"
"Quite." Belfast lowered her hand, but instead of maintaining her lively presentation it was subdued with a measure of regret. "Sadly, I cannot welcome you with one right now. Prince of Wales has requested that you meet with her as soon as you are able to."
Enterprise wished that the pleasant mood could've lasted longer, the news alone unsettling it as did the possibilities of what Wales would need to speak with her about so soon after her arrival. "Has something happened?"
"Oh, do not worry," Belfast reassured her. "Nothing so distressing. Wales would just like to brief you about the current situation with the Sakura Empire and the direction that future operations will be taking." She lifted her skirt and dropped into a curtsy with her chin dipping. "I have a car waiting to take you to her."
There was the temptation to refuse or, at least, delay the meeting. Excuses came and went, but all they did was leave Enterprise with a sense of shame for even bothering to consider them. How far was she going to let this cowardice get to her? She mustered up a smile, hoping her expression appeared more exasperated than tired. "I guess there's no getting around it."
"Please do not worry, Enterprise. I promise you that there will be plenty of time to resume our lessons after we're done."
Enterprise stuck Belfast with a quizzical look as the maid straightened her posture. The statement was lacking her cheerful teasing, instead layered with something that felt off to the carrier. But Belfast was smiling like normal, and even gestured for Enterprise to take the lead. With little else to go on, Eagle Union's ace chose to move along as directed.
She expected this upcoming meeting to become a prime concern for her to start worrying over and she did distinguish it hovering just out of reach, but that was where it remained. Instead, what became more noticeable to Enterprise was the presence that was sticking to her side, the second pair of footfalls matching her own, and the ends of a maid skirt that seemed close enough that at any moment she expected it to accidentally brush her ankle except it never did.
This was something that had become part of her daily life at the base, but even so she was struck by how natural it seemed to be having Belfast at her side again, her time away not having affected it in the least. When they got to the open top car, she anticipated and wasn't disappointed when the cruiser lengthened her stride enough so that she got to the passenger door in time to open it for Enterprise who slid into the seat as if it was the most ordinary thing to do with nary a word or look exchanged.
She blamed the lengthy voyage for what she felt when Belfast took her place in the driver's seat. After traveling across the open sea alone, her mind on navigation and her own problems, the ability to just sink into the upholstery and let someone else take the wheel was relaxing. Enterprise glimpsed over at Belfast and blinked when she saw the maid looking back at her. She was treated with another smile before the cruiser directed her attention forward and started the car.
Even after the vehicle began moving, Enterprise lingered on Belfast before, eventually, she shifted to look off to the side. The stiff set of her shoulders loosened a bit more.
The sights were more accommodating as well, the barren horizon replaced with the hangars, warehouses, and repair facilities that were close to the docks. The military nature of the structures transformed into the additional living facilities and went further into the multiple shops and bazaars that had managed to thrive here to sell goods whether it be clothing, staple foods of the differing nations, or other trinkets. The base was more akin to a city in Enterprise's eye, complete with the young girls who wandered the streets. Whether alone, in pairs, or groups, some were moving with a clear purpose while others seemed to have no direction in mind and were wandering for the joy of it, going by the smiles she saw.
Surrounded by this, one could forget about the bellicose nature of the docks. It was a feat that was difficult to achieve back in New York with its fortified harbor that she had been attached to during her leave and Enterprise was appreciating it, her mood lightening enough that when a few girls waved at the passing car, Enterprise deigned it to be enough to lift her hand in response.
"I'm glad that you appear to be feeling better, Enterprise."
Enterprise glanced over. Belfast's focus was directed up front but she was sure that the head maid's smile had grown larger. "Its…nice to be back here," she admitted. "Nicer than I expected it to be."
The curve of Belfast's mouth reversed. "Was your leave unsatisfactory?"
Her response was a tad quick. "No. No, it wasn't. It was just…" She trailed off, then came back with, "There was just a lot to deal with."
"Yes, I suppose there was…"
She sounded sad, and Enterprise felt a strong urge to give her some assurance of having been able to sort out some of it when she had been in Eagle Union, but any effort was quickly dismantled by the truth of how she hadn't been able to accomplish that at all. The best she had gotten was to forget about it, much like what she was doing now, and praying that she would be able to have it sort itself out on its own.
Rather than lie and risk Belfast seeing through it, she chose silence.
Their destination involved taking one of the bridges that connected to the command island, the urban environment transitioning to the surrounding waters and docks again. This time though, Enterprise didn't mind, and fulfilled an urge to remove her hat and set it on her lap with the excuse that she didn't want it flying away when that had never been a danger before. She leaned her head further back, closing her eyes, and focused on the air caressing her face and hair.
She just needed to relax. Clear her mind and concentrate on the pleasantries of her surroundings. Just…forget.
Belfast proved considerate, the silence holding between them when the Academy came into view. As the Azur Lane base had been a joint construction, a lot of structures in the Royal Navy-centric districts were heavily influenced by the combination of architectural styles that had been introduced throughout their homeland's history. The Academy was one such development, from the arches of the first floor windows and doorway to the marble pillars that supported the overhanging roof, crowned with a short tower. Stone pathways of the courtyard circled the water fountain that bore the signature anchor of Azur Lane.
Another display of Royal Navy elegance, Enterprise wryly commented. Honestly, she was used to it at this point. However, her lids just happened to close over her eyes again and stay long enough for her to miss the sight of the sakura tree branches hanging over the road.
Yes, this was an Azur Lane base with the aesthetics borrowed from all the allied nations. Present and past.
Belfast parked the car at the base of the stairs and Enterprise didn't wait for her to open the passenger seat for her, getting out herself. Her pride would never allow that. She put her cap back on, unconsciously centering it so that the Eagle Union emblem lined up perfectly with her nose, and by the time she was done Belfast had retaken her place on her right for them to make the trek up the stairs together.
Enterprise had frequented the Academy during her time here so, again, she was used to the decorated interiors of what should be a military school and command center for living warships. The carpets that shared the red coloring of the hanging banners with their gold trimming, wall-mounted lights and chandeliers with their fake candles and flame-shaped bulbs, and the epidemic of mantles and pedestals in the halls that were devoted to the artistic obsessions of the Royal Navy - from the rose-filled vases to other decorative artwork. This was in direct defiance to the nearby Eagle Union-styled dormitory that possessed walls of duller blue and brown, nearly barren of decorations.
The stairs that would bring them to the third floor were flanked by a pair of brass replicas of the crowned lion. Enterprise looked back at them over her shoulder while ascending, was feeling good enough at this point that she was inspired to make a comment about it to Belfast but was interrupted when she nearly bumped into someone upon reaching the top.
"Sorry," she was already apologizing before properly addressing her.
The other girl was already peeking around her shoulder. "No, no nee-"
They both froze.
The girl she nearly bumped into wasn't Royal Navy or Eagle Union. The garments she wore mainly consisted of a white kimono, undone, which fully exposed the short, one-piece dress of crimson that accentuated her long legs and cleavage although there was never a sensual air about her as she had always carried herself like it was simply the most fitting attire to wear in battle. Her long brown hair was done up with a red bow that hung it off to the side, short red and white streamers hanging from the flowery ornament at the center. She matched Enterprise in height so she saw how orbs of amber had become wide with disbelief.
She was the second ship of the Shoukaku-class of aircraft carriers: Zuikaku of Sakura Empire's Fifth Carrier Division.
"My oh my." Shoukaku leaned into view, mirroring her sister's surprise but the hand she had over her mouth seemed so exaggerated to the point of being comical. "I didn't think we'd be meeting you here. We were led to believe that you were currently off base."
Belfast came forward, her expression impeccably cordial. "Enterprise had only recently returned and we're currently on our way to an appointment with Wales."
Shoukaku clapped her hands together. "What a coincidence! We've just finished some discussions with Wales as well. Aren't we lucky for this encounter, Zuikaku?"
During the exchange, Enterprise had witnessed Zuikaku, still in her state of shock, reach down and blindly grab for something at her hip only to come up empty. Doubtlessly, the sword that would usually be there had been left behind with her ship. The action did restore her senses and she locked her arms to her sides, fists clenched, with the only weapon she could bare at Enterprise being a wordless but intense glare.
Shoukaku slipped her arm around Zuikaku's and shared a pleasant smile. "Well, we wouldn't want to keep you for too long. We have our own report to make, after all."
"I pray that everything had proven to be productive." Belfast set her palm over her heart. "It's with utmost sincerity that I say that I would love nothing more than to see the bonds between Azur Lane and Sakura Empire forged anew. If negotiations continue to be fruitful, perhaps we can schedule an afternoon for tea the next time you and your sister are around."
"I will keep that generous offer in mind. Until next time, Belfast. Enterprise."
Enterprise hadn't moved, not even to Zuikaku's hostile gesture. When Shoukaku guided Zuikaku to the stairs with Belfast moving aside to let them pass, Enterprise was left staring at the empty space where the younger sister had been standing.
Their shoulders nearly touched upon passing, and in that moment Zuikaku leaned over and hissed, "Grey Ghost."
The hostility behind the name was injected harshly and spread swiftly, Enterprise smothering a gasp at the intensity that locked up her muscles while the vital organ beneath her breast skipped several beats and couldn't return to the steady rhythm that it was meant to follow, the resultant palpitations uncomfortable. Enterprise killed the impulse of wanting to touch and settle the area, but in exchange the appendage that she denied action from began to tremble. That she closed into a fist and tucked it within the folds of her overcoat.
Her awareness must've closed off significantly because the touch that came at her arm snapped her back to reality, the red and gold of the Academy hallway rematerializing. A warmth pulsed from the familiar hand – gloved, with the thin sheet of metal that curled around the palm -, and Enterprise felt her arm relax. Quick enough, she hoped, so that Belfast hadn't noticed the trembling.
When she was able to look at the maid, it was to see the concern on her face. "Enterprise, are you okay?"
How she said her name hinted to how she must've spoken it once, maybe twice, before and had gone unanswered. Enterprise acted on a sudden suspicion to look towards the stairs and saw Zuikaku and Shoukaku nowhere in sight – not just at the stairs but in the building.
"Enterprise?"
"Sorry," Enterprise apologized as she rounded back. "I was surprised." She had regained enough control to expect Belfast's doubt and preemptively maneuver around it with, "What were they doing here?"
She wasn't completely successful, but it was enough. That, and she did want to know why two of Sakura Empire's most formidable warships were here.
Belfast, thankfully, obliged her, although her worry remained visible. "Shoukaku and Zuikaku are acting as representatives for the Sakura Empire."
Enterprise blinked, confused. "Representatives?"
"Yes. You must've known about the ceasefire before you left."
Enterprise nodded slowly. She had known about the ceasefire and the reopening of communications. It had been one of the few needed breaks that came after the previous madness along with the order for her to return home for some leave.
"Well," Belfast went on, "not long after, it was decided by both Azur Lane and Sakura Empire that direct dialogue could be exchanged. It's still too early to tell, but we're hoping that this may be the steppingstone to peace. In the very best-case scenario, they may rejoin Azur Lane."
Enterprise heard them but was having problems digesting them. Peace? Rejoin? They bounced off her and fell flat.
Belfast's brows knitted together with worry. "Wales has been speaking with them and deliberating with the others. If you want, she can tell you more…"
Right, Wales. Whether she really intended to ask or not, Enterprise forced herself to focus on the meeting that she hadn't been looking forward to previously. She stiffly marched down the hall.
Behind her there was a period of silence before she heard the click of Belfast's heels following after her.
Wales's office wasn't far off from the stairs, and it was decorated much like the rest of the Academy. The difference was how the administrator of the Academy and overall commander of the base had managed to – in Enterprise's point of view – cramp up her office with the numerous tables, couches, and chairs that had been set with the express purpose of turning a meeting into an impromptu tea party when needed. 'When needed' typically being all the time and the immaculate cleanliness it always kept with each visit despite them spoke a great deal about the prowess of the Maid Corps. This was on top of the wide desk that dominated one side of the office with the line of bookshelves that went along the entire wall. The dazzling gold embroidery had dissuaded Enterprise from taking a closer look at the titles, but she assumed that the pages contained within the thick binders covered subjects ranging from classical literature and poetry to military histories and autobiographies of war heroes and rulers of the Royal Navy's past.
Prince of Wales was someone who was taken straight out of the pages, her uniform alone resembling, Enterprise guessed, the royal guards of that past although she wasn't educated enough to know a specific source. But the cape connected to her red uniform with the golden chain and the saber alone – currently in its scabbard, mounted on a wall – transmitted royal and martial status in equally resounding volumes.
Their interactions didn't extend much further than their briefings and shared battles, but Enterprise felt she could relate a lot to Wales. As grand as her appearance was, she felt an instinctive respect towards the uniform and appreciated how dutiful and serious Wales always conducted herself on and off the battlefield. When she mentioned such an opinion to Belfast, the head maid had coyly alluded to there being a hidden side of Wales that some shipgirls – in and out of the Royal Navy – had gotten informally familiar with but Enterprise had never seen it and wondered why Belfast had put that bit of emphasis on informally.
Whatever the case, her opinion remained of Wales being a highly competent commander worthy of her station. She had been standing in front of a window that framed a respectable view of the courtyard and the docks beyond when the two entered, and the smooth about-face that she performed to accept them didn't break her steel-spined posture or ruffle her short blonde hair in the least. If she saluted, Enterprise suspected she would've responded without a second thought, but instead she presented a benign quirk of her lips.
"Enterprise, Belfast," she greeted each in order. "Glad you could make it." She focused on the former. "Especially you, Enterprise. I do apologize for requesting you so soon after you arrived."
"Unnecessary," Enterprise instinctively responded, Wales's demeanor stoking her own instilled obedience. "But appreciated."
Wales's smile marginally lengthened before she gestured towards one of the assembled chairs. "Please, take a seat."
While Belfast broke away from her side, Enterprise took a seat and was already prepared for the cushion to sink beneath her weight. She didn't understand the vintage style, the chair too short that she had to shift her legs in a tilt to get comfortable and the back being too far back that she had no choice but to sit with a spine as straight as Wales as any other position would seem too sloven.
Wales never seemed to have a problem, seating herself with legs crossed. "Could I interest you in anything? Tea? Coffee?"
Enterprise was about to refuse but a strong aroma wafting to her nose heralded the cup of coffee that was positioned in front of her face. She followed the arm that held it up until she met eyes with Belfast who had a smile with a particular quirk that Enterprise recognized as having been prevalent during the beginning of their relationship. It was a smile that wasn't going to take no for an answer.
She wisely took the cup and knew to take a sip otherwise Belfast would keep that smile leveled at her until she did. While the maid took her proper position standing at her side, Enterprise inwardly decided that coffee was what she needed after all.
"I do have a blend of green tea for today if you want something different," Wales said. "A unique addition for some guests I entertained earlier."
Enterprise hid a grimace behind her cup.
"Yes, we met," Belfast took over with her unwavering tone and smile. "Zuikaku and Shoukaku, correct?"
Minute hesitance stilled Wales's countenance and Enterprise picked up the swift glance that followed between her and Belfast. "Yes. I had been expecting them earlier in the day…"
Enterprise detected the apology being woven in. "It's fine," she lied.
"A short exchange of words," Belfast clarified. "And prospects of a friendly arrangement in the future if the talks are going well."
"I see." Wales was good, but not that good to completely mask the uncertainty of how she should translate the situation. In the end, she braved through it with some enthusiasm. "They've only recently begun but I do consider the appointment of those two as representatives to be a very promising start. They're still relatively young and I suspect that was why they were chosen. Spirited, but unlike their elders they haven't become entrenched in their own ideologies which leads them being more open, particularly Shoukaku."
All that the talk was doing was reminding Enterprise of the combative exchange with Zuikaku and, privately, she wished for Wales to move on. To her hidden relief, she did.
"But they're not why I asked you here." There was a multi-tiered serving tray on the table with a selection of small cakes and other sweets. Rather than them, Wales aimed for some vegetables that were a tier lower – specifically, the sliced cucumbers that already had a healthy portion consumed previously. "At least not just them as I would like to inform you about the Sakura Empire ceasefire."
The signs were pretty obvious, but Enterprise wanted to be sure. "It's holding?"
"Yes. As you saw, representatives have been sent for dialogue. Although there is some discord within certain circles of the Sakura Empire, none have acted out against Nagato's declaration. Most of their forces had been called back to the home port. We are still sending out active patrols just in case but there hasn't been a single skirmish between Azur Lane and the Sakura Empire since the ceasefire began."
That did ease some of Enterprise's worries, enough for her to get a little enjoyment from her second sip of coffee. However, there was the brush of anxiety when she thought of their second most concerning threat. "What about the Sirens?"
"The threat level has been lowered significantly, too," Wales answered. "Small exchanges of fire but those encountered so far have been against small groups of mass-production ships with a couple sightings of humanoid types – none of them of high rank. One theory is that they may be drawn to the scattered remnants that had been in the thrall of the Sakura Empire and encountering our patrols in the process." She shrugged. "But none of us can really know what Sirens think, even after all this time."
No, we certainly can't.
Wales spent the following pause to munch on her favored snack before proceeding to the next part of the briefing. "With all things being taken into account, it's expected that Azur Lane will be shifting its focus away from this theater. The brass of our respective factions are still deliberating on how best to proceed, but preparations are being made in advance." She meshed her fingers together, her gaze narrowing upon Enterprise. "And that's where I would like to discuss about your next assignment."
Enterprise set her coffee down, using it to give her time to settle the unease that bubbled before looking at Wales. To the Eagle Union carrier, there was very little variance to the types of assignments that were placed upon her. Most if not all involved her at the front or in a position to be pushing the next offensive. She never wavered, never hesitated, and always answered no matter how many battles she's participated in during the years since this war began.
But as I am now…? She wouldn't refuse, not a chance, but that wasn't going to magically fix whatever was wrong with her. And if she was being sent to fight the Sirens in another theater or perhaps make a move on Iron Blood-
A horrifying realization hit her. She was overlooking something. A new assignment? A new theater? All that implied that she would be leaving here.
No, don't jump to conclusions, she thought, having a need to reassure herself with how the possibility was becoming far more distressing than she expected, and so quickly. If I was being sent back to Eagle Union, why did they let me return here? And Wales is speaking as if I'll still be under her watch so…
"Our base has taken a bit of strain during our conflict with the Sakura Empire," Wales said, reclaiming Enterprise's attention. "Between the attacks that it had weathered, supplying and maintaining the fleets that had been stationed here, and sheltering the members of other nations, our supplies have been drained. Not in any sort of dangerous amount, mind you, but definitely to an extent that will make it hard to recover from on its self-sufficiency alone. That's why we intend to conduct a supply run to London. Your next assignment is to assist in escorting it."
Enterprise stared at Wales, unsure if she heard right. "A supply run?"
There was a ghost of a grin on the battleship. "Yes. To London."
That didn't break the incredulity that had taken over Enterprise. "Escort duty?"
Wales lifted a hand. "This isn't solely a supply run. Along with supplying the base, we are using this to redeploy and prepare a portion of our forces for the near future. Some of our ships, like Illustrious and Unicorn, will be returning to their previous posts closer to the Atlantic where Iron Blood remains a threat. Others, like our cruisers, will be undergoing refits to better equip them against Iron Blood. Sheffield and Belfast will be the first, and the blueprints that will be delivered here will be used to refit the rest."
Enterprise turned at that to see Belfast watching her out of the corner of her eye. The maid performed a slight tilting of her head, a short grin blossoming.
So she wasn't going back to the front yet. More time for Enterprise to fix what was wrong with her, which she was happy about. And knowing that this included Belfast being with her for a bit longer was an added reprieve that she was equally happy for.
Maybe even happier, going by the pleasant lifting sensation she felt within her chest.
Still… She switched back to Wales. "While I won't refuse, isn't my participation a bit much?"
If she was honest with herself, she'd rather accept the assignment and carry it out. But her habit of thinking of the bigger picture – of when and where her power could be best served – wasn't letting her accept this so easily. With their struggle with the Sirens and now the Crimson Axis, there was always another battle that needed to be undertaken. Another victory that needed to be won. It was something Enterprise always considered and, no matter how much of a burden it may become, she would always go out for the sake of humanity and her fellow shipgirls.
No matter her state, she would never forgive herself if she missed a battle she could've intervened in, with casualties she could've prevented.
Wales's features smoothed, back to business. "Actually, I think your participation would go a long way." She forestalled the inquiry that she must've seen coming. "Let me explain. There is a third objective to this run: an open show of force and unity against not only Iron Blood but other potential foes."
Enterprise frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Exactly as I meant it. The division of Azur Lane has sent ripples across the globe, and we can't be sure if it'll stop with Iron Blood and Sakura Empire. Whether they're being turned more to their own ideologies, or they only saw Azur Lane as an alliance of convenience, there are factions that may see this rebellion as an opportunity for their own gains. Sardegna Empire had been more vocal about this, but we have other concerns with North Parliament being a prime one."
It was a situation that Enterprise was aware of but didn't want to dwell on previously due to the distressing nature of more infighting even when the Sirens remained a threat to all of them. She knew of the Sardegna Empire and of their obvious intentions to align with the Crimson Axis, but even within Eagle Union that particular faction was hardly ever perceived as a threat. Really, more of a joke and she had gotten the same impression from the Royal Navy girls who expressed either humor or outright pity whenever Sardegna was brought up given their closer proximity to it.
Not so much in the case of Northern Parliament where the threat was more credible, and the tone of the Royal Navy was markedly different. While it was supplied in accordance with its official status as a member of Azur Lane, its cooperation was surprisingly limited. Northern Parliament kept to itself, practically shunning any other aid. Even Enterprise, with her lengthy career and battle record, couldn't recall ever having the opportunity to work with the shipgirls who hailed from it.
But betrayal? The thought influenced the dark emotions that had become present since the formation of the Crimson Axis and Enterprise didn't want to believe that more of their numbers were seriously considering it. "Would they really turn on us, too?"
To her credit, Wales appeared just as disturbed. "Nothing concrete, at least not for Northern Parliament, but there are voices in the Royal Navy that believe it to be more than a possibility."
Enterprise couldn't prevent the slump of her shoulders. Why? The Sirens, a common and dangerous threat, was right in front of them and yet the guns of allies were turning on each other. Couldn't they see the folly in it? Especially with what happened with the Sakura Empire… A chill ran down her back.
That familiar hand returned, falling on and squeezing her shoulder gently. This time, when Enterprise looked up, it was to find Belfast's more somber but encouraging smile.
"This is why we're doing this," she said. "To provide a proud and noble example for those who may be losing their way in these troubling times. Reminding them of the elegance that we had and what we can have again."
It was a line that Enterprise remembered her speaking once before. Back then, she hadn't been sure on how to take it. This time, she admitted to feeling heartened by it.
"Rightly said," Wales complimented, appreciating the wisdom as well. "This is a good opportunity. The Sakura Empire has come to know firsthand what it means in working with Sirens and their technology. Maybe Iron Blood will take that lesson to heart as well." Unfortunately, Wales didn't seem to believe in that opinion much. "That's likely too optimistic if I know some of them like Prinz Eugen well enough, but if it gets others thinking then that's a start. Right now, after all that has happened, our allies and those with wavering confidence could use this display to show that Azur Lane remains strong and our principles to be righteous in the face of the Sirens."
Put in that light, it was difficult for Enterprise to have any reservations about her participation in a supply run if it could mean so much. A part of her was still skeptical to the point of considering it a bit naïve for a supply run to be able to do as much as Wales was hoping, but she was choosing to have faith in it.
"When is it scheduled?" she asked.
The pleased look that Wales had made it clear that she was choosing to take the question as her acceptance. "Even with the time to select other Eagle Union ships, it could be as early as tomorrow. However, during my meeting with Zuikaku and Shoukaku, I extended them an invitation to contribute with a small show of Sakura Empire cooperation."
Enterprise snapped her head up. "What?"
Wales didn't seem to catch on to the reversal of her mood. "Nothing considerable - a couple destroyers that came with them and would be watched over by Ayanami. They assured me that they would pass on the invitation to Nagato and see what she said."
"Is that wise?" The words were out there before Enterprise could stop herself. She saw Wales blink and knew that Belfast had to be looking at her.
"What do you mean?" Wales asked.
Enterprise needed a moment as she wasn't quite sure what she meant either. She carefully chose her next words. "I heard there's hope for Sakura Empire to rejoin Azur Lane."
Wales studied her, unsure of what to think about the change that she was catching on to. "That is a goal I would like to achieve, but we're speaking long-term. Short-term, I would at least like to establish a more lasting peace between our factions. Maybe restore trade. The Sakura Empire had always been more dependent on it in the past and could become a good building block for a proper pact between us."
Enterprise frowned, a mixture of emotions she was having trouble identifying stirring within her. The Sakura Empire rejoining Azur Lane?
She had been relieved when the ceasefire had been brokered between Azur Lane and Sakura Empire and had been glad to hear the hostilities winding further down. Reviewing the discussion up to this point, it occurred to Enterprise that Wales and Belfast had been speaking with the underlying prospect to one day reunite with Sakura Empire and, at some point in time, Iron Blood.
"Iron Blood and Sakura Empire. But no longer."
She had said those exact words to Belfast when it came to members of Azur Lane supporting each other. Sakura Empire and Iron Blood had become exempt as soon as they made their declarations of war and attacked them with weapons and motives influenced by the Sirens. Enterprise was glad that they were no longer fighting the Sakura Empire, but to entertain the idea of them being allowed to rejoin the comrades they betrayed…
She placed her hands on her lap and found her nails beginning to dig into her thighs. "Is that the right thing to do?"
Again Wales gave her a long, unblinking stare. "I'm not sure what you mean, or what you're suggesting."
Enterprise did not elaborate, zoning out with her own deliberations. Vaguely she took note of Wales looking to Belfast for something, but Enterprise couldn't see what the cruiser was giving her in return. Eventually, Wales refaced her.
"If this is about Zuikaku and Shoukaku, they've been nothing but cooperative," she assured her. "Considering what I've learned so far, those two were suspicious and outright opposed to the plans of the First Carrier Division. They've become the strongest voices against the Sakura Empire ever using Siren tech again."
Would they stop, though? The rebellion of Crimson Axis was all about their belief in Siren technology being the key to victory to the point of attacking their former allies. More and more the rigs of Iron Blood's shipgirls were taking on the shape of the monstrous rigs of the Sirens and the Sakura Empire had recently been content to have their ships sailing side-by-side with those of the mass-production ships rather than the comrades they once fought together with.
They had also placed their hopes on that abomination of a warship, the mere thought of it turning Enterprise's blood cold.
There had been Ayanami and Akashi; members who had been aghast at the actions of their seniors. There were probably others, too. Maybe Wales was right about the Shoukaku sisters. But she also mentioned there being discord amongst the ranks, and when it came down to it, it was the Sakura Empire as a whole that had chosen to follow the whims of the First Carrier Division.
Enterprise said as much, looking at and through Wales. "They were the ones that broke from the alliance. They attacked us."
Now it was the caped battleship who appeared to be taking care in selecting her next words. "It was an action primarily influenced by Akagi and Kaga. An action that Nagato deeply regrets in being persuaded into taking."
That didn't make her feel any better. In fact, it did the opposite, offence roiling as she saw Wales's explanation as an excuse for something that was inexcusable. "But they did it all the same. They turned their guns on us. They were working with the Sirens."
"Akagi and Kaga were the ones working directly with the Sirens," Wales specified steadily. "According to the early reports between Akashi, Ayanami, and our agents in the Maid Corps which was then later substantiated with Nagato and many other members of Sakura Empire, it could be concluded that those two were the only ones who were working directly with the Sirens. Had they known, they never would've undertaken Orochi in the first place."
That name had a similarly powerful effect on Enterprise. Dread froze the pit of her stomach, the picture of the green eyes of the hideous head of that vessel windows of the true terrors that made up its will motivating an icy claw to extend and scrape further within her insides.
She tried to force that feeling down, fighting against it, and at the same time forced herself to fight against Wales's excuses. "They still used that thing."
"No, Enterprise." Wales had lifted her hands in a placating manner, her strict poise cracking with increasing distress. "That was Kaga's doing. Nagato had ordered the project to be stopped and they pursued it, too. You were there-" She jumped when Enterprise slammed her fist into the table separating them.
"They built that thing!" Enterprise snarled out those words, probably would've screamed them outright if it wasn't for the struggle that was occurring within her between the paralyzing terror of that floating evil and the rage that she felt at the gross rationalization of how that thing came to be. The struggle extended to her current position: leaning over the table, bent over with both hands scratching into the wood. "Iron Blood and Sakura Empire both want to use Siren tech! That's the reason for this split and why they attacked their own! Are we just going to assume they'll stop after seeing what they were willing to do? That they won't build more of that…that…!"
"Enterprise!" Hands grabbed her shoulders from behind and pulled her back.
The intervention had the back of the carrier's legs hitting the edge of her chair and falling into it, the front legs tipping and nearly falling over, but they slammed back down a moment later. The grip that held her shifted accordingly, restraining but also steadying her.
It was the first time ever that Enterprise saw Belfast appear frightened. The sight she beheld was of her infallible composure stripped away, hanging over her with blue eyes wide and the grip she had on her tight. She was not afraid of Enterprise or what she may do. No, she was afraid for her.
Energy drained away from Enterprise instantly. Her body slackened, nearly limp, and all she could do was stare, transfixed, at Belfast. She noted Wales at her peripheral, able to see enough of how astonished she was past the knocked over coffee cup and serving plate on the table.
Shame enveloped her. Enterprise turned away, unwilling to look at either of them.
"I'm…sorry," she spoke quietly. Her breathing was labored and a throbbing headache had her pressing a hand against the side of her head, tipping up her cap unevenly in the process as she winced. She hadn't struck anything, the pounding resonating beneath her skull "I just…"
She just wanted to forget.
Belfast's grip loosened and then fell away entirely before she straightened. She remained standing over Enterprise, her position and frightened look lessening to worry, implying she was ready to help again whenever, but it was doing little to ease this immense sense of shame.
"Enterprise, could you wait in the hall?"
Wales's request was gentle, not sharp with any criticism that she would've had the right to use, but like with Belfast it didn't make Enterprise feel any better. It made her feel worse. She obeyed regardless, standing up and lowering her hand despite her weakened knees, choosing to brave the throbbing that was now a dull ache. She tried but was unable to meet the eye of either Belfast or Wales, and in the end gave them both a wordless nod before turning and walking out the door.
"Had Enterprise ever mentioned anything about Orochi to you?"
Belfast pulled her gaze away from the closed door and directed it towards Wales to see the battleship's chin resting atop laced fingers, pondering. In front of her, the coffee that Enterprise had inadvertently spilled along with the assortment of confections was dripping from the table and staining the rug. Neither of the Royal Navy girls were paying attention to it.
"No," Belfast answered, hiding how the name of that ship unnerved her. "We still only have ideas of what the Sirens wished to pursue with it, but if you're asking what Enterprise had experienced when they attempted to merge her with it, she never said a word."
Not that there had been the chance. Everyone had been sent reeling after the battle; Azur Lane, Sakura Empire, and who knew what Prinz Eugen was regaling to the command hierarchy of Iron Blood about the events. But there was no possible way that anyone else had become more seriously affected than Enterprise.
There had been debriefs, tests, and Belfast had been at her side throughout them all. And throughout that entire process, Enterprise had stared off into nowhere. She ate when food was put in her hand, drank when given a cup, and she answered questions with short, emotionless responses, but it was clear that her mind had gone off somewhere with no one knowing where, least of all Belfast.
Diagnostics performed on her had come up clear of Siren influence – a result that had matched the previous ones made before, even when it later became obvious as to how long Orochi had been communicating with her.
The only treatment that they could come up with was to send her back to Eagle Union. Get her away from the Sakura Empire, the Sirens – everything. It was hoped that surrounding her with the familiar comforts of her home nation and her retired sister would work to restore her. By then, Enterprise had shown signs of recovery to the point of being deemed as stable enough to make the voyage home accompanied by a destroyer escort that 'coincidentally' happened to have their rotation date coming up.
"She almost seemed normal," Wales said. "Diminished, maybe, but nothing like the shadow she was when I last saw her. I was surprised."
Belfast thought back to when Enterprise had disembarked onto the docks and gave her that weak but present smile. "So was I."
Wales studied her curiously. "Did everything really go fine between her and our representatives?"
Belfast was all too aware of how much her frown pulled at her cheeks. "Shoukaku kept it civil, but Zuikaku had made a remark that unnerved her."
"I wasn't lying before; the meeting was supposed to have been done earlier."
"I know. I'm not blaming you, Wales." That serious personality of Wales, Belfast knew, went well with her line of work, but she had a nasty habit of letting failures – including the most minor of blunders – affect her more than they should whether they had been within her control or not. The Royal Navy's head maid was one of the very few people who were allowed to see it.
Wales did seem to take a bit of solace in that before trouble clouded her face. "Do you think she hates the Sakura Empire?"
Belfast paused, thinking, but eventually shook her head. "I don't think so, but it's clear that on some level she has linked them as a factor to her trauma." This time, her tone was laced with accusation. "Justified, of course. No matter the circumstances or who was truly to blame, they hold a share of responsibility for Orochi."
The cruiser did not like to think about that travesty of a warship. As blessedly short as its existence was, it had nonetheless established itself as the antithesis of the elegance that she upheld and, thus, it was the only thing that Belfast could say that she absolutely despised.
And never had she been more infuriated in her life than whenever she thought about how that thing had wanted to claim Enterprise as its key to its own perverted destiny.
"I shouldn't have mentioned the arrangement to Enterprise." Wales was rubbing her temples. "I probably shouldn't have offered the invitation to Zuikaku and Shoukaku in the first place, but the two seem genuinely receptive and I figured with Ayanami taking part-"
"Don't try to make up for my lack of blame with your own," Belfast chided her genially. "To seek the beauty amidst the adversity is a worthy endeavor, and I believe that you are on the right path to that." She sighed. "I hope to accomplish the same with Enterprise."
"If I wasn't already on board, I am now." Wales sat up and gestured Belfast towards the door. "I want to talk to her again, but I think it's best to leave that for tomorrow. Go. I'll summon someone else to take care of the mess here. Make sure she gets proper food and rest." Her brows lifted in sudden remembrance. "Oh, one more thing."
Belfast stopped with her hand shy of touching the door's handle. "Yes?"
Wales smiled awkwardly. "Just a word of warning: George may have caught wind of what's going on during my last exchange of messages with the home port. I don't know how much she knows but…well, you know my sister."
That Belfast did and she considered whether the possibility of one of the Royal Navy's most charismatic leaders becoming involved was a good or bad thing. The answer, she decided, would not reveal itself until they were in London. With nothing else left to discuss, she left the room to rejoin Enterprise.
She felt guilty, especially now, with Enterprise having been left outside while she and Wales were discussing her. It was with the best of intentions, but Belfast could not escape the feeling of how much she was going behind Enterprise's back. That was until she saw the carrier again.
Enterprise had her back leaning against the wall nearby, arms crossed and staring ahead, zoned out. When she did not register Belfast when she closed the door behind her, the cruiser made her steps louder than normal to catch her attention while approaching her.
Diminished did not fully describe what she saw. Enterprise had her arms tighter than what should be normal, her head lower than usual. It made her coat appear larger, as if half a size too big for her, and her cap fell further over her eyes.
Her armor had been shattered. Belfast had known this after Orochi and she was seeing for herself how Enterprise's time in recovery had been little else than her trying to pick up what fragments she could and pressing them together over her vulnerable interior. The desperate grip she had on those pieces was inadequate to the welding that once held them together, the gaps too many and the serrated edges cutting as much into her as they would to those who got too close.
It was such poor protection, as dangerous to herself as it was to others, and Belfast saw the results of it when Enterprise did deign to look at her. The pain, shame, and vulnerability that were plain to see, now that the façade that Belfast witnessed at the docks was gone.
"Wales would like to speak with you again tomorrow," Belfast told her. "After you had some food and sleep."
She may as well have wounded Enterprise by mentioning the battleship's name and reminding her about her outburst – something she desperately wanted to forget along with so many other memories. She pushed herself off the wall, putting a shoulder between her and Belfast.
"I was getting hungry, anyway," Enterprise said and walked away.
Belfast waited for some space to be made between them before following her.
This was for the best. The outcome that Belfast had feared had come to pass, but it was not the tragedy that it could've been. Enterprise was damaged but alive. She believed herself weak, but Belfast would support her. She would strengthen her spirit, help her find value in herself and in life again, until the day finally came when Enterprise would be able to let go of those bloody pieces she clung to.
And in the process, Belfast believed that she would witness something truly beautiful.