Intrepid awoke to the sounds of screams coming from the harbor. Jumping to her feet, she ran out onto her flight deck to get a better view of the port. Once again, a scream pierced the air. Intrepid narrowed it down to a single corner of the port where two ships were now sitting, anchored right outside the drydock next to the Matrix.

Intrepid took off running towards the pair of vessels, hearing the screams devolve into wailing and crying. Intrepid had been woken up like this before. The sounds of a woman screaming as a result of night terrors. A cruel happenstance of being unable to immediately tell imagination from reality.

Arriving at the two vessels, Intrepid read the names as she had always done.

"Houston."

"Repulse."

Intrepid whispered the names as she heard the cries begin to subside. Intrepid could just barely see the pink hair of the American Heavy Cruiser over the side of her railing.

"Houston? Is everything alright?" Intrepid called as she climbed the gangway to the main deck of the cruiser.

Intrepid found Houston curled into a ball, rocking back and forth, sobbing quietly. Intrepid sighed softly. The carrier walked over to Houston and sat down next to her.

"Is it the nightmares again?" Intrepid asked softly as she rubbed Houston's back.

The pink haired cruiser nodded silently.

"Is it safe to assume Repulse is also dealing with something similar?" Intrepid asked. Unsurprisingly, Houston nodded. Intrepid activated a part of her rigging to access her radio.

"Carolina. Come in please." Intrepid called softly.

"What's up, Intrepid?" North Carolina asked.

"I need you to go check up on Repulse. I'm here with Houston but she is saying that Repulse might need help too." Intrepid said.

"Already on my way… if these two are like this… I wonder what Prince of Wales and Indy are going through… being stuck back in New Guinea." North Carolina spoke.

With a sigh, Intrepid imagined the possibility of the two heavily armed and armored warships dealing with something similar.

"We will deal with it. Thank you, North Carolina." Intrepid said as she cut off the radio. Turning her attention back to Houston, Intrepid continued to rub the back of the Heavy cruiser.

"Houston? What are these nightmares about? Anything you tell me can help." Intrepid spoke softly.

"He killed us… MacArthur… He… ordered us to die to save his men. I can still hear it… Indy crying out as she was shot in the abdomen trying to cover MacArthur's command tank. Wales being cut down relentlessly by an Oceana and her minions as she bought time for the artillery crews to stow ammunition. And Repulse… she died quietly as the last men fled the scene… She had been hit in the neck, tearing away her vocal cords… the sound of her choking on her own blood… it was the last thing I heard… before I went down too. Now… I relive those moments every time I close my eyes… I just can't take it anymore!" Houston cried as she tried to stand, only to be held fast by Intrepid.

"Shh… calm down. It's going to be okay. We are here for you." Intrepid said as she rubbed Houston's pink hair. Intrepid then adjusted her rigging to use the radio tower built in the middle of the port.

"Rodney, come in please." Intrepid spoke.

"Intrepid? It's seven in the morning… Why the morning wakeup call?" Rodney asked sleepily.

"I need advice…" Intrepid spoke.

"Advice? Alright… lay it on me. I'll do my best to try to help." Rodney spoke as Intrepid heard the sounds of a horn in the background.

"Sounds like you're busy… do you have time?" Intrepid asked.

"Of course I do. Triomphant is transporting Eli and some of his people to Niue to resettle the island… and hopefully help Akagi." Rodney spoke.

"So, you have your hands full too, huh?" Intrepid asked.

"With Akagi? Yes… Poor woman is broken. She has spent the past month or so pacing the island as if she were a lost puppy. She can't seem to rationalize the death of her husband." Rodney spoke.

"I see… I'm dealing with a bit of a conundrum myself. The girls that Admiral wished to be revived… Houston, Indianapolis, Prince of Wales, and Repulse… All four of them are suffering from debilitating nightmares from their final moments under MacArthur's command." Intrepid spoke.

"I see… while some of them may be from my faction… I am not well versed in the ways of psychology. I fear I may be unable to help in any meaningful way. Repulse always took pride in her marksmanship and was happy-go-lucky. Never a sour bone in that girl's body. Wales… she was always a kind soul. Duty bound but willing to use her status to bend rules in lieu of the greater good. I can only imagine how they are taking it now. If Akagi is any indication…" Rodney lamented.

"Bremerton would be a good call then." Intrepid said.

"Bremerton? The Heavy Cruiser of the Baltimore class?" Rodney asked.

"That's the one. I think I'm going to call Prince of Wales and Indy back from New Guinea. I'll put in a request to pull Bremerton and a few ships to watch over New Guinea for the Admiral." Intrepid said.

"I would say that would be the best course of action If she can help." Rodney spoke as Intrepid nodded.

"Well… sorry to bother you. Thank you for your time." Intrepid said as Rodney cut the line.

Intrepid turned back to Houston, whose labored breathing was apparent as Intrepid noticed she had fallen asleep again. The dark bags under her eyes indicated it wasn't by choice.

With a sigh, Intrepid focused on switching the channel to contact the relay point in New Guinea. The signal then reached out towards the Philippines.

"Admiral. Admiral Isaac Garner, this is Intrepid. Please respond." Intrepid tried, being quiet to not disturb Houston.

"Intrepid, this is Acting Commander Perkins, standing in for Admiral Garner. What can I do for you?" Perkins asked.

"Commander… we have a situation down here in Fiji and New Guinea. The girls that Admiral Garner requested be revived are suffering from debilitating Nightmares. I am afraid for their wellbeing." Intrepid spoke.

"Ah, damn it! I knew I had forgotten to mention something. I noticed the same thing happening with Prince of Wales and Indianapolis when Iowa and I were in New Guinea. Whatever you need, let me know. The Admiral has given me and Norfolk joint command of the fleet until his return." Perkins spoke.

"Excellent. I was wondering if you could spare Bremerton and a few vessels to watch New Guinea. I plan on withdrawing Wales and Indy here to Fiji to get them away from their own gravesite." Intrepid spoke.

"I see. Well… I can spare a few. Bremerton, Graf Zeppelin, Otto, and Australia. We can't spare too much; everyone has a part to play here in the main fleet." Perkins explained.

"Any help we can get will help. Thank you, Commander." Intrepid spoke as the line went to static.

"Good… at least we're getting some help." Intrepid whispered as she picked up Houston and carried her to her quarters.

"Bremerton, Australia, Graf Zeppelin and Otto, please report to the Norfolk posthaste." Perkins spoke on the fleetwide radio.

Several minutes later the individuals called entered the bridge.

"Commander." Australia spoke cheerfully.

"Hello everyone. I have received a request for aid down in Fiji. Apparently, the girls Isaac wanted revived after MacArthur's terrible handling have developed debilitating nightmares and an inability to remain on post to perform their duties. For that reason, Bremerton is needed to head south to Fiji. As for Graf and Australia… you two will need to head to New Guinea to take the place of Indianapolis and Prince of Wales, who are being recalled to Fiji for treatment. Otto… I assume you and Laura would not like to be removed from Graf's vessel for her to perform her duty… so I am making the call to send you two with her to help keep New Guinea safe. Also… it takes you and your daughter off the front line. This is no place for a child like Laura." Perkins spoke.

"I understand, young man. I wouldn't mind being away from the battle for a bit. What do you say, dear? Fancy a vacation to the beaches of New Guinea?" Otto asked as he turned to Graf, who was holding a sleeping Laura.

"It doesn't matter to me. I go where I am needed." Graf spoke as she rubbed Laura's back.

"It'll be nice to let Laura be a little girl for once." Graf spoke softly.

"Agreed." Otto said as they turned to Australia, who was welling tears in her eyes.

"Do I have to go back? I didn't do anything wrong did I?" Australia asked softly.

"Not at all. Why would you think that?" Perkins asked.

"They scrapped me due to the London naval treaty. Any time I'm not fighting, I feel lost… unwanted. I want to keep fighting! I refuse these orders! Even if you court martial me!" Australia cried.

Perkins was taken aback.

"We need a battleship to keep peace down in New Guinea, Australia. You're our best option." Perkins tried.

"Send the cats! I'm not going!" Australia yelled.

"The cats? Fusou and Yamashiro?" Perkins asked.

"They can go and keep peace. I refuse to sit around and wait to be scuttled again. I'll die a million times in battle before I let someone leave me to rot away again." Australia ground out. The mere thought of her being forced to sit out again stoked a rage that she had kept hidden.

Perkins thought about it for a moment.

"So be it. I'll send them in your place. However, this will be noted for the Admiral upon his return." Perkins spoke.

"So be it. I'll deal with the consequences. But I'll be damned if I let you send me to rot on guard duty." Australia said as she stormed off the bridge.