"What's wrong, John? What can't you tell me?" Shoukaku thought as she watched her husband fill out reports. Ever since this morning, he clearly had not been himself; he seemed to be distracted by something, and it was clearly affecting his work. Shoukaku tried to ask John what was wrong, but he replied that he was fine, but she knew this was a lie. The white-crane managed to take a look at the letter that he received earlier while John went for a quick break, but she couldn't see anything that could cause him to act like he was doing right now; it was clearly something else, and Shoukaku knew she had to find out what it was.
"Dammit! Another mistake! Now I need to start again." John said as he finished his report, a report that he had just completed incorrectly. The man then went into a drawer to grab another piece of paper, and he began filling it out again, hoping he would fill it out correctly this time. Meanwhile, Shoukaku was racking her brain, trying to figure out what was causing John to make the mistakes he was making. "If it's not high command coming here causing this…what could it be?" After some thinking, Shoukaku recalled what had happened the previous day. "What a minute! Vestal came here yesterday and said she had something for John to see! I bet that's what's causing this; I need to go see her and get some answers!" Shoukaku knew where she needed to go and who to see, but she had to do it in a way that John wouldn't be suspicious of her.
Looking up at the clock on the wall, Shoukaku could see that it was lunchtime; that was the excuse that she could use to go and see Vestal down in the medical bay. Deciding on her plan of action, the KANSEN spoke to her husband. "John, I'm going to the canteen to get some lunch. Do you want me to get you anything?" Looking up from his paperwork, the commander looked at his wife. "Anything will do, Shoukaku, but there's no need to rush on my account. Take as much time as you need to have what you want, okay?" Shoukaku smiled at John and replied, "Of course, John. I promise to bring you back something good." Shoukaku then left the room, leaving John on his own. She wouldn't be heading to the canteen yet; she would be going to the medical bay first to talk to Vestal and hopefully get some answers from her.
When John was alone, he stopped his paperwork for the time being. With Shoukaku out of the room, this gave the man more of a chance to think of a plan as to how to get Zuikaku META off the base before high command arrived, and how to do it without raising suspicion. "Who can I ask for help?" he thought. "It can't be somebody from the Sakura Empire. They would immediately tell Shoukaku or Zuikaku. No, it has to be somebody from a different faction, somebody who me and Vestal can trust. I don't want to bring Bismarck and the others in from their mission as they are deep enough in this already. Come on, John! Think!" A knock was heard at John's door. This broke his thoughts, and he told whoever it was to come in. The door opened, and in stepped a woman wearing black and white with long blonde hair and wearing a naval cap. She was the leader of the Eagle Union, Enterprise.
"Enterprise, I have never been so happy to see you as much as I have before!" is what John thought; this was the perfect person who could help him with his plan. Enterprise was standing in front of the commander's desk with a dossier. "Commander, here is the report from our joint exercise with the Royal Navy," she said. "If you have any enquiries regarding it, please inform me or Queen Elizabeth, and we would be happy to go through the report with you." Is what Enterprise said to John. She had only come here to drop off the report and was ready to leave, but John stopped her before she could. "Wait, Enterprise," he said. "I have an important job for you that I can only entrust to you. Will you hear me out?" This caught her attention. "Entrust to me? What is so important that he needs me? Normally, his wife would handle his most important business, what is going on, Commander?" Enterprise decided that she would listen to what John had to say. She took a seat on the couch and paid full attention to him. Glad that Enterprise was willing to listen, John took a deep breath before he began explaining everything to Enterprise. He knew this would be a lot for her to take in.
Shoukaku had arrived at the medical bay and began looking for Vestal. While looking around, she noticed that one of the rooms was locked up tight and the blinds were drawn. "What is going on in there? Is that why John can't focus? Is a shipgirl in really bad condition?" is what Shoukaku thought while looking at the room. Footsteps were then heard, and Shoukaku turned her head to see Vestal approaching. When Vestal saw Shoukaku, this nearly put her in a panic. "Oh no! She's the last person who I needed to see! What is Shoukaku doing here!" Vestal said, noticing Shoukaku by the room where Zuikaku META was being treated. "This is bad! She needs to go! Shoukaku can't find out what's behind that door!" Vestal thought to herself, desperately trying to get Shoukaku to leave.
Seeing that Vestal looked like she was about to panic, Shoukaku walked up to her and spoke, "Hello Vestal, are you alright?" Vestal calmed herself down before replying, "I am fine, Shoukaku; are you hurt? Do you need treatment for anything?" Vestal asked Shoukaku, hoping the reason that she came here was that she had a problem that she needed help with. Unfortunately for Vestal, the white-crane came here wanting answers. "No, Vestal," replied Shoukaku, "I am fine. I came here wanting information. My husband hasn't been himself today, and I believe it was because of what you and him discussed yesterday evening. Do you mind telling me what happened?" Vestal wasn't expecting to be confronted like this. She had to think of a reason to explain the commander's behavior that didn't seem suspicious. After some quick thinking, Vestal spoke, "We have an outbreak of an infection here, and the commander doesn't want anyone to get sick. That's why that door is locked. So it's best that you leave. The last thing you want is to pass it on to your daughter, Shoukaku."
While Shoukaku didn't completely buy it, it did explain the locked door. "I don't think she's telling me the truth, but if something is going around, I don't want Tsubaki to catch it," Shoukaku thought to herself. "Very well, Vestal, my apologies, i shall leave you to carry on with your business." Shoukaku said to Vestal. She then began to leave the medical bay. When Shoukaku left, Vestal nearly collapsed to her knees. "That was too close! Way too close!" Vestal exclaimed. Then, she looked at the locked room. "Please wake up soon, Zuikaku META! I want this to be over!" Vestal thought. However, she was unaware of the discussion currently going on in the commander's office between him and her close friend, Enterprise.
When Shoukaku left the medical bay, she decided to head to the canteen to get something for herself and her husband. While the KANSEN wasn't satisfied with what had gone on in the medical bay, she wasn't going to take the risk of making her daughter ill because she wanted answers. Shoukaku would never forgive herself if Tsubaki got seriously sick because of her, even though her daughter was part KANSEN; she was still only a child. When Shoukaku arrived at the canteen, she saw the menu and chose a healthy salad for herself and John. Picking up the salads, she decided to head back to the commander's office to eat with her husband. "I really wish he would tell me what's wrong ," she thought. "Doesn't he see I'm worried and only want to help him?"
When the conversation finished with the commander, Enterprise was in complete shock. "A META! On the base! I can't believe it! And it's his sister-in-law! And now high command is coming here, so we need her gone!" All of this was too much for her to take in. Enterprise knew, however, that Zuikaku META had to be gone from the base before all the high-ranking officers arrived; they couldn't know she was there. John had explained that they would remove Zuikaku META from the base tonight when it was dark. They would take her away somewhere where Vestal could continue her treatment and bring the pair of them back when the officers had left. Enterprise believed she could convince Vestal as she was her close friend. "I'm sorry, Vestal, I know this will be short notice." Enterprise told herself. Once she collected herself, Enterprise got ready to leave and opened the door. Before she left, she turned to the commander and said, "I'll see you tonight, Commander." She then left the room to go and tell her friend what was happening later.
"I'll see you tonight, Commander," Shoukaku had heard Enterprise say before she walked off in the opposite direction. "I'll see you tonight? Is that what I just heard Enterprise say?" Shoukaku couldn't believe what she heard. "Is this why John is acting strange? Is that why he doesn't want to talk to me? Have I completely missed the mark? Is John… cheating on me?" The very thought caused Shoukaku to tear up. She loved the man as much as her sister, he had made her so happy, and to think that he was potentially having an affair with someone, the Grey Ghost of all people, made her want to vomit. She couldn't look at him right now; she decided to get away from his office and try to calm down somewhere that wasn't there.
The white crane ended up on a bench in the base, she was in tears. She couldn't believe that the man who captured her heart was looking for love with somebody else. "Why, John? Why?" she asked. "Was it something I did? Are you bored of me? Am I not pretty enough for you? Why?" were all the thoughts going around in Shoukaku's head. Shoukaku could see why somebody like John would be interested in Enterprise; the KANSEN was loyal, dedicated, a ship with many honors and achievements, and even Shoukaku could admit that Enterprise was unearthly beautiful, far more beautiful than herself. Shoukaku couldn't match up to someone like her, and she knew it. One more thought, however, is what bothered Shoukaku the most: "You don't want us to be a family anymore? Is that it? Have you really grown tired of me and Tsubaki?" The mere idea that John was willing to throw away their precious daughter for someone else is what hurt Shoukaku the most, sending her into tears once more. Shoukaku's crying caught the attention of someone she knew.
"Sis! What's wrong? What happened?" Looking up, Shoukaku could see her sister Zuikaku, who must have finished her training after dropping Tsubaki off at school. John had given Zuikaku the freedom to train how she wanted since she would often drop Tsubaki off at her school; it was a perk that Zuikaku loved, as she wanted to push herself to one day surpass her rival, Enterprise. Seeing her sister Shoukaku got up from the bench she was sitting on and hugged her with all her might. "What is wrong, Shoukaku? What has gotten you so upset?" Zuikaku asked her crying sister. When Shoukaku calmed down, the pair sat down on the bench, and Shoukaku explained to her sister what she saw. When her sister finished explaining what happened, Zuikaku was filled with nothing but rage.
"I can't believe you would do this, John! After everything the two of you have been through! And you want to throw it all away? For what? The Grey Ghost?" The KANSEN was furious with her brother-in-law; he had made her sister so happy, and he was now willing to throw her and their daughter aside. She wanted to punch him. Zuikaku, however, was even angrier at Enterprise. "And you, Grey Ghost! How dare you try to split them apart! Is it not enough that you outmatch many of us? Do you now want to lay claim on my sister's husband? You aren't the hero everyone thinks you are!" As she thought more about it, Zuikaku got angrier and angrier, wanting nothing more than to find Enterprise and challenge her to a fight. The KANSEN was ready to do just that, but Shoukaku stopped her in her tracks. "Wait! Please, Zuikaku! I want to see it for myself. I still don't know if it is true or not, so please, at least wait until I find out the truth tonight." Zuikaku reluctantly decided to listen to her older sister; if it were true that John was having an affair with Enterprise, she doubted she could ever forgive the pair.
The two of them then decided to look at the time at the large clock tower in the centre of the base. Realizing the time, Zuikaku knew that she had to pick up Tsubaki from school. "Shoukaku," she said, "I will bring Tsubaki back to my room in the Sakura Empire building; you head back to John, tell him that she will be having a sleepover with me tonight. Find out what is really going on and let me know, okay?" Zuikaku told her sister. She had some of her niece's belongings in her room for whenever she stayed over, so Shoukaku knew she would be fine. Shoukaku nodded and went back to her husband's office. When she arrived, John was still doing paperwork. As soon as he looked up and saw Shoukaku in the room, he spoke. "Are you okay, Shoukaku? You have been gone a long time." Shoukaku replied, "I'm sorry, John. But I've just had some business with the Sakura Empire to deal with. Also, just to let you know, Tsubaki will be staying with Zuikaku tonight. She will be having a sleepover." Keeping her tone as neutral as possible.
John was annoyed that it hadn't been run by him first, but he knew Tsubaki would be in good hands with her aunt, Zuikaku was much more responsible when her niece was around. Accepting this answer, John continued with paperwork while Shoukaku helped out with whatever she could when she was needed. Several hours had passed, and it soon became nighttime; John looked up at the clock and could see what time it was. "Enterprise is probably waiting for me, but I can't leave with Shoukaku still here; I need her to go soon." were his thoughts. He couldn't carry out his plan with his wife still in the room. Shoukaku, however, noticed her husband looking at the clock. "I bet he needs to meet Enterprise now; it's best if I pretend to leave so I can find out what exactly is going on." Shoukaku then decided to enact her own plan.
"I'm heading home, John," Shoukaku said. "I will see you when you get back." She then left the room and hid, waiting until John had left his office. Once he was sure he was clear, John left his office and decided to head to the Eagle Union building to meet up with Enterprise. Unbeknownst to him, however, Shoukaku was keeping her distance and was following him as soon as he was outside. Shoukaku carried on following John, but as soon as the Eagle Union building came into view, she hid as she saw Enterprise at the front, more than likely waiting for her husband to arrive. The two of them met and exchanged a few words, but due to the distance, Shoukaku could not hear what was said. Both John and Enterprise then began walking, and Shoukaku began following them again, being extra careful so as not to attract their attention.
"Where are you two going? What are you up to?" were the KANSEN 's thoughts as she followed them. This wasn't a good look for either of them; this only heightened Shoukaku's suspicions about them having an affair. Eventually, after what seemed like ages, the two of them stopped in front of a building. Shoukaku could tell it was the medical bay. "What are they doing here at the medical bay? Isn't there an infection going around? This doesn't make any sense." Shoukaku remembered what Vestal had told her earlier. She didn't understand why the two of them would go to an area where they could end up sick. Shoukaku concluded that Vestal was lying to her earlier.
Speaking of Vestal, she opened the door for the pair of them and they went inside. The white-crane then waited to see if anything happened. Several minutes later, all three of them came out of the building with what looked like a gurney with a cover on top. "What's under that?" I'll try to get closer to them." Being as careful as she could, Shoukaku crept towards the three without being spotted. She was then in hearing distance of what was being said, but still could not hear everything. "Where shall we take her, commander? Do you know any locations?" Enterprise asked. John waited a moment before replying. "She only needs to be off base when the admiralty arrives; that means anywhere that is not here. Vestal, you will stay with Zuikaku META. Once the admiralty has left, we can bring her back here if nothing has changed." Vestal had one question regarding this plan. "What if she attacks me when the admiralty is here, commander, what do I do?"
John replied, "You get yourself to safety. Enterpise will be with you just in case she will need to be neutralised. If that happens, make sure Shoukaku and Zuikaku never find out the truth." Once Shoukaku heard her and her sisters' names, she had enough. "And what truth don't you want me to find out, John?" She asked as she came into view of the trio. The three of them were stunned; they didn't expect Shoukaku to be there. "Shoukaku, what are you doing here?" Is all John could reply to her. He wanted to say more, but seeing the KANSEN's expression, which told him she was angry with everything that was going on, he kept quiet. "I've been following you," she began. "You have been acting strange today, and I wanted to find out why. I thought you and Enterprise were having an affair with what she said earlier about meeting you tonight." Enterprise's eyes went wide when Shoukaku said that; she must have heard her when she said those words to the commander earlier and thought the two of them were having an illicit relationship. Shoukaku then started to speak again. "Thankfully, that doesn't seem to be the case, but something clearly wrong is happening. Why all the secrecy? Who or what is under that cover on that gurney, John? Show me."
John really didn't want to show his wife what was underneath the cover, but she clearly thought that he was having an affair with Enterprise because he was being too suspicious about what he was doing, it was no wonder she suspected the worst. Deciding not to make the situation worse by denying her request, he then spoke to Shoukaku. "Okay, Shoukaku, I want you to prepare yourself for what you are about to see; you will then understand why I have been acting strange today. I have my reasons why I didn't want you to see this." Shoukaku then walked up to the gurney and mentally prepared herself for whatever it was. John was going to show her. When John lifted up the cover, Shoukaku gasped at what she saw - it was her sister, but it wasn't her sister either. "What is this? This is Zuikaku, but it's not Zuikaku. What's going on?" The KANSEN looked at John, and he spoke. "This is Zuikaku, but not the one we know. Tell me, Shoukaku, where have you seen something like this before?" He asked his wife. Shoukaku tried to remember where she had seen something similar, the pale skin and grey hair. It took her some time, but then it clicked, and her eyes widened. Looking at the others, she knew she had come to the exact same conclusion as them.
"This can't be! This Zuikaku is a META!...My sister is a META!"
