Guiding the USS Brooklyn along, Massachusetts took point gliding to where the East river met the Hudson. Bataan followed closely behind the Battleship, her little Wildcat roaring overhead.

"All clear!" Bataan shouts to Brooklyn standing at the tip of her bow.

Increasing to half speed the Light Cruiser's smokestacks came to life as they made their way to the mouth of the river.

"So you're really controlling this thing?" Val looks up towards the empty bridge.

"This thing is me, and yes, I am."

Wrapping her arms around Brooklyn's waist from behind, Val rests her chin on the Light Cruiser's shoulder.

"Bear with me for a second," Val squeezes a little tighter, "but can you raise your arms out to your side?"

"Huh, what for?" Brooklyn asks as she holds out her arms like she was asked.

"Sorry," Val giggles into Brooklyn's ear, "I've always wanted to do this."

"This is… really?," The Light Cruiser blushes upon the realization of what Val was doing. "You know that movie doesn't end well, especially for the ship."

"Yeah, but the Titanic didn't have any guns."

"I doubt I could blow up a whole iceberg."

Val let out a hearty laugh, "Massachusetts probably can."

"With her armor she probably wouldn't need to."

The rising sun gleamed off of the support beams of what was left of the old Verrazano bridge. Once the proud symbol that stood as the entrance into New York, now lay ruined thanks to those first Sirens.

A massive seawall now guards the entrance to the river just a mile from where the bridge once stood.

Val cranes her neck upwards, seeing for the first time up close just how big the wall really was as it looms a few hundred feet above her head.

Passing through the gates the convoy was officially on the open ocean.

Bright lights flanked the Light Cruiser as Val shielded her eyes. A Battleship and an Aircraft Carrier materialized, splashing down, displacing the water around them as Brooklyn's ship rocked back and forth from the waves.

Bataan's little Wildcat poofed in a bright orange flame, reappearing in its full sized glory. The once tiny radial roared loudly as it buzzed low alongside the Light Cruiser.

Its turbulent wake forces Val and Brooklyn to hold down their skirts.

"Sorry!" Bataan waves from atop her flight deck.

Coming back around the Wildcat slowed, lowering its flaps. Its descent was steep but gentle as it touched down with little drama, parking itself across from Bataan's bridge.

"Y'know, I used to be the one doing the escorting." Brooklyn turns to Val, "but it's pretty much the opposite these days."

"I heard from Bataan that you used to ferry around some important people."

"If you count the likes of Presidents and Prime Ministers," Brooklyn puffs out her chest, "a couple of dictators too."

"For the peace treaty signing right?"

"Yeah," Brooklyn turns around resting her back on the railing, "it's barely been five years since we were all trying to kill each other…"

"And now we're traveling to a meeting to discuss budgetary issues and shipping lanes," Brooklyn lets out a laugh, "and that's after we talk about all the nonsensical requests from all the Shipgirls."

Val leans her arms on the railing next to the Light Cruiser, her hair flying wildly in the oncoming breeze.

"Did you know San Diego requested a whole stadium to be built on base so she could perform?" Val lets Brooklyn vent.

"Or how the submarines wanted to install a 600ft deep pool inside the dorms so they could swim indoors."

Val laughs at the absurdity.

"And the crazy part is," Brooklyn sounding exasperated, "they pretty much got what they wanted."

"No way!" Val spat out, "a whole stadium and a massive pool?"

"I managed to negotiate for a small performance space with Sandy but that pool…"

"What happened with the pool?"

"I never expected Bismarck intervening on the matter." Brooklyn sounded exasperated.

"Bismarck? Like that Bismarck? The same Bismarck who started the war?"

Brooklyn nodded and yupped at each of Val's questions.

"So if you ever visit an indoor pool at the Joint Base just be careful."

"I bet those submarines are happy."

Brooklyn laughs as she pushes off the railing.

"My sister used that pool too sometimes."

"Wait… your sister's a submarine?"

"No, Boise just likes to dive with her rigging on for some reason."

"She's the one who always wears the mask?" Val remembered the blue haired Light Cruiser from the photos Brooklyn kept in her room. "Why does she wear that thing all the time anyway?"

"Honestly?" Brooklyn scratched at the back of her head, "I haven't a clue, but she's very shy, kind of an extreme introvert."

"Maybe she doesn't like people looking at her face?" Val ponders.

Brooklyn shrugged as she walked over to her starboard side waving at Massachusetts standing atop her massive turrets.

Val looked out towards the horizon at the endless ocean ahead of them, the waves larger than what she was used to on her ferry rides across the river.

"Hey, Brook…" Val buries her head in her arms.

Turning around, Brooklyn spots Val leaning against the railing. It was a sight she was unfortunately familiar with.

Brooklyn steps closer to Val rubbing circles on her back.

"Sorry, but I'm feeling a little... off…" Val peaks from her arms.

"C'mon, let's lay you down." Brooklyn leads Val inside to her room.

Laying her fiance onto her bed, Brooklyn walks over to the nearest porthole and cracks it open.

The injection of fresh air did help to alleviate Val's nausea if only slightly.

Resting her arm on her face she lets out a little groan.

"Sorry, Brook…"

"No…, no it's fine," Brooklyn sits on the edge of the bed, careful enough to not jostle Val, "it's your first time at sea, this was bound to happen I guess."

A knock at the door drew their attention.

"Is Val alright?" Bataan asks, stepping through the door.

"Hope you like ginger-ale." Massachusetts follows the Light Carrier inside, raising a crate of green glass bottles.

"Thanks guys…" Val groans, "if I throw up inside you, I'm sorry…"

"Stop worrying about it, it's fine," Brooklyn rested her hand on Val's shoulder, "I'll be right here, and so will this bucket."

The bubbly sensation from the ginger-ale helped settle Val's stomach as she rested her head back down on the pillow.

"Hopefully the waves die down soon." Bataan peaks out one of the portholes keeping an eye on the clouds up ahead of them.

"Doesn't look like…" Massachusetts peaks out next to the Light Carrier.

The three ships steamed down underneath the overcast sky. Making a decent headway down the Eastern coastline of the Eagle Union.

The wind had picked up and so had the waves.

Val rests on the bed staring at the insides of her eyelids when a knock at the door stirred her attention. The sound of the opening door was accompanied by a delectable aroma of freshly baked bread.

"If you're in the mood, I got Bataan and the Manjuu to whip up a little something for you." Brooklyn sets up a tray next to the bed.

"I was worried that you were the one cooking." Val tries to laugh.

"Hey~ I'm not that bad…" Brooklyn slices into the loaf buttering up one side.

Val sits up slowly leaning towards Brooklyn. "Ahhh…" Val opens her mouth, ready to accept the food.

Shaking her head, Brooklyn tears a small piece of the bread off before placing it into Val's mouth. Her breath hitched a little as her finger brushed against Val's closing lips, letting it linger for a second. The Light Cruiser's eyes followed the falling crumbs as they landed between Val's parted legs.

Leaning forward again with her eyes closed and mouth open, the strap of Val's sundress slipped off her shoulder giving Brooklyn a deep look down her chest.

Swallowing down the knot forming in her throat, Brooklyn delivers another piece of bread into Val's mouth. For some unknown reason the sight of Val's disheveled state stirred something deep within the Light Cruiser.

Val's body swayed slightly with the rise and fall from the waves, before plopping her head unceremoniously on the pillow.

"I'd give it a day before you get used to it," Brooklyn says as she brushes a stray lock of hair from Val's face. "It certainly doesn't help that the waters pretty rough right now, but if Massachusetts's radar is right, things should start calming down by sundown."

"That's good, cause I dunno how much more I can take."

"Well, we're only several hours in and almost a week to go."

"Ugh…" Val groans as she turns over on her side, "that does not make me feel any better."

"You should feel fine by tomorrow hopefully." Brooklyn leans over to kiss Val's shoulder.

"If you don't mind, I want to look around and make sure everything's running smoothly."

"Go. You don't have to stay if you got something to do. I got the bucket if things get worse."

"I'll leave a couple of Manjuu with you, and just shout if you need anything."

"Mhm, I'll try not to get anything on your carpet." Val laughs weakly.

"I'll check on you in a bit," Brooklyn stops at the threshold of the door, "try to get some rest."

The door closed softly behind the Light Cruiser as she left the room.

Brooklyn drew her arms close to her chest as she made her way through her empty corridors. The low rumble from her turbines hummed through Brooklyn's hull paired with the light taps from her quickening footsteps could be heard down in her lower bulkheads.

Looking over her shoulder, Brooklyn spots nothing, just the empty and quiet corridor she just came from. A cold chill came over her as a pit was slowly forming in her stomach.

'Val's here, she's right here' Brooklyn exhaled as she closed her eyes, placing the palm of her hand against the cold steel of the wall.

Brooklyn could feel Val's warmth laying on the bed in her Captain's Quarters, tossing and turning atop her sheets. She could sense Bataan still in her mess hall along with some Manjuu wandering around on her upper decks.

The pit in her stomach slowly faded away as she took in a deep breath. Exhaling, Brooklyn pulls her hand from the wall letting it fall to her side.

All was fine with her ship, her engines were running nominally and nothing was out of place. Turning on her heel, Brooklyn heads back up to her upper decks having finished what she came down to do.

Nearing where her mess hall was, Brooklyn hugged the wall as a line of Manjuu waddled by carrying crates of food towards the kitchen.

Those were supposed to be the meal for the lavish dinner she planned for the two of them on this first night of their voyage, but Brooklyn figured she would have to postpone that, at least until Val could get used to being on the water.

"Hey Bataan," Brooklyn peaks her head into the kitchen, "thanks, Val liked the bread."

"No problem," the blonde Carrier waved her hands out in front of her, "I enjoy this kind of thing."

Brooklyn watches as Bataan pulls a couple of fresh loaves out of the oven carefully placing them on the counter. The way the Light Carrier moved along inside the kitchen reminded Brooklyn of her own sister.

"You sure I can't help out?" Brooklyn says back to her blue haired sister who was pushing her out the door. Locking eyes with Cleveland who gave her an apologetic look.

"It's fine, it's fine," Helena nervously laughed, "let us take care of this."

Leaning against the counter looking into the kitchen, Brooklyn watches as Helena darted around the kitchen tasting from various pots sitting atop the stoves.

"Ha," Phoenix let out as she walked into the mess hall, "Helena kicked you out of the kitchen again?"

"Maybe if you weren't so bad at cooking…" Honolulu says under her breath.

"Aww, don't say that, those cookies she made were…" Boise trails off looking away while twirling her hair.

"They… weren't… so… bad…" a sleeping Laffey pipes in from her spot on the table using her fluffy twin tails as a makeshift pillow.

"Thanks, Laffey." Brooklyn hangs her head in defeat.

"I'm sure Helena could teach you if you ask." St. Louis says as she reassuringly rubs Brooklyn's shoulder.

"If you really want to help," Helena leans on the other side of the counter, "you can help me and Cleveland bring out the food."

The bustling sounds of voices and footsteps came bursting through the mess hall doors as numerous sailors and servicemen and a few dozen Manjuu took their seats at the tables that lined the large room.

"We'll help too!" Colombia eagerly waved her hand above her head as she led her sisters into the kitchen.

Tying up her hair Brooklyn follows suit.

With some tongs and a serving spoon, Brooklyn stands ready, behind her kitchen counter waiting to deliver the freshly cooked food to her sailors trays.

Offering a warm smile she served plate after plate alongside Cleveland and her sisters until everyone was seated.

The chatter in the mess hall was nearly deafening but Brooklyn smiled to herself as she watched the satisfied faces from everyone happily chowing down.

"Thanks," Brooklyn turns to her youngest sister patting her on her head.

Puffing her cheeks out, Helena shakes her head trying to dislodge Brooklyn's hand from her hair.

Feeling a tug on her skirt, Brooklyn turns to see Laffey looking up at her holding up an empty bottle.

"Finished it already?!" Brooklyn scratched at the back of her head, " you really have to lay off that stuff Laffey."

"I think I saw more Special Coolant near the freezer." Helena offers.

Wrapping herself around Helena's waist Laffey looks up with half lidded eyes, "Please?"

"Might as well…" Brooklyn approves, "she can't really function without it anyway."

Guiding the narcoleptic Destroyer, Helena takes Laffey to the stash of Special Coolant. Stuffing several bottles into her twin tails Laffey cracks open the last one, nearly gulping down the contents in its entirety.

Brooklyn turns to her other sisters in the mess hall. They were all laughing amongst themselves before noticing she was looking right at them.

Waving her hand, Phoenix beckons, opening her mouth to call for her sister, "Brooklyn!"

"-Brooklyn?" Bataan waves her hand in front of the Light Cruiser's face.

Shaking her head, Brooklyn's vision focuses slowly back in front of her. "...sorry, minds elsewhere at the moment."

"Val?" Bataan asks, leaning forward against the kitchen counter. "She'll be just fine, a little sea sickness never killed no one."

"No, you're right." Brooklyn rubs at the bridge of her nose.

The strong aroma of freshly brewed coffee drew Brooklyn's attention.

"Here," Bataan holds out a steaming mug towards the Light Cruiser, "I was gonna take some to you and Massachusetts later."

Taking the mug, Brooklyn let's the warmth settle in her hands.

"Thanks."

"No problem." Bataan smiles.

Taking a sip, Brooklyn closes her eyes.

The sounds of a crowded and lively mess hall ring faintly in her ears.

"...Brooklyn…"

The Light Cruiser's eyes snap open as she looks around for the familiar voice. Her heart began to beat against her chest roughly, her breath quickening.

"Brooklyn?" Bataan calls, concern clear in her voice, "What's wrong?"

Taking in a deep breath, Brooklyn holds it in for a moment, attempting to calm herself. "N...nothing."

Brooklyn furrowed her brow, there was no doubt in her mind that it was Helena's voice that called to her. A voice that had no reason to cause such a reaction but did anyhow, and for that, she cursed herself.

"Are you sure?" Bataan reaches her hand towards Brooklyn's.

Pulling her hand away quickly, Brooklyn turns to leave. "Y...yeah, I'm going to check on Val."

"Thanks, for the coffee." Brooklyn stops to say before exiting out the mess hall doors.

Slowly pushing the door to her captain's quarters open, Brooklyn steps quietly into the darkened room. Near the bed she spots the two Manjuu she had left with Val leaning up against each other, eyes closed and fast asleep. Their little bodies inflate and deflate with each breath.

Stepping over the sleeping pair, Brooklyn undoes her uniform, folding it neatly before placing it atop the ottoman. Her bare skin tingles at the cool night air coming through the open porthole.

Eyeing Val sleeping peacefully under the vibrant blue sheets, Brooklyn slips in next to her, careful not to wake her.

Brooklyn slides closer pressing her forehead in the nook between Val's shoulders. The warmth the Light Cruiser craved lay right beside her but she held back in indulging. Brooklyn couldn't remember a time the two had shared a bed where either had ended up a sweating heaving mess. Settling for a light kiss against the nape of Val's neck, Brooklyn turns over facing the other way, their backs resting against one another.

The hum of her engines reverberates through Brooklyn's body as she takes one last look throughout her ship. The Manjuu all lay sleeping in their bunks with the few on duty patrolling her upper decks.

Brooklyn spots her two escorts sitting together atop Massachusetts's turrets sharing a cup of coffee. Taking aim with her signal lights, Brooklyn flashes them goodnight. Waving back Massachusetts does the same.

The reassuring thought that she wasn't alone put the Light Cruiser at ease, letting her finally drift off to sleep.

Pouring the last of the coffee into Massachusetts's mug, Bataan looks up towards the darkened sky. The sun had long since disappeared and with the waning cloud cover above them the moon could be spotted shining its dull rays on the water below.

Looking over to the Brooklyn steadily steaming behind them, Bataan brings her knees up to her chest as she wraps her arms around them.

"You think she'll be alright?"

"Val?" Massachusetts cocks her head to the side, "...or did you mean Brooklyn?"

"..." Bataan didn't answer right away as she hugged her legs a little tighter. "Brooklyn, she seemed kinda off earlier…"

Sighing, Massachusetts peaks over her shoulder at Brooklyn's ship. The Battleship knew Brooklyn better than most as the two served together for the early parts of the war with the Red Axis as well as their past lives.

"You've never sortied with her before have you?" Massachusetts turns to the Light Carrier.

Shaking her head, Bataan rested her head against her knees, "at least not for these long haul ones. She seemed kinda distant, distracted, very unlike her."

"Mhm…" Massachusetts grumbles to herself as what the Light Carrier told her didn't surprise her at all. The Battleship knew something was eating away at Brooklyn but she didn't know exactly what it was. Many ideas on what it could be swam around in her head and nearly all of them revolved around Helena. Whatever it was, Massachusetts hoped Brooklyn could work it out once she finally meets her sisters face to face.

"Well, I should be heading back." Bataan shoots up collecting her thermos. "You'll be fine looking out for the night?"

"Yeah."

"Alright then, goodnight!" Bataan shouted back as she leapt off the top of Massachusetts's turret and onto the water.

Through the dark, the Battleship watched as Bataan glided to where her own ship was. Massachusetts could just make out the Carrier's small silhouette waving back at her accompanied by quick flashes of her signal light.

Flashing the same signal back, Massachusetts turns her attention back ahead of the formation, looking deep into the black horizon.

Sorry this chapter was shorter than the last but the voyage to the joint base might take longer than I thought so I might split it into two or three parts.

Next chapter: Can Val get over her headache and can Brooklyn do something to help or will things just end up exploding? And why does Massachusetts keep walking into the aftermath.