Chapter 36

The world around me bled away as the fireball faded. A creeping, penetrating frigidity spread through my spine all the way to my fingertips, and the radio slipped from my grasp.

My mouth opened, my throat burned, my ears bled, and my brain screamed something, but I couldn't give it voice. The explosion replayed over and over in my head, searching for something… anything that might portray it as an illusion. Yet the Ocean Bird burned.

The ship lurched, and something grabbed at me and pulled me down. Someone was shouting at me, but the voice felt so far away. I couldn't look towards the voice, as my eyes were glued to the burning ship.

I only returned to the present when singing pain lit my face. I returned to the waking world to Warspite's screams amidst the booming of battle, her arm extended and crossed over in front of her.

"Get a hold of yourself!"

The sharp taste of copper filled my mouth, as the inside of my cheek now bled from the hit. The world spun, and I was struck with vertigo. My legs shook like jelly, and my stomach churned.

"I… I… Sullivan… The Ocean Bird."

Grabbing both sides of my collar, Warspite pulled my face close to hers.

"They're gone!" The ship rocked violently, and Warspite winced in pain. "They're gone, and there's nothing we can do about it, but we're not out of the woods yet!"

"B-but-"

Warspite shook me again.

"This fleet still needs a leader! Pray there are survivors if you must, but spare the melancholic moping for your own dam time, sailor! Right now we need you!" her grip loosened, her face completely soaked in rain. "I can't do this on my own, James. You are my strength."

Her harsh words and pleading broke through the fog in my mind. I could feel her frustration, her fear, her anger. They helped me centre myself.

"R-right. Thank you."

"Good, now lead us." Warspite's lips curled upward to a gentler smile and she fixed my collar. She picked the radio receiver and handed it to me with both hands. I squeezed those tiny hands, finding solace in them. "Know that no matter what, I will always be at your side."

I took a long deep breath and held back the burning bile at the bottom of my throat.

"Just focus on the moment, nothing else." I said to myself before focusing on the radio. "This is James, Zuikaku, give me a status report."

There was a momentary pause before the carrier responded. "Shikikan, I am currently moving towards the Ocean Bird's last position." there was a buzz of background noise that came along with her voice. It was likely the multitude of survivors she had been recovering.

"Kommandant." Z23 interjected. "I was close to the ship and am able to help in rescue efforts. I request permission to help."

I almost approved out of reflex, but a nagging voice in my head prevented me. "Negative, Z23. Remain in formation."

"But Komman-"

"You are to stay in formation. A hit like that would have torn through a ship's hull and blown out her boiler. The chances of survival are minimal." I cut her off, steeling myself as I accepted the inevitable. I cursed my knowledge and for a moment wished I could hope in ignorance. "Zuikaku, search for survivors but if after five minutes you don't find anyone, resume your duties. There are plenty more ships that require your aid."

Zuikaku gave her confirmation, but it took a few seconds longer before Z23 replied.

"Understood. I will stay in formation." The destroyer replied in monotone, and continued with her orders.

"She's going to hate me for that." I said while placing down the receiver.

"She'll understand. Sometimes a leader has to make difficult decisions." Something hit the rear of the ship and Warspite grunted in pain as the ship violently rocked. "Shit! Didn't see that one coming."

"Damage?" I asked, trying to keep my mind in the moment.

Warspite rubbed her head. "Minimal. All these small cuts are starting to pile up, but I'm nowhere near out of the fight yet!"

All four of her main turrets fired at once, and the resulting deafening boom temporarily blocked out all other sounds and it took a few seconds for the ringing in my ears to abate.

I realised her rear turrets were about to fire, and worry started to grow in my mind. My suspicions were proved when a flurry of shells from Siren ships landed just ahead of the Warspite, but it wasn't the shells themselves that were the problem, but the direction they had come from. I moved past Warspite as she acquired a new target, and I looked through my binoculars towards the trailing elements of the convoy. I soon spotted the distinct blue lights of Siren ships trailing back and bracketing the convoy. Another quick look to the other side of the fleet showed the same was happening there.

"We're being encircled!"

"Aye! Figured as much when those destroyer-sized types got close!" Warspite waved her free arm towards the front of our formation. "They're also closing the distance. Probably to increase their accuracy and overwhelm us!"

"Is it even a good manoeuvre?" I asked, knowing her tactical knowledge was years ahead of mine.

"Against a Warfleet, no. You spread your formation thin and let your opponent punch through and you end up chasing them down. But-" Warspite grunted as a smaller shell hit her armour belt. She pointed a thumb backwards. "Against a convoy fleet, you tear it apart. Escorts are unable to check your fire if it's coming from every direction."

I didn't need to look back to know what she was saying was true.

I had complete faith in Warspite getting us through this; I could see it in her eyes that there was nothing here that would sink her. But the convoy was another matter, I had given my word that my fleet would protect them, yet when it came down to it, it felt like all I could do was watch helplessly as we left them to the wolves.

I rubbed my hands on my face as I contemplated praying for a miracle, barely even registering my digits from how cold I was.

"Nelson once said that no captain can do wrong if he places his ship alongside that of the enemy." Warspite turned to face me between the firing of her guns with a devilish smile. "The Sirens can't fight ships on one side and attack merchants on the other."

I envisioned the implied strategy from a bird's eye view. "Would it work? We would have to split the fleet."

Her grin grew. "The Royal Navy excels when it comes to daredevil last-ditch tactics, and I'm sure our fellow honourable companions are more than capable at following suit."

I reached for the radio, and took a few seconds to contemplate the plan. My next sentence could either save lives or doom many more to an early grave. I looked Warspite in the eye only seeing pure confidence and trust looking back at me. I smiled and nodded, thumbing the transmit button.

"Everyone, the fleet is being encircled, as you probably know. My orders are this: All of you are to give your engines everything and focus your fire forwards. We're going to breach through this encirclement before doubling back and hitting the sirens in the side. By doing so we should force them to focus on us and give the convoy some relief."

I looked out at my fleet, the burning flames and ordinances making it easy to get an idea of the current location of them.

"Elizabeth, Hood and Z23 will sail to starboard and hit the Sirens on that flank while Javelin, Cleveland and Warspite will go to port. U-556, If you are currently able to hear this I want you to head out and deal with any Sirens that slip past."

There was a distinct shift from the ship's engines down below me as Warspite started pushing them to the limit.

Stopping the transmission, the calm regal tone of Elizabeth was the first to reply. "Thou hast come up with a stratagem quite daring. Nevertheless one-" There was a pause as I could see the dreadnought take a glancing blow. "One wholeheartedly believes in its success."

"Good." I replied. "You have command of the starboard side, and are free to change the orders if the situation deems it so, your Majesty."

I received a chorus of conformations as one by one the girls agreed with the plan. U-556 was thankfully surfaced when the order was sent and would start moving to the outer limits of the formation immediately.

Not forgetting my carrier I pressed on the radio again. "Zuikaku, I know you wish to fight, but I need you to stay with the convoy. More and more ships are going down and you're the only one who can help them. I need you to relay our current plans over to what remains of the convoy's command structure and keep them from falling apart."

"Hai, Shikikan. I will see your will done." She responded in a rushed tone.

"Good. Everyone, if…" I stopped myself, if these girls trusted me to lead them, then I must trust them back. "Not if, but when you reach the end of the convoy, turn back and start hunting down any remaining ships at your own discretion. Show these lifeless hunks of metal the justice they deserve and send them burning down to the bottom of the abyss."

I put the radio back down and let out a long breath. I had to grip the handrail to stop my hands from shaking.

"I knew there was the startings of a good leader within when I first saw you. I'll make you a commander to write into the ages yet." Warspite boasted while she focused her firing at the Sirens to our front.

"Strange, I remember you treating me with contempt when we first met." I replied, focusing on my breathing and praying my legs didn't give out from under me.

Warspite twisted her head away. "W-well, sometimes one needs to receive a little scorn, to help prevent them from forgetting oneself." She cleared her throat. "Anyway, we are about to breach the Sirens line, prepare thyself."

I shifted my focus forward and quickly took stock of the situation, even though it felt like I was constantly keeping an eye on the fight, every time I looked up the entire scene seemed to change.

Warspite's guns were barely elevated as she and the other battleships opened up a gap in the Siren line for us to break through. We had already started to pass burning wrecks as they slowly sank or were swept aside by the stormy sea.

A glimmer in the corner of my eye pulled my attention to the left, something had appeared just behind a sinking ship as a wave rolled past it. Narrowing my eyes I watched as we approached.

Ice shot out from my spine as the razor edge of a prow snaked out from behind the ship, its blue accents dim as it powered to intercept us.

"Warspite, dead ahead port side!" I shouted, hoping she had already seen it.

"Bugger! Turrets won't turn in time!" Warspite cursed. Her secondaries were aligned to hit targets to the sides and only one was able to get a glancing hit to the Siren's stern.

"No time to evade! We're going to hit it on its side!" The distance was closing fast, and even if Warspite did all she could there would be no way of getting her hull clear in time, doubly so if the Siren was actively trying to collide with us.

"They think to throw themselves upon us in an attempt to stop us. Ha!" Warspite laughed while planting the tip of her sword on the deck and resting both hands tightly upon the grip. "They forget who it is that stands before them. I am Warspite! A Queen Elizabeth class dreadnought. No foe will ever break us!"

I felt the ship kick back as she pushed her engines further and I barely had a moment to grab the railing before the prow of the ship slammed into the Siren.

A near deafening screech of metal boomed out as the prow was enveloped in fire. I heard Warspite scream in pain as I was flung forward by the sudden change in speed.

The deck beneath me vibrated violently and I feared we'd end up dead in the water, but the screeching continued until the Siren split in two like a dam bursting open. Explosions enveloped the entire ship, the searing heat forced me to shield my face and I felt parts of my coat suddenly become dry.

I dropped my arm when the flame subsided, and was met by a now destroyed Siren ship, split in twain and was sinking beneath the waves on both ends, the prow reduced to a mangled mess.

On our end, the main cannons still looked operable aside from some of the anti-air weapons, thankfully. I was about to sigh in relief when a unique metal clang pulled my attention, resounding even through the storm and the ringing in my ears.

Waspite's sword fell onto the deck. She swayed on unsteady feet with a dazed expression as I noticed the ship's lights and systems going off one by one. Her knees gave out and I barely caught her.

"Warspite! Stay awake! The fight's not over yet!" I yelled.

"James." She said weakly. I felt her arm clutch onto me, but her violet eyes were half-lidded, blurry and unfocused. Blood and grime trickled down her whole face, caking it in black, and all confidence and bravado she had previously shown was gone, replaced by unadulterated terror as she trembled in my grasp. "It… It hurts… Too much, I-I can't…"

There was no telling the pain she was currently feeling, but there was one thing I knew, I knew the one thing that would drive her forward no matter what. Like she said before, there was no time to rest. I mustered all my strength.

"Warspite! You swore an oath to fight for me! Your duty is not done. I order you to fight!"

There was a flash of blue across her eyes, and focus snapped back into her, as if a spell had broken.

"James? I-agh!" She clutched her left side with her free arm. "Bollocks, that hurts! P-probably smashed every egg in the canteen too."

She tried to laugh but stopped as the pain flared.

"Well, don't go doing that again. Here." I shifted to take more of her bodyweight and let her use me as support to stand up, which she did without complaint but clearly biting through excruciating pain.

I noticed another ship starting to get close, but thankfully this one didn't seem to be on a direct approach. "Warspite, starboard side."

"A-aye." She replied and weakly lifted her free arm, pointing at the enemy ship with an eye closed.

It took Warspite a few seconds longer than normal to fire, and when she did, only two shells came out of her cannons. What was more, even though they hit, I clearly noticed it had been much more inaccurate compared to what she had displayed so often, more evidently due to the simplicity of the shot. The ship still sank, but Warspite grunted in irritation.

"Ah, Rangefinders are buggered, probably knocked out of alignment." She bemoaned while clutching her aching side.

Our immediate front was now cleared, and after a double check we realised we had passed their line. Warspite groaned again and her ship turned hard to port, putting it parallel with the Siren's line, and started sailing towards the back of the fleet.

I took the opportunity to pick up her sword with one hand, barely able to do so with how heavy it was. I offered it back to her. "Once more unto the breach then."

"Hold it for now. Giving it all I've got just to remain afloat." Warspite kept herself glued against me, but her eyes stared towards the burning horizon with renewed vigour. "Just keep giving me the targets. You ordered me to fight and this fight is far from over."

To say the fight was far from over was an understatement. Time seemed to lose all meaning as we went through a cycle of me relaying a target and Warspite destroying it. Fear and panic slowly subsided, not through any sort of bravery or courage, but just through sheer determination. The radio would occasionally buzz as someone relayed a target or reported damage, but even that slowly quieted down as the Siren fleet dwindled.

I didnt even dare to look at the convoy fleet in detail. The amount of burning ships I had seen the one time I did try to assess their situation had made my stomach lurch. The only thing that we could do for those that remained was to keep the Sirens busy and pray for their souls.

"Target at bearing three-twenty." I relayed dully.

"Aye." Warspite affirmed in a similarly dispassionate tone, rotating her turrets to destroy her next target.

I rubbed my stinging eyes and looked at the ship again through my binoculars. The sun had risen at some point and the early light made it hard to even blink.

"Scratch that, it's already sinking."

"Aye…" she repeated, and returned to scanning the horizon.

She was back to standing under her own strength again, and barring the small bloodstains on her scarf there was no evidence of her prior injuries, probably thanks to her kind's regenerative abilities; even the majority of her clothing had been sewn back together as if by magic.

I lifted my head up to see the clear blue sky, only just noticing the storm had finally subsided.

"When did that happen?" I murmured.

"An hour ago, was thinning since three. Wind subsided about thirty minutes ago."

"Oh." I looked back down at the ocean. The battle had finally wound down. The quiet of everything felt unnatural, as if I'd forgotten what a calm sea actually sounded like. "Just like that then. It just suddenly ends?"

"That's a battle." Warspite said matter of factly. "Ends just as violently and suddenly as it starts. You wait for ages for it to happen, but when it does you blink and it's suddenly over."

"Well, let's just be sure that this isn't the eye of the storm."

I picked up the radio.

"Roll call. Everyone check in, is anyone critically damaged? Hood, what about the damage to your hull?"

"I'm fine, Commander." She replied calmly. "While severe, the damage is not critical. I'm sure with some time and maybe even a little care by thyself it will be as right as rain in no time."

"I'll see to it when I can." I responded feeling relieved the damage wasn't worsened. "Anyone else?"

"One has taken far too many hits to my superstructure and the elegance of it is near ruined." Elizabeth huffed. "And we seem to be missing a smokestack, but barring that we are still seaworthy."

Cleveland was next to respond. "Kinda breezy in a few of my decks and I'm sure one of my storerooms is now a swimming pool. Also lost my starboard anchor a few miles back but I think I can live without it for now." Juxtaposed to what had happened she spoke cheerfully, seemingly unfazed or even elated by the battle.

I felt a weight lift from my shoulders as one by one the rest of the girls reported in. The fleet had taken a pounding–there was no denying–but I silently prayed, thanking the lord they had all pulled through.

"Skirmish out and make sure there aren't any contacts left. If none of you engage within the next ten minutes, then we lower the alert level and declare this finally over."

I didn't even wait for the replies before dropping the receiver sinking down to the deck in exhaustion, I twisted round and rested my head against the radio console. Every part of my body felt sluggish and cold, I wanted nothing more than to crawl into bed and sleep, but I knew that the rest I desired would be impossible to get right now.

Movement to my side made me look over, Warspite also dropped down and sat beside me. Her face showed pure exhaustion and she looked to barely have the energy to blink. Her hair was soaked and matted against her face. She had taken off her clasp at some point, letting her golden hair flow freely to the morning breeze. Her head slowly twisted until her deep purple eyes slowly met mine. A slight smile formed on her lips and I felt her small delicate hand grab mine.

"We did it."

The heat from her hand spread like a wildfire up my arm until I could feel my heart thumping in my chest and my throat suddenly felt dry. I was lost in her eyes for too long before I realised I had yet to reply. "Y-yeah, you did. I mostly just stood here."

Still smiling, Warspite slowly shook her head.

"Nay, your role was paramount in our success. I wish you would see yourself the way I do." A tender blush spread across her cheeks. Her free hand moved over to hold my chest as she came close enough for me to feel her breath against my face. Her words were barely a whisper "I need you James, more than anything."

I found myself swept up in the moment. All the fears, all the worries, all of it seemed distant with her at my side.

"As do I, Warspite…"

I don't know who moved first, but without thinking my lips touched hers in a deep kiss. She melted into the kiss, as I did, like if some great burdens had been lifted from our shoulders. Just as I realised what had happened her hand went from my chest and snaked round to my back keeping us close as she shifted over to get closer. I returned the embrace.

I don't know how long it went on for. Damn the consequences and meanings, for the first time in what felt like forever I was at peace, And somehow knew that Warspite felt the same.

The need for air or finally coming back to our senses made us break the kiss, but we remained close, both of us just gazing into one another's eyes as we took deep breaths.

Warspite squeezed my hand with a dreamy smile. "James… I."

The sound of aircraft engines cut her off as we both looked over to see a group of Zuikaku's aircraft climbing up into the sky. Before either of us could say something the radio buzzed with the voice of the carrier.

"Shikikan the weather has cleared enough for me to start launching aircraft again. I will begin creating a sphere of cover around the fleet."

Warspite seemed to finally snap out of it, her face going beet red she gasped and scooted back her hand quickly covering her mouth as she realised what she had done.

I too probably looked similar, and quickly distracted myself with work. Reaching up I grabbed the receiver.

"Y-yes, good work. get as many up as you can, the last thing we need is getting hit unawares."

"Hai, will do…" The carrier was quick to reply. "I could do with some assistance on my ship, I've taken on a good amount of injured sailors and things are quickly getting out of hand."

"Aye, everyone head over to the Zuikaku, we will rendezvous and reorganise in person there. The fight may be over but I doubt we're out of the woods yet."

Zuikaku gave her thanks and the others affirmed the orders. I let the receiver go, and turned my attention over to the panicking dreadnought at my side.

Warspite was still in shock, as she held her hand over her mouth and rocked back and forth, her eyes frantically darting around not looking at anything in particular. I trusted in my judgement and reached over and gently patted her on the head, breaking her out from her funk.

She dropped her hand and tried to look at me. "Ah! J-James." She stuttered, her eyes unable to meet mine she looked away in embarrassment. "I… I can explain myself, I…"

"It's okay. It's okay." I smiled, not at her embarrassment, but at seeing the few times she acted naturally, not as the diligent servant to her queen or as the dutiful warrior, but just as any other girl. I moved my hand from her head and rubbed her back. "I'm at least half responsible here too. These feelings aren't new, I can see that now."

Warspite seemed taken aback by my mild reaction.

"We can talk about this, just not at the moment. As always duty calls, How about this evening? Once we're done with all this." I suggested.

Warspite took a deep breath and recomposed herself. While her face remained a rosy red, the knight returned as she placed her clasp back on her head. She cleared her throat.

"Aye, you are right. There are some… Things I wish to speak to you about." She said, her voice still quivering a little. "But there is still much to do. Return to your cabin and get changed and dry. You look like a drowned rat."

Both of us stood back up. Warspite was right, I was drenched and cold to my bones. I had barely noticed it, a testament to adrenaline and its effects.

"But… before you go." She called, her voice particularly meek before I turned to the ladder. "Could you… rub my head once more?"

"Anytime." I smiled while reaching over and giving her head a gente rub.

She leaned into the caress, the dreamy look returning to her features. I could swear her tufts of hair reacted at my touch, swaying along with her head, giving a striking resemblance to a pair of dog ears, and I believed that sometimes they even moved to reflect her mood. "I have seen you do this to little ones, and always wondered how it felt. It's… pleasant."

"You could have just asked."

"Destroyers and submarines are one thing." Warspite sighed. "Sometimes I envy them and their freedom to act as they wish. But us dreadnoughts have an image to uphold and all."

I considered telling her about the numerous times Elizabeth had sought me out for secretive headpats when nobody was looking. But decided against it. "Well If you ever want any more just ask."

I climbed down the stairs, which expectedly was a much rougher endeavour than I anticipated. Glass cracked under my boots with every step along the length of the destroyed main bridge.

Warspite hummed her acknowledgement as she followed, her attention drawn to a destroyed console she reached out to rub affectionately. She looked up to the rest of the machinery with a pensive look and gave a dreary sigh. "We were caught in total surprise and nearly paid the price for it. I need to do better. Can I have a moment, James? I'll meet you later."

I nodded and made my way down into the ship, and was greeted by a much better sight compared to the absolute pandemonium that was the outer deck. Aside from a few warped bulkheads and buckled deck plates, the Warspite's interior was still navigable, a testament to her armouring and construction.

The cabins, mine included, were another story. Everything was thrown about, and I realised it was because I hadn't properly locked and stowed away my things. I mentally kicked myself for making such a schoolboy error, I had been living on a ship for years now I should know better.

I quickly grabbed a few dry clothes and started getting changed. I would still have to wear the same soaked coat and boots, but it was my own fault for not getting any spares.

I decided to clean up just a little bit and pick up some of them. Clothes, papers, knicknacks, tools and more were scattered everywhere around my cabin, and I started putting them haphazardly around the areas they would be returning to. It was during this clean up that I spotted a particular wrench on the floor by the door.

A lump formed in my throat and my balance became unsteady, as I immediately recalled having used this particular wrench while working on the Ocean Bird with Sullivan. The sight of the explosion came back to me, playing over and over in my head in perfect clarity.

"Not now James, there's work to be done." I swallowed the dread and pushed down the memory. The girls were waiting for me, they didn't need a leader who was nothing more than an emotional wreck.

"Well, the air does tend to get rather stuffy in this heat. Should help with the airflow somewhat." I said when I came back to the deck, finding Warspite inspecting a large shell hole on her superstructure.

"Yeah, but the radar room that used to be there was rather important. And it's giving me one hell of a headache." She sighed.

I gave her a pat on the shoulder. "I'll see what I can do when I have some free time."

"No need. I'm sure it will be fine soon enough. Come, there is much to be done." Without warning Warspite grabbed me in a tight hug and I felt the deck beneath us disappear as she summoned her rigging. After a second of freefall Warspite hit the ocean and began making her way over to the carrier. I noticed a slight blush on her cheeks.

There was no doubt that she was currently replaying our earlier actions over in her head.

Thankfully the trip wasn't long enough for awkwardness to set in, and we soon set foot on Zuikaku's ship. Her main deck was still frequently launching aircraft, so Warspite decided to land in a shaded area just under the flight deck near the prow. We didn't have to wait long before the ship's owner came to greet us.

"Shikikan." She promptly bowed. "While I wish it was under better circumstances I welcome you aboard my ship. If there are any facilities you require, please don't hesitate to request them from me."

"It's a fine ship, Zuikaku. But right now we're just here to help." I took a proper look at the diligent carrier. While there wasn't any evidence of injury, her usually pure white coat had been stained with patches of oil, soot and even blood. "Have you taken any damage? I didn't see any when we came in"

Zuikaku grimaced and I saw her brow twitch slightly. "Negative." She sighed. "Not even a single shell was fired in my direction. Even when I placed myself directly between a Siren and a cargo vessel I was not fired upon. Almost like I wasn't even worth the effort."

"Really?" Warspite queried. "Not a single shot?"

The carrier shook her head with a disappointed expression.

"A mystery for later. Right now we need to deal with the problems at hand, you said you've taken on injured sailors from cargo ships." I gestured to the hatch Zuikaku had come from. "Lead the way, we also need to meet with the others to work out a plan of action."

"Right. Please follow, I have cleared one of my hangars to accommodate the sailors." Zuikaku began leading us into the ship. "Hood-san and Cleveland have already arrived. And I have word that the others are soon to be on their way."

"How many injured have you taken on?" I asked while trying to look at everything in sight, unable to hide my fascination at being inside a carrier and a Sakuran ship for the first time. I felt as if I could spend days just scrying around the ship looking at everything.

"Too many." She stopped and turned to face me. "It was nigh nonstop, I did what I could to save as many as possible. And…" She rubbed at the pommel of her sword. "I'm sorry Shikikan, I looked and looked but… I couldn't find any from the Ocean Bird. I'm sorry for failing you."

"You didn't fail me Zuikaku. You performed your duties with honour." I promptly pushed back down the ugly feelings that came with that name.

Zuikaku nodded but I could still see the shame bearing down on her. We still continued following her towards a certain door. The writing upon it was completely incomprehensible for me, but I assumed it was the entry to the hangar the way the carrier paused when we reached it.

"You must believe me, Shikikan. I've done everything I can, but the best I can do for most of them is keep them comfortable." She warned, and I nodded gravely, steeling myself for what was to come. I thought for a moment I had braced the worst already, after all.

I wasn't ready.

(A/N)

And that's the battle over. Really was an interesting experience writing a more drawn out conflict and definitely was a challenge at some points. but it was enjoyable to write and I hope you all enjoyed reading it.