It happened so suddenly and it was the last thing Pete expected. Two things that his long experience had warned him to be prepared for. But how could one be prepared for this! This being a loud snap and the previously taught crane suddenly springing skywards. At the same time, Taihoro's hull slammed down into her cradle at an angle far from ideal. Just slamming down like that was far from ideal. But that wasn't what made Pete's blood run cold. No, it was seeing his boat's avatar, his child, collapse as her legs gave out underneath her.
He broke into a run without even thinking, reaching her side in seconds. Taihoro had tried to catch herself with her arms but she couldn't hold. She was just lying there on the ground, not moving. And that was the most terrifying thing he'd ever experienced.
He just about fell on her, shaking her shoulders and ruffling her hair in an effort to get her to wake. "Tai. Tai?!"
He gathered her in his arms, very concerned to feel what could only be blood as he lifted her. The only sound she made was a low moan as he stood. He didn't know the extent of her injury but it was bad to say the least. A fall like that could have caused all kinds of damage. Hull punctures were definite. Taihoro wouldn't be bleeding otherwise. It was also possible she had broken bones. What Pete feared most was damage to her spine. AC75s didn't have keels in the traditional sense. Their hulls lacked the long central girder but they did have a centerboard to resist sideways movement. It was the same type of design seen on dinghies but never had it been done on a boat this large before. It put the centerboard under enormous strain, ensuring catastrophic things if it failed. Patriot's accident three years ago proved that.
Speaking of, she and her daughter along with quite a few other boats were approaching. Patriot the elder, Trish, got their first. "Good god." She rasped out.
Patriot the younger, Penny to use her personal name, reached for her rival then stopped just short. "Is- is she going to be okay?" She asked.
Pete wasn't sure how to answer that. Finally, the kanmusu he'd been hoping would show up. If there was one among them who could ensure order and help Taihoro it was America herself. The eldest of all the racing shipgirls had experience on her side. "Bring her inside." She said.
Pete followed America, finding a spare bedroom within the team's facility. As gently as he could, he lay Taihoro on the bed resting her on her side so the other girls could try and clean her wound. He didn't dare stay for this. For one thing, he was needed back at the dock to deal with the boat itself. On the other, this was going to be very painful for Taihoro and as difficult as it would be to watch he would've done it. However, kanmusu were immensely stronger than him, even sailboats and he knew he wouldn't be of any help.
America wasted no time springing into action. "Steph, we'll need hot towels. Trish, find me some rubbing alcohol would you. We've got to get the dirt of this wound." The two girls in question raced off on their respective duties. Pete for his part, slowly backed out of the room, promising himself he'd come back as soon as he possibly could.
He'd just exited when he heard Taihoro's voice. "Daddy? Where's my daddy?! Daddy!" Pete pivoted around, ready to rush back in there only to run straight into Columbia's outstretched hand.
"Don't." The Seawanhaka warned. Her touch was gentle but absolute all the same. "I know what you are feeling but don't. This will be painful enough for her." Her blue eyes became clouded for a second.
"Just promise me you'll look after her." He asked and she nodded.
