Chapter 4

Elizabeth didn't tell Noah about her dream.

It was, she thought, for the best. For one, she didn't even know what she had dreamt. Was it a vision of the future? A figment of her imagination born out of her past? A warning of some unknown threat?

She didn't know. And if she told Noah about it, he might grow worried. It was frightening, whatever it was, and she didn't want to frighten Noah. He already had enough on his hands, going back to Devonport to resume his duties. He didn't need to have more.

For another, the dream was unbelievable. Though she exhibited strength surpassing an ordinary human, Elizabeth knew that it was impossible to miniaturize artillery cannons and use them as if they were extensions of her body. The technology wasn't invented yet, if ever it would be. And though her own existence should have been impossible by itself, it didn't seem stranger than carrying a battery of cannons on her back…

Right?

"Right, Elizabeth?… Elizabeth, do you hear me?"

Elizabeth jumped slightly from her seat as a hand rapped her table. Startled, she smiled sheepishly at Franceska. "Sorry, Miss Franz. My mind wandered about for a moment. What were you saying?"

Franceska regarded her with a frown. "I was asking if you also believe that prioritizing your favorite subjects is the best way for me to teach you. Or do you prefer a different approach?"

"Uh…"

With a sigh, Franceska placed her clipboard on the desk and grabbed a chair, seating herself in front of Elizabeth. Her frown deepened. "Elizabeth, are you all right?"

It was an honest question, but the way Franceska gazed at her, as if looking right into her mind, made Elizabeth uncomfortable. She still hadn't forgotten what happened the last time they had met.

"Yes, I'm fine," she said, maintaining eye contact. "And yes, I would like you to focus on my strengths."

Franceska didn't look convinced. "Is this about what happened when I had shaken your hand?" Before Elizabeth could even reply, Franceska sighed and pressed on. "You need not fear anything. It's quite a common phenomenon."

"I-It is?" Elizabeth didn't know that. Then again, there was much she didn't know about the world yet.

"Yes. It's called a triboelectric effect. And it doesn't happen all the time." Franceska grabbed her hand. Elizabeth almost pulled away quickly, expecting that power surge of electricity again, but it never came. Franceska chuckled as she retracted her hand. "See?"

Elizabeth stared at her, then at her palm. Was it really just a natural phenomenon? It seemed a coincidence that she had that dream only a day after meeting Franceska. What if they were connected?

She looked at her tutor again. The color of Franceska's eyes were different than most people, especially in England where the predominant eye color was blue. "Franz?"

"Yes?"

"Um, your eyes. Why are they…?"

"Amber colored?" Franceska blinked. "Well, it's a rare color. But if you are wondering, yes, I'm a pure-blooded British just like you are."

Elizabeth didn't doubt that. But there was something with Franceska that she couldn't quite place. Nothing malicious—at least she hoped so. But something wasn't quite right, either.

Or perhaps she was just being paranoid. Perhaps her dream had affected her that she was beginning to doubt people. Shameful. She needed to stop this. It was just a dream.

"Now then," Franceska rose from her chair and rummaged in her suitcase, "I have several tests here that I require you to answer. Never worry. This is just something I always ask of my students to test their knowledge…"

And thus, Elizabeth began her life as a student under Franceska's tutelage. To her complete relief, the questions were mostly easy to answer, even though she had only started reading ever since she was reborn. Most of her answers attributed to the knowledge she got from her crew, while others she instinctively knew for some reason. The rest she had acquired from reading.

Still, she wasn't perfect. Many things she still didn't know, and those she merely guessed the answers, often being wrong about them. That didn't dampen her morale, though; on the contrary, she welcomed the challenge and the opportunity to learn more about this era she had been reborn into.

"Brilliant!" Franceska exclaimed after the last answer was written down and she saw the results. There was a proud gleam in her eyes. "Mr. Dallimore wasn't lying when he said you were gifted!"

The days passed, and a routine was soon established. In the morning, as soon as Franceska arrived, Elizabeth would begin her lessons, listening to her tutor's lectures harder than a sonar operator listens to the echoes in the ocean waters. The lessons would continue well into the afternoon—with lunch and tea breaks, of course.

Elisa's shift ended at 5 PM, so Franceska always stayed until Elisa arrived home. And while their class was already over by then, Franceska didn't stop imparting stories. They were engaging, particularly her life experiences, and Elizabeth found herself absorbing much of the lessons she could absorb.

One fine afternoon, while they were waiting for Elisa to return from the bistro, Elizabeth was engrossed with the history textbook Franceska had given her that she hadn't notice her tutor approaching until a soft thump broke her concentration.

When she glanced, it was a chessboard.

Franceska smirked. "Fancy a game? I saw it upstairs and thought you might want to play while we wait."

Remembering how she had refused Noah's offer last week, Elizabeth closed the textbook and nodded. "Gladly."

They began setting up the board and pieces. "White or black?" Franceska asked.

Elizabeth chose white, and the game began. It was her first time playing, but the opening moves and gambits came easily into her mind. She knew which pieces to move first, when to attack or retreat at the right moment, when to sacrifice a knight or remove the bishop that was defending the black king.

Twenty moves later, Franceska resigned. She didn't seem disappointed, however. "You're good at this," she noted as she rearranged the pieces for a second round.

Elizabeth merely smiled.

Playing as black was difficult; Franceska had the advantage of moving first, and Elizabeth soon found herself defending against her tutor's relentless assault. Her knight was immediately removed on the sixth move, a rook following on the eighth. When her bishop pair was obliterated, she knew she had lost; she conceded.

"Last round," Elizabeth said firmly.

"As you wish." Franceska was smiling.

This time, Elizabeth gave her strategy some thought. Franceska was an aggressive opponent, but she was not careful, sacrificing a queen if necessary. A risky behavior, and one that was easily exploitable. At that, a plan began to form in Elizabeth's mind; a bold plan.

On her next move, she sent her queen to the frontlines. Franceska frowned at that, her expression rattled. She looked at her student, but Elizabeth's gaze remained on the board, her mind whirling with possible outcomes and scenarios.

The battle was fiercer this time. It was clear that Franceska was wary now, her pawns forming a defensive line denser than Normandy's. But Elizabeth was prepared for that.

She sent her knights to their demise, and in doing so broke the wall of pawns that hid the king. In hindsight, it was a terrible decision; knights were her best pieces. But their sacrifices weren't in vain, for her queen was free to wreak havoc within enemy territory.

Franceska, for all her worth, attempted a last stand. Even so, it was a futile attempt, and with a sigh she resigned two moves before her black king was finally cornered. "I didn't know you could be so ruthless," she said.

"You can't achieve victory if you aren't willing to make sacrifices," Elizabeth countered. Then she shrugged. "Besides, we're playing chess. It requires sacrificing pieces."

"True enough." She arranged the pieces back inside the case. "But only in chess. In the real world, you will have to be careful about sacrificing the most important things."

What is the most important things in her life? Elizabeth didn't know; not yet, at least. She considered the Dallimores her friends, and if ever it came to it, she knew she wouldn't sacrifice her relationship with them for anything. But was that enough to consider them as part of the important things in her life?

What things were even important?

"Do not be bothered by what I said," Franceska added, as if she had read her thoughts. "It's merely an advice born out of my experience. Each one of us goes through life differently."

"Have you had to sacrifice something important?" Elizabeth asked.

It took some time for her tutor to answer, long enough for them to hear the gates opening as Elisa returned from her shift. When Franceska spoke, her voice was somber. "Yes. A long time ago." She patted Elizabeth's head. "But that's a story you'll have to hear once you understand more about the world."

Elisa soon entered, looking haggard but still greeting Franceska with a friendly smile. They exchanged pleasantries, and then Elisa invited Franceska for dinner, which she gladly accepted, saying that she wouldn't say no to free food.

The meal was good, as always, but Franceska's stories were what Elizabeth enjoyed most. She had an aura about her, of the kind only a person who had experienced much in their lifetime despite their age would possess.

"By the way," she said during a lull in the conversation, "I might be gone for a few days sometime next week. Please tell Noah to deduct a portion of my wage."

Elizabeth started, surprised. "Oh. Why would that be?"

Franceska shrugged. "A relative of mine got sick. I need to visit them. But that doesn't mean you'll neglect your education, Betty. I'll leave you enough assignments."

The former warship winced. Learning and studying with Franceska was fun, but she was hoping she could have some rest. Oh well. "I won't disappoint," Elizabeth vowed. "But where does your relative live, if I may know?"

At this, Franceska's lips curved upwards. "Scotland."

###

Noah wouldn't admit it aloud, but it was good to be back behind his desk.

It was his calling, he supposed, and he hadn't realized it until his fateful meeting with a reborn warship. Now, even though the agony of writing forms and documents loomed before him, he was fortified to fulfill his duty, both for Grandpa Connor and now Elizabeth.

The days and weeks since his return passed rather uneventfully. There were backlogs that had accumulated in his absence, but those were natural for his position. His schedule, however, had the inclusion of phoning the Dallimore estate every 6pm, to check on Elizabeth's progress with her education.

And from what he heard about, he knew he made the right decision hiring Franceska. Elizabeth was advancing at an impressive pace. It was difficult to believe that, only a month ago, her knowledge was stuck in the 1940s. Now she knew just as much as a girl her age—or what she appeared to, at least.

There were still gaps, things and concepts she couldn't grasp. But to Noah that only made her more human; no one could be perfect, even if they were once a warship.

"Franceska will take a leave next week because she got a sick relative to visit," Elizabeth told him one night through the phone. "She wanted you to deduct her wage."

Noah frowned at that, phone receiver in one hand while the other sorted the documents that came through the mail that morning. "I don't think we shall have to. She's been doing a good job so far. A few days of absence is fine."

"I know. I was about to tell you the same."

"Mmm. By the way, your ID already arrived. I'll be taking it with me this weekend when I visit. Do you want me to buy something for you?"

There was silence on the other end for a moment, allowing Noah to open the envelope and take out Elizabeth's ID for inspection. Elizabeth Hamilton was written, but it would be eventually changed into Elizabeth Dallimore next year when her adoption papers were completely processed.

"That strawberry cake you brought for me the first time, I guess," Elizabeth said at last.

"All right. Anything else?"

"No. See you this weekend, Noah."

"I'll see you and Eli, Elizabeth."

###

The next day dawned bright and early. As always, Noah began his morning routine with yet another tower of documents, but many of them were simple request and acquisition forms that wouldn't take too long to sign.

"Here's your morning tea, Commander!" Brian said jovially as he entered and set the steaming teacup on an empty space on the table. Without looking up from the document he was signing, Noah took a sip of his tea, savoring the sweetness of the rich flavor.

One other change that he had grown accustomed to; Brian's tea being good. At last.

By noon Noah was mostly finished with his morning schedule. After a quick lunch in his office, he strolled outside to inspect the various facilities of Devonport. Construction was still ongoing in several areas, but they had already replaced the cable wires, so he could now safely pass underneath the steel bars and bags of cement and concrete blocks being swung around in the air. Despite that, he avoided doing so as much as he could.

Of the incident last month, no one had spoken of it. Partly out of duty—he did tell them to keep silent. Partly out of fear as well; it was their fault, and they knew they would lose their jobs, or worse, if they so much as babble it to anyone else.

The inspection took the better part of the day. When it was over, the sun was already descending in the horizon, but the sky was still bright, the waters glittering like diamonds. And he had nothing to do.

It was rare that he could finish his work early, and even rarer on weekdays. Such was the fate of a naval base commander; all work, high pay, few rests. He didn't hate his job, but it was times like this when he realized how his life merely consisted of sitting behind a desk with pen in hand, with the occasional breaks.

Now what could he do? A bar night with some of his friends sounded good, until he remembered that even they were suffering from a hectic work life. Calling the estimate was an option, but he didn't want to disturb Elizabeth in her studies.

Noah glanced at the sea, an idea occurring to him. "Brian? Do you know where Elizabeth was found?"

His ever-present aide, almost his shadow, answered with, "Definitely, Commander. It's not too far from the construction sites."

"Good. Take me there."

They got into a Jeep and drove toward the shore, past the boundaries of the dockyards. Concrete gave way to grass, which eventually melted into coarse sands and a shoreline that, in a few more years, would be consumed by Devonport's ceaseless expansion.

Buildings rose nearby, but this was a restricted area, so the emptiness wasn't surprising. Noah got out of the Jeep, his boots landing softly on the sands. Not too far along the Tamar, a tugboat sped past.

He wandered toward the shore with no particular destination in mind. According to reports, Elizabeth was found floating in the water somewhere here. He didn't dare ask the patrol who discovered her, though; he knew it would lead to questions he couldn't answer yet.

The waves lapped the sands. Stopping just at the edge of it, keeping his boots dry, Noah gazed at the river Tamar. Did Elizabeth just appear out of nowhere, rising from the depths? Or was she already floating in the ocean before the currents carried her here? And why was she in Devonport? Portsmouth was the site of her construction; it was her birthplace. If she was reborn, she should have appeared there.

"What do you think, Brian?" Noah asked without looking at his aide.

"About what, Commander?"

"Elizabeth. Why do you think she was reborn as a human?" There were just the two of them here; Noah could afford to be more open.

Brian took several seconds to answer. And when he did, his words were slow, chosen carefully. "Well, I'm not certain, Commander. I mean, all of this is already strange and all, almost like the comics and novels I always read. A warship being reborn as a human, it's as if she is called on for a purpose."

Noah slowly turned to look at him. "A purpose, you say?"

"Yes, Commander." Brian's head bobbed. "Just like a superhero, me thinks. I mean, she's incredibly strong."

"Yes. Incredibly strong," Noah said with a grimace. There had not been a repeat of that incident, thankfully, and he always reminded Elizabeth to be careful in the estate, especially if she was around with Elisa and Franceska.

"Exactly, Commander. And I was thinking, why was she given super strength if she's not meant to use it? What if there was a reason?"

"A reason," Noah muttered. What could it be? Another war? But modern arsenal had advanced enough that battleships were obsolete. Even America had decommissioned USS New Jersey for the final time despite her modifications. Besides, what could a girl like Elizabeth even do? Punch invaders to the abyss?

No, that was wrong. A girl like her shouldn't even do anything related to war and combat. Noah couldn't imagine her sending people to their deaths. That was already in the past, when she was nothing more than a weapon commandeered by hundreds of men.

Now she was just a simple girl. What she needed was to live, not to destroy.

"I'm sure that reason doesn't involve her obliterating fortifications, Ensign," he said with a snort, turning his gaze back to the river.

"Of course, Commander. I mean, there's only one of her. And if she is going to be a superhero, she needs a sidekick or even a team. Imagine if…"

The lad trailed off. A most unusual occurrence that prompted Noah to frown at him. "What is it, Ensign?"

Brian didn't reply, seemingly transfixed over something past Noah, mouth agape in a perfect circle. "Uh, Commander? This is a restricted area, right?"

"Yes, Ensign. We are alone here."

The lad's hand rose, his fingers curling except for his index finger. He pointed somewhere past and to the right of Noah. "So who is that?"

Noah's head snapped toward that direction, one hand already reaching for his service firearm. He didn't draw it, however, recognizing the shape floating not five feet from the shoreline.

A body that was most certainly not there when they arrived.

"Call for help, quickly!" he barked before sprinting toward the girl. For it was a girl, her naked back facing the sky.

Heart pounding, Noah turned her over and hooked his arms under her slim legs, carrying her toward dry land. Brian was hurrying over, one hand holding the radio he always kept.

"Yes, grid A-62, by the shore," he was saying. "Send medics immediately!"

"Copy."

Noah hardly paid attention, his mind whirling with a dozen thoughts. My God. The girl looked like Elizabeth; almost the same height, though this girl was a couple of inches taller, same petite frame, the same proud face, albeit more hard and sterner, yet still possessing a gentleness and softness fit for her appearance.

"Miss? Miss, can you hear me?" He took off his uniform's coat and covered her, both to keep her from shivering and preserve her dignity, and knelt by her side, shaking her gently. Brian stood nearby, worried and confused and shocked.

The girl's eyes fluttered open. Whereas Elizabeth's was the shade of the sea, the girl's eyes had a tinged of purple in them. But much like Elizabeth, they held countless years born of many experiences.

"Miss?" Noah repeated. "Are you all right?"

"Whe…re am I?" she mumbled, her voice cracking, almost as if she was using it for the first time. "Wh-Who are you?"

"I'm Rear-Admiral Noah Dallimore, commander of Her Majesty's Naval Base Devonport." Noah hesitated, even as the girl's gaze sharpened into focus. Something was telling him that his question, and the answer to it, would change his life once more.

"What's your name, Miss?"

The girl's eyes shone with pride as she replied, "Warspite. I am HMS Warspite."

###

Noah didn't wait until morning. After the medics had inspected Warspite and found her without injuries, Noah bought some clothes from the nearest shop, left instructions to the rest of Devonport, and had Brian drove them to Hampshire.

In hindsight, it was probably a hasty decision on his part; he didn't even have Warspite be properly monitored by the doctors from Stonehouse, despite her own assurance that she was all right, unlike Elizabeth.

But he was in a hurry to get away. One instance of someone washing up on the shore near Devonport was already an oddity in itself; two was going too far, and suspicious. Both claiming to be reborn battleships from eighty years ago would warrant an investigation. It was only a matter of time before rumors and gossip would start spreading, especially if another strange incident like the one last month occurred.

"So, where are we going, Commander?" Warspite asked fifteen minutes into the drive.

It was already dark outside, but the road was bright with the car's headlights. Noah glanced at her. "We're going to your sister."

Warspite's eyes widened. "My sister? Do you mean—?"

He nodded, returning his attention to the road ahead. "We found Elizabeth last month, on the same beach you ended up on. You're not the only one, Warspite."

Even as he said that, a chill crept along his spine. Warspite, one of the Royal Navy's legendary battleships. The Grand Old Lady herself. Who else would appear? Valiant? Barham? Malaya? Were all Queen Elizabeth-class battleships being reborn?

The thought was both frightening and intriguing, but now wasn't the time to dwell on those. Right now he needed to think what he would tell bis sister. He couldn't just leave Warspite, neither could he kept her relationship with Elizabeth a secret; if they were going to live under one roof, it would be impossible to hide that information from Elisa.

"My sister," Warspite repeated softly. When Noah looked at her again, her gaze was on her lap. "I… I never had the chance to fight alongside her."

"And you won't have to," Noah said. "But now that you're both humans, you can be together."

The rest of the drive to Hampshire was in silence. With few cars on the highway, they made good time. Soon the manor rose before them, shrouded in darkness save for two rooms on the second floor.

Brian parked the car outside the gate. They got out, and Noah rang the buzzer. He paced around while he waited. Nearby, Brian leaned on the car's hood, next to Warspite. Their nervous gazes followed him.

It was not long until the manor's door opened and Elisa strode outside, clad in a white sleeping wear beneath a bathrobe, looking annoyed. Annoyance turned to surprise and confusion when she saw Noah. She hurried toward them, unlocking the gate and swinging it open. "Noah, what are you—?"

Noah stopped pacing. "Eli. Sorry for disturbing your sleep, but we—"

"Who's the girl?" she asked sharply, her gaze landing on Warspite for the first time. "Noah, what's the meaning of this?"

He inhaled deeply. "This is, ah, Edith?" He turned to Warspite, a silent question on his face.

The girl nodded, smiling nervously. "Edith, yes."

"Yes, Edith." Noah cleared his throat as he turned back to his sister. "She's… Elizabeth's sister."

He could hear the Talbot's mastiff barking at the ranch, a hundred yards behind him, in the silence that followed. Elisa's eyes leapt from him to Warspite, then back again. She closed them, took a deep breath, and reopened them. "Noah, what kind of pot have you been smoking?"

"I'm not smoking, Eli." He held up a hand, forestalling a tirade he knew would follow. "I know, it's too much to take in. But I didn't even know she had a long lost sister."

"How can you not know?" Elisa demanded. "Noah, this is preposterous! Are you telling me you'll adopt her as well?"

"Indeed I am."

He stared at her, and she at him—a silent clash of wills. He had expected her reaction as much, and if she refused to take Warspite in, he would just have to find a home for her. He couldn't, and wouldn't, let her fend for herself.

Elisa remained adamant. She squinted at Warspite, noting her features. Even the darkness could not hide her similarities with Elizabeth. Elisa must have noticed it as well; she scowled and spun on her heels.

"Come inside."

They followed her dutifully inside the manor and into the living room. Warspite and Brian sat on the couch, while Elisa strode to the kitchen without a glance. Noah stood, too tense to sit down. He could hear her working loudly; she was pissed.

When Elisa returned, she was carrying a tray with teacups, which she set on the table. There was also a wine bottle. Noah didn't comment on that, but he saw Warspite and Brian looking uncomfortable and nervous to even drink. Elisa always had that effect on other people whenever she got mad.

His sister sat down heavily opposite Warspite. She uncorked the wine bottle's stopper, filled a glass, and drained it all in one go before slamming it on the table, rattling the teacups and saucers. Warspite and Brian jumped.

"Explain," Elisa growled.

So Noah did, telling her how Warspite "arrived" on Devonport to look for him, telling him that his friend had had another daughter whom he thought had been kidnapped and died. It wasn't even a complete lie, and the words flowed easily out of him. He had crafted the story on the way here, but from Elisa's quietness, it seemed a believable story at least.

He ended with: "I know this is all hard to believe, and I didn't promise anything to my friend about… this unexpected situation, but Edith is still Elizabeth's sister. They deserve to be together." He was almost pleading now; even if the house belonged to him, it was still his obligation as head of the family to acquire Elisa's support in a decision that would affect their lives.

When he finished, the room plunged into a heavy silence. Elisa refilled her glass and took a small sip this time, her gaze fixed on Warspite. Displeasure marred her expression, but Noah saw the softness in her eyes.

Finally, she spoke. "You will pay for her too?"

"Yes. I will double the money I'm giving."

"Mmm. Franceska may not want another student, though. You better raise her wage."

"I'll talk to her tomorrow." He hesitated. "You approve, then?"

"Do I have a choice?" she snapped. Noah winced at that. Elisa rose to her feet, taking the wine glass and bottle with her. "You better tell Elizabeth she has a sister now. I believe she's still awake. It's rude if you wait until the morning."

With that she ascended the stairs, her heavy footsteps fading.

Noah sat on the couch with a tired sigh. On the one hand, he was glad that Elisa supported his decision again. But on the other hand, he could understand her frustration at the absurdity of this all. And somehow, Noah had the inkling that the absurdity wouldn't stop here.

"Erm…" Warspite fidgeted with the hem of her plaid skirt. "So, who's that woman?"

"My sister," Noah replied with a sigh. "And your future elder sister."

"She doesn't seem eager to be one, though. Are you sure it's going to be all right with her?"

"Elisa is… just shocked, is all. But given time, I'm certain she'll warm up to you as she did with Elizabeth."

"If you say so, Commander. I'll trust your judgment." Warspite paused. "And my sister… She's here?"

There was no point in delaying the inevitable. Noah stood up. "Yes. And as Elisa said, it's best I take you to her now. Or would you rather have it done in the morning?" It was almost 10 PM, after all, and the day's events were certainly taxing.

Warspite shook her head. "If she's still awake, I'd like to see her now."

"Very well. Brian?"

The ensign lowered his teacup and leapt to his feet. "Yes, Commander?"

"Make sure Elisa doesn't see or disturb us while we talk."

"Yes, Commander."

He led Warspite up the stairs, freshly varnished since two weeks ago, and through the east wing where Elizabeth's and Elisa's rooms were adjacent to each other. Elizabeth, apparently, had decided to remain in the room she had first slept in, as she liked the view of the road.

When they stopped at the door, Noah found himself hesitating. Two sister warships, who had rarely sailed together, reborn as humans—there were a lot of scenarios their meeting could lead to. Rarely did he feel apprehension, and this moment was one of those.

He glanced at Warspite, and her expression was equally, if not much more, nervous. "Ready?"

The girl nodded. "Yes, though firing my main guns at a moving target 24 kilometres away seems a far more easier thing to do."

"You were a warship," he said dryly, an attempt at humor to ease their nervousness.

Her cheeks reddened. "Of course. But please, carry on. I would very much love to see my sister now."

Raising his hands, Noah rapped the hardened oak. "Elizabeth, it's Noah. Can you come out? Someone is here to see you."

"Noah?" Elizabeth's shocked voice drifted out of the door. "But it isn't weekend yet!"

They heard her padded footsteps as she rushed to the door. It opened wide, and Noah was greeted with the sight of Elizabeth's smile. A smile that quickly vanished when her gaze landed on Warspite.

"Noah, who is she?" she asked slowly.

Placing a hand gently on Warspite's shoulder, Noah said, "Elizabeth, I'd like you to meet Warspite. Your sister."

Warspite smiled nervously. "H-Hello, Elizabeth."

For a moment, all three of them stood there. Noah expected a tearful reunion, perhaps a weeping Elizabeth to grab Warspite and engulfed her in a bone-crunching embrace. She stared at her sister with a blank expression, one hand on the door knob.

Then without a word, she slammed the door shut and locked herself inside the room.

I'm having so much fun writing this fic, particularly this chapter. Warspite has been part of my backline, alongside Hood, since I got her last year, and she is arguably one of my best ships in the game. (Which reminds me, I have to really return to the game)

Originally, this chapter would be a little longer and would feature another shipgirl, but I felt like it would take away from Warspite's appearance and it seems to me that Elizabeth's reaction is a good cliffhanger.

In any case, we are almost done with the first act! On a side note, I have edited Franceska's description in the previous chapter a bit since I realized that the original description didn't exactly fit her image.

As always, thank you for all the support!