USS New York took a second to glance at her clock. 08:20, another 20 minutes and inspection would start. She groaned inwardly, mentally reviewing all her knowledge of Naval affairs, from names of Admirals to rank structure to what to do if this or that happens. It was a lot of stuff to memorize for a young ship like her but she managed. Often, she would stay up late at night in port and study for hours. She'd pester the older ships and ask questions nonstop, almost to the point that she thought they'd be sick of her but she kept coming back. All for this 1 hour.
She allowed her bow to droop as her bridge started to ache. She'd stayed up late the night before reviewing everything she could and was now looking forward to a nap afterwards. She straightened up at once though when a procession came along. Fleet Deputy USS Enterprise led the way. With her was Fleet Healer Arleigh Burke, Senior Destroyer USS Mitscher, Senior Cruiser USS Ticonderoga and several Junior ships.
Enterprise sailed confidently down the line without pausing. Arleigh's blind blue gaze seemed to bore into New York's soul, causing the younger ship to shift uncomfortably. Something flickered in that misty blue gaze but it was gone before New York could recognize it. She gave New York a nod and sailed on. The San Antonio-class sighed and glanced at her clock again 08:35. She sighed tiredly, her headache getting worse. She was also starting to feel uneasy, like something bad was about to happen.
She turned her attention back to Enterprise though as the carrier began to speak. "I know you'd all like to prepare for the ceremony this evening so I'll be quick." She began. "As I call your names, you'll be directed to an officer for an individual inspection. I hope you all kept up on your readings for you'll be quizzed on your knowledge as well." She added. A few groans were heard at this but no one objected.
New York was near the end of the line so it'd take a while for her turn to come. Instead, she watched the first few ships go nervously forward to their assigned officer and listened carefully to the questions they asked. After the first few rounds though, her focus began to shift. The throbbing behind her bridge was worse than ever and she groaned quietly. Her sister, San Antonio, nudged her. "Hey you alright?" She asked. "No, headache." New York replied. "Maybe you should learn how to manage your time better. Don't stay up so late studying." San Antonio suggested. New York sighed. "Maybe you're right." She admitted.
"San Antonio?!" Enterprise called. "Guess that means it's my turn." San Antonio said as she sailed forward. Enterprise herself was handling her. Well at least New York wouldn't have the carrier who was said to be the strictest of the inspectors. She'd quiz you on every detail of knowledge and come down hard if you got one wrong. New York hoped for her sister's sake she had done her studies.
"New York!" Arleigh called and New York found herself breathing a sigh of relief. A huge part of inspection was bearing and as Arleigh couldn't see, the sound of her voice mattered more and so New York could focus more on that than holding her head up high, straining her neck. New York halted and saluted. Arleigh's hearing was as good as ever and as soon as she heard the water running off New York's bow she returned the salute. "As you were." She said. New York dropped back down, cutting the salute after Arleigh did.
Arleigh cut right to the chase. "Who is the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy?" She asked. "Chief Petty Officer Stevens." New York answered. "Name all the positions of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and who currently holds them." Arleigh said. "Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is General Dempsey. Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is Admiral Winnefield Jr. Chief of Staff of the Army is General Odiero. Commandant of the Marine Corps is General Amos. Chief of Naval Operations is Admiral Greenert. Chief of Staff of the Air Force is General Welsh III. And Chief of the National Guard Bureau..." New York paused for a second, looking like she was thinking but really she was seeing something. She could've sworn she saw a flash of silver, like a building. She shook it off as an illusion. "...Chief of the National Guard Bureau is General Grass." Arleigh nodded. "Who can authorize the use of missiles in warfare?" She asked. "The president or the Secretary of Defense." New York answered immediately. "What is special about Admiral Winnefield?" Arleigh asked. "He was Enterprise's commander on the 9/11 attacks. As she rounded the Cape on the trip back to Norfolk he saw the attacks on tv and ordered the ship turned around. Within a week he was in the Gulf launching strikes on Iraq and Aphganistan. For this he earned the nickname 'Captain Badass'." New York replied. Arleigh was trying very hard not to smile but it was impossible. Nearby she heard Enterprise give a small chuckle. Apparently the carrier had heard.
"Just a few more questions New York and you'll be free to leave." Arleigh said and New York nodded before remembered that the healer couldn't see her doing that. "Yes, USS Arleigh Burke ma'am." She answered. "What are your first five general orders?" Arleigh asked. "My first general order is 'to take command of my post and all government property in view'. My second general order is 'to sail my post in a military manner, keeping always on the alert and observing everything within sight or hearing'." Arleigh winced at this. "Sorry." New York said. "No, it's alright. Keep going." The healer replied. "My third general order is 'to report all violations of orders I am instructed to enforce'. My fourth general order is 'to repeat all calls from posts more distant from the quarterdeck than my own'. My fifth general order is 'to quit my post only when properly relieved'." Arleigh nodded. "That is all USS New York, you are free to go." She said. New York raised her bow in salute, Arleigh returned it and once she had cut, New York did and made an about face, pacing evenly back to her place in line.
She glanced at her clock again. 08:44. She sighed. Not as long as she thought it would be. Once again she felt someone's gaze on her and looked up to see Arleigh staring at her. The same emotion flickered in Arleigh's eyes and the healer frowned. This time, she sailed over. "New York, are you alright?" She asked. "San Antonio already asked that question." New York grumbled. "I'm fine, I just have a headache is all." She replied. Arleigh felt her. "You're a little warm." She said. "I'm fine." New York insisted. Unfortunately, that's when the clock hit home. New York's headache flared suddenly and she stiffened like she'd been shot. The flashes she'd been seeing all day became solid reality. Pain flared along the side of her head and she groaned. Arleigh supported her. "Easy now." She said. "ENTERPRISE!" She called. Enterprise came over. "Arleigh, what's wrong with her?" She asked. Arleigh thought for a moment then scowled. "I'm so stupid!" She swore. "She's the last ship that should have to go through inspection on this day." She nudged New York gently. "Look at me, New York. Focus on me, block them out!" She ordered. New York groaned, struggling to do so. She whimpered. "Just keep talking to me. Ask me more questions, anything. It'll keep me focused." She said Arleigh nodded. "What is your tenth general order?" She asked. "To salute all officers, all colors and standards not cased." New York replied. "Good, very good." She said.
Reaching her berth, New York staggered into it. Enterprise backed off as Arleigh came up alongside. "I've got to finish inspections, do you have it here Arleigh?" She asked. Arleigh nodded. "I could use one other ship to help keep New York calm. Send San Antonio." She replied. "Will do." Enterprise replied and sailed off. A few minutes later, San Antonio raced in. "New York? Oh, I should've known!" She cried. "I forgot I'm sorry, I'm sorry." New York raised her head to look at her weakly. "It's alright, sis." She rasped. "No it's not alright! In æternum non obliviscar. Never Forget, remember!" San Antonio exclaimed. "I know, I forgive you." New York groaned. "San Antonio, I need you to keep her calm as I work." Arleigh ordered. "What are you going to do?" San Antonio asked. "I'm going to restrain her. You never know what she might do while those ghosts are in control." Arleigh replied. San Antonio nodded and nuzzled her sister gently, murmuring soothing words. New York seemed to relax but her ice blue eyes started to glow. "What are you seeing?" San Antonio whispered. "Everything." New York replied quietly.
Arleigh sighed. "Steady now." She murmured. New York's eyes flared as their gazes met and suddenly Arleigh's eyes glowed. New York spoke then and when she did, it sounded like thousands of people speaking at once. "One day, sight can be had. One day, to honor the dead. One day when the streets turned red. One day to never forget." She collapsed and Arleigh gasped, the mist clearing from her eyes. She stared around her in wonder. "Oh..." She whispered. "Oh thank you New York..." "What happened?" San Antonio demanded. "I can see!" Arleigh cried happily. Enterprise heard the commotion. "What the Sam Hill is going on?!" She exclaimed. Arleigh turned to her, her blue eyes bright. "Enterprise, I can see!" She exclaimed. "I can see!" Enterprise grinned. "You can, you can see?" She whispered. She nuzzled the healer fiercely. "One day Arleigh, one day annually." New York said as she righted herself. "I understand." Arleigh replied, momentarily turning to her. "By this time tomorrow, you will be blind again." New York warned. "I understand, thank you for this New York." Arleigh whispered. New York smiled. "Don't thank me." She replied. "The Fallen decided you'd lost enough."
Arleigh closed her eyes. "I won't ever forget them again." She said. "Don't make promises you can't keep." New York said, once again in that multiple voice. "Sometimes, people do forget. It is part of 'being human' as they say." Arleigh nodded. "But know that it is not the tragedy we wish you to remember but the happiness we once had in life. Remember our good days, the days we laughed and smiled the days we loved and cared. Do not remember death, remember life." New York said. Arleigh nodded. "I shall." She said. "And I won't forget."
