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Pacific Ocean
May 17, 1942 - 11:06 AM / 1106

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The skies on the day of May 17th are very bright and clear, bristled with small puffy clouds, and the seas are as smooth as a flutter. On the lead ship, standing on the bow facing out in the endless depths is a personification of a CV-6 Yorktown-class aircraft carrier, as a young woman wearing her black coat and a sailor cap on her white long hair, named Enterprise, who she hails from the Eagle Union. 

The calmness of the sea gave her a sentiment of solace and relief but ultimately, she felt this is no time for any seagoing vacation. And so too were the combined forces of Eagle Union and the Royal Navy, who they are all heading into the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

They are part of an international naval alliance organization called Azur Lane, who was formed to combat the Sirens, a humanoid shipgirls of their own who they had been wreaking havoc on the world's oceans for decades. Their seagoing fleet is led by a former Air Force pilot Dave Charles Berenson, who he, alongside Hood and Prince of Wales of the Royal Navy, received word that the largest Sakura Empire force, helmed by Akagi and Kaga, are heading for a group of islands located just off Midway, which is right within Eagle Union territory.

Sakura Empire was one of the members of the Azur Lane, but now, everyone had their conflicted mood out at sea; most were ready to fight for their biggest naval threats, but some felt damned about the fact they were about to attack one of their own who were once their allies. For all of its greats, and for all they know, Azur Lane has been in a bitter conflict with one other part of their own alliance, who had broken off as Crimson Axis, a faction that seeks power and total control, and they often clash with their methods or their political or philosophical views, and Sakura Empire, along with Iron Blood, Sardegna Empire, and Iris Libre's breakaway state, Vichiya Dominion, are all the core members of the opposition faction, and numerous territories and shipping lanes, along with millions of innocent lives, since the conflict a few years ago, had been put under firing line.

And now, on that day, the time that they will have to fight and potentially sink down one of their own allies, had arrived. Under orders from Berenson, they all sailed off full force to stop them from reaching Midway at any cost.

Belfast, from the Royal Navy sees Enterprise staring out at sea. She is also as worried as everyone else, especially for Enterprise, who she had once remembered that Enterprise is not someone they would betray, and she is aware she would take them out at whatever cost. She walks up beside her on the flight deck and asked:

"Is there something bothering you?" 

Enterprise replied: "It's... one battle over another, isn't it?" 

She continues looking out at the oceans, attempting to mask her bitter cynical, yet conflicting expression of her face.

"I know..." Belfast understood and turns back and took a few steps, then she stops and spoke: "Do you really think you'd be able to get through with this?"

Enterprise sighed: "It is war... And that won't change...."

"If you don't have regrets, just do not act rash on your own accord," warned Belfast. "One day, you may never forgive yourself..."

She walks off leaving Enterprise on the deck alone. 

On one of the escort ships, Javelin, also from the Royal Navy, is one of many who are anxious about the prospect of fighting what they were once allies. She's thinking especially about a certain shipgirl.

"You're thinking about Ayanami, right?" Laffey, along with Unicorn sees Javelin staring out with her shoulders pressing on the railing feeling slightly worried about her. For one, she intended to be part of Azur Lane to promote peace and foster friendship rather than squabbling in war. The three had first met Ayanami by accident while the latter is on an infiltration mission, and they wanted to make friends despite being on different factions, but for all the time, Ayanami had either become reluctant, or rejected their request of friendship.

"I know, but I won't give up on her," Javelin turns her head to Laffey and continued: "We may be at war, but there is no reason for the amount of suffering to go on like this!"

"I agree," said Laffey. Unicorn also joined in and said: "Me too,". The two put down their palms on Javelin's as a sign of assurance and Javelin can only smile.

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Sakura Empire Fleet - Pacific Ocean
May 17, 1942 - 11:12 AM / 1112

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Meanwhile Akagi, who also leads the Sakura Empire's main fleet in engaging the biggest combined fleet, appears to be determined to carry on with the mission, other fleet carriers like Shokaku and Zuikaku; who despite the latter was determined to defeat the Grey Ghost, are also slightly anxious... Especially knowing that Azur Lane simply won't let them off this easy.

"What is Akagi planning?" thought Zuikaku. "What did he have something on her sleeve?"

There are others in the Sakura Empire who are also as anxious as Azur Lane for similar reasons, but primarily its because they were expecting a lot of help from the Crimson Axis allies... Aviation battleships Ise and Hyuuga, however, are not afraid of the shortfalls and still continued to feel pumped up since they both have been retrofitted back in 1941 to launch dive bomber seaplanes, just days prior to the Pearl Harbor attack...

"So, with these bad boys, we'll be able to launch dive bombers and shoot cannons at the same time!" said Ise as she is feeling ready. "Even if we are outnumbered, we got the bombers ready up,"

But Hyuuga wasn't feeling pumped up as much as Ise's despite her retrofit, as she doesn't want to be overconfident. Hiryuu and Souryuu are also looking out intently at sea just like Akagi and Enterprise. On another ship, Japanese destroyer Ayanami still continued to feel a bit gloomy, partly about the prospect of the decisive battle and about Javelin and Laffey...

"Hey Ayanami, you feel a bit gloomy since you fought these two Azur Lane destroyers, are you okay?" asked Shigure, to which she replied: "N-no, I'm fine, that's all..."

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May 17, 1942 - 11:29 AM / 1129

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As the Eagle Union and Royal Navy fleets sail past Midway, feeling cautiously optimistic to see that Sakura Empire hadn't arrived yet and they had got there first. Although numerically and technologically superior, since the declaration of war between Crimson Axis and Azur Lane, they are still anxious about fighting one of their own, but eventually, they were able to reach to their own convictions about putting in line for their duty and they are aware that Sakura Empire would do the same.

But when they sail closer and closer to Sakura Empire's position, the skies around them suddenly went dark. The breeze suddenly eases into nothingness, and the crisp warm air started to turn blistering cold, despite both Helena and Berenson knowing there shouldn't be any winter activity in the Pacific Ocean, and they were old that there are no weather forecast for any extreme weather.

"What happened? What's going on with the weather?!" asked South Dakota, who also felt the breeze has suddenly ceased.

"Not sure... But it is getting cold as well," added Cleveland. "And it's getting dark too..."

The fleet continued sailing forward as the weather anomalies continue to pop up everywhere they see. Then they could see floating objects that didn't seem to belong to one of their own.

"There's more debris on the sea," said Montpelier. "Do you think what I think it is...?"

"And there's sunken wreckages all around..." added London. "Commander, do you know?" she then asked via her communicator but all she could hear from Berenson is a static... Behind the garbling sounds, Berenson can only say:

"L-London? Midway! .... Can you repeat? .... H-hello!? ...."

...before the communicators went dead silent....

Everyone tried to restore communications... all without success... But this was only the beginning.

"My radar's acting up wildly!" said Helena as attempts to diagnose the problem. As she does, suddenly Monarch shouts:

"Ships! 12 o'clock in front!"

Out in the distance, lies the Sakura Empire fleet. Alongside Kaga and Akagi, there are other shipgirls behind them; Atago, Takao, Maya, who are all aiming their guns at Azur Lane's Midway fleet, whislt Hiryu, Soryuu, Shigure, Ayanami, Shoukaku, Zuikaku all summoned their riggings in force. Enterprise realizes what was going on as she felt that something looked familiar with the debris they encountered:

"The wrecked ships, the debris... This is the Mirror Sea!"

Akagi giggled as she hijacks the communicator who somehow functions within the dimension. She spoke: 

"That's right... And I lured you all into it.... Surprise!"

Almost in an instant, dozens of portals appear around Azur Lane and Sakura Empire fleets, as gigantic Siren battleships, cruisers and aircraft carriers lined with neon and lasers pour out from the portals and began lining up behind Sakura Empire's attack fleet, much to the surprise of Zuikaku and Ayanami.

Everyone from the Eagle Union and Royal Navy readied their riggings in return. They were also taken aback by how many of the Siren ships they have on their arsenal, but Enterprise and everyone else in Azur Lane wouldn't give in.

"We may not have the Commander, but I'll take lead..." said Hood. "But you have to help me... Enterprise,"

Enterprise looked at Hood and nodded:

"Let nothing stand in our way!"

Queen Elizabeth raised their sword and just as Ise and Tako fired their first shots, she yelled: "Split formation, everyone!"

In quick response, they swerved themselves out of danger as the artillery lands on their position, causing an explosion that generates a shockwave and a tsunami but they all dealt no damage as they managed to evade in time. As enemy forces started to fire more shells and deploy aircraft, Enterprise, alongside South Dakota, Helena, Illustrious, Monarch, and Sirius engage against Sakura Empire, while Cleveland, Montpelier, focus on destroying the mass-produced Siren naval vessels first, with Laffey, Javelin, Unicorn, San Diego, and Eldrige providing support. They all dodged the gunfire and torpedoes, whilst San Diego and Unicorn keep the Siren and Sakura Empire fighters and bombers away.

Hood, on the farther side away from Cleveland's side, aims her guns and fires volleys of high-explosive armor piercing shells that roars high above and slams on the Siren Mark III battleship behind them, causing it to sink in an instant.

"Such accuracy..." gasped Takao. "But not accurate enough for this!" She charged forward, katana raised and fires her guns at Hood, but missed. Belfast exchanged fire and fired their torpedoes as well. Under Hood and Queen Elizabeth's orders, Suffolk and Norfolk also fired their own shells and torpedoes, striking at Ise, Hyuuga and Kaga. 

Illustrious and Enterprise launches numerous fighters and bombers to provide support, and they all managed to deal significant damage to Sakura Empire; the bombs temporarily disabled Ise's cannons and aircraft deployment systems and torpedo bombs hit Kaga, which she became infuriated. Enterprise fires an arrow, aiming at Takao, but Takao, with pinpoint accuracy, raises her katana in great force, slicing her arrow cleanly in two before passing her by inches, exploding behind her.

"Tch..." Takao can only say before she runs off, evading more gunfire and torpedoes from both Eagle Union and Royal Navy destroyers.

High above the cold, reddish skies in the Mirror Dimension, the aerial attacks are equally intense. Fighter aircraft from Enterprise and Kaga pit against each other as one struggles to gain their hold and try to drop bombs on either one. 

"K-Kaga! L-let me help you, she's far stronger than you!" said Zuikaku, who wanted to offer her assistance, but Kaga shouted:

"No! Stay out of this! She got me once! THIS IS MY FIGHT!"

She then proceeded to fire up more of her fighters in an effort to pin down Enterprise's aircraft, leaving Zuikaku, alongside Shoukaku to engage at the combined Azur Lane fleet themselves, deploying bombers in an attempt to take out Queen Elizabeth and Hood, and then to the rest of the Royal Navy's forces, who, find themselves engaging at the Sirens and Sakura Empire, while Eagle Union also focus their efforts to hold them off from their positions.

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May 17, 1942 - 11:42 AM / 1142

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The fight went on for 10 straight minutes, and while the Azur Lane fleet were able to take down much of the Siren fleet supporting Sakura Empire, they are having difficulty in trying to take out the Sakura Empire shipgirls themselves. Laffey and Javelin also came head-to-head reluctantly against Ayanami, while Kaga, with Akagi's support, also tried to take out the Grey Ghost, and soon, Enterprise finds herself on a losing end, resorting to firing her special arrows as her anti-aircraft defense, which left her distracted as Zuikaku grabs the opportunity, and fires up her dive bomber to try and land it on Enterprise. By this point, she is slowly becoming exhausted.

Luckily, San Diego, Eldrige, Helena, and South Dakota managed to stop Zuikaku's aircraft from reaching to her hull, and they respond in kind by firing shells at Zuikaku, dealing significant damage to her rigging, as well as Akagi and Kaga's. Eventually, Sakura Empire's forces are now losing their foothold and are being slowly overwhelmed as the Siren's naval vessels continue to sink at an alarming rate, faster than what Akagi can summon.

Enterprise, seeing her opportunity, aims her arrow at Akagi, and in a well-aimed shot, the arrow lands on her hand, causing her to scream in pain and causing the whole dimensions around them to break. The skies started tearing itself apart with ripples of cracks began forming around them. Eventually, the skies shatter and it now became brighter once more. Everyone checked their surroundings to find out the Siren ships, and all the wreckages floating on the ocean, have all vanished in thin air, and realized the Mirror Dimension had been broken.

Zuikaku, Kaga, Ayanami, and Hiryuu are shocked to see Akagi tumbling down on her knees, as her aircraft carrier riggings started to wear down and crack and her hand where the arrow hit had nearly been mangled and started seeping out blood. She is fuming in anger as the whole of Azur Lane started surrounding them.

"You... You think this is over do you...." she grumbled to Enterprise as she looks at her. Enterprise replied: "No..."

Enraged, Akagi tried to summon her aircraft but Enterprise kicked her down and pushed her fists down to her face, knocking her down into the water. As she gets up, Enterprise aimed her bow and arrow, right at her face, stopping her by the tracks. Zuikaku and Ayanami saw what happened, and shielded themselves between Enterprise and Akagi, while Kaga and Shigure looked on. Enterprise grew angry by how persistent they are, and her arrow started to glow yellow as she charges up her weapon more in anger, as well as her eyes. Having once been afflicted with rage and madness, she wanted to kill them.

But before she could release her string to fire the charged shot, Belfast suddenly steps in and held her palm on Enterprise's hand where she was holding on her string and Enterprise suddenly became flustered. Her vision started blurring out and her mind pulsated in conflict, and she became speechless upon seeing her armored gloves touching by her hand, who she recognizes to be Belfast.

She slowly turned her head to Belfast who quietly said:

"No.... Please...." 

Enterprise looked at both Belfast, and to Zuikaku and Ayanami, and realizes something is wrong. Recalling her flashes in her mind, and about the purpose of Azur Lane, and now seeing her weapon pointing at Akagi's head, she mumbled:

"I... I nearly lost control of myself..."

"You don't have to do this, remember?" said Belfast, continuing to urge Enterprise to lower her weapon. She eventually relents and lowers her bow, and the arrow dissipates. As she held out a long sigh, her communicator suddenly crackles, and came a voice:

"Hello! Midway Strikeforce! This is Commander Berenson! Your signal's popped back into our radar! What happened!?"

At the same time, they feel the winds suddenly picking up and they also hear huge rumbling sounds of thunder roaring. As the skies quickly grew darker, Enterprise calls up to the communicator and replied:

"We... we managed to stop Sakura Empire's attack force from advancing Midway...". Just then, Saratoga, who is in the command center as Berenson, quickly said:

"We've detected a huge storm right near your position!"

"What!?" both Enterprise and Belfast exclaimed, and Akagi and Zuikaku was confused about their reaction.

"What's going on?" asked Zuikaku. Saratoga spoke on the communicator rather frantically: "There's a big storm on your way! I-it popped out of nowhere, it was so sudden!"

Then the comms went out once more... Nothing but a static no matter how many times they tried to reconnect... It was then the thunder and lightning became louder and louder, and the waves started to grow bigger and bigger. Helena's radar had became hawywire not a minute went by after they had escaped from the Mirror Sea, and she is shocked to see by a far distance.

"Everyone... Look! The storm system, it's getting bigger real quick!" cried Helena. "And the skies are getting darker too!"

Everyone saw the thunder and lightning brewing by the storm and the waves are slowly becoming more rougher as the system was roaring straight towards them.

"We need to get out of here now!" yelled Zuikaku.

Everyone attempted to evacuate themselves out of danger, but the storm quickly grew intense with each passing second and now, not only did the torrential downpour started pelting down, but a thick cloud of mist starts rolling in right towards them.

"A rain and a fog!!? How the hell is this possible!?" grunted Akagi. Kaga and Zuikaku continued to drag her on her feet as the latter said: "No time for this! We have to get out of here!"

Both Azur Lane and the Sakura Empire, despite suffering injuries on both sides, started pulling themselves out from the battlefield, but it is all too late. The stormy skies, the waves, and the mist all enveloped around them, and the atmosphere suddenly take a violent turn. Lightings slam and crack all around the shipgirls, and the huge, gigantic waves started to toss and turn like ragdolls. Eventually, they all sank by the depths, as the seas started pulling them down. Among them is Enterprise, who finds herself whirling down in the endless depths, as she finds herself pulled down by the vortex, generated by bright, glowing fissures underneath her. Soon, after being thrown around, and Enterprise's lungs starting to take on water as if she is drowning, she slams through the fissures. Other shipgirls also follow behind her; Akagi, Shoukaku, and Ayanami were all separated from Zuikaku and they all fell into the depths, as well as Belfast, Javelin, Ayanami, Cleveland, and numerous others.

...

...

As Enterprise continues to drip in and out of consciousness as she is felt being thrown around like she is still underwater, she continued to fall through the depths of the portal realm at never-ending velocity, until suddenly...

In a blink of her eye, it all turned black. Everything around her was black... Even her feeling that she is still underwater, it is now gone, and in its place, lies only air that she can breathe, albeit it is freezing, only a few degrees above zero. But the problems didn't end there however, for that her aircraft carrier rigging, including her bow, is completely gone as well. No matter how hard or how many times she attempted to summon, it just won't work.

"My Wisdom Cube... It didn't work?" she shivered.

She couldn't believe what she is seeing and experiencing at the same time. Checking on herself, she could see blood on her hands. Tapping by her face, she realize she is bleeding from her forehead right above her eye. Wanting to know where the other survivors are as she had hoped, she struggled to speak due to her injuries, until she gave out a burst of energy to shout:

"H-hello!? Is.. is anyone th-there!?"

...

There was no answer. Despite able to see herself that she was wounded with blood starting to drip from her head, mouth, and legs, all she could see is darkness and she could feel herself shivering... She frantically began to explore around the empty realm, hoping to find any survivors or any signs of life or a way out.

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??? - ???

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A few, dreading minutes of utter silence and emptiness went by. Enterprise didn't know what to do. She continues wandering around, still yelling out in her raspy voice as she tries to call out for the survivors to no avail, even her communicator doesn't work no matter how much she tried or prodded to try and get it to work with no success.

But then... as she makes another step, a large crack suddenly appeared right around her foot, then it immediately shattered, leading Enterprise to experience yet another fall, this time she is now travelling upwards, and then soon after, she hits what is appeared to be some sort of a sea covered with bright flames, with her alternate form of herself seen in the reflection, and as she slams right into the fiery water, she blacks out...

No sound, no nothing... She lost consciousness...

...

..

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Chapter Text

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??? - ???

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With a weight pressing on her chest and her breathing labored, Enterprise gradually regains consciousness. Water laps against her back, seeping across her chest, and reaching her eyes and nose. Her eyelids flutter open to reveal a sandy expanse and a tuft of grass before her face on one side of her vision, and on the other, a clear blue sky. Regaining control over her hands and shoulders, she musters the remnants of her strength to push herself up from the ground.

Her palms and her foot sank only slightly on a sandy ground, but she manages to get herself up without any hassle, albeit as she looked around, she is confused.

"Where am i?' Enterprise asked by herself.

She still felt her stinging pain above her forehead and she was nauseatic and dizzy. She looked down on her hands to see hints of blood and there was even a small puddle on where she once woke up.

"I'm still injured... Ugh...." she groaned.

She looked around the surroundings on the sandy shore as she tried to recall with the best of her memory.

"The last time I was back there... All i see is the mist... Belfast, Laffey, and the others... They're all swallowed by it... And then..."

She can recall everything up to the moment she was pulled into the vortex and its ripples, but not her wanderings in the endless dark. As blood oozed out from her forehead wound, coaxing by her fingers as she touched, she knew she needed help. Surveying the small beach, she noted a quaint lighthouse, a line of houses behind tall fences, rocks scattered along the shore, and a giant suspension bridge in the distance, with large cargo ships passing beneath.

"Where am I...?" she said to herself. As she continued staring at the cargo ships transiting through the giant suspension bridge, she thought: "This must lead something... I'll have to find out where does that lead..."

Clad in her still damp clothes, she retrieves her sailor cap, also washed ashore, and meanders along the narrow, rocky, sandy shore. She weaves past rows of houses and preoccupied individuals, eventually reaching a small, deserted dock. Climbing up for a better view, she spots the massive suspension bridge. From this vantage point, the horizon reveals extensive land, suggesting a populous area. Descending from the dock, she wanders until the shoreline opens up, and she sees two children from the distance digging in the sand with tiny shovels.

Enterprise stared out at them for only a few seconds and thought:

"So far, I have seen a few people, which is good news that I am in civilization... But what are they doing on the ground with these... things? Are they preparing for war?"

She approached the children slowly and attempted to inquire about their activities, but as they caught sight of a woman drenched in blood, they let out screams of terror and fled, leaving their shovels behind. Despite Enterprise's efforts to call after them, it was futile.

"Come on... at least, tell me where's the nearest town!" she groaned. After the children disappeared from sight, she looked around to see the sandy ground now connects to a nearby road, with parked cars lined up right beside it. She walks closer and is astounded by the design, especially as she peered through the windows.

"The design of the cars itself, and the interior... This is not like 1942 when I was here..." she said to herself. "Still... I need to find my way back to Port of New York City, maybe I could call for help and explain what was going on,"

Enterprise then decides to explore the area, and mustering up her courage, she attempted to ask a few civilians nearby. But most, if not all, only get the same answer ~ they all call it Port of New York and New Jersey. And this leaves her very confused.

"I don't recall the port being renamed," she mused. "Has the port undergone a transformation?" As she wandered through the area, the changes became apparent. At one point, she saw a group of children whizzing by on electric skateboards, hoverboards, and scooters, which piqued her curiosity, remembering about EV technology in her time. But it wasn't just the cars that had changed; the buildings and even the trees looked different—some were twice as tall as those she remembered, built out of different design and materials than before. Most strikingly, the streets were now congested with more vehicles and civilians carrying bags and holding hands with children, and the propaganda posters that once promoted the war effort had all disappeared.

"Where did all the war material go?" she thought to herself. "Is the war over? All i hear is birds, cars, and people? No aircraft or gun blasts around here for some reason..."

And she had yet to found anyone who she might recognize, Royal Navy, Eagle Union, or Sakura Empire at that. As her headache intensifies and her forehead still bleeding, she pushed through on the streets.

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3 minutes later...

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Little time had passed, and Enterprise was beginning to feel pale. She had attempted to ask around with nearby civilians about the location of the Port of New York, but most were unaware of what she is talking about. A few expressed concerns upon noticing her head were partially bloodied, yet she dismissed it as a mere scratch while attempting to clean the blood from her right eye.

As she limped on the streets, she saw a pickup truck with emergency lights mounted on top, parked next to a bakery. She peers over and looks at the emblem, and she recognizes the colors of the Eagle Union flag. Etched on the back, it reads "Coast Guard". Enterprise felt ecstatic.

"Perfect.... Maybe they know where my friends are...." Panting with breath, she limps her way towards the truck, where two men, wearing high-visibility jackets and carrying paper bags, are seen exiting the bakery shop just beside it. Seeing the two, she walks up to them and said:

"Excuse me, do you mind..."

The men were surprised to see a disheveled white-haired woman who is covered in blood, and one of them can only say:

"Excuse me, ma'am? Are you okay? Y-your head--"

But Enterprise cuts him off and shrugged it off with: "F-forget about that! I... I was wondering if my friends are alright?"

"Your friends?" the other asked. "I'm sorry, who are you referring to?"

"Belfast, Laffey, Hornet... and Helena.... Th-there's too many to count! Have you seen them!?" she asked, slowly becoming more agitated, but the man said:

"N-no I'm sorry, I don't know what you're talking about... And who are you?"

Enterprise shook her head and decided to change the question.

"Wh-where am I!? What is this place!" she grunted.

The men were starting to grow concerned as Enterprise started breathing more and more and becoming increasingly agitated.

"Ma'am, just take a deep breath and calm down..." said the men as they tried to comfort her. But then all of a sudden, Enterprise grew furious and pushes the man right against the truck, pinning him against it as she yelled:

"Where am I!!? Where are my friends! What did you do!?"

The other man, alarmed by the situation, pulls out his SIG Sauer P229 pistol and trains at Enterprise, shouting:

"Ma'am, that's enough! Let him go!"

The escalation of the chaos causes other people near the bakery to take several steps back, fearing that there would be a gunshot upon noticing that the Coast Guardsman now has a firearm drawn at her. Enterprise could see the gun and was not impressed as she held onto the restrained man more tightly.

"Tell me... right now!"

Just then, the doors in the bakery behind her swung open. Stepping outside is a man, wearing a black suit and tie, who he raised his palms at the two Coast Guard officers as he said:

"Hey, ma'am, you don't have to do this... Take it easy now and take a deep breath,"

The officer with the gun quickly said:

"Sir, you need to step back now!" But the man replied: "I know how this is goes, I'm former NYPD, I got this under control," He turned to Enterprise and said: "Ma'am, I need you to calm down and look at me, okay?"

Enterprise slowly turns around and sees the man's face, making a calm demeanor with a smile as he asked:

"Are you hurt?" Enterprise said: "N-no... I'm fine..."

"Then let him go, and talk to me.... Please," said the man as Enterprise took a deep breath and slowly she lets the man go. The restrained man slowly dropped down on the curb by his knees, breathing a sigh of relief. The man gently moves Enterprise away from the truck while the armed coast guard officer tries to comfort their frightened fellow. As they do, the man said: 

"Ma'am... your wound... That's a huge cut, are you okay," He tries to move his hands to feel for her wound, but Enterprise forcefully slapped his hand away and insisted: "Don't touch that... It's just a scratch,"

"Okay," the man nodded and then he asked: "What's your name?" 

Enterprise replied weakly... "My name... is Enterprise..."

"What?" the man is confused by her response, and so is the two Coast Guard guardsmen, who overhears the conversation. Enterprise continued as she started gasping for breath:

"I'm... CV-6... Yorktown-class aircraft carrier,"

"Umm, are you a Navy cosplayer?--"asked the armed guardsmen but Enterprise snaps and said:

"T-tell me! Where am I... what date is it!?"

Neither the black suit man, nor the guardsmen could speak. Before they could, Enterprise sees a newspaper lying on a table beside her. Rather than waiting, she quickly grabs the newspaper and looks at a front page.

Then, she fell into shock and horror as she looks at the date on the newspaper.

The man gave a small sigh and spoke:

"Today's May 17th, 2022... Welcome to New York..."

...

...

Enterprise fell into a deathly silence, speechless and deeply shocked by the news. She dropped the newspaper to the ground, stared at the man and the two coast guardsmen for a few seconds, then attempted to walk away. After a few steps, she fainted, tumbling over tables and chairs, only to be caught by the kind man and the two guardsmen. Her Eagle Union insignia cap fell off, rolling across the concrete before coming to a stop on the road right behind the truck. The last sounds she heard were voices calling for help on their phones, followed by a profound silence.

...

..

Chapter Text

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??? - ???

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Enterprise is standing alone on the ocean. All around her, are wreckages of the riggings she recognized to be her allies she was sworn to protect.

Breathing furiously in frustration, she is staring at a line of Siren battleships, with laser guns pointed right at her. A massive row of giant tentacles appears within the mist that rolls by the ships.

She trained her bow and aimed right at what looked like to be a gargantuan creature when it suddenly, the tentacles turn into laser guns.

"You...." Enterprise grumbled loudly and the creature revealed itself to be a humanoid Siren as well. She laughs devilishly as Enterprise fires multiple arrows in rapid succession, some turning into screaming eagle and bomber aircraft as she furiously fires at the Siren and a long row of battleships and cruisers, causing a tremendous explosion in the distance.

But she continues firing and firing, until the tentacles from the humongous Siren creature starts glowing bright purple, and soon, fires back, with its beam roaring straight towards Enterprise face. She manages to dodge a few laser beams and refuses to give in, but by the sixth beam, the concentrated beam shatters her bow.

"No!" she shouted.

Distracted by the loss of her weapon, the gigantic humanoid Siren fires another rows of lasers, whilst one of the battleships fires a large volley of homing anti-ship missiles. Refusing to give in, she evades the missiles, but then as she does so, she sees the beam, coming straight at her face.

Her vision flashed almost in an instant and she can only use her hands to shield her face. Then she shuts her eyes tight...

...

...

Only for her to open her eyes once more after the fact, she quickly gets herself up from lying down from her pillow, gasping for breath... Now, everything she sees is a dark room, with a large curtain that appeared to be covering a large window behind a bright set of lights outside and sniffing the cold air coming from an air-conditioning unit above by the wall, which allows her to ease her nerves and to check the surroundings more thoroughly, eventually she concluded:

"I am in a hospital, huh..."

She unfurled her blanket and checks herself by the mirror she finds beside her on the table to check what was wrong, to find out her wounds by her forehead had been healed, with bandages taped by her forehead and her arm have only a single tube connected through her skin which she believes it is an IV tube.

Apart from hearing rhythmic beeps from the EKG monitoring machine near her, she appeared to be wearing a hospital gown, a simple white medium sleeved shirt, and white pajamas after taking off her blanket. It dawned on her that everything she saw just moments ago was just a nightmare, and she gave a big sigh of relief once more.

Enterprise sighed: "What a nightmare...."

She looks on over the digital clock which was attached underneath the still-running television, which had been left on for quite some time. There she noticed that the date was indeed May 17, 2022, and it is now close to midnight, realizing that she had been out for several hours since she fainted upon hearing she is, in fact, at New York City, albeit in a very different timeline. 

She still couldn't believe that she had been moved forward 80 years in time, and now she didn't know what to do or think, especially about the fates of her friends and her comrades she knew, or what happened to her Commander after she had been separated. She pushed herself way past her limits despite her injuries to try and find her way back home, and now, she finds herself waking up in a cold hospital room, confined to wait in a world unfamiliar in her mind.

<>

May 17, 2022 - 11:48 PM

<>

After a few minutes of silence, she slowly gets herself up from bed, despite her muscles had been stiff. She slowly slides the curtain open to see numerous sets of lights, and vehicles and people from where she is standing.

"I am in this room wearing these comfy pajamas, and I am probably 2 floors up, just enough for me to still be able to see cars and people from there even at night," thought Enterprise.

As she stares out into the nightly view, she heard the door clacked open and a creak. She quickly turns around to see the same man wearing the black suit. He is surprised to see Enterprise standing by the window with the curtain opened wide. Enterprise is also surprised to see him as well.

"Y-you... You're the man at the bakery," she said.

"That's right," he nodded. He was carrying two paper bags, one held by his left hand, and the other, which is much bigger, and held on by his right arm compressed by his chest. He puts down the paper bags on the table nearby and closes the door as he said:

"Well, after I said, Welcome to New York, the first thing you did was faint..." He chuckled to himself before continuing: "The doctors said you passed out due to hemorrhagic shock by blood loss, but they've managed to stitch up and bandage your wounds in time, otherwise you would have been dead, a nice, fierce woman with white hair... and cute one at that too..."

His remarks flustered Enterprise for a slight bit. "I can see that, and thanks..." said Enterprise. "How long have I've been out?" 

The man replied looking at his watch:

"You were unconscious for 9 and a half hours... That makes it 2:22 in the afternoon, when you fainted at the bakery... And now here you are, at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn,"

"This place?" she asked. He nodded:

"Yeah, and judging that there are no records of you in our local or national databases... My guess is... you're not actually from here, are you?" The man as he walks up closer to Enterprise, which made her uncomfortable and increasingly apprehensive as she slowly stepped back and grabs hold of a pen nearby, intent on using it to stab him.

The man sees this behavior raised his hands as to show he is friendly.

"Relax, no need to be so apprehensive," he said reassuringly. "No one will know, and your secret's safe with me..."

"Who the hell are you?" asked Enterprise as she slowly puts the pen back on the table and he spoke:

"My name is Richard Keller Ambrose, but you can just call me Richard, if you like,"

"You said you're a former cop, right?" Enterprise slowly sits back down on her bed and Richard said as he grabs the chair and moves it closer to Enterprise's bed: "Yeah... NYPD... But I'm already retired..."

Richard grabs the remote control for the TV and switches it to mute. The TV stopped generating any sounds as he said:

"So you're just Enterprise, is that right? CV-6 Yorktown-class?"

"That's my name, I just told you at the bakery," she nodded.

"That's something very few people call women like that, especially to you," said Richard. "But we did name aircraft carriers and naval vessels from the United States Navy, and one of them happens to be just that..."

"Really? You mean there's one named after me?"

"The actual CV-6, she did participate in a lot of operations in the height of World War II," he replied. "From what I can tell, they said you died multiple times by Japanese kamikaze or bombing attacks yet you never were, that's how you got yourself the name... Grey Ghost..."

"I do remember... A scenario like that... Like I was actually there, and I was nearly dying..." said Enterprise.

"So you mean to say, where you came from, you nearly died a lot of times?" asked Richard. Enterprise can only say yes with a single nod, and Richard realizes she must have been from a different universe given how her memory can recall such an event as similar as the ones in his own. Curious, he asked:

"You're not actually from here... Right?"

Enterprise stared at him for a few moments and had a long thought, and she sighed as she replied:

"It's true... I am not from this world... I am from something similar as this world... But it is different..."

"What was your world like?" Richard inquired. Enterprise pondered deeply, reflecting on her life at Azur Lane's home base prior to her deployment to Midway, and she responded with:

"It looks the same as yours. Blue skies, beautiful oceans... sometimes oceans and seas used as a battlefield... The people in my world, they are like you, except they are all girls... And they have riggings that means they can turn into ships..."

"That's interesting?" Richard tried to process what she had said but Enterprise continued: "However, there are still men around here. Some who work here, also helping out with maintenance alongside women who are not shipgirls... My base is actually a thriving town even during the war..."

"That's great," said Richard. "Have you fed or drink well?" Enterprise replied: "I was trained to keep myself on patrol 24/7... I don't eat much, apart from rations..."

"Back in my day, I once had done patrolling duties," said Richard before he stopped short of explaining and said: "But that's a long time ago, what matters is, I've still been fed nicely and you looked like shit,"

"I'm in top shape, what do you mean by that?" said Enterprise, which Richard explained:

"Yeah, but the doctor's analysis said otherwise... While you were out, they informed me that apart from hemorrhagic shock, you also have malnutrition, in addition to caffeine overdose, as well as dozens of unexplained war-related injuries in your chest, legs and arms that weren't apparent on your physical condition whatsoever..."

"I don't believe you," said Enterprise.

"Believe this," he said as he pulls the drawer open, grabs the papers and slams it down on Enterprise's stomach, which she promptly grabs and takes a moment looking at the medical health analysis documents of her condition signed by Boris Yevgeny, and after a while, she felt there's nothing she can do to deny any longer.

" Belfast was right... you were right... The doctor was right...." she sighed. "I guess I am a sick woman..."

"Belfast? Who is she?" he thought to himself, but he decided to ponder on that later. He pats on Enterprise's shoulders as he spoke: "Hey, it's okay... What matters is that you are okay now... And it's never too late..."

"What am I supposed to do now?" asked Enterprise. Richard replied: "Doctor's orders, get some rest and don't forget to eat breakfast tomorrow morning. Also, take some headache and nutrition pills every 8:30 in the morning as well. They'll tell you once they arrived,"

"Yes... Richard, sir..." said Enterprise as she puts the papers down on the table beside her. Richard stands up from the chair and said:

"Well, it's getting late, time for you to get some sleep, I gotta head back home soon,"

But as he walks away, Enterprise called out: "Wait!" Richard stops and turns around, and then asked: "What is it? Got some more questions for me?"

In fact, Enterprise has had lot of questions surrounding not just about herself, but where she is or what happened in these 80 years. She is also curious about the one ship that he had said it existed in this world. In response, she replied: "I... i do have questions," 

Richard said: "Which ones? The war? Or you?" 

Enterprise then chose the former and Richard sat back down on the chair once more.

"I'll try to make it brief but... our last major conflict was World War II. A global war that almost every nation and colony fought, left tens of millions dead, countless more homeless and traumatized..."

"How did it start?" she asked.

"I watched documentaries and propaganda, read articles and books about this as a high schooler," he replied. "However, the actual cause of the Second World War remained contentious and no one agreed on what... But all I can say is there were a lot of tensions after another global war 20 years before that, and the alliance that created in the wake of the First World War, the League of Nations, they failed to do their job as far-right nationalism quickly spread, and shut down its operations..."

"League of Nations...? Just like Azur Lane..." she said. Richard's brows raised slightly upon hearing this and he said: "Azur Lane? What is that?" 

Enterprise explained to Richard: "Our major powers co-founded it as part of our treaty. Our organization exists to combat the greatest threats in the sea, our superiors and my friends called them the Sirens.. the humanoid alien ships that bears our kind, bent on trying to corrupt our world's oceans..."

Her explanation surprised Richard, especially about the Sirens.

"So, there's aliens as well?" he said. "God almighty, her universe has seen better days..." he thought to himself.

<>

May 17, 2022 - 11:56 PM

<>

After several minutes conversing about their own universes, Richard came to the conclusion:

"So let me get this straight. You and I, we have our same worlds, same nations, the same alliance, and the same world wars and the same ideologies, except we have different histories, different advancements of technology, different people, and you also happen to face off an extraterrestrial threat as well... I guess this must have an effect on you..." he said.

"Something about that," Enterprise nodded. "We have prototype satellites, weapons and radar systems and yet our war has changed things..." 

She clicked her tongue. "So, what happened after the Second World War, on your end?"

"Like i said, we fought for 6 years, and we won victorious. Years went by, our former enemies became allies... Meanwhile, our most powerful ally, well, we don't like each other, but that's something we'll discuss in the later time," he said.

"What about Sakura Empire and Iron Blood... or Imperial Japan or... Nazi Germany in your world?" Enterprise asked further and Richard said: "Gone... reduced to atoms... In terms of their nation sovereignty..." 

He continued:

"In its place, the nations that were once our enemies, got back up on our feet, rose from their ashes with our reconstruction efforts, and became their wealthiest economies while also becoming our allies, although some doesn't see it that way..."

"Why?" asked Enterprise. Richard sighed and said:

"Let's just say... after the war, the way how America reconstructed Japan with a new constitution that forever renounces the right to war... To some, even today, they make a huge shit deal out of it in a way they thought America is holding Japan as a slave, and so too does every other ally,"

"Why? Do they still hate the Eagle Union?" asked Enterprise. 

Richard said: "That's the United States of America for you, the land of the free, or... depends on who you ask," 

He then explained: "I do know most Japanese today are pro-American and so were Germans, but I also knew there will be others, like those focusing about World War II and how they wanted to go back to their past, they will never forgive and forget... That's what it is,"

"What did you do? To make them harbor such hidden hatred?" asked Enterprise.

Richard said: "Firebombed, and nuked in ash..."

"What?" gasped Enterprise. Richard sighed and continued: 

"Cities like Dresden and Tokyo, burns like matchwood with high explosives and napalm, and I kept watching it as if I was satisfied and also morbid. Hiroshima and Nagasaki... we use atomic bombs invented here by the brilliant minds at the time to turn these largest cities... into... nothing but ash... To this day, some say or debated that what we did is a war crime to target civilians..."

Enterprise was astounded, especially the part when he remarked about America using atomic bombs on two cities he referred to. In her timeline, he had once took a peek of part of the atomic research project and was aware of its fission capabilities, but having to hear this for the first time, she couldn't believe that it was literally used as a weapon of war..."

"Do you believe what your country did constitutes a war crime? To nuke the cities into oblivion?" asked Enterprise to Richard, to which he said rather frustratingly as he shrugged his shoulders: "I don't know... If it's a war crime by turning tens of thousands of innocent civilians into ash from a city as a military target, then it means to say that we are no different than the Axis anyway....

Suddenly, Richard mumbled: "After all, this is war, and when people die, they die, that's the end of it... War never changes..."

His words echo around Enterprise's mind, and she could see flashes of him and then to her own alternate self, who is covered in scars and blood on her face. She shakes her head to dispel her hallucinations and after regaining her senses, she said:

"I... I think I heard enough...," said Enterprise. She takes several deep breaths and some massaging on her forehead to calm herself down. Richard notices her panicked expression and asks: "Are you okay? You don't look so well..."

Enterprise replied: "No... I'm fine..." After regaining her composure, she said:

"So... what happened to... me?"

Richard took a deep breath and said: "You were the sole survivor of the Yorktown-class... In our world, CV-5 Yorktown and CV-8 Hornet sank into the seas in combat fighting against the Japanese... And the CV-6 Enterprise became the most decorated aircraft carrier of the United States Navy,"

Enterprise felt intrigued, but Richard continued:

"Unfortunately, none of the medals, nor the public calls for CV-6 to be a museum ship, can save that carrier to be sold for scrap in '58..."

Enterprise's heart nearly sank.

"Is that what's going to happen to me?" she asked worriedly.

Richard shrugged: "I don't know... That depends on your universe, whether if your war is ongoing or your world is at peace even for a short time." 

He continued: "In our world, what's done is done, but that name, and her achievements and history in the Second World War, they will never be forgotten. And in fact, there is another one in construction,"

"Really?" she asked. Richard pulls out his smartphone from his pocket and made a few taps on the screen, searching the new namesake aircraft carrier and shows it to Enterprise.

"Gerald R. Ford-class... CVN-80?" Enterprise reads on his smartphone, and she felt a small sense of relief.

"It is a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, one powered by nuclear propulsion that will keep the ship running for a long long time, and it won't be ready for 6 years or so..." said Richard. "The CV-6 was the seventh ship to bear that name, now the new Ford carrier will be the ninth..."

"Nuclear-powered? Huh..." thought Enterprise. "And now nuclear energy's been used to power ships instead of as weapons?"

 "But that's not important now..." said Richard putting his phone back in his pocket. "What's important is, you need some sleep now..."

"I understand..." nodded Enterprise. "Good," he smiled and walks off away from her. "Oh, and just a few things, I had your clothes cleaned up by the laundromat, they'll send them to you first thing in the afternoon... And I brought you some food and a new pair of clothes, I had them clearly marked, as well as some newspapers and magazines for you to find out more about this world of mine,"

Richard carried the two paper bags and put them closer to Enterprise, where she could see that the paper bags that he carried were indeed labelled, with "Clothing & Info" on the bigger bag and "Food", on a smaller bag, written on permanent ink markers. 

"I see... Thanks for helping me..." said Enterprise who let out a dim smile.

"I couldn't leave you disheveled and looking like shit forever," he said. "Anyway, it's midnight already, I got to get back home, I'll see you tomorrow morning,"

"Good night, I guess," said Enterprise as he walks out from Enterprise's room and closes the door behind him. Enterprise took a short time to close the curtains, turn the television off and closing her eyes, she fell asleep once more.

...

..

.

Chapter Text

<>

Brooklyn, New York City
May 18, 2022 - 8:11 AM

<>

The next morning had come. The roosters squawked and the birds started chirping. Neither could be done to rouse Richard Ambrose from slumber, and all what it takes is a noisy alarm clock, which rang loudly on and on until he finally gets up from bed and puts the alarm clock to silence with a big whack. He yawned as he stretched his arms and legs, along with his spine and hips as he gets up from bed.

He looks at the clock for the time and date and realized:

"Oh no! The promotion! I'll be late!"

In his frantic pace, he gets a quick shower and a brush of teeth, donned himself the navy blue suit and white polo shirt underneath, along with his matching suit pants and black leather shoes. Having done his finishing touches of his face, his hairdo, the cologne spraying on his suit and neck, and packing up the few things of his own, he makes a mad dash downstairs for the front door. Slamming the front door of his Park Slope rowhouse behind him and running for his Ford Escape Crossover, he gets a call on his smartphone from his friend and colleague, Helena Mizuno. As he gets inside the driver seat and inserted the keys in the ignition cylinder, he answers the call.

"Heeyyy! Richie!! I called you two times already, where are you!?" she cried by the phone. Richard quickly replied: "I'm on my way now, can you buy me some time?"

"I... I can't stall them any longer, you have to hurry. The special meeting's about to start 15 minutes,"

"No' that's not enough amount of time with this shitty congested street, but I'll be there soon, just hold on," he grunted as he shifted his gears and stepped on the gas, speeding off through the rowhouse neighborhood and crossing the Manhattan Bridge to get to Lower Manhattan. It is where his workplace is located; the Vicerone Cashbacks and Co. whose department store branch is located in the SoHo neighborhood. And he is struggling to make up lost time as the chronic traffic congestion costed him his time, and he became nervous and impatient as he stopped by the traffic light just on the other side of the bridge.

"Come on, come on please...." he mumbled quietly while attempting to resist the urge to honk at the drivers in front of him, knowing full well it would irritate them. He starts rubbing the steering wheel with his fingers and then tightening it, acting as a stress reliever to keep his nerves moving, whilst needlessly looking at the time from his on-screen car computer, at the same time, he thought about Enterprise.

"I might never get to see Enterprise until tonight, but I hope she'll be alright..." he thought to himself.

<>

Kings County Hospital, Brooklyn
May 18, 2022 - 8:22 AM

<>

Back in the hospital room, Enterprise is still inside, with the bandages for the forehead wound still taped on. After eating the breakfast given to by the hospital, which consists of a sliced piece of toasted bread with butter and jelly and sliced fruits, she opens a pill bottle containing the headache medication she needs once she finishes her meal. 

She grabs a plastic cup from the tray, and approaches what appears to be a water dispenser which was placed right across from her bed past the couches. Initially, it doesn't seem to contain water, as there's no visible container on top. However, upon pressing the buttons, water dispenses into her cup. She then observes the LED display on the machine, fascinated by its ability to indicate the remaining water level and to being able to pour out hot and cold water.

Enterprise tinkered on the dispenser and opens the cabinet underneath the nozzles and finds out it is actually a bottom-load water dispenser, which it uses suction to pull the water from the gallon container at the bottom with tubes coming from the refrigeration unit.

"I have seen water dispensers like this, but this is new to me," she said to herself. "This looks more technological and complex to me,"

Just then, she heard the door clacked open. Taken by surprise, she quickly slams the dispenser cabinet shut, fearing something may happen if she is caught tampering with the dispenser, just as the man wearing a long white coat and grey pants and holding the clipboard shows up beside her.

"Ah, Enterprise... you're awake already..." he said.

"I.... I am..." said Enterprise nervously. "Are you.... Doctor Boris Yevgeny? I saw the name and signature... And your nametag on your coat,"

"That's right, my observant one," he nodded. "I am indeed Boris Yevgeny, I am your doctor," He notices Enterprise grabbing the glass of water and walking back to her bed to take headache pills. Yevgeny was more or less impressed. After she takes the pills and flushed it down by drinking the full glass, Yevgeny asked:

"How's your injuries? Do you feel better?"

"Better, i guess," said Enterprise. Sitting back down on her bed and switching on the television, Yevgeny said reading the clipboard:

"So, given that your condition is improving, and you were able to stand up much efficiently all by yourself, by all measures, you will be discharged tomorrow morning,"

He puts down the clipboard only down beside his hip, held by his left hand and said:

"If there's any other additional treatment or if there is something wrong that needed attention, please let me know,"

"Look, I'm fine," said Enterprise confidently. "I had a scratch, no big deal,"

"Hemorrhagic shock and malnutrition seemed like no big deal to you?" Yevgeny scoffed. Enterprise grumbled upon hearing this and said: "Did Mr. Ambrose told you that?"

Yevgeny replied: "Nyet, Mr Ambrose is just simply the messenger. He paid the medical bills for you since there is none on the country's registry, and no information about you or your home... Unless, do you really have a home for you to return to?"

Enterprise felt nervous on whether if she should tell Yevgeny that she is not from their world, or if he had already been told to. Taking a deep breath, she said:

"No... I'm not from here..."

"Oh, so you're a foreigner, just like me back in my early days," he chuckled. Enterprise takes note of his accent and the way how he speaks and asks, rather foolishly:

"Are you from Northern Parliament?"

The doctor was confused:

"What Northern Parliament are you referring to?" Enterprise quickly said nothing, being reminded that she is in a different world. But recalling when Ambrose showed her the information about the newly constructed Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, and curious on how he gathered knowledge about the Second World War, she had an idea:

"Is there a library somewhere? I like to know more about this... United States of America... and this world here at large," asked Enterprise. 

"Well there's loads of libraries, the New York Public Library is the second-largest in America, but they're all located in Manhattan, and... you don't seem like you know the way, didn't you?" he said. 

Enterprise had remembered being in New York City a few times in her universe, but she had never once tried to go to a library before. She nodded:

"No... I didn't, and I don't remember..."

Boris felt sympathetic for Enterprise, thinking she didn't know much about the city. So he had an idea. He said: "I got something for you, I'll be right back," Boris leaves the room, leaving Enterprise alone watching television. There, she switches channels from time to time, watching Good Morning America, or Hell's Kitchen, and she even watched animation shows, something she takes keen interest of.

However, just as she switches over to the news broadcast channel, the first images she sees is a video footage of a building blown up, decimated in a bright glowing fireball as sirens blare in the background. Suddenly, her memory quickly flashed to when she was still in her own world, fighting against her enemies on the seas. When she gets to, she swipes the remote and had it shut down.

After the flash of memory had passed, Enterprise was visibly shaken, and her head was spinning.

"Nngghhh..." She grunted as she ran for the bathroom and looks herself in the mirror. She can only see her pale look on her face apart from the white patch of the bandage above her right eye. She kept staring at the mirror for a few seconds quickly pondering if she is really in a nightmare or not, and began reflecting on what she had seen... An image of a building being blown up in front of the camera that made its way to the news broadcast, and now it appears as if she is back to where she came from for a brief moment.

"Is that... is there a war going on...  Here? I thought it was over..." she said to herself.

As she washes her hands and finally satisfied she is still in her real world, Boris Yevgeny returns to her room. At first, he didn't see Enterprise on the bed but finds her at the bathroom who she is just leaving.

"Hey, Enterprise.... so I got an idea that will help you get to know more about this world," he said. He has a large yet thin pallet with a screen and a white rectangular box with two metal alloy prongs sticking out.

"What is this?" she asked. 

Yevgeny replied: "It's an iPad, a mobile tablet computer of sorts. You could do anything you want with this, play games, watch videos, write notes and documents, read news and magazines, something like that,"

"I see.. Is this yours?" she asked. Boris replied: "This is my old one, I already had a new one,"

"There's another iPad like this?" asked Enterprise as she wipes her hands.

"Yes, the 7th generation to be exact, I got that since last Christmas, and I've now used it to set up meetings and write appointments and notes. This one I'm holding right now is the 4th generation my wife bought 9 years ago; it's quite old but it was updated regularly, and it still works just fine last time I checked," replied Boris.

Enterprise gasped upon hearing this. With a slight blush, she asked: "I mean this looks like an interesting piece of technology, but do I have to pay for this? I mean I don't have money on my pocket,"

"No, I was about to give this away," said Boris. "So now, it is yours for as long as you want,"

After lending her his spare iPad, Enterprise inspects the tablet computer. At first glance, it appears to be in good condition and doesn't have any dents or cracks on its body cover or the screen itself. It took her only two seconds to find the power button and, having had prior knowledge to its existing mobile technology in her own world, presses her pointing finger on the button to try and switch the iPad on. Nothing happened... Several attempts go by... No response... Boris sees what was going on and replied:

"Ah, I haven't charged it for a while, I think this needs some juice," He takes the iPad and plugs the rectangular box, which is actually a charger by a nearby electrical socket behind her bed. He then plugs the charging port into the iPad to finally see that the tablet computer had indeed ran out of battery and is now charging. As he leaves the iPad resting on the table, he said to Enterprise that he has to check up on other patients.

"If you need me anything, there's a call button on your bed, or go to my office~ It's down through 6 rooms on this hall to the left, okay? Don't leave the hospital until you are cleared!"

"Yes, Doctor," nodded Enterprise as Boris Yevgeny leaves her room. Staring at the now blacked out TV that she had it turned off, she decides to explore the hospital herself, thinking there is not much else to do around, and she too leaves the room to explore around the hospital...

Exploring the halls, she could see doctors who not only wear white coats, they also wear standard surgeon uniforms as well, carrying tools and patients on wheeled stretchers past her. She comes across a waiting room, where she could see dozens of people sitting down in rows of chairs, some waiting for their loved ones, others staring out into the view, and she could see even people watching television; having a closer look on the TV reveals they were watching a football game.

"I've came across a lot of people today, some with different sizes and races, but I don't see any shipgirls like me..." she thought to herself. "Even now, I can't summon a bow with me, I don't have anything to protect myself except do hand-to-hand,"

However, as she continues walking down the hallway, she noticed one of the surgeons, who was in a rush sprinting down the hallway carrying a metal box, accidentally drops one of the scalpels onto the ground. At first, she tries to warn the surgeon as she was about to open her mouth, but then an idea comes to her mind...

"Maybe I'll keep this with me... Just in case..." she thought to herself. With no one else watching, she slowly grabs the scalpel and tucked it inside of her pocket and continues exploring the hospital. 

<>

SoHo, Manhattan
May 18, 2022 - 8:27 AM

<>

In Lower Manhattan, Richard finally arrives at the Vicerone Cashbacks and Co. Department Store after rushing in and about through congested streets of Manhattan. Hands and head sweating, and under time pressure with under 3 minutes left to spare, he bolts out from his car parked beside it, and ran through the front entrance past security, who he told them he didn't have time for them to check his bag for inspection.

He continues sprinting, climbing up the third floor on a flight of escalators, until he finally reaches the staff area and arrives at the meeting room, exhausted but on time. Sitting inside the room are dozens of store staff and employees, some of them are his colleagues. His friends, Helena Mizuno, Sebastian Jones, and Nate Fernandez, also his colleagues, are quite surprised to see him panting.

"Jesus, are you okay buddy? "asked Sebastian. Richard said, still trying to catch his breath: "Never better," 

The department store branch manager, Bryan Valdez, who had been leading the branch for 22 years, is also there, sitting on the far end of the table opposite of where Richard burst the door in with a row of staffers in between. He was surprised to see him, as he was starting to think he would never make it to the staff meeting on time.

"Good morning, Mr. Ambrose, you've arrived just in time... Although I couldn't help but seeing you so out of breath," He was curious to see him still panting after all the rushing about. He said:

"I'm sorry, I didn't fill up gas in advance I ran low on petrol, took me quite a long while..." He didn't want them to know he had actually stayed up until midnight to visit Enterprise and ended up waking up late. Everyone inside the meeting believed in him and he sits down beside Helena. As the minute hand of the clock skips forward to 8:30, Valdez clears his throat and says:

"Alright, settle down. I have a great announcement,"

Everyone falls into silence, and Richard only drank a bottle of water to quench his thirst and also looked at Bryan. As he looked at the papers and smiling, Bryan said:

"Richard, you've been serving the department store branch well, as Deputy Head of Security for 8 years starting off as a cashier and security guard since you were first employed for 15 years, so I am proud to announce you..." he pauses and takes a deep breath before he spoke:

"...that you are now promoted to Head of Security and Operations!"

Everyone breaks out in cheers and applause. His friends, Helena, Sebastian, and Nate couldn't have felt even more happier as they all hugged and shook hands with Ambrose, who he chuckled and awestruck by the news.

"Th-thank you, sir," he chuckled, who is nonetheless happy, but he also knew there would be a bigger responsibility that lays ahead of him as he knew that, as head of security and operations, it meant now any issues with the department store branch he finds must be answered or reported to the manager, who is Bryan Valdez himself.

As they slowly stop applauding, Bryan spoke:

"Our previous head had recommended that position to you, he believed that you are highly capable of doing this new job and we all believed that you will get it done. I am proud of you, my boy," he walked up to Ambrose and gave him a hug. After a short while, Bryan spoke to the staff as he said loudly:

"Alright! Settle down now! We still have work to do, and now from this day forth, this is now his first day as head of security and operations! Now get back to work, report any of the problems to Mr. Ambrose, and get this store running!"

"Yes sir," everyone in the meeting room replied in unison and they all walked outside to prep up the store. As Richard steps out alongside Helena, Sebastian, and Nate, he spoke to his colleagues as he issued his first orders: 

"So, first things first, I want you three to check the security camera systems, the kiosks, the cashier machines and the computers, as well as the air-conditioning units. I want these systems in top shape, can you do that?"

"Yes, Chief," nodded Helena, Nate, and Sebastian and they all headed out. As soon as they leave, one of the employees, who was in the meeting room, walks up to Richard and said: "Excuse me, I would like to make this report to you about the resupply issue?"

"Yes, what is it? Brianna?" he asked as he looks at her nametag. Brianna, one of her staffers, replied: 

"One of the resupply trucks full of glass and pottery were involved in an accident at Henry Hudson Parkway... Driver reported that one of the tires blew out and the truck's hanging over the Hudson River!"

"Oh dear god," said Richard quietly, horrified by the scale of the situation, and pauses to think as he tries to grasp the severity of the situation. After a short while, he replied: "What's the status of our goods, and is anyone hurt?"

"No updates on that yet... And police scanner says the truck's still barely hanging on..."

"Alright, I'll get back to this with our manager, I'll gather the manifest and request our suppliers for another shipment, I'll contact the NYPD and the Port Authority soon, you keep yourselves updated on the situation," said Richard.

"Yes, Mr. Ambrose, and thank you...." said Brianna. Richard nodded: "No problem... Now get back to your saleslady duty once you're done, okay?" he pats her shoulder and Brianna went off on her way while Richard is guided by one of the staffers to his new office while also informing them of the urgent situation.

<>

May 18, 2022 - 12:12 PM

<>

Meanwhile, for Helena, Sebastian, and Nate, the three were able to inspect the security camera systems, the kiosks, the cashier machines, and the air-conditioning units; all of them are in working order. They made their reports to Richard, and they all went back to their usual jobs once their maintenance checks are over; Helena is working as a saleslady guiding or recommending customers of which products they want to buy, while Sebastian and Nate handle the checkout register and packaging their items for customers.

By this point, the department store is already booming. In a store filled with loads and loads of affordable retail consumer goods, such as electronics, jewelry, clothing and shoes, and a small selection of snacks, thousands of shoppers flock in and out, exploring and buying the newest clothes and shoes. However, the accident at the Henry Hudson Parkway had caused problems as glassware products are almost running out and now as a result, prices have drastically gone up.

But nonetheless, everything runs smoothly. As the Head of Security and Operations, Richard tries everything he could muster to keep the operations of the department store running smoothly by quickly ordering another supply of glasswares, reassuring both the staff and customers; at one point, he even acts as a staff representative, especially to the stockbrokers on the first shareholders meeting in the day. Things are running well for him, and so too were his colleagues.

....

....

As they all went on lunch break, the three, along with two other staffers, Jake and Hector, discussed the situation of the department store.

"So, we are aware of what happened at the Hudson," said Hector. "Thankfully no one was badly injured, and emergency services managed to haul the trailer back onto stable ground,"

"That's great," nodded Nate as he felt relieved. Helena asked: "What's the bad news?" Jake replied: "Nearly 80% of the manifest was damaged along with the trailer; all of the damaged goods were computer hardware and glass wares, but luckily none of them were flammable and our new head of security and operations are requesting for another resupply,"

"As head of finance, we'll be expecting a smallest drop of stock devaluation and revenue because of the accident but given our discount sales week and our promotional advertisement campaign, we'll bounce back soon," said Hector reassuringly. Nate and Sebastian were nonetheless relieved that the situation will be resolved.

Soon, they turn attention to their very own plan. The five then had a huddle as Nate whispered: "Have you got the venue in place for Richard's surprise?"

"Yeah," nodded Jake excitedly. "Monk McGinns in Tribeca by Murray. Serving finest salads, entrees, and a beer available,"

"I've been here when I was a tween," said Hector excitedly. "My father used to take me there once, said that I'll be able to drink that when I was older,"

"Way i see it, now it's your chance, I wanted my buddy Ambrose to have a wonderful time," agreed Nate with a nod, but Helena is a bit apprehensive and concerned especially when she heard Jake mentioning about the beer:

"I don't know about this, we can't have him getting drunk on the first day and night of the job," she said. Hector pats on her shoulder and said: "Relax, he's already 49 years old. Plus our morning and afternoon shifts will end by five in the evening,"

"For us, yeah," scoffed Helena. "But Head of Security and Operations don't run on shifts, he runs 24/7 and he answers to our manager," said Helena.

"Which is why, we should ask Mr. Valdez to get in with our plan," suggested Hector, and everyone around him was surprised:

"Are you sure he's going to join in with us?" asked Helena. Hector confidently nodded: "I'm sure, after all, nightlife's best to celebrate other than just a promotion, you know," After a long thought, all four finally accepted his proposal.

"We'll meet up at the lobby at five thirty this evening, don't tell Richard about this," Jake told the four before they left to carry on with their duties. 

<>

King's County Hospital - Brooklyn
May 18, 2022 - 5:31 PM

<>

In the hospital, Enterprise has returned to her patient room. She had the scalpel hidden underneath her pillow and she started to watch television once more. After a long while, she decides to rummage through the two paper bags that Richard Ambrose brought for her. She starts with the one labeled 'Food,' meticulously taking out each item. The first thing she retrieves is a snack bag of honey apple chips.

"Sugar-coated Honey-apple chips huh?" she said. As soon as she opens the bag, a whiff of honey-scented sweet smell enters through her nostrils, and she gasped in excitement. She takes a single bite of a single piece, and she said:

"These chips tastes good, I don't care if that's processed or natural, just so long as if it gives me energy," After munching down on a few pieces, she rummages the food bag again, and pulls out Kit-Kat green tea chocolate bars, two pieces of doughnuts, and a plastic with a tinfoil wrapped around a chopped cheese sandwich, a kind of sandwich that she has never seen before..."

"It looks like the ground beef's cooked nicely with all the cheese mixed around it, complete with vegetable relishes in a toasted bun..." she said as she inspected the sandwich. She took a bite, and she was smitten by the savory flavor of the sandwich she has ever experienced. The sandwich is slightly warm as it was being wrapped in tinfoil.

"I haven't eaten anything but canned rations since the war..." she said as she takes another bite. "I might want to thank Mr. Ambrose for that..." However, she stops eating the sandwich halfway down when she remembers about Ambrose. Just then she heard a knock on the door; it was Boris Yevgeny again...

"Hey there, how are you feeling?" he asked. He then spots Enterprise eating honey apple chips and the chopped cheese sandwich.

"I've seen you're taking a fill, how's the food you bought?" he asked.

"N-no," Enterprise stuttered. "Mr. Ambrose gave these things to me last night..."

As she continued to take bites on the chopped cheese, she said: "I wonder how he got this much stuff," said Enterprise. "I was constantly starving, and these have great tastes on my mouth," Boris chuckled and said:

"It's because he has a job, and I've heard he's just promoted to Head of Security and Operations of the Vicerone Cashbacks Department Store," His response got Enterprise curious. "Really?" she says, and he pulls out his smartphone and replied: "This came up this afternoon, employees of the Vicerone branch posted this on social media, come take a look,"

Boris presented Enterprise with numerous messages and pictures from the online forum board established by Vicerone Cashbacks employees, announcing Richard Ambrose's recent promotion to Head of Security and Operations. The posts are what called rumors as they heard there was an accident, and it was said that Richard had managed to solve the supply product crisis. The forum posts were brimming with excitement and anticipation. Both Enterprise and Boris were notably impressed upon seeing his image of himself, as captured on camera by one of the employees.

"Now I understood why he's not coming this morning, and that's how he had a lot of money to buy these things for me..." said Enterprise. Boris knew this too and added: "Well, my gut tells me that there's going to be a heck of a lot of responsibilities waiting for him..." He puts his phone back in his pocket and asks: "Since you were waiting for him for a long while, would you like me to make a call with him?"

Enterprise was flustered. She wanted to ask him about the things she didn't know about his world, but now aware that he is already busy with the new position, she nodded:

"No thanks..."

"Suit yourselves then," Boris remarked as Enterprise began to rummage through another paper bag labeled "Clothing and Info." once she has finished the chopped cheese. She noticed a white cloth, encased in thick plastic, protruding from the top and pulled it out, revealing a long-sleeved white blazer shirt. Continuing to unpack, she discovered a black, fluffy pleated skirt and black stockings. The fact that Richard had purchased new clothes for her came as a surprise.

"This looks beautiful..." she said. As she neatly arranged her clothes on the table, a man wearing a blue cap, a blue shirt and black suit pants and carrying Enterprise's old outfit, arrives by the doorstep and asked:

"Excuse me, clothes delivery for Patient 136, name Enterprise?"

"H-hey, that's me," said Enterprise before Doctor Yevgeny could speak anything else. As she grabs her original uniform, a sleeveless white vest, a black jacket and a black short skirt with gold linings, Boris Yevgeny asks:

"How much for all the services?" However, the delivery man spoke: "It's $36.99, the extra cost was for delivery services, but don't worry about it, it's already paid," Enterprise asked: "Who?" The man said: "Mr. Ambrose paid it in full..."

Enterprise was taken aback when she learned of this, thinking to herself, "He not only paid my medical bills but also took care of my laundry?" She couldn't fathom why Richard would go to such lengths to ensure her safety, especially since they had only met the day before when she was aimlessly wandering in the streets covered in blood.

"Is he a nice guy?" she thought.

As Boris Yevgeny leaves her room and after changing herself to her old uniform, Enterprise checks her iPad to find it has been fully charged. Finally, Enterprise is about to make use of her new tablet computer. With a long press of a power button, her iPad came to life. Using her finger, she unlocks Yevgeny's older iPad; appearing in front are only several applications and other files that were left untouched. Her first instinct was to go to the browser to search for New York City.

After typing them down on the browser's search bar, she finds loads and loads of search items, from blog posts, articles, and a mass selection of videos from YouTube and other online video hosting services she hadn't known. She taps one of the YouTube videos when she suddenly saw something in the thumbnail. In the video "Exploring Down to Tribeca", she noticed a small figure that bears striking similarities to a person she knows. Watching the video, the person recording the video who calls himself via his YouTube channel "7Pack", is vlogging near the city's streets. Beside him, he is seen interacting with a person with pinkish white twin-tailed hair and a bunny ear headband, who upon being asked by 7Pack: "Now, what's your name?"

"M-my name is... Laffey... Just Laffey," the little girl spoke. Recognizing her voice and her face, Enterprise froze. She couldn't believe what she is seeing. The thought of seeing Laffey, after when she was separated back in her own world, sends her in chills.

"Laffey..." Enterprise can only say her name before she quickly grabs the scalpel, and two plastic bags found beside her. There, she hurriedly packs all her remaining snacks inside the double-layered bag and started sprinting herself out from the room. With a door leaving a bang, she leaves her iPad behind on the bed while Enterprise rushes past through confused doctors and patients, with her bag full of her supplies in hand, she dashes out from the Kings County Hospital through the main entrance and disappears.

Boris Yevgeny, hearing the commotion, rushes back to Enterprise's room, only to find out now, she had indeed vanished, with only her iPad left behind on the bed...

"Боже мой (Bozhe moy), Enterprise, where the hell are you..." he said.

...

..

Chapter Text

<>

Tribeca, Lower Manhattan
May 18, 2022 - 5:44 PM

<>

Meanwhile, back in Lower Manhattan, Richard Ambrose, and his colleagues Helena, Nate, and Sebastian are at a cocktail bar in Tribeca near the World Trade Center, spending their time drinking beer and eating sirloin steak wraps. Their manager, Bryan Valdez is also there too; earlier both Jake and Hector had previously told Valdez of the surprise party, and he had kindly accepted their request to be on their surprise, on the condition he also bring extra staff members as well.

As a result, the Monk McGinns cocktail bar is quite crowded; almost all seats were taken, and the atmosphere became lively. Some were watching TV, others were chatting amongst themselves, and a few would even get to speak to their new head of Security and Operations, Richard Ambrose, who had been recently promoted.

As they all gather around Richard and Bryan, the latter spoke:

"Alright everyone, please settle down!" As the crowd quiets down, Bryan picks up the glass and said while raising slightly high by his face: "Tonight, we celebrate, Richard Ambrose, for becoming our new head of Security and Operations!" After a few words of grace, everyone raised their cups full of beer up in the air and they all had their toast as they all said: "Cheers!". Their cups clink with each other and they soon chow down on their meal and make their rounds of drinks, with Richard also joining in.

"Augh!" groaned Sebastian. "I may be 26, but I never felt this so strong," Hector replied: "You'll get used to it. This is your first time, even for me,"

"Here's your celebration, of you spending 15 years to get here," said Helena as she calls for the bartender to give Richard another round. As she does, Richard said rather quietly to himself:

"15 years huh..." He stared at the empty glass and tightened his grip, as he starts to hear echoes of the past. He at first hears bouts of yelling, and then escalates into struggling and fists being landed on one another, which led him to tightening his palms on the glass. Just before it is about to break, his silent harsh reminiscence was interrupted when he heard ringing sounds of a cellphone, followed by a vibration that came from his pocket. He picks up the phone and sees the screen for a few moments; it was Doctor Boris Yevgeny.

Standing up from the chair, he said to both Helena and Bryan: "Excuse me, I gotta take this call," He briskly walks outside the bar and answers the call.

"Hey doc, how is it?" he asked. Boris sighed: "Not good... It appears your Enterprise has disappeared."

"What?!" He exclaimed. "H-how? What's going on?" He asked. Boris replied: "I am not sure, but I do heard commotion, and we found out that Enterprise had indeed ran off from her room. She just bolted away from the hospital without my permission,"

"Jesus Christ, how did that happen?" Richard shook his head. "I'm not sure how she snapped, but this is serious. Enterprise might get lost somewhere in the city; she doesn't know much about this place..." replied Boris.  He pauses for a short while before continuing:

"You have to find her as soon as possible. Who knows what's going to happen to her..."

Richard began to feel anxious, and he too also feared about Enterprise's safety... After a short while, he said...

"Ok... I'll try to find her as soon as possible..." he said.

"Thank you, Mr. Ambrose. Just bring her back safe, okay?" said Boris before he hung his phone up. He frisked his phone back in the pocket and ran back inside the cocktail bar to speak to Valdez. He said:

"Sorry boss, It was the doctor... I had a diabetes appointment coming up soon, I had to go,"

"Wait really?" said Bryan. His colleagues heard this too as Jake asked: "What's going on, Richard?"

"Nothing in particular," he said quickly. "Just go celebrate without me, and thanks for the party," He then scurries off after taking the bite of the sirloin steak wrap and a last sip of the beer,  before jumping in his car and drove off on his own to find Enterprise.

"She can't have gone that far..." he thought to himself as Richard crosses the Brooklyn Bridge and decides to head for the Kings County Hospital Center where he'll check the building's cameras to trace Enterprise's steps.

<>

Park Slope, New York City
May 18, 2022 - 5:59 PM

<>

Enterprise had escaped from Kings County Hospital Center for 10 minutes. Despite she had an iPad and had searched up a few articles about the city, she had no idea on where to go, or how to get to Manhattan, where Laffey was last seen with the YouTuber she know as "7Pack". However, that wasn't the only problem. Not only it is the biggest city in the United States, or Eagle Union in her own mind, but she didn't have any cash for any transportation to take her there, forcing her to walk on foot.

"Ugh, why I didn't think of asking Mr. Ambrose or Doctor Yevgeny for some cash..." she grumbled upon realizing the fact.

She had no time to resort to becoming a beggar to get cash when she knew that Laffey is somewhere in Manhattan. In desperation, she would try to ask anyone for directions. At times, she would scrounge whatever she could find on the streets. Eventually, as she walked down the stretch of Flatbush Avenue, she was able to find a nearby map that had been thrown in the trash. With the map, she could locate where Manhattan is.

"Alright, so based on the map, I am currently here, so I need to travel all the way on Flatbush Avenue, from here to... Manhattan Bridge..." she said to herself. And she was appalled by the amount of distance she had to travel on foot. Without money, she couldn't afford a taxi. Without her riggings that would allow her to travel almost endlessly on high seas and the fact she has to use her legs to travel, she started to feel exhausted after several minutes. and decides to rest at a bus stop right near Prospect Park to catch her breath.

"I might never make it..." she panted. "This is so far..." 

Sitting down on the bench by the bus stop beside her is a man wearing his red and white colored cap, who is waiting for a bus on the way to Manhattan. She edged herself closer to the man and asked nervously:

"Excuse me... Can you tell me how to get to Manhattan?"

The man explained:

"It's right through here... You have to walk through this stretch of road through Prospect Park, then past through Grand Army Plaza and then take the left to continue following through Flatbush," he said. "From the Grand Army Plaza, look at the tallest skyscraper in Brooklyn, the one with the black, bronze cladding exterior called The Brooklyn Tower, use that as a reference that you need to walk straight ahead to. Once past that, keep going until you see the two blue steel towers and white cables in front of you, that's the Manhattan Bridge and you need to cross that bridge to reach Manhattan,"

"I see," she nodded having already knew which way to go. "But even still, that's so far away on foot..."

"Do you have money?" he asked, to which she said rather reluctantly: "No I don't have..."

The man offered Enterprise a lift, saying: "I am waiting for my next bus, I could use my money to have two tickets for you and me to ride the next bus to Manhattan," but Enterprise, ever as introverted and distrustful to those she didn't know, said... "N-no it's okay, I'll walk instead..."

"Okay, suit yourselves," he nodded as he sits back down. "But be careful, you may never know what danger lies ahead of you..." he warned Enterprise with his sinister look.

Enterprise, though a bit unsettled by his demeanor, but acknowledged by what he said, proceeds to walk away, but as she does so, the man called out Enterprise and she stopped. The man in his cap was curious about what Enterprise is doing, so he walked closer to her and asked.

"Can you tell me the reason why you want to... walk all the way from here to Manhattan? That's the place where it never sleeps, but you will easily get lost in the streets if you don't know where you're going even if you can make it through this long stretch of road..." he said.

Enterprise; though despite being unnerved because she is in the most populous city in the United States, more than she ever knew back in her own world, continued to feel determined...

"That's none of your business..." she grumbled.

"Fair enough," the man shrugged. "But again, you never know..." he warned again, and Enterprise said...

"I'll... be fine, don't worry..." she said. She puts up the brave face, but in reality, she had no idea what happened to her or what she will find of Laffey. She doesn't want to tell anyone on where she is for fear they may spread their word to anyone with malicious intent, or to discover her connection between herself and Laffey. With her face now on YouTube, she feared that everyone would know either way, and for this reason, she doesn't mention about Laffey.

After that, the bus arrives at the bus stop and the man in the cap boards the bus, which after a few minutes, whizzed away through the park. Enterprise also walked away from the bus stop in the same direction as the bus, through the forests at Prospect Park, embarking on the longest journey she had ever done before on foot without her riggings that she was unable to summon.

<>

May 18, 2022 - 6:24 PM

<>

After crossing the Grand Army Plaza and the Prospect Park, by this point she was now getting exhausted. With her riggings, she could travel endlessly on the seas for miles and miles on end. But with her in America's most populous, and the largest city by size, she finds it hard to carry on and without her riggings, walking in such a long distances quickly started to tire her out. As she trundles through the Grand Army Plaza, she saw a tall skyscraper, sitting among the skyline of other high-rises around it from a distance.

"If this man is right... this road right here will lead me to the Manhattan Bridge," she said as she continues to walk, taking a few short stops to catch her breath, leaning herself on streetlight poles or on benches, and eating what's left of Richard's snacks he bought for her she kept in her bag. However... there is a problem.

"The snacks are good, but he didn't bring me any drinks or refreshment... I only had a cup of water back at the hospital and now, for all this walking, I am thirsty..." she said.

However, she didn't have any of her money to buy her own choice of drink... That is until after she crosses the intersection, she finds a few $10 dollar bills scattered around the curb, nearly hidden by a row of traffic cones. Discreetly, she grabs the banknotes and inspect the cash.

"I only got 20 US dollars, i think this should do," she said before she tucked it in her vest pocket, and now with her money in hand, she decides to make a stop at a nearby restaurant. Approaching said restaurant, she looks at the sign posted on top of the door and a line of windows.

"Chipotle... I've never seen such establishments like this before in my time..." she said to herself.

She steps foot inside the store and finds people sitting on the chairs eating their rice meals and burritos of different kinds. She finds yet more signs, this time on the counter.

"A Mexican restaurant huh... I only heard it a few times back then, but this..." she thought to herself. Wasting no time, she tries to walk up to the counter to buy herself a drink, but was stopped by a man who said:

"H-hey, excuse me, ma'am, there's a line back there,"

But Enterprise said: "I don't have time for this!" And tries to push herself forward, but this results in another man stepping up and attempts to calm Enterprise down. She wouldn't give in and started yelling at them, escalating the situation. She and three other customers started arguing with one another while waitresses tried to defuse the situation...

All of a sudden, everyone heard a loud, explosive bang... Everyone jumped in fear, and they stopped arguing at once. Behind them, two masked men; one gruff man with a large body build armed with a Stevens 311D sawed-off shotgun and the other robber, a more average skinned build and armed with a Glock 19C pistol, barged through the front doors of the restaurant. One of the men trains the shotgun at Enterprise and the crowd of people lining up by the counter, and who had fired the warning shot by firing the shell at the ceiling earlier, yelled: "Give me all of your money, and step aside!"

Everyone else around them comply by nervously handing out all of their purses to the gruff man, but Enterprise stood still. The robbers quickly lose their patience and said:

"Give me all of your money, missy!" Enterprise instead slowly backs herself up to the counter slowly, while raising her hands up. The man forcefully shoves his shotgun at her chest and yelled at the cashier clerks behind Enterprise as he pushes her forward by the counter:

"You there, dump the registers now or I'll blow her heart off!" The cashier clerks, in fear, began to comply, but Enterprise, despite having the shotgun being pointed at her chest, breathes in an out to try and avoid panic.

"This is just like war... So they did never change... Those insolent pricks they are..." she thought. Her mouth started to shudder and her nerves are rattling as she starts breathing more rapidly. As the cashiers pulls out all of their cash, Enterprise, not willing to let this heinous crime go unpunished, said:

"I have money too, take mine..."

"You crazy?" the gruff man asked.

"No," she nodded. "Just put the shotgun away so i can reach for my pocket. The robber complies, while his partner continues to keep other customers at bay using the Glock 19C pistol. After the shotgun-wielding robber backs off with a step, Enterprise slowly reaches for her front vest pocket and pulls out only 20 dollars she had once found on the ground. In reality, however, she is tightening its grip on the money.

And tucked inside the money, is her scalpel, which she had earlier stolen from the Kings County Hospital Center that morning... As the man steps closer to grab the cash from her, Enterprise uses her left hand to grab the man closer, then using her right hand, she plunges the scalpel that was concealed inside two pieces of banknote, right to his left side of the neck. She pulls it out and stabs him again, with such great force that the bladed tip sheared off, causing him to scream in pain.

"RUN, GET OUT NOW!" Enterprise yelled as the customers started pushing through the other gunman and tried to flee from Chipotle, some even smashing their windows for a quick exit.

The skinned man tries to use the Glock pistol to shoot at the fleeing customers, but Enterprise, seeing this, shoves the gruff man who she had stabbed with the scalpel, right into his partner. With her scalpel still in hand and despite having its bladed tip torn off, she slashes the other man's wrist and wrestled for the pistol, stopping him from firing at the fleeing customers. The cashier clerks, and very few customers that remined behind, either ducked behind cover or hid underneath their tables, or had fled inside the kitchen to call the police.

Enterprise, using what skills she had on the battlefield in her previous world, attempts to take down the two men, who by now, have recovered, and after firing a few shots which they have missed, resort to using melee attacks using their fists. Enterprise strikes at the skinned robber, who loses the pistol and he also tried to use the glass cups on Enterprise, but she uses her shoulder to block the attack, which also wounded her shoulder. Undeterred, Enterprise then performs a forward standing kick, sending his body slamming into the door by his back and temporarily knocking him out.

Focusing on one man who had wielded the shotgun at her chest, she repeatedly landed blows with her fists as the man attempts to use the shotgun, but Enterprise wrested for the firearm, causing him to fire the shell at the light bulb, causing it to explode. Shards and bits of mercury vapor fall on his face, temporarily blinding him as she grabs the shotgun out from his hand and whacks him in the face.

However, by this point, his partner recovers the Glock 19C and fires three shots, one below her floating rib, the next striking her right thigh, nearly grazing through her vital artery, and the final shot right by her shoulder. Without her power of the Wisdom Cubes, she is no more than an ordinary human being, and she takes the pain from the full force, stumbling down on the floor, lying by the counter. The man who she had previously whacked with the sawed-off shotgun and bleeding by his neck, now in turn, retaliates and smashes her face and her hand and chest using his shotgun, while also kicking at her legs, especially at her gunshot wound.

After venting out his anger by punching her repeatedly, he proceeds to reload two shells on his shotgun and trains it at Enterprise, who is now unable to stand up because of her injuries. She stares right at the barrel and thought to herself:

"Huh... so this is how I die... And this time, it's not the Sakura Empire... But these vile pricks from my own..." After closing her eyes for what it might be her demise, suddenly she heard glass smash and the man who trained the shotgun at her face suddenly yelps out in pain and stumbled down.

Then, Enterprise could see Richard Ambrose viciously beating him by grabbing another glass cup and striking at his face and then landing his fists at this chest several times, nearly hitting by their windpipe. Enterprise looks at the accomplice behind him, who is aiming the Glock 19C for Richard. She yelled:

"Richard, look out!"

Richard hears this and also saw the gunman. In his quick reflex, he uses the gruff man as a shield; he then takes the shot by his spinal cord and dies. Richard, using his strength and advanced skills akin to a police officer, continues to use the dead man to advance forward, blocking all the shots from the Glock and then threw the body at the skinned man, who falls on his back landing by his head due to the former's weight and momentum.

Finally, he pulls him out by his hair and the two had a melee, landing blows at one another and punches to their head, before Richard, using his superior skills than Enterprise, gains the upper hand and blocks the attacks, before he sweeps the accomplice with his leg, tumbling down. He then grabs the accomplice and hurls straight across and onto the tables, and finishes him by smashing the chair on his back, immobilizing him with a groan in pain. With one robber dead, and the other incapacitated, his attention now turn to Enterprise, who was horrified to see her wounds from the three bullet holes she sustained. He drops the battered chair onto the ground and rushes to her, and frantically asked:

"Enterprise! What happened to you, are you okay?"

"I'm fine..." she said breathing as she was still in pain. She tried to stand up, but fails. "Hey hey," he said. "Stay put, I'ma get some help," Richard keeps her on the floor to avoid risking her losing more blood, and as he pulls out his handkerchief, he calls out inside the restaurant:

"H-hey! Anyone! The woman's bleeding, I need some rags or a cloth, hurry!"

Soon, two workers inside the restaurant, one a cash clerk and the other a chef who had been prep cooking at the time of the attempted robbery appear behind the counter. They looked at Richard and Enterprise, along with the corpse of the one robber and the other who is still in pain. visibly shaken by the sight of violence. The prep cook, Brendan walks up to him and asks: "Is she okay?" Richard replied: "She's shot three times, I don't know if she's going to make it this much... I need a lot of rags, and some zip-ties if you have any,"

Brendan replied: "We've already called the cops sir, they're on their way. He turns to the clerk and said: "Millie, get the rags and the zip-lock ties!" She nodded and rushed off into the kitchen to get the supplies. As Richard tries to cover her wounds, Brendan, looking at the two robbers on the ground, asked:

"You a cop?" Richard replied: "Used to be... " Enterprise stares at him as he tried his best to help her. She had witnessed how skilled Richard is with her own eyes as he fought bravely against two assailants much better than on her own.

After having done what he could, he inspects the shotgun found on the floor and finds it is still loaded. Soon, Millie returned with five pieces of clean cloth from the kitchen, and 2 sets of black-colored zip-ties. Richard takes the zip-ties, and goes in to restrain the robber, leaving Brendan and Millie to tend to Enterprise's wounds themselves.

"The police are almost coming sir," said Millie. Richard nodded: "I know, I just need to make sure he won't get away,"

As he walks up to the skinned robber, still grunting in pain and anger, he proceeds to pull out the Glock out from their reach and tosses it aside; the magazine is still loaded. While doing so, he asks while pulling out the mask:

"What's your name boy?" The young man didn't say anything.

Richard continued pressing him as he warned: "Attempted murder, armed robbery, destruction of property, and illegal possession of firearms, I'll bet my stinking ass that you will be going to the Sing Sing for life if you're guilty," before he proceeds to restrain him with Millie's zip-ties.

However, before he could do so, the robber jumps up and pulls out a knife hidden by his ankles inside his pants. He shoves him and proceeds to charge towards Brendan, Millie, and Enterprise, with their intention to kill them all.

Richard leaps forward and grabs the Stevens 311D lying on the floor just right close to him as where he landed, and shouts at Enterprise, Brendan, and Millie to move out of their way. Millie manages to drag Enterprise out and Brendan jumps forward away from Richard, who squeezes the trigger, firing buckshot pellets straight at his back and nearly hitting Enterprise or Brendan on either side. The shot causes him to fall forward, slamming chest first on the floor.

The robber wouldn't give in and tries to crawl forward, still growling in relentless anger and intent on killing Enterprise.

Richard stood up and walks up to accomplice and saw that he is still attempting to crawl forward with the knife on his hand. Pointing the shotgun with one shell left, he yells:

"DROP IT! PUT THE KNIFE DOWN!"

Unfortunately, the man refuses no matter how much he tried, and with no choice, Richard squeezes the trigger again, firing yet another load of buckshot pellets, this time to the head, finally dropping him dead, much to the horror of the other restaurant staff and a few of the customers still covering behind the tables, including Enterprise.

After checking to ensure he is dead, he goes back to Enterprise, putting the shotgun down on the table. As several police cars and an ambulance approach at the site, sirens blared and became louder and louder at each second.

"Are you okay?"

Enterprise nodded: "Yeah... I'm fine..."

'H-how?" he asked. "How did you get here? Doctor Yevgeny called me.... Why did you run away!?" His question surprised Brendan and Millie as he attempts to process the situation, but before Enterprise could answer, several police cruisers finally turn up, screeching their tires to a halt right outside the restaurant.

Dozens of officers, armed with shotguns and machine guns, first took positions around the perimeter, then they storm inside the restaurant, shouting "POLICE!" for a few times, until they saw two dead attackers along with a few customers who had hid in a rearmost part of the shop or had ducked behind their tables, who by now began to reveal themselves. They were shaken by the violence of the attack, and the savagery of Richard killing the attackers as if he had shown no mercy when in fact he had no other choice, but otherwise they were unharmed and relieved to have been rescued.

Richard raised his hands and places the shotgun down on the table as officers trained their guns at the four. One of the officers who leads the squadron of officers barging inside the restaurant, saw the wounded Enterprise, and speaks on the walkie-talkie:

"Captain, we got someone injured. Send the bus over and quickly!" After speaking on the walkie-talkie and inspecting the gunshot wounds on Enterprise, he turns over to Richard, and remarked: "That's one hell of the shot you have for a Cop Killer,"

Richard scoffs and nodded: "Yeah that's right.. Sergeant Keifer McGuinness, 78th Precinct..." He appears to recognize him from before and he said: "Looks like you haven't changed last time..."

"You haven't either, Mr. Head of Security," replied Kiefer. "How's your promotion, did all of the booze get you going?" Richard grumbled, pointing his finger warning him:

"If you think about laying a hand on my friends or our establishment, I'll see to it that I won't be having just my ass being whooped bad, I'll do the same in kind except much worse than a bullet to their brain..."

"Hmph, that's great, your sorry-ass integrity remains the same as it is, Cop Killer..." said Kiefer mockingly, before he walks out from the restaurant saying: "Good luck with your job tomorrow," Richard seethed in fury as he clenched his fists tightly, but he manages to resist the urge to lash out and land a punch on Kiefer, knowing full well he would be in trouble had if he assaulted the cop provoked, especially right in front of civilians and the police around them.

Enterprise, Brendan, and Millie watches as Kiefer leaves the restaurant with the other officers guarding the restaurant, and then they turn to Richard, who spent his time standing, breathing in and out to try and restore his composure, finally unclasping his fists and exhaled with a long sigh.

Enterprise, looking at Richard, asked: "How do you two know each other? What's going on?" Richard can only look at Enterprise with a glum, melancholic expression on his face and said nothing, only words he can say are before he stormed off:

"I'll speak with you later,"

"Where are you going?" asked Millie. He said, passing by standing officers without having his back turned: "Out! I need to be alone..." ...before he disappears as he leaves the crime scene by the front door, walking past the cordon of officers without saying any word, all the way back to his car. Slamming his driver side door, he quickly guns the engine, and drove away from Chipotle, just as ambulances arrive to take Enterprise back to Kings County Hospital.

...

..

Chapter Text

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Azur Lane Home Base, Eagle Union
May 18, 1942 - 7:44 PM / 1944

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At Enterprise's own universe, it has been more than 24 hours since the strange incident had occurred right by the waters off Midway, the last known location where the naval shipgirls from the Royal Navy, the Eagle Union, and Sakura Empire had last fought, and now, the last transmission they had heard from... An unexpected storm...

By then, it had disappeared as it had suddenly appeared, as well as all radio contact. And for a person in charge, a man with natural brown short curly hair and wearing the Commander outfit sailor uniform, named Dave Charles Berenson, is seen sitting in his chair who had been writing reports and investigating and studying dozens of papers and documents, it is something he had never experienced, not since when the Sirens had wreaked havoc on the world a few decades back. 

He has not heard from them since the storm until he recently got reports that they have found what's left of the Midway Defense fleet. The shipgirls who had been recovered from Midway had suffered serious injuries, and he has since then enacted a state of emergency, as Eagle Union military personnel started setting up makeshift medical centers.

As he is writing on the papers, he gets a call from his communicator attached on his desk. Answering the call, a holographic image of a woman with long ears, blue eyes and a long pink hair, named Duke of York, from the Royal Navy, spoke:

"Commander Berenson, what's the status of Midway? Are there any more survivors?" Berenson replied, still writing and scrounging the papers.

"The island territory itself suffered minimal damage, despite it was well within the storm area, but what's strange is that the storm could even appear out of nowhere and hurt our ship girls caught within," said Duke of York.

"I see, now have you found any more of the defense fleet?" he asked.

"We've just reported that our rapid search teams have just found Helena, Zuikaku, and Guam, their riggings are nearly mangled and they're unconscious..." said Duke of York. "We'll keep looking but... It appears there's nothing much left of it..."

"Alright, prepare the rescue and recovery ships, and tell the health department head to set up triage, medical camps, as well as the medical supplies quickly," said Dave.

"Yes Commander," nodded Duke of York. Dave continued: "I've already contacted the Eagle Union government. The White House will be making their statement soon, and the Secretary of Navy's mobilizing their assistance,"

"Thank you," Duke of York smiled but the two are still anxious, especially by the one pressing matter at hand.

"Do you know who did this or what caused this?" asked Duke of York. Dave didn't want them to lose morale and he attempts to reassure her as he said:

"We'll find the survivors first and focus on their injuries, especially Queen Elizabeth and Prince of Wales, then we'll deal with the mystery later," Duke of York smiled and said: "We will, Commander, thank you...." ...before she hangs up the call, and the holographic screen fades out. Berenson gave a sigh as he looks at the papers; in it is a list of shipgirls involved at Midway. Although he was hopeful he would find them, he is not impressed by the casualty report. 

"Enterprise, Laffey, Akagi, Shoukaku, Hyuuga, Hiryuu, Belfast.. they've not yet been found.. The list goes on and on... and there's only a few coming back suffering various injuries and are sent to the infirmary... And yet...." he stops short before he whispered to himself:

"Where did they go? Did they get sucked underneath the seas, or were they...?"

He feared the worst-case scenario, but just then he heard the knock on the door. Berenson said: "Come in..." The door clacks and swings open, revealing to be Devonshire, from the Royal Navy. He holds his paper when he looks at Devonshire as she said:

"Master," she said. "We need you at the Command Ops right away,"

Berenson puts down the paper and said: "I'll be right there," Devonshire leaves the office while Berenson picks up the sailor cap and heads out for the Command Operations Center, an underground area designed as a bunker to protect all naval personnel should they take shelter.  

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May 18, 1942 - 7:53 PM / 1953

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Devonshire and Berenson steps into an elevator located by the end of the hall and traveled 3 floors underground, where they step out from the elevator and walks through a long hallway lined with mosaic granite walls and rows of upward-facing lights which pointed towards the reinforced steel-concrete beams around it and the ceiling, before they reach the two metal doors, which automatically opens via the door sensor, allowing the commander to enter inside the Command Center.

There, Georgia, a research blueprint battleship from his home country, Eagle Union, who acted as his Chief of Staff, alongside Saratoga, an advisor and communications expert, are waiting for him. Inside the screen is the Eagle Union Secretary of the Navy, William Anderson Booker, who happens to be his friend and his former wingman when both Dave and William were once naval aviators. 

As he and Devonshire arrived, the entire commander center staff stood up, but Dave said: "No need, just sit down," to which they immediately complied. He turns to Georgia and said: "Any idea who caused this?"

"Not yet, but when we analyzed our miniature satellite data and our atmospheric data, we have detected high levels of electromagnetic activity there," said Saratoga. "That's probably why we were unable to send our message to them, unless they could be hacked..."

"By the looks of things, it appears communications went dark twice, coming back for only less than a minute before they were cut again," said Booker. "You can still detect storms, but not their coordinates, and we confirmed that there were no anomalies detected on the data, it just happened as it's shown...."

"Have we found out where did the storm came from?" asked Georgia. Saratoga replied: "It took us several hours to piece these together, but with little metadata, all we can know is that the storm may have originated from the North,"

"That's not possible, these storms can't form or travel this far from here,"

"Unless..." Dave had a long thought about what else could it be possible to make the strange cyclone form. After a while, he spoke: "...someone or something had been causing this..."

"Could it be Sirens?" asked Georgia. She expected that such anomalous weather events may be connected to the Sirens given they were renown of causing destructive weather or dimensional anomalies over the years. Dave replied: "I don't know but we'd have to scan everything from the direction where the storm came from. There could be massive Siren encampments or research facilities, anything, whatever they have, Enforcers or high-valued targets that may have a capability,"

"On it," said Saratoga as she and dozens of staffers get to work. While doing so, Dave and Georgia walked side-by-side down by the hall towards the door that leads out from the Command Center and into the elevator. As they stepped outside and back out into the hallway, Dave spoke quietly:

"Do you know who else is responsible for the attack? Did anyone take responsibility?" Georgia sighed and replied:

"Before you arrived, I told my staff to contact each and every major powers involved, including those from the Crimson Axis... Sardegna Empire, Vichiya Dominion, Iron Blood, and Sakura Empire, they all denied responsibility for the incident, and they even offered their assistance for the investigation.

"It's as if that's going to be better, but even then, I believed they couldn't have the means to manipulate weather, the risks would be too great..." said Dave. "Have you found Akagi and Kaga, the ones who lead the attack?"

"Not yet," nodded Georgia. "We're expanding the search area all the way up to the Aleutian Islands,"

"Alright," nodded Dave. "For now, keep us updated on Midway search and the delegates. I'm going to need to set up an emergency meeting,"

"Yes, Commander," nodded Georgia rather reluctantly before she and Berenson walked away from each other to resume their duties, with Berenson having something in mind.

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May 18, 1942 - 8:22 PM / 2022

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Inside one of the infirmary blocks on the surface of the Azur Lane home base, everyone has been hard at work attempting to tend to the wounded shipgirls who had been hauled out from Midway. Most were being treated with bandages, tubes with IV fluids and few in surgery. Duke of York arrives at the infirmary block, passing by shipgirls lying down on infirmary beds.  Some are riddled with wounds in various sizes and they are covered with cement casts and bandages. The two sees Illustrious; her face is now covered with a ventilator, and she has cuts and abrasions they have yet to explain. Next to her is Queen Elizabeth, who she also suffers the same type of injuries but also appears to have suffered damage to her arms and some of her ribs have fractured, and she has head bandages over her. Even her right eye is covered as well. She is still being tended to by Vestal and few Manjuus and human doctors, who they are working with the IV tubes.

After a short while, she came across King George V, who together they came to see Prince of Wales, lying on the bed in an intensive care unit, covered with a ventilator and her injuries are much worse than both Queen Elizabeth & Illustrious has. Her body, riddled with cuts down from her face, all the way to her stomach area, and she is riddled with several gunshot-like wounds and fractured ribs. Most of them are covered with bandages and she was injected through intravenous therapy. The doctors, including Vestal has recently completed her operation not too long ago.

The two sat down and King George V placed her palms on the windowpane separating the two sisters from Wales and said:

"My dear sister. I know you're hurting right now. But we are very worried about you. I want you to know that we are here. We miss you... Please come back, get better soon... " she said before she began to cry and Duke of York console her.

Standing up from where Prince of Wales were, they saw Warspite, looking over at the wounded Queen Elizabeth. Though Warspite herself has minor injuries with her bandages hand and face and her right eye has been covered with an eyepatch, she was melancholic, cold, and guilt-ridden, in contrast to her fierce and determined warrior. She whispered:

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I... failed... you..."

The two King George V-class battleships came up beside Warspite, seeing her guilt-ridden look on her face. As the two console Warspite, she starts to slowly tear up and said:

"It's my fault... I couldn't save her... We were expecting to face off against the Sakura Empire but not this..."

"Warspite... It's not your fault. We did not anticipate this, even the Commander said that the Sakura Empire might not have been expecting this as well... I'm sure they're going to be fine..." said HMS King George V.

"I... hope so..." Warspite replied as she began laying on the side of King George V's shoulders.

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May 18, 1942 - 8:28 PM / 2028

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On the other side, five more girls were lying together on each of their beds lined up neatly in row, with flowers, and candy bars and a bottle of water on each of their tables. One by one, they all slowly wake up, and feel the pain on their injuries.

"Where am I?" she said, her eyes taken by a row of lights that lights up their room. "I think we're in a hospital, Zuikaku," said the other shipgirl waking up to the right beside Zuikaku.

"Shigure! Are you okay?" she asked. Shigure replied: "Yeah, I think so..."

"Ugh, where are we," groaned another shipgirl who wakes up on another bed on the left side next to Zuikaku, who she replied: "Atago... we're in this hospital, we were brought here..."

"Given the interior design and the posters and pictures, I can guess we were taken in by Azur Lane," said Souryuu as she is revealed to have been woken up the whole time, actually spending her time inspecting the surroundings.

"Soryuu," said Zuikaku. She stood up and went to inspect her wounds, but luckily, her wounds, as well as the rest of the Sakura Empire shipgirls, had been patched up and are healing. However, Zuikaku quickly felt saddened and worried by the fact she hadn't seen her sister beside her, or in this room.

"My dear sister...," said Zuikaku "She's not here... Is she here?"

Shigure said, nodding: "I'm sorry.. It's just us here..."

After a few minutes of sitting down on the beds and wandering around the room to look for the bathroom, which they eventually found, they hear the keys jangling and the door swung open. There, standing in front of them are Ark Royal and Drake, the former armed with an M1 carbine and the latter is unarmed.

"The Commander wants you at the interrogation room. Come with us...," said Ark Royal with a serious expression on her face as she turned her head to Zuikaku.

"M-me?" asked Zuikaku who was startled by the weapon Ark Royal is holding, and Drake said:

"Yes... He wants to ask you some questions. We won't hurt you, just sending the message and to bring you there, escorted,"

After a short while, Zuikaku was able to stand up and, with Ark Royal and Drake side by side, she walked all the way into the interrogation room. As she is escorted, she looks at each and every rooms and looks around for any sign of her sister, until she goes outside and felt the fresh, windy night breeze of the Azur Lane home base before she is transferred to the Azur Lane Command Center, where after 2 flights of stairs going down, she arrived at the interrogation room, which is above the jailhouse block section located just underneath.

Inside the interrogation room, complete with a table, two security cameras facing outside the interrogation area, and a one-way mirror in which Essex, Shangri-La, and Maryland are on the other side of it observing the interrogation. 

Akashi, a repair ship who was once affiliated with the Sakura Empire before she had defected several months back, also happens to be here as well, to fix the security camera systems as part of routine maintenance when she saw Zuikaku and the Commander inside the interrogation area. She was surprised as she exclaimed:

"Z-Zuikaku!? W-wha... what is she doing here with Mr. Berenson, nya?" she asked. "She looked banged up, nya."

"I can't tell you the details, but what I can tell you, she is fine, along with a few others were found, wrecked and unconscious at Midway," said Essex.

"Others?" she was curious. Maryland spoke to Akashi: "You will see soon enough..." said Maryland asking her to remain focused on fixing the camera, which she was able to do so after several minutes before she leaves the interrogation observation room having done her routine maintenance, at which Zuikaku and Berenson uses their time for a pause before he spoke first to Zuikaku.

"My name is Dave Charles Berenson, commander of the Azur Lane fleet, and... former naval aviator of the Eagle Union Navy, What's your name?"

"Z-Zuikaku," she replied. "I'm an aircraft carrier from Sakura Empire,"

"Zuikaku..." Dave said. "I do heard some things about you. Enterprise said some things to me about you... Apart from her talking a bit rudely about how you side with the Sirens, she sees you as an interesting rival," he added with a smug.

Zuikaku grew flustered and shocked.

"I... i-i never side with the... Sirens like this... God, I have suspicions that Akagi and.. K-kaga... They are p-plotting some... thing." she stuttered until Dave said:

"Hey... Calm down Zuikaku. I don't want your chords to break. Now, let me start from the top by asking this question... " he said before he paused, inhaling before he quickly exhaled and said:

"Have you, or the leader of the Sakura Empire, have something to do with what happened at Midway Atoll?"

"N-no Dave..." Zuikaku nodded. "We were only battling the Azur Lane combined fleet. We didn't... know someone else would be coming... The Sirens who they are aiding us... We didn't expect that to happen... We got no information about what you are talking about..."

"Okay," he nodded as he understood before he asks the next question.

"Have you or the whole of Sakura Empire been siding or colluding with the Sirens?"

"What!? No! Like i said... I never sided with the Sirens... I was suspicious... I say again...." she said.

"What suspicious?" he said.

"I have reason to believe something must be off... About Akagi and Kaga... " replied Zuikaku, who she grew serious and concerned.

"Lay it all on me." he stretched his arms before he said: "Proceed."

Zuikaku explained everything from the lead up to the events of Midway.

"Long before we set out to fight against both Eagle Union and Royal Navy, I had been asking Akagi whether if I could see Enterprise in battle, and I requested her that we need more assistance, especially from Iron Blood, since I know from intelligence that we are facing a combined fleet, and there are a delegation of Iron Blood shipgirls, who came to visit our homeland just before we were told to strike,"

"Who are they?" asked Dave. Zuikaku replied: "Friedrich der Grosse, Roon, Prinz Eugen, and Hipper..."

"You have any idea what they were doing in Sakura Empire territory?" asked Dave. Zuikaku replied: "A visit, they say..."

"Alright, back to the Akagi question..." he clears his throat and then said: "Why only Sakura Empire, and not Iron Blood, knowing that you'd be outnumbered facing against my largest standing force?"

"Akagi kept insisting that we could go fight alone... When I asked her why... she told me..."

"Do you know why?" he asked. Zuikaku sighed.

"She only said something vague when I asked her with the same question of yours..."

She then proceeded to change into her deep voice in an attempt to imitate Akagi and said:

"O lost child, we see... But we will prevail... Fate will decide..."

"Fate will decide?" he thought. "What of it?" he then asked. Zuikaku scoffed:

"Not that I know of... I am aware that we are outnumbered, but we just set out without Iron Blood reinforcements anyway, and... I do remember that we had fought against Eagle Union and the Royal Navy, with these Siren ships on our side... This is something I wasn't expecting... But I just went for it anyway.... And I was so close in beating Enterprise but..."

She pauses as she tries to piece together the events that happened after the Mirror Dimension but now, all Zuikaku gets is a blank...

"I... I can't remember after that..."

"It's not your fault, okay?" he said. "But I'll see to it that I'll interrogate the other fellow Sakura Empire survivors who were found alongside with you to see what they know of... But Enterprise and many others are missing, so I just wanted to get to the bottom of this..."

Zuikaku then remembers about Enterprise, and then Shoukaku and the other shipgirls who were separated. After several moments of thought and the shook of her head, she then asked:

"What's happened to the rest of us? My friends... my... sister...."

Berenson was nervous seeing as Zuikaku leans on closer towards his face whilst he was staring first at her bosom and then to her face, who he could smell her breath as she is breathing right in front of him. Berenson slowly spoke: "Sit down..." and Zuikaku complies. After clearing his throat, he said: "We are still searching..."

Berenson could see that Zuikaku was sad.

"I was with her.... And now she's gone...." She started to feel guilty, but Berenson held on her palms and said:

"It's okay.. It's not your fault... I'm sure she's going to be okay,"

"How can you be so sure?" asked Zuikaku who she is unconvinced. Berenson said:  "I want to believe that they are safe... I really do... They're just lost at sea, but I'm sure they are good warriors, they'll survive, and so will your sister..."

"Thank you..." said Zuikaku as she breathed in a sigh of relief. After a short while to recompose, Zuikaku asked: "What's going to happen to us? We're at Azur Lane, you know..."

Berenson explained: "All five of you will be granted prisoner of war status... Like I said, we'll be interrogating the rest of your group, and other Sakura Empire shipgirls we rescued. All of you will be treated and fed, and will be under our watchful eye..."

Zuikaku was concerned: "But.... what's going to happen if... Akagi and Kaga finds out were in here? They're going to kill you... Especially your friends.. what will they do to us?"

"No... Don't worry, I'll make sure this base is safe... And I'm sure they're looking for peaceful means to end the war, they don't have any ill will of you, not even me..." said Berenson confidently. "As for Akagi and Kaga... that's one of our concerns since they pose a major threat to our war effort. And we haven't been able to find them either in case if you are wondering..."

"Lost at sea too?" she said. Berenson continued: "We're widening the search area all the way to the Aleutian Islands," said Berenson. "I thought I should let you know... And I'll notify you when we find our survivors... Meanwhile, we'll try to contact with what's left of the Sakura Empire government, hopefully either Mikasa or Nagato would answer, we last spoke with them during the war,"

"I understand..." nodded Zuikaku.

"That will be all..." said Berenson before he turns to the window and said: "Guards, take Zuikaku back to the infirmary and bring in Atago... Make sure not to let them go anywhere without my permission..."

"Yes, Commander," said Maryland. She then brings in Drake and Ark Royal and sends Zuikaku away as Berenson waited on the chair with a long sigh. Though he was determined, he still held concerns on the back of his head given everything he heard and saw it happened both at Midway, and from Zuikaku.

He hoped he would get something more out from Atago and the rest of the Sakura Empire survivors to investigate the whole mysterious phenomenon before it could cause any more harm...

...

..

Chapter Text

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Park Slope - Brooklyn
May 18, 2022 - 6:38 PM

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In his local neighborhood, Richard found himself alone in a lesbian bar located only a 3-minute drive from his home, seated away from the cluster of mostly gay patrons at the counter, choosing instead a solitary spot on the opposite side of the counter. While most patrons engaged in the revelry of happy hour, savored chips dipped in salsa and sipped their drinks and discusses about their relationships and spending their nightlife, Richard's mood was far from festive, a stark contrast to his previous spirits at Monk McGinns in Tribeca.

He was angry... And it was not because of the gay people... Earlier, he has been mocked at by Sergeant Keifer McGuinness, an officer at NYPD's 78th Precinct, after when he came to Chipotle to save Enterprise from certain death. Being reminded about the past, his mood had descended to one of apprehension, chronic cynicism, and rage. He often turned to excessive drinking to quell his anger and intense emotions and tried his best to put it up and not to lash it out as he kept remembering the words of the therapist; one who he visited once every three weeks as part of his sessions after he had been haunted by a dark past gnawing at his sanity. Today, he tried to bury his memories, and appeared he had been attempting to for all his life.

By this time, he had downed at least two full glasses of alcoholic beer when the local news flashed a headline: "Chipotle Attempted Robbery Goes Horribly Wrong." The anchor reported a robbery at a Chipotle restaurant by two unidentified armed men. The broadcast switched to split-screen amateur footage from across the street as well as security cameras from the restaurant itself. That's when Richard saw Enterprise confronting the robbers using what the news media claimed to be a concealed bladed weapon and she had held up against the robbers on her own using her fighting skills before she was gunned down herself. Witnessing Enterprise in combat sparked his curiosity. He remembered when he saw Enterprise lying on the floor:

"i saw her getting shot three times, yet she claimed to be unharmed... And she tried to get herself up..." His concern for Enterprise lingered because she had been shot, but as he had been recently promoted to Head of Security and Operations and having saw Enterprise's fighting skills, a lengthy contemplation led him to a promising idea.

After finishing the third glass of beer, he then asks the bartender to give him a glass of water to lessen the effects on alcohol consumption. He then hands the bartender a $50 bill on the counter after he finishes. "Keep the change" he says to the bartender before he leaves the bar.

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May 18, 2022 - 7:03 PM

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Returning to Kings County Hospital, he finds Boris Yevgeny at the front reception desk. He rushes up to him and said:

"Mr. Ambrose, I'm glad you're alright, but you still need to get yourself treated with these bruises of yours"

"I'll push through, I'll be fine," said Richard. Boris remarked: "Just like Enterprise, huh?" Richard then asked: "How is Enterprise? Is she okay?" 

Boris said: "She's still conscious and aware when she arrived... She's undergoing into surgery right now to have all of her bullets removed,"

"Good," Richard nodded with relief. As the two stopped by Enterprise's patient room with the door still ajar, Richard explains the situation to Boris about what happened at Chipotle.

"If you hadn't found her sooner, she would have been dead... Good thing my prayers had been answered," sighed Boris.

"I didn't know at first," said Richard. "But when I heard gunshots and saw people running, I knew where the gunshots came from, and seeing Enterprise bleeding with the crooks pointing the shotgun at her head, I knew what I had to do,"

"Do you know what could have caused this?" Boris asked worriedly. Richard sighed: "I didn't ask... But my guess, they're committing armed robbery... I don't know what motive though other than being desperate for money, and that's up to the police to find out..."

"The news said you're a cop," said Boris. Richard groaned and shook his head and said: "Was..." Boris could see his emotion upon hearing what he had said to him and pats his shoulders as he spoke in a reassuring manner: "I know what happened, and I understand that it's not your fault..."

"I know..." sighed Richard. Before he could speak, one of the female nurses calls Boris over as she said:

"Doctor! Our boy's going into seizure,"

Boris nods and promptly leaves Richard after a pat on his shoulder, as he and the nurses rushes off to tend to one of his patients, while Richard decides to wait for Enterprise to return from surgery by having to hang around in her room. Washing his hands in the sink and his face and arms in the bathroom, he sat on the couch for a few minutes watching MTV and to other different entertainment channels to pass the time. As he left it on, he finds an iPad on her bed. 

"Someone giving her an iPad for free? Whoever it is must be a very generous person..." he thought to himself. He wasn't aware yet that it was Boris Yevgeny who had leased himself to Enterprise his old iPad as a gift, but nonetheless, he thought to himself:

"I wonder if this has something to do with the situation... As a former police lieutenant, I need to be absolutely sure..."

He picks up the iPad and unlocks the screen, where, upon doing so, he first saw a YouTube video "Exploring Down to Tribeca", the same one that Enterprise had watched earlier. He listens to the playback as the YouTuber who recorded the video "7Pack", was vlogging around the streets in Manhattan, discussing about random topics related to the quality of the food, the public streets and utilities, and some news of New York City. Apparently, he said about the stabbing at the subway, the apartment rent rates, burglaries on stores and bodegas, and his statements and calls for change.

Just then, midway through the video, the vlogger spots a small childlike-figure sitting down on the sidewalk with white twin-tailed hair and red eyes, who upon the vlogger asking her questions, she calls herself "Laffey". To him, he didn't know who she is, but after a short conversation, it was then he continues speaking all random nonsense from then forth. 

As he rewinds the footage to study 7Pack's reaction with "Laffey", he could hear that she proclaims herself as a destroyer of the Eagle Union; the vlogger, confused, then asked Laffey what's her ability, but Laffey didn't respond and only said, yawning: "I'm tired, I'm going to sleep here..." ...before she then lay herself on the sidewalk, sleeping.

The vlogger tried to wake her up, but to no avail. Giving up, he decides to give a spare piece of cloth found by the trash can, whips it out to remove the dust and trash particles, and lays it on top of her side to cover herself before patting her head and dropped off a pack of snacks, and went on his way, reaching to a nearby restaurant where, concealing his camera in his front pocket, he asks the clerks for food. Looking at the menu closely in the video screen, it says:

"Bubby's... That's a hot-spot for serving brunches..."

The video ended after the vlogger finished eating the meal and made encouraging messages to like and subscribe for more of his own content. Richard, like any police officer, watched the video only twice, and with his experience, he figured it that the video was taken place right on the Northwestern quadrant of Tribeca and Bubby's Restaurant was indeed right in the area just close to the Holland Tunnel. After that, with Enterprise still in surgery, he decided to stay for a while.

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May 18, 2022 - 9:24 PM

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After watching a few shows on NBC, and then switching over to television channels from MSNBC, CNN and then to Fox News and the local news networks, all reporting on the shooting at Chipotle restaurant in Brooklyn, which he flicks away and then shuts the television off the moment they mention of his name. He gave a big sigh and shook his head several times, often watching over his phone, where he had installed a security system in his rowhouse to check for any signs of break-in; luckily there weren't signs of any, especially when he checked over the security camera systems, not a soul in sight, apart from a few people passing by his house.

As he was just about to leave, the door finally swung open. A swarm of doctors rushed in, who is carrying Enterprise by the wheeled stretcher. The surgery operation had apparently been successful, as her electrocardiogram monitoring device shows all of her vital systems nominal; Richard felt a sigh of relief but remains anxious whether if she would wake up.

As they finally transfer her over to the bed, Richard asked the doctors: "Is she okay?"

The surgeon replied: "We've managed to remove all the bullets from her body. None of them have hit any of her vital arteries and her blood pressure have maintained to normal levels, so she's stable..."

"Thank you," Richard smiled as the medical personnel left her room, leaving him alone with Enterprise, who she is still sleeping. He waited patiently, staring down at her for a few moments before he decided to sit down and goes to check his security cameras of his home once more. Just then, he gets a call from Helena Mizuno. Now becoming anxious on what to say, he took deep breaths that went on for less than 12 seconds before he decides to answer the call.

"Hey, Richie! We've already had fun, but Jones is having a rough night," said Helena on the phone.

"What happened to Sebastian?" he asked.

"Apparently, one of Valdez's staffers and Hector egged on him to drink a lot of shots, and he's braving himself up, down to his last pint..." replied Helena and continued with a sigh. "...Now he doesn't look so good, he's fine but he's flushed out, vomited in the restroom twice already..."

"Poor boy...." he whispered. "I think you need to bring him over to your house and look him after while he has to sober up... while you need to ask Mr. Valdez to give him a day off. He can't work like that drunk..." he then said.

"Hey! I saw you on the news!" she exclaimed. "ABC7 said there was a shooting in Chipotle, have you heard!?"

"Yes.... I did," he said rather nervously, as he did remember all too well. Helena continued: "There's security footage from the restaurant, you were and.... we saw you fighting against these two armed robbers... We were flipping out when we saw you fought..."

Richard chuckled and said: "I... just happened to hear the gunshots while I was on my way to the appointment, and.... you know, a cop's gotta do what a cop's gotta do..."

"Are you okay?" she asked. "It sounds like you were really going there, and you took a few beatings back there." 

Richard spoke to her on the phone: "Look, I'm fine Lena... Just some bruises... That's why I'll be staying in the hospital for quite a lot longer,"

"I see..." said Helena. She pauses and then spoke: "You know, you'd be a great guy to be in charge of security since you used to be NYPD, but all you have to do is file down paperwork and inspect every nook and cranny of this place..."

"I know..." Richard nodded. "If we have someone by the frontline, like a bodyguard who answers to the head of security to handle every eventuality... I think we could make our department store a lot safer from the rash of thefts..."

Then, Richard suddenly remembered something when he noticed earlier about how Enterprise had fought against the robbers and her unwavering determination and resilience even when she was shot thrice and bleeding. He then turns to Enterprise and stared at her for a few moments, thinking to himself...

"And I think I found myself the perfect candidate...."

"H-Hello? Richard?" asked Helena who noticed Richard's silence after the fact. Richard can only say:

"Just take Sebastian home, and ask Valdez to give him a day off, okay? I can't have him going to work like this,"

"Yes, Richard," nodded Helena before Richard finishes the conversation by saying: "Have a good night," before he hangs up the phone call and puts his cellphone down on the table. It was at this moment that he could see Enterprise's fingers twitching. He jolted himself up from the floor and this time, he could hear herself breathing.

Enterprise gradually comes to consciousness, her eyes fluttering open to find Richard gazing at her, his hands gripping a railing attached to her bed. As she fully regains her vision, he spoke:

"Are you okay?"

"Never better..." replied Enterprise. "Wh-where am I?"

As Enterprise looked Richard back, he said: "You're back at the hospital..." Enterprise couldn't believe it at first as she was shocked. "Why am I back here?" He repeatedly asked herself, but Richard snapped:

"Why did you run away!?"

Enterprise stopped speaking at once. Richard continued: "You nearly died out there, okay!... If I hadn't arrived sooner, you wouldn't be back here with just a cut to the head, you would end up in the god damn morgue with no head!"

"I.... I'm sorry..." Enterprise shuddered by how angry Richard was. "I know I ran away without waiting for my doctor's orders but... I have to... I have to save Laffey.... She's in Manhattan, on the other side of the river, I had to cross the bridge to get there!"

The name piqued Richard. He grabs the iPad and then showed 7Pack's YouTube video. He then asked: "Is this her?" He points Enterprise to the same short person with twin-pigtailed white hair with bunny ears who the vlogger interacted with, and Enterprise gasped: 

"Th-that's her!"

"Is she a shipgirl? Like you?" he asked. "Like the one who you summon riggings to sail at sea?" Enterprise nodded: "Yes, that's right. But since I can't summon anything out from my Wisdom Cubes, I fear Laffey couldn't, and something bad may happen to her!"

She grabbed Richard's palms while he is still holding her iPad as she begged him: "Please.. Please find Laffey! I beg you... I don't want her to die out there..."

Looking at Enterprise's face, and wanting to find out the mystery of their identity, he slowly to release Enterprise's hand from his shirt and to put her hand down as he said:

"Okay, I'll find your friend..."

Enterprise tried standing up from her bed just to hug Richard, saying "Thank you..." However, Richard stops her and said: "Please, get some rest... You're hurt, you can't get out at this state, okay? Just stay there while I find her..."

Enterprise finally relents and said: "Yes, Richard... Thank you..." She lies back down whilst Richard analyzed 7Pack's video once more. Looking at the description, he finds out that the video has been uploaded only a few hours ago. In addition, he could see the digital clock at Bubby's restaurant as he points the camera at the menu.

"3:06 in the afternoon," he whispered. "That means he was last there 6 hours ago!" He takes pictures of the faces from both Laffey and the vlogger with his phone and runs off, hopping back in his crossover SUV and, using the clues he had discovered in 7Pack's YouTube video, he heads back down to Tribeca. It is a race against time; he had to find Laffey before either the NYPD or someone else finds her first, knowing full well that the city is riddled with major crimes, something as a former police officer, he is all too aware...

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May 18, 2022 - 9:59 PM

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Richard arrives at Bubby's, in an area where the vlogger and Laffey were last seen there. The manager, Winston Cordelia, and few of his staff members were cleaning up the last of the restaurant before closing their doors, just as Richard came bursting through their doors much to their surprise. They weren't expecting another customer to show up so late at night as they thought.

"Good evening, sir" said the manager. "But I'm sorry, we're closed, just come back tomorrow morning and we will serve you,"

Richard pulls out his cellphone showing 7Pack's face to Winston and said: "I'm not here for your late-brunch service..." The manager looks at the man's face while Richard asked him: "Does this man come here before?"

Winston nodded: "Yes. His name is Andrew Powell, he was here around 6 hours ago when he ordered food..."

"Can you give me credit card information, I need Powell's address, I have questions for this man." asked Richard.

"What for?" said Winston as Richard takes Winston by the back of the kitchen where the two can discuss in private. Richard then spoke: "I believe he's the last person to have seen or interacted with this little girl I believed she may have been missing...." He then showed another photo of Laffey. However, Winston refuses as he said:

"Listen, good sir... Our establishment follows our strict guidelines regarding the customers' right of privacy..." He sighed and continued. "Also, you don't have a warrant on him, nor a probable cause he may be involved in a major crime..."

Richard felt this is going nowhere. "He's right.... I'm not a cop anymore... So, I don't have anything on that vlogger, or for this manager right now, nor I could track his location..." he thought. But then, he remembered seeing the security camera signs when "7Pack" pointed it out as the vlogger entered the restaurant that afternoon, and just now when Richard himself had also entered the restaurant and did see two pairs of CCTV devices attached around the building. He decides to do the alternative.

"Okay.... Forget about credit card, do you have security camera footage still in store?" he then asked. "I analyzed the footage from his YouTube video, and I believe she is just nearby, right near your place..." Winston said:

"Yes we have, I'll show you... but make it quick! We're now seconds past closing hour!"

"Thank you..." nodded Richard. "I just needed to see where that missing child went..."

At the security room inside Winston's restaurant, he opens his computer and opens files of the security logs and video footage stored in the cloud storage data. With his permission, Richard checks the security footage's timestamp on the time and day when the man who recorded the vlog last saw Laffey.

There, he could see that the vlogger had indeed been talking to Laffey right down until he leaves her alone after he grabbed the cloth found near the fence post by the tree and tucked in on her and went inside the restaurant. Richard fast forwards the footage to watch the vlogger left, at which the timestamp recorded 4:10 PM.

"Well, that rules out 7Pack knowing where she is or whether if she is in his house... He just leaves her to defend herself..." he said. "But he hadn't called in homeless shelter services?" He recalls watching the vlog and unfortunately, there is nothing indicating on where Laffey came from.

"Believe me, he made no mention on asking us our help nor did we think that's significant until you showed up..." Winston then asked if he should call the Crisis Intervention Hotline but Richard declines; he is determined to catch Laffey before anyone else. With the vlogger now out from the scene, he continues watching the footage, fast forwarding it each 15 minutes, until, as the timestamp hits 6:17 PM, the CCTV audio hear police sirens, and Laffey jolts herself from her sleep, and runs off.

"Where is she going? Running away?" he said. Richard goes over to the next shot, and he could see Laffey, running across the intersection by the building's northeast corner and disappears behind a line of cars just as a pair of NYPD Interceptors drive by.

"That little one, she disappeared by Moore... Thanks for your tip..." he said to Winston, before Richard rushes out from the security room, leaves Bubby's and hops back in his car and drove in the direction where Laffey went. As he hits on the next street, he slows his car down, and starts looking left and right, looking for a small girl with white pigtails. After a short distance, there was not a soul in sight.

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May 18, 2022 - 10:18 PM

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As he hits at the next intersection on Greenwich, he pulls over across the street and goes to a nearby parking attendant booth; bursting through the door to find one of the attendants watching through the windows and the security cameras. The attendant was surprised to see the man, who asked: "Who are you!? Non-personnel aren't allowed,"

Richard exhaled and said: "I won't be here long... I'm looking for a white-pigtailed little girl, she may have run away from home, and she may have passed by here..."

"You want to look over the cameras?" asked the nervous attendant.

"Just for a moment," he said. "As soon as I see her, I'll be gone..." He pulls out the wallet and whips down 50 bucks down on his desk, and then said: "How's that sound?" The attended took several seconds to decide before he relents and said: "Go ahead, she's all yours..." The attendant picks up Richard's money and stood aside while Richard sat on the chair and searches the camera footage from where the time was when Laffey disappeared from camera view at Bubby's at 6 in the evening, hoping he would connect the timeline on where Laffey was going, and her most likely last location.

At the 6:27 PM timestamp, he spots Laffey, grabbing something from the trash can, a piece of red and black cloth, which he could identify to be a hooded sweater, and she made a few whips and wipes to remove all the dirt and dust, and wore it by her head and shoulders. Now... Laffey has herself covered, hidden from the public as she now becomes more weary and cautious on the street. But once she had the sights on the CCTV cameras, Richard could still remember, and now he had a new reference to look for...

"Looking for a little red riding hood... Except now, she's a wandering hood... Always looking over her shoulder..." he thought to himself. He took a picture and handed him an extra 20 bucks as he said: "Thank you for your service..." before he leaves the booth. He now knew that Laffey had walked down on Greenwich Street, straight towards the direction of the World Trade Center complex. Hopping back in his car, he follows the general direction, and started searching around the surroundings in the street to look for Laffey, sometimes backing up traffic, and he has to pull over a few times to have a better search using his two feet...

As he was approaching the Washington Market Park, which signifies he is approaching the end of Greenwich, he pulls over one last time and as he stood up with the intention to search the park, he could see that he doesn't need to. Standing in a distance, he finally saw her... Sleeping on the bench as she sat, with her neck tilted, struggling to make herself comfortable as the armrests finds her difficult to lie on...

"Hostile architecture, she's about to have neck cramps by midnight..." he said quietly. But with the bunny ears on her head and white hair with pigtails, it is no doubt that she is the person Enterprise has been so desperately concerned. However, before he could get to her, as he walks by the parked box truck, he hears a loud whirr and a screech; a dark blue van pulls up right beside her, and in a few seconds, two men leapt out from the back of the van and runs up to Laffey, grabbing her before she could have a chance to flee.

"H-hey! L-let go of me!" she yelled as the man threw her in the back and the other pounded on the back before they jumped back aboard. Richard saw this and yells at them to stop, but there is no response and the van speeds off before Richard could catch up to them.

"Son of a bitch..." he said, panting. "They kidnapped a little girl!"

...

..

Chapter Text

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Tribeca, Lower Manhattan
May 18, 2022 - 10:32 PM

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As the dark blue van speeds off after snatching Laffey off from her bench and having her mouth taped shut and her hands bound together by her back using the rope, Richard quickly gets back in the car, and starts chasing after the van, rather than calling the police, knowing full well it would be highly dangerous... Using his observant eye and great peripheral vision owing to his time when he once trained in the police academy long before during his firearms training, he saw the van making a sharp right turn and guns the engine as he follows the kidnappers, who saw it making a sharp turn.

"They're heading to the FDR..." he whispered and he skidded on the intersection on West Street, roaring their engines as Richard and the kidnappers sped past the World Trade Center complex. However, as they approach the tunnel, the kidnappers, rather than going down into the Battery underpass towards FDR Drive as Richard predicted, instead swerves the van to the right and takes up the route towards Battery Park. They knew that they were being tailed.

Reaching the traffic signaled T-junction directly by the Battery, the driver of the van skids their wheels as they drifted to the left. past the junction and roared their engines through Battery Park, nearly hitting civilians. Richard, knowing they are using the local, congested streets to lose him, repeatedly honks their car horns to warn civilians to move out of his way, as he too drifts past the intersection with help of his driving skills, and he continues chasing after the van.

The driver of the dark blue van continues to make reckless and dangerous maneuvers in an attempt to get Richard off from their trail as they drove off the road and through the sidewalk curbs, smashing through streetlights and trash bins. Richard also follows suit and continues locking his eyes on the van. As the kidnappers' van makes a final turn past the Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal and crossing into the bike path, Richard stays on the road, and he could see that he is quickly gaining up on them.

In reality, however, the kidnappers have proven to be too smart for his own good; they actually applied the brakes to slow the van down whilst Richard still locked his eyes on the van, and not on what's in front. As the bike path now merges back onto the asphalt surface, the driver breaks out from the bike lane, smashes through the large plant pot, and had caught Richard off guard a they slam his Ford Escape by the right side of his hood; the impact causes Richard to lose control, narrowly missing a pair of bollards and a fire hydrant and slamming into the corner edge wall of a building, nearly crushing the hood and breaking his windshield as he had applied his brakes.

Richard was almost dazed, and his right leg sprained by the force of the impact after he had applied maximum pressure on the brakes, though luckily the airbags have activated, which cushioned the impact... As he regained his senses, he could see the van now entering the FDR Drive as they drove past the Whitehall Terminal and making the sharp turns...

He quickly tears off the airbag, reverses his car out from the protruding edged wall, and guns the engine to give chase on the van once more. Even though they're now at a farther distance, he could still see the brake lights of the dark blue van. He decided to dim the headlights to avoid the kidnappers from knowing that he had recovered himself. From the distance on an elevated section of the FDR Drive, he could see that they are exiting through an off-ramp...

"They're escaping to Brooklyn...." he said as he continues tailing the van. Both Richard and the kidnappers crosses the Brooklyn Bridge over the East River, slowing down as he saw the kidnappers leaving the bridge via an off-ramp leading to an oncoming intersection. Richard sees this from a distance from an anchorage area and also follows them, nearly losing them as the kidnapper's van has been covered by a line of trees but was able to catch up to the van in the said intersection, going straight ahead. 

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Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
May 18, 2022 - 10:40 PM

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Richard continued following the van for as long as he could able, making turn after long arduous turn, into a desolate part of Brooklyn Heights. Slowing down and dimming his headlight, he makes a final left turn before he saw the dark blue van coming to a complete stop. Seeing this, Richard quickly shuts his headlights off and pulls over by a line of cars, also coming to a stop. Using the set of binoculars with white phosphor night vision he grabbed from his glove box, he could see three masked men stepping out from the van and drags Laffey out from the van and into an unfinished apartment complex on the left.

"They're right there... In an unfinished lot..." he said. He realized that unfinished or abandoned buildings are best places to hide out for anyone wanting to commit rape and feared for the worse. He puts down the binoculars on the passenger seat, and rummages the large glove box once more, pulling out his Beretta 92FS pistol, already loaded and had his safety lever off. He also takes out two 17-round magazines and had them tucked in his pocket, before he opens his door and follows the men all the way to a parked van. He cautiously enters inside a dark, unfinished apartment complex through the door located just across the parked van.

Climbing up the stairs, he could hear rumbling and thudding noises and then a single yelp in pain and then a muffled moan. He slowly ventures forward towards the noise and chatter, and he could see a dim light. As he peers over and looks at the lit area hiding behind the wall, Richard saw three men kneeling above Laffey, as they started tearing off her skirt and her shirt, leaving her small breasts and her underwear exposed. The men giggled perversely as the other man beside her pulls down her underwear, while the man pulls down his pants.

"They're about to rape her, I knew it!" he thought Richard seething in fury. He was not willing to let them lay a hand on Laffey. Richard comes out of hiding before the man leading on Laffey could pull down his own underwear. Richard shouted, training his 92FS pistol at the three rapists, yelling:

"Stop! Nobody move!"

The men were caught in surprise. The man who was about to thrust his junk into her, then grabs Laffey and pulls out the knife, holding her hostage as he fixes the blade right by her neck. He didn't have time to pull his pants back up and only his underwear was shown. The two other rapists also pull out a dagger and a revolver; both trained at Richard. It appears to Richard that he is now facing against three violent rapists who have no intention of letting anyone live, that includes Laffey, who is now a helpless victim held against her will at risk of death, and Richard Ambrose, who knew that if he fires a shot now, he will also die along with Laffey. The man with only his underwear up, who held the knife at Laffey asked:

"Who the fuck are you? You aren't a cop!"

"What does that matter?" he asked. The knife-wielding rapist spoke: "You got no backup, you have a brain of messing with us?"

Richard said nothing, and the four can only stare angrily at each other and exchange slurs and offensive languages, goading at one other between Richard and the rapists to either fire the shot or stay back. The man who drew the revolver at Richard spoke: "You ain't gonna scare us, why not just walk away and we'll let you go,"

Richard scoffed and said: "And let you impregnate that little child.... In your fucking dreams..." He still trains the gun at the man who is holding the knife at Laffey, who still yelled at Richard:

"Put your gun down, turn around and leave, or I hack her head off!"

Although he remains utterly hesitant, for the sake of saving Laffey's life, he decided to comply. As he was about to lower the gun, he focuses his sight on an oil lamp. Looking around the room, it appears that it is the only source of light in the room, with all of the windows and openings already boarded up with plywood.

"It may be risky, but I guess this is the only way," he thought to himself as he starts lowering the gun whilst leaning his body down. In truth, he is aiming not at the man holding Laffey, but at the oil lamp itself... The rapists had no idea of what he was about to do. Until as his gun is now by his knee, he quickly zeroes his iron sights onto the lamp and squeezes the trigger; the bullet striking between the glass lens and the font, or the gas canister, shattering the lens, and kerosene starts spilling out.

The shot distracts the rapists as he then fires the shot, straight at the hand of the man holding the knife, causing him to cry out in pain and losing the knife. This also allows Laffey to free herself and for Richard to catch her. But as he held onto Laffey, the two men began to fight back and started viciously attacking Richard, only landing their fist by his shoulder, which he uses as a shield to protect himself and Laffey. As he tells Laffey to stay by the stairwell, the lead rapist also joins in the fight, only using his left hand to hold the knife and starts charging forward, while the other man aims the revolver at Richard, but Richard manages to duck by the doorway and fires several shots with his Beretta.

At least three bullets landed on his chest, incapacitating him as blood started gushing out from his chest, before dying in minutes. By this point, the flames coming from the kerosene oil is starting to take hold and is now starting to set the wooden floorboards alight. Both Richard and Laffey could see this and knew they had to get out as soon as possible, but the two men would not go down without a fight. As the rapists went on for Laffey, Richard, still in hiding, fires several more shots on their backs, causing them to fall flat on the surface, unable to get up.

The flames started to spread. With no time left, he evacuates the building, carrying Laffey with him by his arms as they escaped the burning apartment complex, running all the way to his car just as he hears emergency sirens in the distance. He sets his car into gear and gunned the engine past the complex, leaving the rapists there behind to potentially die.

Both Richard and Laffey were exhausted and shaken by the ordeal but were lucky to have survived. As Ricard held tightly on the steering wheel with his 92FS pistol still on his right hand, Laffey spoke:

"Th-thank you... for saving me..."

"Don't mention it... just... doing my job..." he panted. "How do you know where I am?" asked Laffey curiously. Richard puts his pistol back inside the glove box and said: "I saw a YouTube video, you were there at Bubby's, and I followed your trail... That's when I saw you got kidnapped before I was able to get to you..."

"I'm glad..." said Laffey, smiling. Richard added: "Enterprise was so worried, she was freaking out when she saw your face..."

"You know Enterprise? From the Eagle Union?" gasped Laffey. Richard said: "Yes... I do... I'm taking you to her, so just relax... It'll be okay..."

"Again... thank you for saving me..." said Laffey. "Can you tell me... Why? Why do these people do this?"

"You're curious about a major crime like this one, for a little girl like you..." remarked Richard. Laffey said: "I have seen wars like this, but this one is a lot more violent... I've never seen this happening to me before, not since our last commander who was in charge..."

"Last commander?" he thought. "Who is he?" Laffey can only say: "That last commander before Mr. Berenson is a bad man... Lead... alliance... to ruin...." before she got tired and falls asleep. Seeing her as exhausted as she is, he pulls open the lid, where he used to store coins and paperclips. Inside the canister tucked onto his cup holder, he pulls out a piece of candy out from the wrapper and handed it over to Laffey; a strawberry flavor which Laffey smells and then consumes in her sleep, and then suddenly jolts herself awake as the hint of sour mint hits her tongue.

"What is this?" she asked. Richard replied: "It's strawberry peppermint, and peppermint candy keeps you awake because the menthol component can kick your brain in stimulation..." Laffey huffed as she continues to lick her candy.

As he hits on a busy road, he sets the air-conditioning to blast to cool themselves down after feeling the heat from the flames and to calm their nerves, at the same time, he turns on the radio to listen to soothing music. As he could still see that her clothes had been torn to shreds, he grabs the blanket from the back of his car and covered Laffey.

"It's so warm," she said. "But I need cola... with this candy..."

"I'll get you some pop drink... And a new set of clothes... When we arrive at the hospital to see Enterprise..."

Laffey perked up upon hearing this and said: "Hospital? What happened to Enterprise?" Richard doesn't want to drag the conversation a lot further and said: "You will see soon enough, okay?..." After that, the two said nothing, continuing to listen to soothing, and occasionally modern music, whilst Richard continued driving down the stretch of road, until just as he makes a right turn back towards Kings County Hospital Center, their relaxing time was interrupted by a news report:

"We just got a report that there is a massive blaze reported by dozens of residents at Brooklyn Heights, of what appears to be a building, which had been apparently under construction. Initial eyewitnesses and first responders reported seeing two men, one with their clothes burnt or torn leaving only an underwear, had been crawling out from the building. There were also reports of gunshots heard in that vicinity, the suspects are not yet identified..."

Richard could see Laffey was becoming unnerved, and he grumbled "Tch... the last thing I want is that they have a brain to paint me or Laffey as a perpetrator... These monsters tried to rape a little girl... There's no justification around it...."

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Kings County Hospital Center, Brooklyn
May 18, 2022 - 11:04 PM

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Richard and Laffey finally arrived at the hospital. The two stepped out from the car, with Laffey still had his blanket wrapped around her body, as he didn't want anyone seeing her body with torn clothing. He drags Laffey to the elevator and then all the way to her room. Boris Yevgeny, who was at the hallway, was surprised to see Richard dragging with a young child through the hallway.

"Mr. Ambrose, what's going on?" he asked. Richard said: "You heard the news? Some pricks tried to get a hand on her, but we got away from them now..."

He barges into Enterprise room, where Laffey and Enterprise, for the first time, can see each other after being in a different world. The two softly called out each other's name before Laffey runs up to Enterprise and they gave a warm, tearful hug, while Richard also watches on, and felt happy to see them together.

"What happened to you? Are you okay?" asked Enterprise. Laffey unfurls the blanket and Enterprise was shocked to find her clothes have been torn apart. Richard then explained to her about the situation and showed her the news channel to see the building at Brooklyn Heights on fire.

"Apparently, I shot the oil lamp to serve as a distraction to save Laffey from these pricks, but I never expected to end this way..."

"Those bastards..." grunted Enterprise. "What happened to them?"

"One of the rapists, I shot and killed, the other two, they'll live, but there's a good chance they'll sue my ass and play victim..." said Richard.

"But... they were trying to rape me," said Laffey. "I'll explain them to the police, and they'll be put to jail,"

"And you expect them to believe me!?" he said. Laffey was surprised by his reaction. "Why? Do they not trust you?" she asked, and her question triggered yet another form of his repressed memory. This time, he sees himself in the courtroom, superimposed with Laffey's voice echoing, and it happened for only a brief second before he shook his head to see the hospital again... His chest felt heavy, and he felt as if he was sick. 

After looking at Enterprise and Laffey, and then the time underneath the TV, he knelt down to Laffey and pats her shoulders as he said: "Just stay with Enterprise and have some moment of catching up. I got to go back home, I'm tired,"

"I see..." said Laffey. "But what about the cola?"

"I'll buy from the store nearby, I'll deliver these to you, and I got to get some sleep, and you two as well,"

Laffey and Enterprise both agreed as Richard steps out from the door and walks out from the door. While Richard is outside to buy drinks, Laffey sat down on the couch as Enterprise looks at Laffey, who started cozying up to the new couch.

"I think this is where I can sleep on, although it's quite chilly here,"

"That's because your clothes are ripped..." said Enterprise. "Mr. Ambrose will buy you new warm clothes so we can get rid of the old one, then I could brush your hair,"

"I haven't gotten myself a bath for a few days," said Laffey. Enterprise chuckled: "Me neither, and I even get a new set of clothes which I would wear soon once my bullet wounds have been healed and I can stand up on my own...

"What happened to you?" asked Laffey. Enterprise can only give a soft smile as she said: "Just to look for you... But it all happened so fast... I would never be here if it weren't for him... He saved me and now he saved you..."

"I got the feeling... since we are here, do you think... there are more of us out there?" asked Laffey. Enterprise thought long hard about the fellow shipgirls who were with them and spoke: "Last time I saw, many of them sunk beneath the waves, and there was something falling down from the sky as if it looked like raining daggers,"

"It is bad, right? I could see them too," said Laffey. Enterprise sighed: "I don't know... I really don't know... So how did you end up here in the city? Where did you first wake up?" Laffey thought and thought for a while, but all she could do is feel dozed off and she fell asleep. Enterprise chuckled: "What a sleepyhead,"

<>

May 18, 2022 - 11:56 PM

<>

More than 40 minutes have gone by and Richard hadn't returned yet. Enterprise and Laffey had been watching TV for a while, movies and entertainment films, and historical documentaries which gained them interest overtime and they would like to watch more, but it was at this point then, even they are starting to get tired.

The door clack open and the two got startled. At first they thought it was Richard, but it turns out to be Boris Yevgeny. The hallway outside is now dimly lit and he could see that they are still staying up all night.

"What are you doing?" he asked. "You two should get to sleep..."

"Just a little while," said Laffey. "But when would Richard be back, I need cola..."

Boris shrugged. "I think perhaps he may have gotten himself in trouble most likely, but I'm sure he'll turn up,"

Just then, Richard finally shows up, carrying two bags on his hand.

"Oh, speak of a devil, here he is..." chuckled Boris. Richard walks up to Laffey and Enterprise and puts down two bags as he said:

"I bought you cola and some new clothes as you asked... If you wanted another one, just ask me for tomorrow," He pulls out two soda bottles and puts down the paper bag full of Laffey's new clothes. As Laffey grabs the bottles. she could see a third one, still nestled by the plastic bag.

"Is this a new cola?" asked Laffey as she raised her arm to try and get it, but Richard gently pats her hand down and said, rather mumbling: "No... Laffey... This is alcohol... You should not drink that..."

"Why?" asked Laffey. Richard scoffed and he replied: "Unlike cola, drinking just an entire bottle would knock you out forever... And you'd be about one of 2,000 annual deaths just for drinking that..."

The amount of deaths he mentioned made Laffey froze, and she pulls her away from grabbing a bottle of alcohol. Enterprise and Boris were also surprised, but they said nothing, only to watch Richard taking his first chugs from the bottle, before leaving the room as he can only say: "Good night, you three..." before he sulkily went on his way, back into his car.

Hobbling back onto the driver seat, he reclines his seat, and lays himself down for a short rest to ease his muscles after he had been through a lot, fighting against criminals and risking his own life to save Enterprise and Laffey, all in just a single night, and he felt exhausted.

"I am... totally beat... Evil... never sleeps does it..." he mumbled, his throat becoming raspy.

After resting and stretching his arms and legs, he puts the chair back upright and with an ease of the gas pedal, he slowly sets off onto the streets. As he coasted his way through the park, Richard, after listening to the weather forecast, and more news reports, he puts as he connects his cellphone to his car using Bluetooth, to play a certain kind of music through his car speakers...

...

[track: Kavinsky - Nightcall]

...

He started to have a soothing atmosphere as he tightened his grip on the steering wheel whilst listening to the mystic vibe from the smooth synth-wave tempo and driving on the street at the same time. Then, as soon as he entered NY SR-27 route, he slowed his car down, before right as the song blasted its synth bass solo as it approached the end of the song. Suddenly, he gunned the engine and started speeding down the road, releasing all of his inhibitions and frustrations, and now he felt a sense of euphoria as he continued speeding down a 3-lane highway and he felt impressed.

Soon, all of this comes to an end when just as he exited the highway and into the Park Slope neighborhood, the song has already been finished. 

From that point forward, it was all silence... Nothing but the ambient hum of the tires and the engine purring as he now coasted down onto the residential streets. He felt as if he has gone catatonic, but in reality, he was definitely late, and needed sleep as soon as possible...

 So late in fact, by the time he returned to his rowhouse, he is already 28 minutes past midnight. He grabs the Beretta 92FS and two magazines and shoves them both into the bag with the alcohol, making sure no one would steal it when someone breaks into his SUV, and he limped his way into his home. Without even bothering to check, he walked upstairs all the way to his bedroom, plastic bag with the bottle and the gun still on his hand, before he hurls himself over face-first and finally he falls dead sleep...

...

..

Chapter Text

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Park Slope - Brooklyn
May 19, 2022 - 7:11 AM

<>

Inside his bedroom, the sunlight beams through the window and the birds started chirping. Richard is still asleep, having gotten himself drunk after he had spent all night, risking his life fighting against criminals to save Enterprise and Laffey from the vile crimes he had once faced in his former law enforcement career. Now, Richard is on his bed, with one arm curling around his head as he lays there sideways, still nauseated and his hand attempting to massage his forehead.

As he continues curling and throwing himself around, he hears a ding dong, and a loud buzz from below... A few times it takes before it finally roused him from a drunken slumber. As he wakes up, agitated at first, he feels drowsy, and he had a painful sensation on his head and throat. As he struggles to get himself up from his bed, another round of loud buzzing came through, which allowed him to regain his senses and to realize that someone is by the front door.

He shoves the plastic bag that contained the gun and the bottle aside with his feet and slowly stumbles himself all the way to the front door. As he clambers downstairs, being very careful in not tripping over by holding the railing as tight as he could, he heard the muffled voice calling out:

"Richard? It's Helena, are you there!?"

Recognizing the voice, Richard was surprised that Helena was at his front door. Looking at the peephole, he sees a woman, with short black hair with turquoise tips by the front and wearing a black dress suit. He recognizes her and opens the front door. As he does, she was shocked, not only because she saw how disheveled Richard was, and how she noticed he reeks of booze.

"Dear god, Richard, what happened to you?"

Richard can only spoke: "Hi... What time is it?" Helena grunted: "Hey, its 7:18 in the morning, you goofball!"

Richard's face felt flushed upon hearing this as he said: "Oh dear...  He was about to stumble onto the floor, but Helena comes forward and catches him with her two hands by his shoulders as she said: "Hey, it's okay. I'll get you some water," ...before she closes the door behind him and gently carried Richard all the way to the kitchen, where she sat him down on the chair.

"What are you doing here?" asked Richard as Helena grabs the glass cup and fills it with tap water. "Just checking on you, that is until I realized you smelled of booze," she said. As she taps the glass cup down on the table hard enough to bring him back to his senses, she added:

"Do you mind explaining this to me why your front left side of your car was totaled?" 

'I.. I don't know..." said Richard, his speech was slightly slurred. As he drank water, the two heard loud knocks from the front door. Helena arrives first and looks through the peephole to find two people standing wearing dark blue uniforms, caps and badges. She realizes they are the NYPD. Reluctantly, she opens the door.

"Good morning, ma'am..." said the officer. Richard could see from the distance by the front door and recognizes that certain person.

"It's fucking Kiefer again..." he grumbled.

Kiefer and the other officer behind him step inside and saw Richard sitting on the table by the counter, still holding the glass cup. As they get closer, Kiefer lowers his arms on the counter opposite of Richard and sniffed hard, who he finds out he had been drunk. He then said:

"Hey, you and our guys have some questions for you.... Namely regarding the stunt, you pulled last night..."

Richard gave a big sigh and said: "If it's about Chipotle, or Brooklyn Heights, leave me out of it,"

Kiefer chuckled: "Come on, boy, it's just standard procedure... Captain's orders... Otherwise, I'll just have to cuff you and drag your alcoholic ass myself... Considering you're going to lose one soon,"

Richard stared at Kiefer and then to Helena. He realized he had no other choice but to comply. He nods and stands up while taking a deep breath and took a few steps trying to balance himself. As he approaches the front door, he stops short before he could leave the house, and spoke to Helena:

"I need you to do yourself a favor..." Helena said: "What is it?" 

Then, Richard took a breath and said: "I want you to hold the fort and run the store as Head of Security and Operations for me..."

Helena was surprised, especially Kiefer who overhears the conversation. She cried: "You kidding me? I'm only a manager in sales and promotion, Richard... I can't just oversee every aspect of the store..."

Richard replied: "Hey come on, you once were a Student Council President, Lena... You helped our principal and your councilmembers to put our school back in our feet," 

Helena scoffed: "Yes, I know that, but this is different,"

Richard then held Helena's shoulders with his palms as he said: "Please..." He gives himself a smile on his face as he said to Helena: "I believe you can pull this off, no problem... Just this once..., please...."

Helena stared at Richard, her mouth and her nerves rattled as she thought long and hard, contemplating on whether if she could do his solid. She closes her eyes for a brief moment as she took a deep breath and sighed.

"Okay... Just be back until 12 this afternoon... do I make myself clear?" she grumbled poking her two fingers hard on his chest. "I'll still have to report this to Mr. Valdez..."

"Alright, thank you," nodded Richard as he, Kiefer and two escorting police officers got on the police Interceptor SUV and they took him away for interrogation. Along their way, Richard looked on the side of the window at the back while Kiefer tried to struck up a conversation with Richard as he said:

"So, how's things?"

"Great..." Richard sulked and shrugged his shoulders but didn't look at Kiefer's face by the rear-view mirror. Kiefer said: "I have some things I like to say, about how things have been since after you..."

Richard grunted and turned his face towards the rear mirror and said: "Hey, if this is about me being a Cop-Killer, just save it, okay? Or is there anything else apart from that one, like homicides or robberies or hostages I can deal with?"

Kiefer was surprised by his behavior.

"Erm.. Nothing else..." he sighed. "Just some civil disturbances and a lot of burglaries to contend with now,"

The two never spoke to each other from that point...

<>

NYPD 78th Precinct Building - Brooklyn
May 19, 2022 - 7:25 AM

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The silence went on until they arrived at the 78th Precinct. As the four enter the building, he could see that the entire building has been busy. The instant he entered inside the precinct, Richard could hear a constant stream of telephones ringing and ringing. Around him, several squad members are busy carrying and investigating documents and pieces of evidence from the Chipotle robbery, and the Brooklyn Heights fire; some even speaking with one another or on the telephone with callers from the tip-line. As they approach the interrogation room, an officer hands Kiefer a breathalyzer; it shows that the blood alcohol content is at 0.77, much closer to the New York State's legal limit. However, for Kiefer, looking at the results, he said:

"Well, that's not going to cut it, you are still drunk, and I don't give a shit..."

"We'll see..." mumbled Richard as he and Kiefer and the other escorting officer reach the interrogation room. In it is a pane of glass with blinds that sits between the outside and the sound-proofed, and an intercom system, which could allow anyone outside from speaking with anyone behind the glass pane, and to hear their conversation, and vice versa.

Kiefer and Richard walks inside the room behind the glass pane and Kiefer closes the door behind him. The two sat down on the chairs as they stared awkwardly at each other. The door then clack open, revealing to be a woman wearing her red-trimmed glasses, and her own type of uniform consisting of a navy blue long-sleeved shirt, matching skirt with brown stockings and heels.

The woman looks at Richard and said: "Morning, Lieutenant..."

"Nope... You got the wrong person..." said Richard slyly, nodding his head, and the woman sighed and said: "Morning.... Mr. Ambrose... I am--"

"Mika Hayasaka... Senior Detective... I remember..." nodded Richard. " Mika and Kiefer were astounded by how he remembered. Mika replied: 

"I am surprised you do know me, although since you were with the 78th Precinct long ago, but still... how do you know?"

"Does it matter?" he huffed. Mika and Kiefer said nothing, only staring at him with discern. Richard gave a sigh and said to Hayasaka: 

"I once worked with your father, Danny, during 9/11, and I believe you and I met a few times, but you and I never officially introduced... I still remember him in high regard, well respected in the force as a Sansei immigrant..."

"I appreciate that," smiled Mika. "Although he's already retired 6 years after you left,"

"Anyway, you called me here, right? Because Sergeant McGuinness here picked my ass up here because you have some questions for me?"

"Oh, yes," Mika clears her throat and then she said as she pulls out the photos and places them on the table. She said: "CCTV camera along with amateur photographs show you were there at Chipotle last night sometime after first shots were reported, what were you doing?"

Richard explained: "I was out there heading for a hospital for... what i believed to be diabetes checkup, that's when I heard the three gunshots just near Chipotle... That's when I saw a woman being beaten up and was about to get shot, I couldn't let it go,"

After explaining the situation in Chipotle, Mika then turns to the next case at hand as she pulls out a next set of photographs and documents, this time showing an under-construction apartment on fire at Brooklyn Heights, and two men, who Richard recognized them as rapists, are at the hospital with second-degree burns and a bullet wound at their rear upper shoulders. She also placed down photographs showing video footage of a blue colored SUV pursuing the van, and then the other showing the now-damaged Escape crossover driving away from Brooklyn Heights after firefighters have arrived, according to Mika herself. 

She then said:

"Your car was spotted at that area, and we have two guys at the hospital claiming you trespassed on private property and started the fire, can you confirm that?"

Richard scoffed:

"Figures... I was only there because I saw them kidnapped the little girl, I did what I could to rescue her, so I just fired at the lamp, which it was the only source of light, so I can distract the rapists and save the little girl,"

"So you mean to say, these two people are rapists and are trying to rape a child?" asked Kiefer. Richard slams his pointing finger onto the blue van he was chasing last night and explained: "These two were on that van, I saw them nabbing the child after when I saw her sleeping by the Washington Market, and I tailed all the way there, I suggest you might need check the vehicle identification number and the plates then you know whether if these pricks have criminal records or are in the sex offender registry,"

"Already done, but details of our investigation are classified, you don't have any security privileges," said Mika.

"Oh come on," groaned Richard. "I am a former cop, I like to know,"

"And you are now a mere citizen, we don't have any obligation to speak about our investigation to you!" said Kiefer loudly slamming his shoulder and leaning on his face. Mika said: "Enough, Sergeant," Kiefer quickly sits back down on his chair, whist Richard took a few deep breaths, and continues explaining the situation about the blue van as he said:

"I didn't think of calling the cops, it happened so fast. I was just focusing on the van itself, and... as a former Lieutenant, I do have the obligation to stop or prevent crime, despite knowing that it is dangerous for me to chase them with my own car, and I admit, I did damage my car while I'm on pursuit..."

Mika nodded: "I see... That was your obligation... And you still kept it up to your belief..." 

As she flicks the files on her board,  she said: "About the little child, and the white-haired woman whom you claimed to have saved, we have yet to gain any information or any of their registry from the database, so.... would you mind if you tell me where they come from and who they are?"

This puts him in a tight spot. He was aware they are from a different world, but he doesn't have any reasonable explanation on how they get to his own world and he feared unwanted attention if the public or the federal government are aware of the two people without any identity... Both Kiefer and Mika could see his nervous expression. Mika said: "Mr. Ambrose, can you answer the question?"

Richard leans his lips against the side of a pair of curled-up palms and his right foot tapping repeatedly on the floor as he nervously thought long and hard, his eyes looking alternatively at Kiefer, Mika, and then at the glass pane between them. When Kiefer presses him, Richard at first stutters and then said:

"I. uhh, I don't know... They don't have any memory, nor their passports, I'm sorry..."

"What?" Kiefer was confused, and so was Mika, who she asked: "You're saying both of them are amnesiac or you don't even know who they are?"

"Wait no, let me think..." he recants, and then stopped speaking for a short while, still rubbing his forehead with his two fingers. He decided to come up with the names that he thought would suit them based on what the two called themselves.

"Enterprise and Laffey... What are they supposed to name after?" he thought.

Rubbing the sides of his forehead before tapping them simultaneously, he spoke to Mika and Kiefer:

"White-haired woman, her name's Lulie Winters.. and... the other one, little child... pigtailed hair... Bartlett Amsley..."

"So their names are Lulie Winters... and Barlett Amsley?" asked Mika.

"That's all I can remember," he rambled. "And WInters is from... err... Montreal, yes..." His manner leaves both Kiefer and Mika confused. Richard clears his throat as he says:  "I'm sorry, I'm on hangover I didn't remember straight since midnight...."

"Yeah, no shit," said Kiefer. "You stink of booze, you must have been driving while drunk, haven't you?!"

Kiefer tilts his head and stares at Richard, putting psychological pressure on him as Kiefer continually said: "Can you hear anything, you hear only the hum and the music, and nothing else around you?"

Soon, his memories about his midnight-drive after giving Laffey her cola and then the sound of synthwave music eventually came back to him and that resulted in him shaking his head to rid himself of his ears ringing as he rolls down memory lane. Just before he was about to answer, they heard a knock on the door and the man appears behind it. At first he spoke to Mika:

"Security cameras and amateur photographs captured both the van and the blue Escape crossover both near the Whitehall Terminal and Brooklyn Heights..."

Then, as he walks inside the interrogation room, he saw Richard sitting by the table beside Kiefer and he said, chuckling: 

"Richard Ambrose,  I should have thought it was you... Still hadn't changed with such an epic ride of yours..."

Richard said: "What else? Julie," He stood up and the two exchanged handshakes. Both Mika and Kiefer were surprised to see that the two men knew each other.

"Lieutenant Julian, I take it you do you know this man very well..." asked Mika. Julian Senna, who is a Lieutenant in the 78th Precinct, nodded: "That's right, we were in the academy together," 

"I'd like to congratulate you on your promotion as Lieutenant," Richard spoke to Julian. "But... unfortunately, not only I had work to do at Vicerone, but other officers don't seem to take kindly of me..."

"Sorry, Lieutenant..." sighed Julian regretfully. "There's nothing I could do to change their minds and I still had a lot on my plate now that I am promoted last three weeks ago..." He smiled as he continued: "But i appreciate that, and I'm glad you've promoted to Head of Security,"

"Is that what you told Kiefer?" asked Richard, his right eyebrow raised.

"I didn't know you two were friends," said Mika. "I was busy assisting with the Special Victims Division lately,"

"Well, you did a great job," nodded Richard as he sarcastically clapped his hands. "And I only managed to prevent one rape happening at midnight, so that is now one less rape for the Special Victims, your welcome...."

Mika nearly chuckled as she noticed his cocky behavior but otherwise plucks up her professionalism and said: "Thanks for your assistance..."

"Well, likewise, I'm glad you're still hanging around." said Senna. "Word spread around that you blasted these two pricks till thy kingdom come, but the city public, according to their interviews, they're still pissed about you..."

"Some things never forget huh..." he mumbled. Julian Senna pats his shoulder and spoke to Kiefer and Mika: "Cut him loose, he's worth to be a hero..."

"What?" cried Kiefer. "But he burned the building down in Brooklyn Heights! Our forensic investigation found that the bullet that struck the kerosene lamp belongs to Richard's own gun, he confessed it himself!"

"Maybe..." said Senna. But this how Mr. Ambrose operates back in my day, and he saved the little child, this is what he was pursuing for... And I checked the alcohol results, he's by the legal limit...." Senna stares down on Kiefer menacingly as he said: "Now let him go..." Kiefer, feeling intimidated, begrudgingly backs off and steps out from the interrogation room.

Richard stood up from the chair soon after, and Mika and Julian escorted him through the squad room and right outside the precinct. As the three stood outside the doors, Mika said: "Thanks for your cooperation, Mr. Ambrose,"

"Likewise, Detective..." nodded Richard and Mika walks back inside the precinct, leaving Julian and Richard out alone. After spending their time catching up, Julian Senna takes Richard on a 5-minute walk down the street to a Chick-fil-A restaurant just nearby, as both he and Julian hadn't eaten breakfast. Though Richard was hesitant, Julian insisted that it is appropriate for a reunion. Richard relents and the two walked on the road before arriving.

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Chick-fil-A Restaurant - Brooklyn
May 19, 2022 - 7:59 AM

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After lining up their counters, paid their meal and sat on the tables eating chicken nuggets with rice and burrito wraps and yogurt parfaits, Richard spoke to Julian after taking sips of his own drink:

"Thanks for taking me here, I guess..."

"Don't mention it," said Julian happily. "I just thought if we like to have ourselves a chat about some things, and we haven't spoke for 10 years since the last time you went to therapy..."

"So... how's your job in the NYPD?" asked Richard with a slight smile. Julian nodded: "Pretty good, apart from me becoming a Lieutenant," He then asks Richard: "How's work as a new Head of Security?"

Richard said: "I can get to inspect all aspects of operations and to keep the employees, the customers and our valuables safe using whatever means necessary in my power..."

"That's great..." said Senna, as he grew excited for Richard, as he remarked: "I think you could use your own authority to make sure the department store of yours stay safe, so that we could ease our nerves..."

"Rash of thefts just keep on going huh..." sighed Richard as he takes a spoonful of his own parfait. "Even while murders are declining, robberies are becoming a headache for business owners... and even to you guys,"

"I know... Even now thefts are ramping up and we're dealing with that shit every hour..." nodded Senna in agreement. Then Julian Senna has an idea in his mind; he shares it with Richard, whispering:

"That white-haired woman you saw on the news and whom you saved... I think she could be the great addition to your security team..."

Richard dropped his spoon and said: "You read my god damn mind," He chuckled and said: "I did see her fighting potential, I think I'm considering whether if I should put her up on my post to be a guard, or my bodyguard or assistant as security assistant,"

"The way I see it, she does have fighting potential, but do you think she could run that fast to catch the thieves?" said Senna. 

"Only one way to find out...."  said Richard with his eyes looking at the ceiling. Julian sees his expression and says: "I remember you used to be our training instructor in the police academy, you're thinking what I'm thinking?"

Richard nodded: "Yes..."  Senna gasps and asks: "You're going to train that young woman?"

Richard, while feasting on chicken nuggets and rice dipped in sauce, spoke: "She's a fighter. She even knows how to use a scalpel, despite that was only meant for surgical use..."

"Yeah... And our investigation found there was a tip of the scalpel broken off from one of the dead robbers, names I won't release unless my superiors say so..." Senna replied.

"What a badass," Richard remarked.

As the two were about to finish their breakfast, Richard leans slightly close to Senna, who has just wiped his face and mouth with the napkin, and he whispered:

"I don't know if that's a good idea, but I would like to ask you a favor..."

"As a friend, or as a Lieutenant of the 78th Precinct?" Senna asked and Richard replied: "As a friend..."

Senna rubs his chin with his two fingers and had a long thought. Senna warned: "Look, I can only stall them for as long as I could, enough time for you to draft and sign a legal guardian document for that young woman to be in your care, then the police or the federal government wont lay a hand on them..."

"That young woman, has a friend," added Richard. "Her friend's a small child, the two are acquainted... Their names are Enterprise and Laffey, but I'll consider giving them different names,"

"What do you think they'll be named for?" asked Senna.

"I told them their names are Lulie Winters and Barnette Amsley..." Richard nodded his head. :"I got the feeling they're going out to question them as well..." Senna shook his hands and said: "Don't worry, I can stall them while you prepare your witness... But whatever it is you have to do after that, I can only give 1 or 2 weeks at best,"

"That's not much time," said Richard worriedly. "It may take months!"

"Then, best case scenario... Send them back to where they came from... discreetly that is..." said Senna.

"But how!?" cried Richard. "They both told me they're from the Eagle Union, and they had said they are not from this world..."

"Eagle Union, like the nation similar as the United States?" asked Senna.

"That's what Enterprise said..." groaned Richard, exhaling his bated breath.

Watching as Senna empties out the last of his cup full of water, Senna took a deep breath and said: 

"I'll help you..."

Richard was ecstatic. He repeatedly shook the Lieutenant's hands as he said: "Thank you sir..." Senna pushes his hands off from his own and said: "I make no promises, but as your friend, and not a Lieutenant, I'll do what I can..."

After tipping off the waitresses, the two stepped out from the restaurant. However, as the two returned to the 78th Precinct Building, Senna decides to take Richard to his place of work; the Vicerone Cashbacks Department Store. He tells Richard that the CSU technicians are investigating his car, and he should take the taxicab or the subway instead. Richard, left with no choice, hops on the passenger side of Julian Senna's cruiser and the two drove off to Manhattan...

...

..

Chapter Text

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Kings County Hospital - Brooklyn
May 19, 2022 - 8:07 AM

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Inside the hospital, Enterprise and Laffey had been tucking in by their blankets in their sleep until the morning sun and the knock of the door wakes them both up. The two could see a doctor carrying food on their trolley cart which rolled up beside her bed. He hands one tray to Enterprise, which contains smoked salmon and cabbage, with small strips of bacon topped over an egg and a small cup of almond milk and nuts served alongside.

As for Laffey, she was also given the same meal, but Laffey said: "I want cola..." She yawned as the doctor said:

"Sorry little one, but we don't serve sodas in the morning..."

"What a pain..." groaned Laffey. The doctor sighed, nodding his head and his fingers rubbing by his eyes as he said: "Just eat, doctor's orders... Sugary drinks would get you dehydrated very quickly on an empty stomach..."

"Okay..." Laffey mumbled as she slowly grabs the tray and she and Enterprise started to chow down on their meal, all the while listening to the television for the morning news. At first, Laffey was hesitant to eat green vegetables, but after combining together with salmon and a side of tartar sauce and some convincing from Enterprise, she slowly grew accustomed to a new source of energy... As they eat breakfast, they watch the morning news where the news anchor makes an overview on what happened on both the Chipotle attempted robbery and an apartment fire at Brooklyn Heights.

"Good morning, New York, what should have been an uneventful Wednesday night suddenly was rocked by a hail of gunshots heard by thousands all in a span in less than 6 hours up to midnight.  An attempted armed robbery that left two men dead and one woman injured, and then the under-construction apartment complex being set ablaze in another borough across the East River. 

What these two criminal incidents have in common, one man who happens to be involved in rescuing the victims caught in the dangerous shuffle. That man is identified to be Richard Ambrose, who has recently been promoted to Lieutenant in September 2005 since working with the NYPD back in 1996...

---

As they nearly finished their breakfast, Enterprise and Laffey began listening to the news interviews of eyewitnesses and those who were there at Chipotle, who described the event as violent and intense. However, one particular witness caught their attention. Wearing blue overalls and having a semi-hazel beard, the man was asked a question by the news correspondent, as he said:

"Sir, how would you think about Mr. Ambrose, who he managed to save so many lives in New York in an instant?"

The man scoffed and replied:

"That guy? Trust me, he ain't no hero... He's as dirty as he'll ever get..."

"What makes you say that?" asked the news correspondent. The bearded man replied: "Have you ever wondered how Mr. Cop Killer here got that nickname? I don't give a shit whether if he's guilty or not, he killed a family man, pure and simple..."

What this interviewee had spoken negatively about Richard Ambrose, Enterprise was surprised.

"Cop Killer again... What is with these people, he did save me, Laffey, and so many others... What's going on?" she thought to herself as the news channel switches the attention to the burned-out apartment complex. The broadcast said there were no fatalities as the apartment complex was said to be under construction but there were only two injuries. It was later said that they are under criminal investigation but does not disclose any details. When Laffey pointed out that this is where Richard Ambrose had saved her earlier that night, Enterprise started to wonder:

"Could the rapists be these construction workers who were working on that building?"

She didn't have anything else to go on apart from knowing that Richard was not well-liked by the public. However, the last time she saw him, he left off from the store rather furious upon hearing one of the police officers calling him the same nickname, and looking back at the news footage, she said:

"Is there something he doesn't want to know?"

Deciding to ponder onto that mystery later to prioritize finishing her meal, she went on to finish what's left of the tray and after setting both hers and Laffey's trays aside, she picks up Yevgeny's iPad and she tries to get used to the new technology that remarkably performs similarly to other mobile devices she knew of in her timeline.  

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May 19, 2022 - 8:14 AM

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As the attendant arrives to take the trays out from their room, Enterprise comes across the games folder to find there are several games inside that was left in Yevgeny's iPad for quite sometime. Laffey sees several selection of the mobile games and she finds it familiar somehow. However, upon Laffey attempting to open the games she wanted to play, to their disappointment, they refuse to budge.

"No internet connection detected?" Enterprise looks at the screen. "Does this hospital have internet like ours?" asked Laffey.

Just then the attending doctor, Boris Yevgeny, shows up. He was impressed and all too relieved to see the two girls who had found themselves comfortable, and especially Enterprise as he looked on over and asked: "Good morning... How's your wounds?"

"I feel better, although I find it hard to stand up a little," replied Enterprise with a slight smile as she hands her iPad to Laffey. Yevgeny nodded with a relief and said: "Your body is still recovering from the bullets we managed to remove during surgery... Give it three days for rest, and you will be back up on your feet... I hope you won't think of running away after what happened last night..."

"Yes Doctor," nodded Enterprise. As Yevgeny turns around and takes a few steps, Enterprise called out to him and said: "I want to know why any of these happened... The armed robbery, and a rape? This is not something like I have seen even during the war..."

Yevgeny turns back to Enterprise and said: "Mr. Ambrose hadn't told you yet huh..." He took a deep breath and explained: "Crimes like this are not uncommon... In fact, I believe these were part of human nature... I had once experienced it back when I used to live in the Soviet Union, had a knife to my chest while I was a high school student, before we emigrated to America 30 years ago... But even then, all I can remember is that the 90's was a dangerous time in New York, but me and my family managed to get by and live safely thanks to our neighbors..."

"You were stabbed?" she gasped. "It is horrible for you to face such a violent crime... But I'm glad you're okay..."

"Being stabbed and sent to the hospital is what inspired me to become a doctor," he said. "When I started my residency in Kings County, I get to take care hundreds of patients who get hurt in any sort of way... I tried my best to make sure they don't suffer the same fate as I was..."

"You're such are a good doctor..." she gently huffed. "Helping a lot of people in need... Just like how much Vestal is trying to help me..."

"Sorry ma'am, who is Vestal?" Yevgeny's eyes slightly widen at the curiosity of who was she referring to, but Enterprise shrugged: "Oh... It's probably nothing..." Before  she was about to ask him about the internet connection issue, Yevgeny's cellphone rang. Pulling out from his right pocket, he looks at the screen and picks up the phone. 

Enterprise hears that Richard Ambrose has been calling him, but as he spoke on the phone: "I'm listening"... he walks off a distance away from her and stood there for a few minutes. Laffey and Enterprise weren't sure of what's going on, or what happened to Richard after Enterprise last saw him walking away at Chipotle. They couldn't hear what Yevgeny's been saying and they couldn't see his face.

This went on for more than a minute when Yevgeny returns to Enterprise and Laffey. Enterprise looks at him and asked:

"What's going on, Doctor?"

"Richard said that he was being interrogated by the police after what happened in both Chipotle and at Brooklyn Heights," he replied. "And he told me about information about you two..."

Enterprise and Laffey were surprised.

"I thought he's going to keep our identity safe," cried Enterprise.

"W-wait... Let me finish!" he raised his palms and motions them to calm down as he continued: "Your real identity is still safe, he just only said falsified information so that you two will be passed off not as the naval warships from the US Navy much of the world knew of, but as ordinary civilians..."

"Ordinary civilians?" Laffey said curiously whilst Enterprise said: "You mean, our cover story?"

"Yes... To avoid raising suspicion while on the public once after you are discharged, you two will have to go with what Richard told the police, who he warned me that they will come to this room to ask you some questions about what happened that night, since you two were involved in a major crime and he knew that this is standard protocol..."

Enterprise and Laffey stared at each other and then to Boris Yevgeny and after a short time processing what has been going on, the former spoke: "So, what do you think we will be disguised as..." Boris Yevgeny replied:

"Enterprise... Your name will be Lulie Winters... And Laffey... you will be named Bartlett Amsley..."

Several minutes have spent by with Boris Yevgeny attempting to relay as much information he had received from Richard and Enterprise and Laffey trying to memorize or train themselves on how to become a person under a new identity; Enterprise sees herself as amnesiac who had recently lost her parents and was originally from Montreal, while Laffey would then say she met Enterprise, or Lulie Winters in their cover story, at the homeless shelter and had been acquainted with one another. 

After making a few touches, the three heard three knocks from the door just behind Yevgeny, and then a muffled female voice:

"Doctor Yevgeny, it's the police..."

With a few deep breaths and Enterprise and Laffey already anxious for what's about to come should their cover story that Richard had manufactured be blown, Yevgeny spoke:

"Come inside..."

The door slowly rolls open with a clack from the doorknob that was turned. Appearing from the doorway is Mika, with Kiefer behind her who he said: "Morning? How are you feeling?" Enterprise recognizes Kiefer from before as she spoke:

"You... at the restaurant last night... You called Richard a cop-killer..."

"Yeah," Kiefer's lower lips raised up as he sneered. "Got a problem with the facts?"

"Enough, Sergeant..." Mika motioned Kiefer to stop arguing with Enterprise and orders him to stand guard by the door and to let her do all the questioning. She pulls out the tape recorder to record the conversation as she sits down on the table beside Laffey and Enterprise, with Doctor Yevgeny present as she introduces herself:

"My name's Detective Mika Hayasaka from the NYPD and this is my partner Kiefer McGuinness, and I would like to ask you two some questions," She puts down the tape recorder and before she pushes her finger down onto the record button, she remarked: "I've never seen someone with long-white hair with lavender eyes... and yet you look quite young..." Enterprise was quite shy and introvertly replied only with: "Th-thanks..."

After Mika presses the record button, she said:  "This conversation's recorded, it's part of our investigation, so I hope you don't mind if you can consent to this line of questioning, and that you have rights to remain silent."

"Right to remain silent?" Laffey spoke curiously, and Boris Yevgeny spoke: "It's part of the Fifth Amendment, made as a way to avoid being incriminated in lieu of the due processes of the law .... I study a few law subjects before I become a doctor..."

Mika clears her throat and starts the questioning. Using the cover identities given to them by Richard and Boris, both Enterprise, and Laffey introduced to Mika as Lulie Winters, and Bartlett Amsley, respectively. Having bought their story upon confirming Richard and Boris' statements, she then focuses on the crimes at hand:

"Enterprise, on the night of the armed robbery in Chipotle, what can you remember?"

Enterprise thought and took a few breaths as she said: "Everything until the moment I was... in surgery... Mr. Ambrose, he saved me after I got shot three times... I was only trying to save the people who they are being robbed, I just couldn't let this slide... I just had to..."

"You did the best you could," said Mika. "But you could have gotten yourself killed had it not been for Mr. Ambrose who heard the gunshots while he was looking for you... He told me that you ran away without the doctor's permission, why?"

"I saw... my friend... Bartlett... on YouTube... I made a promise to protect her... We knew each other since we first met in Montreal..." said Enterprise. "But I should have just waited..."

"Your friend was involved in the near-rape case, which I can understand that you were right to be worried, but you two are together now thanks to Richard's another intervention, that's what matters..." 

Mika rubs both Enterprise and Laffey's shoulders before she turns to the latter and after being asked for a survivor's account, Laffey explained everything what happened.

"So, you didn't trespass on private property?" asked Mika.

"I was forcefully taken there... These two are lying... Richard would say this is not true... they tore my clothes and they were about to put something in..." said Laffey almost as if she was fired up, having her voice raised slightly before she started to feel hesitant in speaking further.

"It's okay..." said Mika patting her shoulder once more. "We've already established that the two men were involved in previous rape charges... And since we've now obtained evidence, we are now pressing criminal charges and the DA can rule the case to have them registered as sex offenders... We are already questioning the rapist's parents, relatives, and friends to see if they are involved..."

"Thank you...." Laffey sighed in relief.

"How old are you? Ms. Winters and Amsley?" Mika then asked the two, and, using Richard's fabricated information, Enterprise claimed she is 26, while Laffey is only 11, and they both said they had lost their ID's because they were mugged; both Mika and Kiefer were able to believe them.

After several minutes of questioning and exchanging conversations, Mika stood up from the chair and said: "Thank you three for the time. Good morning..."

 As Mika and Kiefer both stepped out from the room, Boris said: "Well I got to go file some paperwork, so get yourselves some rest okay?"

As he approaches the door, Enterprise called out:

"Doctor Yevgeny..." He stops and slowly turns around as he said: "Is there something else you need help?"

Enterprise stuttedly replied: "Is... is there... internet in this place?'

"Oh you mean a Wi-Fi password?" he said. He then picks up the iPad and shows Enterprise and Laffey about the new modem network and lends her a password for the hospital's Wi-Fi network, which she was able to type down on the iPad and surely enough, they were able to get the signal and Laffey can finally play games.

"Doctor... How can I play... Rise of Kingdoms...." asked Laffey as she pulls up the screen and showed it to Yevgeny. He became keen on helping out and he took a short time to give Laffey small tips on how to play the game she is curious and wanted to play with, which it is revealed to be a strategy game, something which Laffey realizes the enormity of the game, remarking:

"This is an open map, and there's loads of castles around me..."

 After Boris leaves to tend to his papers and Enterprise watching over Laffey in playing the strategic game, she couldn't help but remember about what Kiefer and the man on TV think about Richard, and she thought to herself, wondering...

"What made these people hate Richard? What was he hiding?"

<>

Vicerone Cashbacks, SoHo, Manhattan
May 19, 2022 - 8:51 AM

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Meanwhile, inside the Vicerone Cashbacks Department Store in SoHo, branch manager Bryan Valdez, and the temporary Head of Security and Operations; Helena Mizuno are having discussions about the increasing workload after Sebastian Jones was put on sick leave and to report Valdez about the delivery of the new computer motherboards and glass panes that have been arrived by truck safely, albeit with minor delays on the route. She also noted that there are no issues throughout the building.

It was just then they all heard the knock on the door. Bryan said: "Come in..." And the glass door slowly crept open, and they are all surprised to see Richard showing up inside the meeting room, his hair and shirt was nearly disheveled, but he otherwise appeared to be healthy, having eaten the last precious meal and had himself sobered up.

"Good morning Mr. Ambrose." said the man who was delighted to see Richard. "Although mind explaining me the reason why you leave her in charge for Head of Security and Operations. He had a glaring eye on Richard as he said:

"I was just interrogated by the police, okay... As a former lieutenant, I know how this would work, but I wrongfully assumed that I would be arrested or detained early... I apologize..."

"I see," nodded Bryan. "Since you were involved in two major crimes, I can understand..." He clears his throat as he then said: "Anyway, since now you are here, I hereby transferred all of her duties and powers as Head of Security and Operations back to Mr. Ambrose,"

After that, he then orders the two to get back to work, as Helena and Richard both stepped out from the meeting room, with the former mumbling to Richard: "Welcome back, you fuck..."

"Likewise," he silently chuckled as the two entered the Head of Security office to grab Helena's things. As Richard tries to pick one of her belongings, Helena also happens to reach her hand onto the same object as well. The two hands meet and the two started to blush about what happened as the two all stepped back farther away from each other...

...

..

Chapter Text

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Vicerone Cashbacks Department Store, Manhattan
May 19, 2022 - 8:54 AM

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Inside the Head of Security office, as Richard and Helena tried to clean up the office, their hands suddenly make contact with one another as they knelt down and tried to pick up a small plastic sculpture. The two briefly stared at their hands and then to each other's eyes before they began blushing and they all took a small step back, pulling their respective right hand back as if they tried to resist something.

The two breathed in and out almost heavily and Richard shuddered his head, looking at Helena and on the table and his hand, before he said: "S-sorry i didn't mean to.."

"N-no, it's okay," she said also nervously. "It's fine, really..." The two at first looked away from one another before they all slowly stared at each other, and Richard finally manages to keep himself focused as he told Helena to help clean up his desk. As the two began cleaning up their office, Richard said rather awkwardly:

"Look, I'm sorry... I... had to put you up like this, leaving you in charge only I just come back much earlier..."

Helena gave a soft sigh. "I know... It's just... Have we ever wondered how many favors we owed since?"

Richard slightly raised his shoulders. "I don't know..." he said. "Been 15 years since I landed myself just so I can repay you... after how much you helped me, and I feel like I've did a lot more than you bargained for..."

"No..." Helena gently grabbed his right arm and made a soft squeeze as she rebuffed: "You've also helped me out a lot of times whenever I was in a pickle... So, in a way, I guess we did back and forth... helped each other out so many times..."

"Yeah, we did probably 60 solids, or maybe a hundred..." said Richard. Helena chuckled. "I can't remember either, but hard to believe we've been in this for a long time..."

"And yet I haven't moved on..." he said before he asked himself: "When do I had therapy last time?"

"9 months ago..." Helena could only recall, at which she then asked: "And have you found any purpose in life since we've been working together for 15 years?"

Richard pours into intensive thought. He first remembered what he was once was in the NYPD, and his early struggles as he first joined Vicerone Cashbacks. He thought of his parents and friends that he cared about, or who he had once cared for. A flash of memory hits him when he recalls Enterprise in action, fiercely fighting against two armed robbers, while he also does the same thing, in a time when he saw himself sparring against several cadets and new trainees of what he thought is the New York City Police Academy. He recalls sparring himself against 5 trainees, of which he was able to defeat them effortlessly, whilst also giving them advice on what to do differently and to counter his moves. After a short while trekking through his own memory, he replied:

"I think I really have,"

Excitement grew for Richard as he continued: "Since I have been promoted to Head of Security, I have my authority vested in me to make this department store more comfortable and more importantly, secure..."

"That's the thing," nodded Helena happily though Richard reiterated: "However, I can't do it alone, given that we're about to deal like 15 or 30 people about to commit smash and grab at once..."

"So.... that's what you mean a perfect candidate?" Helena pondered and then she suddenly got a brain wave, she gasped upon realizing what she was thinking. Richard could see her expression and said:

"Yeah... We all saw how Enterprise, or Lulie Winters, have fought against the two-armed robbers at Chipotle right?"

Helena nodded: "Yes, I have. And.... who is Lulie... Winters?"

Richard spoke: "Just the name of that young woman we're going with, but that's not important right now..." He shook his hands in the air between himself and Helena before he continued: "My point is... when we called last night, I had been thinking about it for a while now... Although my memory's still fuzzy..."

"You're considering hiring her?" asked Helena and Richard replied: "As my bodyguard and assistant of the Head of Security... In addition to training our security guards, they, especially Lulie Winters, would form themselves as our mini-security force..."

"Like a small army within the store huh..." said Helena. 

"Exactly," nodded Richard. "A small group of well-trained men alongside Lulie Winters, that will be more than enough to deal with every eventuality, like robbery for example, customer in distress, a dispute, or anything wrong that threatens the safety of the building and its customers..."

"Surely you are planning a massive improvement of our store's security apparatus," remarked Helena.

"Yes, and it is going to be huge!" Richard exclaimed. "Although, this may be tricky... I need to ensure balance between security and customer experience... If i have too many of the guards patrolling the halls..."

"...then they will think this is a maximum-security prison..." added Helena.

"I think it's best we'll have to speak to Mr. Valdez for his opinion before we had to go forward with the new security improvement plan... I'm already making some touches on my plan and I'll have it sent once I get his approval..." said Richard checking his watch and Helena nodded and thought he has a point. After sorting out their office, Helena leaves, carrying her files and belongings, leaving Richard alone as he starts working on the computer to write down the notes for a massive security improvement plan. In writing the notes, he puts down the name "Lulie Winters", who he is determined to give her the position, although he was anxious...

"She is from a different world, I don't know whether if it's a good idea if she might as well had to stay here..." he thought to himself. But given that he knew he would not be always there by her side and concerned about her near-death experience that he had witnessed at Chipotle, he knew that he could train her like he had done in his time in the NYPD. However, as he continues to write down the documents and worked on his own security detail plan, he suddenly has second thoughts...

"Should I raise her to be an unstoppable killer or keep her by my side?"

Throughout the rest of the day, his thoughts about hiring Enterprise remain at the back of his mind. There was also an added problem, however. Also in the back of his mind was the memory of a recent mass shooting in Buffalo, which happened just three days before Enterprise entered his world. It had gained significant attention above all other crimes broadcast in the news media and he was one of many who took notice. 

Since his departure from the NYPD, he felt compelled to reach out to his parents and friends, including Helena and Julian, whenever news of gun violence emerged. Richard feared such events might incite similar actions in his home territory. Even after leaving active duty and before his promotion to Head of Security, he would sometimes roam the city across Lower Manhattan and in Brooklyn when he was not on his shift, vigilantly watching for any signs of gun violence as if he were still on patrol.

Over the past 15 years, there were only a few mass shootings but all in all, by the time he could arrive, the suspect was either arrested or was killed. He couldn't shake off a sense of helplessness. He believed more lives could have been saved had if he were there. Despite this, he knew he couldn't forsake those closest to him, even though he wished he could protect everyone.

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May 19, 2022 - 5:31 PM

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As evening approaches, most of the staff leave the store as the afternoon shift ends. Helena and Nate knock on the doors as they show up at Richard's Head of Security office, where they saw their friend across the room, staring intently at the screen, rapidly tapping his fingers on the keyboard.

"Hey, Richard, how you doing?" His friend Nate would always say and Richard briefly stops typing as he said: "Looking great so far..." He turns to Helena and asked: "How's Sebastian?"

She replied: "I gave him shots of milk and he's doing alright now." Richard sighed in relief and continues typing as he said: "Thank goodness, anyway I'm just about done drafting a new security plan for this store..."

He went on to explain to Nate about the new security improvement plan and about Enterprise. He was surprised by what he heard:

"You're going to hire a patient that just got shot!?" cried Nate. "I... I mean she's a great fighter, but aren't you worried that it is too early?"

"I'm not going to hire her on the spot just now... She'll need some more rest even after she's about to be discharged in 2 days..." said Richard. "But it all comes down if she's willing... And this new plan I'm drafting, that's only a start... And this will likely take weeks to implement once this gets a green light from Mr. Valdez... So that gives me plenty of time..."

"Oh, i see..." nodded Nate. However, he was a bit confused upon hearing this and said: "Plenty of time for what?"

"In addition to giving time for our security personnel for training... I'll also invest in a time for Ms. Winters here to recover, and then I will personally train her myself until she is ready..." said Richard.

Both Nate and Helena were a bit speechless, but soon they understood once Richard explained that it will be like attempting to relearn the body, but in secret, he wants Enterprise to adapt to a world unfamiliar to her, where everyone could be their potential enemy.

After Helena and Nate leaves the office, Richard stays in the office signing the documents and contacting other employees to check any inspections for security systems and shoplifts. When he gets word that everything is in good order, he continues working on his security improvement plan, which took him until dusk started to fall, when he finally was able to finish his own master plan.

He makes a big sigh to relieve himself and said: "Now... all what's left now is to send this to my boss..."

After printing out what looked like a 36-page report, he saves the documents in his computer, and carried the printed report to Bryan Valdez's office located on the 4th floor, climbing up only one floor up through a stairwell to get there.

Knocking on the doors and waiting for an answer, the voice through the door said: "Come in..." Richard slowly pushes the door open with a turn of a doorknob and steps foot inside Valdez's office, the papers for the security improvement plan still in hand.

"Good evening, what brings you here?" Bryan was reading his book whilst wearing eyeglasses as Richard hands him the printed security improvement plan whilst he replied: "This is my first act as Head of Security, and given the current crime situation in the city, I believe this should be an appropriate course of action.."

Valdez began sifting through 32 pages worth of textual documents, statistics and lists of proposals that shows the need to greatly improve security across the Vicerone Cashback branch store and that Richard should also act as instructor to train the security guards in the course of the use of firearms, hand-to-hand combat, and de-escalation, as stated that he once had specialized police training.

Reading further, he took great attention that in addition to a hidden holding cell meant to house only 30 individuals who were put into temporary custody awaiting transfer to the NYPD, Richard is in need of an assistant to act as a second set of eyes that would allow him to handle security and operations more efficiently.

Richard could see Bryan staring at the file and then at him as well for several moments at each time, with hands and fingers crossed and rubbing his thumbs in both anxiety and excitement, Valdez slowly puts down the plans onto his desk and taking a few deep breaths as he said:

"That security plan you've drafted..." He paused for a moment before he slams both his palms down on the desk and he exclaimed "That is a great opportunity!"

 Richard was at first confused until Bryan then makes a revelation as he explained:

"We are approaching our 70th anniversary of opening the Vicerone Cashbacks Department Store in SoHo on September 4th this year, and I have actually been making final touches on my plan to make extensive modifications and refurbishment of the store itself..."

"Really?" Richard was indeed surprised, almost as if he had no idea the store was about to reach 70 years old despite having been working in this store for 15 years, mainly due to the fact he was so busy he never asked. Nonetheless, after learning of the gist with the renovations and a short discussion, Bryan was able to give Richard's security improvement draft an express approval and that he would be incorporating it as part of the renovations.

However, there's one thing left that they need to discuss... Who is going to be an assistant? And that was something Richard had already something in mind as he spoke with Bryan:

"So there's this young woman... you saw it on the news right?" Bryan nodded: "Yeah... Even with just a scalpel, she was one heck of a fighter against these two who also never know when to give up..."

Richard gave a sigh and said: "Her name's Lulie Winters, that's what she told me... And after I witnessed the action, I feel like she must have something to offer, and I intend to find out..."

"You do know she was shot three times, right?" reminded Bryan but Richard said: "I do know very well, which is why I'll just have to take her into my place once after she's discharged..."

"You're going to bring her to your home?" asked Bryan curiously. "She looked up to me and as a police officer, I had to protect her... I'll have to nurse her to good health, then I'll personally train her to be a tougher fighter... before I train our security guards..."

"Well, that's the only best bet you can get given these circumstances," said Bryan. "Anyway, I'll make an announcement to my employees about the extensive renovations next week... I've already secured the contract with a construction firm who they will be working on upgrading the department store... I'll send details tomorrow on your mail..."

"Thank you, Mr. Valdez..." Richard shook hands with Bryan before he stood up from the chair and retrieved his security draft and steps out from the office to resume work on overseeing the store...

<>

Kings County Hospital, Brooklyn
May 22, 2022 - 3:30 PM

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Two days have passed, and Richard is at a front door of the hospital, standing on his car staying clear on the emergency parking lane. It wasn't long when Enterprise finally arrived at the reception desk alongside Laffey, whose area is visible from where Richard was standing at. The two women were escorted by Boris Yevgeny, who was able to sign the papers confirming their discharge on their medical records, which now has their cover names listed.

The three made their way to the front door and could see Richard waving at them. As Enterprise and Laffey hopped onto his car which still has crash damage from the earlier chase, Richard spoke to Boris: "Thank you Doctor, for taking care of these two girls,"

Boris smiled and said: "Well my comrade, I am now leaving these two under your care... And I'm just a doctor, it's my duty..."

"Likewise," Richard shook hands with Boris. Before they part ways, Boris knocks on the window for Enterprise, who she promptly opens the window as he said:

"I hope you learned you lesson on this... I don't want to see you nearly getting hurt, like what happened to you yesterday. I want you to make sure that you must never walk alone in the evening hours without someone with you. There are crimes happening all around the place, so you must watch out for that," he explained.

"Yes, Doctor," nodded Enterprise before she then said: "Thank you..." before he and Richard finally part ways. As Boris heads back inside the hospital to focus on his patients, Richard hobbles back to his car and drove off away from the hospital. 

As they drove their way on the street, Richard adjusts the rear mirrors then turns to Enterprise, sitting by his front passenger seat, as he asked: "How's the new clothes I bought for you?" Enterprise smiled as she replied: "Very comfortable..." smiled Enterprise as she rubs her fingers on her new clothes. "This set of clothes you gave me, this looks beautiful and glossy, yet light as well when I walk around..."

Laffey, who she's wearing her pink sweatshirt and black short pants to replace her torn outfit, joined in and said: "You got so much money have you?"

"What else do you think?" he chuckled.

"I'm sorry about your car... You were trying to chase down the kidnappers... I saw what happened on the news and the police told me about what you did..." said Enterprise.

"No... It's okay... I just want to help people and to keep them safe..." nodded Richard. "I'll just have to send this to the repair shop to have this fixed, while I treat you girls something for a bite to eat, if that's okay..."

"Well, I am tired..." said Laffey. "The doctors don't serve me cola..."

"I haven't had lunch yet either, so anything you like, we'd like to try something new than this hospital food..." said Enterprise.

"Well, I know of a place..." Richard looks at the two women as he approaches the auto body shop and parks his car right inside the repair bay. 

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May 22, 2022 - 3:41 PM

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After dropping his car off at the autobody shop and tipping the mechanic using the money Julian Senna had given him earlier to repair his car, Richard, Enterprise, and Laffey took a walk towards a nearby train station. From there, the three took a train operating on an Atlantic Branch service line and took their seats as the commuter train whizzes away and is on a move. 

For Enterprise and Laffey, they were surprised that they could ride in a public transport, which the two could no longer worry about needing to walk thanks to Richard buying them tickets for a ride. He spoke to Enterprise that there may be service delays, but he wants to believe that this is his only good alternative as he doesn't have to spend gas, or when his car is under repair.

As the three started settling in on a ride, growing comfortable by the train's air-conditioning systems to keep themselves cool, they could see a dozen of people who sat down on their seats around them, watching on their phones, chatting with one another and reading newspapers or listening to music while some even dozed off. It was the first time in her life that Enterprise would get to ride with other people, something she was attempting to get used to after being on patrols on her own.

Looking out the window, Laffey could see rows of buildings and trees, and even pedestrians and vehicles from high above, as Laffey pulled down Enterprise's long sleeves asking her to look at the view as well. At one point, they could see another train rushing by on the tracks in the opposite direction.

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May 22, 2022 - 4:09 PM

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Less than 15 minutes went by, the train approaches Jamaica station, where Richard said that this is their destination. As they enter the station area, Enterprise was stunned yet again...

"Look how big this station is!" she exclaimed, whispering over to Laffey, who she replied: "So many people... So many horn blasts... So many trains... I feel dizzy..."

"It's okay... You'll get used to it... providing you know the way..." said Richard as he stood up from the seats and stood by the train doors alongside Enterprise and Laffey. As the train comes to a stop, the doors retract open, and the three all stepped out along with other passengers and onto the platform.

After navigating their way down to street level and back out onto the streets, the three made a short walk all the way to the one restaurant Richard wants to take them; a Carribean bakery and grill establishment which they serve Jamaican beef patties and curry dishes. Curious about what Richard claimed the city has a diverse cuisine, they ordered a meal and after getting their order, they sat down on a bus stop bench just outside the restaurant and start to dig in their meal.

Enterprise took a first bite of her Jerk Chicken and rice, and she was smitten by its rich seasoning and its savory kick.

"This looks delicious," she said as she uses her spoon to scoop up both the meat and sauce-saturated rice and chomps down in her mouth. Laffey was struggling to eat the Beef Patties as she said after taking a first bite: "I can feel my tongue going a bit mild..." Richard, who is also eating the beef patties, replied: "I ordered it mild, come on, just try it..." 

After taking a few more bites, eventually Laffey started to become accustomed to her new taste, alongside drinking a cold fruit punch. Richard felt glad to see the two enjoying their meal until before long, they were able to finish their meal, leaving behind just packaging and utensils, which they threw it in a trash and after checking his watch, he decided to head back home.

<>

May 22, 2022 - 4:44 PM

<>

As they sat down on a train heading back to the autobody shop to check on his car, they watched television which just then, started to pop up with a news broadcast. Just then, a headline appears that sent alarm bells for Richard, and also a few people inside the commuter train, who were also as shocked.

--

"Breaking news from WABC-7, a leak from an anonymous source was put forward to The New York Times. A USB drive, containing a draft memo by what the sender claimed to be a plan calling for increased security measures in the Vicerone Cashbacks Department Store in SoHo."

"The memo details plans for advanced surveillance systems, increased personnel training, and the implementation of state-of-the-art security technologies. There has been no comment from the parent company or from the branch manager of the store at this time, but this memo has sparked widespread concerns about the necessity and implications of such heightened security measures in department stores, mainly about civil rights and excessive force being used to arrest shoplifters or thieves..."

--

While some, especially Enterprise and Laffey, thought to themselves in confusion as to what was going on, Richard was absolutely stunned... Staring at the television screen to see that the department store that he has been in charge as Head of Security is now involved in a whistleblowing incident, he felt that he is witnessing a potential scandal as he thought to himself...

"Who did this...? Who  leaked  my security draft...!?"

...

..

Chapter Text

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Azur Lane Command Center, Eagle Union
May 19, 1942 - 1:01 AM / 0001

<>

The interrogations with the Sakura Empire survivors; Zuikaku, Atago, Ise, Shigure, and Souryuu went on until midnight, and Dave Berenson, satisfied, leaves the Sakura Empire survivors alone and had them escorted back to their secure infirmary, still recovering from their injuries while they sleep for the night. As it is already past midnight, some fell asleep while working on their desks, a few on their couches in the command center. Most personnel, including Saratoga had left to sleep in their own quarters.

At this time, only he and Georgia remained. As Berenson steps inside the command center after passing through a long underground hallway, Georgia was just about to head back.

"Hey, Georgia, how you doing?" he said:

"A little bit tired, but... it's getting late," she yawned. "What about you?" Berenson took time to rethink about what he had heard and after a few short moments, he explained about the interrogation with Sakura Empire's shipgirls.

"I see... So, they claimed they were blacked out... do you believe what they were saying?" asked Georgia and he replied: "Their statements given to me, they almost match with several of our accounts from survivors from our defense fleet... Warspite, Cleveland, Hood, Prince of Wales, and San Diego... they all said the same thing..."

Georgia had overseen the questionings on their side, and she said quietly: 

" They got swept up by the storm..."

"I wonder if that storm has something to do with it..." he said mumbling.

"That system had even jammed our communications, and it intensified so rapidly our radar, at its prototype stages, wouldn't be able to detect it in time..." replied Georgia. "So, at the best, we have to make our working theory that this storm is no natural phenomenon..."

"Given the circumstances and how much we know about Sirens manipulating the weather systems, that might be a possibility..." nodded Berenson rubbing his chin. "I think we have to look into the storm and our weather records more closely... We'll have to bring up to speed on the situation with the Siren activity since I can guess they're going to take advantage of the situation..."

"I understand sir, I'll set up naval patrols first thing in the morning...," said Georgia. "And... I believe we should rest; it's getting late..." Georgia yawned again but Sensei replied: "Thanks... And I'll be right there... just some last-minutes checks with the data myself... You can just go ahead..."

"Yes Commander," nodded Georgia before she makes her way to the doors heading out from the command center.

"Oh, by the way, where's Secretary Booker," she then asked, turning her head at Berenson, who he said: "Told my friend to report this to high command and to get some sleep as well... He left an hour ago, heading back to our mainland..."

"I see..." nodded Georgia before she turns back to the doors and said: "Good night, Mr. Berenson..." before she disappears as she steps out from the command center and the doors close automatically behind her, while Berenson scrounges and reads papers and digital files on the computer.

<>

Azur Lane Home Base, Eagle Union
May 19, 1942 - 8:32 AM / 0832

<>

The next morning had arrived. Inside his bedroom at his own small cabin just a distance off from the Command Center just over a small grassy hill, he hears constant ringing and beeping, at which he slowly opens his eyes. As he rolls himself on the bed and saw the clock, he pushes the button above, leaving it silent.

Slowly pushing himself up from his bed, he peered over to the clock and sees the time.

"Oh man... I should never have stayed up till 2 AM for this..." he groaned. Though he had overslept, he prepares himself for the morning, taking a bath and eating a light breakfast before puts himself on a white sleeved dress coat and matching pants and his gloves, along with his cap. 

He also grabs his M1911 pistol and had it tucked in his pocket before he leaves his home on a vintage car. Cruising down from a small flowery hill and through the bustling streets, passing by triage centers and medical tents who are full of personnel and shipgirls injured in the last battle at Midway, he reaches the headquarters and command center of Azur Lane, overlooking a small plateau over a white rocky cliff.

<>

May 19, 1942 - 9:20 AM / 0920

<>

After returning to his office, he heard knocks on the door, which immediately opens after Berenson spoke out that he is already here.

"Commander, where have you been?" cried Liverpool, a Royal Navy light cruiser who is carrying her phone on hand. "You were late for like 2 hours or something!"

"S-Sorry... I overslept... Been investigating all intel activities on the Sirens and the Crimson Axis for quite a long while..." he yawned. "What's the update on Midway?"

"We're still tracking the storm's data on speed and direction of the system and have been plotting it down to analyze its track in the hours or days before the system makes contact," said Liverpool. "We are getting close though..."

"Ok, what's the status of our casualties?" he then said. Liverpool explained:

"Some of our mass-produced ships are damaged beyond repair... Few of our participants, Hood, Illustrious, and Prince of Wales are still in critical condition but are recovering... Our Queen's in better shape, and so does Warspite, Houston, Eldridge and Baltimore... The rest of our participants in Midway only suffered minor injuries..."

"I see..." sighed Berenson with relief before he then asked Liverpool: "Any word for those missing?"

"Not yet, Master..." Liverpool replied.

"Alright, let me know if you have any updates..." He sorted the photos and documents back inside the envelope and hands it over back to Liverpool. "Now we're going to defenses, what's the status on the plasma cannons that we have last scavenged on the Iron Blood raid?"

"Oh yeah, the one 13 months ago... We've been waiting for a final approval to add our thermal regulator on these cannons..." Liverpool replied excitedly as she pulls out the paper showing the permit form, which he signed for approval."

"Alright!" she said happily. "Once that's done, we'll have our own cannon perform its own test... Once we got this in good working order, we'll have this planned for mass production..."

"Thank you, Liverpool. We'll need everything we got to throw at the Sirens... Let your engineers know. I'll bring in extra supplies once I notify this to Mr. Booker..."

"You have quite a manageable Secretary..." Liverpool smiled and Berenson agreed: "I've known him back when I was a naval aviator, and he's such a good friend..."

"Anyway... I'll be off now Master..." said Liverpool as she walks away from the desk towards the doors, though Dave stopped her and asked if she could make a sugary cream coffee and blueberry-topped French toast, to which she agrees and said that Scylla will be delivering them. After Liverpool leaves the Commander's Office to bring him a cream coffee and strawberry French toast, and to carry out with the final stages of developing the prototype plasma cannon, Berenson lies his back on the chair and started to think about something...

<>

May 19, 1942 - 12:48 AM / 0048
>8 hours earlier

<>

Earlier at the interrogation room, as Ise leaves the room after having finished questioning, instead of following her on the way out and heading back to the Command Center as expected, he turns to Maryland through the one-way glass pane and said:

"Tell Ark Royal and Drake to call Zuikaku back here for me, please?"

"What do you need from her?" Maryland was surprised upon hearing this. Berenson replied:

"I know her from the files I got... She's a good soldier and a fighter. I've seen her in action when she fought against Enterprise and led her forces during an assault on our supply convoy fleet a year before, so it's right that she has to know about my plan..."

"If you say so..." said Maryland as she reluctantly calls on Ark Royal over to bring Zuikaku back once Ise has already escorted back to the infirmary. Not much time has passed as the door swiveled open with Drake bringing Zuikaku back to the chair.

"What's going on, Mr. Berenson?" said Zuikaku, who was slightly confused as to what was going on. Berenson spoke:

"The reason why I called you back is that I have seen you as a really good fighter, and I have seen that you had once led your successful diversionary attack against the fleets from Royal Navy and Dragon Empery that I have seen you as a leader..."

"Really?" She was flustered by how much he had known her battle history before she said: "Thanks..." Berenson took a deep breath and said:

"Given the circumstances right now, it's time for me to break this down to you... And I'm telling you now that this is not the only reason why I called you here," he said.

"What do you mean?" asked Zuikaku.

"The events in the Midway Atoll... We know that it's taken a toll for both of our nations... Akagi and Kaga are still missing, and so were Enterprise... Our best fighters are still out of action, and we lost much of our naval power within this sector..." he explained. "You and I both know that the Sirens are our common enemy and I never wanted war because quarreling with one another isn't going to serve our true purpose. We know we cannot let them take over our lands, right?"

"Well... yes... that's true," said Zuikaku.

"But do you still love your country? You still care for your friends from the Sakura Empire including your sister Shoukaku?" he asked to which she responded:

"Yes... I do care about my faction, and my friends... And my sis..."

Commander Dave felt happy about her response, but he still felt he has more dire matters to deal with.

"Now, with this incident, i fear that it's only a matter of time before..." he paused to think and he continued. "...the Sirens or any of our adversaries will take advantage of this situation to cause chaos or instability whilst taking over our territories. Worst case, a civil war or a societal collapse... We'll be seeing the loss of thousands of lives and potentially, change the course of the war..." said Dave who felt grim. "So... since we are now short on manpower, I am offering you a chance..."

"What is it then?" Zuikaku asked before Dave spoke:

"Relinquish your prisoner of war status, and join us..."

Zuikaku was surprised. Maryland was also stunned by the proposal as well.

"What are you saying? I should betray my nation?" she cried but Dave pats down both palms as a gesture to calm down as he explained:

"I didn't say you must betray your country, I say we make an alliance, I'll put you and your friends as part of our command. We need all the help we can get for our defense in case if the Sirens may launch an attack... or to send you all back and warn the Sakura Empire about any potential threats."

'What's in it for us?" asked Zuikaku. Berenson replied: "You, your friends and I, we'll fight alongside one another for our common goal to ensure our world's survival... We've been attempting to contact Sakura Empire for a long while now, but the longer we wait, it may become likely the Sirens would overwhelm us when we least expect it, then neither of us would live to at least quarrel for our time..." 

"I understand, so it's like a temporary alliance..." nodded Zuikaku. Berenson said: "Just until things settle down... We had to buy ourselves time while we had to re-consolidate our unified forces while I try to investigate the matter back at Midway..."

"I see but what about the rest of the Sakura Empire...?"

"Alternatively, I can let you five go, and go back to Sakura Empire and tell Mikasa everything what we know..." he said. "At best, it could take you more than 9 and a half hours at top speed.

"I-I could do that... But what about the other Crimson Axis factions?"

"We'll continue establishing communications through our red hotlines, these are the only forms of communication since Azur Lane split 3 and a half years ago, but..." Berenson pauses and sighs as he said:

"If they are proven to be hostile, you can do whatever you want to do..."

This sent Zuikaku some chills given his rather cold and sharp demeanor upon stating she could do whatever she and her friends wishes against those that stand in their way, and to her, she thought it meant she could obliterate or sink them... She shook her head to rid the worries off from her mind while Berenson said:

"Now... You have two choices... Either you continue to stay here and wait until we establish communications with the Sakura Empire to report, which you will have to stay here under watch until then... Or you join with us and work for our common goal to buy us more time as we reconsolidate our forces," he said.

"Stay here or fight alongside Azur Lane?" she asked as she wanted a better understanding, to which Dave nodded.

"You have plenty of time to figure it out. For now, our time is up," he said as he looks at his watch. "If you think if you have made up your mind, call the prison guards to send the message to me..."

"Umm.. yes... Commander..." said Zuikaku, who she felt a bit nervous again as Berenson said: "Guards, take her back to the cell..." Berenson watched on from the chair by the table as Zuikaku is escorted away from the interrogation room.

<>

Present Time
May 19, 1942 - 9:33 AM / 0933

<>

Zuikaku and her friends, Ise, Soryuu, Atago, and Shigure have just been transferred to a large holding cell, with large windows secured with reinforced steel bars from the outside to allow natural light in. The cell still has amenities, and they are still under watch by the guards while they are already recovered from their injuries. 

Zuikaku sat on the desk still pondering about Dave Berenson, while Shigure has just finished their breakfast from the one tray whom she along with the other four had shared.

"I can't believe they actually gave us good food..." she said. "Who knew that the Eagle Union would be able to make good food as ours?"

"Hamburger sandwiches, or wagyu beef in between garlic toasted bread..." said Ise. "I can't fathom which ones are better they're both good in a way..."

"These vegetables and beef tasted like it's been steamed and well made," added Soryuu. 

"These fries tasted great. But the only issue is, it is slightly greasy and unhealthy than our own meal back home," said Atago.

"Well, something sweet like ice cream would have been nice..." said Shigure.

"Desserts come serve in the afternoon, just be patient," said Neptune, who she is in prison guard duty.

"Come on, where is all the sake? Do you have anything in your base?" asked Ise but Neptune said. "We don't serve any alcoholic beverages to prisoners... You only get fruit juice and water as part of your selection..."

After the five emptied their tray, Neptune retrieves it from the cell and leaves. As she had left, Zuikaku uses the opportunity to discuss the details of Berenson's offer while she was questioned earlier. She turns back out from the window and to her friends and said:

"So, about the interrogation last night... I was given an opportunity..."

"Opportunity?" asked Atago. "What is it you tell us?"

"A second chance of some sort... The Commander of this base... Mr. Berenson... He asked me if we should rejoin Azur Lane..."

Ise, Shigure, Atago, and Souryuu were surprised.

"That's an unexpected turn of events i say," remarked Souryuu. "You saying that we should join Azur Lane again?" she asked.

"And betraying our country no shit..." added Ise.

"Look i know it's a lot to ask but I did not mean it like that, and so too was the Commander... It's just that... I wanted to take it so I can avoid prosecution and to make peace with them knowing that Azur Lane's now changed thanks to Mr. Berenson after I get to know him, but I can't do this without you guys..."

"Why?" asked Shigure.

"Because he needs our help..." said Zuikaku. "I can understand that we are enemies with Azur Lane, and he knows that but... he said that he never wanted war unlike his previous one, and the Sirens would use this as an advantage to launch a surprise attack and that would put both his nation and ours in danger... We all know we can't let the Sirens attack us, right? Otherwise, we will have no home and our future for the nation if it's taken over..."

Zuikaku's friends thought amongst themselves until Atago was convinced enough about Azur Lane and said, nodding: "You're right... The Sirens are far more dangerous than our enemy..."

Souryuu added: "I understand about what you're saying. I guess we all agree that we cannot let the Sirens take over our land, and the Azur Lane knows that too."

"Well, if it's for Ayanami... Then i will do it, I'll help you and Mr. Berenson!" said Shigure.

"I'm in as well..." added Ise happily.

After her friends finally agreed on teaming up with Azur Lane once more, Neptune finally came back as several minutes had ticked by.

"Alright, now that I'm back, I wanted all of you to be--"

"E-excuse me... N-Neptune." Zuikaku said before Neptune can finish. "I have a personal request. Its for your Commander."

"Oh? What is it you ask of me for my Commander?' asked Neptune.

"Send him a message. Tell Commander Berenson..." she replied before Zuikaku paused as she breathed in and out until she gets to pick up the courage to say the following sentence...

"We are joining Azur Lane..."

...

..

Chapter Text

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Bedford-Stuyvesant/Crown Heights, Brooklyn
May 22, 2022 - 4:47 PM

<>

Having saw the leak of his security modernization plan being publicly revealed to the New York Times, a concerned Richard stood up from the chairs and told Enterprise and Laffey to stay on their seats while Richard hid himself inside the bathroom, before pulling out his cellphone to discreetly call Bryan Valdez, demanding to know how did that happen. After only several rings and only 16 seconds of waiting, the phone finally answered as Valdez spoke, rather frantically:

"M-Mr. Ambrose... where are you? I'm on speakerphone..."

"I'm on a train, I'm just approaching towards East New York station heading Westbound, what the hell is going on!?" replied Richard. Bryan sighed and replied: "We're just as confused as we are and are trying to process the situation. Ms. Mizuno notified me about what happened..."

"C-can you know someone who would do this? A disgruntled employee, or a spy or something? Could there be a server breach?" he asked worriedly. Bryan replied:

"We're sifting through the camera footage by your office and our guards are searching the store for any possible leads, including our servers, I do suspect there may be a breach or some sort of IP theft that had occurred, but I'll update you as soon as we can..."

Richard continues scratching his head, thinking ways on how to solve what will become a public relations nightmare. He knew now the press would come to his store demanding answers and he has to do something to control the situation. Rubbing his finger and thumb, he spoke to Bryan:

"Is the press here outside?"

"Not yet, but we're about to get one at any minute, do you have any ideas?" he said. Richard replied:

"Can you contact Vicerone Cashbacks CCO and the spokesperson to stall them? I'll do all the talking..."

"That's a not a good idea... If the press waits for too long, they'll think we, or our parent company are trying to downplay the discussions about the leak..." he warned. "Plus, if they see your face, journalists and the public will get fired up, and they will not let you answer anything!" 

Richard sighed:  "They've seen me already; it is inevitable the moment I became promoted to Head of Security..."

"So, what you're saying is that you should never have taken up that position? Was me promoting you a mistake?" asked Bryan.  "No..." Richard shook his head and reassured him that it was not his fault before he then spoke:  "Like I said, please let me handle it... But I want you to help me on this..."

The phone went silent for a short while as Bryan contemplates what to do next before he finally came back with his response:

"I'll contact the media corps and Vicerone's press secretary to see what they can do... Meanwhile, just try to get your ass back to the store, and quickly..."

"Yes sir," Richard nodded before Bryan hangs up his phone on Richard, who, upon realizing that his car is still under repair, he grumbled:

"That prick who did this, is trying to take advantage of me... Did they know I was going away? Fucking a..." He smacked his palms on the wall, venting his frustration before he calmed himself down for a few seconds, until he gains enough courage to call Helena on his phone, with his intention to see whether if one of his friends may have something to do with the leak, an experience he had gained when he was a former police lieutenant, which is to try and eliminate each and every suspect.

The phone rings as he waits for Helena to pick up... As he does, he heard the knock on the door; a woman was outside who she said she needed the bathroom. Richard lets himself out, keeping his phone hidden from view as he slowly steps out of the room to let the woman enter. As the door lock clacked closed, he stands by the door just near the gangway that connects the railcars just as Helena answered, who she cried:

"Richard, where are you?! The whole staff's under a state of bedlam right now."

"I'm on my way back but... I'll have to take the taxi so it may take longer..." Before she could say anything, he then said: "H-Helena, I need you to listen to me... And I want you to answer my questions truthfully..."

"What? What is it, Richie?" she asked, puzzled as his tone began to change, just as he then spoke: "Did.. you... leak... the security plans?"

Helena gasped upon hearing this and said: "No.. I didn't send your plans to the media..." Richard was unconvinced as he said: "Don't lie to me... Who else aside just you, Mr. Valdez, Nate and I, know about my security draft?"

Helena spoke: "No one else...! I even told Nate and Sebastian not to tell this to anyone after we all left because I know this is crucial... He's certain..."

"Now all what's left is Sebastian, the one who's still on rest leave and I hadn't questioned him yet.." he thought to himself. Helena tried to convince Richard when she heard nothing from him, saying: 

"Richard, please... You know I was working closely by you for 15 years after I bailed your ass out, and believe me... I would never do something to jeopardize your career, not after everything you have been through..."

Richard took a long while to process what she said and wonders whether if she could be trusted. He took a deep breath while the train continued rumbling through the steel rails, while staring out through the row of lights rushing past. After a short while, he took a sigh and said: "Fine, I believe you... Just get back to work and don't answer anything to the press while me and Mr. Valdez try to handle the situation... I'll speak with Nate and Sebastian later..."

"Yes, Richard..." sighed Helena with a relief before she hangs up the call, while Richard breathed himself in and out staring at the flashing row of lights and stood there to recompose himself before, as he hears the announcement that the train is about to make a stop at East New York, he was able to make his way back to Enterprise and Laffey on their seats just as the train makes a stop for passengers to disembark and those on the platform to board the train.

As he watched both the platform and the civilians going in and out, Enterprise asked: "What are you looking out for?"

"Checking for any suspicious activity..." he said quietly. "What for?" asked Enterprise. He said: "Anyone with something on their hand that may cause a mass casualty situation..." he said.

Enterprise gasped and so was Laffey, upon hearing about mass casualties, something they find themselves familiar back in their universe when it comes to war; the two nervously twitched their heads left and right and also tried spotting for any threats. Richard motions them to sit back on the seats and to calm down, which they took their time to recompose themselves while he said:

"Don't worry... if something happens, I'll handle it..." He pats and lightly squeezes Enterprise's shoulder as he then said: "How about you play I spy once we see sunlight again if that sound's okay?"

Enterprise and Laffey nodded with excitement and relief and while the two settle among themselves as she pulls out the iPad for Laffey to play more mobile games, until just as the train exits the tunnel and climbs onto an elevated portion of track, Enterprise goes first and plays I Spy, which he uses as both to entertain the two, while the three also keeps a lookout for any suspicious activities. With Enterprise's keen eyesight thanks to her time in Azur Lane, she was able to beat both Laffey and Richard's until they arrive back at Nostrand Avenue Station.

<>

Autobody Repair Shop, Brooklyn
May 22, 2022 - 5:21 PM

<>

Before deciding to holler at the taxicab to take Enterprise and Laffey to his home and to head back to his department store to control the situation, he decides to check up with his car, who is still being tended to by mechanics, though they told him that they are still working on the other car. There, Enterprise and Laffey could see the work being done on Richard's car and how busy the auto body shop is...

"Look at this, they have power tools who can repair cars with ease..." said Enterprise as she looks on over the tools and the mechanics working on the cars, welding and hammering parts as part of their repair work.

"If our cars were damaged like this like what Richard have done trying to save me, we could have had it scrapped..." added Laffey. "They are fragile at the time..."

The mechanics sees the three and spoke: "Hello there sir, how's your walk?"

"Good, I took a train with these two who I am looking after and I fed them some food, how's my car doing, Hogan?" He shook hands with the mechanic using his and his clean hands who he had just washed his hands. Hogan, the mechanic, replied: "It's a good thing your car didn't go too fast when it crashed, otherwise it would have taken quite a lot longer... If my guess is correct, I say it'll take 2 weeks or less... depends on insurance..."

Hogan could see Richard being slightly upset and the two could see the television covering the news about Richard's new security improvement plan at Vicerone, which is now hit with backlash for what it perceives to be excessively authoritarian and had provoked social media reaction almost immediately after the leak. Hogan turns back to Richard and said: "Is there something the matter?"

Richard did not want to bring discourse to the public should he reveal himself to the other people, and having betted his chances that Hogan hadn't saw his name on an internet forum yet, he brushes it off by saying: "Nothing, I... We just wanted to get home that's all, but I guess we'll have to take the cab..."

"I apologize, but we're doing our best we could..." sighed Hogan.

"It's okay, I can get around... I just wanted you to do what you could to fix this car..." He pats Hogan's shoulders before he turns to Enterprise and said: "Come on, let's wait outside..."

Before they could step out, they find out that Laffey was nowhere to be seen. As the two made a quick look, Enterprise frantically asked, nearly getting her cover identity wrong: "Hey... H-Hogan... Where's.. La--... I-I mean... where's my friend Amsley!?"

"She went out while you two didn't notice..." said Hogan, shrugging his shoulders before he returns to work cutting out the damage parts of the car, while the two quickly sprinted out from the auto body shop, and much to their surprise and relief, they quickly found Laffey covering her ears as she huddled outside, sitting on the ground.

"There you are, Laffey..." said Richard as he carries her up back on her feet. "Why did you run off, you know what happens if criminals outside see a small little child like you..."

"I'm not a child" she grumbled. "It's just.... it's too loud... I can't sleep here..."

Richard hugs Laffey cuddling her in an effort to calm her down, as he said while rubbing her hair: "It's okay, we're going to my house... But you gonna have to just stay with us for a bit longer... okay?"

"Do you have cola in your place?" she asked. Richard replied, chuckling as he lets go of her: "If you can find it yourself rather than just sleep on a bench like a lazy ass... This is about exploring the new area, and later, I can tour you girls around whenever I'm free..."

"That's not true... I'm never sleepy..." said Laffey, but Richard scoffed "I just saw it yourself... You just go back to sleep while you were on camera with the man who asked your name..."

"What are we doing here?" asked Enterprise wondering what they were doing. He spoke: "There's some things I had to deal with at Vicerone..."

"I know... That's your company and you are Head of Security, right?"

"Right," he nodded with a sigh. "And it's my responsibility to address this to the public before the new security draft would become a political hot potato... But for now, I need to keep you two safe away from the press, so I'll drop you two off at my home..."

Although she was eager to see what his home looked like, she was worried: "What about you? What if I need you for something or something bad's going to happen to us?"

"I'll explain this to you later when we get home..." he said just as he sees a taxicab approaching towards them from a distance. With the roof lights on right by the taxi cab number, letting him know that it is vacant, he raised his hands for the cab driver to come to a stop beside them by the curb, and he and Enterprise opens the doors as they hobble on their seats.

"Just get inside and let me do all the talking..." said Richard to Enterprise, who she is sitting at the back alongside Laffey. After the three are inside the cab, the driver asked: "Where i can take you three today?" Richard spoke to the driver: "I like to drop these two at the back to my house at 5th Street, Park Slope, please... Then take me to Vicerone Cashbacks, in SoHo..."

"Okay, and what's your unit of your house for these two?" asked the driver. Richard replied: "It's 600, it's a light brown rowhouse, 5th Street, I'll give you directions there..."

"Right away, sir..." The taxicab driver holds firm of the steering wheel and steps on the gas as the cab moved forward. As the cab driver drove through the streets with Richard at the front passenger seat, Enterprise could see the Grand Army Plaza as the cab crosses the roundabout, the one monument she had passed through before at the time she took off from the hospital to find Laffey before she got shot attempting to defend the civilians inside the restaurant.

"How long have I've been here..." said Enterprise as she stared out to the distance in the direction where she last saw Chipotle, which Richard replied: "5 days?"

"So much has happened in these 5 days..." she thought. "It wasn't long, but... everything I experienced right now, this looks much better than my own, apart from whatever something bad's going to happen..."

"What happened at the restaurant? About these two guys you killed...? You used to be the cop, you must know..." asked Enterprise. Richard sighed: "I wish I had... but... I cant..." He then thinks to himself: "I cannot let myself endanger Senna with the investigation any further than I've already done now..." He does not explain this to Enterprise as the three sat silent, listening to the music from the radio, where Enterprise and Laffey discovered a new kind of instrumentation style they had never heard before...

...

[[track: Twenty One Pilots - Bandito]]
(posted: October 5, 2018)

...

...

While listening to the song "Bandito" Enterprise listened to the soft electronic hums, the piano, and the drumbeats that she gained interests on, especially with the certain phrase:

"So I sing Sahlo... Folina..." she thought before she proceeded to ask the driver: "What is the meaning behind what was said on the radio?"

"I don't know honestly," said the driver. "I was only interested in the instrumentation and vocals, but all I can know from online, it probably means "to enable creativity" or I think it's says "all Ohio fans", considering they are from Columbus, so, yeah" he shrugged before continuing to enjoy his head in tune with the beats while Enterprise sat down by the back, looking out at the window on the right side before the cab stops on a street lined up by what she saw as a line of bricks fused together to create a large building. 

<>

Park Slope, Brooklyn
May 22, 2022 - 5:38 PM

<>

As Richard tells the driver to stay put as the cab parks right beside the curb, Enterprise, who stepped out from the car, stared up high as she said:

"What is this place? That kind of building is so long with a line of windows attached... I feel like we're behind a big wall..."

Richard chucked and replied: "It's a terraced house, Winters... Surely you haven't seen those in your own dimension, haven't you?"

"Y-yeah... I do remember that when I visited New York a few times during the war..." she replied with a sigh of relief upon noticing the facades of the rowhouses becoming distinct with one another in terms of design and color when they line up with one another and that she still hadn't heard any of the explosions or gunfire, since the last time she heard was at the hospital when she saw am object striking at a building that caused an explosion, but had yet to know what it was at the time or where. 

With Richard holding their hand, Enterprise and Laffey climbed up the steps on his own rowhouse, and through the front door Richard had opened for them as he said: "Welcome to my crib, it's a bit small, but it's comfy. I have AC's installed in the living room, and a few bedrooms, and there's a shower and toilet on the second floor if you like to use them..."

Behind the brownstone exterior, Enterprise and Laffey were taken by surprise by its impressive interior detail given off by its white and light brown paint and its smooth wooden floors. Enterprise looks up at the ceiling which is full of LED strips and rows of individual bulbs which they thought came out from the ceiling itself, while Laffey starts to push her hands on each of their couches and lightly touching the seats on the dinner table.

"Do you have something to eat?" asked Enterprise as she explores the kitchen area. Richard replied: "Yes I do have... Steaks, calamari, bacon and eggs, vegetable salad, chocolate bars, whatever you like..." he said as he grabs the bottle of water from the fridge and drank until the bottle became half-empty to quench his thirst.

While the two were having a short tour of Richard's house, he brings Laffey and Enterprise together, standing near the TV as he said:

"I have to leave and deal with this issue at hand, I'll be back before dark,"

Enterprise was still nervous, but Richard continued: "Now, about you needing me for anything, there's a telephone over there by the table beside the television. Call this number if you need me..."

He gave her his phone number by writing his on a small piece of paper, as well as the number connecting to the call service center for Vicerone Cashbacks Department Store before he hugs Enterprise and Laffey, saying: "Just stay here and make yourselves comfortable... But don't break my stuff while I'm gone, okay?"

"Yes, Richard..." nodded Enterprise before he steps out from his home, closing the door behind him. Both Enterprise and Laffey can only watch from the window as Richard gets back inside the same taxicab before the cab rolled away and disappears from their view.

 As the two are alone, Laffey sat down on the couch and said: "So comfy... Where is the cola?"

Enterprise sighed and said: "I'll look for it...". She walks back to the kitchen area and opens the fridge. As she peers over each shelf area inside the fridge, she finds a big bottle of Fanta. Inspecting the label, she read:

"Fanta Orange..." She slowly twists the cap open and hears a fizz as she pulls the cap open. After taking a few sips, she felt her mouth and tongue tingle as the carbonated drink fizzes, while having a fruity taste of orange flavor. Closing the cap again, she lent the bottle to Laffey, which she immediately drank, and she felt happy as she said: 'Orange flavor... So good... This is better..."

She continues to take chugs while she settles down on the sofa. Enterprise sat down beside her and stares at over a large flatscreen television. After finding the TV remote right beside the sofa on a small end table, she presses the power button on the remote and the TV came to life.

At first, she was confused on how to operate the television. As it is a smart TV, there are many features she has yet to understand, nor does she ever take breaks by watching television for most of her time. The remote doesn't look like the one she remembered back in her own world, where there are several buttons which she can recognize. The one on her hand in Richard's house looks nothing more like what it appeared as a large flat joystick, except with buttons and a small knob on top of its head.

Reading the labels on the buttons, she adjusts the volume on the TV by pushing the small squared lever that has the signs above it (+/-), turning up the volume to hear better as they are watching a TV show. There, she watches a sitcom show and she and Laffey for the first time got their laughs when someone makes a joke when speaking to other characters. Laffey grabs the remote from Enterprise's lap saying:

"I want to watch something else..."

After also attempting to operate a TV remote with an unfamiliar design and functionality, and with guidance from Enterprise, she was able to switch to yet another entertainment channel, this time showing a film that features one man fighting hordes of bad guys who appear to be fully intent on stopping him. The two were impressed, especially for Enterprise, who she said:

"This man on film... He is very good with all the machine guns and large pistols on his hands... I wonder if I could have done the same..."

"Really? But you may die... We are completely defenseless without our riggings and our Wisdom Cubes' power. Besides, you got shot and I got kidnapped..." said Laffey. "But... we have Richard who used to be a cop... so, at least we have a capable man such as him..."

"I mean, I have witnessed Richard actually fighting against two people who have guns after I got shot, and he is not afraid of them, surely he can protect us and knows of their consequences..." said Enterprise.

"But we both know we can't rely on him forever..." said Laffey. "We should probably go out and look for the others somewhere by tomorrow..."

Enterprise remembered about Richard having promoted to Head of Security, as was told by Boris Yevgeny. Realizing about his huge set of responsibilities. that come with his job, she said: "You were right about Richard... He has a lot of work on his hands, and I feel like we've only been a burden to him the longer if we stayed since its been a few days, but..." 

She then has second thoughts whether if they should leave as she continued: "This is the largest city last time I remember, so we don't know how or which way to get out... so... I think it's best we have to adapt and gather more information and then we plan on what to do next..."

<>

May 22, 2022 - 7:01 PM

<>

Having decided they must spend their night at Richard's house as the sun began to set, they started to explore Richard's house to try and familiarize their surroundings. Laffey stays on the couch to watch TV while Enterprise slowly climbs upstairs on the second floor. In a small hallway, she finds a bathroom immediately close to the stairwell which appears to extend up to the third floor. 

Inside, she looks herself at a mirror upon opening the lights, and then she inspects the toilet, the sink and the shower, along with hygienic products she does feel familiar with.

"At least this one has soap, cologne, and shampoo..." she said. "There's also a bath towel and this bathroom is a lot cleaner than in my dorms back in my place..."

She then uses the soap to wash her hands and her face to freshen herself up. Then she stares at the shower curtain and thought hard on whether she could take a shower. She slowly takes off her coat and her shirt to check on her wounds whilst she looked at herself in the mirror. She could still see the scars from the gunshot wounds. Her nerves shuddered at the sight to see three gunshot wounds and a scar on her forehead, but shook her head and said: "I think I may as well have to pass it off as service-related... This is war... They're everywhere and I had to be careful..."

She puts her clothes back on and continues exploring the house. She opens the door to the adjacent room, which Enterprise recognizes to be a bedroom. She confirms this to be Richard's bedroom, given that Enterprise could see some of his possessions and paraphernalia; specifically, the photos of Richard Ambrose wearing the NYPD uniform and his cap, smiling with the other police officers as they looked on at the camera.

"Richard... you look so happy on that photo... And so young too..." she said.

She could see the timestamp on the photo on the bottom right that dates: "September 17, 2005 - 7:17 PM" Analyzing the photo, she realized that this photo was taken as part of a celebration when Richard was promoted to Lieutenant, as seen on the letters hung on the walls behind them, which is how the NYPD knows Richard. After looking at the promotion photograph, she turns her attention to the newspaper clippings and magazines that depicts Richard to be more than what she at first realized.

"1990 cold case cracked open with the actions of rookie cop, Ambrose," she said. She continued reading: "With his masterful and tactful deductions, he was able to find the true killer of 22-year-old Sativa Williams, who was strangled, and her murderer had managed to elude authorities for 6 years..."

After inspecting the newspaper clipping, Enterprise was appalled by not just Richard's involvement in solving the case and Sativa's murder themselves, but she also looked at the crime statistics printed on the paper, which was also stuck to the wall beside it, showing the crime rates had peaked in 1990, seeing 2,000 murders on that period.

"What would have happened to me if I had been transported on that timeline... Richard wasn't a cop before he joined 6 years later, and I would never have survived..." she thought worriedly. 

"Oh and there's more..." She turns to another news headline dated in April 2000, showing Richard being involved in a hostage rescue mission, who he, alongside his great affinity in firearms and his negotiation skills, and the backup of hostage rescue and emergency service units was able to save 38 out of 41 hostages at a post office building.

"Huh... So, this wasn't his first rodeo..." she said quietly. "Except... this is nothing compared to what he did for a cop of 4 years... 38 hostages and six criminals, this is so dangerous anyone could have gotten killed right then and there..."

And his achievements that grabbed the public attention went on, having executed dozens of high-profile arrests, stopping robberies or burglaries, handling escaped mental patients and even busting a drug ring, seizing $12 billion worth of drugs smuggled from South America. 

The one thing that catches her eye the most was on September 11, 2001... The first images she saw are the two tall towers standing parallel to one another; one was on fire, and the other intact, and a large flying object with wings that seems to be swooping in towards them in an angle. The next image on the paper captures people running away from a cloud of dust that was said to be enveloping quickly towards them as the towers collapse. Both images had left her astounded to see the scale of the devastation, terror and death this have caused.

"I've never thought someone would use their planes as weapons that would cause so much death and destruction... These tall towers... Destroyed..." she whispered.

And in the final set of photos on the paper, going over the photographs of the devastated buildings, the rubble of the World Trade Center, and corpses lying around and those injured being carried away by their arms of civilians and firefighters, there is a shot of the chief of police from the NYPD addressing to the grieving and weary public on a podium, with the wreckage of the World Trade Center behind him. There, Enterprise could see the familiar face of Richard Ambrose standing right beside him in a posture as if he is a bodyguard.

"A lot of things he's done for these number of years, and he really is a good officer... And there he is..." she mumbled. "Good thing to have such a kind and capable man like him..."

The clippings end there as there is no papers about Richard after 2005, and before Enterprise could realize this, Laffey suddenly appears on the doorway, calling out to her name as she rushes out to look for her, and Enterprise jumped in surprise when she sees her.

"Gosh, you scared me... Laffey..." she panted.

"It's Richard... It's in the news...! Come quickly!" Laffey then ran back heading downstairs while Enterprise followed. They reach the living room, just as one of the journalists asked him a question as he is seen on the screen, standing in front of the press as she said: 

"Mr. Ambrose, what do you think about the new security improvement draft plan that was said it would cause an abuse of authority and would infringe on their rights as laid by the 4th Amendment? And what are the measures put in place to stop that from happening?"

Richard took a deep breath and explained:

"To answer your first question, a security improvement draft is put in place as my response to the increasing trend of crime, namely the shopliftings, robberies and burglaries that has been occurring across New York City. If anyone can look at the crime statistics for the last 5 years, one can understand why, but I can also understand if anyone else may not be, or may never will... All I wanted was to keep the store, our staff and our shoppers safe..."

As he speaks with a serious and professionality tone in him, Enterprise and Laffey listened intently as he then answers another question:

"We have safeguards in place to ensure that no such abuse will be taken place. I, as Head of Security and Operations, will oversee any security and operational aspects, but both the branch manager and security advisors each has a decision-making role and will be making sure I don't overstep it, as was stated in form on the security draft plan... We will comply with their rights and make sure those caught will be treated fairly but will be prosecuted for any appropriate reason..."

...

Enterprise looks at Richard behind the clear television screen from where she and Laffey sat, and she was as speechless as she can get.

"I've never seen him so calm, yet so fierce and understandable..." she whispered.

...

..

Chapter Text

<>

Park Slope, Brooklyn
May 22, 2022 - 7:20 PM

<>

In between a dimly-lit alleyway, Richard, Helena and Nate are being escorted out from the back entrance from the service doorway by an entourage of armed black-suit security guards in an effort to hide themselves from the press, who there are only a few of them right outside the front entrance of Vicerone Cashbacks Department Store, which the company's spokesperson and the department store branch manager, Bryan Valdez are working hard to keep them distracted by responding and answering their questions themselves to cover for Richard, who is now making rounds on the news in the wake of the security draft leak that provoked widespread concerns and outrage to the wider public. 

After brisking their way through an alley, they arrive at a convoy, which consists of two black Sedans and one Ford Expedition, which was large enough to carry a lot of people. The three were sent to the large SUV while the other guards also hopped in the SUV as well as the front and rear Sedan.

"Okay, now take us to Park Slope, and quietly please..." said Nate who sat on the front passenger seat of the SUV. The driver, who knows Nate, nodded: "Right away sir..." He then radioed to the other drivers at the Sedans and soon, the three-car convoy slowly drove off onto the side streets, avoiding detection by the press before entering the thoroughfare, passing by the One World Trade Center as they head towards Richard's house in Park Slope, where Enterprise and Laffey are.

"Thank you for bringing these guys here Nate..." said Richard. Nate spoke happily: "Good thing I used to be a naval aviator... I know of a friend who still runs private security..."

"Yep," the driver nodded. "Any friend of Nate's a good friend of mine, it's the least we could do..."

"Are you sure we have to ride on this convoy and leaving the store like this?" asked Helena worriedly. Richard sighed. "I understand your concerns, but it's Mr. Valdez's orders... The store's gotten more attention since my address to the public... We'll need to lay low at my place until things settle down, at least that's what I suggested to have you guys stay at my place when he told me that..."

He then said regretfully: "Maybe I should have kept my mouth shut and said nothing for a day or two..."

"No, it's not your fault," said Nate. "All you did was to tell them the truth. Transparency is what our company's focusing on..."

As Richard took a sigh of relief, Helena cried upon the realization of the situation: "What about Sebastian Jones? They're going to look for him!" 

The driver, whose name is Rick, said: "Not to worry, my lady. We've sent out a small team to pick him up, I was told that he's already on their way to Richard's house right now..."

"Thank you, Rick... for helping us out on this... I appreciate that..." said Nate who is relieved to hear of the news from Sebastian. The driver nodded: "Anytime pal..."

As the convoy crosses the Brooklyn Bridge over the East River, Richard can hear a ring, startling everyone inside. He then feels the vibration from his right pocket. Pulling out his cellphone, he saw his home number ringing. Though he guessed that it had to be Enterprise who was calling, he was initially hesitant to answer the phone with everyone around him. But as he wants to make sure they are safe, he checks his security system from his phone to watch the security cameras from there and he saw that it was indeed Enterprise holding the telephone waiting for him to respond. Afterwards, he eventually answers her call.

"H-hello? It's Richard..." he first spoke.

"Mr. Ambrose!" she cried. "You're not gonna believe this, me and Laffey saw you on TV, you were making a speech and there are people, umm... what the news media call them civil rights activists demonstrating on the streets, is everything okay?"

"Y-yeah... I'm okay..." said Richard, having been able to confirm that it was indeed Enterprise on the phone who is speaking to him. He clears his throat and said: "Listen, I'm on my way home right now but there's something I have to tell you..."

He mutes the phone and turns to Rick, the driver, and asked if he could tell them what was going on. With Rick's nod of approval, Richard returns to Enterprise on the phone and said: "If you see three or four black cars pulling up, that is just the security convoy I was in. Me and my friends are going to crash at my place until things settle down. I'll explain this to you in person for safety reasons so stay put, okay?"

"Yes Richard..." nodded Enterprise. "Just be careful..." before she hangs up on Richard after he nodded. As he slowly tucked his phone back inside the pocket, Nate asked: "Who is the person on the phone?"

Everyone around him was curious and, having realized that Helena has also seen Enterprise from his camera earlier from his phone, he felt he has no choice and decided to explain everything to both his close colleagues and the security guards about Enterprise and what had happened over the past few days. They were all shocked by what they had heard, save for Helena, who was already aware of Enterprise.

"You bought two girls into your home?" said Rick. "Man, that's something for a former cop like you..."

"I helped them, and I want to keep them safe since they had nowhere else to go..." he said.

"I do hear she is a good fighter given the way she fought against two armed men," said Rick. "I believe she could be worth a great addition to our team..." Richard replied: "Perhaps, but I found her first, and I've already had plans for her, but this will take time..."

"Okay, if you need training sessions for her, we have a small training facility at Roosevelt Island if you like to use it..." nodded Rick. 

"Thank you... I appreciate it..." said Richard, though he was slightly flustered to know that a private security company would be willing to go so far to help him out, but nonetheless he shook off his head and spoke nothing for the rest of the trip until they all arrive at Richard's rowhouse after trundling through small roads away from the major thoroughfares in only 20 minutes, closely followed by the other van with only two men and Sebastian inside, who arrived just in time.

Enterprise and Laffey could see the black cars and vans outside and at first, they were cautious as she feared they could be the government paying a visit, as she orders Laffey to hide in Richard's bedroom, but upon seeing Richard's face, along with his other colleagues exiting from the black SUV, she felt a big sigh of relief.

"Thank you for bringing us here..." said Richard as he and Rick shook hands. "Anytime," he said happily. "If you need us again, let Nate know."

As Sebastian regroups with his colleagues, Rick explains the situation with Sebastian and after he agrees to stay with Richard, Rick and his group drove off as Richard enters inside his rowhosue along with Helena, Nate and Sebastian. As they all stepped foot inside, they saw Enterprise standing a glass cup full of orange soda. 

They had all seen who Enterprise is on TV given her efforts to fight against two armed robbers, but having the three staring at Enterprise for even at several moments, they were suddenly taken by her graceful appearance of her long-white lavender hair, her lavender eyes, and her well-endowed build, and most importantly, she started to feel shy about the earnest and eager stares she has been getting. They also turn to Laffey, with white-pinkish twin tailed hair and her bunny ear headband, watching the news, something which they had never seen the likes of her before as well as Enterprise.

Seeing how speechless his friends are, he then eagerly introduces his colleagues to the two new visitors:

"Helena, Sebastian, and Nate, this is Lulie Winters, and this is her friend... Bartlette Amsley... Lulie and Amsley, these are my colleagues, Helena, Sebastian and Nate..."

"H-hi... Nice to meet you two," said Nate.

"Hello..." said Laffey staring. Enterprise also responded, albeit rather shy and is almost startled upon hearing the name Helena: "Good evening... I am indeed Lulie Winters..."

"You looked surprised," said Helena. Enterprise, who realized Helena she saw is different to the one she sees in her world, replied: "It's... It's nothing... Just the name of yours, I heard it somewhere..."

Sebastian stepped forward towards Enterprise and said rather excitedly:

"I did saw you on the news lately, it was said that you were able to whack 'em robbers very good, but to see you up close, that nice build, and your white hair and lavender eyes, and yet you look so young and cute, for such a strong woman like you!"

Enterprise was taken aback by his compliments and introvertly tried to brush it off:

"I-it's nothing special really... I just know..."

"I think you three deserve my explanation..." said Richard knowing how it would be the perfect time to explain his master plan about the new security draft.

...

<>

Azur Lane Meeting Room - Azur Lane Home Base
May 19, 1942 - 10:33 AM / 1033

<>

Back at Enterprise's universe, inside the large atrium-like room, there is a large sleek white table with several ship girls sat on the chairs around it, sitting by the table with a set of viaduct arches that supported the entire ceiling. They were summoned there by orders of the Commander who is seen standing with Duke of York and Devonshire side-by side. Among those attending the meeting are Cleveland and Warspite, both of them are still recovering from their injuries but were able to make it to the meeting. Neptune, Ark Royal, and Drake, the ones who were on prison duty also arrives in the meeting, as does Georgia and Saratoga from the Command Center. Many others from the two factions and Berenson's staffers are also participating in the meeting, speaking amongst themselves wondering what was going on, along with rumors that things were about to take a turn.

As Berenson signals everyone to take a moment of silence, he then said: "We got some grim information to report..."

He clears his throat and gives a cough before he took deep breaths as he continued:

"Less than 20 minutes ago, we've detected a massive increase of Siren activity, in all the Northern Pacific zones," He then tapped the buttons on the table that appeared to be holographic in nature. The table suddenly come into life, folding in and out of itself as the windows and the atrium ceiling are being shuttered off, putting the entire meeting room in darkness.

Shortly after, a row of lights lit up from right near the base of the ceiling, dimly illuminating the room before the table suddenly came alight with a bright turquoise glow. The glow then dissipates, revealing a massive 3D holographic map that connects to the database from the Azur Lane Command Center, which he was able to gain access to using his credentials he placed onto the holographic computer. 

The shipgirls who sat around the table could see the massive row of red blips that indicate the Sirens have indeed been encroaching on the Arctic, Bering, and Northern Pacific sectors, much to their horror.

"Look!" cried Liverpool. "They appear to be taking advantage to the situation at Midway! They are taking over each zone within that sector!"

"However, they haven't been sailing in the direction towards Sakura Empire or our base as they're focusing on conquering territory but..." Berenson pauses as he looks on closely at the Far Eastern region of the Northern Parliament and said: "They are attacking Northern Parliament's eastern shores..."

"Commander, have you informed the Northern Parliament about this?" said Warspite upon seeing what happened to the Pacific.

"I made a quick heads up on the hotline, and I've been trying to get in touch with the other nations since the Midway incident," replied Berenson. "Sardegna, Empery, Iris and Vichiya, they've all responded while the Iron Blood resistance, there's still no contact..."

"And... Sakura Empire?" Cleveland added, and Berenson sighed:

"Not yet either," he sighed. "In the meantime, I've sent all our readings from this data to the Secretary of the Navy shortly before this meeting started. For now, we have to prepare ourselves and get ourselves in full combat readiness should they invade,"

"Right, I've pulled out all commissions in the Central and Southern Pacific sectors and are asking all personnel to head back to this base..." said Devonshire.

"Thank you," nodded Berenson. "However, it'll take them at least a day or two before they could arrive. What's the closest team we have?"

"Let's see..." Devonshire uses her own credentials to track down the nearest commission team and manages to locate them.

"The Marshall Islands Expedition Team. Vanguard, Implacable, Alabama, Boise, and Nicholas... They're heading North, Northwest at full speed... But at most it'll take around 4-6 days before they may return..." she said.

"What's the plan, Commander Berenson?" asked Howe, whom she is present in the meeting and is not involved in the Midway operation.

Berenson then takes control of the holographic computer and formulates the strategy using his own set of calculations and the map, along with the only available resources he has left, until he was able to compile all the data into the computer, at which point he replied: "So here's the plan, while we scramble our defenses, we have to keep watch of the Siren activity. We'll have to pull back the satellites since we know that's going to be their first move... So that leaves us with this only option..."

He taps the computer onto a small, partially abandoned Forward Operating Base, located just right in center between the Azur Lane home base, and the Midway Atoll, and points at the location as he said:

"There, we could set up both our observation post and our patrol base there... We could transmit warnings, establish communications with the Sakura Empire more closely, and keep watch of any Siren activity..."

The girls speak amongst themselves, some are intrigued, while others remain skeptical.

"That base would likely be the Sirens' first target," said Drake.

"You're right..." nodded Berenson. "We'll have to instill our patrol fleets using whatever ship available and who are willing to stand guard. We'll also need a cargo fleet to make repairs to that base, as well as propping up turrets..."

"Commander, while this may be a great idea, let's not forget there are still many of our comrades injured... and even Enterprise, Akagi and Kaga and a lot more are still not yet to be found," said St. Louis. "Are you sure we'll be able to muster enough forces to guard both this home territory and that observatory base?"

Dave Berenson stood silent for a few seconds, before he scoffed and made a slight grin by his lips as he said:

"I figured you say that... Which is why I have a trick up in my sleeve..."

His words left St. Louis and many others surprised as Berenson turns his back by the door behind him and said: 

"Alright, you can all come in now...!"

The two doors suddenly clacked open and rolled forward with a loud bang and a groan. There, behind the doors, leading with their defiant expression on their faces, is Zuikaku, alongside Ise, Souryuu, Atago, and Shigure. The five girls from the Sakura Empire shocked everyone inside the meeting, save for Richard, as they make their grand entrance, walking by towards Berenson as he looks on...

...

..

Chapter Text

<>

Meeting Room - Azur Lane Home Base
May 19,1942 - 10:37 AM / 1037

<>

Inside the large meeting room, five shipgirls from Sakura Empire bursts through the door. They all walked by and stood behind Dave Berenson, the current Azur Lane commander who not only set up the meeting in concerns with the increased Siren activity on the Northern Pacific, but earlier, he had once made a deal. It appeared they had accepted it.

Duke of York, like many other shipgirls around her, were shocked as she spoke: "What's the meaning of this Commander?"

Berenson replied: "After they have turned themselves in and had themselves treated for their injuries, I made them a deal... And in all honesty, we are short of manpower, and we need all the help we can get..."

Zuikaku steps forward and stood beside Berenson as she spoke: "We may have had a lot of differences, but I was different from Akagi and Kaga... Mr. Berenson and I have something more in common, and that is the survival of our planet itself... That's why I have to join with Mr. Berenson on this, as well as my friends..."

Berenson clears his throat while Devonshire said: "I can understand what you are accomplishing... We all don't deserve such conflict like this, do we?"

Many looked at each other thinking through, and then they turn to the survivors of the Sakura Empire as well as Commander Berenson. Cleveland stepped forward and spoke with a nod: "Exactly.... I have been thinking about this for a while... What are we fighting for?"

Souryuu said: "We all have one thing in common... The Sirens... And from what I'm seeing here, it looks like they're on the move..."

"That's right..." Berenson nodded. "If we don't act now, the whole Pacific will be lost.. And that's why we have to work together on this one..."

"What about Akagi and Kaga? Would they be a major threat?" asked Duke of York, to which Souryuu replied: "Don't worry about them, the two are not gonna get near him, we'll make sure of it..."

Duke of York took a deep breath and sigh as she said: "Guess that leaves us no choice..."

With their nerves eased, he proceeded to explain their plan to Zuikaku and her companions,

"A pincer surprise attack?" said Ise.

"A small group of nimble, fast destroyers, along with a battleship are what's needed as a decoy fleet. They will fire a few shots and lure them in to a kill zone, that's where the two main fleets, which we'll call them First Lightning and Second Lightning, will go in for the kill should they come close.  Zuikaku will be leading the first fleet, and Warspite, you will lead the second fleet."

"I may be a great fighter, but I had never lead such a fleet like this before... But I'll try my best!" said Zuikaku.

Warspite, despite having suffered from Midway, took a deep breath and said: "I'm not giving up, we're going to strike back!"

"About that strategy you're about to pull off, would that work?" asked Souryuu.

"I had executed this pincer strategy only a couple of times during our raiding missions against one of your supply convoys that you alongside Zuikaku happened to lead less than 7 months ago, but with this, that will surely knock the Sirens back and send them our message..."

"We may be down but were not out..." said Cleveland excitedly.

"But there's still a matter of manpower. We may be enough to hold back the Sirens, but what about our base here? They will attack this place as well while we are over there, far away before we could effectively respond..." said Howe.

"She's right," nodded King George V. "Most of our strongest ships, especially Hood and Prince of Wales, they are still recovering..."

Berenson sighed and realizes they were right.

"Even then... we'll just be a sitting duck..." he thought to himself.

"I have a proposal," she said raising her hands. Both Berenson and Devonshire looked at Zuikaku as Berenson said: "What are you suggesting?"

"Have you been trying to contact for assistance?" Zuikaku can only ask. Georgia spoke: "We tried... But the nearest one was for the Marshall Islands commission team, and it was only a small team... The forces for Iris Libre and Dragon Empery, they won't be here until three or four days..."

"And by the looks of things, we'll all be overrun by then..." said Saratoga.

"That leaves the five of us then..." said Zuikaku, but before she could explain her plan, the holographic computer picks up an incoming call from William Booker, the Secretary of the Navy. He patches through the call, and the face of his friend, appears on the screen in front of him:

"Mr. Berenson, I'm glad you called..." he said but then stops short of speaking when he saw Zuikaku and Souryuu behind Berenson and asked: "Would you mind explaining to me what are the Sakura Empire shipgirls doing here to this meeting?"

Berenson replied: "It's ok, they're on our side... The entire Pacific sector is in danger, and were short of manpower, so this is all I can muster, I hope you understand..."

"Very well," Booker nodded before he clears his throat and said: "We've sent the report to our President and just now, I am given authorization to mobilize all standing resources to support you in logistics, resupply, and weapons development, as well as reinforcements, so whatever you're planning, I'll be ready to assist you..."

"Zuikaku here has a plan that I believe we could hold off the Sirens until a large Azur Lane force would be established..." said Berenson.

With the opportunity granted, Zuikaku stood forward to Booker and explained: "I know Nagato and Mikasa, they're the brains of the military and diplomatic expertise... I don't know if Akagi and Kaga may still be lurking around, but I believe they are different from these two, so if I convince them to send aid, we could effectively stall the Siren advance while the rest of Azur Lane and the nation's air forces mobilizes."

"That would have been a good idea to send help as quickly as possible but..." He paused for a while before he said: "What if you and Commander Berenson are wrong, Zuikaku?" said Booker. "Both Mikasa and Nagato did nothing to stop Akagi and Kaga's rise for power... And they had once signed Project Orochi for development under their names..."

"He may be right on that one," said Georgia. "At best, we could at least have some form of assistance from the Sakura Empire if they really disagree with Akagi..."

"But if things get south, then that means..." Saratoga stopped short as Booker finishes: "If the Sakura Empire finds out that she's siding with you, they could imprison her, or worse... execute her along with her co-conspirators..."

Their responses had sent Berenson's nerves rattling, and so too were many shipgirls around him, even for Ise, Zuikaku and Shigure.

"Is... Is there any other options?"

"There is one... You could deploy reserves, all destroyers and mass-produced ships to consolidate our forces there in the naval forward operating base..." said Georgia.

"But that will leave your base and this command center vulnerable..." cried Saratoga. "Our staff and those still recovering from their injuries would be defenseless!"

"So let me get this straight... I'd be sending Zuikaku and her friends to a potential death... Or I leave this base vulnerable to Siren attack?" said Berenson trying to summarize their options. However, they could see that Berenson was struggling to process any more alternatives with his body language showing twitching, shaking, and scratching his head, as he was starting to become frantically worried as he said:

"I.. I can't willingly send them to a great risk like this..." he said.

"These are the only options at this point... And the clock is ticking, Commander..." said Booker. "I'm afraid you won't have another chance tomorrow..."

"So, what's it going to be, Commander?" asked Warspite. Berenson felt that he has an agonizing decision to make. He has to weigh the chances of Zuikaku and her forces be executed on the spot upon finding out what they are up to if Mikasa or Nagato are not trustworthy, or having his base be undefended and this would leave to the mercy by the Sirens or the Crimson Axis.

After several seconds of intense thinking, Berenson spoke:

"Excuse me, I'd like to discuss with Zuikaku in private..."

The shipgirls, especially Georgia and Saratoga, and even the Secretary Booker, were at first confused, but given their concerns, they all agree as Berenson stepped out from the meeting, dragging Zuikaku with him as they entered into a bedroom, only just across the hall. With the doors shut, Berenson sat down on the bed with Zuikaku standing by him as she said:

"Commander Berenson, what's wrong? The Sirens might began attacking at your base or at my homeland at any moment..."

"I... I know that, but... Wh-what am I supposed to do?" he cried. "My intention is to keep these people safe and I don't want you to get killed because of me, but I don't want my base to be overrun.."

"Sometimes, sacrifices have to be made..." sighed Zuikaku in her near-deep voice almost as similar in fashion to Akagi's. "If I were to die, either here or at my homeland, it is the best I could do..."

"B-but--"

Before Berenson could say anything else, Zuikaku clamped down her palms on Berenson's shoulders and said:

"Listen to me... I need to do this... I'm convinced I could change their mind and help us..."

"Are you sure," Berenson said breathing. Zuikaku replied: It's the truth! I'd never betray my friends...  When I was back there, many people, especially Ayanami and even myself, my sister... they all never wanted war, as that would risk the continued existence of their livelihood and their empire. We simply wanted Sakura Empire to continue existing for generations as an embodiment of peace without causing bloodshed, and we all care about Akagi and Kaga... they were just misled by power..."

"You think so..." he sniffled as he wipes off his itching nose as he continued: "So, you want to save your nation on your own terms...?"

"I don't support total dictatorship for all the reasons mentioned... The Sirens ruined our livelihood and Akagi and Kaga let this happen, so I need to do this... If something bad happens, it's on me..."

Berenson still remains concerned about Zuikaku's fate, but seeing her determination and considering how much she wanted to bring back the alliance together as much as he is, he gave a sigh.

"Okay... I'll follow your lead... But be careful and look out for yourself..."

"I'll try my hardest to make it happen, Commander..." said Zuikaku. With the two having reached their understanding, they returned to the meeting room, where Berenson announces that he will go with Zuikaku's plan. Many people inside clapped and cheered in excitement, though some still remain anxious about whether if they could go through and defend against the Sirens.

Having already gone past through their plans and being able to decide on their strategy, their operation for a preemptive two-pronged strike can now begin.

...

..

Chapter Text

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Richard's House/Park Slope, Brooklyn
May 22, 2022 - 7:34 PM

<>

Back in New York City, Richard took his time, explaining his plans for Enterprise to be hired as the assistant of the Head of Security and Operations to his colleagues, and to Enterprise herself, who carries the alias, Lulie Winters, all the while not mentioning their real origins that they had once been shipgirls.

"So, you wanted me to be an assistant of the Head of Security and Operations?" she asked.

"I know this may sound a lot," said Richard. "But when I saw you fought against these armed robbers at the time when crime in New York City continued ramping up, I had thought about this for a long time and I decided that I could pitch you up to work with me..."

"With you here, I believe she would be a nice addition to our establishment," said Sebastian excitedly.

"I agree," nodded Nate. "But in order to do that, she needs to prove herself..."

"How are you going to do that?" asked Helena. Richard clears his throat and spoke: "The guys who took us here to lay low, they work for a private security company that Nate knows some of his former comrades from the Air Force who now work there. He has connections and he knows they have a small training facility in Roosevelt Island..."

"Roosevelt Island?" said Enterprise.

"It's located right in the middle of the East River past the United Nations headquarters..." said Nate showing her the map with his phone. "Only access is through the only bridge connecting between there and Queens..."

"It's isolated..." said Enterprise. "My guess is that this may be a perfect spot for a training center... Though it's quite far away from your home..."

"It's not that far, although it would take 50 minutes at most depending on traffic conditions and the time of day..." said Richard. "Using the subway to Roosevelt Island can only save us a few minutes up to five... assuming there's no breakdowns or delays..."

"There's more subway lines?" asked Enterprise. Richard nodded: "The LIRR we rode on, this is only one small part of a massive transportation network... I take these trains to save up gas or while my car is undergoing maintenance..."

"I see, are you sure you know the way to... this training facility you speak of?" asked Enterprise curiously, wondering if Richard knows the way, but before he could respond, his stomach started growling, which both Helena, and Enterprise can hear.

"Looks like you haven't eaten anything..." chuckled Helena.

"I was so busy writing the security draft I never had the time..." sighed Richard, slightly embarrassed before he quickly regains composure as he said: "Time to start cooking then..."

He walks down the kitchen area with Enterprise following behind him. Sebastian asked while he sat down the couch: "So, what will you be cooking today?"

Richard puts his palms down on the kitchen countertop and thought long and hard for a few moments until he came back with a reply:

"Since its just 6 of us, i think we'll all have to make burger steak with buttered vegetables and a macaroni cheese soup!" He smack-clapped his palms once and rubbed them together as he said: "And you all are going to help me, right?"

His colleagues, especially Enterprise and Laffey were taken aback by this, but otherwise, since they knew that they are also hungry as well, they, save for Laffey and Enterprise, as well as Sebastian, who opted to watch Netflix on TV, agreed and they all started scouring around the kitchen, picking out the bowls, stove pans and pots, kitchen utensils, and the ingredients needed for dinner.

As Enterprise stood up from the couch and decides to watch Richard and his friends cook dinner, she observes their cooking methods as she started to reminisce her memory back when, in her universe, she was being dragged to the cafeteria by her friend and personal maid, Belfast...

<>

Cafeteria, Azur Lane Home Base
April 17, 1942 - 11:34 AM / 1134

<> 

Sitting on the table just across the serving counter with a large display case of numerous food choices where both Oklahoma and Nevada are assembling their meals and sending their plates and trays of food to shipgirls who are craving for dinner, Enterprise watches as Belfast carried a tray full of assorted goods; a well-done cooked rib steak with mushroom sauce, and steamed cabbage, carrots, and peas, two cups of warm almond milk tea, and two saucers, each filled with barbecue sauce and ranch dressing. She sat down whilst she gently placed the tray down, as she said:

"Enterprise, go ahead and eat... " Belfast took a sip of the almond milk tea from one of the cups while Enterprise, slowly and hesitatingly grabbed the fork and steak knife and cut the small portion of the steak and took a bite, with her mouth seeping up the juices and her teeth slowly grinding all the tendered meat into pieces before swallowing it down.

"How is it?" Belfast would ask whilst holding her tea cup, and Enterprise said: "It's much tastier than the rations I have used..."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it..." she smiled. "You need all the nutrition you can get if you want to keep yourself up,"

Slowly but surely, she starts to indulge the rib steak along with the steamed vegetables, alongside dipping them in both barbecue and ranch sauces, with Belfast also joining in and taking some parts of the steak for herself using both the fork and the knife. The two were just about enjoying their mouthwatering meal together when all of a sudden...

BEEP...  BEEP...  BEEP...

A klaxon rang out all over the base, and into the cafeteria. 

"Enemy incursion detected!" the voice rang out from the P.A. system for several times in a loop.

"Hmm, looks like we have uninvited guests..." said Belfast.

The shipgirls who were on the tables quickly sprinted themselves out from the seats and ran out through the halls as fast as they could. Belfast also follows, as well as the shocked Enterprise, who initially froze as she was conflicted on whether if she could enjoy their meal or to get outside and deal with the emergency, but she was left with no choice as Belfast, as well as Nevada, who she jumped on over the display case, yelling at Enterprise to get going. Soon, she was dragged along with them, before she too starts running off and outside the halls to defend the base from any enemy threat...

...

<End Flashback>

...

.

Helena could see Enterprise staring from the distance at the three as they were prepping up the ingredients for their meals and she asked:

"Excuse me, Lulie? Is there something the matter?"

This causes Enterprise to snap back to her senses, shaking her head before she replied: "N-no... I'm fine... I was just thinking of something..."

"Would you like to help us?" asked Nate, but Enterprise can only reply: "I'll just continue exploring this house..."

She turns to Laffey and said: "Just sit down with Mr. Sebastian here... I'll go have a look around and keep this place safe..."

Laffey can only give off a nod as Enterprise started exploring every inch of Richard's house once more. As she checked both the front and back doors, she remembered there was another set of stairs on the second floor. She returns to the stairwell and as she reaches the second floor, she could see another set of stairs that goes up, which she slowly climbs up, with her hand on the railing until she reaches the top.

Looking around, Enterprise realizes that this is the top floor; there is no set of stairs that goes up, and all she could look up is the ceiling. She finds a light switch for the floor, which she flicks open, giving the third-floor hallway a bright light with halogenic bulbs illuminating the whole area. Having been able to see the hallways, she was able to check only two rooms; one of which is an unused bedroom, which is covered with plastic tarp, and is strewn with half a dozen of boxes laying on the floor, the other is a storage room with shelves full of books, junk, and old machines she hadn't recognized.

"Mr. Ambrose, that's so many things you hadn't used..." Enterprise spoke quietly. She knelt down and pulled out one of the boxes on the bottommost part of the shelf and slowly opened it and finds what appeared to be photo of a man, with their palms gently placed on the shoulders of a young boy.

"What a cute boy he is..." said Enterprise looking at the boy. "Is that boy supposed to be Richard, and the man is his father?" She was curious as to who they are but decided she'll find out at a later time. Putting the photo back into the box, she also stumbles upon a notebook with a lock, which she finds it difficult to open, and she couldn't find the key for it to unlock the notebook who she thought it might be his diary.

"I want to rip it open, but Richard will notice... and he'll be so mad if he does..."

Unwilling to anger Richard, she decides to put the notebook back inside the box, deciding to think about it for later. She then shoved the box back to where she had found it, before deciding to leave the storage room after a few more minutes of tinkering and analyzing each and every scrap she could find, going back downstairs to the living room, where she decides to do guard the house herself. Though she is unarmed, she secretly grabs the knife from the kitchen and starts to peek out from the windows to spot for anyone suspicious. Sebastian took notice of what she was doing as he asked:

"Excuse me, Ms. Winters, what are you doing with that knife on your hand?" Enterprise replied:

"I was just making sure... No one dares come to his house... Just to be safe..." However, this didn't put Sebastian at ease as he tries to switch places with Laffey.

Richard could see Enterprise as well from the distance and walks up to her, asking Enterprise to hand the knife back over while attempting to calm both her and Sebastian down, to which she reluctantly complied. Enterprise asked after he placed the knife at the countertop: "Why, Richard? Are you not concerned someone's going to come to your home?"

He replied: "I have security cameras installed around my home and it can trigger an alarm if it detects a break-in, so you don't have to worry about it..."

He also gripped on her wrist as he said: "Also, if a neighbor sees you with a knife by the window, they're going to call the cops on us no matter what your intentions are... then we'd be all in trouble far more than we all realize..."

This is enough for Enterprise to finally give in to Richard, who she is asked to sit down with Laffey and Sebastian to watch TV to keep her settled in, while Richard continues to cook up dinner with Nate and Helena.

<>

May 22, 2022 - 9:01 PM

<> 

"Dinner's ready!" Richard yells as Sebastian, Enterprise, and Laffey converge to the dining area, where Helena had put down the plates and bowls full of burger steak, buttered veggies, and a macaroni cheese soup onto the table, as well as the plates and spoons and forks who Nate neatly arranged. While Sebastian and Laffey are excited for their dinner, Enterprise remains distant, looking on at the food, who she thinks is the same as what she had served in her cafeteria.

"Hey, come join us Lulie!" said Helena. "You can't survive on an empty stomach, and we worked hard on this..."

"I... I'm coming..." Enterprise stuttered as she slowly comes forward towards the chairs and sat down beside Laffey, as Richard joins in, as well as Nate and Helena who they both sat down on their chairs.

"Dear God, thank you for this food." Richard says his grace. "May we bring our joyous days and our secure life tomorrow, and we hope to overcome what comes ahead."

"Amen," they all said in unison before they all began indulging in. Enterprise watches everyone around her picking up the rice and the steak and vegetables with their serving spoons before she too also scooped the macaroni soup and onto her own bowl. Before they could take a bite, they all stared at Enterprise, as she was slowly slicing the piece of a steak and took a bite, an experience similar to what she had done sometime before when she was transported to the new world, and she finds it poignant.

"What's wrong?" Richard could see Enterprise shaking up as she tried her best not to cry. She replied: 

"It's like I am going back...  I had food that looked just like this, and it's as tastier than it was back then..."

Richard nonetheless smiled as he said: "Glad you like it, now enjoy our dinner..." Before he and the rest of the group continued enjoying their own meal, and from the point on, they all struck up conversations with one another about their lives, their own dreams, and make banter, partly in an effort by Richard who tries to get Enterprise to open up and for his friends to get to know her and Laffey, at which point, Enterprise, having been in Richard's world for 5 days since being pulled underneath the Pacific, slowly started to grow accustomed to her new life.

<>

May 22, 2022 - 11:22 PM

<> 

As midnight slowly creeps around, after spending time hanging out, and for Enterprise going back to her patrol routines and even knowing how to operate Richard's security system using his phone, the six all decide to sleep. Both Helena and Laffey slept inside the first-floor bedroom, located by the bathroom just across Richard's bedroom, where he and Enterprise choose to sleep in, leaving Sebastian and Nate to sleep by the couch in the living room as the third-floor bedroom had yet to be dusted and cleaned out.

Enterprise, with her clothes still on but having taken off her boots, sat down on Richard's bed and said:

"I've never felt this comfy as it was back home..."

While Richard is in the bathroom, and Enterprise is all alone, she decides to explore his bedroom once more. Searching the drawers, she finds a large, rectangular object with a hinge, which when she pulled them apart, reveals that it can fold out. As she sets it down on the desk, she could see that it has some sort of a monitor on the top, and a bunch of keys on the bottom part, which she suspects to be a computer.

"How do I turn it on?" she thought to herself as she presses a few keys, until she presses the Power button on the top right of the keyboard module. The lights suddenly blipped open and the monitor suddenly goes to life. Enterprise took a slight step back as she said: "This is like Boris' IPad, but this is much bigger..."

However, to her disappointment, she finds that it is password protected. She lies her back down on the bed.

"Ugh..." she groaned. Having felt the comfiness on her back, she stretcher her shoulders, her back and her feet.

"I can feel little or no pain from the gunshot wounds... I feel better all of a sudden..." thought Enterprise before she sat back down and decides to use her iPad that she had kept it with her by herself since she had been nursed by Boris Yevgeny. However, as she pulls it out from the bag, her fingers slipped, causing it to fall. Using her lightning-fast instincts, she uses her foot to break its fall and she quickly leans herself downward in an attempt to catch it, but this results in her falling off, near-face first, from the bed onto the floor, only landing by her shoulder. She felt the pain on her shoulders and her chest by the impact, as well as by her foot, but had otherwise, saved the tablet computer from breaking.

"That hurt... but that was close...." she said, with a sigh in relief as she lay there for a short while to relieve herself from pain. As she puts the iPad down on the bed, she noticed the two locking latches on each side, and a handle on the middle while she was trying to stand up. 

"Is that a secret drawer underneath the bed?" she thought.

Curiosity gets the better of her as she knelt down and unlocked the latches before she grabs the handle and starts to pull. At first, she felt resistance and starts to pull harder; it was then that the supposed drawer suddenly jerk forward and she lurched backward. Leaning back forward, she is astounded by what she saw...

"My god... Are these... Are these guns!?"

Staring at the rolling bedroom drawer which happens to be a gun safe, she finds a large selection of firearms in designs she felt she had seen before, but not on this scale; one of which that takes notice, is a particular M1911 handgun. As she pulls it out and inspects for a closer look, she said:

"I felt I have seen this before..." 

...

..

She recalls a time back when she walks inside the Commander's Office after knocking several times on the door with no response. Vestal, who is walking by the hallway carrying medical supplies inside her leather bag, spots her walking through the doors and said:

"Enterprise, what are you doing here?"

"To see the Commander..." she replied.

"Oh, he's currently at a spa with his old colleagues, I just chatted with him..." said Vestal. "You can sit down there and wait for him, he'll turn up soon..." Vestal then goes on her way, and Enterprise, though having finished the patrol shift and is expecting the Commander to give her further instructions, decided to wait.

Minutes tick by and curiosity starts to get the better of her as she wondered:

"I need to check what's hiding in his office... Checking for signs of sabotage is my specialty..."

With gloves on her hands, she starts checking in every nook and cranny around the Commander's desk, his books, the desk lamps, the pan, and even the drawers. And in one of the drawers, she finds an M1911 handgun inside. As he held by her arm, with her finger by the trigger, she quickly started to gain interest.

"With this... I can shoot down any threats more quickly... Be it someone from Iron Blood or Sakura Empire, or a spy... It can blow their head clean off..."

Training the handgun at the door and then at the window, she was just about to put the pistol back when suddenly, she heard a loud clack that echoes around the room; this causes her to jolt in surprise, dropping the handgun right onto the floor....

It was in this exact moment, with a soft yet metallic clunk on the floor when the handgun hits the ground, her shock of adrenaline and fear starts kicking in when she heard the voice:

"What are you doing, Enterprise?"

Turning her face at the sound of the door, expecting the worst, she shuts her eyes as if she thought the Commander had just returned, and when she opened her eyes, much to her surprise, she saw Richard Ambrose, who is staring at her...

..

.

Chapter Text

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Park Slope, Brooklyn
May 22, 2022 - 11:25 PM

<>

Richard and Enterprise both stared at each other, the latter in shock and confusion upon what she had done. She had found the gun case under his bed and touched one of the firearms she believed belonged to Richard, just as he showed up in his bedroom.

"What are you doing Enterprise?" he asked. Enterprise struggled to think on what to say to him, stuttering: "I.. I just found your gun case.... I'm sorry if I disrespected you..."

Rather than being mad at her, Richard can only give her a smirk and he replied with a question: "Have you ever held a firearm?"

"I have... but I never fired the shot once... All i have was the riggings, with my bow and arrow I use to fire arrows and to summon planes..." she said rather nervously.

"A bow and an arrow, and you made accurate shots?"

"I never missed one shot..." said Enterprise with a determined huff and Richard nodded: "I guess this is my perfect opportunity... You have the skills of being an accurate shooter, but since you no longer have the power, I can supplement you with something much better..."

"And you're saying I can hold these firearms like yours?" she asked. 

Richard spoke: "You can... But first things first... I'm going to have to raise you to become an unstoppable fighter... A trained killer..."

Enterprise's eyes widened. He explained: "I'm doing this because it's part of what you will become.. You can hone the new skills both hand-to-hand and in firefighting combat, when you can one day become my assistant. There's actually so many things you need to learn, not just about this new world, but about mine as well, my workplace and its rules and operations, and how you interact and deal with people."

"I... I understand..." said Enterprise. "So... when is this going to happen?"

Richard patted her shoulder as he said: "Whenever if you are ready... You can just stay in my place for as long as you want, just to rest yourselves since you've just been discharged from the hospital, but..." He pauses to take a breath and he warned her: 

"The world's a dangerous place... You can't be too careful... There are people who are itching to kill you after all the stunt you had pulled..."

"What? What do you mean by that?"

"In the wake of the Chipotle armed robbery incident, some people are demanding to know who you are, many, like myself, are actually intrigued by how you fought..." he said. "One of my friends has been working hard to keep the info classified, though it's only a matter of time..."

"So you're telling me, there's also people out there who sees me as a target because of what I did?" she asked.

"Most likely... Some have claimed they are friends of the robbers and they're threatening me as well as the white haired lady... As a retired cop, that's all of the info what I have gathered from an anonymous source whom I won't tell, but I will try to dig up the two robbers the best I could... Remember, I'm doing this not just for your new job as my assistant, but to know how to defend yourself in case if I am not always here... I could implement my skills to your little friend whenever you want..."

Enterprise recalled when she had attempted to wrestle against the two-armed robbers in an attempt to save the terrified civilians, only to have her getting shot, and was only saved by Richard's timely intervention, and also hearing from Laffey that she had nearly been raped, she knew that this would be really useful for her and her friends in knowing how to survive in a different world.

And so, after some short while of thought, Enterprise said: "I want to take Laffey with me... I want her to make sure she can fight so she will never had to go through like that again..."

Richard gently huffed and said: "Tomorrow's Monday, which means our department store will open but my friends can hold my position, so if you want to go to Roosevelt Island, now it's the time to say and I will tell Nate about this if you're ready..."

"Yes Richard..." nodded Enterprise.

"Alright, now I'm going to take this handgun back in the case, and you should go to bed..."

"W-wait..." she said. "From... what i can see, there's so many guns in your case like you are fully prepared for battle. So I would like to ask if it's yours and what are they?"

Richard enthusiastically said: "Glad you asked..." He then picks up the handgun Enterprise had previously dropped and said: "The one you had on your hand before, this is the M1911, this particular model was made during the Second World War, and I bought it 21 years ago when I was still with the police, so this is mine. This pistol fires a .45 ACP round and is claimed it can stop a horse."

"Stop a horse, then it can stop a person..." she thought before she asked: "What are the other firearms in your storage...?"

Richard crouched down to reach all the firearms inside the bed gun case and pulls out two rifles and a shotgun, as well as two extra handguns, placing them on a bed.

"This is the M&P15..." he said pointing at the long rifle that was developed by Smith & Wesson, with an array of Picatinny rails, threaded barrel, flip up iron sights with the scope, and a bipod underneath. "AR-15 style rifle that fires 30 rounds of .223 Remington in rapid semi-automatic, and at long range too, used it for hobby shooting and hunting..." he said before he points to the next rifle next to the M&P15. "The one with a scope fixed above the bolt, it's the Winchester Model 70. Runs on .30-06 Springfield, this bolt-action rifle, I also use it for big-game hunting, and it can stop a man from a mile away... "

"I think I can go with that... Precision and accuracy is my go-to thing..." said Enterprise staring at the Model 70 and Richard hands the sniper rifle to her. "Only if you know how to operate this without your bow and special arrow..." He said while Enterprise, attempting to hold the firearm, peers through the scope and points it the wall, then at the window, and lastly at Richard, nearly flinching him, but luckily, the rifle is unloaded. 

After she puts the Model 70 down, Richard then shows Enterprise the Mossberg 500: "This is a pump action shotgun, the 500 Tactical. Ghost ring sights, removable stock, fires 12 Gauge buckshot, with an option to fire pepper blast balls..."

"Pepper blast balls?" asked Enterprise.

"It's a non-lethal round, meant to make someone go away without harming them a lot. The pepper blast shells are custom made by me and Nate, these are packed with grinded powder made out of Carolina Reaper, sawdust, garlic powder and citric acid.."

"That's quite a lot of stuff to cram into one shell... You fired that shot before?" she asked.

"Yes... Right by the eyes of an armed burglar about 4 years ago, really painful by the eyes... He later filed a lawsuit against me claiming he was shot at without any warning, which admittedly I did, but he never showed to court..." He then scoffed: "All talk no bite... Some bitch he is..."

"Well, he broke into your home yourself... so why redirect his faults onto him...?" thought Enterprise.

"Now for my handguns," he said before he picks up the first handgun. "This one is the Glock 19X, it fires 9x19mm and I had the pistol bayonet installed as a way of intimidation, and to stab through any unwanted predators...

"A bayonet... I think of Javelin... she used her spear in combat so maybe this would be a great use for her, provided if I ever see her..." she thought to herself.

"And lastly, since you already saw my M1911," he continued. "This is the Smith & Wesson Model 10. It shoots six rounds of .38 Special. Manageable recoil and decent stopping power, and light as well..."

"You really are very experienced in a vast array of firearms as a former cop..." remarked Enterprise. "So, my question is, have you really bought them all by yourself as a department store employee?"

"Not exactly..." Enterprise was a bit stunned as he explained: "The M&P15 rifle is a gift from my friend Nate, who he once worked at Air Force. He said wanted to give it away to free up his storage and because he didn't want this anymore, while the Model 20 is from my father who handed this gun over to me, who in turn belonged to his grandfather,"

Enterprise inspects the Model 10 and says: "This gun looks quite old, and yet it looks polished and cleaned..."

"My father looked after this gun, after his own father, died in the Third Battle of Seoul, this was recovered and he had kept it safe as my family's heritage until he passed it down to me, right when I... when I enrolled..."

Richard was struggling to speak further as he appeared to be fairly hesitant, but Enterprise, still trying to understand about his grandfather, asked:

"Third Battle of Seoul, I recall hearing this in my world before, but..." she thought upon hearing Seoul and then she asked Richard: "When did that happen?"

Richard took a deep breath and sighed before he spoke: "71 years ago, during the middle period of the Korean War... It was early-1951. He was shot in the head by a Chinese sniper, no surviving that... His headless body, along with this revolver, was recovered 2 months later when that city was recaptured during Operation Ripper."

Enterprise was almost as speechless upon learning how his grandfather died, and the fact there was another conflict right at the end of the Second World War that she hadn't heard or seen it when she was doing quick research while she is at the hospital back then, but decided to pluck up her courage by asking:

"And... your grandfather, you haven't met him...?"

"By the time I was born, it has been 19 and a half years since the Korean Armistice Agreement, so I only learned about him from my dad... " he said.

"I'm sorry, for your loss..." said Enterprise who felt sad about what had happened to his grandfather, but Richard replied: "Don't be... I know of him enough. My grandpa, Donald Klein, I believe he was a great man, and like my father, I am going to keep his legacy..."

After showing Enterprise all his firearms and had them all placed back in the gun case, the two laid themselves on their bed, with air-conditioning at blasting to keep his room cool for a comfortable atmosphere to sleep, but for some reason, Enterprise couldn't ~ she is still thinking about her friends who may have been living out far from each other.

Since he had first seen Laffey while she was watching on her IPad, she began to wonder if anyone else may still be alive somewhere in a place she never knew, and it's starting to make her feel uneasy and worried about the fates of her friends she was sworn to protect, and after working so hard to try to fall to sleep, she eventually does, sleeping soundly beside Richard who is facing away from her, laying on his right side.

<>

May 23, 2022 - 7:11 AM

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The next morning had arrived. Enterprise is still asleep while Richard became the first to wake up. As he quietly opened the door out into the hall, another door across from where he was slowly crept open ~ it was Helena and Laffey, both of them are walking towards the bathroom.

"Good morning, Richie..." yawned Helena as she slowly enters the bathroom. "Good morning," Richard said back as he goes downstairs for the kitchen to start cooking breakfast. Washing his hands on the kitchen sink, he then opens the fridge just as he hears Sebastian and Nate also waking up.

"Good morning, you two," said Richard, not looking at two. "I'm about to make bacon pancakes..."

"Uoogh... My favorite...", groaned Nate upon hearing the bacon pancakes. "And Helena's also craving for it as well... make a lot for me..." Richard combs over the kitchen shelf and the fridge to grab more ingredients to cook for breakfast. He pulls out the pancake mix, and then a pack of bacon from the freezer, 

"You do like cooking, Richard..." said Sebastian.

"I learned this from my sister... Since she moved out to Boston, I taught myself, and learned advice from a few cooking celebrities and even my sister..." Richard replied. "It's the best I can offer..."

As Richard starts to cook up the bacon pancakes while slicing up sausages for the baked beans, Helena and Laffey descend downstairs, having both smelled and hear something is cooking.

"He's cooking something, and it smells juicy..." Laffey sniffed, sucking the scent of a salt-cured bacon being fried. "You're making bacon pancakes?" gasped Helena, who also happens to crave for bacon pancakes.

"I'm also making sausage baked beans along with scrambled eggs," he replied. "Can you make new rice by the rice cooker, please?"

"Gladly," Helena smiled, and she goes to work to prepare the new batch of rice to go along with the scrambled eggs and sausage baked beans. Nate, by this point, gets himself up from the couch, and goes to the bathroom to take a shower. As he climbs up, he asked:

"Hey Richard, where's Ms. Winters?" Richard replied: "She's still asleep, leave her be while I make breakfast..." Nate nods and goes on his merry way, going inside the bathroom to take a quick shower.

<>

May 23, 2022 - 7:57 AM

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More than half an hour has passed, and Richard, with help from Nate, Helena, and Sebastian, have managed to cook most of the breakfast, leaving both the rice, and the sausage baked beans being cooked Richard has just dumped cubed potatoes into the boiling bean mix.  He had even prepared four pieces of toasted bread, which he had earlier placed them inside the toaster, with his plan to serve as side-dish to be topped with butter, jam or even with eggs or beans. As he makes his last check and stir of his sausage baked beans, he then washes his hands by the sink and heads upstairs to wake Enterprise up.

Reaching his bedroom and seeing Enterprise still sounding asleep, he said: "Wake up Enterprise, breakfast is ready..."

He walks across the room past Enterprise, who hears Richard and tries to open her eyes. As she does so, Richard pulls the window curtains open, letting out the bright light from the sunlight and clear blue skies. This causes her eyes to momentarily react to the sudden rush of light and she lifts her left arm to cover her eyes with her hand. As she recovers, she slowly opens her eyes to see what she thought of someone familiar... a long-white haired woman wearing a maid outfit with a familiar voice, and parts of her familiar face...

"Good morning, Enterprise, how's your sleep?"

"B-Belfast?" she softly muttered.

Richard Ambrose, or Belfast in Enterprise's hallucination, upon hearing that word had his eyebrows raised, and responds:

"Belfast? What are you talking about?"

Hearing his voice, she rubs her eyes and shook her head, whilst also being able to lift herself partially up from her bed to restore her sense, only to see that it was actually Richard standing beside her. Embarrassed by referring to Richard as someone else, she said:

"I... I'm sorry... It's just that... the way you speak... I thought i heard her voice... You look so familiar to someone I know dear..."

"Belfast... someone you hold dear?" Richard slowly sat down on his bed beside her and said: "You know, I hadn't asked what do Belfast or any of your friends looked like, so would you mind laying this out on me?"

Enterprise took a few deep breaths and a lot of thinking before she replied: "She's a well-mannered person, who knows not to give up on believing me that I had some potential. As a maid, she always shows concern about how little I ate. She's also responsible for looking after my wellbeing, and so does my sisters and Vestal too..."

"Vestal and your sisters..." Richard quietly muttered. "What do you think about them?"

"Hornet is quite bubbly and outgoing as she is my youngest sister, and Yorktown..." she paused with a sigh and continued: "Last time I heard, she was sick, but Vestal, who is also one of my personal assistants besides Belfast... she told me that she is getting better with the new medication she ordered..."

"Yorktown... and Hornet... They're also aircraft carriers as Enterprise," thought Richard. "And both of them really sunk during the Second World War..."

"It was a bit of a relief," Richard then smiled. "You had so many people who looked up onto to you, and who cares about you..." He then asked:

"Do you think they are in this city too?" 

His question slightly startled Enterprise, and she was growing anxious. She replied:

"Hornet and Yorktown, they're not in this operation when I was sucked into the void... But... Belfast... Laffey... Helena... Cleveland... that's all I can see before... all of this..."

Richard caress and then lightly taps her shoulder as he said: "Don't worry... I'm sure your friends are tough, and wherever they are... they can survive..."

"I hope so..." sighed Enterprise. Richard then stood up from the bed and said: "Come downstairs... Me and my friends cooked breakfast, and it is delicious..." He then steps out from his room, with Enterprise following him, downstairs all the way to the dining area, to see more savory dishes waiting on the table.

<>

May 23, 2022 - 8:02 AM

<>

With everyone at the table once more and after a few graces, the six ate their breakfast while listening to the morning news shows. They also watch as Enterprise and Laffey both eating their meal by grabbing a piece of toast and used their spoon to top it up with sausage, beans and eggs. They both took a bite and became smitten by its crunchy and savory bite.

"It tastes rich, and it's really good," said Enterprise and Laffey. Richard said: "I added some spices, the seasoning, and a bit of cheese, to the baked beans and sausage is a very nice addition... I'm glad you enjoyed it, but I recommend you eat them with rice as well..."

"Thanks, Richard," said Enterprise as she began to add a scoop of rice onto her plate. While she and a few others enjoyed their breakfast, Nate and Richard stood up from the seat, and watched the news, with the two being more so concerned about the current situation at hand.

"Well, so far there hasn't been any talk about your security draft..." said Nate. "Most cases, this will blow over and stop talking about it..."

"Hopefully..." said Richard. "And... if it's not, then if we try to take public transportation to Roosevelt Island now, we'd become magnets of attention from every city folk..."

"You may be right, that's why I can contact Rick whenever if you like..."  said Nate. "That is, if it's up to Lulie..."

The two stared at both Enterprise and Laffey still indulging on his breakfast, as Richard quietly said: "I'd like a favor... Can I take Laffey with her?"

"Why?" Nate was a bit confused at first. Richard replied: "She nearly got raped a few days ago... I want to make sure no one can lay their dirty hands onto her ever again, even when these two are alone..."

Nate scratches his hair and replies: "As much as I want to keep children safe, that's only up to Mr. Clayton, he's the CEO of Platinum Shield. So, he can decide if she's worthy, but can you convince him...?"

Richard gave a small sigh and said finally: "I'll try..."

The two then spent a few minutes watching the local news and then to Enterprise and Laffey, who has just finished their breakfast. After spending the good amount of time cooking breakfast to think about Enterprise, he stood up from the couch and walks up to Enterprise and said:

"Enterprise, about the training I talked about last night, now's the time for you to decide..."

"About my training?" she asked while Helena, Laffey and Sebastian looked at her. Richard nodded: "Yes... When you and Laffey are ready, Nate over there will call our driver back and take you two to the training facility, but you need to be ready for what's coming..."

With her fork and spoon still in hand and Laffey staring at Enterprise, she thinks about her friends who may be somewhere in the city or in the other parts of the world she had yet to explore. She knew she needs to be strong to be able to protect themselves, but she also thought about Laffey's safety, especially given what happened a few days. So, leaving with little options, she takes a full glass of water to wash down after her meal and, after consulting with Laffey about what's next for them, she finally said:

"We're ready..."

Richard gently huffed with a smile, and said: "You and Laffey, take a shower upstairs and get a change of clothes and be quick... Nate, call Rick back..."

"Yes, Richard," Nate nodded as he pulls out his phone to call back the security convoy, while Laffey and Enterprise goes upstairs to take a shower.  While Laffey is having her hair scrubbed with shampoo and water, she asked: "Enterprise... are we going to be okay out there?"

"No matter what, we have to be ready together... The sooner we learn about this place, and how we fight, we can get out and find our friends..."

Laffey nods as Enterprise rinses her hair with water, and then she leaves her off to brush her teeth, as it is Enterprise's turn to cleanse herself after not being in shower for less than a week. For the first time, she felt a chilling relief and relaxation from a rush of flowing water rushing down as she removes all the dirt, sweat and grime she had accumulated, all while easing her nerves. Even though she was convinced she is ready, in truth, she is still anxious for what is to come...

Leaning her head down against the shower walls, she mutters to herself, clenching her fists: "Hang in there..."

<>

May 23, 2022 - 8:37 AM

<>

With Enterprise, Laffey, and Richard all showered up and having their clothes changed, it didn't take long before a 3-vehicle convoy pulls up beside his rowhouse. As they come to a stop, a dozen of guards from the private security company, Platinum Shield, armed with Heckler & Koch MP7 submachine guns jump out from the van and set up protective formation around the house. Nate swivels the door open and Enterprise was quickly taken aback by seeing the masked men with an array of submachine guns surrounding their home.

"What kind of security detail is that? They have a lot of guns on their hands!" said Enterprise.

"Relax..." said Nate. "They're just the Armed Security Division for Platinum Shield and we've been on that before, it's going to be fine..."

As Nate, Enterprise and Laffey are being escorted out, Richard, still inside, turns to Helena and Sebastian and said as Nate opens the door: "Do me a solid... Look after the department store for me..."

"But... what are we going to do?" cried Sebastian.

"You can work remotely, contact our boss Valdez from here and make sure our department store remains in top shape and keep our customers safe..." said Richard. "I'll be back soon, just hold down the store for me..."

Helena nodded: "As Deputy head of Security and Operations, I want you and the other three to stay safe, okay?"

Richard smiled and gave a small nod, and both Helena and Sebastian a hug before he steps outside the house by the front door, and as the last person to go outside, he closes the door behind him and then he hopped inside the middle car, which is an armored van. There, Richard sat by the front row beside Enterprise, while Nate and Laffey had opted to sit at the back. With all the guards all hopping back inside the vans and Nate contacting the driver, Rick, who is in the front seat of the van they are in, and is the lead driver of the convoy, they all set off, departing from Park Slope, for Roosevelt Island.

The journey is somewhere hectic and comfortable. Enterprise, sitting by the seat near the window could see more of New York City, especially as the convoy drove past the same Chipotle restaurant. The sign is what sets off her trauma, as the memory of herself just on the verge of dying, it still lays within her head as she breathed in rapidly while clutching her veins. Richard could see Enterprise's distressed state and he pats her shoulders lightly to try and calm her down. 

One of the officers inside their van, the junior officer of the armed convoy division, Seoung-Hui Kwan, spoke to Enterprise: "Are you okay, Ms. Winters?"

"I... I'm still seeing things..." she replied. "Like I was about to die there..." Seoung-hui Kwan replied in her soft, calming tone: "Don't worry... Everything is going to be okay... You will get used to, eventually... You have people to look after you so there's nothing to be afraid of..."

After crossing through Downtown Brooklyn, the Platinum Shield convoy enters I-278, where Enterprise could get to see more of New York City, as the highway travels along close to the banks of the East River that separates between Brooklyn and Manhattan. While she could see the skylines of Downtown Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan, sometimes the scenic and urbanism views is hampered by a line of tall trees and buildings lined on both sides of the elevated portions of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway.

"This really is a long way..." thought Enterprise the convoy trudges Northbound through the dense flow of cars, buses and trucks of different colors, shapes, and sizes she had never seen before, and she is astounded by how busy the highway is.

<>

Queens, New York
May 23, 2022 - 9:01 AM

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The trip takes them less than half an hour, and Enterprise asked Nate: "Are we there yet?" Nate looks out and he could see the convoy is travelling underneath the Queensboro Bridge, and replied: "Just a couple more blocks and then we make a left turn..."

Enterprise, anticipating they are about to reach their destination, continues looking out by the window rather intently, to see people and a line of parked cars, and a park that the convoy whizz by. As soon as they reach the intersection and the convoy makes the left turn, Seoung-hui Kwan sees the lift bridge straight ahead and says: "There's your destination... Ms. Winters..."

Enterprise can feel they are getting high up in the sky as the convoy slowly crosses the main span of the bridge, which she felt this is her first time being able to cross the river after she spent less than a week in New York. As Enterprise stared out onto the river, the Manhattan Skyline surrounding them, and the Queensboro Bridge, Rick spoke:

"Welcome to Roosevelt Island, Ms. Winters..."

...

..

Chapter Text

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Roosevelt Island, New York City
May 23, 2022 - 9:27 AM

<>

As Enterprise, Laffey, and Richard, and Nate, being transported onto a secure van convoy led by Rick, crosses over the East River by a vertical-lift bridge, thereby entering Roosevelt Island, Enterprise is amazed by the amount of development the island had laid out with skyscrapers and high rise buildings being built despite its isolation from the rest of the city, as well as the surrounding views of Manhattan and a nearby Queensboro Bridge from where she was.

As the convoy reach Main Street that runs along the length of the island, Enterprise peers out on the side of the windows, her hands holding by the sides of the van's interior, to see bustling activity from civilians and employees alike, walking down the streets, holding hands with one another or their briefcases, some taking the bus to work, others running and jogging to start their days, and children running around in the park. 

"So, this is Roosevelt Island," said Rick. "We have a school, college, a hospital, and huge apartment blocks that houses more than ten thousand people..."

"Ten-thousand people!?" gasped Enterprise but Seoung-hui Kwan said: "This is only a small number compared to Manhattan's 1 million, or this entire city's 8 million. Forgive me if these numbers may surprise you considering if you've never been out in an urban area before..."

"N-no... it's fine..." Enterprise brushed it off."So, this is the most populated city in their nation..." she thought.

"Anyway, this is also where our base of operations is located. And we do run a training facility, in addition to a shooting range for new recruits or new armed security officers..." said Rick. Before long, after reaching the southern part of Roosevelt Island and going around the empty park field, the convoy stopped.

"We're here," said Rick. As Enterprise, Laffey, Richard, and Nate step out from the van, they stare out at a 4-story brick building. Above the front door is a logo that consists of a large shield with three diagonal blue stripes and a golden star above it... and the name Platinum Shield written in it.

"So, this must be the place..." Enterprise looks on at the sign above. "Seems like it," replied Richard.

"It's said to be a family business," said Rick. "Mr. Clayton's father Emil, bequeathed all of his properties to him after he died during 9/11 while he was there on behalf of the clients at the Bank of America for security discussing their prices..."

"9/11 again..." thought Enterprise. Nate added: "This small but active private security company of about 4,000 employees, was founded in Savannah, Georgia by Emil Clayton, whom he was my superior officer at the Air Force back then... Since first established back in the late '80s, they have since moved its base of operations to this new building here... They bought a partition of this park land in Roosevelt Island, and they used this building to handle operations in the New York branch to meet up with potential clients in this city, and train new recruits here..."

"90's was our heyday... A wave of crime spree in New York, we received thousands of clients requesting our security services, worth millions of dollars," said Rick.

"The 90's, thats when then Platinum Shield got so involved in security... I can't believe they got their riches from crime..." thought Enterprise. "So, you know the founder..." Enterprise then spoke to Nate. "I guess that makes sense why you have contacts with this security company... You really are interestingly resourceful..."

"He helped me," he chuckled. "And so it's right that I also give him and his son, Daniel, a helping hand too... Now come along you three... Ms. Seoung-hui Kwan here will escort you..."

Seoung chuckled: "I may be working with this company for only 18 months, so bear with me..."

"Sure..." nodded Richard, Nate, Enterprise, and Laffey walked through the front doors with Seoung-hui Kwan leading the way, and Nate behind him, whilst Rick decides to stay back at the convoy. As they reach the sitting area and Seoung walking off to find the CEO, the four could see people rushing about. Some wearing different uniforms and carrying papers and even firearms and machinery through the hallways while talking with one another or on the phones, something which piques' Enterprise's interest as she explores a different world.

"A facility this small, and yet this looks busy... And 4,000 employees too... I wonder if there are bigger companies such as this..." thought Enterprise.

"I'm not the only one in the city who is armed..." said Richard. "And neither are the criminals who tried to kill you... Even the police and private security here, they also have firearms of their own... They're meant to protect civilians and maintain order... Other times, we use armed security to protect our own interests... At least, that's what I believed..." 

"It is awesome and also a bit scary..." nodded Enterprise. "Back then i was about to get shot, but I'm glad to be in this facility with good people, or what i believed..."

"So long as you don't mess this up, we should be all good..." Nate chuckled, and pats on Enterprise's left shoulder. "And you too little girl...," He then pinches Laffey's cheek and said: "You need to stay awake if you want to stay alive..."

Laffey thrashes her arms, pushing Nate away from her as she said repeatedly: "I am awake!" Nate then asked how's her sleep, to which she replied, nodding as she sat between him and Enterprise: "Comfortable... The air-conditioning is nothing different from my dorm room back home..."

A few minutes have passed, and Seoung-hui Kwan returned, with three people who had been following her closely had just arrived as well; two men, one was wearing a tracked military camo and a red beret cap on his head, and the other was wearing a black dress suit and matching pants and shoes, and one woman, wearing a white shirt with the pink red jacket strung and tied around her hips. Enterprise, Laffey and Richard looked at the group Kwan had brought in, and Nate stood up and said:

"CEO Clayton, nice to meet you..." He and Clayton smiled as the two shook hands, as Clayton replied: "Likewise... How are you holding up?" Nate nodded: "Doing well good sir..."

The other two also followed, with the man on a camo outfit immediately behind the CEO, said: "Long time no see, Nate... And... who are these people you brought them here?" He turned his attention to Richard, Enterprise, and Laffey. Nate replied: "My friends, this is Bartlette Amsley and Lulie Winters, these two who wanted to learn about how to defend themselves, and this is Richard, a former NYPD lieutenant,"

The man exchanged handshakes with Richard as he said: "Pleased to meet you Mr. Lieutenant, you can call me Don Harris, I'm a firearms instructor, weapons supplier and armorer, I fix and maintain guns and munitions..."

"I'm Ashli Brooks, I'm a technician and computer specialist," she said. "And this is the CEO and leader of Platinum Shield..."

The black suit man spoke: "Daniel Clayton, but you can just call me Daniel whenever if you like..."

"You're Emil's son... I... believe we have met before, have we?" said Richard as he shook his hands with Daniel, and he replied: 

"The first time and last time we met... is when you were there at Ground Zero for several days while I was also there looking for my father... Although the last time I heard from you, is when I saw you being escorted to the courtroom..."

This suddenly made Richard feeling flushed down despite attempting to put up a brave face. He stood in place, with his hand still holding Clayton's palms, shaking very slowly, and he stood almost motionless, almost catatonic, for only a brief period of time and his eyes wandering down. When Nate calls his name to him, he snapped back to his senses and shook his head while letting go of Clayton's palms. He then clears his throat saying: "I'm fine... I'm fine.... 

Enterprise could hear what Clayton had spoke and could see Richard's emotion rapidly changing. She thought:

"He said he left from the police force... But... his face... Almost like his soul just left from his body for a moment... Something tells me he has something he's trying to hide... but what could it be?"

She then remembered about the television broadcast when she had stayed in the hospital to recover from her gunshot wounds. She could hear the man who vehemently denies Richard's actions as a hero and he said he sees him as a criminal, even calling him a Cop Killer, something she also heard it way back when she saw Kiefer storming inside the restaurant and Richard storming out. 

She suspected something is wrong with Richard as it appears he is not the person she thought he is, but since she is inside the secure facility belong to a private security company, she is not in a position to raise an alarm without getting herself and others hurt, and knowing that an opportunity laid in front of her that she can know how to fight even without her riggings, she decided she had to keep this to herself for now and wait for a right opportunity to bring something out of him, whilst she would find evidence about what was he hiding..

Clayton turned his sights on two young women and is intrigued.

"You, the long white hair with lavender eyes, you're Lulie Winters, isn't it?" She replied, rather nervously: "It's me... " He asked: "Such a cute name, for a cute girl like you who's not around from these parts... But is she the person worth the danger?"

"I believe she is... I'm just here because I would like to borrow this training facility because I need to use my skills as a former Lieutenant to train these two young women to be more skilled and independent..."

"Tell me, why should I want to lease this training facility to you?" asked Clayton. Richard took a deep breath and replied: 

"Because these two nearly lost their lives and I am now handed more responsibilities. Our city's becoming a lot volatile as of late, and I believe this should be a safe place for them to train out from the eyes of the public who are vying to see them..."

Clayton peers on over Enterprise and Laffey and said: "I do understand how you feel about them. The two got their unwanted attention simply because they were involved in a crime and survived all thanks to you..."

"As head of security and operations of Vicerone..." Richard added. "I want to make a formal request for the need of your security services on behalf of our branch manager, Mr. Bryan Valdez... Our department store branch in SoHo is in need of extra security due to the current circumstances we're facing and the upcoming renovation project..."

Richard's request surprised everyone around them, save for Nate, Enterprise, and Laffey. Clayton asked: "What kind of services do your store need from us?" Richard replied: "Extra security, and training... A few armed men, and to have our own security personnel trained... That's all I ask..."

"And what shall you do with the training facility you want to borrow from us?" asked Clayton.

"For Ms. Winters and Ms. Amsley, I personally want to make them know how to fight... And also, I had pitched her to be my assistant for the Head of Security and Operations..."

Clayton pauses for a long while to think, all while Nate, Enterprise, Laffey, Ashli, Don, and Seoung-hui all watched and waited on what their CEO has something to say to Richard, who is by now slowly becoming anxious. After all, those who have been working at Platinum Shield, they had never once heard of a former NYPD lieutenant asking their boss to borrow their own training facility for two young women, who they had known them once on nightly news.

The silence went on for a short while until Clayton stops rubbing his chin and looked at Richard, Enterprise and Laffey and he spoke:

"This Mr. Valdez.... How trustworthy is he so he can name their price that suits me?"

"As an employee under his belt with 15 years experience, I can assure you he's the most considerate, and right now, I was hoping you and him can have the discussion about services for what's going to come next in these changing times..." replied Richard, and Nate, also a Vicerone employee, nods in agreement.

Clayton rubbed by his mouth and chin with his hand and paused, before he leans close to Richard and then poked his finger at his chest and said: "You better believe our new client has every bases covered so we can deliver..."

He turns to Ashli and said: "Ashli, come with me..." After he and Ashli walked a few steps past, he turns to Seoung-hui Kwan and Don Harris and said: "Don, you're in charge... You and Seoung-hui, show these two around... And make sure not to let them fuck around..."

"Yes sir..." the two nodded as he and Ashli head out to SoHo, disappearing by the front door as they watch Clayton hop on board Rick's lead armored car and drove away. Afterwards, Harris then spoke:

"Alright" he clasped his palms and said: "Follow me... We'll show you how this private security company operates, before I show you all the goods..."

He and Seoung-hui escorted Richard, Nate, Enterprise and Laffey around the building. They enthusiastically toured them around the living quarters, storage, and meeting rooms. Enterprise and Laffey were surprised that it even houses their own library and kitchen as well, and they could still see it is busy, with people writing checks, documents, tinkering with their guns and discussing about business and security matters with other employees.

At one point, they come across one large door that reads "Restricted personnel only" Don looks at Laffey and asked: "What are you looking at, Ms. Amsley?"

She can only ask: "What was behind the door?" Instead, Seoung-hui gently pulls her away from the door and said: "We can't answer that... This is classified and you are just a mere civilian... I'm sorry..."

"Can you explain in any other term?" asked Enterprise and Seoung-hui replied: "This is meant for high-profile discussions, that is all..." She looks at Richard, who he nodded that it was not worth a time to check and the group nonetheless, continued on with a tour, before they all decide to head to the training facility...

And it is here that Don and Seoung-hui takes the four towards a doorway with a large reinforced steel door and a keypad which is left open. After passing through, they all head down a long flight of stairs that goes deep underneath the headquarters. As they climbed down, they could hear distant popping and banging, resembling gunshots, almost as similar as what Enterprise had been hearing as she was on a verge to death. Though disturbed, she shook of her head and Seoung-hui could still see her distressed state as if she had reacted to the distant, yet sharp gunshot sounds, but she decided to say nothing as they approach the bottom.

"We're getting there, right?" asked Richard and Don replied: "That's right Lieutenant... Underneath here is where the real magic happens..."

"And what's that?" asked Enterprise.

"You'll see in just a moment..."

The six made the turn to the left and peering through the long hallway lined with angled windows, they could hear shouts and huffs and punches thrown, and then the gunshots getting louder. Seoung-hui and Don sees the door on the right where the gunshots are, was a bit ajar, with a small gap in between.

"They didn't close the door huh..." said Seoung-hui as she closes the door behind. Richard and the entire group looks out by the angled window pane facing downward and they could see this this underground area houses the training facility, one was two separate centers demarcated by a wall that separates them and connected by two parallel doors. Each training center are full of gym equipment, punching bags, and people who are exercising in keeping their body fit or to improve their stamina and agility, some of them are sparring or doing boxing matches against one another, one even honing their self-defense skills against the aggressor who is also training them.

On the other side of the hallway, Enterprise, Laffey, Richard, and Nate can also see the shooting range through an angled pane of bulletproof glass which is designed to be soundproof, as does the walls in and around the inside of the shooting range. Enterprise looks on a few men and women, wearing noise cancelling headphones each firing their handguns and rifles at the metal targets from a far distance, the gun blasts echo around the range and penetrated through the walls and the glass, with the resulting noise only coming out into the hallway with a small muffle. 

"Welcome to the Platinum Shield's training facility," Don's arms and hands spread out as he said excitedly. "This one has a shooting range to your right, and two training centers on the left to master in hand-to-hand combat.

"Ah, Don here also happens to be a weapons supplier and he runs a weapon store just on the far side by the shooting range," said Seoung-hui. "The entrances to his store is from the shooting range itself, and the door located right beside the elevator through this long hallway ahead,"

"Elevator?" said Enterprise. Don explained: "Since we're situated on the East River, this area here is susceptible to floods. When Sandy hit, we were all holed up above the facility while constantly monitoring the underground facility, and we realized we've came so close to have been completely flooded.

"Sandy? She's involved in this Midway operation but..." 

Enterprise didn't know about whether if San Diego, one of the shipgirls from the Eagle Union and who was there at Midway, had any connection to this, so she asked:

"When did that happen?"

"Less than 10 years ago in October..." replied Seoung-hui Kwan. "We were preparing our Halloween festivities but we quickly had to cut short of our plans because of the approaching storm, and yet.... I never expected how strong it was..."

"So to prevent such tragedy, we spent 6 years installing watertight doors on the stairwell, and by the elevators located by the end of this hallway, to make sure this facility doesn't take on water,"

"These doors, like the two we walked past while going down stairs?" asked Enterprise. Nate replied:

"From what I can tell, it has two doors on each end of the stairway, each coated with corrosive-resistant zinc, these are designed to prevent water from seeping through should Roosevelt Island become completely inundated with water..."

"But... how are you going to access this facility if the doors on the stairwell are closed...? Assuming if this place continues to remain functional...." asked Richard curiously. 

Don replied: "We have two elevators, also installed alongside these watertight doors, that connects between another stairwell above the surface, which it's also secured on the first floor by another watertight door" He points at the two elevators, which they could see them open up for two people to walk out and heading downstairs towards the training yard. Don continued: 

"The elevators over there... They run on a self-sustaining electricity grid independent from the city, as well as diesel generators so they can remain operational in the event of the power outage... And with the watertight door on the first floor, it also keeps the elevators dry while remaining accessible for those at higher ground..."

"All of these modifications our company had worked hard on installing them, it worked nicely," said Seoung-hui Kwan. "When another rainstorm hit the city just after we finished installing less than a year ago, the watertight doors held up and stopped the floodwaters from breaching into the underground areas even when the rest of the ground floor was partly inundated. These doors have kept both the elevators and this underground facility dry and we even spent the few nights here sleeping and eating... 

Don remarked: "All the 6 years of installing these flood defenses paid off..." Both she and Don chuckled and landed their fists with the other with a fistbump.

"You two looked close..." said Enterprise looking at their gesture and Don replied: "Been working together for several months, and despite she is a junior and her insecurities, she is proven to be a capable worker... She often help me carry munitions and small arms in my shop..."

Don turns to Enterprise and Laffey and said: "And speaking of which.... It seems were here because you two needed something that Lieutenant Richard here wants, is that correct?"

Enterprise and Laffey perked up as they suddenly remembered the reason why they were in here in the first place, having just lost in thought and curiosity. As Enterprise shook her head, she replied: "Yes that's correct... I needed to learn how to defend myself... and use firearms..."

Don smiled and said: "Follow me..."

He and Seoung-hui guided Richard, Nate, Enterprise, and Laffey down the hall, reaching all the way by the elevators where Don makes a right and climbs down on a small stairway reaching all the way to a door who he opens with a clang that generated from both the metal door and the lock being latched open. As he enters and Richard's group follow, they realized they are inside Don's shop. Inside were a large selection of vests, helmets, camo or tracked pants, and clothes lined on clothing racks or were hung on the side of the walls around it.

Most importantly, the glass counter is full of firearms, ranging from hunting rifles, assault rifles to shotguns and revolvers, Enterprise felt that Don had a lot more guns than what Richard had stored underneath his bed, and there are several more hung by the walls on hinges.

"I do know some of the firearm designs, the M1903 and M1 Garand, but the rest... they look all brand new..." thought Enterprise staring at the countertop glass case with all the firearms stored.

"Welcome to my armory, which also happens to be the showroom and also a gun store for the range..." said Don as he stood behind the glass counter. "I may be an armorer who keeps all the small arms, munitions, and vehicles properly maintained and also a former SWAT officer back in Mobile, but I also happen to be an arms dealer and weapons supplier..."

"What do you have in offer?" asked Laffey and Don replied: "We have everything... AR-15 style rifles from several manufacturers, shotguns and sniper rifles... We also have semi-automatic pistols and revolvers here, like the Smith & Wesson Sigma that shoots 9x19mm, or this Model 29, firing .44 Magnum, which was once called the most powerful handgun until that was eclipsed by bigger calibers,"

"I do want something powerful, yet concealable..." said Enterprise. "Something I can carry everywhere... And i also need a small gun for Amsley here..."

Don clears his throat and spoke: "Hey, Seo, can you bring me .357 and 9x19 ammo?" Seoung-hui Kwan nodded: "Right away" before she heads to the back room of the gun store where all the ammunition is stored while Don pulls out the key from the cash register drawer and unlocks the case and pulls out two sidearms, the Ruger LCRx, and the subcompact Glock 43X.

"Ms. Winters, here's the LCRX, and you little one, you can have the 43X..." said Don. "These are built to perfection, serves well for one purpose, and maintained well by yours truly..." Shortly after, Seoung-hui Kwan returned from the storage room with two ammo boxes, each carrying .357 Magnum, and 9x19mm Parabellum, who she placed on the table. As the two former shipgirls looks at the ammo boxes, Don asked the two: 

"Have you ever handled the gun before?"

Both Enterprise and Laffey nodded with a no, and Don, picking up the Heckler & Koch HK91 hung by the wall behind him, and looking at the group with some pauses for thought, said: "Then follow me, I'll show you how to operate these firearms..."

He heads off for the other doorway just beside the one he had entered, which is connected to the shooting range Enterprise and her group saw earlier. As they all step foot onto the staging area inside a large indoor shooting range, their ears were blasted by buzzer alarms, and loud pops from a variety of rifles and handguns being fired by some of the security subcontractors and rookies, who they all train their firearm skills shooting at both the paper and metal alloy targets in various distances they see fit. Some who aren't firing their guns, chose flex their own firearm of choice showing off or conversing with other employees about their shared interest in firearms.

"It appears they are having fun..." thought Enterprise only giving out a slight smile. As the gunshots stop, Don said to her and Laffey: "Now here in this shooting range, I'm going to have to teach you the basics of firearm training. You must know how to aim, shoot and reload. Only then, you can effectively stop any threat at moments notice..."

"I'll be overseeing the firearms training... Seoung-hui will assist you... But first, a quick demonstration..." He gazes his eyes on Richard and said: "Hey Lieutenant, you look like you need some refresher..." He then tosses the HK91 rifle at Richard, who was at first surprised, and Don spoke: "I've read your file the moment Rick laid eyes on you, that you were once a former lieutenant and training instructor..."

With his malicious grinning expression, he said: "Now, let's see if there's still some fire in you..."  

Everyone inside the shooting range stopped upon hearing word of a former lieutenant and they all looked on at Richard, who, while still holding the rifle, was at first felt uneasy, nervously switching sights on the people who stare at him, and at Don, Enterprise, Laffey, Nate, and Seoung-hui Kwan. He took a few deep breaths, before he starts to lift his anxious expression and clenched his palms squeezing the pistol grip and handguard of the HK91 as he steps forward towards the shielded shooting booth. 

As he does, Don hands the fully-loaded 20 round magazine onto Richard, who he has it easily inserted into the magwell of the HK91. With a slap of the charging handle, ready to fire, he leans his head on over the stock and uses the iron sights to aim at the paper and metal sheet targets at a 50 foot distance and squeezes the trigger. With the loud whiplash banging sound, in a split second, the bullet hits the first paper target; he then fires 19 more rounds in rapid succession at the metal sheet targets, even aiming at its head at the farthest distance the indoor shooting range can offer. 

The gun blasts of the HK91 echoes around the firing range and other firearm enthusiasts, Platinum Shield's subcontractors, and particularly Enterprise, Laffey and Seoung-hui Kwan all watched as Richard Ambrose, lands all 19 shots at the target until he expended the entire magazine and he stops firing.

When it was over, observers and some of the subcontractor employees checked the metal sheet and paper targets Richard shot at, and are all surprised to see that Richard's bullets fired from the HK91 had an almost tight shot grouping on the paper targets that was the farthest they could ever shoot, showing that Richard, who is Vicerone's Head of Security, and former NYPD Lieutenant, really has a good shot, and is an accurate shooter who lands shots with great precision, this making him the most feared those in Platinum Shield had ever seen, even for Enterprise herself who sees how lethal and powerful these new-world firearms are...

...

..

Chapter Text

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Platinum Shield Shooting Range, Roosevelt Island
May 23, 2022 - 10:11 AM

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Richard stares out through the firing range, the bullet holes created by the Heckler & Koch HK91 rifle that he had fired with as part of the demonstration, while a small crowd looks on enthusiastically, some even clapped their hands to see how skilled of the shooter Richard is as a former Lieutenant, however, Enterprise, watching from the close distance, could see his faltering persona as his mind became writhed with unbound regression of his deep memories that came from his immaculate accuracy and skill with firearms, though at the same time, he is attempting to put up a brave face as he unloads the magazine and placed them both down on the table. Enterprise knows that something must be plaguing him, much like she had felt the same way in the early periods of the global conflict in her own world.

Before she could say anything, Don Harris, a former SWAT officer and now armorer and firearms instructor, said to Enterprise: "Now have you seen how he operates?" Enterprise nodded: "Yes..."

"Now it's your turn... You two..." Enterprise, armed with the Ruger LCRx revolver, and Laffey, a Glock 43X subcompact pistol are guided by junior security officer Seoung-hui Kwan as they step on towards the shooting booth. 

"Now this is your first training run..." said Don. "Your objective is to shoot at the paper targets, and make sure you hit straight in the middle or at the head." 

"But you two must first know how to load the rounds into your own firearm and aim..." added Seoung-hui Kwan. She pulls out two pistol magazines loaded with 9x19mm meant for the G43X while she also puts down a box of .357 Magnum rounds.

"Your first step," said Don. "..is to insert the rounds or magazines into the gun." Laffey picks up the magazine and with Seoung-hui's guidance, she manages to insert the small magazine into the G43X on her first try. For Enterprise however, the revolver only has a cylinder and not a magwell.

"Ms. Winters! You need to load each round into the cylinder..." said Don. "Now I need you to press the cylinder release located on the left side of the LCRx just behind the cylinder." Enterprise quickly processes this information and does what she was told; she pushes the button, which releases the cylinder, showing what appeared to be 5 holes, or cylinders. Don watches over Enterprise while Seoung-hui guides Laffey on how to aim the G43X, and Richard could do nothing else but watch.

"Now, Lulie, open the ammo box, and insert all 5 rounds into the LCRx, then you aim and fire!" said Don as Enterprise opens the ammo box and pulls out 5 rounds of .357 Magnum and one by one, she inserts the ammo into the cylinder and closes it back again. Still remembering her first experiences with firearms outside her special bow & arrow, she repositions her iron sights until she focues on the red part of the paper target and then she squeezes the trigger. The hammer strikes at the firing pin, releasing an explosive energy that propels the .357 Magnum forward.

At the same time, Laffey also fires the shot after also aligning the sights. After a few more shots, and further guidance from Seoung-hui, Laffey and Enterprise were able to expend their magazines, firing each shots at their designated target and Don, checking at their paper targets using his binoculars, said:

"Impressive... The shots are fairly tight..." He claps his hands a little as he remarked: "You two surely are capable of shooting..."

Other employees and subcontractors also took notice, combined by Enterprise's unusual physique and her looks and what they believe is her potential affinity with firearms, with one walking up to her and said:

"You do make a fine shot, lady..."

"Thank you..." nodded Enterprise as she and Laffey puts down their sidearms. 

As Don wrote down on his notepad, Laffey asked: "That rifle Mr. Ambrose is holding... When can we use it?"

"When you're ready, Ms. Amsley..." replied Seoung-hui Kwan as she knelt down and placed her palms on Laffey's shoulders and then started rubbing her face for a few times before she stood up again. Don closes his notepad and spoke:

"You two have some real gusto, but this is the real world, and you two would need to get used on how to operate the firearms, such as being able to aim, reload, and to draw very quickly on your feet. First you have to start small, before you go big... like that HK91 Mr. Ambrose used..."

"That thing, one that fires rapidly... That's the HK91..." asked Enterprise.

Don explained: "The HK91's a civilian version, we only bought a small batch online years ago.... This rifle is originally from Germany as the G3, which was their service battle rifle for the Bundeswehr for four decades beginning in the fifties..."

"Germany... and the Bundeswehr" she thought. "When i first searched, the Bundeswehr, they're the modern incarnation of what was once the Wehrmacht... And Germany... he said they are now allies, but that can't be said for mine..." 

Enterprise grabbed and inspected the emptied HK91 rifle and thought about the state of Germany as it is today, while also pondering about its capabilities: "80 years ago, in his time, the world was against this nation of what was called Nazi Germany and they were propelled into the Second World War, and now this firearm, from Germany, is in their hands... If this were to be made like that in my own time... one that fires so fast... then..."

Her thoughts about the course of the war was interrupted when Richard said: "Are you okay? You look like you're standing still for a long while holding that gun..."

"It was nothing much..." shrugged Enterprise as she placed the rifle back down. "Just curious..."

"Curious huh..." Richard stares intently at her but after a short time, he thought nothing much before Don spoke to Enterprise and Laffey:

"Now as I'm saying, you know how to shoot, so the next step is you have to reload. The weapon you're using, it needs ammo like every weapon, and a weapon or magazine, depending on the design, carries a finite amount of ammunition. So you two need to know how to reload with what you know before, is that understood?"

"Yes, Mr. Harris..." nodded Enterprise and Laffey as Seoung-hui Kwan hands Laffey an extra G43X magazine and, remembering on how to load the firearm when they fired their first shots, she, as well as Enterprise, presses their release mechanisms as Laffey's empty box magazine clunked out, and Enterprise's 5-hole cylinder swivels outward.

Laffey goes first as she loads the double-stacked magazine and racks the weapon by pulling its weapon slide and lets go with a clack, charging the weapon to fire once more, while Enterprise manages to remove all of her spent casings and started to reload all 5 rounds of .357 Magnum. Locking the cylinder back in place, on Don's commands, she and Laffey focuses on their respective iron sights and they simultaneously squeezes their triggers, letting out the shot before they started firing in rapid sequences, until they ran out of ammunition. 

With smoke generated by the hot gases from the rounds trickling out from their barrels with all the rapid firing, they gently put down their sidearms on top of the surface of the shooting booth as Don uses his binoculars to check their shot placement. He said:

"Little better, but you're getting there..." Writing his notes and then folding it back in, he walks up to Enterprise and Laffey and said, smiling: "That's your first day done, I give you two a pass..."

Enterprise and Laffey became ecstatic, having just done their test of skill, however, Don continued: "But you two need keep your skills in check, so you two are going to have to come to this shooting range regularly for another firearm training sessions to keep your skills in check..."

"That's going to be a bit of a problem considering my job position," sighed Richard. "But I'll find a way..."

"How's Tuesdays and Fridays sound? Twice a week?" asked Don and Richard, after a short time thinking, nodded: "Sure..." He shook hands with Don before he said: "Now, as for hand-to-hand combat, head to the training yard on the other side of that hallway, that's where you all can do whatever you want, just do not disturb the others, okay...?"

"Thank you, Mr. Harris..." nodded Enterprise and she and the group leaves the shooting range for the training yard, leaving Nate behind to discuss with Don.

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10:21 AM

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Crossing over the hallway, they emerge into one of the training yards on the other side, one of which is as massive as the shooting range, and they could see several others still training to hone their skills; some do running laps, sparring with one another, or training their fists on their punching bags. Enterprise could see a man using dumbbells, flexing his muscles for as much as he could in an effort to maximize their strength.

"If i could do that... maybe I could beat the Crimson Axis..." she thought, staring at the muscular man who lowers the dumbbells onto the floor and turns his face, with their two eyes now connected. Enterprise gasped, and started blushing as she looks away. The man stood up and approaches Enterprise.

"What's that young frail lady doing here?" he asked. "You looking to lose that gut and ready to kick some ass?"

Enterprise, still focusing her eyes away from him due to his menacing appearance, tried to think of ways to respond, but all she could do was to mumble her lips and shudder in place.

"I was... I was just here to get myself some workout, that's all, thank you..."

Seoung-hui chucked, and spoke: "We're just borrowing this place for a while for these two to train themselves in secret."

"Well... you came to the right place...." he said. "The closest they could see from is Cornell Tech, where students there can just see the facility and our personnel from the roof, but luckily, no civilian eye can see these secrets right here, 6 feet underground with all the walls here lined with soundproof panels..."

He turns his gaze on Laffey and remarked: "What cute girl you have, we rarely see a young child around this facility... What is she doing here?"

Richard explained Enterprise and Laffey's crime situation to the man.

"It's no surprise..." he sighed. The whole city's slowly turning into a shithole every passing week... Last week there was two shootings as well as a car chase in a single night... It really sent the public on the edge for a bit..." Richard agreed, saying: "Sure is... Mister..." He stopped short as the man chuckled: "Where are my manners... My name is Andrew Ritchson... but you can call me Andy... It's been a pleasure meeting you..." He shook hands with Richard as well as Enterprise and Laffey, who also introduced themselves in their own aliases.

"Winters... A fitting name given you have long white hair for such a young age as you..." remarked Andrew. "But here, I'm curious to see what you and Ms. Amsley really made of..."

"I believe I can train them to their fullest potential..." said Richard confidently. Andrew chuckled: "Sure, I heard you were once a Lieutenant, and a former instructor at that..." He then suddenly grinned as he leans his face closer to him: "But let's see how strong your team actually is..."

Seoung-hui Kwan looked on at the two and realized what Andrew is waging for, and Richard guessed it too as he said: "I see what you're aiming for... May the strongest team win you say?"

Andrew snaps his fingers in a glitzy fashion as he said: "Bingo... It sure is... It sure is going to be easy...

"What do you mean by that?" asked Richard. Andrew replied: "I was once a training instructor during the Afghan War and the Global War of Terrorism Service Medal recipient, seeing all the danger, mastered a variety of martial art techniques, and trained my best men I could offer, in the Marine Corps, and here in Platinum Shield..."

"Whichever two candidates, I'm prepared for every outcome..." he said.

"We'll see about that..." Andrew chuckled, as he and Richard lands their fists at one another iin a fist-bump, before Andrew finishes by saying: "You have two weeks... They fight here. Loser gets to do whatever the winner orders you..." Richard nodded in agreement, trying to put up a brave face, although he could feel his nerves rattling and his teeth shaking within his mouth in inner anxiety as Andrew steps out from the training yard, disappearing through the other yard separated by a thick wall through a door.

"What the hell is that all about..." cried Enterprise. Seoung-hui sighed: "I don't know myself either... This is the first time the Platinum Shield would see competition between one another, only this time, you three aren't even a member of Platinum Shield..."

"Well technically, we are just borrowing it..." shrugged Richard. "But I do believe this would be a great opportunity..."

"Yeah, but what if we lose?" said Enterprise, but Richard determinedly said: "No... We won't..." He clenched his fists staring at both Laffey and Enterprise as he said: "We do this here ... Are you two ready?"

Enterprise and Laffey looked on nervously before they nodded: "We're ready..."

"Good" Richard nodded as he starts to perform a defensive stance, bending his right leg forward and pointing his right palm sideways facing forward towards the two and simply said: "Hit me..." Enterprise and Laffey locked their eyes and they rushed towards him. They both raised their fists, but Richard, despite being 1 on 2, predicted their moves, and used his raised right arm to block Enterprise's attacks, before he proceeds to sweep by his left leg, knocking both Enterprise and Laffey down onto the ground, to the surprise of Seoung-hui Kwan and some of the contactors who watched them.

"Come on! Get up!" he said as Enterprise and Laffey stood up and Enterprise went forward at the same time Richard charged in towards her. They ram at each other and wrestled, before Enterprise also sweeps his leg, causing him to fall on by his back. Enterprise was about to smash his windpipe, but Richard could see this and blocks her palm using his right shoulder, stopping it before she could hit his neck. He counterattacked by striking his fist right by her right side of her face, allowing himself to recover.

He and Enterprise then exchanges landing fists at one another but at times, Enterprise seems to be holding out much better against Richard, in comparison to Laffey, which, because of her small stature, being more than half of his height, she was wiped out instantly as Richard punches by her floating rib. With Laffey in pain, Richard smacks her face twice, slapping her face and then slamming his palm in quick motion right by the bridge of her nose, knocking her out, and leaving Enterprise on her own, who she is forced onto a defensive, until she is eventually herself knocked out as she was lifted up in the air in a suplex motion by Richard, thrown down onto the ground and he was about to strike by the windpipe again, but he stopped, with his pointed palms just only a few centimeters away by her neck.

A shocked and exhausted Enterprise continues to lay on the ground as Richard remarked: "Not bad... You do have some skills of your own..."

Enterprise grunted as she stretches her back and said: "It is war... I trained myself and fought..."

"But not enough... You are 80 years behind..." he huffed. "You just lost to me, what's your chance beating Mr. Ritchson, huh?" Enterprise, staring at both him and Laffey, and feeling the nervous gazes of Seoung-hui Kwan and the other people around her took a deep breath and said with her fists clenched: "I need to work harder..."

"Then keep going," he said as he pulls her back up on her feet. "Look, We can come back here by Friday for Don's firearms course, and we can run laps around the island and make use of a variety of training equipment other guys use...."

Laffey also got herself up on the ground and spoke: "But you're taller than me... I'm only half a height as you are..." He replied, slightly tilting his head: "Do I give a fuck? Try saying that to the two men at the hospital who attempted to rape you and see if that worked out well..." Laffey was surprised by his reaction as her mouth shuddered in her attempt to think of something to say but gave up. Richard then continued: "They don't care about you either, be glad I was being a nice person and you get all the bruises instead of being dead," 

He then sat down by the benches for a rest and then he spoke to Seoung-hui Kwan: "Can you get us some cold orange juice... I banged them all up pretty bad haven't I?"

Seong-hui Kwan nodded: "Yeah you did," She then walked off to find a nearby vending machine for the juice cans. Enterprise and Laffey also sat down by the bench beside Richard. As he checked and tended their bruises as best as he could while they wait, Enterprise spoke: "I hadn't seen the rest of the city... as back then in my own time.. There's a line of skyscrapers from where I am when we arrived at Roosevelt, and I like to see what was inside of that place... "

Richard nodded: "You know, I had long thought about it. And I feel like this would be the time for me to make this up to you after all the rough start I had given you two...."

Enterprise spoke as she moved her palms on her rib where the gunshot wounds are: "I've been through all that punches before, I'll be fine, it was nothing..." 

Richard said nothing else, just as Seoung-hui Kwan returned with a plastic bag full of bottles of chilled orange juice. The three each grabbed their cans and they first placed the cold cans on their skin, acting as a form of an ice pack to soothe their bruises before they open their caps and started drinking.

"This tastes good and refreshing...." said Laffey as she took a lot of sips from the can of juice.

"A balance between fruity and sweet... Something I do crave...." added Enterprise as she, together with Laffey and Richard emptied out their cans and threw them in the bin nearby. Having rested their muscles and quenched their thirst, they all stood up and he said:  "I think it's time we get out of here... I had to get back to work now..." After stretching his back and legs, he turns to Enterprise and Laffey and said: "Would you like to come with me?"

Enterprise nodded rather excitedly: "I really do..."

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Roosevelt Island Station, Roosevelt Island
May 23, 2022 - 11:51 PM

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Leaving the Platinum Shield headquarters, Richard, Nate, Enterprise, and Laffey decide to take the subway, despite his concerns that about the unwanted attention he's about to get after his security draft had been leaked to the New York Times just more than a day earlier. Riding on a bus for the subway station, the four stepped off after paying the fare and travelled down the escalator towards the platform bound for Downtown, where, not long after, a subway train pulls up alongside the platform.

Scouring around and checking for any suspicious activity like any police officer he was, he and the other three boarded the train as the doors open, whilst a few other passengers embark or disembark, and they took their seat; himself and Nate sat on one side, while Enterprise and Laffey sat across from each other.

"You sure this is a good idea... To take a subway after everything that happened yesterday?" asked Nate quietly. Richard replied: "My car is still under repair, and I want to give Lulie and Bartlette a tour around the city... We'll stop by Broadway-Lafayette, it's not far from Vicerone,"

"If you say so," sighed Nate. The doors close and the train whirred away out from the platform and crossing the East River underneath before trundling under the streets of Manhattan. Both Enterprise and Laffey could see a row of white lights and red/green signal lights as the train makes several stops, watching people going on and off the train.

"This is the subway... The seats look different than the last train I rode with after I got out of hospital... And it appears to be less clean than before..." she thought to herself as she looked around, watching the people who appeared to have come from all walks on life; a man holding a briefcase making a phone call, another reading a newspaper, the other holding a can of what appeared to be coins wrapped around in rags, and lastly she looks at Richard, sitting beside Nate, as he is making a phone call to Helena.

"This is the second time we rode on a train, and I could see more people than ever..." said Laffey. Enterprise quietly replied: "The seats here are different than the one in Jamaica, they are fixed on a side, that's how I can see more people from here..." Enterprise can count there are 35 people in one car from where she sat, and it had became a life-changing experience for her; having been alone for most of the times except on missions, it was her first time sitting with a crowd of people and everything appears to be relatively peaceful.

"It has been several decades since the last world war, and, this place... I am scared I'd get jumped but here... it is relatively peaceful..."

Being underground did have some adverse effects on her at times; having never been underground for a lot longer than what she had previously and being used on patrolling on the seas, it is almost as unimaginable when she is put inside an enclosed space, let alone a tunnel, where all she can see are walls, rows of lights, and a rushing sound as other subway trains roll by in an opposite direction, she started to slowly become claustrophobic, though she does her best to calm herself down, squeezing her palms, breathing in and out, and holding Laffey's palms or on the seat railings or poles. Richard could see Enterprise rattling as he asked: "Are you okay, Lulie?"

Enterprise insisted that she is fine. Richard then said: "Just a few more stops before we can get off..." He then checks his watch and asked Nate, whispering: "What time did Mr. Clayton leave?" Nate checks his time using his own phone and replied: "I believe he, Rick, and Ashli left 9 minutes past 9:30 in the morning... I believe they may still be around..." 

Richard silently nods and said nothing else for the rest of the journey, keeping an eye out for both the subway train to spot for any suspicious activity, and for Enterprise and Laffey, who he felt equally concerned, but so far, none of them had paid much attention to the two shipgirls who claimed they could deploy riggings.

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Broadway-Lafayette, Manhattan
May 23, 2022 - 12:19 PM

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Luckily, after several minutes had passed, the four arrived at their stop, at Broadway-Lafayette, without any further issues. The four stepped out onto the platform and both Enterprise and Richard could breathe a sigh of relief as Richard looked around the platform the moment they stepped off from the train.

"Guess they moved on to other things, huh..." he thought to himself, but he still remains anxious about what's waiting for them at Vicerone, especially since he remembered about Daniel visiting the department store, something in his 9 year experience, knows that such private security companies are bound to bring unwanted attention. With the train buzzing away, Richard and his group climbed up the stairs, and out onto the city streets. For the first time, Enterprise and Laffey are in Manhattan, and are taken by the beaming sunlight and as they open their eyes, they could see how busy the street is; cars, taxicabs and trucks bustling through the congested streets, and people walking or cycling by on the curbsides. She could even see people inside the brick and glass buildings from her distance.

"Look at the streets, there's so many people than I can count back in my home..." said Laffey.

"We are in Lower Manhattan," said Richard.

"So... where do we supposed to go?" asked Enterprise. "It looked like there's so many places to go..."

"My workplace is right there to your left..." said Richard pointing to the left and she could see 6-story building that bears the name Vicerone.

"Come on, let's go..." said Richard as the whole group walks down across the street. As they cross through the pedestrian crosswalk, Enterprise observes a crowd around her as other people walk through the busy streets to get to work, others taking selfies by their phones or some chatting with others or walking pets around, a kind of urbanism on a scale she never experienced.

"I only visited this similarly named city of this once but I was only there on the port..." thought Enterprise as she walked alongside with Laffey, Nate, and Richard. "There wasn't any time to relax or spend a day off because of the war... and now... everything's bustling with nothing else going on... I feel like I really am in a different world than I ever was back then..."

She turns her attention to Laffey, who she is as equally amazed by all the urban activity going on and thought: "At least Laffey's safe, but... who knows what happened to the other comrades or my friends somewhere out there...?" 

It took only less than half a minute before they were able to reach Richard's workplace. Enterprise and Laffey looked up in awe of the building's exterior design of a 6-story building.

"I am not an engineer, but I can see bricks and marble exterior, lining up alongside its huge windows out from its side..." said Enterprise by herself. She continued looking up towards its roof until she was led into the front door located diagonally by the corners of the intersection between W Broadway and Houston St. As the group of four entered the store, Enterprise and Laffey felt a chill through the stream of air conditioning systems running at full blast, but also the stares of dozens of shoppers and employees; they were taken in surprise to see a young lady with white hair and lavender eyes. Some, but mostly employees and staff, even spoke amongst themselves, whispering:

"Do you see that! The rumors may be true..."

"Is that the white haired lady the police called her Lulie Winters?"

"That white haired lady on TV and on the internet, I feel like she may be worth adding into his own security detail..."

"I wonder what's next for this store going forward after the leak..."

"That badass would be worth deciding whether to keep this store safe, or put this store out of commission..."

Enterprise could see people whispering from the distance and she was starting to feel introvertly shy and leans close to Richard holding his arm, which startled him slightly and he could see that she was feeling the pressure. He pats her shoulder and said, whispering: "They don't know who you actually are, it's going to be okay..."

Enterprise nods as the group stepped onto the escalator. From there, he could see Sebastian Jones waiting for them, waving:

"Yo! Richard and Nate! Good to see you!" As the four stepped out from the escalator, he then asked: "So Lulie, and Bartlette... How's your stint at Platinum Shield.."

"Oh, it was lively and very comfortable..." replied Enterprise. Richard then asked: "How's your head, Jones? You feeling better?"

"Yep, light as day... I drank milk as a chaser..." nodded Sebastian as the group took a walk heading for Richard's office located on the third floor. "And boy have I been in on a craze when I got back here with Helena... I've checked social media and there's still a lot of talk about the security draft leak, even here I believe..."

"I figured..." sighed Richard. Sebastian continued: "You heard about the rumors about a white-haired lady being a potential candidate for a new security guard, as well as concerns that Vicerone may face continued backlash?" Nate replied: "We checked the news this morning, they stopped talking about it..."

"Yeah, except social media will not let that slide and are still pushing it, it's only a matter of time..." said Sebastian. "And there's clear divide between those who supported your plan, and  those calling for you to resign..." Richard asked: "Has Bryan decided that?" and Sebastian nodded:  "Nope... In fact... you arrived just in time just to call you about Platinum Shield..."

"Oh, so they're still here..." Richard's eyes widened slightly. "Mr. Clayton and the others, they're speaking with Mr. Valdez?" Sebastian replied: "They're just about to finish their negotiations, they're waiting for you and Ms. Winters..." Richard gave a small sigh of relief and said: "Come on, let us all walk together..."

As the five walked up the stairs this time heading off to Bryan's office, Richard thought to himself...

"Sebastian seems to be fired up about all these rumors circling around Ms. Winters and my security draft leak... Could he have?"

He was becoming strongly suspicious as he felt that he was the only one not at work at the time of the security draft leak as he was on hangover at Helena's house, and with Helena and Nate having been ruled out as possible culprits, it can only meant one thing... Even then, he didn't want to jump the bar just yet and decided to focus on that matter later as they reached the top of the flight of stairs and arrived at his manager's office.

With a knock on the door, Richard turns the door handle and pushes it gently open. There, on the other side, there is Daniel Clayton, the CEO of Platinum Shield, alongside computer specialist Ashli Brooks, and two of his bodyguards, sitting on the chairs across, with Bryan still by his desk.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Head of Security, we were just talking about you..." said Bryan jovially.

"I heard from my colleagues that there's going to be a competition in 2 weeks time..." said Daniel. Richard sighed as he knew who his colleague was and said, nodding: "Let me guess... Andy told you everything..."

Daniel chuckled and said: "Forgive me... he loves competition... And he loves the team-effort given he was once a squad leader in Afghanistan, and also a training instructor like you, Lieutenant..."

"Yeah... I heard." he said.

"Now," said Daniel clearing his throat. "We've just changed our price and decided that we will provide you with the top-quality armed personnel along with specialized training for your existing security personnel for a reduced price..." He then clears his throat and said: "On one condition..."

He slyly turns his head to Richard, Nate, Enterprise, Laffey, and Sebastian and spoke: "You, Lieutenant, you must train Winters and Amsley, well enough so they can beat Andy's best men he has to offer, for a 3-point team deathmatch competition that will happen inside the HQ, 2 weeks from now..."

"What happens if we lose?" asked Enterprise, and Daniel replied: "Then Mr. Valdez would either pay us triple, or the deal is off..."

Richard and Sebastian gulped as Daniel nods to Bryan, before he and Ashli stood up and they, alongside their bodyguards head for the doors, only for Daniel to stop for a brief moment and turns his gaze to Richard and he spoke, smiling: "I hope your Winter lady and that kid get trained well..." He then steps out from Bryan's office, followed by Ashli who pats on Richard's back and can only say: "Good luck..." before she and the two bodyguards disappear by the doors. A brief moment of silence purred by and Bryan can only say:

"That was quite a turn of events, was it?"

"Yeah..." Richard nodded before he, Sebastian, and Nate all went back to work, leaving Enterprise and Laffey alone with Bryan to discuss among themselves. 

Although the working atmosphere was tense given the recent events that occurred over the past few days, things were steady for Richard and his friends; Helena, who had been his deputy when he left for Roosevelt Island, were able to focus her new sales strategy, Nate was chatting about with other employees, Sebastian was ever the cheerful man who tours shoppers around, and Richard, continues to sit by his desk, making call after call, and filing and stamping report after report of building inspection results, supply chain status, and the department store supply, which he finds it normal. He also signed dozens of permits handed to him from numerous employees who requested small things such as replacing light bulbs, signages, upgrading computer systems and fire alarms, the like. Life was steady, and the store was growing busy, serving tens of thousands of shoppers who are looking to buy consumer goods for whichever price they are willing to spend by.

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May 23, 2022 - 6:17 PM

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Evening had begun to fall around New York City, and Helena, Sebastian, and Nate had reached their end of their shifts. Richard, having felt there was nothing else to do, and after making some edits on his security draft, shuts his computer down, and made a thorough inspection around his office, making sure there is nothing around that could monitor him, before, having felt satisfied, stepped out from the office and locked the doors, just as Helena, Sebastian, and Nate showed up.

"Whew, it was a bit tense, but we got it through..." said Helena. Nate nodded: "I agree, we've spent almost an eternity to convince the investors back on board..."

"My customer's are a bit terrified but they did say they support your new security draft..." said Sebastian.

"Well, tomorrow thing's are going to get a lot busy, I had to go to the courthouse and make a draft about a legal guardian status..."

"Legal guardian?" asked Helena. Richard spoke: "Both Ms. Winters, and Ms. Amsley have no family since they're both dead, and no one from this country's registry or from Canada's for them to call home.. There's a procedure for emergencies to speed up its process but it will still take time..."

"I see... you'll be their legal guardian and have them live under your roof..." said Helena. Richard checks his watch and spoke: "I know of a place where we can have dinner..."

Right at that moment, Bryan Valdez, Enterprise, and Laffey showed up beside them.

"Hey, how did it go?" asked Richard, and Enterprise spoke: "Your manager is a good man, we spoke some things about this place, about you, among other things..."

"I take it you know about the upcoming renovations and my security plan I drafted it to Mr. Valdez a few days ago..." said Richard.

"A lot of people weren't happy with what you wrote..." said Laffey and Richard sighed: "Well, shit's bound to happen..." Sebastian butts in, wanting to divert the subject by saying: "A-anyway, we were just about to have dinner, you want to join with us?"

Enterprise and Laffey nodded and agreed to join in, but as for Valdez, he said: "I'd like to, but I need to attend a teleconference with Vicerone so I'm afraid I can't go with you..." Richard understood and the group bids each other well and goodbyes before they went on their way to a one restaurant that Richard want to take them there.

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May 23, 2022 - 6:17 PM

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After a 10 minute walk from Vicerone, they arrive at one of the Italian restaurants a few blocks across. Richard had said to both Enterprise and Laffey that he frequented this place whenever if he and his friends and colleagues are to have dinner in the city rather at his own home. For Enterprise herself, however, looking at a white tiled walls and a sloped canopy roof above the windows and the seats, she feels like there's something familiar about them; she stood still for a while staring at the sign, the food and the customers until Richard took notice of her and said:

"Hey, are you okay?" Enterprise shook her head and said: "Yeah, I'm okay..." The group enters the restaurant and secured themselves a seat, grabbing a few extra chairs enough for 6 people to sit on. The waiter shows up beside the table and asked: "May I take your order?" Richard responded with: "Yes, I want heritage pork chop and scallops with local buratta, zucchini fries, and brussels sprouts."

Both Helena, and Sebastian wanted spaghetti, and for Nate, an LPB burger with farro. When it was Enterprise and Laffey's turn they each wanted spaghetti with meatballs, and a lemon lime drink, which the waiter had them all written by their notepad and, after several minutes of waiting, they finally received their orders and they started digging their own dinner, something which Enterprise gets a vivid memory as she eats the spaghetti & meatballs she ordered...

"That dish... It's what Littorio made for me and the Commander during our last visit..." She recalls herself sitting beside the old commander, chatting with one another about Azur Lane, as well as economic trade and security, a tone which Enterprise had taken as rather grim as she watches the old commander discussing with Vittorito Venetto and Marco Polo. She could barely get a few bites of their meal as she watched as their meeting quickly became sour before he and Enterprise was forced to leave, having no time to finish their meal... It was only then she realized this is when diplomatic relations between Eagle Union and Sardegna Empire had been severed, and she learned of it firsthand through a diplomatic channel, something she felt enraged and bitter.

She clenched her fists at both the fork and a steak knife before she was interrupted by Laffey who repeatedly asked: "Are you okay? You're not feeling well, Enterprise?" This causes Enterprise to regain her senses, looking at her hands gripping on both her fork and a knife, before she takes a large sip of the lemon lime and took a deep breath after having felt a strong sour tangy kick from the juice she drank. She only took a considerable amount of time before she carries on eating her meal. In her mind she thought: "The spaghetti and meatballs, they look the same as my last meal with the Sargdegnians... And this one... it tastes more richer than before.... It looks delicious and yet... it felt so nostalgic... and vile..."

Richard could see Enterprise's distressed look as she eats and asked if there's something bothering her and she spoke: "It's just I've seen this dish from something similar... That's all..." From this moment, he spoke nothing else as he continued eating his steak with solid milk cheese, and taking sips with his own drink to flush it down while enhancing its sweet, salty acidic taste.

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May 23, 2022 - 6:41 PM

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Having finished their meals, Nate and Helena waited outside, while Laffey, and Enterprise still remain by their tables, and for Richard and Sebastian, where they wash their hands, which is something they knew they always need to do this every time they eat food or touch anything dangerous. As the two washed hands, Richard was the first to grab a piece of paper towel and wipes his hands.

"The meals here, they are absolutely good," said Sebastian. "But i do like to eat other cuisines if I have the time, maybe I'll just be a culinary critic..."

Richard sternly spoke to Sebastian:

"I know it's you..."

"What?" Sebastian was confused. "What are you talking about?"

"I know you're the one who released the security draft to the New York Times..." said Richard. Sebastian scoffed and said: "How did you know that?"

Richard sighed and said: "I did some investigating myself the moment I returned to work this afternoon... CCTV shows Brianna entering into my office, under your orders. I checked your messages on Discord and Messenger... You, Brianna and 18 other users I've yet to identify..." He scoffed and shook his head, continued.. "I just can't believe you're putting the safety, reputation and credibility of our department store at risk!"

Sebastian felt he couldn't hide it himself any longer. He took a deep breath, rubbed by his nose and eyes, and sighed, as he said: "Look, the city's on knife-edge. The shootings 5 days ago, including an armed robbery at Chipotle, have caused widespread panic. I want to send a clear message to anyone, not just to small businesses who will learn from your plan, but to the potential criminals as well, that if they dare to rob Vicerone, they'll know what is coming, and that's going to keep the city safe!"

"Yes but.." Richard paused as he placed his palm by his eyes, and then he continued: "This is against policy, what you did isn't just duplicitous, or cynical... It was directly insubordinate...!"

Sebastian sighed and nodding his head in his brushing frustration and said: "Look Mr. Ambrose... You've probably noticed by now, there are people out there, who saw you on the news, and now hearing on social media that you've been promoted to Head of Security... they would love to see you fall..." 

Richard rolled his eyes back and forth, away from Sebastian as he attempted to process everything he had said to him, but their tense moment was suddenly interrupted by Helena's screams. 

"CALL 911, THERE'S A THIEF!"

Richard jerks himself out from the bathroom, opening the door and quickly peering out into the dining area to see a figure running off through the window, Helena searching for Richard, and now he could see Enterprise standing up from the table and is heading out towards the door to chase after the figure. 

He turns to Sebastian and said sternly: "You and I... this... we're not done...", before he too rushes outside to see what was going on, leaving Sebastian behind with Laffey, and Helena. Bursting out from the main entrance of the Italian restaurant, he and Enterprise race down through the block, being able to quickly catch up with Nate.

"That person, that bitch, they took my wallet!" he said. "Okay, we'll help you catch them..." said Richard as he and Enterprise darted after the speeding figure. Wearing only a dark red coat, the thief was incredibly fast, and Nate was slowly getting exhausted, while Enterprise and Richard was slowly and steadily catching up to them, but then he realizes that he had ran through a few blocks after crossing through scaffoldings and intersections, and he realized where that thief is going; they are heading to Bowery. 

He had to act fast to stop the thief from escaping... As he keeps track of the thief, while narrowly avoiding other people and obstructions, he could see a toolbox with a wrench sticking out from a nearby building... He quickly snatches it from the tool box and, using his superior training, he aims his free hand and hurls the wrench, straight at the rear lower calf, causing the thief to stumble over and fall face first onto the ground. Richard and Nate caught up to the thief first; Nate restrains their arms, preventing her from escaping, while Richard said: "You aint getting away that easy, you son of a---"

...

As he unfurls the hood, he was astounded by what he saw... A young girl, with blue eyes,  lavender purple curled hair tied like a ponytail, and her angelic face who she appeared to be wincing from the pain he had inflicted by throwing a wrench right by her calf, groaning and whimpering as she lay on the ground, restrained... He didn't know who she is, but he slowly lets go of her hood as Enterprise was able to catch up to the two and she saw a familiar girl who she recognizes who she is...

"J-Javelin?" she spoke.

"Enter...prise..." the girl spoke in her soft British accent, grunting as she is still being restrained by Nate. Realizing that the girl he had caught knows Enterprise, Nate slowly lets her go and Richard, having felt guilty for throwing the wrench at her calf, helps Javelin stand up, allowing her and Enterprise to give each other hugs, tearfully overjoyed to see one another after being separated, as Nate and Richard looked on over the two.

...

..

Chapter Text

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Azur Lane Port - Eagle Union
May 19, 1942 - 3:08 PM / 1508

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At the dock side of the Azur Lane port, final preparations are underway as workers and staffers as well as Manjuus work around the clock to load all supplies and munitions and reinforcing their riggings for what was going to be Berenson's plan to stall the potential Siren advance long enough for more reinforcements to arrive. There is a lot at stake and risks are high, and Berenson and Zuikaku, who are overseeing the operation alongside William Booker, Saratoga, and Georgia, and those who will be participating on this operation, all knew.

As Berenson drove Zuikaku to the port using his 1929 Ford Model A, she asked Berenson:

"You really think our allies would reach us?"

Berenson, staring out at the road in a distance towards the docks to watch, can only said: "We'll see..."

Joining the operation besides Zuikaku and her Sakura Empire survivors who are now incorporated into the Azur Lane's chain of command, are Essex, Intrepid, Casablanca, Maryland, Colorado, Bremerton, Memphis, Boise, and Morrison from the Eagle Union, and Cheshire, Ark Royal, Swiftsure, King George V, Duke of York, Neptune, and Eagle from the Royal Navy.

Some of the powerful ships still remain by the port to act as a final line of defense in addition to them overseeing the construction of numerous sea mines and decommissioned plasma turrets salvaged from Crimson Axis territory, save for those such as Hood, Queen Elizabeth and Prince of Wales who are still in the infirmary.

As his car pulled over, and Berenson and Zuikaku stepped out, they meet up with Intrepid, who was one of a few overseeing the crew loading all their munitions and supplies.

"Commander Berenson," said Intrepid before she turned to Zuikaku and said; "I-i never expected you and your friends to show up... Are-are you sure you're going to be fine with this, I'm a bit concerned,"

"If its about Akagi or Kaga... or about the Sakura Empire, leave it to me, Souryuu and my friends..." replied Zuikaku. "From here on today, we'll stand by your side ready to help whatever you need..."

"You've been through hell and back, and you learned from me when I once was your enemy..." said Berenson. "I'm sure you and your friends can do it..."

"I still feel guilty to have fallen under Siren influence, but I still believed it was because we were following orders..." said Zuikaku. "But seeing were all here, I felt some uneasiness, but also a sense of pride and relief... To be fighting alongside you... I was hoping we could have set aside our rivalry..."

"It's okay... We are still your allies through and through..." said Memphis, who showed up. Berenson turned around to see her and said: "Memphis, all ready to go?"

She smiled and said: "We secured all our cargo and re-polished and fine-tuned our riggings and our boilers... We are all set..."

As Memphis boarded their vessels, Vestal and Akashi arrived showed up, as they were just about to leave the pier.

"Zuikaku!!" cried Akashi as she rushed forward and asked: "I'm glad you're here and you and your friends are alright, after I had ran away, and I still don't know what the hell is Akagi and Kaga are up to..."

"Akashi... Thank goodness you are safe too..." Zuikaku said while she felt happy & relieved to see her as she gave her a hug. Just then, other Sakura Empire survivors showed up, who are also ready to board: "It's been quite a while... Akashi. Last time I've heard, Akagi said she was angry about you running away..." replied Souryuu.

"Yeah!" she said loudly turning her attention to Souryuu. "She and the Sirens have tried to kill me so I would be silenced after I saw what they were doing, they said curiosity killed the cat...!" she trembled in fear and began to cry. Berenson pats her head and said:

"It's going to be okay... I trusted them fully that they could bring Sakura Empire back to our fold, and we're going to deal with Akagi and Kaga, but right now, our main priority is holding the Siren advance back until help arrives.

Akashi lets go of Zuikaku and said, sniffling: "You're right... Please, be careful... nya..."

"Don't worry about me..." Zuikaku replied before he boards the ship. As the vessels began to depart, Berenson takes Vestal and Akashi back to base. As they drove further away, heading towards their port town, Akashi asked:

"You believe Zuikaku and the others can make it, nya?"

Berenson sighed: "Personally, I have doubts..."

"What kind of doubts you're experiencing?" asked Vestal. Berenson spoke: "If things go wrong... If Sakura Empire turns against Zuikaku and her friends if they choose to convince them.... I might be leading them to their deaths..."

Akashi exclaimed: "What do you mean by that, nya!?"

Berenson explained: "I was told that Nagato and Mikasa, they did nothing to stop the rise of Akagi and Kaga... These two were responsible for overseeing the secret project Orochi..."

"That's around the time when Akashi fled..." said Vestal.

"It was less than 4 months ago..." he said. "Last time I heard, that project has been officially cancelled. Spies from the Royal Navy claimed that there weren't any of Orochi's existence..."

"But can you believe for certain did they scrap it?" asked Vestal.

"Can't be too sure..." sighed Richard. "All I'm worried about now is this operation..."

"What's going to happen? What operation?" asked Akashi but Berenson insists on keeping this a secret and said nothing, other than himself having to say to these two:

"We'll just have to have faith in Zuikaku and the rest of our team... I'll explain the details at a later time..."

The silence went on all the way until Dave dropped both Vestal and Akashi off at town before heading back to the Azur Lane headquarters on top of the small hill.

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Azur Lane Command Center
May 19, 1942 - 3:21 PM / 1521

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Waiting inside the command center, Georgia, Hornet, Saratoga, are all there, on contact with William Booker as Berenson walked through the long concrete hall and through the door as he arrived. There, they managed to make an uplink for their shared communication with the large fleet heading for the abandoned Pacific region FOB.

"Zuikaku? Can you hear me?" he said to the monitor and Zuikaku, who is on call, replied: "Loud and clear, Commander Berenson,"

And many other shipgirls follow by...

"This is Intrepid, we can also hear you, Commander..." she said.

"Crystal..." added Soryuu.

"Go for Memphis, Commander..." said Memphis.

"Now... we'll go over this one more time..." he said clearing his throat. "Zuikaku, as soon as you reach the abandoned base there marked on your map, you and your friends are to travel back to Sakura Empire and call for reinforcements there... while the rest must hole up there and keep watch of their movements and hold them off for as long as possible when they decide to advance further down south,"

"If there's any spot of trouble, give us the codeword..." added Georgia. "We've sent out a full alert to the Pacific regions in the Eagle Union mainland and sent word for the President, and the convoy of cargo ships will follow you for the rest of your journey. These are loaded with munitions, supplies, and defenses so these are critical..."

"Yes, ma'am..." they all said in unison.

As the strike fleet makes their way for the Pacific Forward Base, Berenson sat down on the chair monitoring their position and any enemy activity lurking around.

"Hey... Mr. Berenson..." said Zuikaku on the video feed. "I know you don't want this because you care about people, especially about us, but... I want you to know I had to do this..."

"I know..." he nodded, sniffling. "It's just... before I became Commander... all I dreamed of was becoming a naval aviator, until I learned about your fates and your suffering.... And i often defy orders whenever if I were on missions trying to assist you..."

"So I've heard..." said Georgia.

"Come to think of it..." said Soryuu. "During when we are your enemy, I've got word of one rogue fighter jet dropping bombs on one of our fuel storage depots when we were launching a stealth operation against... the Royal Navy... 3 and a half years ago..."

"From our intelligence circles, we know you are one quite reckless fighter always rushing in forward through anti-air gun fire during dogfights, and one time you nearly got captured..." said Ise.

"Quite a handful," remarked Atago. "A bold, reckless person I might say..."

"And dangerous too, if I may add..." added Intrepid. "We heard rumors you were constantly getting threats of demotion or even jail time by the high command..."

"It is true because I was there with him..." said Booker. "Hell, your recklessness gave you the Speedy Demon nickname over your codename Springfield..."

"Haha, It's not big of a deal," said Berenson laughing. "All I did whatever I could was to save my crew and my wingmen... Especially you... Despite we were once fighting over who is the best pilot..."

"And so I felt that it is right that you let them do their own..." said Booker. "They are compassionate and are strong fighters, just like you... And they entrusted you that you can lead them, right?"

"Yeah," said Essex. "You and Enterprise are my role models but she trained me on how to be the best aircraft carrier.... so I cannot give up on her..."

"You may really be a nutcase but I did find you quite charming and tactful as a Commander, unlike that predecessor of yours," said Atago.

"Yeah..." he sighed. "That insolent prick..." He appears to know who his predecessor was, and so were everyone in their call.

"I was surprised and ecstatic when I got word that our previous commander, Bruno Wilkinson, was court-martialed and sentenced to 30 years prison," said Intrepid.

"That bastard was known for being such a crony..." grunted Ise. "He split the Azur Lane alliance in two because of his irresponsible actions and harsh policies and the way he treated us..."

"And he's also known for being a creep..." added Memphis. "Even the little destroyers fear him more than Ark Royal whenever if he is here walking around making random inspections and always making advances on any of us..."

"I've read parts of the dossier on my first days as an Azur Lane Commander..." said Berenson. "And quite understandably... I could see this as one of the major contributory factors of what caused the alliance to break apart..."

"Akagi and Kaga were angry about what is happening, and so does Iron Blood and all the other Azur Lane members except the other members that are still standing," said Soryuu. "There's also major differences between major powers in this hegemony, regarding the Sirens, their equipment and how it can be stored or used, as well as economy, trade, security and territory... all the like..."

"And he's always the mediator whenever major debates flare up, which he is terrible at..." said Shigure. "Oftentimes, it ended up nowhere and he kept blaming us when things does not get in his way..."

"Up until you were in charge, we blame Azur Lane and the government of Eagle Union for letting that man in power..." said Zuikaku. "But even when we broke off... we still go through hell day in and day out since..."

"...Akagi and Kaga rose to power..." mumbled Berenson before Zuikaku can finish and Ise nodded: "That's right... They seem to seek more power and wanted our nation to dominate the entire Pacific... Naturally, they'd rely on Siren technology to do their bidding..."

"And here comes our intelligence reports that Sakura Empire was suspected to be allying with the Sirens..." said Booker.

"Akagi lied to me..." said Zuikaku. "I never expected she could bring in Sirens to try and eliminate your comrades... But orders are orders..."

"Our common enemy is the Sirens, and yet Akagi seems to be leaning close to them often for support..." saind Soryuu. "Perhaps our suspicions are unraveling to be true..."

"What was the status of Project Orochi?" asked Berenson and Zuikaku replied: "Last time I heard, less than a week before we set out for Mdiway, her personal guard, Kawakaze, told me cryptically that Nagato's having doubts about that project given the recent failures on our end..."

"You mean she's opposing it?" asked Booker.

"Most likely, but like I said she is probably having doubts..." said Zuikaku. "Who knows if we'd come and see her again if I were to come back and say we are back..."

"Our hopes on convincing Sakura Empire for help rests on Nagato... and Mikasa... After all they are the chief and brains of the military and its sovereignty..." thought Berenson. "If it were to become a success, we may be able to change our tide against the Sirens and hopefully save our world's oceans..."

"Have you forgotten something?" said Booker. "Akagi and Kaga and some of the Sakura Empire shipgirls they are still missing... What if they show up out of nowhere for a surprise attack?"

"That may be one of the last things you'd have to worry about..." said Georgia. "If that's the case, then they could either launch a surprise counterattack on our territory or ambush Zuikaku when the right moment comes..."

"Saratoga... Have you still found the other Sakura Empire survivors? Especially Akagi and Kaga?" asked Booker. Saratoga replied: "We were searching by the Aleutian Islands, but we had to call off our search there because of the Sirens..." she replied. 

Hornet added: "There's no trace of anyone fighting at Midway... Enterprise, Belfast, Laffey, lots of them.... nothing either..."

"My sister's not found yet?" asked Zuikaku and Berenson mumbling: "Here's hoping she's not being taken in by Akagi's deadly antics or she's still alive and lost somewhere..." His response nearly struck Zuikaku's nerve who said: "Shokaku's my sister! She'll never... She'll never do that..."

"I know... I'm sorry..." said Berenson, nodding and trying to calm her down. "I was just being sincere but I shouldn't have had to say that..."

Clearing his throat and trying to keep this on topic about the mission, he asked Memphis: "What's your ETA on the Abandoned Pacific FOB?"

"At the current rate, it'll be about 11 and a half hours..." replied Memphis. "That leaves us only an hour to set up some turret defenses and a few spotlights, we'll try to fortify that base and restore critical systems there tomorrow..."

"Thank you..." said Berenson. "I'll be sending in an additional cargo convoys..." He then spoke to Booker and said: "I want your assistance to keep that base on overwatch while they rebuild that FOB..."

"Got it..." said Booker. "We'll send Mark IV mass-produced ships and calling in the Air Force for additional support,"

"Thank you..." said Berenson happily before he spoke: "That'll be all... Let us know of your updates..."

"Will do Commander," both Zuikaku and Memphis spoke before Berenson ceases transmission. As Saratoga and much of the technical staff continue to monitor the fleets, Berenson walks out from the Commander, stretching his back as he said: "I need some time out... Call me if something urgent is needed..."

"Yes, Commander Berenson" Georgia said with a single nod as he steps out from the command center, with Hornet also following him. She quickly catches up with him and as the two got onto the elevator, she spoke:

"Do you think Enterprise will be okay out there?"

Berenson turns his head at Hornet and replied: "She is the Grey Ghost... She's strong, she'll survive..."

"And Shokaku... And other Sakura Empire shipgirls who fought against us... They've also suffered greatly for something they hadn't foreseen..." said Hornet. "Are they going to be okay?"

"The Bering Sea search zone's a no-go..." sighed Berenson with a nod on his head. "While I do want to hope they are still alive, I find it doubtful if any of the Midway survivors were to end up there..."

"But–"

Before Hornet can speak up, he finishes by saying: "All we can do is continue searching and stay vigilant... Civilians on the western coast of the Eagle Union, they are also worried sick about the fates of their sons and daughters stationed there... And you aren't the only one who's worried..."

"Berenson..." Hornet whispered as the elevator doors open and, while Richard walks out from the elevator, said to her:

"They are out there somewhere, and they will be found... But right now, you are on patrolling duty... Keep the base in check, and look out for each other, that's what matters..."

"Yes, Commander Berenson..." nodded Hornet rubbing her nose once sniffling as Richard steps out from the headquarters and walks out down the field. It took him several minutes before he was able to climb up towards the edge of the plateau, leaning himself by a small tree where he sat there for a rest, looking out at the ocean, and down at the Azur Lane port town from above... He could hear the eerie silence with birds chirping while feeling the slight breeze, but after what happened over the past few days, left him both anxious and grim about the fates of those who were missing and the prospect of Zuikaku and her friends getting hurt because of him.

As he lays there by the tree to relax himself, he hears a voice behind him.

"Commander Berenson..."

He slowly stood up and turns around, looking behind the tree to see Yorktown standing there, smiling.

"Y-Yorktown... What are you doing here?" he asked, feeling slightly blushed.

"Oh... This is my usual spot for a sit down whenever if I need some air... I was just surprised to see you here..." she replied. "I can see that," said Berenson as she walks up to Berenson and also lays her back by the tree where he had recently sat down.

"How's treatment doing?" he asked and Yorktown replied: "Much better... I've been given some pills, and a nice warm meal... How is the operation at Midway doing?"

Berenson explained the situation at Midway and the strategic counterattacking plan that he is now overseeing.

"So you were grappled with a dilemma. You want to hold off the Siren advance from the North but you knew that you still lacked in numbers.." said Yorktown and Berenson nodded: "Yes... I needed to stop their advance while I wait for other Azur Lane member states to come to the Pacific... But..."

He pauses for a short moment and then explained: "The problem is the Artic Circle... Northern Parliament and Iron Blood had been fighting there and they are now bogged down by the rapidly expanding Siren attacks to take control of the circle... And as for Zuikaku... I... sent her and her friends there hoping to convince Sakura Empire to help us... If things go wrong, if Nagato refuses and Akagi resurfaces... I think I may as well be leading them to their deaths..."

Yorktown rubs her hands on his head and said:

"Don't be..." Berenson looks at Yorktown's face and said: "When you first became Commander after Mr. Wilkinson was removed from office, you made aggressive reforms of our power structure and improved our social welfare and living conditions of this base... And remember what you said to me whenever if I got sick?"

"Never believe in failure... Only focus your way forward and keep fighting..." he said softly and Yorktown nodded: "These are your words and its what kept me going... And I also conceived it as a hope to bring Azur Lane back together and defeat the Sirens once and for all... We all have a shared dream..."

"Peace and reunification..." said Berenson.

"Back then, we once see you as a brash, uncaring bastard..." said Yorktown. "But its been a year now, and you've shown to take great care of our living being..."

"I still remember my naval aviator days..." said Berenson. "At first whenever I do something as a Commander, all I want was to have this shit done as quick as possible, and I do want peace... But frankly I think I am being an idealist..."

"Hehe... My younger sister... She sees herself as a materialist at times, whenever she sits alone on patrols, and when she kept fighting against any adversary... But you... You led her opening up to the rest of our comrades... And Belfast and yourself, they did so well in making her gentle with others..."

Berenson smiled: "She is a great fighter with the bright future ahead of her... Myself and Belfast believed that she doesn't always have to be the sword... And you and Hornet thought of that..."

"Yes... we really are..." said Yorktown happily.

As they continue sitting by the cliffside watching the waves, Berenson felt better about his faith in those who fought for him and the people he swore to protect, and to see Yorktown recovering and standing on two feet. After several minutes has passed, both he and Yorktown stood up and they happily head back down the cliff and hopped onto his car.

"Let's check up on the others at the infirmary... After that, if you like, we could explore this town and get ourselves some food..." said Berenson as he steps his foot on the gas heading towards the port town, and Yorktown simply replied: "I'd love to have a tour around.."

...

..

Chapter Text

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SoHo, Manhattan
May 23, 2022 - 6:58 PM

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Enterprise, after having spent less than 5 days alone in one of the world's largest cities in a different world, was able to reunite Javelin, as well as Laffey, after Richard had managed to immobilize her as she had attempted to steal Nate's wallet. Javelin's left leg had been mangled after Richard hurled the wrench at her, and now, Richard had been doing his best to treat Javelin's injuries by the nearby bus stop.

"Are you okay?" asked Enterprise. Javelin replied: "Yes, I'm okay... Just having a little pain thats all..."

As Richard tries to relieve her pain, a patrol officer shows up near them; they heard the commotion as they had chased after Javelin through a few city blocks.

"Is everything alright here sir?" he asked. Richard replied: "Everything's alright, sir... It's just an attempted theft, we got it handled..."

"Shall we bring her in? It looks like she's injured," the officer asked but Richard, unwilling to let Javelin being separated from Enterprise after seeing how much they missed each other, politely declines by saying: "Like i said, we got handled, she's okay... There's no need..."

The officer nods and spoke: "Right, carry  on.. I apologize for all the trouble..." and walks away from the group. Richard  breathes in a sigh of relief.

"I don't understand..." said Javelin. "You threw a wrench at me..."

Richard replied exasperatedly: "I'm sorry, but you were trying to steal my friend's wallet... As a police lieutenant, I cannot let that go unpunished..."

"That doesn't mean you have to be so brutal..." said Javelin. Richard replied: "I take no chances... You committed grand larceny, and that is a felony in the New York State..."

"I hadn't read the law enough," said Javelin. "But I do know it was wrong, I was so scared and I don't know anybody around here..."

"You haven't seen or heard what happened lately?" asked Enterprise and Javelin asked: "What happened?" Before they could explain about what happened, Nate spoke up to the three and said: "Transport's on the way... Rick's going to take us home, it's faster and secretive than dragging an injured little girl on the subway..."

"You're right... I have a simple first aid in my house... and we can't attract any unnecessary attention since I've now hurled a wrench..." Richard nervously replied scratching his side of the hair.

After several minutes of waiting, Rick and his small team arrived with the convoy, and took Richard, Enterprise and all of their friends back to Richard's home in Park Slope. As the small convoy drove over the Brooklyn Bridge above the East River, Javelin, after checking her leg, asked Richard:

"So... the grand larceny... How serious?"

Richard replied: "15 thousand dollar fine, or 15 years in prison..." His response shocked the three shipgirls.

"You can't be serious? Being in prison this long for pickpocketing?" said Javelin, but Laffey spoke: "He is a police officer... He could have you arrested had if he didn't speak up..."

"Was..." he sighed. "Was a police officer... I did study law when I was in senior high... And don't worry, if you do get arrested, you have the right to ask for an attorney..."

"But why you still hit me with that wrench?" asked Javelin and Nate explained rubbing his chin with his fingers: "If he let you run across the highway, the police, who would have responded to the 911 call for attempting to rob me, will find you no matter where you go, and you'd be separated from your friends for far longer than you can handle..."

"Nice deduction you have there..." Richard chuckled. He turns to Javelin and spoke: "Also you can walk can you?"

"Yes, I can walk..." nodded Javelin and Richard insistently replied: "Now it's not that much... I may be former cop but I can treat you okay...?"

"Okay..." sighed Javelin. She turns to Nate and said: "You're not going to do something to me after what I did to you..."

"I'll let you go just this once okay?" he said. "Only because Richard's my friend... And he cares about Lulie and Bartlette... which... these aren't your real names aren't they?"

Richard said: "Enterprise, Laffey or Javelin... These are their code names because... Lulie once told me they were playing war games as a child..."

"And this Javelin, she is your friend right?" Nate asked Enterprise and she nodded: "We all are... We were just... separated after we were transferred to different shelters..."

"If you say so..." Nate exhaled and turns his head back facing the road as the convoy drove all the way through busy streets until they reach Richard's home.

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Park Slope, Brooklyn
May 23, 2022 - 7:18 PM

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The group reaches home and as Rick was about to leave, Richard said:

"Let Mr. Ritchson know we're having an extra contestant..."

"Alright, I got you..." said Rick before he drove the convoy off away from his home. After the Platinum Shield convoy left, Javelin, confused upon over hearing this, asked Richard: "What the hell is going on?"

Before Richard could explain, a voice calls out to him:

"Richard?"

He looks at the direction of the voice and sees a woman wearing a red scarf above her black dress suit and matching skirt. He recognizes who she is; she is his neighbor.

"Elise?" he said. "How's your trip in Europe?". The woman replied jovially: "Geneva's pretty good, and my kids enjoyed it..."

The three shipgirls looked at the woman with curiosity and asked:

"You know Richard?"

The woman nodded as she approaches towards the group: "That's right... I'm his next door neighbor."

She extended her hand to them and introduced herself: "My name's Elise Braun.. Nice to meet you..."

"Hi... I'm Lulie Winters... I'm his assistant, and these are my friends..." Enterprise spoke as she shook hands. "Bartlette and..."

As Enterprise stopped short as she had no idea who Javelin's ailias was, Javelin spoke up:

"Jenna! Jenna Summers." she said as she also shook hands with Elise. She giggled and said: "You two have such wonderful friends. Where do you three live?"

"Oh, they're from the North, but these three they're living in my home for a while..."

"Yeah I do heard the news... You two were involved in a major crime spree that nearly got yourselves killed... I was glad they're alright thanks to you.."

Javelin gasped: "What happened to you two? Did something bad happen?"

As Richard's friends hunker down inside his rowhome, he reluctantly explained their situation to Javelin and, naturally, Javelin was horrified.

"I can't believe you two were hurt very badly..." she said. "I had been running around living in scraps for the past five days I didn't know, although I do heard rumors..."

"Oh, I guess these were true..." she sighed. "I fear for the safety of Belfast or many others..."

"Belfast huh... Again..." he had heard it thrice already and thought. "Does Javelin also know of Belfast too? I mean... I do know both Belfast and Javelin, these two ships in my world originate from the UK, so it might be the case here.."

After some short conversations between Elise and Richard, and to check about his well-being, Elise goes back inside her home to make dinner for her two children she had just brought them back home from Switzerland, and Richard, Enterprise, Laffey, and Javelin follow suit. Once inside, Richard, alongside Nate, then went on to explain the situation with Platinum Shield to Javelin.

"So basically, if you two were to defeat that bloke's team, you will gain a stake in the private security company so you can use their security assets for your own department store...?" said Javelin.

Richard nodded: "Yes. They are crucial for our safety for both the building and its inhabitants, and to provide assistance in our upcoming renovations that's set to commence this month or so,"

Nate added: "According to my buddies Rick and Don, both Richard and Andy are essentially, team captains, and they are responsible for training and coordination for the pawns, which is both Lulie and Bartlette at the moment..."

Javelin said: "And the pawns here, if they win that match, then Richard wins?"

Nate nods: "Something like that..."

Javelin walks up to Richard, and much to the surprise of Nate, Helena, and Sebastian, she asked: "Let me join in with them... They're my friends and I want to help them..."

"I can train you since I was an instructor, but we have 2 weeks... And we'd become a 3v3 if you come..."

"I'll do whatever it takes..." said Javelin determinedly. "I may be speedy but if you can train me... I could use it to my advantage...."

Richard took some time to think before he finally agrees.

"Alright, you are going to Roosevelt Island with us tomorrow... So I need you to get a good night's sleep.. For now, you and your friends can lay low here for as long as you like, and tour around the neighborhood if you want, just don't get lost..." he said.

Laffey, Javelin, and Enterprise nodded: "Yes sir..."

As the three shipgirls sat down by their couch to watch TV, Richard, Helena, and Nate scrounge around the kitchen to see what they can cook for dinner.

"Well you only have enough to make a potato creamy soup but we don't have enough to feed the seven of us..." said Helena as she pulls out only two russet potatoes.

"And you don't have milk..." added Nate as he checks the fridge. "When was the last time you bought it?"

"3 weeks before I got promoted..." Richard replied "But I think I drank it all before I went to sleep..."

"Grocery shopping, then." said Sebastian and Richard nodded excitedly: "Righty oh, you come with me... We'll go for a walk..."

Before he and Sebastian were about to reach for the front door, Enterprise called him over and said: "I like to know what password is for your laptop..."

Richard then grabs a small piece of paper and pen nearby and wrote his password, which it was discreetly given to Enterprise, before he then said: "We'll be back soon, just getting some milk and potatoes..."

"And to never come back?" said Nate. Richard chuckled, attempting to hold off his laughter as he said: "Shut up..." 

He then opens the door and both Richard and Sebastian walked out of the door and walked down the street out of sight. At the same time, with the password she had been given, she returns to Richard's room no sooner before he left, to access his laptop.

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May 23, 2022 - 7:36 PM

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As Richard and Sebastian are now far enough from his house, Richard, clearing his throat, spoke to Sebastian: "We're still not done... Haven't we?"

Sebastian, who immediately realized what Richard really intended to drag their conversation out in secret, said to him:

"Look... I... About what I've done, I do admit what I did was a bold move... Think of it like... a pre-emptive strike..."

"You god damn right it is..." Richard grunted. Sebastian continued: "Please... I want you to know I am doing this for you... I wanted to help you. When you've been promoted, I  wanted you to thrive, I wanted the whole public to know you are the individual not to be reckoned with...

"I know..." said Richard as he hugs Sebastian and the two stood still for a moment as Richard rubs both Sebastian's back and head. As he lets go, Sebastian worriedly said: "What are you going to do now? What's going to happen to me and Brianna...?"

Richard stood still and though for a moment. He knew he had a tough decision to make.

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May 23, 2022 - 7:51 PM

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Back inside Richard's home, while Nate and Helena began chatting with Javelin and Laffey as they watch movies on television, Enterprise, sitting alone in Richard's room, takes on an opportunity to dig deeper. Her first thoughts came to her mind was Richard's police service in 9/11, given how she heard of it several times, as well as Platinum Shield.

She then types on the search box in the internet browser "Platinum Shield" and she finds news articles of the private security company's net worth now reaching a quarter billion, their equally damning to inspiring news reports about their achievements, and images of the organization's members, one of whom she could see the face of Daniel Clayton whom she had last saw him back at Vicerone. She also learned more about the organization in more detail.

"So this is true... That company was from Savannah, Georgia..."

As she searched that city and calculated the distance from New York City to Savannah, she was surprised as she read:

"809 miles!" 

"Quite far away from home huh..." she remarked. "Although not as much when I once travelled on the seas, but on foot? That's not possible for me..." Having satisfied, she then starts to dig in deep about Richard Ambrose's service with the NYPD, and what she found leaves her both intrigued and deeply shocking.

Not only did some of the videos and online news articles detail his outstanding career, which illustrates the same key points she had discovered from newsletters and magazine prints found on this very table, but the top results shows the Wikipedia article, linking his name, along with its description that held the date...

"November 28, 2005"

She loads the article and reads his biography. In this article, she could see his face which was dated in 2005. He could see his same young appearance similar to the newsletter and photographs she found on his table, and appeared to be different from what she saw Ambrose today, as well his full name, and the fact that he was born in Wilmington, North Carolina in 1973, and had been moved to New York City in 1991, and attended college there for 3 years before enrolling in the NYPD Police Academy as a cadet, which from that point, he worked with the NYPD from 1996 until 2005.

Scrolling down, she came across that same date on the sub-header section underneath the headline: "Police career" and began reading the following:

"On November 28, 2005, Ambrose, who has been promoted to Lieutenant 2 months prior, was involved in the death of his partner, Matthew Henderson, after he and Henderson were responding to a 911 call of a suspected shoplifting at the neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant."

She was shocked beyond relief and thought:

"Dear god... He killed his partner?" 

Her mind started flashing between the moment when Richard looked on over by the eye as she laid injured, and then back when she was in the hospital staring at Richard when she was in the hospital for the first time, and then even further back when she and Ambrose met for the first time at the bakery when she was attempting to press the Coast Guard personnel for questions.

Wanting to make sure if its true, she finds citations which led to an online news article from the local news station and then to other major news networks across the country, showing the same exact narrative that is Ambrose was involved in a voluntary manslaughter of his partner, when the two was said to have attempted to arrest the two suspects for shoplifting. 

It took her several minutes watching newsreel videos and recalling what Kiefer had said about Richard being a Cop-Killer, and from Clayton who mentioned about him seeing Ambrose being escorted to the courthouse, for her to finally realize that Richard Ambrose is in fact, not the person she thought he was.

"He said to me he resigned... But... the news, and the public said he is not.. He's a goddamn liar..." she said quietly to herself. She looks at the screen just as she heard the knock on the door. Fearing that it might be Richard, Enterprise quickly folds the laptop lid down as the door crept open, to find out it was Helena Mizuno, who is carrying a bottle of orange soda that had just been picked up from the fridge.

"Hey... Ms. Winters... I know you're thirsty so here's the sweet pop drink..." She puts down the bottle on the table beside the laptop and saw Enterprise's flushed out expression, almost as if she is both panicking and horrified.

"Are you okay? You don't look so good..."

Enterprise shook her head as she scratches her hair and replied: "Nothing I'm fine... I was just tired..."

"Yeah... You sure are tired..." As Helena leans back to leave the room, she said to Enterprise: "Richie and Sebastian's at the grocery store right now, they'll be back soon to make dinner..."

"Oh i see..." said Enterprise. "Would you like to come and sit down with us? We're watching a movie..."

"I-I'll be right there..." nodded Enterprise and Helena smiled before she leaves the room with the door still open. As soon as she's gone, Enterprise attempted to repress her anger, but all she can do is tighten her fist, nearly crushing the can, and she slowly started to grow angry.

"That bastard.... He lied to me..."

 ...

..

Chapter Text

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Roosevelt Island, New York
May 24, 2022 - 8:15 AM

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The next morning had arrived and the sun rose with glistening blue skies in New York.  Enterprise, Laffey, Javelin set out to Roosevelt Island after they along with Richard and his friends had gotten themselves a good night sleep, a breakfast and a shower. Javelin, who had just been recovered from her injuries after being hit with a wrench last evening, was excited to be in their trip after she had accepted into Richard's offer to join with her friends as they are now set to compete against Andrew Ritchson's own team of fighters in an upcoming martial arts competition in a few weeks time.

Seoung-hui Kwan, the junior officer who they had previously met, was intrigued of Javelin's spirited and determined persona, and like everyone else, she was never told of their true nature and instead they were friends with Enterprise and Laffey under their cover names as Lulie Winters, and Bartlette Amsley, but had different jobs in different shelters, something she and her other officers, especially Rick, the convoy driver and a friend of Richard's close colleague; Nate Fernandez, were able to buy.

While all is well for the three shipgirls who didn't know what to expect if the public were to find out of their true nature, there is an equally pressing matter on Enterprise, and that is Richard Ambrose himself...

Earlier last night, while Richard and Sebastian was out buying supplies and Javelin tended to her injuries, Enterprise had found a major revelation as she had been digging into Richard's personal life. It turned out that Richard wasn't the person she thought he was; she found out that he had murdered his partner less than 17 years ago back when he was a police lieutenant, and had been criminally charged and was being sent on a pre-trial detention at Rikers Island while awaiting trial and is subsequently fired, not resigned as what Richard had claimed to be.

She had spent a better time reviewing news articles, hoping she could find something that could prove him wrong, but there was unfortunately none, and now, rather than attempting to dig deeper, she was itching to knock her senses in his head because she had been lied to, and it is not something she could take it lightly in what she thought was treachery..

However, Enterprise knows better than herself.. She is smart... And she knew she cannot simply cannot attack Ambrose, not that she is in a current position right now. An opportunity had been laid in sight in front of her; she is to be trained under him, and she knew that if she could defeat either Andrew Ritchson's men or Richard in a potential spar match to test their mettle, she could effectively pin him down before he has a chance to fight back or call for help. And so, she chose to sit around with him and decided to wait for the right opportune moment for her to strike and then finally bring Laffey and Javelin with her to leave New York to search for their missing friends.

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May 24, 2022 - 8:42 AM

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Arriving back at Platinum Shield's headquarters located in the southernmost portion of Roosevelt Island, Javelin was both amazed and intrigued to see their headquarters up close in what she had initially thought would not have been easily accessible, judging that it is a private security corporation and that Roosevelt Island can only be accessed by the one and only vehicular lift-bridge that they had been on, or can be accessed on foot via an aerial tramway and a subway line. As the group walks inside heading for the reception room, Javelin could see more security personnel carrying rifles and sidearms, chattering with one another, carrying boxes of paperwork, and overall it was relatively calm as it is only morning.

They didn't have to wait long, however. As Richard was just about to ring the bell to bring the receptionists their attention, Andrew Ritchson showed up, alongside Platinum Shield's CEO, Daniel Clayton.

"Good morning. Welcome to Platinum Shield," he turns to Javelin and said: "So you are Jenna, right?" Javelin, as Jenna, nodded: "Y-yes I am... I want to help out these two friends..."

After Richard explained about Javelin, both Clayton and Ritchson accepts Javelin into Platinum Shield, in exchange that they would now be pitting against three contestants in the upcoming match.

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May 24, 2022 - 1:17 PM

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While leaving the three shipgirls into the care of Don Harris, and Seoung-hui Kwan to have themselves trained for the upcoming duel, he and his friends are hard at work at the department store serving customers. Richard is in his office signing paperwork filed by several of his staff and employees full of permits concerning the store; inspections, refills, maintenance and replacements, and a lot to cover, something which in his 15 years experience, he was able to cover most of the bases. For Helena, Nate, and Sebastian, despite the leaking incident, they are still on business as usual, helping out customers and staff in getting around, selling goods and services to customers.

At 10 minutes past two in the afternoon, Bryan Valdez had set up the staff meeting. As everyone gathered up in his meeting room and sat down on their chairs, he spoke:

"Alright boys and girls... We have word that sales and revenue are recovering... We've managed to bring back a few of our investors and the media has held off on covering the leak story, and it's all thanks to our PR team, and... our new Head of Security and Operations, Richard Ambrose,"

Everyone, as well as Helena, Sebastian, and Nate all gave a round of applause, their cheers and claps echo around the meeting hall and Richard can only do nothing but twitch his head around looking at his fellow employees and blushing as he spoke, nodding and chuckling: "I was just doing my job..."

In turn, he also explains that the store remains in top working order. Satisfied, Bryan decides to break it to the employees about something big that's to come for the next decade.

"Now as you may have heard, our department store has been standing for over 7 decades when we first opened its doors. We have braved economic struggles and crises, changing markets, and major disasters our city has ever encountered, we've been able to serve 50 million customers annually even amidst the pandemic..."

Richard looks on over at Sebastian and Brianna, who is sitting only two chairs away from Helena to his left side, as Bryan continued:

"...And so, in order to keep up with the current era, to adapt to the changing demand and to ensure this building remains standing, we are having a major renovation effort that is scheduled to begin a week from now."

Mostly everyone inside gasped upon hearing this and as they mutter among themselves, Bryan spoke out:

"Settle down, let me explain!" Everyone fell silent once more as he turns to Richard, signaling his cue to explain the renovations in detail. He pulls out his flash drive and inserted it by the computer, which allows him to open his file for the employees to watch as the projector illuminates the whiteboard area of information as Bryan explained: 

"Now I have been in discussion with an engineering firm based in New Haven and just now, they have given a greenlight and said work will commence a week later..." He goes on over a few slides and Richard then takes over as he spoke: "As for the renovation part, the entire store will get a new makeover, starting with the exterior walls being re-decked with glazed terracotta tiles and the interior, concourses, atriums and beams will all be fitted with glazed marble tiles while retaining the appearance of what it was back in the fifties."

He then opens the photographs of the very department store they have been working, as it was taken place in the mid-50's when it was only in a few years of operation. Staring at the interior fittings, the wall decor and lighting in addition to numerous staff and shoppers seen strutting around, they stare in amazement as Bryan then continued:

"In addition to this, there will be some re-zoning on Floors 1 and 3 to allow for restaurants, and this store will get a new 7th floor for extra amenities, one of which is a food court with a raised observatory deck and a 150-seat movie theater,"

His proposal wowed employers with some applause, and Richard and his friends were excited. 

"Who knows but I believe this may attract a lot more customers this way," said Helena. Richard chuckled rather nervously: "Well that's a lot more to check..."

After putting their minds at ease, Bryan said: "Throughout this process, all of the columns and beams will be re-fitted and strengthened to retain its structural integrity and to ensure it can carry extra weight for the new floor that's to be built in the final phases of this renovation process,"

"E-excuse me," said Sebastian as he raised his hands. "If i may ask, how much is this going to cost and how long will it be finished?"

"By our calculations, our renovations will cost around less than 850 million dollars, a small portion will be covered by insurance, and it may take around 4 or 8 years depending on delays, legal processes, labor and logistics to build a new floor and re-strengthen the entire building, just to name a few..."

"This amount of years... That's such a long time..." said Richard while some of the employees were surprised by what they have heard about how long will the renovations will be finished. "And in a city so densely populated as this, I got the feeling it may take a lot longer..." He sighed as Bryan finishes the announcement with:

"Now, we will still continue to work throughout the renovation process. Keeping the store open to customers is vital, so we expect to be more vigilant and careful not to get hurt during the construction process..."

"Yes, Mr. Valdez..." said Richard and some of the employees before Bryan shuts off the projector and said: "You are all dismissed. Get back to work everyone. We'll lay out Richard's new revision of his security draft tomorrow."

As everyone started walking out from the meeting room, Richard could see Sebastian staring nervously at him before he could only give a faint sense of smile as he stands up and walks outside alongside Helena and Nate. As he watches several employees also follow suit, he began to recall about his discussion with Sebastian last night.

<>

(Earlier) May 23, 2022 - 7:36 PM

<>

"We're still not done... Haven't we?" 

Richard spoke as he and Sebastian stopped dead on their tracks on the curbside just by the intersection a block away from his home as they were heading out to buy food that night for their friends as well as the three then-shipgirls he have been sheltering them. Sebastian took a few deep breaths before he said:

"Look... I... About what I've done, I do admit what I did was a bold move... Think of it like... a pre-emptive strike..."

"You god damn right it is..." he grunted. Sebastian continued upon seeing his exasperated expression: "Please... I want you to know I am doing this for you... I wanted to help you. When you've been promoted, I wanted you to thrive, I wanted the whole public to know you are the individual not to be reckoned with...

"I know..." said Richard as he hugs Sebastian and the two stood still for a moment as Richard rubs both Sebastian's back and head. As he lets go, Sebastian worriedly said: "What are you going to do now? What's going to happen to me and Brianna...?"

Richard pauses to think. As cars come whizzing by, he spoke to Sebastian.

"I'll let you and Brianna continue working... I will speak this to Helena and Nate, but I will not tell Mr. Valdez about what you and Brianna did..."

"I... I see... Thank you---"

"Do not get me wrong..." he interrupted. "You forced my hand with that stunt you pulled that nearly costed our store financial and investment backing as well as triggering a short PR crisis.."

"I-i know..." Sebastian nodded and Richard said: "But because you are my friend and that you and I share our common goal to keep the establishment safe, I'll give you one condition..."

"Name it..." said Sebastian. After careful inspection of the surroundings making sure no one is watching or eavesdropping, Richard said:

"I want you to revise my security draft for me."

Sebastian gasped as Richard explained: 

"Tomorrow afternoon, I need you to read my security improvement draft and make revisions based on how often it was discussed in the media in order to take account the interest of both parties between enforcing authority and civil rights for all people."

"I mean, I can write receipts and documents..." Sebastian stuttered. "But I have little background on security..."

"You can do that..." Richard nods confidently. As he was just about to take a step forward, he quickly turns around and said:

"I have another condition..."

"What is it now?" Sebastian asked confused. He responds with:

"You a leader of a secret group chat who leaked the draft to the New York Times?"

"Y-yes..." he nodded nervously." Richard huffed:

"Good, as part of that deal, in exchange of me not telling Mr. Valdez about your actions, you are to tell Brianna and the rest of your members to stop pursuing this matter any further and to stop releasing any more classified material from Vicerone without my permission, is that understood?"

Sebastian nods: "Y-yes Mr. Ambrose..."

"Good..." Richard pats Sebastian's shoulder just as right on cue, the crosswalk signal across from where they are turns green and  the signal lights on the road turn red. Smiling, Richard said: "Come on, let's buy food for dinner..." as he and Sebastian walked down the road side by side, with relief on their shoulders that he was able to sort out the internal crisis around his subordinates, and for Sebastian himself, who can breathe a sigh of relief that Richard wouldn't fire him.

<>

Present Day - 3:33 PM

<>

Sitting on the chair in his office sometime after Valdez's staff meeting, after signing the last batch of paperwork, he sets all the piles aside on his right side of the desk and lays back on over his seat, stretching his back and arms as he said, groaning:

"I'm so beat... I wonder if Enterprise and her friends are doing well..."

He stretches his right arm from where he sat, attempting to reach for his phone. Before he could do so, he hears two knocks on the door in front of him. He pulls his arm back just as the doors swivel open.

"Richard," the voice of Sebastian Jones appears. A small bag is in his hand as he enters the office and has it placed down on the chair just across from his desk.

"H-hi there. You said I was supposed to meet you here this later afternoon right?'

"Right" Richard nods as he stood up and grabs the chair and hastily drops it down onto the floor with a thud as he spoke:

"Sit down,"

"What do I do here?" Sebastian asked nervously.

"Didn't I make it clear last night?"

"Oh right.... Your security plans..."

Richard guides Sebastian to the seat that he had just moved, and he sat down, right beside Richard and staring at his computer. Staring at the screen, he could see the document and could see Richard's plans written in 56 pages. It appears that Richard had been adding extra measures and policies after his security draft had been leaked.

"386 thousand words that's a lot to pack in..." said Sebastian.

"You're good at spotting flaws in receipts, calculating item counts and cash in one go and in record time, I'm sure you can do this..." Richard spoke confidently. "And it all happens while I was deputy sales manager with Helena years back..."

"Sure..." Sebastian shrugged as he began to inspect Richard's new revision of the security draft starting from the first page. As he does so, his cellphone from his desk that he was trying to reach to earlier, started to ring. He grabs the phone and looks on over his screen:

"The attorney's calling me over..." 

"New York Supreme Court?"

"Yes... If they give me custody over these three women, I can at least take care of them for the time being...  Now Just continue reading...  And list down any revisions you want it done..." he said before he takes the phone to speak with the attorney who he has contacted with earlier at the behest of his friend, Julian Senna, to have Enterprise, Laffey, and Javelin to be under his custody. As he had finished calling, he steps out from his office to have a walk around the hallways and into the maintenance rooms chatting up with some employees, leaving Sebastian alone to make revisions by himself.

<>

May 24, 2022 - 4:18 PM

<>

By the time Richard returned, it didn't take Sebastian very long to be able to thoroughly read Richard's new version of the security draft plan and he was able to point out a few policies he wanted to change. Calling him over from the desk, Sebastian rubs his hands with excitement:

"So here's my few takes for this new security improvement plan of yours, Richard..."

"Hit me..."

"See, here's the part about the addition of decision making roles.... There's still an issue of context and the practicality of how would the staffers respond to any crises or high-risk situations that occurs and the last version you wrote, it left some points ambiguous and open to interpretation, which... in this time and era, it's not good..."

"So what you're saying as proposed in the notes... You want Mr. Valdez to create a committee?"

"Yes. That will be called the Administrative Disciplinary Committee, and your position as Head of Security and Operations, you will become the leading chairman of this committee, and the other two roles below you, these are the security advisors whose main purpose is to deliberate and offer legal advice to the administrative chairman so you can take appropriate measures..."

"I see... And you are making the advisors a position for hire?"

"Yes... Anyone with a background for local or constitutional laws they can apply... Now while you are chairman, the branch manager, which is Bryan Valdez, has the final say on whether if the disciplinary committee can execute whichever measures that pertains to safety and security..."

"Hold on, there's an emergency provision it says here?"

"Yes... You can authorize an emergency motion in which you can bypass the branch manager's executive role and enforce whatever measures you can see fit, but that requires the majority vote from all members of the disciplinary committee.."

"How many members are we talking about in this committee, Sebastian?"

"Let's see here... So the committee consists of you, the Head of Security and Operations, Mr. Valdez as branch manager, the two security advisors also known as first officers, and the Captain of the Disciplinary Committee, who is to lead a small security team of 30 guards called the Prefect Team, who are only authorized to carry tasers and sidearms."

"Captain huh..."

"By the way, the Captain of the Prefect Team, as well as the 30 guards, all have voting power on whether if you can bypass Valdez. Again, if at least 75% of the vote says yes, you can do whatever you want depending on any worst-case scenarios..."

"I see... And with a more clear and detailed explanations to follow through about civil rights protections and separation of powers, this would convince the public enough that it will balance between individual civil rights and security..."

"That's right, RIchard... In addition to these measures, the Prefect Team are to perform inspection duties and are to patrol around the Vicerone Department Store premises alongside non-Prefect Team members such as civilian guards. They can also be hired into the team, but it requires a confirmation vote, which the entire committee all has the voting power."

"Fantastic... This would surely suit well alongside with the upcoming renovation project... Good job Sebastian..."

Richard pats down on Sebastian's shoulder and he felt happy.

"I wouldn't have had it any other way, I just like to help you and this place out..." he said. As Richard looks at both the calendar on his desk and on his watch, he spoke to Sebastian: "I feel like there's nothing else we can do for now and your shift's ended..."

"You're right..." Sebastian nods. "I'll see you tomorrow..."

"Yeah I'm going too, come on, let's go walk together..."

After sorting out the office, wiping off specks of dust and rearranging the documents and books on the shelves and the desk, Richard and Sebastian walked out of the office and closes the doors behind them..

<>

Roosevelt Island, New York
June 5, 2022 - 3:15 PM

<>

Two weeks have passed and is now only a day left before a team duel between Enterprise, Laffey and Javelin against Andrew Ritchson's own team of fighters are to begin. As Laffey and Javelin are making the final laps around the grassy field, and Enterprise resting by a hilly grass field, Richard, who is there alone, walks up to Enterprise and sat down beside her. He turns his gaze on Enterprise who she is looking on over the two destroyer girls and the view of Brooklyn across the East River and on the Queensboro Bridge, sitting in thought about herself, her friends, and the whole new world around her.

"Hey, Enterprise..." he gently calls out to her. She turns round and he then asks: "How are you feeling...?" 

"A little nervous but... thanks to the information you've given me about the three new contestants, I feel a bit nervous about our chances..."

"Don't be..." he huffed. "Only one of the three fighters have a military background with the US Air Force, and the two were simply security guards with basic training experience. They are no match for what I've given you...."

"You just shoved Javelin and Laffey down with ease..." said Enterprise.

"Then let's see if you three can beat me... If I get beaten, then you three are battle-proven..." he said as Javelin and Laffey ran up to Enterprise, already exhausted having finished their final lap. Richard pulls out a bottle of OJ's and hands them over to the two for a drink. After resting around for half an hour, the three, having exhausted as they had been after been around in Platinum Shield training and sparring for 2 intense weeks, prepares their stances as Richard said:

"Now let's see what you three are capable of," said Richard as he readies his battle stance. Javelin responds:  "We're going to beat you this time!"

"Good..." he grinned as the three dashed towards Richard. Enterprise lands a fist but only at his right arm which he uses to block her attack. As he was distracted, Javelin and Laffey started to engage against Richard. With the two girls working together, they were able to do the tactic in the form that each one switch styles like taking hits or dealing blows, often disengaging when Enterprise attempts to perform a leg sweep, which would cause him to fall backwards enough for her to grab him and throw his body back over her and slamming him onto the ground.

Richard however, could see her strategy and he makes a backflip, dodging her sweeping kicks and Laffey and Javelin's fists before they could hit by his spleen. As the two destroyers have another go, by having Javelin engaging at him first and Laffey the next, Richard plows through Laffey as he pushes her straight at Javelin but the latter dodges their momentum. Laffey uses her opportunity to try and wrestle him. In her doing, she briefly manages to immobilize him as Javelin and Enterprise all rush forward and tried to knock him out but all their efforts are in complete vain as Richard counter attacks by grabbing Laffey and uses her as a swinging melee weapon, throwing Enterprise and Javelin off balance and Laffey's left shoulder strikes at Javelin's face. Despite Enterprise's efforts to save them, he kicks her down with his rearward kick and slammed his palms on both their necks, knocking them out.

"Well..." he panted. "I admire your bravery and you two did well..." he said to Laffey and Javelin before he turned to Enterprise.

"Now, let's see how much training is worth right now?" he then said as he readied himself again and started their hand to hand combat against Enterprise. By the time Javelin and Laffey were able to get themselves up and recover themselves from pain, the sparring began to grow intense. The two rapidly exchanged their somersaults, fists, sweeping kicks and suplexes but the two refuse to back down.

The sparring match, escalating into a full-blown combat, went on and on for more than 3 minutes as the two are now becoming even more exhausted. In his haste, Richard attempts to ram at Enterprise with his head, but she was able to knock him down into the ground as she shields herself, using both her hands to slow down his momentum. When he was slowed sufficiently enough, she shoves him downwards and grabs him by his back and throws him over her back and slamming his body onto the ground.

Richard attempts to recover but before he could do so, Enterprise strikes her palms by the joints near this lower calf of his right leg, immobilizing him. Unable to move, she makes a final sidesweep, knocking him down on the ground once more and was about to strike to his forehead by her right hand punch, but immediately, she stopped... 

Both of them are now covered in dirt, scratches, and bruises and they are exhausted. Enterprise's palms was only millimeters by his windpipe and now their tables have turned for the two as she is the one who managed to defeat Richard.

"Wow.... you finally defeated me..." he said as Enterprise's right fist still floats just millimeters above his forehead.

"Yeah... I told you... I had fought a lot, you should not have underestimated me..." she replied, still panting. In response, Richard spoke: "I was not underestimating you... I am trying to get you and your friends to be battle worthy in this place... It's not just about Mr. Ritchson's duel... but for yourself and others..."

"Really..." Enterprise lowers her palm as he spoke: "As a former lieutenant, it is the least I could do, but as an instructor, it's who I am..."

Enterprise sighed as she stood up and she pulls him back up onto his feet.

"Looks like your training had us paid off..." remarked Enterprise. "For that, I like to say thank you, you do seem like a worthy opponent," she then smiled.

"Nah, don't mention it," Richard chuckled. The two then sat back down onto the grassy field for a rest as Laffey and Javelin rushes on over to them.

"Richard, Enterprise, are you okay?" asked Javelin, who she is still shocked to see their state of injuries they're in.

"We're fine... It's just that I was not expecting Enterprise to be this good," replied Richard as he wipes his sweat off from his face and rubbed his hair to clear out any dirt.

"And I see him that we're evenly matched," added Enterprise as she fixed her blouse and skirt she had worn on.

"I see, that was one heck of a battle," said Javelin.

"So... fast, so quick..." added Laffey.

"Its my 9 years of experience with the police force but with extensive training..." said Richard. "Anyway, i think that's done it, why not we go back home to wash ourselves up and prepare for tomorrow..."

"Yes, Mr. Ambrose," said Enterprise and she groaned in relief. Javelin said worriedly: "But Mr. Ambrose, we failed... I wasn't strong enough..."

Richard could see Javelin's spirited demeanor already faltering. He reassures her by saying: "Do not let yourself down... You and Laffey holding up better than the last several attempts and working together to... take a hit while the other deals damage, I see it as a success,"

"Really?" said Javelin, who her face suddenly grew to a gleaming expression.

"Of course," nodded Richard happily.

"Thank you..." Javelin can only speak with a smile on her face as she and others sat down on the field with Richard tending to their bruises and giving them his own set of snacks and drinks to refresh themselves up.

...

..

Meanwhile.... somewhere high up in the sky.... A woman stares out of the window of a passenger plane into the clouds as she hears the small ding.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are on final descent to our destination. We advise you for all passengers please fasten your seatbelts and for cabin crew to prepare for landing..."

She turns her curious yet nervous gaze away from the window as she tries to fasten her seatbelt but the other passenger, with hazel-brown fox-like ears above her head, helps the woman out and easily fastens their seatbelt.

"What's been on your mind?" she asked.

"N-nothing... I was... nervous that's all... Are we heading for the right place..."

"Of course we are... We are going to Boston, dear sister..."

As the jet descends further, the two women could see the vast landscapes of rugged and greenery coastlines lined with beaches, hills and mountains and can see the destination city from above.

"This is Boston... It is nothing like what we've seen before but it is so breathtaking to see something like this in the air..."

"It is compact, yet beautiful and lively in its own way..." the woman replied. After admiring the view outside, she asked:

"But... tell me...  do you really know why we are here, Sister?"

The woman beside her giggled: "Yes... I really do...."

...

..

Chapter Text

<>

Pacific Ocean - Eagle Union
May 19, 1942 - 11:09 PM / 2309

<>

Having been sailing across open ocean for 8 hours, the First and Second Lightning squadrons each one led by Zuikaku and Warspite respectively, arrive at the partially abandoned Pacific Forward Operating Base. Inspecting the base, they could see the exterior walls are in decent condition, although parts of the interior and its outer walls that surrounds the base were damaged through the elements, or by battle damage from the ongoing seafaring conflict between Azur Lane, Crimson Axis, and the Sirens.

Under Commander Berenson's orders, the two groups, joined by remnants of Sakura Empire led by Zuikaku who also happens to lead the First Lightning, set up a defense perimeter as some within the Second Lightning group proceeded to mend the base into working order, installing security systems and turrets they have brought over via cargo convoy fleets they were also carrying along the journey. The walls and the interior fittings were mostly repaired and after a lengthy reconstruction work and rewiring, they were able to restore the command modules inside the operations center, and were able to set up communication between it and their home base located just near the Eagle Union federal state of Hawaii.

"H-hello? Commander Berenson? Can any of you hear us?" Zuikaku calls out to Berenson via the communicator device they had just managed to get it online inside the FOB's Command Center. Berenson, as well as Georgia and Saratoga, appears on their screens in the command module. Berenson, seeing their faces said:

"We can hear you clear," said Berenson. "Good job to all who got this base in working order..."

"Thank you," said Intrepid who she is part of First Lightning. "Our first order of business is to continue repairing this base into full working order. There are some parts of this building that hadn't been fully repaired..."

"I see... How long would it take?"

"At most, 4 to 12 hours give or take..." replied Memphis.

"Alright, it's important that you and everyone need to get some sleep and finish reconstruction later while others must take shifts to guard this place. It's more important to get some sleep," said Berenson.

"Commander Berenson's right," nodded Georgia. "For those on watch, if you spot any signs of trouble or if you find something in the base that needs fixing, list them down and have it sent to your base command center..."

"Yes ma'am..." said Memphis.

"Now, Zuikaku and Intrepid, you are on first watch... Keep your eyes peeled... The rest of you, get some sleep... We may have a big fight on our hands from this day forward..."

"We'll do our best," said both Intrepid and Zuikaku.

"Good," Berenson nodded. "Because our humanity's fate is now on your hands and especially ours..."

"We won't let you down, Commander," said Memphis.

"Thank you," Berenson smiled before he cuts communications. As Zuikaku and Intrepid head outside and began their first patrol shift, Intrepid spoke:

"So... Zuikaku? How are you feeling right now? About the fact you were now able to fight alongside us?"

"Honestly, from the day when I heard that Sakura Empire declared war against Azur Lane, I had thought that everyone from there would be deeply shocked and betrayed because of us..." replied Zuikaku. "I really cared about the people on the other side but myself as well as Nagato, we were left with no choice..."

"I again sincerely apologize for what happened because of our predecessor..." sighed Intrepid. "We were aware of his blatant criminal behavior, given how he became a hardline in basically everything we fought for and how he treated everyone in the alliance but... we can't send him in prison due to the immense power he have..."

"Until he was ousted I heard... Around 1 and a half year ago I believe..." said Zuikaku.

"That's right..." Memphis spoke up as she approached them both and appeared to have been awake. She explained:

"Myself along with chiefs of the alliance, we had worked so hard in digging up the dirt on our previous Commander, Bruno Wilkinson before we were able to initiate an anti-corruption investigation on him and he was soon ousted..."

"Mr. Wilkinson was sentenced to 35 years in prison with no parole and had all of his military honors stripped, as well as other co-conspirators and those down to civilian level involved with the cover-up," added Intrepid.

"And now... Mr. Berenson stepped in as his successor...?" said Zuikaku.

"Not really... And not by choice..." said Intrepid. "From what I heard, Berenson himself told me that he was sent here by his higher-ups as his punishment for his recklessness in the Navy and the commanders there claimed direct insubordination as the cause."

"Really?" gasped Ise, who is also still awake. "What was your first impression about this Berenson guy?"

"W-well..." Memphis chuckled. "I was told by both Hood from the Royal Navy that Berenson was a naval aviator of the Eagle Union Navy, a highly experienced one at that, but from what the higher-ups and from what i see him in the first few months, he was an arrogant asshole who keeps talking back..."

"Is that so?" said Zuikaku.

"Oh... I remember about who that fighter pilot is..." gasped Ise. "When Akagi first fought against the Eagle Union months after the declaration of war, she described him as a total nutcase to deal with... Not even her planes could touch him and he nearly became a kamikaze pilot himself at times just only to drop bombs up close and destroying her own fighters while evading anti-air fire..."

"I heard rumors about Berenson being absolutely reckless when on duty and he often makes high-speed fly-bys, and even once with a prototype jet fighter," said Intrepid. "And in here... Memphis told me he had absolutely no experience in leadership... I could be wrong and that was a year ago..."

"That's what I believed..." nodded Memphis. "And its how his behavior was developed in his first days as Commander but..."

"But what?" asked Ise curiously and Memphis said: "He does show he cares a lot more about everyone in Azur Lane, from the workers who are looking after our munitions and riggings to even ourselves, who he sees them not just shipgirls, but humans too..."

"Despite his cockiness, Mr. Berenson appeared to be highly considerate about the war... He did say it is unnecessary about the war and the division of our alliance, emphasizing our current suffering and the need to reunify against our common enemy... He also made radical improvements of our base, our well-being, and our organization structure in the first months of his tenure, and we can breathe in our sense of relief..."

"I see..." nodded Zuikaku who she is intrigued having to learn more about Berenson despite having met him in the interrogation room for the first time. "When I first met him face-to-face, he really is a kind person, he didn't think about having a hand on me despite how much hurt I've caused to you all..."

"I know how you feel..." said Intrepid. "And its not just because he's kind, but despite his lack of leadership experience, what he does have is gathering information and make strategic strikes using his unconventional tactics whenever we engage in combat... He had proven himself to be so reliable as the second Commander of Azur Lane that the Eagle Union's high command as well as the Azur Lane's General Assembly, actually lets him keep the position for a few more years until the next election."

"Next election? When?" asked Ise. Memphis replied. "1944 this month... He may stay in power if he wants to but its down to either himself and the representatives of each member nations of this alliance."

"Ahh, 2 years may be short, but I believe that might be long enough for him to actually give the Sirens a pushback at this rate..." said Ise scratching her head. "But if he won't get re-elected, what's gonna happen to us and Azur Lane whether if we were reunified or not...?"

"Whoever that is going to be Mr. Berenson's successor... and what they're going to do next for us and the Sirens... may be the last thing you need to worry about..." said Intrepid and it left those around her concerned and wondering what would have happened if someone else took his seat, but Intrepid tries to brush off their worries by saying: 

"I hope he may stay and get re-elected... He might be an arrogant nutcase, but he is a good man... And I support his leadership all the way... And we must support him if he wants Azur Lane to get back on their feet and convince the public he is the man for this job..."

"You may be right," said Ise. "If only Akagi were to still be here and we could knock her senses..."

"I'm in for this too..." added. Zuikaku. "He never once gave a bat because he understood what we've been through and insisted the Sirens are a much bigger threat... We split when the Sirens were once beaten before and now they've taken advantage of our split to get stronger..."

"They may have fed us their technology and we used it against you and your people..." sighed Ise. "But we'll make it right... And that is to never go back, and to help Mr. Berenson..."

"That's very noble... And I'm happy for you all..." said Memphis. "Now... I think we all may need to get some sleep..."

"You're right," said Zuikaku. "Berenson said me and Intrepid will be our first watch... That is if you like to help us become an extra set of eyes?"

"I'll do it," said Memphis and Ise both in unison. The two awkwardly chuckled upon hearing this, and quickly they all decided to stay up until early morning to guard the base, while a few others worked on through midnight up to early morning to prep up the once-abandoned Pacific Forward Operating Base into full working order.

<>

Azur Lane Port- Eagle Union
May 20, 1942 - 4:01 AM / 0401

<>

It is now early morning. Only a few staffers were up early inside the HQ Command Center while much of the personnel as well as those in the FOB are asleep. Saratoga is the only one manning the command console, monitoring the shipgirls' condition, their radar coordinates, and for any of the hostile forces approaching their position while officers and guards continue to perform routine operations there. Just then, Cleveland, the Eagle Union light cruiser shows up inside the command center. She still has bandages around her head covering her left eye, and around her chest and abdominal area as she has just been recovering from her injuries in a Midway incident, but she was able to walk unassisted whilst her other sisters stay in the infirmary. She carries a bottle of painkiller pills on her hand who she takes once a day to mitigate her pain.

"Good morning, you're up early," said Saratoga.

"I slept a lot earlier than permitted," replied Cleveland as she shakes her bottle of pills. "What are you doing this late?"

"I'm just here to monitor and document everything what happened around the FOB," Saratoga replied.

"I see... I'm glad they're doing well," said Cleveland.

"How about you, Cleveland? You feeling better?"

"I'm fine..." nodded Cleveland as she shakes the pill bottle. "But we can't know for sure. Sirens don't sleep at night..." Cleveland then heads over to a nearby water dispenser as she was just about to take her medication when all of a sudden....

....

---

An alarm suddenly went off... It jolts everyone back who were already exhausted and sleepy, into being awake and causes Cleveland to drop a pill bottle in surprise, spilling pain medication pills everywhere. Cleveland hastily puts all the pills back into the bottle before he runs towards the console.

"Wha... what is happening!?" cried Cleveland.

"It looks like these hostiles are beginning to attack the base..." said Saratoga.

"Yeah... and in large numbers too..." said Cleveland. "I'll go call Commander Berenson back!" She pulls out the telephone and dials the number of his quarters, hoping for Berenson to pickup while Saratoga tries to contact the FOB. It took several seconds of rushing anxiety between staring at the screens of Sirens surrounding the FOB and waiting for either one to respond. Cleveland even yelled out:

"Has anyone got any contact with Georgia or Secretary Booker!?"

"We're doing it, ma'am!"

Right then, Cleveland was able to reach Dave Berenson, who is still inside his quarters.

"Hello? What's going on?"

"This is Cleveland!" she yelled. "The alarms are setting off. Something terrible is happening, you need to get down there quickly!"

"R-right, I'll be there as soon as I can!" said Berenson before he hangs up. At the same time, Saratoga was able to contact the two groups inside the FOB. There, they could see Zuikaku and Bremerton, frantically worried as explosions rocked around the facility.

"Ah! Sara...! Thank goodness!" said Zuikaku. "Our base is under attack! We don't know who it was, we are so sleepy and most of us just woke up all of a sudden."

"Umm, where's Intrepid?" asked Saratoga.

"Saratoga, she's in the dorms, but she must have woken up with all of these explosions, so she must have been fighting against these attackers by now," replied Bremerton. "And Warspite's also in the thick of it too..."

"Ok... We're scanning the hostiles as we speak, but... Zuikaku can you get a visual on who we're dealing with?" asked Cleveland.

"I have just sent out scouting planes of my own. It's a bit hazy because of some dense cloud covering, but I can make up of them being... mass-produced Siren ships," replied Zuikaku.

"Hmmm, it must have been mass-produced ships. I have seen like up to several dozens of them on my radar, but... we'll get more information on those hostiles once we completed scanning on advanced radar and from surveillance cameras," replied Saratoga. "It's not much, but it's the best we can get..."

Soon, Berenson, alongside Georgia and Devonshire came bursting in through the doors behind them.

"What's the status of the groups First and Second Lightning? What's the status of the FOB's integrity!?" he called out to Saratoga. She responded:

"Base integrity is losing a bit, but it's holding up thanks to the plasma cannons our forces secured from Iron Blood, but I'm not sure if it will hold up much longer given how massive this is..."

"Even if they're fully automatic and they're designed to take out any threats, they may not be enough and they are easy to spot when extensively used..." said Georgia.

"Cleveland, I recognized you from before..." said Zuikaku. "How's your wounds holding up?"

"I feel better... I was just about to take pills before that happened," said Cleveland.

"Guys!" cried Saratoga. "We've just identified and confirmed that these signatures coming from the North are definitely the Sirens... An armada of Mark IV Rooks and Bishops are firing artillery but we've yet to detect any Queens... We also have a horde of Explorers and Trackers heading your way as well!"

"Well this is not good either way..." sighed Berenson. "We were hoping to surprise them with the decoy flanking maneuver when we get out prepared, but that is not happening considering the circumstances we're in... We're gonna have to go and execute Plan B..."

"And that is?" Ise asked and Richard spoke:

"All of you must evacuate... We're gonna use the Second Lightning and our decoy fleet to draw fire away from the Sirens to a different area, essentially a way to buy the rest of the group time to escape the FOB..."

"But how!?" cried Bremerton. "From what the FOB's built, that only entrance is facing North! We couldn't get out through the way where we came, we'd be going into a meat grinder!"

Georgia rubs her chin the moment when Richard suggested to Zuikaku and Warspite that they need to evacuate the FOB and it didn't take long before an idea suddenly popped into her head. She then rushes to the command module and proceeds to open the files containing the schematics of the Pacific F.O.B.

"Hold on, I designed that facility myself with Mr. Wilkinson..." said Georgia. "I must know where the secondary exit is!"

Sure enough, after a few seconds of tapping, sorting, and swiping out bits of metadata and documents inside their computers, she was able to uncover the schematics of the forward operating facility.

"There it is... There are three power generation rooms, the first one is located 2 floors below ground, it houses 2 hydroelectric power generators which generates electricity from the ocean currents."

"Generators you say... What do they do?" asked Soryuu who just showed up in the communications feed. 

Georgia explained:

"These generators power up lighting, heating, cooling, water and sewage treatment and alarm systems. The other two rooms, each located at the east and west wings of the base at ground level, they both house a backup generator that, depending on how much fuel they have, I think they have like 4 hours of power,"

Berenson caught on what she was about to suggest as he asked: "I think you're referring that you want them blow up the main generator?"

"Correct," nodded Georgia. "It's a longshot, but it might just work; cutting off the power will bring the base defense systems offline and will cause a total blackout. It should be enough to confuse the Sirens into believing they've knocked the power out,"

"Hmmm... w-well why not just disable them? Shut them down perhaps?" asked Cleveland, feeling that it might be a dangerous idea.

"It's because it would take an hour or more to shut down the main base generators manually, and with the Sirens attacking, that's not much time... So destroying the generators with explosives is the quickest way to do..." replied Dave.

"Explosives, explosives..." Zuikaku mumbled before she asked: "Hey... Memphis... What do we have in our supply storage room?"

"Munitions, food, small arms and... explosives..." she replied. "What kind of explosives?" asked Berenson. Memphis spoke: "An experimental one I once developed and built years ago... I only have a dozen of them in a form of putties and it's stored in a red-marked crate."

"A plastic explosive?" asked Georgia and Memphis nodded: "Yes, it is.."

"What's your game plan?" asked Ise. Berenson explained as he scrawls over the schematics of the main generator room:

"You are going to blow up the main generator room located underground using these explosives from the supply crate... If they are powerful enough, it can actually knock down a wall that separates between the main generator room, and a service hallway that also houses an electrical conduit." 

"What's on the end of the service hallway?" asked Soryuu. Berenson replied: "At the end of this service hallway, to your right is the emergency exit hatch that connects down to the sewers and out into open ocean by the South. It has an hydraulic lock that is electrically powered."

"It will automatically lock up whenever there's a power cut, which is why we'll need to rely on these backup generators to power up the hatch so it can be unlocked," said Georgia.

"The only problem is that getting the backup generators up and running will take a few minutes, you'll have to defend yourselves incase if they get through..." said Saratoga.

Although many are anxious by how drastic their strategy is, adding the amount of risks should things go south, after a lengthy contemplation and discussion among themselves inside the FOB, Zuikaku spoke:

"Alright, if it means that the mission will be a success, we'll take it!"

Others began to follow. King George V, who was participating as part of the Second Lightning group, said:

"I guess we should give it a try. We will do this... for Wales..."

"For our dear sister, Wales..." Duke of York added, who she is also part of Second Lightning.

"Alright, We'll keep you all in constant communication." said Berenson. "Get your asses out and scramble. Get your gear and grab all the explosives!"

As everyone arm themselves and unloaded their supplies to grab the explosives Memphis had crafted, Berenson said:

"Warspite, as leader of the Second Lightning, you will lead your forces out alongside with the decoy fleet which will be led by Atago. The decoy fleet will go out first and the Second Lightning will support their cover while both of you make a break for it as soon as I give you the signal. That will draw at least some of the Siren artillery away from the FOB."

"What about the Second Lightning?" asked Georgia. Berenson spoke: "They will lead the rest of you all towards the main generator room and into the rear hatch. The rest of you follow Zuikaku and carry all the explosives to blow up the main generator room. Once the Second Lightning reaches the generator, that's the signal for the first squad to scarper!"

"Yes Commander." said Bremerton.

"Master! We managed to secure the payload," said Hermione.

"Good, now let's roll!" he yelled out as everyone initiates Plan B. As planned, Warspite leads the First Lightning, consisting of Duke of York, King George V, Memphis, Casablanca, Centaur, Jervis, Bellona, Allen M. Sumner, and Reno. The decoy fleet, led by Shigure, Swiftsure, Nicholas, and Atago, also follow behind the First Lightning squadron.

As they lie in wait, the Second Lightning group, as well as Cheshire, Black Prince, Hermione, and Bremerton went for the power box, all head for the main generator room, with Memphis' explosives in their disposal. As they reached halfway, they feel a massive jolt which nearly causes them to stumble over.

"There's a loud bang!" cried Ise.

"I hear loud explosions and everything's shaking!" cried Shigure on the communicator. "What's happening!?"

Both Berenson and Saratoga scanned the facility and the former spoke: "The Sirens took out the Command Center and the West Wing, the backup generator and the plasma cannon, they're both destroyed!"

"Is anyone hurt?" said Saratoga and Soryuu replied: "Nothing yet so far. We got to keep going!"

"I've checked the camera logs, there's absolutely no one in these sections at this time, so we're all good," added Georgia.

"The base just lost one backup generator... That leaves only 2 hours worth out of 4 of emergency power..." thought Berenson. "If the East Wing's destroyed, then this base will be their tomb..."

<>

Pacific FOB Facility - Eagle Union
May 20, 1942 - 4:11 AM / 0411

<>

Several minutes have passed since the Sirens launched an attack, and with guidance from Georgia in navigating their way through the facility, the First Lightning group finally reached the main generator room on the first underground floor.

"Commander!" said Zuikaku. "We made it to the main generator room!"

"Well done," said Berenson before he signals the Second Lightning and the Decoy fleet to engage.

"Second Lightning and Decoy! Start running!" he yells and Warspite leads the charge. She, alongside Duke of York and King George V fire their artillery straight at the Siren formations. Centaur and Casablanca deploy their own fighter/bomber aircraft to cover the Decoy Fleet, who they all sailed full speed in the Northwesterly direction. strafing fire and dodging shells and torpedoes that came bearing down on them.

Meanwhile, inside the main generator room, Zuikaku, Memphis, Ise, and Bremerton planted the plastic explosives and attached their primer and detonating cords. Once they are done, Zuikaku orders everyone to take cover back out into the hallway and lay by the walls, covering their arms and faces as Baltimore, the Eagle Union heavy cruiser, holds the detonator and shouts:

"Alright, 7 seconds! Get back! Away from the door!"

Everyone took their brace positions and covers their ears as the seconds tick by before the eerie stiff silence was shattered by a flash of light, followed by a massive shudder and a cloud of debris and dust shooting out from the doorway. The force of the explosion shook many off from their feet and it created an electrical discharge. As predicted, the entire facility has plunged into darkness as the lights went out and everything became eerily silent.

The group opens their eyes, and using their torches and flashlights, they could see that the entire room was a complete wreck full of twisted glass, metal and concrete, with the generator itself already ripped out. Then, they turn their eyes toward a large hole in the wall and Soryuu realizes what that is.

"This must be the service hallway..." said Soryuu.

"Alright... Let's go and find the hatch..." said Baltimore.

The group cautiously trundled through the rubble and makes a right turn by the service hallway.

"Commander, we're in the service hallway heading West, we're expecting to see the hatch at any moment..." said Zuikaku. However, there was no response. Memphis tries to contact Berenson, but to no avail.

"Must be that power cut that disabled our communications..." said Memphis. Luckily though, they didn't have to wait long as after a short walk through the dark hallway, they were able to spot a hatch cover.

"I found it! There's the service hatch!" said Ise.

Intrepid reaches for the handle and she tries to twist the lock handles to force it open but it wouldn't budge. Ise and Baltimore also have a go but without success.

"I believe that this must be hydraulic lock that's keeping it tightly shut. We'll need to wait for a little while for the backup generators to kick in..." said Hermione.

Just then, they hear a brief rattling and clanking sound from the distance within the depths of darkness. Alarmed and suspecting the Sirens may have entered the main generator room, they draw swords and firearms from their Wisdom Cubes, as well as small arms such as M1 carbines and Thompson submachine guns, pointing at the direction where the noise was. They waited and stared intently, all while looking at the hydraulic lock on the hatch when suddenly...

A laser sabot came flying... straight at Ise's right shoulder. 

"ARgh!" she yelled. She was hit and is knocked down onto the ground... 

..

..

Chapter Text

<>

Roosevelt Island, New York
June 6, 2022 - 10:23 AM

<>

The day of the team duel between the groups of former NYPD Lieutenant Richard Ambrose, and former USMC Major and military training instructor, Andrew "Andy" Ritchson had arrived. Thousands of security contractors and dozens of civilian spectators flock around the Platinum Shield headquarters; others being a few Cornell Tech university students in a distance, and tens of thousands of viewers on social media took interest of what was to come.

Enterprise, Javelin, and Laffey, who are the lead contenders in their match, after having been through two weeks of martial arts and firearms training twice per day, they stretched their arms and wrists but they were otherwise nervous. In their mind, this is their first time they would be in a sanctioned team duel with whatever training they have, and without any ship riggings which was their primary armament.

As spectators cheered and shouted on, the group, alongside Richard, Harris, and Seoung-hui Kwan watched on over the raised hallway overlooking the large training yard, which has now been transformed into what looked like an arena complete with a line of small spotlights with random colors pointing at the match area painted around with a large red and white line that surrounds it, as well as large bleachers from where many spectators would have their front row seats to view for what is about to come.

"Remember your training..." said Richard. "Even if there's a small possibility of winning, I believe if you three can work together, you can outsmart and knock them down..."

He raised his clenched fist right by his head, which acts as a form to boost their motivation and morale and to keep their spirits high as Enterprise shook her head and spoke: "We got this."

"You can do it you three," said Seoung-hui Kwan happily and Don Harris.

"Thank you..." Javelin bowed and Laffey can only give off a slight smile as the announcer makes a booming voice that echoes around the training yard and the underground hallways despite their walls have been soundproofed.

"Ladies and gentlemen, today we are witnessed what appeared to be our first sanctioned team duel against the two distinguished teams since the 90's. It has been 27 years since we have that last duel due to... two ladies having to fight it out though that's not important... What's more important is that we are going to introduce you our top contestants for what's going to be a best match to remember..."

"We're ready..." said one of the staffers who then turns to Enterprise, Laffey, and Javelin, as they said: "Time for you three to step into the ring... Good luck out there and be ready..."

The three once-shipgirls took their deep breaths and after making the last glance on over the window from the hallway, the three slowly descend downstairs with each step being as cautious as to keep themselves balanced to avoid toppling over. As they reach surface floor of the yard, the announcer spoke out loud:

"Ladies and gentlemen! Please introduce one of our top dogs of the elite security contractor squad from The Spades. The trio led by Marine Major Ritchson, they are  Frank DeHaan ,  Jack Dahmer , and  Jane Cooper !"

The girls watched as the doors on the opposite end of the training yard swung open to reveal three men, all wearing their matching desert black uniforms and leather shoes; the trio waved their arms at the crowd with a flashing smile of confidence and unwavering strength, and several spectators admire them.

The announcer, who happens to be a referee for the duel, then spoke: "Up next, standing in opposition against the Spades, are yet another distinguishable trio from unknown yet interesting origins, but one who I am personally interested to see how they will pit up against the best of the best the Platinum Shield has to offer..."

The staffers turns the door handles as the referee shouted:

"Please give our hand to the three young women, Bartlette Amsley, Jenna Summers, and Lulie Winters!"

The doors then swung hard open as the three make themselves known on the match ring. As they stepped forward, they could hear some applauding with cheers, some sat in silence and a few of the spectators, who had already established on who are the clear winners, gave a booing match at the three. The mixed reception of themselves having to compete against the Platinum Shield's top trained security contractor trio had left the three nervous and Richard could see how they are feeling as he approaches them. Simultaneously on cue, he could see Andrew Ritchson also entering the ring, standing right behind the beloved trio of top-trained contractors.

As the murmurs, shouting and cheering gradually dimmed down, Richard and Andrew walked up to each other and stood up face to face.

"You don't think we wouldn't know who your team is, do you?" Andrew huffed and Richard nodded: "No... I had dug up plenty of info and did a lot of research about who you are going to send them to fight against..."

"Highly expectant of you..." Andrew remarked. "However.... I am so intrigued..."

"What is?"

"None of them show up on my registry..." he replied. "No matter how much I tried to dig, nothing... No record of these two, except all I know is that these two have survived a violent crime in this city..."

"Y-yeah... Something like that..." said Richard.

"Hmph... They only survived because you just showed up..." he huffed as he started being cocky with his face grinning. "Now let's see if your training is enough against mine..."

"We'll see about that," he grumbled before he and Andrew walked away in opposite direction back to their squadmates. As he walk past them, he can only give them a single nod and a single phrase:

"Go give them hell..."

Enterprise, Javelin, and Laffey nodded back and they turn towards the Spades, as the two groups walk closely towards each other. The oldest of the group, Frank DeHaan, walks up face to face with Enterprise and they exchanged pleasantries. While overall in a friendly tone, Frank determinedly spoke: "Don't expect me to go easy on you.." In turn, Enterprise said in a grumbled expression: "No... I wont..."

As the two stepped back and regrouped with their respective teammates, the referee spoke on his microphone:

"Here's the deal for all contestants involved. The last person or team standing wins the duel. All of you have one chance in this. You can use whatever means possible to defeat your enemy team. I expect a fair match and it will be done in 5 minutes." 

The two teams then stare at each other as the referee begins the countdown. As he yelled "Zero", everyone started making a mad dash towards each other. Both Richard and Andrew watched as the two teams then make their first contact by wrestling against one another, and then changing into fist-fighting. Both sides took a beating but they were otherwise able to evade much of their maneuvers and fists.

As the two teams backed off for a distance to recuperate themselves, Laffey and Javelin, with their signal and coordination, all simultaneously charged forward towards one of the members, Jack Dahmer. As far as Richard was aware, Dahmer was a mere security guard who had only learned basic self-defense techniques, and in no time, his skills were no match of Laffey and Javelin's combined strategy, as they were able to strike their fists and heels straight by his spleen, pelvis area and right by the back of his head with their palm chop, of which he was knocked out.

A brief moment of cheers erupted and the remaining fighters, Jane Cooper and Frank DeHaan quickly learned of their strategy.

"You girls are good, but not enough," DeHaan yelled as he and Cooper began rushing by towards Javelin and Laffey. Much to Richard's surprise, Andrew's fighters were not just highly trained than Dahmer, but they are able to quickly adapt their strategies based on their quick observations. Frank, using his newfound knowledge, rams himself at Laffey, using his head and shoulder to strike at Laffey's chest. Simultaneously, Jane jumped on over Frank and aims her heels of her boots straight at Javelin's face.

Javelin sees her heading straight for her and ducks herself out of the way, and Jane now finds herself face to face against Enterprise who she managed to stop her momentum by doing a forward leap sideways kick, which almost sprained both of their ankles due to the combined force of impact on both their feet. As she and Jane slowly try to stand up, Laffey tries her best to counterattack, but like Richard, she couldn't knock Frank down, who he proceeds to do the leg sweep, before she was then picked up by Frank by her neck, and was hurled into the air in a suplex throw before she slams her face by the columns and onto the ground. She was out in an instant and brutal as Jake was.

Javelin, horrified by the sight of Laffey as paramedics rushed over her, froze for a moment and Jane uses her distraction to perform a flip kick by the back of her skull, incapacitating her. In retaliation, Enterprise then charges at Jane like a battering ram, aiming straight at one of the columns where she uses it to slam Jane by her back. Enterprise then lands a fist at the moment Jane slams by the column and she was knocked out with a one leg kick that renders Cooper unconscious. Everyone in attendance was shocked by the suddenness and brutality of the match as it is now down to herself and DeHaan.

"Well... It's just you and me now... Don't miss..." said Frank.

"I will not..." grunted Enterprise as the two then resorting into karate combat moves. The two went back and forth running at or standing ground. The two then resort into wrestling, trying to use their fists as hammers and their arms to choke one each other out. At first, Frank got the upperhand as he was able to lock Enterprise onto the chokehold.

"Give up! Yield!" yelled Frank as he uses his left elbow to constrict Enterprise and the other to secure her right arm. The attendants, plus Richard, Seoung-hui Kwan and Don Harris watch in shock and awe as it appears Enterprise was about to lose the duel. Seconds tick by and Enterprise also felt that everything she had trained for had all been for naught, but luckily, before she was about to stumble down, she decides to play dirty. As Enterprise's right leg lowered down, she then pushes her whole body up and she uses her left free arm to grab by his hair. Although this does little to inflict pain, she uses her mighty ounce of strength to lift Frank DeHaan right on her back and into the air, to the surprise of the spectators, the referee and even Richard himself.

Enterprise finally frees herself by throwing DeHaan forward, leading him to land by his back in a violent force, while also dragging Enterprise down face-first onto the floor as well. Though her face was initially bruised and battered, she gets herself up and slams her left foot on his face and then she slams her palms by his neck, knocking his wind out and incapacitating him just as the timer was just about to reach 21 seconds remaining.

Bruised and exhausted having expended all her strength to free herself, she defiantly stood up and raised her fist into the air, just as everyone inside the training yard who had been watching the fight erupted in fiery cheers, as many are amazed by Enterprise's unwavering resilience and strength. Behind Enterprise in the distance, Richard couldn't have felt more proud and relieved as Enterprise has just won the team duel. 

As she stumbles down, exhausted, paramedics rushed in to tend to the wounds of all the contestants involved. Richard also rushes in towards her and lifts herself up using her left shoulder as he said:

"Hey... You and your friends made it. We won..."

Enterprise can only give a single nod as she spoke: "It was nothing... We never gave up... It's over..."

"I am proud of Laffey, Javelin... and you..." Richard pats her shoulder he is holding at. As doctors rush in to tend to her wounds, Andrew walks up towards Richard. The two had a brief pause staring at each other before Andrew spoke:

"You had made yourself one of the most badass team I've ever seen..."

"Resilience is their key..." said Richard. "And they never gave up on each other, but its their strategy is how they win battles..."

"I like that," nodded Andrew as he extended his hand towards Richard and the two shook hands, conceding his defeat.

"Now that you've beaten me, what do you want me to do?"

Richard can only spoke:

"I need your help..."

...

..

Chapter Text

<>

June 10, 2024- 6:47 PM
SoHo, Manhattan

<>

It has been several days days after the three-way duel in Platinum Shield HQ in Roosevelt Island. With Enterprise now officially working in Vicerone under Richard, things are looking up for him, as well his friends, and Enterprise herself, who she was able to make herself a living while everyone else are working to provide customer service for shoppers. Meanwhile, Andrew Ritchson alongside his trio the Spades, are now stationed inside Vicerone Cashbacks Department Store to provide extra security and to provide training on the new set of civilian guards who are employed under the newly formed Prefect Team, as part of the Administrative Disciplinary Committee that had been formed by both Richard Ambrose and Bryan Valdez, with help from Sebastian Jones through numerous rewrites of the laws and policies to ensure it benefits all parties.

With the store remaining opened, the employees and heads of the branch establishment are working hard to serve customers whilst cooperating with Platinum Shield and the civil engineering firms who are also working to rehabilitate the 7-decade old building up to its modern standards, which is set to have an extra floor for more amenities and a holding cell meant to house 25 criminal offenders when caught by civilian guards, the Prefect Team,  and Platinum Shield, which they can suit well for all; they can detain anyone who is rowdy or behaving belligerently in these cells until the police arrives to transfer them into custody whenever they need be.

Under Richard's suggestion, the holding cell was built first by sacrificing a few parking spaces on the first underground carpark floor as planned, which can allow the Prefect Team to maintain extra security. Although this had triggered a brief stunt with civil rights activists as well as drivers upon hearing about the plan, Richard was shown to be capable of professional leadership and communicating well with the public. With Enterprise standing by his side, she could feel the amount of attention from the cameras held by dozens of journalists as they both focused on him and Enterprise, whose long white hair had stuck out most of the attention and grabbed interest from a lot of people.

"I don't feel comfortable being watched at..." she whispered to herself as Richard makes a speech by the lectern right in front of the public and she does her best to retain her composure.

"So far, there have been no incidents reported within the Vicerone Cashback premises. We continue to uphold security measures while ensuring a comfortable environment for our shoppers. Our security team, in collaboration with Platinum Shield, remains vigilant at all hours, even during the ongoing renovations that aims to provide increased comfort to all shoppers while maintaining the structure's integrity. Rest assured, we are committed to adhering to constitutional laws and will ensure fair treatment for all without any abuse. Our organizational structure is designed to guarantee this commitment."

Enterprise, who is now officially hired as his form of an adjutant, had since been able to slowly open herself up to his colleagues and even his branch manager despite she had lacked her social skills owing her time to being used to patrol on the seas alone. Throughout her time at work, while Laffey and Javelin stayed at Richard's house often to clean up and protect his house, she was able to make herself a living through helping out Richard and his friends in work matters related to Vicerone. 

Though as an adjutant, she helps out other people's tasks and oversees training with the new batch of security guards who acts as candidates for the Prefect Team, who is at the moment, helmed by Andrew Ritchson; the man who had joined in with Vicerone following his defeat at the team duel in Platinum Shield HQ, and now he, alongside his team of fighters, the Spades, are providing training for the Prefect Team so they can be capable of dealing with all forms of eventualities inside the building's premises.

For the first time, from being a shipgirl, she is now his assistant, and she. alongside Laffey and Javelin, were able to fight off in hand-to-hand combat, and use firearms more effectively, exactly in the way how they once used their own small arms when they used their power of Wisdom Cubes, a power that they have already lost, and in that time, she was able to witness a lot of changes in life around her in a process to try and adapt to this new dimension.

But however, she still remains as skeptical of who Richard actually was. Throughout the two weeks she had been living under his roof, he never had once said anything about his late partner, Matthew Henderson, who was said on the internet, to have been killed by his own actions 17 years ago, and now as she is now being able to stand by close to him, she knew that she could knock a sense into him but this can only happen when he is alone, and today that opportunity is about to come in a form of Valdez's staff meeting...

As every staffers and employees at in a big desk, Bryan Valdez, the branch manager, makes a big announcement.

"Okay, as many as you all know, the higher-ups of the Vicerone Cashbacks have informed me that, as part of the reconstruction and in advice from the construction firms they have decided to give each and all employees a break to make way for critical construction equipment, so you may not need to work for the rest of the weekend."

Everyone inside the meeting room clapped and cheered in excitement and relief.

"However, those in the Administrative Disciplinary Committee must remain at work to continue securing the building's premises, and the Platinum Shield will also stay on site. However, the members of that committee can choose to do remote work, so I expect you all, especially the Platinum Shield be kept up to date of what happens in this department store, the security and the renovations. All of you will receive a single check in a form of a paid leave the day after and by Monday, I expect you all rested and fully prepared for what's about to come..."

"Yes sir..." the employees nod and spoke in unison before Valdez dismisses them all. He steps out from the table and walked towards Richard and Nate, who by now is appointed as Captain of the Prefect Team, an armed security team that was formed as part of Richard's new security draft that had been approved by Valdez and the company's CEO, consisting of 25 civilian guards and are all part of Vicerone Cashbacks' Disciplinary Administrative Committee.

"Nate," said Bryan. "Starting Monday, you are now the Captain of the Prefect Team, and Andrew Ritchson will now be your T.O.(training officer). So you and your team members are to be trained under Platinum Shield and once you are cleared, you can lead your team to maintain order. And Richard, I also want you to continue overseeing rehabilitation and security on this building... "

Both Richard and Nate nodded as Bryan steps out from the meeting hall. As everyone else follows, Richard called out Enterprise, and his close colleagues, Helena & Sebastian, pulling his left palm forward, and they all huddled up. Enterprise also stood by behind him as Richard himself spoke:

"With all of that stuff rushing around trying to keep this place secure and to serve a lot of customers as possible, it is really exhausting for all of us..."

"You're right," said Nate, agreeing with Richard. "And since I'm now Captain, thing's will be a lot harder from here on out; I feel like we need to refresh ourselves, and so does the Prefect Team and the rest of us employees..."

"It would have been a lot hectic even today, but thanks to Ms. Winters, our work got a little bit easier..." said Helena.

"Yeah, you can lift boxes and you just kicked the asses out of the Spades!" exclaimed Sebastian.

"It was nothing really," Enterprise can only chuckle. "But I do admit, it was quite tough trying to get around interacting with shoppers and work my way into understanding security and all the policies..."

"Considering the fact I've only been in this world for a few weeks and I had to read a lot of laws and policies..." thought Enterprise to herself.

Then, upon hearing what Nate spoke of about the need to refresh themselves, she had an idea.

"Guys... If i may like to speak... We're talking about needing a rest before a big day ahead right?"

"Absolutely, ma'am," nodded Nate.

"I feel like there may be a lot of places I need to cover before knowing what to do, so I feel like it's a good time if we go to a beach there to soak ourselves in sea and the sunlight..." said Enterprise.

"That's a brilliant idea," said Helena. "It's been such a long time since we last visited to Coney Island, right?" She pressed her elbow on Richard's left arm and he replied, rather slightly embarrassingly:

"R-right... Hehe... We've been there... 10 years ago maybe?"

"When we were celebrating with one of our employees who is about to be relocated to the Tokyo branch!" she added.

"Tokyo branch..." thought Enterprise. "Does that mean this company has a department store like this in another country?"

...

During her two weeks, she had learned more and more information about Richard's universe through searching on the Internet on Boris' old iPad, and reading a collection of newspapers and magazines Richard first given to her back at Kings County Hospital. One particular topic of her interest was discovering other countries across the world, the cultures around said nations she had taken a keen interest on, one of which is Japan.

"Tokyo is the capital of Japan, and from what i remember, that's the same name for the one in my world that was called the Sakura Empire..." she thought to herself. "And we are enemies both mine and in his world, and now the company Richard's working at, has a store in Tokyo?"

Enterprise then decided to ponder that topic for another time and she then said to Helena she had no idea what she was speaking about. Nonetheless, Helena as well as her friends agree to go to Coney Island, and asks Enterprise if she could bring Laffey and Javelin, and she agrees.

"I'll speak to Laffey and Javelin if they want to go to Coney Island when we get home,"

"Fantastic..." Helena closes her palms in a single clap before with everyone else had already left the meeting room, Enterprise gets up from the chair and walks out, followed closely by Richard, Helena, Nate, and Sebastian. As they reach the lobby, the six went on their separate ways as Richard and Enterprise heads down the elevator for his Ford Escape SUV that has just been repaired and he had brought it to the basement carpark earlier this morning. As the two walked through the basement carpark, Richard, having remembered about Coney Island, spoke to Enterprise:

"This Coney Island, this is where I've first met you..."

"Come again," asked Enterprise. Richard replied: "You remember when you passed out back at the bakery, that was in Coney Island where you had fainted with blood above your forehead,"

Enterprise had remembered the one place where she had first passed out, but she couldn't know where exactly she is when she first met Richard.

"Where was the first time you found me?"

"At a local bakery in Coney Island, just across from the Community Garden... Thats where I was before I first met you,"

Enterprise gasped, having felt that she was about to head back to Coney Island, and, in addition of the upcoming beach trip, she felt that she could get to explore more of the beach she had never seen. And so, by the time the two were able to hop back into his car, which had just been repaired, she said:

"I think I'll try and have a taste of what is like to vacation here at Coney Island, I've never got to see one for myself officially,"

"Sounds good then," smiled Richard as he drove his car out of the carpark, heading back home for a good night sleep.

<>

June 11, 2022 - 3:01 PM
Park Slope, Brooklyn

<>

The next day had arrived, and both Richard and Enterprise had changed their clothes appropriate for a summer vacation. With Richard wearing blue and white checkered polo shirt and beige pants, and Enterprise wearing white loose summer blouse and short blue jeans, the two pack up their summer gear consisting of tumblers, sunscreen, umbrella and goggles in duffel bags and make their last checks to see if there is nothing left behind in preparation for their summer vacation in the beach.

"You brought your sunscreen. extra clothing and shades?" asked Richard and Enterprise nodded:

"Yes I have,"

"Good, my friends said they're on their way and we should be meeting at Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station soon," said Richard as he checks the text messages on his phone.

"Hey, Javelin and Laffey! You finished changing? We're just about to leave now," he called out and Javelin spoke:

"Done! We're coming down now,"

Sure enough, both Javelin and Laffey arrived in the living room as they arrive downstairs. They too are wearing their summer clothing almost similar as Enterprise's, albeit slightly baggy and they both wear long pants. Richard was the only one to have only swim trunks in his bag, and the three girls have none.

"We're going to the beach right? But we can't find any of our swimsuits in your house!" said Javelin.

"Sorry about that..." sighed Richard. "I live alone and these clothes your friend's wearing, these once belonged to Helena and she kind of forgot about it..."

"When did she gave this to you, these shorts looks a little bit tight on my end," asked Enterprise and Richard shook his head and said: "6 years ago I believe..."

He tries to brush it off and reassure the three once-shipgirls as he spoke: "I'll have you three buy new swimsuits and extra clothes at Coney Island, as well as ice cream and slushies so we can beat the heat, okay?"

The three nodded and both Javelin and Laffey nonetheless said they are excited.

"I can't wait to see what your beaches are like," said Laffey.

Richard and Enterprise packed up the bags inside his now repaired SUV and as Laffey, and Javelin also hopped into the back seats, he locks the doors behind them and brought the key with him. As he was about to head back into his car, his neighbor, Elise Braun, who lives in a rowhouse next door, also leaves her house by the front door. As she was heading towards her the car to leave for Downtown, she spots Richard and Enterprise and Elise waved out to the two.

"Hey, Richard, where are you going?" she said cheerfully. Richard chuckles and he said: "Just taking these three women on a little trip out in the coast, that's all," 

"I see," Elise then walks up to his car and looks at the three women inside his car. She was surprised to see Enterprise again.

"Hello again, Ms. Winters. And Jenna and Bartlette," She also saw Laffey and Javelin in the backseat of Richard's Ford Escape. "How are you all doing?" she asked and Enterprise replied:

"I just got myself a job. I am now working alongside him..."

"We're just excited to have an outing in the beach!" added Javelin excitedly.

Elise giggled: "I see, I hope you three enjoy the sun and the waves, I'm just heading out to attend the business meeting so I'll be back by tonight,"

"Thanks and good luck with your meeting," said Richard. 

"Hey, I have heard rumors yesterday about a white-haired woman standing beside you while making a press statement, so I guess this is true that you were now his assistant,"

"Yeah... sure... And I'm proud of what she's capable of..." said Richard rather irritably. Enterprise could see his expression that he doesn't sound impressed upon having heard that his neighbor knew almost straight away and his reaction further fueled her suspicions that something must be up.

"Well anyway, we'll be off, let me know if anything happens," said Richard as he quickly recomposes himself and soon, they all hobbled into their cars and drove off; Elise heading for Manhattan, and Richard driving South towards Coney Island, where he is to meet up with his colleagues who is arriving by the subway soon.

<>

June 11, 2022 - 3:41 PM
Coney Island, Brooklyn

<>

After a 40 minute drive, Richard approaches the subway terminal situated in the center of Coney Island where the F and D subway lines converge and meet. As Richard parked his SUV underneath the station, he called Helena in their own group chat.

"Hello?" he spoke on the phone. "I'm here at the terminal. We're heading to the entrance,"

"Y-yeah, we just got off, we're on our way!" said Helena before she hung up and as he tucked his phone onto his pocket, Richard, Enterprise, Laffey, and Javelin walked a short distance towards the subway station entrance located near the taxi cab area. A short time had passed, and before long, Richard could see Helena, Sebastian, and Nate, all wearing their summer outfits as well. Helena waves at Richard and the three finally met up.

"Wow," said Helena. "I can't believe you let her use my old clothes, you look beautiful even when I can see you from a distance and you reminded of me when I first went to the beach with you, Richie,"

"Oh... thanks..." Enterprise blushed as she tried to give a smile on her face and Richard, having heard about this, spoke:

"W-well it's a best I could find..."

Enterprise asked Richard: "I've been asking, have you and Helena were close?"

"We were..." he mumbled. Nate, having knew about the personal relationship between Richard and Helena tries to deflect her question by responding with:

"It's complicated, Ms. Winters, they're just longtime friends, and I can attest to that,"

"I see..." nodded Enterprise and Richard, after shaking his head off, then said:

"Right, let's head down to the boardwalk. The beach is on the other side, through there," he points at the direction where Enterprise could see an amusement park ahead.

"Through that amusement park?" asked Enterprise and Javelin gasped upon seeing the roller coaster moving by the distance, exclaimed:

"This city has an amusement park!?"

"Y-yeah, there's a few more around the city, but this one here, as a beachside amusement park, it is the biggest here in the city," said Nate.

"There is the biggest one in the world called Walt Disney World Resort, but it's located quite far away..." said Sebastian.

"W-wait, how far?" asked Enterprise as the seven walked down the street. After crossing the thoroughfare street, Richard pulls out his phone and searches the directions to said park. There, Richard spoke to Enterprise:

"By car, it'll take us 16 hours, over a thousand mile trip from where we are..."

"A thousand miles!?" gasped Javelin.

"It's located in Florida, around a thousand miles South from here... You can get there, provided if you have enough money and provisions and a sense of direction to navigate..." said Richard.

"I do know Eagle Union is a big nation from where I was, but I wonder, has he ever traveled this far?" she thought to herself.

"I think i'll stick with this place, it's too far..." mumbled Laffey.

"Well, I had no plans going to Orlando so, I'll just leave it at that," Richard shrugged his shoulders.

<>

June 11, 2022 - 3:41 PM
Reigelmann Boardwalk, Brooklyn

<>

Arriving at the boardwalk after a few minutes of walking, Javelin and Laffey was exciting to see the beach views from the raised boardwalk. Enterprise also gave a look around and she could see a lot of people and dozens of establishments along the boardwalk that provided amenities for the beachgoers.

"Well now were here, I think me, and Sebastian will set up our tents and umbrellas and you help us buy food," said Helena.

"I want to go with you, Lena..." said Laffey and Javelin added:

"Can you please buy us hotdogs!?"

"And some cola too..." Laffey added.

"Settle down, I'll go buy them for you..."

After much discussion, Helena, Sebastian, Laffey, and Javelin head out to the beach, while Richard, Enterprise, and Nate remain by the boardwalk. As he watches the four heading out to the beach, Nate spoke:

"Alright, we'll go buy food, you go buy some swimsuits and some extra clothes for us," 

"Alright, Nate," nodded Richard before the two, alongside Enterprise walked down the boardwalk to find a nearby beach clothing store, where they proceeded to buy swimsuits and an extra set of clothes. Having spent their money,  Not too long after, they went on to buy a lot of food and extra supplies before the three head to the beach to find Helena.

After Richard and Nate bought their food and drinks and returned to the beach to met up with the rest of the group, they spend their next several minutes, splashing water at each other, and at one point Enterprise and Helena built a sand mermaid on Sebastian, who also seems to enjoy his time in the beach as well. 

While all of this is going on, Richard and Nate stood back, setting up more tents which acts as their changing rooms and unpacking their food and clothing. By the time Enterprise, Laffey, Javelin, and Helena had already changed into swimsuits after changing out their clothes inside the tents they had set up, everyone started to soak themselves in the sun and the sea as they started running around the sandy, swimming and splashing water at one another.

"This is a lot lively than the one back home!" said Javelin.

"And this place is a lot bigger and more expansive," added Laffey.

As Helena, Sebastian, Laffey, and Javelin swam around the beach, Enterprise, already worn in her swimsuit and having already soaked in the seawater enough, sat down underneath an umbrella for a rest, and Richard, seeing her from the distance, walks up alongside her and said:

"How are you feeling out there?"

"It feels relaxing," she replied. "Aren't you going in for a swim?"

"No, not yet..." he can only reply nodding. He then hands her over a hotdog and fries and said: "If you're hungry, try this, it tastes good, we bought it from the boardwalk,"

Enterprise slowly takes a bit of the hotdog sandwich and a side of fries.

"This feels like home," she quietly remarked as she slowly chewed on the sandwich and fries. As she continues craving on the food Richard had given her, both Helena and Sebastian shouted:

"Hey! Come here! Join with us!"

Although he was rather nervous as it had been such a long time having to jump in the beach, he reluctantly does so, without even taking his summer clothes off and he ends up getting splashed by Laffey, Helena, Sebastian, and Laffey; his clothes are now drenched, but he didn't mind, since they have bought extra change of clothes and so he decided to fight back, splashing more water at them. Everyone was having a great time, and both Enterprise and Nate can only watch from the distance.

"He really does enjoy the beach trip does he..." pondered Enterprise and Nate, who happens to have stood beside her nodded:

"Yeah... He had people to rely on and who cared for him... It's been such a long time since he last done this and he had been serious about work-related matters or trying to focus things in his life,"

The two then sat down underneath the umbrella as the rest of the group continue to run and swim around in the waves.

<>

June 11, 2022 - 4:39 PM

<>

Sometime later, after drying themselves up and changed their clothes and have drank their cold drinks to cool themselves off after rushing about in an almost sweltering heat, Richard and Enterprise set about exploring the boardwalk area once more, leaving Nate, Helena, Sebastian, Laffey, and Javelin behind as they continue chatting with one another or relaxing inside their tents. As they had walked for a good distance and heading back out close to the amusement park, Enterprise spoke to Richard.

"Hey Richard... Now that we're alone, I... was wondering if I could show you where I was when i first ended up here..."

"Oh, I would like to..." he smiled. "So... Where did you end up from and what does it look like when you first arrived?"

Enterprise thought hard:

"I see... rocks.. a small lighthouse, brick houses built in a way I have never seen before... and a large suspension bridge far out in the distance... It is the biggest bridge I have ever seen..."

"Uh huh... Anything else?" he asked further.

"Nothing else, I'm sorry..." she replied.

"Don't worry, if you can just tell me which direction where you came from, I'll show you a way there..." said Richard.

"Thanks... I appreciate it." she said happily.

The two hopped back in his car that was parked underneath the subway terminal and Richard began driving down a major street heading west as told by Enterprise.

It didn't take long until they arrived at a security gate just across the intersection. Enterprise was both unsure but curious about this part of the map, considering that it was fenced around and it was only maintained by two security guards inside the booth.

"You really want to go in there...?" asked Richard. "I mean, I can pay the guards after we explore that gated community..."

"I like to see more of your place, so I'll let you take wherever you like to go,"

"If you say so," he sighed before he inched forward. As he reaches by the security booth, the guards stops his car and the other guard pulled up to him.

"Sir, ID please." he said and Richard hands out his ID to the guard. As he checks he asked: "Do you have any reason why you want to come to this place?"

"Ah, just wanting to give this nice lady here a tour, from the lighthouse and back..." he said; referring to Enterprise. "She just moved from Canada few months ago, so I figured this is the start at Coney Island," he added.

"W-we won't be long..." said Enterprise rather nervously.

 After a while, the guard nods his head and opens the barrier.

"Good evening then sir, and ma'am..." the guard finally greeted. "Don't forget to pay up on your way out,"

"Thanks..." said Enterprise. After handing Richard's ID back, the two went on their way. As they slowly make their way navigating through the streets and passing by a club and a bunch of single-family homes, Enterprise, from the passenger seat, notices a familiar landmark.

"Wait, stop!" she shouted.

Richard screeched to a halt and Enterprise points at that lighthouse.

"That's the same lighthouse I've seen before!" she exclaimed. "D-drive over there!"

"Okay," said Richard as he then pulls over on the cul-de-sac street where the lighthouse is located right beside it. They stopped the car, and Enterprise gets out of the car. She clambered down on some rocks before she stopped at that exact area within this beach strip. Richard panted as he had followed her.

"This... This is the spot..."

"Where?" he asked.

"That's the spot where I first landed," she said pointing at this part of the beach strip and then at the tidal strait called The Narrows.

"So this is where you woke up? Not like you were emigrated from Canada?" he said.

"Yeah.. The first things I remember, a vortex and a wall of water came rushing over my head and I was laying there, bleeding out when I stood up before I got my bearing and wandered around this place before I met you..." said Enterprise pointing at the direction past the lighthouse and the dock, signifying where she had been walking down that path.

"Well, I got to say, this is a nice ocean view... Especially if sun is about to set..." he said as he checks his watch. "But man, if what you said is true, well... I don't know what to say, you living in the same world but in a different dimension, it's so wild to me, not like if I have ever seen fanfictions or whatever the like..."

"It is weird isn't it," nodded Enterprise in agreement. "And no wonder how did they never see me despite this is a fenced off area surrounded by fences and guards and I have no idea this is a gated community!?" she then thought to herself.

As Enterprise stares out in the sea and sat down on the sand, along with Richard, she began to recall how she was back then when she first landed in New York... She looked like a different person. She had blood from her head injuries, and she had lasted for so long until she met Richard Ambrose at the Coney Island Beach, and collapsed due to shock. Then, after some thinking, and remembering that she saw a huge suspension bridge... she asked:

"Uhh, Richard... do you know what is that big bridge over in the view?" as she points out this massive suspension bridge, and Richard explained:

"Well, that is called the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge... One of the largest and longest suspension bridges in the world, that one is meant to carry interstate traffic..."

"Interesting, where does this bridge lead, Richard?"

"See that another piece of land to your left across the Narrows tidal strait? That's called  Staten Island .. It's the most southern point of this city and it's a lot quieter there. It's more isolated  geographically and has a suburban feel to it,"

"I wonder what'd be like if I were to go there and if I do want to have a house there to have some peace and quiet..." thought Enterprise.

"How many lanes can the bridge carry?"

"14 lanes, and that bridge carries hundreds of thousands of vehicles daily..."

"That so many lanes!?" she exclaimed in thought.

"Yeah, I kind of learned about this when I first moved to Brooklyn to enroll in a police academy a long time ago," he said upon looking at Enterprise's shocked reaction. "Even after I quit, I still kept that in mind..."

In that moment, when Enterprise heard about what Richard had said, her mind had ticked, and now she can see that the two are now all alone.

"This is my chance...That bastard had to be hiding something. I needed to find out... One way or another."

With a sigh, she slowly stood up and spoke:

"Richard..." 

"Yes? What is it Enterprise?" he asked.

"I heard... some things about you... You didn't have... anything to do with... what happened 17 years ago, did you?"

Richard was surprised and he quickly stood up as well.

"Wh-what? What are you talking about?"

"That incident... You killed a cop and got you fired, is that right?" she asked, fuming and looking increasing angry.

Richard, knowing that Enterprise knows about his past and not wanting to create unwanted attention, tries to defuse the situation. 

"Alright... I'll try and explain this to you but we'll need to get back to my car---"

But Enterprise, suspecting he was attempting to escape, yelled back at him:

"You're not getting away this time!"

She then charges at Richard and starts to tackle him. Richard, taken in by surprise, attempts to block or dodge against her flurry of punches and kicks. 

"What the hell are you doing!?" said Richard.

"I dislike people who hide secrets!" said Enterprise as she secretly picks up a hand pile of sand and pebbles, who she then threw at Richard's face. Although he did manage to deflect the projectiles, she uses his distraction to pounce at him. They slammed onto the sandy surface and began rolling on towards the crashing waves.

"Stop doing that!" he shouted. "What you're doing is insane!" 

"Not until you be honest with me! You better start explaining or you will face consequences!"

"Fuck off!" he yelled before he lands a fist at her face. " You don't understand what I've been through!"

In retaliation, Enterprise then starts to pounce at Richard again, wrestling him as she lifts him up in the air, over her back and slamming him onto the sandy floor. Richard gets up and attempts to judo throw her again, but Enterprise, this time, had an upper hand. As he grabs her, she strikes her right elbow by his back and then punches his nape and grabs by his eyeballs, blinding him as he trips over.

With Richard now lying on the sandy floor, Enterprise straddles him over and starts choke-holding him, pinning both his legs and his neck.

"You shouldn't have underestimated me!" she grunted as she continues to pin his neck down. But then, all of a sudden, Richard suddenly began to feel hysterical, his emotions, his mind, and his psyche started to go all over the place as he started to suffer hallucinations. In his vision, he sees a familiar face as Enterprise was choking the life out of him.

In a panicked frenzy, he started screaming, and somehow, he managed to free himself as he pushes her with all of his strength he had gotten in his adrenaline. Enraged, Richard started to repeatedly punch Enterprise and kicking both her legs and chest to pin her down.

"S-stop it!" Enterprise yelled, but Richard didn't stop. Enterprise tries to grab a rock nearby to knock him unconscious but Richard grabs her arm and twists it in great force, cracking her joints. She screamed as Richard then grabs the rock from her hand and slams it on her right forehead and then kicks her into the ground. As she lays there in pain, Richard then grabs a bigger rock and, in a fit of hysteric rage, he raises it over Enterprise's head.

Enterprise could see that he was about to kill her, but as he does so, he suddenly receives a sense of clarity as he remembers the faces of his longtime friends, his father, and his sister, and then his dying mother... As he comes back to his senses, he slams down the rock, only right beside her face. Enterprise shuts her eyes, thinking she was about to die, only to realize that the rock was only a few centimeters away from her head to her left...

Dazed, shocked and now exhausted from all the brutal brawl they have been on, Enterprise watches as Richard breaks down into tears.

Enterprise, suffering an injury by her arm and on her forehead, tries to approach towards Richard, but Richard screams and shoves her away. Instead of fighting back however, she stood by and could see Richard curling up and already in a highly distressed and panicking state, screaming and crying about what he saw in his head and he started to feel anguished about what he had done.

Enterprise, attempting to calm him down, tries to apologize to Richard: 

"Richard... I.. I'm sorry I attacked you like this... Are you okay?"

Richard snapped:

"YOU! You brought me nightmares! All these years I've been trying so fucking hard to move on about everything that happened 17 years ago and now here you are, intruding on my personal life! You... You're just like my partner I just killed! You were trying to kill me the way how he tried to..."

He then speaks random incoherent gibberish, rambling about how his ghost has been manipulating her and how he felt he's being targeted by his family and the public as revenge. Enterprise tries to make sense on what he was saying and to get him to speak clearly as she said: 

"R-Richard, you are losing it! What's gotten into you!?"

Richard, still crying and screaming, said: "Get the fuck away from me, Emissary of Death!" as he shoves Enterprise back again. 

"You have NO FUCKING IDEA WHAT I'VE BEEN THROUGH! Every single one of you, none of you can understand what I have done!" he then yelled.

"What have you done then!?" asked Enterprise. "Please tell me and I can help you..."

"You helped nothing!" Richard yelled. "No one will want to hear my sob story..."

Enterprise paused to take a deep breath before she then said: "I do..."

Still curled up, Richard could see Enterprise, kneeling down before she sat down beside him. As Richard wipes off his face and attempting to breathe, Enterprise said: "I do know about your history. You were a good cop, and you saved a lot of lives..."

"What does it matter now?" he said.

"It doesn't," she sighed. "But what I really want to know is why you did it... Everything must have a reason and I need to know what that is, so I can help you..."

The two slowly recuperate themselves attempting to get the bearings. Strangely, however, Richard responds by asking Enterprise the question:

"What was your world like?"

A surprised and confused Enterprise replied: "I... I already told you about what---"

"SAY IT AGAIN!" he interrupted. "Please...." he tears up as Enterprise reluctantly spoke: "It looks the same as yours. Blue skies, beautiful oceans... sometimes oceans and seas used as a battlefield.."

"But... Tell me..." he sniffled and wiped his tears as he then asked. "Have you ever heard of racism... In your world of your own?"

"N-no... I didn't... But... I did hear rumors..."

"Rumors?"

"Yes... While I was on patrol, I do read newspapers that mentions racial assaults... Much of what I read, i found them in the trash and it appears the Eagle Union government was attempting to downplay it..."

"Whereas today, anyone can take a video with a phone and record everything that happened..."

"What is going on and what does that have to do with your situation 17 years ago?"

"You see... as a human being, there are different races that originated in far-off continents centuries and upon centuries. Our planet is home to several hundreds of different races and ethnicities but from what I believe, they are all common in the way that they are humans."

"People from different ancestry and they have different physical backgrounds, you say?"

"Yes.. For instance, two of my close friends, Helena and Nate, they have different ancestries; for one her parents hail from Japan, and Nate's mother hail from the Philippines, and his father, from Australia, who he works in the Royal Australian Air Force..."

"I see... You do have such interesting friends and you remain close with them..."

"Helena and Sebastian worked in Vicerone before me and Nate. We, as well as Sebastian, have all met when I was training to be an employee at Vicerone, and as for Helena, we were high-school sweethearts... But what mattered is that they, especially my father, they all helped me lift myself from depression after what happened 17 years ago..."

"The November 28, 2005 incident?"

"Yes... That one..."

He sniffed his nose up and grunted:

"I've been slaving it away for 17 years trying to move on and this is what's happening to me... You just keep yapping this shit at me! I sheltered you for the past 2 weeks and this is how you fucking repay me! Huh!?"

"I'm sorry, you were very hesitant and I was feeling suspicious about who you are..." said Enterprise.

"No..." he nodded exasperatedly. "I'm sorry for having taken you in, you bitch! You're trying to break me and now YOU FUCKING HAVE! I should've let these pricks blow your head off with a shotgun when I had the chance! I should have just killed you!"

Enterprise can see Richard was becoming a lot spiteful and now more depressed than ever as his emotions had spiraled out of control and he had just hit rock bottom, sitting down on the sandy floor feeling regretful and miserable. She started to feel both pitiful and guilty for having pushed him too hard to the point he is now a broken man, a complete 180 than his professional and calm demeanor in these two weeks she had been with him. However, she remains insistent on wanting to learn more about Richard. After allowing him to calm himself down, she asked Richard:

"Please... You're hurting right now. I can help you if you at least tell me what happened..."

"And you will believe me?" he huffed. "Like what I spoke to the police and the public and they still said I am guilty despite what the court said its not!?"

"Come on, please... I just... really want to know from your voice... I really want to help you so you don't have to go through with what I've felt..."

Richard shuddered his head.

"Y-you don't need to know.. Enterprise.  You already know by just looking it up on the internet,"

"Not from there... From you... I promise you I will not hurt you this time..."

Richard still remains hesitant about this, he still contemplates whether if he should break this to her or not. After looking up in the sky and taking some more deep breaths and staring at Enterprise's now banged up face who looks at him back, he finally gave in and decides to tell her what happened. 

However, unbeknownst to the two, the trio of police officers, who had been attracted by the commotion they've caused, are now watching them from a distance, and after having watched that drama unfold, they are able to see and hear what he's about to do next, and what he is about to say.

...

..

Chapter Text

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November 28, 2005 - 6:47 PM
Bedford-Stuyvesant, New York

<>

...

Sixteen and a half years ago, it was an uneventful evening. Myself and my partner Matthew, who had become my direct superior and had been working much longer than I had, were patrolling the neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn, block by block, keeping an eye on the residents and looking out for any suspicious activities as part of our captain's orders.

We were at first told it was due to security reasons given what had happened back in London 4 months ago, a series of bombings in London Underground and in the city center, at least it's what I heard from the news and from Deputy Commissioner Michael Krag which he had specifically told us about... So far we have not heard any kind of explosions, here on the streets or in the New York subway, not at this time. Throughout the rest of the afternoon until evening, we observed the comings and goings of the citizens while listening to the radio chatter and all is normal.

At the time, we stopped by near the art house building on Lewis Avenue while my senior partner gets out to buy food at a nearby store for our dinner. As I stuck my hand out the window, I was tapping my fingers on the door, contemplating whether if I continue to sit idly by and wait for something to go down, or just relax myself having a sit down and listen to the radio for news and music. My hands kept patting down on the car door as I took a good amount of time to choose between letting my guard down and eat dinner inside the store, or just sit down amidst the freezing cold. Just as before I decide to listen on the car radio, I hear a loud static and a crackle...

"Dispatch. Be advised. We got a possible 10-10 near Lucky's Wine & Spirits at Marcy Avenue. 911 call report suspected shoplifting..."

That's what I heard on the dispatch radio. Almost immediately, I radioed Matthew in using my walkie-talkie, who is still inside the store, and spoke urgently he had to dump the food and warned him of a possible robbery. I then told him to get his ass back here immediately, and he did show up just seconds after that. He got on the car by the driver seat and without even wearing his seatbelt on, save for myself, we were on the way. From where we are, it took us 6 minutes just to get there...

When we arrived and entered the store, the person who called the police, a woman, she called us over and told us the general direction of where the two suspects who she believed they had stole a bottle of brandy. We followed down the direction after she given us the description of the two men. One is the Black person, and the other who appears to be Chinese. They wore grey and brown jackets with hoods and gloves on and they have red caps and the black man was carrying a backpack. She claims to be all the hallmarks of a theft in progress and I intend to find out if that was the case or not.

We didn't have to wait long, however... We were able to spot two individuals near the intersection of Myrtle Avenue within a 4 minute walk, bearing the same description the eyewitness has described. Grey and brown jackets, red caps, and a black backpack. My partner was completely sure he found the right men, but I wasn't so sure given how quick it took for us to find and I am only sure there may be more people out there, although I soon decided I have to check every individual, so, as we held on the door handles and we approach them, the two men stopped walking. From their body language I could see their frustration when we blasted a honk from the sirens as we pulled them over.

<>

7:04 PM

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Around 4 minutes past 7, we caught up to the two men and we got out of the Ford Crown Victoria. Our taser and a Glock 19 Gen 3 pistol are in our duty belts, but I chose not to put my palm onto them both and decided to speak with them calmly. To me, the rules dictate that it is paramount that whatever interaction we make to civilians, is to avoid escalation. At first when we pulled up to them, the black man, later identified as Franklin Miller, a 27 year old who resides in Bedford-Stuyvesant, asked:

"What's going on, officers?"

Matthew was the first to reply as he said: "We had a possible 10-10. Someone at the winery store reported of a shoplifting, and I was hoping if you can hand us over your license and registration..."

"For what, sir? What's going on?" the Chinese man asked following Matthew, who I later identified as Patrick Chung, a 24-year old residing in Dumbo and whose parents hailed from Shenzhen. These two are just friends and had hung out with each other for 10 months when they both work at the same homeless shelter. That's the information I had learned at the later time but what happened next is that, after when Patrick demanded to know what happened, Matthew repeatedly insists to show their ID's, his tone becoming increasingly impatient and aggressive.

When they refuse, I attempt to step in and de-escalate. My fear got into my head as just before when we were about to pull over upon hearing the physical description of the two men, I don't know if I can recall this correctly, but what I hear from Matthew muttering to himself quietly...

"These minority fucks... Always them... A Negro and a chink huh..."

I can't understand what he was feeling right now, but from where I'm seeing, his expression in a cold dark night only lit up by incandescent streetlights, I can sense something doesn't feel right, and now, the way he's trying to interact with them, I suspected the worst was about to happen.... My first step to de-escalate the interaction is that I use both my hands to separate my partner and the two men for a little bit, before I stood in and then telling these two they are they are detained and explained to them in clear terms about what happened.

After having heard of the suspected shoplifting, Patrick spoke up in a Chinese accent, patting down his palms as he said:

"I can assure you.. we just bought this bottle legally... That lady who brought you guys here, she is lying..."

I simply nodded as I pulled out myself a flashlight: "Okay, I understand. Now can you at least open the bag so we can show the contents? It's just a quick search... And after if you please show us your license and registration.. We'll then let you both go...."

I approach by Franklin's backpack, who is the only pack the duo have at this point, as I then repeatedly told Franklin Miller to stay calm. However, Franklin still resisted by taking a step back, acting defensively as he kept insisting that he didn't do anything wrong and, in a fit of defensive anxiety, said he would like to see his lawyer, all while holding his bag forward acting as a shield. 

I stopped and then took a step back as well, but all of a sudden, Matthew, in response, just perked up and in an instant, he started manhandling Franklin... He fist grabs his backpack and then drops it onto the floor as he said: 

"Alright, buddy, you are under arrest. You come with us!"

Both myself and Patrick were taken in by surprise by what he was doing. Both he and Franklin were scuffling, the former trying to grab his handcuffs, and the latter attempted to resist arrest, thereby wrestling against Matthew. As he kept yelling to put his hands behind his back and to stop resisting, myself and their friend, Patrick, we tried to calm them down, with Patrick yelling Matthew that he had nearly broken the liquor bottle and attempted to pull his friend away from Matthew, but...

Matthew responded by pulling out his  Glock 19 Gen 3 pistol , and fired a single shot right by Patrick's right shoulder. He cries out in pain, and fell on his back, slamming right onto the fire hydrant before falling onto the curbside on his left shoulder. What I am hearing right now is the screams of Franklin trying to escape, begging my partner to let him go, and Patrick, in pain by his shoulder and back due to the impact onto the fire hydrant nearby. The sense of panic came rushing over me as I first tended to Patrick.

"Are you alright?" I asked and Patrick, still seething in pain, replied: "I'm okay! But... Frank!"

I then turn my eyes on Matthew, who by now, is restraining Franklin, locking him in a chokehold as he uses all his strength to pin by his neck on the right side of the hood of our Crown Victoria Police Interceptor as well as both of his palms on his back. I could hear Franklin's pleas telling my partner that he cannot breathe and to let him go, struggling to free himself by pushing against Matthew or moving his legs to no avail.

As Franklin was choking to death, I yelled out to my partner:

"Matthew, that's enough! You're killing him!... Y-you just shot his friend, we need these two alive!"

Matthew remains unrelenting on chokeholding Franklin, and he instead yelled back:

"Don't just stand there! Get my handcuffs on the floor and cuff his hands, now!"

I stood there, watching Franklin and Matthew, and then, Patrick on the floor, bleeding from his shoulder, frozen in indecisiveness and fear. Everything that I had feared that this would happen, it is now happening and I had to make a choice... Do I have to follow my partner's orders or save the two men... My partner had just exercised excessive force and I just stood there, trying everything I could to de-escalate but now this has been all for naught...

I remember what my father told me, right before when I attended the police academy... Shutting my eyes and taking a few deep breaths I hear my father's voice:

"Be a good cop not just for yourself, but the best cop for the people who need you..."

These were his words before when I took a step out from the car and heading towards the front entrance of the police academy when I was only around 20 years old after I had passed the entrance exam. I had kept his word for 9 years, making friends with my close colleagues, including my partner, doing my best not to participate in corruption or practicing excessive force and I always use my powers responsibly... Nothing had gone wrong, and now I am facing that issue and that is these two people, who they are citizens that I was sworn to protect, are going to die at the hands of my partner if I don't do something even if it meant having to fight against someone I knew.

With both the lives of Franklin and Patrick slowly slipping away, I shook my head and made the ultimate decision. Clenching my fist, I walked forward and, rather than grabbing the handcuffs that was on the floor, I pulled Matthew by his back, pulling by his uniform as I yelled:

"I said... Let... go of him right now!"

I was successfully able to pull Matthew away from the Interceptor, losing his grip on Franklin who drops down by the curbside, gasping for air that he had lost. In doing so by saving Franklin Miller's life however, Matthew was very furious at me, and I could see h s angry face as he then started to attack me. Landing his fist right by my left cheek, he angrily yelled:

"Fuck you, Ambrose! I should never have coddled you a soft, condescending wimp like you!"

He then punched me twice and I fell back, but I was saved by a trash can which I used to to stop myself from falling over by my back onto the ground. I then dodged the third punch and I ran to the side of the Interceptor. Matthew then grabs the trash can and threw it at me, but I dodged it and the trash can slammed by the window, leaving a large crack and a dent on the car door.

I responded by charging at Matthew using my head to pounce at his stomach and I tried to push him away from these two men, but Matthew, with a lot more experience than mine, then grabbed my stomach by his palms which clawed on tightly at me before he shoved me down on the curbside by forcing his elbow against my upper back. As I lay on the ground in pain, he then straddled me and started to choke me, and now, I have taken Franklin's place as I was about to suffocate, this time on the surface of the sidewalk.

"Get off of me!" I yelled despite having my neck being constricted but Matthew wouldn't give in and he said:

"You are a fucking disgrace you traitor! Now you shall die unknown!"

As he continues pressing his hands down on my throat and on my right arm, I could feel my life also beginning to slip as I have been starved of oxygen. I know if I didn't do something, then I would be potentially joining Franklin and Patrick to the grave, and... remembering about my friends, my only father who I had been living with after my mother had passed away in my early age, and the people who I fought for as my eyes focus on Franklin trying to help Patrick up on his feet, I refused to give in.

Without even thinking twice, I used my free left arm to land a punch at his face. As he was hit with an ounce of pain, he loosen his grip on my right arm and my neck, and using this opportunity, I just shoved him back with great force so free myself...

However, I didn't know this at a time, but it was a fatal mistake.

The next thing I knew... I heard a loud screech, followed a split second later with a sound of a bang. When I opened my eyes and I stood up, I had already heard the crash and a thud from the direction where I pushed Matthew. To my sheer horror, all I could see is a beam of headlights coming from an SUV whose driver had just been approaching at that intersection we were in and had been taken in by surprise.  He screamed in horror at the sight of the man on the road, lying on the pavement, with his head split open and bleeding. My heart sank as I realized... I had pushed my partner straight into an SUV, and that judging by the driver's reaction, I can see that he had no time to stop.

"Oh my god is that cop okay!?" the driver of that SUV repeatedly asked and all I did was just stand there, thinking of that same thing without even saying a word. My hands and legs were shaken and I couldn't move for at least several seconds. Staring down at Patrick's bleeding shoulder and Matthew's bleeding skull, I keep shaking my head and pressed my fist several times, but I struggled to speak and explain what happened to the SUV driver. 

I didn't mean to hurt him... It was an accident, I kept saying this to myself. All I wanted was to get him to understand, but... Now it has come to this and... the first thing I did was  I staggered back to the Interceptor, tripping over my feet as I hit the curbside. Once I had managed to crawl myself on the passenger seat, I pulled out the radio and cried out to dispatch for help:

"D-Dispatch! I need medical assistance ! I got 3 people injured! Suspect shot on shoulder, the other with bruises by his neck, and my partner's bleeding by the head, he's not moving!"

The dispatcher responded:

"Your partner... Is he breathing? Did you check any pulse?"

Still clung onto the passenger seat, I called out to the SUV driver and said:

"H-hey! Check his pulse! Is he breathing or not!?"

The SUV driver does as what he was told and he placed down two fingers by the right side of his neck and then underneath his right palm by the wrist before he said:

"It's very weak!"

I relayed the information to the dispatcher, who said that police and medical units are on their way to my current location. I dropped the walkie-talkie on the floor inside the car and I slowly edged myself forward towards Matthew, to check on his pulse myself and I dragged his body out from the road and onto the curbside, placing him on a large cloth I picked out from the back of the Interceptor. Once I had moved him to a safe place on the right side of the car in front of the Interceptor, I edged myself forward and sat down by the Patrick and Franklin, who is laying by the wall on a nearby building

"Are you okay?" Patrick asked me and I replied: "I'm okay..." He then asked if my partner is okay, and I mumbled: "I... I don't know..."

It didn't take long until I could hear a wail of sirens converging onto our position. As I stood up, grabbing by the wall using my hands, I could see ambulances and three other police interceptors rushing by and coming into a stop. A team of medics rush out from the two ambulances and I watch as they take Patrick away into the back of the ambulance, followed by Franklin, who insisted he go with him. I was next in line, and so does Matthew, who they put him onto a stretcher, and I sat down on the seat beside him. 

All the way, I just sat down there inside the back of the ambulance, staring at the face of Matthew as doctors work on trying to stabilize his wounds on the back of his head, the best they could and keeping him breathing, and I kept watching the EKG monitors... His pulse remains weak and his heartbeat, slow...

....

..

.

Chapter Text

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June 10, 2022 - 5:01 PM
Coney Island, Brooklyn

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Enterprise was shocked after hearing RIchard's nerve-wracking and harrowing story about what happened on November 28th, 2005. She had once been facing life or death decisions that had bear a heavy weigh on her conscience, but she overtime became sympathetic about what had been eating Richard's mind for 17 years to this day; he had been traumatized after he once killed his partner on accident and he had been dealing with this for a long time. Out in the distance, however, three NYPD officers, Mika Hayasaka, Julian Senna, and Kiefer McGuinness have also heard his story, and, if anything, they were more or less moved by his explanation. Although they were not seen yet as they had hid themselves behind a pile of rocks, they could watch as Richard spoke:

"In hindsight, I should have just pulled out a taser or a pistol on him and just threaten him to stop, but... I couldn't... I was panicking and it happened so fast, I didn't want to hurt him but... I never expected the car to come by at this precise moment..."

"I can't believe this, but why did your partner try to attack you?" asked Enterprise and Richard scoffed: "I thought he was a good partner, but I was wrong... He is a total racist prick who has no consideration about their civil rights and how they feel unlike me, and he'd just kill anyone who doesn't agree with his tactics!"

Enterprise could feel his tone of spiteful cynicism and deep despair upon hearing how he felt about his late partner. After a short time processing, she asked Richard:

"The two people who you saved, did they have the bottle, and are they okay?" Richard said:

"To answer your first question, it was confirmed to have be the same bottle the 911 caller claims it was stolen, but it was proven to have been bought legally thanks to the receipt they have after the bag was searched right after I left... As for your second question, they are okay...," 

"So when did you learn that Matthew died?" asked Enterprise and Richard grimly sighed:

"Same time after when Senna broke the news about the two men I saved. He said Matt's surgery was... unsuccessful,"

"My god," Enterprise felt shocked and disheartened upon hearing this as Richard continued:

"Senna told me there were so many fractures in his skull and in his vertebrae that the doctors' efforts have been all for naught... I couldn't sleep after that... I kept seeing these nightmarish visions that I killed him and still hear voices in my head, and I still have..."

Tears started to pour out from Richard's eyes as he sniffled upon recalling how he knew about Matthew's passing. Enterprise tries to comfort him by having him lean on her shoulder and wiping his tears.

"It's okay... It's not your fault... You said it yourself it was an accident and you did what you could to protect these two men and yourself..." said Enterprise but Richard shook his head and he cried:

"But why!? I did my job, I did commit to protect and serve, but the officers, even the captain in the precinct said I shouldn't have saved them, then my partner would still be alive... When I tried to get back to work, I was arrested and thrown in jail..."

"You went to jail?" gasped Enterprise. "On what grounds do they think they could arrest a hero of the two men!?"

"Involuntary manslaughter and unjustifiable use of force against an officer, that's how the prosecution sees it..." he said.

"And what was your verdict for these charges?"

" Not guilty ... The only piece of evidence that saved me from having to face 8 years in prison, was the dashcam video footage from my Interceptor clearly showing how that happened... That was enough to convince the jury that I am innocent..."

"That's great, I mean I'm glad you got out a free man..." said Enterprise having a sigh of relief but Richard said back and scoffed:

"Free!? Try saying that to the NYPD or the city public about that and hopefully they won't shit on you for that..."

"What do you mean?" asked Enterprise.

"Have you watched the news about what happened after I saved your ass at Chipotle!?" he asked.

"I have, and I heard from someone who said he doesn't care whether if you are guilty or not and simply said you killed a family man despite having heard that you saved me and a lot of innocent people..." said Enterprise, recalling what happened when she was held hostage by two gunmen.

"Exactly!" he scoffed. "It's been 17 years after that incident and they never forget and they will never change! Some of the people still think I am guilty, and the NYPD thought the same too... I spent all these years trying to move on... until you just try to beat me up without even thinking about researching the trial, you dumbfuck!"

Enterprise now started to feel bad upon realizing that she had been carelessly been trying to push Richard into explaining what actually happened without even thinking of researching his trial. 

"I'm sorry..." said Enterprise as she pulls out her handkerchief to wipe off his wounds on his forehead. "I didn't research enough and I didn't know much about the criminal trial, but I don't like you hiding secrets from me,"

"H-how long have you known about this incident?" he asked.

"Two weeks..." she said.

Richard scoffed and said angrily: "You spent this much time to be stronger so you can be strong enough to kill me? You just squandered every opportunity to dig more dirt about me, and instead, you just clap back at me despite how much I treated you well!"

"I said I'm sorry! I said again that I didn't think of researching first, I hadn't gotten used to this new world than what I have yet!" she protested.

"Then you can't possibly fucking understand how Matthew's family, the city public, and even myself had been through!" he shouted angrily.

Enterprise clenched her first as she gave a big sigh and said:

"I do... Richard..."

"Y-you do...? Really?" asked Richard. Enterprise replied: 

"When I was at war battling against my enemies who had betrayed us and sided with the Sirens, ships who are like us but are hellbent on world domination and endless power, I kept facing all these hard decisions that involves hurting the people who used to be my allies,"

"And you took it?" Richard sniffled and Enterprise nodded: "Yes... Despite I tried so hard to put up with it, I never forget the time when I fought against my own kind with the same riggings I had carried as an aircraft carrier... I hurt or kill people, the shipgirls and the civilians, believing in myself it's for the good of the world and this is all about war on the behalf of the Azur Lane alliance, and I've been carrying all that weight my entire life..."

"I see..." Richard then gave a sigh and Enterprise, after much convincing for Richard to explain what happened after the incident, he spoke to her about his story:

"When it was over, I was fired from the NYPD... I was angry and overall depressed at that time, and the amount of guilt and suffering I've experienced, being harassed by those who knew Matthew, and having to hear noises in my head, it was too much for me that I tried to jump off the bridge to kill myself, but I couldn't..."

His explanation about him attempting to commit suicide shocked Enterprise, and also sent chills with Senna, Hayasaka, and McGuinness. Richard continued:

"After that attempt, I was sent to therapy by my father and my friend, Helena... and I've been attending therapy sessions for two years..."

"Is this how you got yourself a new job at Vicerone?" asked Enterprise, who was stunned by his experiences, and Richard nodded: 

"Not really... Before that, I took up odd jobs to make ends meet, working as a delivery driver for 7 months and Helena said that I need to work at Vicerone as part of her repayment, and... it was these seven months I've spent thinking it over before I accepted her offer. After several months more of training with Mr. Valdez and my close colleagues, I've been working there for 16 years now..."

"Your friend, Helena... She bailed you out and gave you a job in Vicerone?" asked Enterprise.

"Yes," he nodded. "She spend a lot of cash and she said I had to work there as her repayment... Thanks to her, I was able to leave jail on the condition that I was to not leave the city, and I was forbidden by the Supreme Court to go near Matthew's family and relatives until the next court date..." said Richard.

"You still tried to explain or to apologize to his family?" asked Enterprise but Richard sighed:

"No... And I never got the chance... Last time I heard from Senna, they just upgraded the restraining order against me to be a final permanent order, and he then said that they have moved out to an undisclosed location under police escort after I was declared not guilty..."

"And... the woman who called you there at the liquor store, did you get her arrested for making a false 9-1-1 call that led to this incident?" asked Enterprise and Richard said as he grabs a nearby pebble and threw it into the waves:

"No... She moved out as well, never to be seen again... She ruined my life, and to that extent, she took my partner's life, and she remains a free woman... And because I now got a job, I just can't pursue her or I'd be screwing my life even worse, so I gave up on trying to find Matthew's family or that caller..."

Enterprise felt pitiful upon being able to hear Richard's plight.

"If there's something I could have done, I could have helped him at some way," she thought to herself.

As the two sat down, staring out at the crashing waves on the shore and at the spot where Enterprise had first woken up there, she spoke to Richard

"Throughout these years, you were a good cop and you quickly rose through the ranks..."

"Yeah... Even though I'm not a police lieutenant anymore, myself being a Head of Security and Operations gave me a second chance to prove myself to the public and the NYPD..."

"You mean to get back at them by having a lot more authority?"

"I wish I have..." he sighed.

Enterprise stood up onto the sandy surface as she asked Richard how much he knew about Helena Mizuno.

"So this Helena... How much have you known her and when was the first time you spoke to her?"

Richard gave a slight chuckle as he said: 

"It was... during college in New York, somewhere in the early 90's right before I attended the police academy. She's a nice cultured young woman, who she moved here from Japan to Rhode Island before her family settled here,"

"What's her course?" asked Enterprise,

"Law... And she dreamt to be a police officer like mine... We both share our common goal and we often have each other's backs whenever we need the most, whether if bullies try to pick on either one of us, we just send their ass packing..."

Enterprise giggled:

"That's very sweet of you, so... I was wondering... Have you ever dated before during that time?"

"Once," he sighed. "Although we were never married, and our relationship didn't last because... as it turns out, she changed her mind about pursuing to be a cop and said she wanted to be a financial accountant instead,"

"What, why did she do that?" asked Enterprise.

"Well, she did say she needed to earn a living to provide for her family... and I overtime support her decision," he shrugged his shoulders. 

"Even after we split up after I graduated and I then enrolled in the police academy, we still remain friends... even after when I became a cop, and now here we are... She bailed me out from Rikers... and its how I went from being a cop, to a delivery driver, and now an administrative head of security in a span of 17 years..."

"Well, if there is some consolation," said Enterprise. "...is that even after all the drama, you've been able to still make yourself a living, and you still have people who care about you... And you've been dealing with this for 17 years just like mine..."

"That is true," said Richard.

"I've been carrying that weight of the civilians and my former comrades have hurt, and now you have to carry your own weight righteously..." said Enterprise. "Never give up to consider that what you did is not just right, but think of the people whom you saved, and do not live with regrets, that's your best revenge..."

"Like I saved Franklin and Patrick?" he asked.

"Yes," she nodded. "Thanks to you, these two can get to live whatever they want happily and be able to get back home to their families and they owe it to you... So you must keep living for them..."

"Thank you... Ms. Winters... I do appreciate that... And I'm sorry for hitting you..." he said

"I still hate you for keeping secrets, but have you got that weight off your chest?" she asked and Richard nodded:

"I think I have," ...before Enterprise pulls him back up on his feet. 

"So you choose to save lives over a job," remarked Enterprise. "I'd do the same thing but just a reminder, we all have painful memories... And we all have to live with this for the rest of our lives..."

"You're right," he nodded. "And now I feel slightly better for some reason explaining this to you..."

The trio of officers, Julian, Mika, and Kiefer, having already heard and witnessed enough of Richard and Enterprise, were just about to leave, but in a rush to try and sneakily leave the scene, Kiefer tripped on some rocks on the surface, causing him to stumble onto the ground. This alerted both Richard and Enterprise, who looks at the three.

As Enterprise stood in shock, Richard was furious.

"What the fuck you three are doing here?"

He approaches the three officers as Senna tries to calm Richard down.

"W-wait Richard, listen to me... This is not what it looks like. Mr. Kiefer here insisted we stay and hear what you have to say..."

"Well you should never have been here!" he snapped. "Especially with him, and... D-Detective..." he stuttered before he could even speak of her name Mika before he sighed exasperatedly.

"H-hey, Ambrose..." Kiefer stood forward. "Look... I heard your whole story... Said about saving human lives over your job... I never thought you'd be so caring about other people that are non-White, and I'm just here to say I'm sorry, alright?"

However, this did little as Kiefer's response was half-hearted. He clenched his fist as if he was poised to land a blow on his head.

"H-hey, Sir, that's not worth it, let it go," said Mika, sensing that something was about to go down. It was only at the last moment when Enterprise rushed in and held her palms on his fist and said:

"Richard... that's enough... Do not make this get any worse..."

Richard stood for only several seconds before he could take a breather. After he recomposes himself, he shoves Enterprise's hand away from him and said, shuddering:

"Just fuck off, and leave me alone..." before he rushes back to his car and drove off. Despite Enterprise, and Senna attempts to call out to him to stop, he only locks the doors and sped off, leaving Enterprise, and the stunned officers behind. As Richard's car disappear into view, Senna spoke:

"Well, we meet again... Ms. Winters..."

"What is going on with him?" asked Enterprise, who was surprised to see Senna again after she had last saw the same three officers while she was being hospitalized. 

Senna sighed: "Honestly, he's not looking too good right now,"

"Shall we go after him?" asked Mika and Senna said:

"No, let him rest... You two get back in the car, I'll deal with this woman..."

 Kiefer and Mika hopped back inside the car before Senna turned his attention to Enterprise and said as he extended his palm:

"If you like, we could offer you a ride back to his house and wait for him,"

"Sure..." Enterprise nodded. "P-please... I need to find my friends at the beach, we need to tell them..." 

"Brighton Beach, you say... I'll take you there..." nodded Senna as he and Enterprise also hopped inside the car. Senna, the driver, then leaves Sea Gate, heading for Brighton Beach.

...

..

Chapter Text

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Pacific FOB Facility - Eagle Union
May 20, 1942 - 4:14 AM / 0414

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It has been less than 15 minutes since the initial Siren attack and the First Lightning group, are all in a dangerous situation; the entire underground service hallway they are in on, is in total darkness and now mass-produced humanoids are breaching the base and attacking the group. Ise was shot by the shoulder, rendering the use of her right arm almost impossible as the laser sabot round torn through the upper side of her right shoulder bone, piercing her skin and leaving only her glenohumeral joint and the other part of her skin barely holding her shoulder together.

"Ise!" cried Zuikaku upon witnessing the scene. She lifts her up as Ise replied, grunting in pain: "I'm okay..."

"No, you're not!" Soryuu rebuffed. "Your right arm, it's broken!"

Intrepid and Bremerton, who were by the hatch cover, responds by pulling out their sidearms and opens fire at the horde of humanoids approaching their position, protecting Zuikaku and Soryuu as they dragged Ise to safety. They also respond in kind, as does Hermione, Cheshire, and Black Prince, who also pulled out their own sidearms and swords from their Wisdom Cubes and they fought fiercely, holding back waves of humanoids with all their might. 

They stood their ground for only a few minutes until the lights in the service hallway finally flickered back to life. Rows of lights and sparks illuminate the once-darkened hallway and the shipgirls can now visually see whose enemies they are approaching and aim their sights better. Most crucial of all, they were able to re-establish communications with Berenson.

"Thank goodness, we're back online..." said Berenson. "What's the status?"

"Commander, Ise's badly hurt!" cried Intrepid. "Her shoulder's mangled,"

Dave Berenson, as well as Saratoga, Cleveland, and Georgia, were horrified by the news, and so does the First Lightning and the Decoy Fleet, who Atago, after having re-established communications, was also disheartened upon hearing that Ise's been hurt.

"I-Ise, can you walk?" asked Atago.

"Y-yes I can..." grunted Ise. "I can move on two feet, but not much for my right arm..."

"More humanoids incoming!" yelled Cheshire as she swings her trident straight at the faces of a Siren who she's just been closing in on Soryuu, narrowly saving her life.

"Thank you," Soryuu panted after she had been taken in by surprise.

"More sirens?" cried Shigure. "We've been trailing them away from the facility for 10 minutes! Why are they still breaching inside the facility!?"

Ise replied, panting with pain:

"The Sirens... they... didn't fall for it. The electricity thing... it didn't work..."

"That could only mean one thing..." thought Berenson. "The Sirens... they knew..."

As he was into deep thought wondering what could have happened that led the Sirens to know where they are, he was interrupted by Georgia, who yells at him by name a few times before slamming her fist down on the table to snap him back to his senses.

"Commander Berenson! What are we gonna do? These girls are almost down on ammunition! The Sirens aren't falling for it." she said.

Dave Berenson felt that he had ran out of ideas as his mind was blank... But just as things are about to become hopeless, Intrepid and Bremerton was finally able to open the hatch. Down through the small chamber, it directly leads to the sewers that will take them out to open ocean. The former yelled out on the communicator:

"Commander Berenson! The hatch's been opened!"

Berenson shook his head and gave a sigh of relief as he yelled:

"There's an exit!"

He then orders Zuikaku and Soryuu to send everyone down the ladder and escape. Following this, the two urges everyone else inside to climb down the ladder and escape. It was slow work, and one by one, while the Royal Navy maid shipgirls fought with their Wisdom Cube armaments and military small arms to fend off the Sirens, the First Lightning group slowly climb down into the sewers. 

Ise, despite her injuries, uses her free left arm to fire her Nambu pistol at the oncoming Sirens, while laser sabots whizzed overhead. Despite having to take cover, another round of sabots grazed through Cheshire's right cheek and the next one tore through Ise's stomach near her spleen. She almost tripped over and fell back due to the impact and had she, as well as Cheshire felt a stinging pain on her face, but nonetheless they still kept standing in two feet.

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4:20 AM

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As their ammunition was bleeding dry, the last of the First Lightning was able to climb down, and the Siren humanoid's assault had lulled down. When it was Soryuu's turn to climb down, she calls on Ise to come down and close the hatch behind them, but Ise does not move.

"What's the hold up, Ise?" asked Georgia.

As Soryuu climbs down the ladder, Ise grabs the M1911 pistol nearby and a piece of Memphis' plastic explosive that hadn't been used. She then slowly walks up towards the hatch and, much to the distress of everyone, she locks down the hatch from the outside.

"What are you doing!? Ise!?" cried Soryuu. Attempting to open the hatch that has now been locked, she yelled: "Open the hatch now!"

But Ise can only reply:

"I'm sorry..."

Before she then scurried off, straight through the shattered main generator room and out into the hallway.

"Ise!" said Berenson, who felt distressed. "What are hell are you doing!?"

Ise replied: "Berenson... I have a plan... But you may not like this..."

"What are you suggesting!? And why are you running back in?!" said Zuikaku, who she can see Ise on the video feed while they are still waiting on the sewers.

Ise explained:

"I... I'm not gonna make it back... But I can use the pistol to detonate the gasoline in the munitions storage room, full of ships gun shells and firearm ammunition. I'm also going to be another distraction. Lure them all and whoever leads this freaks to me... Then I'm going to blow them up into smithereens..."

"A suicide attack?" said Saratoga and Ise nodded: "Yes, it's the only way..."

But both Berenson and Zuikaku disagreed.

"No! Even though you used to be my enemy, I don't want you to die like this!" said Berenson, as he began to shudder.

"What about your friends!? Your sister!" added Zuikaku, who felt scared and worried at the prospect she would lose Ise.

"My friends are more important... But... I have no other choice... I have been sent to fight against our former ally... I have caused you pain Mr. Berenson and now I have to pay my price," said Ise.

"N-no! Not like this!" he said angrily as he slammed his fist on the desk before he breaks down. "I... wanted our alliance back together again, but I can't stand bloodshed all because I was not able to put a stop to Wilkinson sooner, so please I don't want this to end like this, there's got to be another way..."

"I know... I don't want to do this... but there is no other way... I had to do this to save everyone..." she said as she continued to run but stops momentarily to take a breath and to check on her wounds; blood is starting to slowly drip out... After a moment of wait...

"I want you to do me a favor... Mr. Berenson" she requested.

"Wh-what is it?" asked Dave, and Ise said:

"Take care of my sister Hyuuga when you find her... and take care of my friends.... And drive the Sirens out... for me..." before she finally ceased communication with the two groups, and the Operation Command Center. Berenson, Zuikaku, and many others feel disheartened as Ise continued running through the dark halls of the FOB facility, encountering small groups of Siren humanoids, which she was able to use her sword using her intact left arm to take them out and continue running.

After a short moment of Berenson holding back his tears and restoring his composure, he took a deep breath and spoke:

"Get out now... Everyone leave the facility before Ise detonates the storage room! Now!"

Souryuu, and many others, despite their initial hesitance, comply and they all rushed through the sewers and out from the forward operating base. Once outside, and with the Sirens still bombarding both the facility and the evading Second Lightning and Decoy Fleets, the First Lightning group surfed down South through open ocean.

<>

4:24 AM

<>

Meanwhile for Ise, she continues her dash towards the munitions storage room. Explosions continue to rock throughout the building as more plasma shells rain down on the facility and the walls and the ceiling started to crack. The shudder also nearly sends Ise tripping and stumbling down on the floor, but she kept standing on her two feet.

It is now utter silence, save for the explosions, as the alarms are no longer functioning. Using both her sword on her intact left hand, and the M1911A1 pistol on her mangled right shoulder held by her palm, she fought her way through the darkened hallways and corridors, taking out Mass-Produced Siren humanoids in her path, all in a while being pursued by a few Sirens. 

She finally arrives at the storage room located only a floor underground than where the main generator rooms are. Exhausted and bleeding, and with the facility rumbling all over the place, Ise uses her strength on her right arm to pull out the explosive charges and uses her sword to stab it open, revealing a putty-like substance. As she was about to pull out her pistol, she hears rattling noises ahead of her.

Ise stood forward and took a few steps raising her sword in a guarded stance as the figure appears from the darkness; the Arbiter: Strength VIII shows up in Ise's vision. She is armed with the sword as well and is also aiming her cannons at Ise.

"I must say... you are quite a tough fighter you are. Such power from your retrofitting..." remarked Arbiter. "But you know that you are still like a weak being... And for you being with the Crimson Axis, you should have just used our power to crush your enemies..."

Ise looks up from the floor, facing at Arbiter: Strength VIII and her mass-produced humanoid pawns who had managed to find her inside the storage room.

"From the moment when I craved your power... I thought no one else except to complete my mission, to follow orders from Akagi and Kaga..." She breathed in and out and spoke: 

"But now I understood... I guess maybe I am not fit for this role, meant to destroy the entire world..."

Arbiter: Strength VIII merely denies what she said, and attempted to persuade Ise.

"We are not just trying to destroy your world. We just simply wanted to make it surgical. When our minions are destroyed, they leave a parting gift, and in their heads and riggings, they contain bits of prototypes and technologies and I see these corpses... as enhancement materials, meant to revolutionize the military might, especially those who are willing... We simply do this for experimentation, to see how these rats handle such catastrophes."

But Ise won't cut it as she grumbled:

"Yeah... And we killed a lot of people and ruined their lives on both sides... We became powerful and laid claim the world's territories with blood under your name... We thought they were our true enemies, but you are wrong..."

Arbiter finally loses patience.

"Then you have no choice, it is time you will be ready to throw you into the endless depth of the seas just like many others where you will never be recovered again..."

As soon as Arbiter replies and readies her cannons, Ise instead pulls out the M1911A1 pistol and initially aims at her face. She slowly took a step back past the explosive she had it planted down onto the floor.

"What are you going to do with that thing?" asked Arbiter. Ise can only scoff as she responded with a grin:

"On one final note, about the tech you given us... It was quite nice... Thanks for having these..."

Arbiter looks down at Ise's feet and as she slowly lowers the muzzle right towards it, she realized what she was about to do. She rushes at her at lightning speed, her sword thrusted forward towards Ise's chest. The blade punctured through her rib, but by this point, Ise had already fired a shot. The bullet ruptured straight into the explosive; these devices, while it does have plastic putty substances, has a capability to rupture when in sudden external contact. As Ise is pushed down by the sword that has now pierced through her heart, the bomb goes off.

The explosion vaporizes both Ise and Arbiter and, almost immediately, detonating large caches of munitions, explosive shells, gunpowder, fuel and explosive chemicals that had been loaded via cargo fleets that were meant for a long-term mission for Azur Lane to secure the Pacific Ocean from any upcoming threats.

A massive explosion tears through the entire Forward Operating Facility. The blast expands outward, wiping out the entire halls on all floors, and the mushroom blast through several floors. The blast tore through the roof and shoots up burning and twisted steel, concrete and solid and liquid chemicals up into the air, as the mushroom cloud billows up in the sky while the fireball engulfs the entire facility. The shockwave rushes through the seas, with shipgirls from both sides feeling the full force of the blast. Followed soon after, burning debris and shrapnel starts to rain down right above them, but luckily, both groups were able to swiftly evade the flaming debris pelting down near them.

Everyone could watch from the distance to see the entire facility engulfed by a wall of smoke and flames with despair, as well as Berenson and Zuikaku, who feel disheartened and devastated of Ise's suicide.

However, her suicidal effort has had an intended effect... Not only did it provide enough cover for everyone to safely evacuate the facility and head back to Azur Lane undetected, but as for the Sirens...

Sisters, what is that?"

"I don't know, but I think our ships have hit the munitions and explosives stored somewhere in the base. I am sure that now these fools are trapped with the loss of power, they have finally blown into smithereens..."

"But we lost a lot of our creatures in the explosion, and I have lost telepathy communication with Arbiter... Should we proceed with the invasion or retreat, Observer?"

"Hmmm... I think for now, we must occupy that place. We might have valuable information from that base...  Also, search for any stragglers. If you see any, do not engage them and let me know. We will be sending reinforcement shortly..."

"Yes, Observer..."

...

..

Chapter Text

<>

Coney Island, Brooklyn
June 12, 2022 - 5:33 PM

<>

Enterprise couldn't help but wonder what had gotten into Richard as she sat down inside the Ford Interceptor SUV, who Lieutenant Julian Senna from the NYPD, is driving, with Senior Detective, Mika Hayasaka, and Sergeant Kiefer McGuinness, is at the back seat. They had just got out of the gated community of Sea Gate, after Richard had driven off. Before Senna could take Enterprise home, she insisted that she bring her friends over, who she thought they are still with Nate, Helena, and Sebastian at the Brighton Beach where they are relaxing; none of them were aware of what has happened to him.

As they are driving down the road towards the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue subway terminal, Enterprise spoke:

"How much did you know about Richard?"

Senna spoke:

"A lot.. Everything he said..."

"Like you knew that what happened in November and his attempted suicide?"

"We all saw what Richard had done. And I was one of a few who believed in his innocence... We were glad that he was found not guilty..."

"What about you? Why are you still holding a grudge with him after what, 17 years!?" said Enterprise. Kiefer replied:

"Even if I understood that he did what he could to protect the civilians, the fact still remains that he just killed a family man," 

"Yeah, well someday, if you were in that position, what would you do then?"

"I just leave them to their own fate," he chuckled. This angers Enterprise to the point she was about to punch him, but Senna shoves her down with his right hand, just as Mika also went to protect Kiefer.

"Enough, both of you," said Senna. 

"Relax, that's how he's called online, and what he did at that time is illegal, and it still is for this department," said Kiefer. "They just fired him based on their strict evaluation of his actions and their own set of rules and standards and he just violated them..."

Enterprise grumbled as Senna said to her: "There's nothing I can do... I am glad that he's proven innocent, and I really do, but unfortunately, the Police Commissioner had already made up their mind,"

Enterprise sighed and relented as she then peered out into the window for the rest of the journey until they reached the vicinity of Luna Park. Enterprise stepped out of the car just as she saw Laffey and Javelin, as well as Helena, Nate, and Sebastian, who appears to have been waiting for Richard.

"Enterprise?" Javelin spoke as she saw her getting out from the police car, and following her, are the trio of officers wearing their police uniforms. Richard's friends was surprised as well.

"Ms. Winters? What's going on, and these officers? What are they doing here?" asked Helena.

"I'm Lieutenant Julian Senna, I'm a friend and former colleague of Mr. Ambrose..." he said as he shook hands with Helena.

"Oh, so you know Richard?" gasped Sebastian.

"What's going on? I don't see Richard with... Ms. Winters..."

Senna turned his head to Helena and told her, as well as Nate and Sebastian, about what happened at Sea Gate. Interestingly for Enterprise, he didn't disclose Enterprise's actual identity to Richard's friends.

"Richard ran away!?" cried Sebastian.

"We're going to look for him, but our first order of business is to take all of you to his house, and that includes you... Ms. Amsley and Ms. Summers I presume.

Laffey and Javelin gave a single nod and the latter replied: "We're friends of Ms. Winters..."

Senna nodded once and said:

"We've already called an extra van to pick you guys up... Once we head back home, we'll look for him,"

"Thank you, sir..." said Enterprise and Helena.

<>

June 12, 2022 - 5:33 PM

<>

Meanwhile, inside a bar somewhere near Central Brooklyn, Richard was skulking by the bar table, grumbling. He had been drinking three glasses of brandy feeling spiteful and bitter about what happened back at Sea Gate; he reason he had left her behind with the police, is that he thought that Enterprise had betrayed him by calling the police over to where he was.

"Why, why why..." he muttered to himself. "...am I so naive... Why did I trust her... I shouldn't have... She brought these bastards to humiliate me..."

He stops muttering as he proceeds to flush down his third glass as he pours straight into his mouth and swallowed down the contents. As he breathes in an out, slowly feeling drunk, the bartender, Marcel Lukens, who was wiping the glass cups, looks on Richard and his facial expression. Curious, he asked:

"What's crackin' bud? You don't look too good..."

"N-nothing..." he shook his head and tried to brush it off insisting he was fine, almost as similarly as Enterprise was when he first met her, except he appears to have felt a lot down to earth than usual.

"Give me another round, keep the change..." he mumbled as he gently hands down the 20 dollar note on the counter. The bartender reluctantly grabs the cash and picks up the glass cup for a refill. As he does, a man with a gruff beard and wearing black clothes and olive green pants sat down next to Richard.

Neither one looked at the other, and the man, after shaking his head around and pressing both his fists to calm his nerves, he attempts to struck up a conversation.

"What's letting you down, boy?"

Richard, without even looking at the man, replied:

"That's nothing for you to be concerned... Just having a rough day I can only say...."

The man lightly chuckled.

"You might need a ride around just to get a chill... If that sounds okay with you?"

Richard nodded, still without looking at the man, said:

"No thank you... I have my own...."

"In this state?" the man scoffed. "Nah nah nah little boy, unless you like to get yourself a DUI, how bout, when you're done drinking, I could take you somewhere you like to go..."

"I just want to go home..." Richard mumbled. However, at that moment, he could feel something in his right pocket. Despite having being inebriated, he uses his quick reflexes to grab whatever's been touching his thigh and in his pocket. He quickly looks at where he grabbed and realizes the the man was attempting to pickpocket him.

Richard quickly stood up and spoke as he then twisted around their arm:

"You know, that's such a bad idea..."

As he snatched back his wallet and the kicked the man away, slamming into a nearby empty table, he took a few steps back and spoke to the man in a confrontational manner:

"So what's your story? You have some buddy of yours tried to nab me and my car keys so I'd take a ride with you? I'd say, in fucking hell..."

The man also stood up from the bar table and turns to face Richard.

"Who says that he's the only one?" He then snaps his fingers. At that moment, one by one, up to 10 men stood up from the tables around the establishment and slowly crept up to both Richard and the mysterious man in all directions, surrounding them both.

"Now, either way it's gonna go..." the mysterious man's lips smacked against one other. "How about you go with the easy way or the hard way... And that doesn't involve running away..."

"Listen asshole... You better not try and pickpocket a man who's having a terrible day... If it was up to me, I'd throw a lot of you straight to the grinder..." Richard grumbled.

"You're not a cop anymore... You have no one to help you..." said the man staring back at Richard menacingly, at which he scoffed:

"Fine by me,"

...Before he slowly grabs the glass and smashes it down onto one of the men nearby on his right. The glass shatters and one of his crewmates winced down and onto the floor, his forehead bleeding. The mysterious man then called on the rest of his crewmates to beat him and they started to pounce at Richard.

Richard, despite having to fight against 11 men, was surprisingly able to deflect or dodge their punches and objects thrown or swung at him, and using his quick reflexes and martial arts techniques, he was able to knock out few of the men. However, despite his police training, and that he was able to stand on his ground by evading their fists, he was quickly becoming exhausted from all the fighting, and soon, the numbers started to overwhelm Richard's skillful superiority. As Richard was given a sweep down on his leg and fell on his back onto the wooden floor, the men then started punching, stomping and kicking him repeatedly, breaking his nose, face, his ribs and thighbone, and his kneecaps. 

Richard, now lying down and bleeding heavily, was unable to use his strength to get himself up as after a flurry of kicks down on his body, one of the gang members throws him straight out through the front door and onto the curb. As the mysterious man walked up and looks down on the ground at his face, he gave several side nods and said:

"You should have left the city when you had the chance..."

He kneels down on Richard, who is barely alive and conscious, and said:

"Everyone had been wishing you dead, and you were being shit upon ever since the trial... Why didn't you leave...?"

Richard slowly turns his head to face the man and he muttered:

"Because... this is... my home... And I had to live in it...."

The man, along with few of his colleagues stared at him, trying to process what Richard had said. His voice had became less audible and incoherent due to his swollen lip and neck. As he leans his ear close to Richard, he spoke again...

"This is... my home... And I had to live in it...."

Having heard enough, the mysterious man stood up and pauses figuring out what to do with him. Richard has already been severely injured and in no condition to fight, other than muttering his words to the assailants. Rubbing his chin using his fingers and after spending a good amount of time pondering.... he slowly pulls out his Colt Python revolver from his coat pocket and aims at Richard's head, growling:

"And now...  you shall die in it.... "

These were Richard's last words he had heard as he closes his eyes, knowing this would be the end of his life. As he lies down, waiting for an inevitable death, he could hear loud screeching and crashing, and the amount of discourse and shouting from the men around him... As he looks around attempting to recover his bearing, he could gee the glimpse of a police van with flickering red and blue lights, swerving and screeching to a halt beside the group.

It was Julian Senna, alongside his two officers Mika Hayasaka, and Kiefer McGuinness, with Glock 19 pistols drawn at the assailants. Behind them, Enterprise and Nate alongside a few other officers also show up and they too are also armed. It turns out that both Senna and Enterprise, who is at the front car, could see an assault happening at the bar nearby as they were approaching towards his home by passing through a roundabout, and it was only when the two decided to intervene, does Enterprise, Senna, and the rest of their friends saw who they were attacking at.

"Richard!" shouted Enterprise. "You okay buddy?" Senna added but Richard could barely speak, only able to shake up his right hand.

"He's badly injured! We need a bus! And extra backup!" Senna yelled out.

"On it," nodded Mika as she proceeds to dial in on the radio to call more units. He then turns to the assailants, aiming their pistols and tasers at the gang leader and their men as he shouted:

"Police! Drop the gun now and put your hands behind your head!"

Helena and Sebastian, who didn't know how to fight, as well as Laffey and Javelin, hunkered down inside the van just right by the roundabout and slightly farther from the bar, and braced for what was about to turn from a standoff into a potential brawl. As more officers draw out their sidearms at the gang of assailants and more bystanders started to take notice and started to flee from the scene to avoid being hit by gunfire, the mysterious man slowly raised his Python revolver up before he then slowly lowers the gun down through their right leg.

"Please..." said the mysterious man holding the revolver. "This man is as dangerous as we are..."

"I don't care! Drop it!" Senna shouted.

"Tch..." he sneered as he continues to slowly lower the revolver. Mika could see from the distance that he was slowly aiming his barrel towards Senna. Fearing the worst, Mika aims at the man's right hand that has been gripping the Python and shouted:

"Gun!"

...before she then several shots at the gunman. Three bullets punctured through both his right hand and on this right thigh. Mika had potentially saved Senna, but in a cruel twist, he pulls the trigger anyway. The .357 Magnum rockets out from the barrel, and instead of hitting Senna, it struck Mika; she collapsed as she fell back onto the ground, a large gaping wound on her left shoulder.

Both Enterprise and Nate, as well as Senna and McGuinness were shocked and before they could try to check in on her, the gang members suddenly began charging in towards the cordon. The officers, taken by surprise, responded by opening combined fire of bullets and taser shots, wounding, immobilizing or killing sevearal of the gang members.

Senna, McGuinness, Nate, and Enterprise also find themselves engaging in fierce hand-to-hand combat as some of the gang members, taking advantage of Mika's shooting, started to ram and exchange fist fights. Luckily, they, along with some of the officers were quickly able to disarm them. As for the leading assailant, he continues to lay down on the curbside beside Richard as both himself and Richard watched as the officers were able to take each of their gang members down one by one.

It was all over in a few seconds. As silence lulled down and a distant wail of police sirens closing in on them, Senna checks up on Mika, who is wincing in pain and breathing laboriously.

"Are you okay?" said Senna as he and Enterprise checks on her wounds. "I'm okay...." Mika could only reply as Senna speaks onto the radio:

"Shots fired! Officer down! We have multiple assailants injured or dead. Send more medical assistance, quickly!'

As McGuinness checks up on the other officers who had only suffered minor injuries, Senna, Enterprise, Laffey, Javelin, and Sebastian walks on over towards Richard and the mysterious assailant. Both of them are in a terrible shape, with Richard's life slowly slipping in and out of consciousness, and the man bleeding profusely on his thigh, where the bullets Mika had fired, had nicked a small part of his femoral artery.

"Richard!" both Enterprise and Helena cried out. As the two tried to tend to his injuries, Helena said:

"Can you hear us! What happened to you!?"

Richard's lips mumbled as he struggled to speak...

"I'm... sorry..."

"We're right here, my boy..." said Nate. As ambulances and extra police cars started arriving, the responding officers proceed to cordon off the area and keep bystanders out, on-site paramedics proceed to carry the severely injured into separate ambulances and placing dead gang members into body bags. Richard, Mika, and the mysterious assailant are all sent into different hospitals.

Helena and Enterprise hopped inside the ambulance and Nate, Sebastian, Laffey and Javelin followed inside the police car driven by one of the officers, as paramedics get to work in stabilizing both Richard and Mika's injuries. Enterprise looks on over them, feeling astounded by how grave his injuries are, as well as for Mika's, which all reminded her the feeling about how she had dealt with people getting hurt in her time.

<>

Kings County Hospital, Brooklyn
June 12, 2022 - 6:01 PM

<>

Several minutes have passed; ambulances rushed in towards Kings County Hospital, the same hospital where Richard had taken Enterprise to weeks earlier. As nurse attendants and staff pulls out the wheeled stretchers, paramedics carry both Mika and Richard from the vans and onto the stretcher. As the staff carries them both to the stretcher, a familiar face appeared in Enterprise's sights...

"D-Doctor Yevgeny?"

Boris Yevgeny looks on at Enterprise and is shocked to see the state of Richard and Mika they are in.

"Ms. Winters, what happened to these two..."

The officer who had been following the van briefs in with Yegveny:

"GSW on Hayasaka's left shoulder, .357 caliber. May have nicked her subclavian artery but her vitals are stable..."

"And... Mr. Ambrose?" he asked. The staffers responded:

"Multiple fractures on his ribcages, heel and knee bones and on his skull... He's barely conscious..."

"Send them both to the ER, quickly!" Yevgeny commanded as doctors rushed the stretchers towards the emergency room. Enterprise, Helena, Nate, Laffey, Javelin, and Sebastian were instructed by Yevgeny to wait. They stood in the hallway, visibly shaken and rattled by the gravity of Mika and Richard's injuries, their anxiety heightened by uncertainty over whether if they're okay. Enterprise could only watch as Richard and Mika, wheeled away on the stretchers, vanished behind the transparent glass doors...

...

..

.

Chapter Text

<>

May 20, 1942 - 6:39 AM / 0639
Azur Lane Port - Eagle Union

<>

The First and Second lightning squadrons, after narrowly being caught up by the overarching Siren naval attack against their forward operating base, have finally reached their safety back at base. They had been radio silent as to make sure the Sirens wouldn't track them down, and luckily, they managed to return without any further incident. Though some were able to escape serious injuries, they were shaken and almost traumatized by the sight of Ise's sacrifice, which had ultimately allowed them to escape, and whose news have spread around the entire town as the entire squadrons reconvened back inside the Command Center.

"Ise... I can't believe it, she's gone..." said Zuikaku sadly.

"This is the first time I have ever seen this shipgirl die like that..." added Navy Secretary William Booker, who is still in shock and had been in the call as soon as they arrived and heard of the news.

Souryuu felt guilty.

"I... wasn't able to stop her... She just ran off and I was the last to climb down before her..." she said sadly.

"No... It's not your fault, she just wanted to do something, she remained behind so that we can escape..." said Neptune.

"She probably knew what's gonna happen, the Sirens continued to breach through the base so she decided to blow up the base, allowing the rest of you to escape," added Warspite.

"What's left now is how did the Sirens know about this?" said Georgia. "There's no chatter about this and we were sure there were no saboteurs among them..."

"So many of us were in that meeting, one of you could be responsible for this..." said Intrepid.

"Now now, we are in no position to point fingers..." said Berenson. "The Sirens wanted this to happen, so all what matters now is what we do next before we'll deal with this on the inside."

"The initial plan's a no-go..." sighed Georgia. "Crossing through the Northwest Pacific Ocean's suicide at this stage, so we'll need to find another way...

"What if we could still bypass them by cutting through the Marianas and through the East Philippine Sea.." said Zuikaku.

"That will still take a week at full speed.." said Warspite. "And its assuming if the Sirens doesn't advance through here..."

"If they have, they'll need to go through this area here..." said Berenson. "Sara, anything on radar?"

"No sirens around the perimeter..." she replied. "But given the position of the forward operating base, they may likely come from the Northeast,"

"What's down in the Southwest...?"

"A chain of volcanic islands of the Mirconesia... We've recaptured them as Azur Lane territory around 17 months ago and there are no reports of any Siren activity there."

"We could send Zuikaku and her comrades back to Sakura mainland through here undetected and, if were lucky, they can convince and warn Nagato and Mikasa of the impending danger..." said Berenson. "But in case if the Sirens were to search the area down South, we'll need to be fast and stealthy to escort them..."

He rubs his chin with his fingers as he decides on which ships are they going to escort the Sakura Empire survivors back to their mainland and after a thorough discussion, he settles on Helena, a light cruiser from Eagle Union who has anti-air radar systems and high-frequency radio jammers, and who was part of the Midway incident and had survived with minor injuries, as well as two destroyers, also from the Eagle Union; Eldridge, an escort destroyer, Maury, who holds the fastest naval destroyer on record for the Eagle Union Navy. He also commissions Eagle, the light aircraft carrier, and Neptune, a light cruiser; both were part of the Pacific as the Second Squadron and are from the Royal Navy.

Eagle has scout planes that could scout ahead large swaths of territory while Neptune also carries radar jammers much as Helena's. Combined, Berenson tasked Helena, Maury, Eldridge, Eagle, and Neptune to be the escorts for Sakurans to head back to the mainland, also acting as diplomatic emissaries to send his message to their High Command, should the communications fail.

He was anxious about the prospect that Zuikaku and her cronies, as well as their escorts may face certain death if things go south diplomatically with the Sakura Empire, who as far as they are aware, knew that there are prisoners of war still held by Eagle Union, as well as Akagi and Kaga, who he fears they may take a jump at them. However, remembering Zuikaku's determined insistence when he had once confided in his anxiety to her, and determined to reunify the front to better deal with the Sirens when he knew they were on a disadvantage, he ultimately gives the new emissary team a go ahead to escort Zuikaku and her comrades back to Sakura Empire.

"You five have one shot at this... If things go south, splinter and head down to the rendezvous point in the Philippines..." he said.

"But what about the rest?" asked Zuikaku.

"We're hunkering down... We've already set this place on full alert... You should get out of there and warn Mikasa and the others you know, while you still can,"

"Good luck, Mr. Berenson," said Zuikaku, before she heads out back into the port to make their preparations for a trek down the Marianas, watching from the command post as Berenson and his staff looks on the new escort group heading out into open waters of the Pacific, passing through the huge suspension bridge that crosses over the bay; he knew now time is of the essence.

"There's no going back now... We have to prepare for the upcoming Siren attack, they may have already knew were cornered..." said Berenson looking solemnly at the monitor.

"On it, I'm calling in the Port Authority's Crisis Management Division..." said Georgia before she proceeds to phone it in.

"Good, we need to muster everything we could to fortify the base..." said Berenson. "I'll contact Mr. Booker to see what we can do from here,"

"Got it, I'm about to patch him through..." 

<>

May 21, 1942 - 11:53 AM / 1153

<>

One day has passed after Zuikaku and her group left port, and at the infirmary located down in the center of Azur Lane Port Town, King George V and Warspite sat by Prince of Wales and Hood, both who were involved in the Midway attack and is still unconscious, just as the former slowly started to regain consciousness; her fingers twitching and her eyelids twist. With Wales slowly and raggedly breathing, she pushes her strength to open her eyes, to the sight her sister as well as Warspite looking on, with shock and relief on their faces.

"Wales..." King George V said softly. "How are you feeling?"

"I still feel pain," groaned Wales. "But I'll be fine..."

Next to Wales, Queen Elizabeth also wakes up, as she began to recover from her injuries sustained during the Midway attack.

"Nurse!" called out King George V as Warspite tries to relieve Queen Elizabeth from her pain. At the same time, they were all met with a joyous surprise when they see Hood, also recovering from her injuries, appearing inside the room, walking with a stick held by her hand.

"What is going on? Where am I?" Queen Elizabeth asked and Hood replied; "We're back at the home base near Eagle Union, my queen..."

After getting their bearings, Warspite and King George V then explained to Queen Elizabeth, Hood, and Prince of Wales about the current situation:

"Commander Berenson's placed the entire port on high alert, and has already sent Zuikaku and her group back to Sakura Empire to convince Nagato for support. He's also in the process of fortifying this port base for an imminent Siren attack, he's pulling out all the stops..." 

"I see," nodded Prince of Wales.

"He's also setting up patrols around the base as well, and he's ramping up his approvals to install prototype defenses, specifically the ones we obtained during our attack against one of Iron Blood's strongholds near Iris Libre just 3 and a half years ago and had been in disuse until now," added Warspite. "They're working hard to restore the turrets to working order..."

"Any position updates of the Sirens and the Crimson Axis forces?"

"There are still some discord and confusion, the Axis didn't seem to be much of a threat after what happened at Midway, but the Sirens, they are slowly near our territorial border at Midway, soon, we'll be next," replied King George V.

"I see...," said Queen Elizabeth before she continued to sit back down on her bed, left pondering about the future of Azur Lane.

<>

12:00 PM / 1200
Commander's Office, Azur Lane Port Base

<>

Inside the Commander's Office, Dave Berenson remains focused on his paperwork as he writes his signature using his ballpen on dozens upon dozens of permits related to the construction and maintenance of the defense, healthcare, lodging, and technological facilities, which, after he had placed the base on full alert for an impending Siren attack, began to pile up on his desk every hour, as his secretaries continue to bring in their permits into his office.

"Request for half a million tons of food, water, and medical supplies, I'll put this forward to the Secretary of the Navy... this must be urgent.."

"Accelerated testing of  Iron Blood Mark IV Tegel Plasma Cannons , check... We'll need these up and running if we are to withstand the Sirens,"

"Increase patrol size and expand the patrol area extending 20 nautical miles... denied... Too risky to draw out as much naval power to be left vulnerable for any surprise attack... We need our center to be thick and impenetrable when they launch an attack..."

The list went on and on, and while he accepted most of the permits, he also denied a few others who he felt are not related to matters of defense, such as setting up trade shops or building high end apartments, which is not the type he should be focusing on in a time of war. Although he was starting to feel tired, having had his few hours of sleep on end after leading the Pacific Fleet in a failed counter-offensive operation, he knew, as Commander of the Azur Lane, he has the final say on these permits, and he has full trust in everyone he was looking after and he is determined not to let the tragedies pile up on his head.

A knock on the door is heard, and showing up with a tray set with coffee alongside bacon, beans sausage, rice, steak and vegetables, is Sirius. Her hands and legs started wobbling as she walks past the door frame and was struggling to keep balance. When she was inching herself closer to his desk, however, she became clumsy and her heel and ankle tripped over, causing her to drop down sharply. She recovered from the fall, but the jolt causes the cup of coffee to spill all over the tray, scalding her right hand. She shrieks in pain, leading 

"I'm sorry, Master! I ruined it!"

"It's okay," said Berenson as he pulls out his handkerchief and, in his rush of adrenaline, comes to aid Sirius to cleanse herself and stabilize her burn injury. As he wipes off the coffee on her hand, she spoke, stuttering:

"I.mm I'm sorry... I nearly stumbled myself over,"

"It's alright... I can still eat this, and you can make yourself another coffee, when you're up again," he nodded.

"Y-you're nearly pushing yourself, Master," she replied. "You haven't gotten yourself enough sleep,"

"I failed my mission, and I let Ise and potentially many others out there die... I won't make my same mistake..." he said determinedly before he gave a pat down on her shoulder and said: "You can make yourself another one or ask some else and get yourself a breather,"

"N-no! I'll do it!" Sirius shouted. "I can do this," she huffed." Unable to resist her insistence, he said:

"Just be careful, alright,"

She nods and Berenson walk back to his desk, staring down at the tray. While much of the cup's contents had spilled out, he decides to drink what's left of the cup anyway, sipping for several times before he uses his spork on his left hand to eat the beans and rice while he uses his right hand to read the permits once more.

Not even a minute goes by, he hears another knocking. Expecting to be Sirius who he thought she had finished making another cup, he called out her name, only to notice it was actually Yorktown, and Cleveland, who carried not only paperwork, but the they also have three cups of frothy strawberry cappuccino, which is his favorite kind of flavor he had craved.

"Hey.. you two, Is it the last one?"

"Yep, these are the last ones for now, Commander," said Cleveland. "Here's one for you," as he handed over one cup of strawberry cappuccino on his desk,"

"Thanks, but Sirius already handed me over a cup of coffee, maybe I'll teach her how to make one like this someday,"

"We'll help her out if you like," said Yorktown, "By the way, that tray, what happened to it?"

"It's just a little spill, but the lunch she made, it did not disappoint, as well as the coffee," he said. "Though I believe she may have pushed herself and got a little hurt by her hand,"

"I know," nodded Yorktown. "She said it was fine, but I told her to check on the infirmary first and she said she will,"

"By the way, how's everyone else inside the infirmary? Queen Elizabeth, Hood, Montpelier, and Illustrious...?" he then asked. Yorktown replied:

"They're all waking up and they are walking fine, even Cleveland here, she wasn't much hurt after what happened back out there,"

"And those missing at Midway? Enterprise, Shoukaku, Akagi, and Javelin, so many I couldn't count..." asked Cleveland and Berenson sighed: 

"Honestly, without a search operation or new information about what happened, and with the Sirens now making their move, there's just no way of knowing... But I want to believe these girls out there are strong and they can survive,"

"They will..." said Yorktown as she held his hand. "Their drive to reunify Azur Lane is what makes them stronger, and I believe that too,"

Berenson slightly nodded in agreement, as the three slowly started drinking their own cappuccinos they had brought in. After they were finished, Berenson continues to read and sign the permits as Yorktown and Cleveland leave the office. A still of silence comes round and eventually, Berenson began to feel focused but more or less, bored and lonely, and is also anxious as well, constantly shaking his head and reading the permits to take his mind off it.

<>

May 24, 1942 - 3:10 PM / 1510

<>

Three days pass... While Berenson continues to monitor both Zuikaku's escort progress and the Siren advancements on radar in addition to writing down his own records on paper, he also wanted to know the progress of the mass production of the naval base guns as well as the construction of the prototype Iron Blood plasma turrets, all while needing a breath of fresh air after he had been in the office signing documents, walking back and forth from his office and the underground Command Center, and communicating on telephone for a few days on end.

Knocking on the door is Hood, whose wounds have been gradually healing. Stepping forward into his office, she spoke:

"Master, how's your status on Zuikaku?"

"They're on halfway point, and they're now past the Mariana Islands.." he replied. As he then checks his watch, he stood up said:

"I have to meet my therapist in 20 minutes.. Had to see her once a week... Can I ask you a favor?"

"Anything you wish, Commander," she nodded.

"Take over my desk for a while... Once after I finish my session, I'll be personally inspecting the facilities they're building as well as overseeing the testing of the Iron Blood plasma guns theyre testing at the moment," he replied. "I'll let you know on the phone later..."

"Sure Commander," Hood nodded as Berenson hung his naval cap and pulls out his handgun, and had it stored inside the locked drawer. Carrying a small handbag, he steps out of the office and out into the hallway, leaving Hood behind as she sat down on his chair and goes on to pick up the telephone.

<>

3:25 PM / 1525
Northern District - Azur Lane Port Base

<>

Pulling over the side near a brown-bricked building, he turns his key counter-clockwise, shutting the engine off. After a brief moment looking up at the building and with a sigh, Berenson carefully walks out from his Ford Model A Sedan, and enters inside the building; he walked almost cautiously past a small group of people talking with one another from the small store right beside, before climbing up the stairs nearby into the third floor before he spots a door with a sign posted above that reads:

"Shania McKay"

A slight exhale from his mouth after having been briefly tired out on climbing up the stairs, he knocks the door and then turns the doorknob slowly, pushing the door open to see the therapist he had been seeing as he walks into a therapy clinic that she is currently operating here. A medium-tall figure with pale skin, red eyes, and long black flowy hair with asymmetrical bangs, and wearing a white dress suit and black pencil skirt with matching stockings and shoes, he knows her as his therapist as she sat down on her chair across her desk.

"Doctor McKay..." he said.

"Dave..." she spoke softly. "How's things have been going on today?"

Dave sniffed once and sat down on the couch just across from her desk as he responded:

"Things are actually pretty good..."

As he looks over his shoulders however, he then said:

"Actually no, fuck it... It's not going great.."

"Can you tell me what's been bothering you?" asked Shania as she puts down her clipboard and stood up from her seat, electing to having a sit down on a chair just near the side of Dave's couch. Dave, after having a few stutters replied:

"Things at work was getting a lot tense... lately... You know what that is right?"

"Ah yes, an alert was issued and we've been ordered weekly drills," said Shania. "Was that your doing?"

"The point is, I just let someone gave up her life because of me, and now I'm sending the other to potentially certain death..." he sighed. "I tried my best to try and be rational about this and I really have, but whenever if I sleep at night, I get nightmares..."

"What nightmares?"

"Everything I did, I am going straight back to when I was a naval aviator... I was so recklessb ut determined to get something done to bomb a series of bombing and supply ships, I accidentally got my wingman killed, and... my love of my life, she died due to an accident... It happened in a span of one day..."

"It's been around 3 years since that tragedy... And you came to me the first time just a few months after you've became our new Commander of Azur Lane..."

"That is true..."

"You once told me that you were spiteful and depressed, right?"

"Mhm..."

"... That you would just sometimes vent your anger by doing high speed fly-bys, not just because you like speed, but it reminded you of your time with your girlfriend and you wanted to die too..."

" Danielle  was the love of my life... She and I were aspiring to become pilots when we were kids, and yeah... I wanted to die too... That is true..."

"Have you told them or your crewmates, your friends or your superiors about how you feel?"

"My former naval buddies, my mates, Sergeant Arthur, Corporal Charles, and William Booker... I told them... They helped me on my feet after when my superiors found out and I was placed on temporary medical leave," he sniffled once. "They even managed to get my court martial proceedings off my back as I was cleared of my blame..."

"And that's around when Mr. Wilkinson was ousted?" asked Shania.

"That was about 10 months after I was released on medical care. I guess this is one sheer coincidence that this just happened while I became fast and reckless again, and my higher ups actually elected me to be the Wilkinson's successor simply so I can get away from all the fast and furious and shit..." he said. "I was ill-prepared to do something so slow and having to be sitting around in one place, and I kept thinking to myself I want to get this over with..."

"And here you are..." said Shania smiling. "You've been leading this alliance for a year and a month now... From I'm seeing, your shipgirls you're leading, they've gotten better and better fighting and the town's thriving..."

"I guess I had made quite an aggressive amount of reforms and I had sent one lolicon to mental facility, ironically, in the same facility I was sent to..." he said. "They even said that it would be a temporary tenure, but I've gotten used to this and I stuck around because I really, genuinely care about their well-being and because I lead the entire naval alliance..."

"With all your achievements you've been gaining, you couldn't have possibly never knew that... bad stuff is gonna happen on your watch?" asked Shania.

"I guess I should have known," he chuckled. "I mean I know about me fighting against the Sirens part which I did shoot down their jet by myself and nearly dying... but... this... the sacrifices of Ise and... the potential demise of Zuikaku and her friends... That is something I really should have... foreseen this or have prepared for it..."

"Well.." she smacks her lips. "I am not a military or naval strategist, I'm just a therapist... But I can give you a few pieces of advice..."

"Yeah?"

"What happens in the past, you can't change it.. But whatever actions you do now, it becomes an important matter whether if you may be doomed to repeat it, or if you can actually pull it off and create a triumphant success... And that leaves just you..." she said as she stood up then sat on the couch beside him and continued while gravitating her hands on his chin and continued: 

"It's okay to lose some, but like what happened back then, you can use it to embrace it and do something better, by trusting your instincts, and believe in your people who you're leading..."

Dave nodded: "You're right... I am the Commander.. I'll have to do this..."

"Also get yourself a good night sleep, your lack of sleep would lead to stress and you'll make irrational decisions..." Shania spoke as she then stood up from the couch and heads on over towards the desk.

"I... I have one question..." she said.

"Ask away... Doc..."

"How you're feeling right now?" she asked.

"Slightly better..." nodded Dave. "I just need to be ready to trust my instincts and theirs as well..."

"Just remember, always set your schedule to sleep and speak with your friends and always stay in touch..." said Shania. "Even if we may be attacked today or tomorrow, we all have faith in your ability to lead..."

"Thanks doctor..." Dave smiled.

With the session over, he pulls out a wad of cash from his small bag and handed it down to McKay's desk.

"Same time, next week?"

"Sure... If we can all sleep at night..." said Dave before he walks out through the door and climbed back downstairs towards the payphone located inside the convenience store. Slotting his few quarters into the machine, he grabs the receiver and dials the number to his own office to call Hood. A few rings go by before she finally picks up...

"Hello, this is Commander's Office..."

"H-hey.. Hood, I'm done with the therapy, I am feeling a bit better today, I am heading down South right now to inspect the plasma guns they're working on..."

"Sure. I'll let the others know," she spoke.

"How you holding up at my desk?" he asked.

"I'm doing fine as well, Commander," said Hood. "Anyway, good luck, I'll still be signing off permits and keep in touch with the Command Center, monitor Zuikaku's escort team and any Siren activity, and try and establish communications again, I'll let you know when I got something..."

"Alright, thank you and I'll see you soon," smiled Dave before he placed the receiver back on, hanging her up from the call. After a short breather, he hobbled his way back inside his Sedan and drove away, heading South.

...

..

Chapter Text

<>

Kings County Hospital, Brooklyn
June 13, 2022 - 1:27 AM

<>

More than six hours has passed after Richard Ambrose was violently beaten up by a group of thugs at the bar and Mika Hayasaka suffering a gunshot wound in her effort to protect Lieutenant Julian Senna, the two are now being hospitalized at this very hospital where Richard had brought Enterprise to the care under Doctor Boris Yevgeny a few weeks ago... Ironically, it was him who is saved by Enterprise and Julian Senna and his team of officers after he had once carried her to this very hospital, and she, as well as Richard's friends and colleagues, all sat by the waiting room, awaiting their news about Richard's surgery.

"We meet again, Ms. Winters..." said Boris Yevgeny to Enterprise who appeared behind both her and Helena, Nate, and Sebastian.

"You know this man?" asked Nate and Enterprise nodded, confirming that she had indeed knew Boris, who backed this up by adding:

"Yes. She was my patient after your friend took her to this very hospital weeks ago... I'm just happy to see you again Ms. Winters, although I wished it had been under better circumstances..."

"What's gonna happen to Richard... and that officer Mika?" asked Javelin worriedly. "Are they going to be alright?"

"Mika's surgery is complete. Her injury is non-lethal... We managed to extract the bullet out from her shoulder and her wounds cleaned out to prevent infection... But as for Richard... he's in a mangled state; we're dealing with multiple rib fractures with some of its fragments puncturing both his right lung and scarring both his pancreas and aorta but there's no form of internal bleeding as of now but we're closely monitoring him..."

"So is Richie going to be okay?" asked Helena.

"If all goes well once we repair all the broken ribs and remove any fragments that was lodged in his lungs, he will be fine..." Boris replied. "All we need is a an hour or less before we can stitch him up and restart his organs..."

Helena and Enterprise can only breathe a small sigh of relief over being able to hear an update of Richard's surgery and the fact that Sr. Detective Mika Hayasaka was alright, but they remain anxious about what happened to Richard, wondering if he may be able to survive the night. Boris tries to calm them down by saying:

"I understand you all care about Richard... How about you all wait inside the room we just prepared for him, it's right by the second floor... I can show you there..."

"Th-thank you, Doctor..." nodded Helena as she and the rest of the group are escorted by Yevgeny to Richard's designated patient ward.

<>

Kings County Hospital, Brooklyn
June 13, 2022 - 2:24 AM

<>

Enterprise, Helena and the group sat down inside the room, watching the news of the aftermath about the aftermath of Richard's attack when the three hear the knock on the door. Lieutenant Julian Senna and Sergeant Kiefer McGuinness working from the NYPD, opens the door and walks inside Richard's semi-private ward. They were guiding Sr. Detective Mika Hayasaka to a bed located just right next to an empty one which bears the name Richard Ambrose on front. Her shoulder where she had a gunshot wound has been patched up, and her entire arm splinted and secured by a cast while her wound heals post-surgery.

"Officer... Mika... is it?" asked Javelin. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine..." she nodded. "I've been through this a few times as a Detective..." She then remarked.

"You're one strong woman, I'll give you that," said Kiefer. "I appreciate you for saving Lieutenant Senna,"

"Still... I don't believe this..." said Enterprise. "This doesn't look right..."

"I know..." nodded Nate in agreement.

"Do you know who this man or his thugs are?" asked Javelin. Helena Mizuno, who is sitting in the couch beside Richard's empty bed replied: "I don't even know but I've never had witnessed a bar fight looking this violent,"

"Whoever this man or his friends were, they sure really wanted Richard dead by the seems," said Kiefer. "Even though he did something bad, he deserved better..."

"What makes you say that?" scoffed Enterprise.

"I'm just a stickler for rules," he said. "But this? This is not how he's supposed to go,"

"Look, Lieutenant..." Enterprise them spoke out to Julian. "I need to know what's going on and who did this to Richard..."

"As you've seen, we've managed to apprehend half a dozen of assailants, but we are scheduled to interrogate the lead figure of these thugs who is also being hospitalized this morning." Senna replied. "Then it's just a matter of when if they will comply or if they will talk..."

"We haven't yet asked his ass yet..." added Kiefer. "So we've resorted to asking his buddies immediately after their arrest, but these bitches know how to keep their mouth shut..."

"I recall the man who drew a gun at Richard's face, he said he's more dangerous than they are..." said Javelin. "Do you have any explanation what's been bothering them?"

"Jenna..." Nate pats Javelin's shoulder and spoke with a sigh: "The thing is... we are aware that people out there really wanted him dead... There were death threats against Richard being circulated online once every few years, and the day before and after Richard's attack, it spiked up..."

"Online?" Enterprise asked: "If that was the case, did Richard knew?"

"He does not..." nodded Sebastian. "It's part of his mental treatment..."

"Mental treatment?" Enterprise's eyes widened and her brows shuffle in confusion. "What do you mean by that?"

Senna stepped forward and spoke up to Enterprise: "You see... after Richard attempted to commit suicide at Brooklyn Bridge more than 15 years ago, we all had a discussion in regards what to do with Richard's well-being and... we came to the decision to isolate himself for a few years..."

"We essentially have Richard taken off from telephones, and only listen to news from traditional sources like radio or television, and nothing more," added Mika.

"You mean to say that Richard became oblivious that there are people who wanted him gone so he can move on?" asked Javelin.

"That's the point," said Helena. "To help him move on, and we let it continue on, and it had worked for him most of the time... Till now..."

"There are still occasional letter deliveries sent to Richard, much of them were also death threats written in letter and all are anonymous..." said Nate. "But we've just got hold of all the mail and had it tucked away,"

"I see," said Javelin. "You guys are doing this to keep Ambrose sane and focused..."

"I wonder if he's still hurting after what I have done... I just.. I made him go crazy after I learned about what he has done and its all my fault..." Enterprise slowly started to tear up because of what she had done to him that ultimately led to his near demise as she cried out"

"I nearly got him killed, I shouldn't have pressed him!"

"It's alright... It's not your fault..." Senna hugs Enterprise in an effort to calm her down. "It's natural that you feel angry because you didn't know Richard enough... And you have to know there may be those out there who will never understand his intentions or some who outright hated him because someone knows or has a form of connection to his former partner..."

"You think?" Enterprise sniffled.

"... And they are fixing Richard with surgery, he'll be okay..." said Senna.

"Richard... Was he always like this?" asked Enterprise. "He was acting crazy after he was being so nice to me despite he did not know me..."

"He may have gone through his dark times and he may often act grumpy whenever if he has any recollection about his past, but he is a kind man through and through," said Helena. "Back in the day, he was hard-working, compassionate and kind, and he often never got into fights like this..."

"That was until after he killed his own partner in self-defense when he tried to protect the two shoplifters," added Senna. "Afterwards, he was never the same, but for the most part, he's still the Richard we knew and we prefer for him to keep it that way,"

<>

3:09 AM

<>

An hour has passed and as Richard's group watched anxiously on the news who are covering Richard's gang assault, a burst through the door startles them, in appeared was Doctor Boris Yevgeny, who spoke:

"The surgery's a success. Richard's okay, he's being wheeled to this room, he's on his way now..."

The news send a great relief to everyone who were there, especially Enterprise, although she still feel anxious about the prospect of facing him again. Helena saw her expression and suspects something must be up, but deciding to ponder on that for another time, she and many others watch as a team of doctors pulled Richard, laying on the hospital bed in a coma, wheeled inside the room. They parked the electric bed right beside Mika and as the doctors finish prepping him, Enterprise and Helena check on Richard, whose face is now full of bandages and stiches. The two held his palms and attempted to feel for any signs of life while calling out his name and asking him if he is okay, hoping to get his response. Senna, Nate, Sebastian, and Mika all watch from the side and could express both a sense of relief to see that Richard will live, but also felt sad for the fact that they have already saw how close he was to death had it not been for them intervening a lot more sooner.

After getting around in hearing of Richard's surgery from Doctor Boris Yevgeny, Senna looks at the digital clock underneath the television, he said:

"I recommend you all need some sleep after all what had happened. You all must lay low and spend the night somewhere else as it may be dangerous for you all to stay in Richard's house... I'll send his car over to the carpark and we'll send a patrol around his home, so for now, let us deal with this,"

"Thank you," nodded Nate as he shook hands. "...For taking care of our friend..."

"Trust me, he is my friend too..." Senna smiled before he finishes by warning them: "We don't know who are these men, but we must tell not one word about this to anyone unless I say so..." ...before himself and Kiefer walked out from the ward, and Enterprise, Laffey, and Javelin made their decision to spend their night at Helena's apartment block just within the Two Bridges neighborhood, while Richard's friends head back to their own home. Enterprise felt uneasy and anxious about leaving Mika and Richard behind, but already weary and exhausted by what had happened in what was supposed to be their fun trip at the beach that turned into an utter disaster, the three all leave Kings County Hospital with Helena. There, Helena, Enterprise, Laffey, and Javelin lie themselves on their couches and on the bed, before they slowly fall asleep.

<>

Mount Sinai Medical Center, Brooklyn
June 13, 2022 - 8:17 AM

<>

The sun shone as the next morning arrived, glistening above the skies of New York City. At the Mount Sinai Medical Center near Downtown Brooklyn, Senna, and McGuinness walked side by side down the hall inside the hospital towards the patient ward room where Richard's assailant was. Entering the room, they could see the man whose right hand and thigh had been bandaged. He was struggling to grab the remote, which sat down far beyond his reach on the end table. He apparently couldn't move down to his two feet due to his injury on his thigh that Mika had inflicted upon.

Grunting in pain upon seeing the two officers, he grumbled:

"What the hell do you want?"

"Were just asking you questions," Senna replied. "Namely regarding what had happened at the bar last late midnight?"

"We' just got some identification while you were treated," added Kiefer. "Your name is Travis Larkin? Is that even your real name?"

The man, Larkin, looks at the two and scoffed:

"Is this gonna be a good cop and bad cop? Whatever you do, nothing's gonna come out for you to know otherwise that Richard deserves retribution,"

"Just tell us what happened," said Senna and Travis, though he was clearly hesitant, took a sigh and spoke:

"Alright, you see, Richard was attempting to extort me and my friends. He was not in a right state of mind and so we have no choice..."

"That's bullshit..." said Kiefer. "We have eyewitness statements as well as CCTV footage that disproves your claim, we got one of the thieves attempting to steal his wallet, and he's currently held in our custody..."

Travis grumbled and, with nothing else to lie to the police, he clamped back at the two.

"Whatever, this man deserves retribution,"

"Retribution? What kind?" Kiefer asked curiously. "And what are you gonna get out of achieving this?" Senna then added. "It has been a long time and he had already suffered enough as it is." Travis spoke:

"We make things clear what happens to traitors,"

"I take it you say rather than Ambrose doing what he was supposed to do to protect the civilians, being involved in an accidental murder makes him a traitor?" said Kiefer. "And you handle traitors by executing him?" 

Travis grumbled: 

"This is no accident. He killed the family man trying to do his job, and now after the trial whose verdict I do not accept, Henderson's family are forced to live in secrecy, and nothing is ever the same for them, so he deserves death,"

"You realize that you are becoming like Death Squad..." Senna scoffed. "And you did so terribly... You think you are the hero to save the citizens by beating him up by committing extrajudicial killings? Well think again... We do not condone murder on our former personnel..."

Travis, seeing his pent-up anger from Senna's face as he was attempting to hold his emotions, scoffed in his mocking tone:

"I know who you are.. You're his friend... You, Kiefer and Richard, and Mika, ya'll worked in the same precinct... You should have just let me or the others kill him, you pig, so now if I were to be released, I will kill you and everyone you know and loved myself,"

"You first," Senna snapped and attempted to grab the glass cup, fully intent of smashing it on Travis' head, but Kiefer restrains him and tries to dissuade Senna from going through with this act:

"Lieutenant, it's not worth it! If you do this, you'll be no different than him,"

Senna spent a few more seconds trying to push himself through Kiefer, who insistently yells at him to stop, but after letting out some of his anger and his energy, Senna relents, exhausted but becoming highly irritable as he lets go of the glass, landing right next to Travis' head. Travis laughs throughout the time that Senna was trying to attack him as he said:

"Whatever you do doesn't matter, I have that recorded,"

Both Senna and Kiefer are alarmed as Travis pulls out his phone and taps his finger on the stop button; it is revealed that his phone acted as a remote control for a hidden camera that he had is strategically placed in a place that cannot be easily seen at first glance.

"What are you doing?" said Kiefer.

"I just record anyone's interactions with me, and now that you tried to provoke me, I have enough proof that you are defending Richard..."

"You're gonna blackmail me and my partner just for siding with him?" asked Senna. 

"Unless if you want my sophisticated IT team I hired to track your asses down, I suggest that you back off and leave this room now, or I declare war on the entire precinct you're leading, and on the department store your friend is working," said Travis. "And if you try to break my camera or if I see you pull out the gun, I'll send a voice command and have it send straight to the dark web and to the public if you do this,"

"You're not gonna get away with this," grumbled Senna. "You target one man and now you want to fight against the NYPD and Vicerone? And do you think they're gonna believe this piece of shit?!"

"Anyone who gets in my way to do this mission deserves retribution in whatever I wish," said Travis firmly. "Now begone, or I will send this to every news organization; New York Times and Post, or Fox News, CNN, you name it, and let me be clear... Their viewers won't give a shit whether if that is staged or not, all they will care is whopping your asses..."

Senna and Kiefer looked at one another, and then angrily at Travis, who gave them back a devilish smug back on his face. Provoked but unwilling to escalate into further drama, the two relents and slowly took a step back before turning around and leaving his ward.

After walking forward several steps and then back out from the hospital, before hobbling tensely back in their cruiser, Senna slammed his palms on his steering wheel and said seethingly:

"This is bullshit, absolute bullshit!"

"Tell me about it," sighed Kiefer. "He literally knows what he's doing. This is the hospital, they are not supposed to bring spy cameras in their own rooms!"

"What do you think that pushed him to do all this crazy shit?" said Senna.

"We don't know, but I suspect that either Travis knows Matthew Henderson and his family or they simply contact him?" shrugged Kiefer's shoulders.

"Maybe a plausible theory if they wanted revenge, but... I don't have any connections with the FBI so I have no clue where their safehouse is if I want to dig deep and ask them what they know.." he sighed. "Any luck on his gang members?"

"I did spot a tattoo on their wrists on all eight of our guys we put them in custody, Lieutenant," replied Kiefer. He pulls out his phone to show the photo of a tattoo to Senna that he had captured; in it shows a four pronged cross sign with a blue outline that resembles to be a religious cross, but with a red chain that was hung laterally on each ends of the prongs, with blood dripping out from the chains.

"A blue religious cross with a bloodied chain strung across?" he said. "You think we're dealing with an organized crime group?"

"Possibly, and if so, if they are truly working with Travis, this might be bad news for us and Richard and Mika, the whole department may be in danger... Travis knows how to skirt the legal boundaries..."

"For now, we have to keep on our toes..." said Senna as he handed Kiefer's phone back. "We're gonna dig up his info and get a background check on him; past and present criminal charges and find out how much he knows and search every social accounts, banking transactions, his movements, anything,"

"On it," nodded Senna. "I'll also be sending in routine patrols around Kings County Hospital Center.. And I'll also sift through all the mail deliveries on Richard's house, and see if one of these senders are part of the gang... Shall we report to Captain Brandt and Commissioner Krag about this?"

"Not a word, until we get a clear view of what we're dealing with..." Senna replied and with a nod from Kiefer, Senna set his foot down on the gas and the car rolled out from Mount Sinai Medical Center and back out towards their precinct to dig up Travis' history. 

<>

Kings County Hospital, Brooklyn
June 13, 2022 - 8:39 AM

<>

Inside the patient ward of Richard Ambrose and Mika Hayasaka within the municipal hospital, Mika struggles to reach for the remote using only her undamaged right arm, which is right across by the end table. She has no choice but to stand up. Although experiencing slight pain from having to use her cast to hold onto her own weight as she stood up, she was able to get through with the pain for her to grab the TV remote and proceeds to switch channels to find both the morning news and a channel to watch films there, diligent to pass the time, but as she puts down her remote on her right side of the table, she notices Richard's fingers twitching and not a moment too soon, his eyelids and lips follow as well and she could hear his struggles to move himself. Gasped and ecstatic, she rushes out into the hallway and shouted:

"Nurse! Nurse! Come quickly!"

One of the nurses who was walking down the hall hears her and walked up to her asking what was going on. The ecstatic Mika tells her that Richard is alive and asks to call Doctor Yevgeny. By sheer coincidence, Richard's friends, Helena, Nate and Sebastian, Azur Lane shipgirls Enterprise, Javelin, and Laffey, Platinum Shield officers Seoung Hui-Kwan and Don Harris, and his neighbor, Elise Braun, are also in the same hallway as well as they are heading to visit their ward, and they all heard Mika who said that Richard is waking up.

Alarmed by the new development, everyone whom Richard knows, they all walked briskly and quickly inside Mika and Richard's ward, after which it was followed soon by their attending doctor Boris Yevgeny, accompanied by a trio of nurses behind him. They all stood on near his bed as Richard slowly opens his eyelids and regains consciousness.

"Richard!" cried Helena upon arriving at the ward. Mika also follow and said:

"Are you okay, Mr. Ambrose?"

"I'm fine... My chest still hurts..." groaned Richard.

"Are you sure, you must have been taken a huge beating?" asked Enterprise but Richard, in an Enterprise fashion insisted:

"I'm fine... I just need to lay down for a bit..."

"Actually, we're here to see you off before we all have to work..." said Nate. The nurse physicians then proceed to inspect his eyelids, mouth, wrist veins and on his chest as one of the asked basic questions about who he is, where he was born and raised, his birthdate, and current employment. Once they were satisfied with the results, one of the nurses spoke to Richard:

"You are one lucky man... If the police hadn't arrived sooner, then you would have been dead..."

"Given the current condition of your body post-surgery, I believe its best that you stay in this hospital for a few more weeks to let them heal and give you time to retrain your body," said Yevgeny.

"Looks like we meet again, Doctor Yevgeny..." said Richard.

"What a surprise..." chuckled Boris.

"By the way, there is someone back here who also knew you and said he wanted to see you..." the other nurse spoke.

In their cue, Richard's close friends step aside and Richard could see a familiar face that he had been trying to forget. A man wearing a dark blue suit over his white shirt and blue tie, a matching peaked cap that covers his black greyish hair, and a gold hat badge sewn on by his front suit pockets, he could see and recognize who the man who's visiting him is...

"Krag..."

"Mr. Ambrose... Long time no see... How have you been?" said NYPD Commissioner Michael Krag giving a warm smile on his face.

Richard grumbled at the first sight of him: "You have the nerve to come here and ask me how I was after all the shit I've been through?"

"Believe me, I wished if we had met again under better circumstances, but after I attained the Commissioner position 14 years ago, I already have a lot on my plate right now,"

"Like what," he scoffed. "A robbery at the bodega or at an electronics store? Someone being shoved onto the tracks? Another hostage crisis? A migrant running amok? Or you're dealing with a traitor like me who kills their partner to save the civilians, I'm your man for the job..."

"Oh that's right," he raised his palms slightly over his forehead, mimicking as if he thought he forgot about something and said: "You fired me, you ungrateful bastard... If I would have followed my partner, then the deaths of the two people will be on my hands..."

"I do understand your reasoning but I was merely upholding the order of the previous commissioner to fire you based on our strict criteria of people violating our set of rules," said Krag. "But we never once not looking back on the day when you were one of the best of the best, getting involved with specialized weapon teams and having a good eye on investigative details, not a day goes by without knowing that we have lost you and now, we have an opportunity to meet you, and offer you something..."

"Let me guess? You want me back in the NYPD?" he asked curiously and Krag explained: "Your seat remains empty and your desk is kept clean. Of course, we had actually been waiting for 17 years for you to actually recover and to give you time to think this over, and once if you are able to walk again, our doors are open if you want to come back..."

Staring at his face, his badge, and to his friends, as well as Enterprise who stood behind Helena, and who stood between Laffey and Javelin, the ones that he had taken them in weeks before, he took a deep breath and sigh.

"Your offer is a generous one, but I won't go back..."

"Why not?" Krag's brows slightly perked up.

"I am now a big target on my back.... But I won't tell you shit and I advise you to find that out yourself who they're fucking me with..." said Richard. "Plus I had long been moved on with the NYPD and I am still disappointed in you and lot who never learned anything after what happened back in '05.. and you have not done anything to stop fare evaders or store robbers... But if you can take accountability and say its a mistake to hire Henderson to the public than saying Henderson is a good man, then I'll come back and I'll do all the hard-work ass whoppin."

"You know I couldn't do that." said Krag.

"Then go fuck yourself and get out of my sight..." he huffed.

Krag stood still for a few moments, having felt as he could see Richard responded coldly and condescending to him. But with no other choice to try and convince him to return to the NYPD, he sighed:

"As you wish..." 

Everyone watched as Commissioner Michael Krag steps out from the ward before disappearing down into the hallway and then to Richard whos still fighting back his tears while expressing his anger and disdain, and Enterprise, as well as Javelin and Laffey, for the first time, could see his hatred with the NYPD right in front of her face.

...

..

Chapter Text

<>

Kings County Hospital, Brooklyn
June 13, 2022 - 8:33 AM

<>

Enterprise, Laffey, and Javelin, as well as Richard's friends, Helena, Nate, and Sebastian, his neighbor Elise Braun, two Platinum Shield officers, and Detective Mika Hayasaka, all watched as the NYPD Commissioner Michael Krag leave the ward. As he was gone, they turned to Richard, who is visibly upset and disheartened, his mouth mumbling as he tries to hold back his tears and rage.  Enterprise walked up beside him and held on the bed's railing as she said:

"How are you feeling...?" she asked. Richard took a deep breath and sighed: "Never better..."

Her hands trembling lightly in anxiety and guilt, as she spoke:

"When you left me with Senna, I could sense that you think I have sold you out... Believe me, I know better and I'm telling you that... I never had any intention to and.... I never wanted this to happen..."

"Enterprise..." he only spoke softly as she started to sniffle as she continued:

"I can only say that... I'm sorry... I... had pushed you, and it's my fault I led you to this!"

"It's not your fault... And.. I am sorry too..." Richard replied. "I just shut you and everyone else out despite I was trying to be the person I once was... I was determined that I wanted to prove everyone wrong and get back at everyone who wronged me..."

"You already have," said Elise. "The people who still think you are guilty, they just do not know you enough, but we all believe you..."

"Our boss Mr. Clayton, had personally believed that you are the one to be trusted, especially after when your team beat one of their best fighters," said Seoung-hui Kwan. "

"We were so worried that you wouldn't make it," added Helena. "But all what mattered as that you are okay..."

"Ms. Winters, we all know that it is not your fault, its the pricks who beat him up," said Sebastian. "Whoever did this deserves no respect..."

"Everyone inside Vicerone, especially our manager, they were devastated about what happened," said Nate. "But not to worry, we had kept crucial details hidden about what happened there... and your friend from the NYPD, Lieutenant Senna and Sergeant Kiefer, they're going to handle the situation, this is their case now,"

"Really?" he asked.

"Yes... I can confer," nodded Mika. "Last I heard, they were about to get on questioning the man who attacked you..."

"What happened to your shoulder?" asked Richard upon seeing the shoulder cast from where her gunshot wound was, and Mika spoke: "Saving Lieutenant Senna's life... Your man must be hell of a shot..."

"Richard... that man who attacked you, have you two had history?" asked Javelin.

"I.... I can't describe how much did I remember..." said Richard. "All I remember was that I was drinking, then I heard some near-scruffy or nerd-like voice, but I didn't see their face... It was all a blur, and I.... It happened so fast, next thing I knew, I couldn't move, nor can I speak or hear.... until I was... unconscious..."

"You were badly beaten up, and you were barely conscious when we found you..." said Helena. "You were hoisted on the stretcher, and that was when the paramedics sedated you..."

"So you didn't know who this man is?" asked Don, and Richard sighed: "I wish I have..."

"Sr. Detective Mika is it?" asked Seoung-hui Kwan. Mika nodded yes as she then asked: "Can you see who's attacking him?"

"W-wait a minute, the man who held the gun on his head? What does he look like?" asked Javelin.

"Erm, let's see..." Mika pauses as she tries to process what she had saw last night, when she, Kiefer, and Senna raised their handguns, aiming at the man who is brandishing the revolver at Richard before she came back with the physical description of the man:

"The man who is aiming their gun at Richard, assuming if he's the one Richard's referring to... he was wearing a red tuxedo suit and he had a black shaggy hair underneath his black tophat. His accent suggest it might be local, and he is around 5'7 tall I believe..."

Around this point, they all heard rapid knocks on the door. Initially alarmed as they thought it might be the with the people who beaten up Richard and was here to finish him off, they were surprised to see Sergeant Kiefer McGuinness bursting through the ward. He was panting with breath, as he was concerned that someone had caught up to Richard and Mika first, but took a sigh of relief as he said:

"Richard, and Sr. Detective Mika, am glad to see you up and well..."

"Why?" Richard scoffed. "Last I heard you still call me a Cop Killer..."

"I know, I still hated your ass, but I hate those pricks more..." said Kiefer. "The one I called you, that's just me spreading the world online... these lesser pricks I am referring to..."

"Whatever..." he scoffed. "You can tell Krag to suck my dick..."

"Wait, Commisioner Krag was here?" Kiefer asked; he apparently didn't seem to know that Michael Krag was here in the hospital, but otherwise shook his head as he said:

"Y-you don't talk to our boss like that!"

"Bite me," said Richard.

Kiefer then turns his head to Nate and spoke: "You, I need you to ask you something,"

"What is it?"

"You still have Richard's letters with you?" 

"Why, and what do you want with them?" asked Nate in a rather aggressive tone.

"No, we ain't giving this to you," said Helena. "For all we know, you might be the one who sent these letters, or worse you wanted him dead did you!?"

"Hey, no I didn't! I may be an ass but I'm not the one who wished him dead, okay!?" said Kiefer.

"Everyone, settle down!" Mika called out to Nate and Helena. "Please, let him explain... He may be a nutcase and deeply callous, but he's a capable Sergeant, and I know how this goes, but it's best that you hear him out..."

"The three stood silent and gradually tried to restore their composure. After a short while, Kiefer said:

"It's part of the investigation... You have to understand that... If I can have our crime lab technicians analyze each handwritings, then we can count how many people who sent these letters, and we'll know who to search for any potential suspects..."

Nate stood around thinking hard what to do. Nate, and likewise Helena, were fairly hostile to people who had wronged Richard after what had happened 17 years ago, and that includes Kiefer, given his callous and uncaring behavior they once dealt with around the time when Richard's mental state was in the lows, but after spending sometime contemplating, they decided to give in, as Nate spoke to Kiefer, much to their discern from Helena and Richard:

"Ok, we have 26 letters, it's in the safe box in my house... I can give these to you or Lieutenant Senna once we finished work at Vicerone..."

"Sure," nodded Kiefer. "Tell you what, you can send all these letters that was meant for Richard, to the 78th Precinct Building just down 6th Avenue between Flatbush and Bergen if you are free... or you can call this number and let them know,"

Kiefer pulls out his business card containing the both Kiefer's and the precinct's location and phone number etched alongside the emblem and logo of the NYPD, and handed it down to Nate. "I'll see you all later, I'll be off..."

With a reluctant nod, Kiefer left the ward and disappears by the hallway. Nate with a sigh, looks at his watch and said:

"Looks like we'll be off then. We'll have to keep Vicerone's operations together while you are on the bed," said Nate.

"True," Sebastian nodded. "With the news of the gang attack, our stock value's dropping again and everyone's on edge..."

"Well, I am Deputy Head of Security once more," groaned Helena.

"I'll help you with whatever you can, Helena," Enterprise spoke to Helena. "You two need to stay here and look after these two officers, alright?" she then said to Laffey and Javelin, who both agreed as everyone else all follow suit and headed out for work, leaving Richard, Mika, Javelin, and Laffey, to sit and lie around in wait.

<>

Vicerone Cashbacks, SoHo, Manhattan
1:45 PM

<>

A few hours have passed, and Richard's friends are working hard to restore confidence among their workers, who they had expressed concerns that themselves or the entire store itself may be a target for gang violence, and it was no surprise considering how quick word gets around whilst they attempt to serve the establishment's shoppers all while trying to remain calm in this harrowing situation. Helena, as a Deputy Head of Security and Operations, coordinates with the parent company; Vicerone, as well as the branch's private security, Platinum Shield, with some help from Enterprise. At this time, they were all inside a secure staff meeting helmed by the branch manager and its CEO, Bryan Valdez, discussing urgent matters and checking if there is anything amiss.

"Have we checked around the perimeter and are we sure that nothing has been tampered during closing time?" asked Helena and the staffer replied:

"No, we can confirm that nothing has been unaccounted for..."

"Good..." Helena puffed. "Mr. Valdez, how's things with your parent company?"

"They told me just now, and it is confirmed that the financial meltdown has fizzled out, their stock's are now flattened, we may rebound soon, but we shouldn't get too excited about this..." replied Bryan.

"Prefect Team Captain Fernandez, how's prep for the new security guard team?"

"Doing s'well..." he nodded. "They're on their last phases of their weapons training and all is left is briefing them in on the current situation and they'll be ready to deal with every eventualities... The Spades as well as CEO Clayton, they also confer, and they'll also be deploying a few more of their private security personnel to patrol around Vicerone in light of what happened to Richard..."

"By the way, how is Mr. Ambrose?" asked Bryan and Helena said: "He's okay... He texted me around a minute before the meeting started..."

"Praise lord," he sighed with relief. "Anyway, I believe there's nothing else on the matter. You all are dismissed, get back to work and keep your guard up!"

Everyone inside the meeting room stood up and head outside through the doorways; Helena heads out towards Richard's office which she had now taken over as Deputy. Nate and Sebastian follow her as they all sat down on their couches inside Richard's office.

"Right, how's the promotion campaigns so far?" asked Nate.

"Nothing else in particular," sighed Helena as she types in on the computer to write up the report logs. "With our stocks briefly receded, I was this close to pushing for the product cost to be a lot higher, but thankfully I wouldn't need to..."

"You've done damage control?" asked Sebastian.

"The attack on my friend could never have come close to how brutal and chilling this had on both our employees and our staff..." she said. "Manager Valdez and CEO Clayton had been making joint statements in every press conference saying the store is safe..."

"It is safe..." said Sebastian. "And you can have the power to pull out all the stops..."

"I can't risk infringing their civil rights without a good reason beside just fear," protested Helena. "Besides, this is what whoever attacked Richard would have wanted, he wanted disorder and chaos...!"

"We can just use Ms. Winters..." said Sebastian. "Last time when we were at Roosevelt, we saw how capable she is... With her good eye, she can spot anyone who's sus!"

"I guess," she shrugged. "She can deal with an unruly customer, but, we're talking about Richard, attacked by an organized crime gang, not to mention she only got a rough estimation of how much she knows based on online searches and a few tours, and we have no idea who they are!"

"Organized crime might be quite a bit extreme..." said Nate. "Look Lena, we know that we don't know who we're dealing with, maybe they were just merely a bunch of ragtags with no overarching goal except ruining or taking other people's lives because he was such a crybaby or were drunk out bums?"

"Maybe someone who knows of Henderson's family, they probably either got hired or had fed information where he is..." said Sebastian. "Might be a sort of revenge?"

"Revenge, for something that happened 17 years ago?" said Helena. "He remained living here mostly because of us and he would have just moved out, so if it that was the case, then we would have dealt with this much earlier,"

"17 years just for revenge, and then a bar fight that escalates into a gang violence..." Nate rubs his chin. "Something doesn't add up..."

"We have no choice but we have to leave this to Lieutenant Julian Senna..." said Sebastian.

"We were very distrustful with Senna and his colleagues because of what happened, and Kiefer... he was the worst out of it all because of his callous nature," said Helena. "But I've slowly come to believe that he's a trustworthy friend to Richard, who cares about him despite knowing it could have damaged his career."

"Alright, if he, Mika, and Kiefer find something that can tie in with whoever who did, and why did that happen, then we'll get close to answers.." said Sebastian.

"I think there's nothing else I can do at the moment," said Nate. "So I'll be off to deliver all the letters to the 78th Precinct... Just hoped that whatever was written we may have to meet them..."

Outside Richard's office, Enterprise could overhear what they were saying, and she too has the same thoughts and questions like everyone else. As she hear carpet footsteps of Nate frisking towards the doors, Enterprise was just about to leave, but is stopped by Brianna, who was the first person that Richard had once met up with when he was promoted, and was one of the accomplices of Sebastian Jones' sending Ambrose's security draft plan to the New York Times; she had retained the job as promised by Richard, and now she suddenly appear out of nowhere behind Enterprise's back.

"You scared the shit out of me, y-you..." exclaimed Enterprise before Brianna spoke out:

"Hey Ms. Winters, what are you snooping around?"

Enterprise stuttered before she growled out with a response:

"Y-you shouldn't be here! This is the Office of Head of Security and Operations. If you have anything to say, dial their number now or turn away at once!"

"Geez, you don't have to go all out defensively strict on me," said Brianna.

The door burst open behind her and Nate, seeing Enterprise and Brianna outside, said:

"Good, Assistant Winters, I need you to do me a favor,"

"What? What is it?" she asked. Nate replied:

"I'm heading over to my house to get something important, you remember?" 

"Yes, that's right," nodded Enterprise.

"What's going on, Mr. Fernandez?" asked the curious Brianna but Nate, knowing full well not to reveal any crucial details in relation to the gang attack on Richard,  can only reply as he and Enterprise walked away side-by-side: "Nothing for you to be concerned about,"

Brianna, although she remains insistent, was only stopped by Sebastian, who walks out from Richard's office and tries to keep her at bay, as he and Enterprise headed down to the basement carpark to grab his 2017 Hyundai Accent, the two sat down side by side in the front seats as she takes notices of the highly-tinted windows.

She straps on her seatbelt as Nate inserted his key and turned clockwise to start the car. With his foot pressing on the pedal, Nate slowly drove his way out from the carpark and out into the streets of New York.

"Where's your house, if I may ask?" asked Enterprise.

"Freeman Street, Greenpoint, Brooklyn," Nate replied. 

<>

2:31 PM

<>

As the two trundled smoothly through the 3-lane highway of 3rd Avenue, he makes a right turn after traveling through a considerable distance to cross the East River via the Queens-Midtown Tunnel. As traffic slows to a crawl as the road bottlenecked with numerous automobiles and buses coming in all directions trying to navigate through the crowded intersection ahead to enter the two-lane tunnel, Enterprise spoke:

"Is your house safe? Have you had received any break-ins?"

"Once... But that was 14 years ago, completely unrelated incident; some kids play basketball and they threw it at my window, so yeah turns out to be a total accident," he replied.

"You have family?" she asked.

"I have one... Wilfredo's the name," said Nate. "Even if he's shuffling between New York and Manila, I still kept in touch with him. He's now a patrolman of the Philippine National Police, but he has a real passion as both a storywriter and a manga artist,"

"You have a very interesting brother..." said Enterprise, adding to the fact that his brother is a policeman, of a country that she did recognize from when she was in her own universe when she had seen the Philippines as Eagle Union territory during the war. As she continued to stare blankly, but rather intently on the road, and on the driver's rear and side mirrors, looking out for any suspicious signs, she asked curiously:

"They can't see us from out there right?" She noticed how dark the inside of the car was in comparison to the outside during the midday. Nate spoke:

"That is exactly the reason why I used this car... I mostly take the subway but I kept this in the carpark for occasions such as this... Who knows if they had already nicked my plate number?"

"Can't know for sure..." Enterprise shrugged her shoulders. "I may be a great at patrolling, but cars are my new field..."

"You never driven one before?"

"N-no..." she shook her head.

"I can teach you how to drive, since Helena's bout to get her hands full and Richie's in a hospital right now," Nate offered his service and Enterprise responded: "That.. would be grateful..."

At this point, Nate and Enterprise finally drove past the intersection and made their descent down through the Manhattan Portal of the Queens–Midtown Tunnel. It was fairly dark despite it was illuminated with rows of streetlights, and it appears to be as confined as it was when she and Richard rode on the subway.

"You okay?" asked Nate, who can see Enterprise's arms shuddering slightly. "This is like the subway tunnel, it's also underground, but this is meant to cross underneath the river, we'll be out soon,"

"I'll be okay, Mr. Fernandez." said Enterprise as she proceeds to listen in to some tunes to soothe herself, before she came across this track that had been left in on his player...

----

<<Track: The Weeknd - Rolling Stone>>
-Date: May 25, 2011-

<<>>

Enterprise may not have known much about music, but the soothing guitar and rythmatic drums, and his falsetto register as the artist behind the radio sang had put her at ease as Nate slowly drove through the tunnel underneath the East River alongside streams of cars rolling by.

"Sebastian got this mixtape using his own money he earned around a decade ago, and I just happen to snuck it out of his..." said Nate. 

"You stole it from Jones?" gasped Enterprise.

"Don't worry," he chuckled. "Seb still has like 2 of these as far as I remember... I only took one, and he found out and I eventually paid up as well..."

"I see..." Enterprise sighed with relief. "So... what is this man singing about?" asked Enterprise as she listened in on the lyrics that speaks about love.

"The thing about Rolling Stone, which is the title, it can either be a monthly magazine centered around music, politics, and pop culture, or its a slang about drugs, specifically MDMA...."

"Wait what? MDMA?" Enterprise's eyelids perked up upon hearing this, but Nate regrets explaining about what it meant and decided to switch the topic...

"Aye, I think it's best you don't hear it... Anyway, the lyrics show that he's merely afraid of his popularity as an artist, and he hoped he'd be different knowing he has his fans by his side,"

"Afraid of his popularity?"

"Whereas on our end, Richard is afraid of his attention, especially when it comes to protecting you..." he said. "But when he knows how to control it, he can try and make speeches or statements without fail, all in an effort to make them go away..."

"Like what happened when his security draft plan got leaked when he was promoted?"

"Exactly,"

<>

2:56 PM

<>

The two continued conversing until they reach the end of the Midtown Tunnel; and after navigating through the interstate and making a few turns from an exit, he arrives at his rowhouse located right beside an interstate highway lined with soundproof concrete sheet walls; it is a small two-storey house, which is also a rowhouse tucked in between an adjacent similarly sized rowhouses.

After pulling his car right across the road, making sure not to interfere with the bicycle lane, both he and Enterprise hopped out and crossed the road towards the steps of his caramel-beige colored stone/brick house via the black front door. He pulls his house key out from his pocket and opened the door. 

"Come in, make yourself at home, while I get the letters, though let me know if someone suspicious is lurking around." said Nate as he and Enterprise enters his home; she sat down the couch and proceed to find the remote, while Nate goes upstairs to look for his safebox where he kept all the letters.

As she finds the remote, she also finds the picture frame of Nate, posing in the photo with two people on his right beside him; one who's slightly shorter, but is wearing a police uniform that bears the badge of the Philippine National Police, leading her to suspect that he might be Wilfredo, and the woman who stood in between the two men might be his mother.

She said nothing of it, other than expressing her slight happiness to see his family, as she turns on the TV, only to find that it is a smart TV as well; the same kind as the one Richard Ambrose has, only this time she knows how to navigate around it and switched to cable TV. Having not eaten lunch at this time, she gets up and starts to look for food in the kitchen, leaving the TV on as the news channel pops up, all while looking out by the windows nearby and she always pulls out a kitchen knife she got from his kitchen at the ready if things get hairy.

<>

NYPD 78th Precinct, Downtown Brooklyn
2:56 PM

<>

Senna meanwhile, is also looking. This time, he tries to dig up any dirt on Travis Larkin, the man responsible for a violent gang attack on Richard, and one who's proven to be not only uncooperative, but had apparently blackmailed both him and his partner Kiefer over the lives of theirs as well as Richard's and their friends.

His determination to get to the bottom of this, end up quickly paying off; he was able to find not only public records of Travis Larkin, but as well as the files of his criminal records. 

"Larkin was born in August 17, 1984, in Silver Lake, Staten Island... Both his parents, killed in Oklahoma in '95, and he had no criminal records.... until 2015... Misdemeanor for fare evasion, and assault on his first criminal record..." he mumbled to himself.

"He never had committed a crime, nor he did anything bad against Ambrose for this long after he was acquitted... officially as it says...." thought Senna. "And apparently, he didn't have anything to tie with Ambrose yet.. But what if..."

He decides to look into that first criminal charge by checking the crime report data from the NYPD's database. There, in one incident that took place in February 14, 2015, he discovered that their first instance of Larkin and Ambrose crossed their paths... is that according to the detailed crime report, Richard Ambrose had exercised the citizen's arrest on Larkin, who is caught red-handed attempting to jump over the turnstile in the New York City Subway, in his desperate attempt to catch the train, as according to Larkin himself, he was running late for a job interview. The two were caught in a physical altercation resulting in minor injuries before Larkin was restrained by police.

Suddenly, that report clicked Senna. 

"Could that be?" he thought to himself.

He delved deeper by searching on the internet for any news articles and noticed there were a few articles covering that incident, but what stood out was video footage showing Richard Ambrose tackling Larkin to the ground. Recognizing their faces despite their younger appearance, he began to wonder:

"Did Larkin target him because of what happened 7 years ago?"

He suspected that the reason why and how did this gang assault happen to Richard goes way deeper than just merely revenge sponsored by Henderson's family, but it is one that lacks firm evidence if he wanted to confront Larkin again, and Senna is aware of this..  As he continued to sit idly by, staring at the computer trying to formulate on what to do next and contemplating whether if he may also have to question his own friend, he was surprised by the precinct's captain; Christian Brandt, appearing right beside him.

"Captain!" said Senna. "How long have you've been here looking at me?"

"6 seconds ago," Brandt replied. "What are you doing?"

"Just... looking at the dirt of Mr. Larkin... I'm trying to figure out what's gotten into him, thinking of every possibility..."

"I see..." said Brandt. "But should you have other things for you to focus on? Last I recall, I had already appointed someone to take charge of Richard's gang assault case..."

"I don't recall..." shrugged Senna's shoulders. "Who is the detective in-charge if I may ask?"

"Sergeant Mitchell Dessner..." he spoke. "He's working from the Detective Bureau just like Hayasaka, he's in charge while Ms. Hayasaka recovers,"

"Oh that's right," Senna scratched the back of his head once. However, Brandt became a lot wary about his intentions when he noticed his cellphone that shows Richard Ambrose. Brandt realized something's up and Senna realized too late.

"You're trying to help your friend I see?'

"I..." Senna stuttered as he tried to come up with an excuse. "I... i did not okay!? I'm just doing as what Sgt. Dessner says.

"You're bad at lying to me," nodded Brandt. "Don't try to do this simply because you're a friend of Richard's." he warned. "Remember, always share with everything you got to Dessner and to me, or I will have you censured if I see you withholding evidence,"

"Y-yes Captain," nodded Senna before he walks out from his desk, towards his office located by the far side of the main room.

Senna breathed in a sigh of relief but he was utterly anxious; he wanted to do as what his Captain had told him but he was also suspicious. He hadn't ruled out any possibility of anyone who fed Larkin information on Richard's whereabouts, so he knew that his investigation would have to be in secret, otherwise, he may be potentially putting his own life and careers, as well as that to his own friends, in serious jeopardy if anyone within his department may be responsible...

After pressing his fists and taking deep breaths, he sat back on his desk, feeling more cautious than ever.

<>

3:38 PM

<>

More than half an hour has passed, as he checks the CCTV footage of the bar where Richard and Travis were when the gang violence occurred, a patrolman calls Senna's attention as he said:

"Lieutenant, there's two people who said they want to see you,"

"Send them to the waiting room, I'll be right there," he replied as he puts down the folders full of Larkin's financial records before he even gets the chance to see them. Instead, he turns his attention to the patrolman's. Wondering who were the people who called for him, he heads towards the waiting room and finds Nate, with a small wooden box on his hand, and Enterprise sitting on the couch.

"Mr. Fernandez, and Ms. Winters," he said. "Are you two okay?"

"Yes, we're both fine, I got all 26 letters as Kiefer had asked, but I don't see him here so I thought I send this straight to you..."

"The officer said you are not in charge of this case right?" asked Enterprise.

"Apparently not" sighed Senna. "Sgt. Dessner's in charge, but I can't trust him yet..." he then whispered. "But in any case, I'll try and send this to the lab... and I'll try my best to give as limited info to him if I could..."

Just then, Sgt. Kiefer McGuinness also appeared closely after Nate and Enterprise, nearly startling him.

"Sorry I'm late," said Kiefer. "You got the letters?"

"Yes, these two got them," nodded Senna. "I'll take these to the crime lab for you," Kiefer then takes the small box full of anonymous mail letters from Nate's hands, while Senna thanked both Nate and Enterprise, and proceeds to head back to his desk to investigate Larkin's financial records, while McGuinness goes downstairs towards the crime lab, where one of the technicians; Dale O'Halloran is inside.

"Dale, I got something you want to see for yourself..."

"A box?" he said. "What's inside?"

"26 letters of death threats... All sent to Mr. Ambrose and was kept for safekeeping... Just wondering if you can spot any differences among the 26 and see if its just one or multiple individuals who wrote them could be related to Richard's gang assault case..." said Kiefer.

"I can do that," nodded Dale. "Depending on the handwriting complexion, it may take you several hours up to less than a day at most. After that, we'll need to match the handwritings of the gang members and see if they match up..."

"Thank you," said Kiefer as he puts the small box down on the desk, and, with his specialist graphology skills, Dale gets to work, unfurling and pulling out every letter from all 26 envelopes and uses his magnifying glass to check each and every unique indentations among all letters with help from his other colleagues who are also working at the lab as well.

<>

Kings County Hospital, Brooklyn
6:38 PM

<>

Inside the ward, Richard looks out to the sky through the window situated right beside him and Mika gets out from the bathroom, having being able to clean up her wounds with alcohol and had taken prescription drugs. As she lies back down on her bed and drank herself a cup of water to flush the drugs down to her system to ease her pain, and while Laffey and Javelin both watch television from the couch, Richard asked:

"I know it's quite to ask Sr. Detective, but... how was the precinct after I got fired? Probably because I never asked myself how are they doing because I was engrossed about my mental health and my new job..."

Mika looks at Richard and felt more or less hesitant but also felt pity for him after she had earlier witnessed Richard being cold to Police Commissioner Michael Krag, as she responded:

"We have actually a few people who overtime, expressed how much they missed you... Myself, and Senna included... Kiefer, while he won't admit it, he did say that he would miss speaking to you..."

"Are you sure about that?" asked Richard.

"And so does our Captain, Christian Brandt..." she added. "Unfortunately, they couldn't express it freely out of fear that they would be censured or at worst, fired..."

"Just like what happened to me..." he sighed. "Anyone associated with me are bound to get shitcanned..."

"Lieutenant Senna, he had worked so hard to get up on the ranks but kept his former association with you a secret..." said Mika. "He even asked me and Sergeant McGuinness to turn off the camera when we first met you after you saved two people from being hurt all by yourself..."

"Why is that...?"

Before she could explain to Richard how Senna and McGuinness were able to keep their jobs, the two could hear a bellow of thunder and lightning roaring out from the outside. Richard then looks outside and could see that it is a downpour, and it is pouring heavily all around the parking lot and out on the streets. Javelin could hear the conversation between the two but said nothing as Richard stared out into the dark, thunderous sky, mumbling:

"You and Senna, and everyone else... they shouldn't have to risk their own careers because of me..."

"Believe me," sighed Mika. "But if we all leave, then who's going to stop the ill-trained or racist cops from doing the unthinkable? If anything, we have to demand total reform and to oust Krag from office..."

"Wait, you're going to rebel?" asked Javelin, breaking her silence.

Richard tries to put her at ease as he said: "We just simply wanted the leadership change... But I do know that it wont be easy..." said Richard. "To do that, the Mayor, the one who appoints who as the Commissioner, has to go down with him too.."

Both he and Mika sighed in frustration, feeling powerless to be able to do anything in the face of injustice as the latter spoke:

"We've experienced protests demanding to defund the police especially when in the face of police brutality when it comes to racial misconduct or incompetence, meanwhile I demand something direct and that is to see Krag gone... But nothing's changed after a few years..."

"How's the crime rate going?" he asked.

"According to our latest report, homicides and other type of violent crimes are going down, much lower than when it peaked in the 90's, but lately, property crimes like burglary, robbery, and shoplifting, it just went higher..." she replied. "I had to deal with this twice every single day, but I was told to let them loose because they claimed we have nothing on them,..."

"You could ask their families and see if they are the good sons they claim to be..." shrugged Richard quietly.

"I think I'm getting tired right now," said Mika. "All this law enforcement failure talk's driving me nuts..."

"If we could be as good as what we were once before, then... we would have been able to tackle property crime without fail..." said Richard. "We wouldn't be in this shitty mess,"

As he and Mika rambled, they both hear a knock on the door; it was Helena, Nate, Sebastian, and Enterprise, who all returned from work and had just showed up to see Richard, Mika, Laffey, and Javelin, who they are all excited and relieved to see them return.

"Richie!" said Helena. "How are you feeling?"

"Better..." he nodded. "I can still eat, but I was told not to eat solid food as of yet, so I'm stuck to eating soup, yogurt, and porridge or oatmeal..."

"I can still eat meat and vegetables, but... that's just Doc's orders..." added Mika.

Enterprise also comes up beside Laffey and Javelin, who is also glad to see them still safe and sound as the three hugged one another.

"How's work at Richard's place?" asked Laffey and Enterprise, after letting them both go from her arms, said: "I like it actually... I get to guard the most important figure and get to use my own patrolling duties to use..."

"I'm glad..." said Javelin. "I've been hearing that Richard and Mika doesn't sound in good spirits lately..."

"Hey now, we're just upset about the state of our city's law enforcement that's all..." said Richard.

Before Richard can elaborate, he heard the single ding from his phone whom his friends had managed to recover from his pocket when he first underwent surgery. With help from Mika, she handed the phone over to Richard, and as he opens his screen, he noticed his incoming message coming from the name, Ryan.

"Coming out from Wilmington..." he read to himself, "I heard what happened, on my way to see you... How are you doing?"

With a smile on his face, he replied on his text: "I'm recovering... I'm doing well... Love you..."

"Who's that?" asked Javelin. Richard softly replied:

"My father's coming from Wilmington to see me..."

...

..

Chapter Text

<>

Weapons Testing Facility - Azur Lane Port Base
May 24, 1942 - 3:41 PM / 1541

<>

After visiting the therapy clinic run by Shania McKay, for his therapeutic session, he drove his Ford Sedan down the thoroughfare, which leads directly towards the southern district of the port town from where he was, which is where the weapons testing facility is located. This facility complex consists of 2 hangar-like structures, and it is where they test both small arms as well as naval guns for both the bases and as riggings to be used by shipgirls.

As Berenson arrived inside one of the main campuses of the Weapons Testing Facility,  Soobrazitelny and Akashi, as well as Cleveland and Morrison, are all there inside one of the sheds making their final touches on the Tegel IV before they could push for the final stages of testing – the Tegel Mark IV, invented by Iron Blood using Siren technology amidst the Azur Lane–Crimson Axis global conflict, is a high-proton plasma turret, used as a weapon for both ships and as a static turret placed on the most critical bases and infrastructure. The weapon releases a high-energy particle beams that releases a projectile at high speeds before disintegrating in a massive explosion upon impact, dealing substantial damage against mass-produced ships and armored targets thus making it an all-around defense weapon system.

Now, with Tegel Mk. IV on Azur Lane's hands, the three had already did a lot of work restoring the turrets in mint condition, with all what's left is the capacitor and batteries, which are the main point for their testing. Their job is to restore the plasma capacitor so that the turret can fire multiple projectiles without stopping in addition to the highly improved batteries they had made.

"Hey Commander!" Cleveland spoke. "We're just about nearly done, and it wouldn't have been if it wasn't for Yuubari here,"

"True, though the pleasure's all yours..." she said. "I was just merely having a lot of Iron Blood on my plate when I was on an exchange tour in Iron Blood,"

Yuubari, the light cruiser of Sakura Empire, is a technological inventor who knows a thing or two about machinery, and, alongside Akashi, had previously defected to Azur Lane when Berenson had launched an incursion attack against Sakura Empire, with the Royal Navy and Dragon Empery taking part. Yuubari and Akashi had earlier stumbled upon a dark secret from Akagi and Kaga, which had led them to putting themselves in grave danger on their life, and had been using their opportunity to escape with Eagle Union as their invaders retreat.

The dark secret that Berenson would come later in the day was a secret project codenamed Øresund. There were intelligence rumors and hearsay from both Eagle Union, Iron Blood and Sakura Empire intelligence circles throughout his time as the Commander that says about a powerful naval weapon, but even to this day, there was nothing he can go on further, as Akashi and Yuubari both only caught a glimpse of Akagi and Kaga presumingly working with the Sirens, a treachery that Berenson had long suspected this to be a source of power they are using against their former allies, and its something the higher ups had already known.

Walking closer towards the turrets that is infused with Siren technology, he orders a test fire, which the staff powers their remote control switches to operate the turret. At Cleveland's direction, they aimed the new gun from the hangar, out into the open, pointing the barrel at an unoccupied hilly island.

"Fire at will!" Berenson yelled and with one blast, the plasmatic projectile shot outward from the barrel and in almost an instant, it slams onto the surface, creating a small explosion. Everyone felt both impressed and astounded by the destructive power the Tegel turrets have gotten.

"That's our first phase done, Commander," said Yuubari. "Next order of business is sea trials and sustained firing tests before we go ahead on the next two turrets awaiting full restoration,"

"You planning to attach Tegel on one of our ships?" asked Yorktown.

"We've taken quite sometime to discuss what to do with these, nya," replied Akashi. "But I believe that these can be put to great use to have these on the move to be able to deal significant damage, nya,"

"If that, we'll need some mass produced ships to act as mock targets to see how powerful they are while engaging at open seas," said Berenson whose mood suddenly appeared to be less confident.

"What's wrong?" asked Cleveland.

"It's just... its so ironic... We're trying to take down the Sirens but we are using this kind of thing, against them...." he chuckled.

"It's a necessary evil Commander," said Yuubari. "We have no choice if we want to survive..."

"I know..." he nodded. "Just that I never thought I had to use this as our alliance who's resorting to use the very stuff we are fighting against,"

"Iron Blood may have already knew, but I believe your allies may understand..." said Yorktown. "Beside, what choice do we have?"

"Survive..." he said. "I kind of thought about this and you are right, Yuubari, I have to do what's necessary to accomplish what we need to do, and so... it's time we finish getting this turret up and ready... I'll be off and inspect the utilities and medical and evac facilities in the center of the town,"

"That's the spirit," chuckled Cleveland. "And we'll do Commander, we'll get these done pronto,"

Yorktown, having felt relieved, walks out of the campus and as she then sat down inside his Sedan, Berenson also follow and sat down on his driver's seat.

"Now that's out of the way, I'll also be going out to oversee the construction of evacuation shelters and clinical centers located within the town center," said Berenson. "You sure you want to sit by beside me?"

"I do," nodded Yorktown. "It's been such a long while since I was in a medical bay, and I wanted to let them know that I am doing alright,"

"If you say so," he smiled. "Once that's over with, we can grab something a bite to eat, what do you say?"

"We can order stir-fry lo mein and we'll pair it with sweet & sour pork, and our sweet & chili garlic steaks," said Yorktown happily.

"Would you like to bring Hornet along....?" he suggested and Yorktown, while she gladly accepted, started to feel more or less anxious.

"Are you okay?"

"I just... I just couldn't help but wonder how much would Enterprise have missed had if she never returned?" she said.

"If anything, I believe she will have a lot to catch up on..." he replied. "And I had also kept asking myself that too..."

"You went to Doctor McKay, as I was told by Hood..." said Yorktown.

"You aren't the only one with issues," said Berenson. "I also have a rash of behavioral and management issue in my early years, but I did what I thought was my best judgement,"

"After the death of your girlfriend Danielle, and your wingman named Clay Alderton during a dangerous mission against Sakura Empire..." said Yorktown. "What was initially called a rumor, you spoke it openly to your friends, and to me, and Enterprise, almost everyone did know, and even the Crimson Axis knows that too..."

"It was much worse, but its one that I want to try and make sure that everything that happened doesn't rest on your shoulders, because if we survive this, then we may be able to find answers and hopefully save our soldiers..." said Berenson.

"I understand," Yorktown sniffled before Dave leaves the weapons testing facility with the pedal to the metal. 

<>

Town Center, Eagle Union
4:09 PM / 1609

<>

It was a short trip, however, arriving at the construction site in the town center of Azur Lane Port Town a few short minutes later. As he and Yorktown slowly clamber themselves out from the Sedan, many construction workers all stood still and saluted at the presence of Berenson, as well as expressing relief to see Yorktown walking after.

"Great to see you kicking ass again," said one of the workers. 

"If you feel sick again, we're here," added the other.

Dragon Empery cruisers Ping Hai and Ning Hai, who appeared around the corner and keen on seeing the construction work, and were also surprised to see both Yorktown and Dave Berenson.

"Greetings you two!" said Ning Hai. "Madam Yorktown, also glad to see you in swift recovery,"

"Likewise, but I do like to speak with Chien Wu and Yat Sen about this, if they're free," replied Yorktown.

"Sadly not, but they also heard the news, and we're here to extend their thanks to you," said Ping Hai. "If you like, we could serve you food after seeing you two having been out for a while,"

"That's perfect," said Berenson. "We could go for some,"

 Ever the kind man he is, he turned his attention to the construction workers and he then asked:

"Who's hungry?"

The worker replied:

"We all ate, we've already served lunches when were on break, these dim sums and their fried rice they are so delicious,"

"I can see why these two needed a lot of time," Berenson thought to himself. "They have already supplied their lunch to these workers..."

The inspection from then on, took a short amount of time, he takes note of the organization of the tools, leadership among workers, building materials as to make sure it was neatly arranged and easy to find, and their own equipment as well to check it is working; bulldozers, cranes, and concrete mixer truck prepping for concrete ready to be poured in onto the new foundation, and a place to rest in for the night, which is their sleeping quarters, located just on the far corners of the site.

"So far, everything is in a proper working order," said Berenson. "And in addition to these workers doing a fantastic job after I have seen they have had their fill, given their own estimates, we're on track to have this new medical center be completed within 5 or 6 months,"

"We've also set out to retrofit or reinforce every existing utilities, and evacuation and medical facilities while we're at it," one of the construction workers spoke to Berenson. "We're also building the food bank as well,"

"I see..." nodded Berenson. "I've also sent requests for the Engineering Systems Command to deploy additional manpower, building supplies and machinery to speed up the process, Secretary Booker's working on it right now,"

"Thanks for your well-needed support," said the worker with a single nod and Berenson.

After both himself and Yorktown are satisfied with their inspections, the two sat out inside the car as Ping Hai and Ning Hai returned, showing up alongside Lung Wu and Hu Pen, who they are both hauling a large food cart complete with a steam cooker and a flaming grill, and a storage box full of freshly cooked steam buns, shumais, and savory fried rice, each uniquely spiced with a rich and salty taste. As they serve both Berenson and Yorktown, other works who are eager for a snack break also line up by the cart; soon everyone start to dig in with their own meals.

"Here's two steamed baozi for you good sir!" said Lung Wu as she handed over the buns over to the starving workers. As few more line up, Berenson and Yorktown feast on the fried rice filled with spring onions, eggs, beef, shallots, carrot bits, and shrimp. A single spoonful sends both of them in a delight.

"This fried rice it has a sweet, savory, and salty kick," Berenson remarked.

"We have our own version of the fried rice, just that we use leftover rice, as well onions, butter, and bacon and beef sirloin as toppings,"

"We all use various toppings to make fried rice of any kind," said Lung Wu. "But we enhance our flavors through our use of freshly-grown veggies as garnishes and herbs during the cooking process,"

"We could make dinner with this alongside our own while we drink royal tea," said Yorktown.

"If we all someday reunite, we can all have a huge luncheon event," said Berenson.

"Only when we are assured peace through our shared goal against the Sirens can be achieved and the looming threat of Siren incursions are no more," said Yorktown as the two then lightly tapped their bowls with one another as if they were having a toast and continue gobbling up their servings until they are empty and the food cart was running out of stock.

With their mouths full once more and after having a flush down with their coconut and milk tea drinks they have given, Berenson felt a rumble from his right pocket, it was his alarm that he had set for an upcoming naval exercises.

"Oh, here's the time..." he said. "I got to go right now,"

"Good luck with your inspections out there, Commander," said Yorktown as he hobbled back in his car and headed down towards the port quay where the naval exercises are taking place, whilst Yorktown elect to stay behind and continue monitoring the construction work of a new facility.

<>

4:34 PM / 1634

<>

At the quayside, he watches as numerous ships from both the Royal Navy, and the Eagle Union, are all firing both their blank and live shells at the distant targets styled to resemble Siren battleships, carriers, and mass-produced ships. 

Among those participating in this exercise, is Illustrious, from the Royal Navy, who, despite her injuries sustained during the Midway Defense Operation a week ago, was performing exceptionally well responding to aerial fighters and dummy suicide boats. South Dakota, an Eagle Union battleship, has also suffered major injuries, but is determined to fight and still has issues with her riggings, all of which were tended to by Vestal and other Manjuu and human staffers. 

Hood, still recovering from her injuries, was also watching from the sidelines alongside Prince or Wales and Queen Elizabeth, all three who are watching Warspite and King George V firing their batteries and their experimental anti-ship missiles that was developed under the leadership of Bruno Wilkinson just 5 and a half years ago, and has been pressed into service by his successor Berenson around 9 months before Midway, and the two aforementioned shipgirls are the first on their list to be fitted with anti-ship missiles on their riggings.

As Berenson walks up closer, Hood spots his presence and said:

"Commander, good to see you,"

"Likewise," he nodded and exhaled once, lifting off his unnerveness of his mind once seeing the exercises in person. "I'm glad you three are doing well after what happened at Midway last week,"

"We were given medications, but some of those who are injured, they are determined to wanting to keep the Sirens off our backs," said Prince of Wales. "However, I still have some concerns whether if their equipment may give out at such a worst crucial time,"

"And it could be bloody serious," said Queen Elizabeth. "With our current numbers and the supplies we have should they arrive today or tomorrow, we may only hold out for a few days,"

"All what's left is the Tegel Mark IV we had stolen from Iron Blood and... just now, they've already done their tests and I was told they are on their way to install a few along the coastal defense batteries to push off Siren invaders coming towards the suspension bridge,"

"Even if the Southwest entrance may be well defended, we have to take account of Siren air attacks..." said Hood.

"We still have naval patrols, some fitted with high-performance radars who can track aerial targets from a greater distance..." said Berenson. "Although at this current stage of technology, it would require at least several minutes to track their signatures,"

"A lot of crucial time wasted, we may still experience a surprise attack," sighed Wales.

"Everything falls down on the civilian evacuation drills they've performing after I put this base on high alert," said Berenson. "I've had Saratoga and Georgia request for additional help from Navy Secretary Booker, and last I've heard, they will arrive to reinforce our defenses,

"How many are we talking about reinforcements from your end?"

"1 Essex-class mass produced carrier, 3 corvettes, 4 fast destroyers, 3 suicide bombing ships, 10 Liberty-class cargo ships worth hundreds of thousands of tons of machine parts, materials, fuel oil, food and bedding, and munitions, and 1800 Naval Engineering personnel, just to name a few..."

"Is there more on the way?"

Berenson nodded. "Yes, there's a lot coming this way, and they knew, we are on the front line of a Siren attack,"

Just then, Montpelier, Denver, and Columbia appear behind them, waving out to both Hood and Berenson as they greeted one another; the three are also here to watch the exercise, particularly they set their sights on Guam, an Alaska-class large cruiser, who is also both recovering from her injuries after the Midway incident, and is participating in the naval defense exercise, acting as a frontline anti-air bastion against Siren aircraft. Crucially, she is among a few of the ships whose riggings are fitted with Tegel Mark IV plasma turrets. Watching her demonstration of power of the plasma turrets against even the most toughest armored ships ever built, Berenson was astounded by the sheer power of the projectiles against ships.

"The Tegel could even cut down our toughest armor plating we have available to match with Sakura Empire's," he said quietly. "Both the missiles and plasma turrets would greatly aid our naval firepower against an upcoming Siren attack,"

"If there's any good out of this," sighed Hood. "...At least Mr. Wilkinson had pushed for anti-ship missile development in response to the growing Crimson Axis threat," She still remembers her displeasure of the past during Wilkinson's tenure, but attempting to acknowledge his past achievements beyond the ones that led him to his removal.

"However, these missiles remain in a limited supply," added Queen Elizabeth. "Even at this current stage and with some military aid, we'd only have a few hundred of these guided missiles so we'd had to use them sparingly..."

"You're right, it's too soon to use them against the Sirens or the Crimson Axis when we go for a counterattack..." said Berenson.

As they watch the skies filled with fighter planes blistering high in the air, dispensing an array of anti-air and anti-ship missiles to dispatch more dummy target ships to its greatest effect and torpedoes swarm the bay towards the coastlines and mockups of Siren Rooks and Queens, both Berenson and Queen Elizabeth scribbled down their observations of the naval firepower and formation exercises. Everyone watching from the quay and from several miles away were stunned by the vast scale of the exercise it had became, especially during an uncertain time whether if a Siren invasion is imminent but it also gave them a sense of security, something that Berenson and his colleagues prefer to keep it that way to provide a sense of calm.

<>

Azur Lane Command Center
5:30 PM / 1730

<>

Back inside the underground chambers of the Azur Lane Operations Command Center, while Georgia also watches the naval exercise, Saratoga is busy monitoring radar movements of Zuikaku's escort fleet, which is set on course towards Ryukyu Islands while she kept in touch with Navy Secretary William A. Booker.

"Thanks for your assistance, Secretary Booker," said Saratoga as she spoke to him on the phone. "Your much needed assistance is much appreciated,"

"It's the least we could do, the West Coast is on high alert right now, we are using every naval asset we have to buy ourselves time for the National Guard to scramble for an orderly evacuation, but we are also deploying aerial forces to help you,"

"Thanks again," nodded Saratoga. "As for Zuikaku's escort fleet, she's exiting the Philippine Sea and is due to arrive in Okinawa in about three days via the Formosa Strait, while our Mariana Islands expedition fleet is scheduled to arrive tonight,"

"I see," said Booker. "Mind if I ask you a question?"

"Ask away?"

"Can you trust Commander Berenson over his judgement about Zuikaku?" he asked. "I know he's my friend but at times like this, he needs full trust... Given what happened back at the FOB that led to Ise sacrificing her life, we feared that there may be a mole among us."

"As he's our commander for a year and a half, we have already witnessed the change of his demeanor in a fairly short time and I want to believe in him, but he wanted to press focus on getting them to Sakura mainland before he had to deal with any collaborators..."

"I understand," nodded Booker. "Anyway, time's short, we'll continue to lend you and Mr. Berenson a hand, we're just hoping we could buy Berenson time to call in for help and deal an internal spying crisis of Azur Lane at hand,"

"We're doing it right now. Sakura Empire's the start, then we work our way up for Dragon Empery and the Iron Blood resistance..." said Saratoga.

"When was the last time Bismarck made contact with you?" asked Booker, who is eager to know what happened to each of the resistance groups who had rose up against the sovereign states.

"A month ago," she sighed. "Went dark since then... Last I heard she had came across a top-secret Siren experimentation project that was supervised by Iron Blood, more specifically, Friedrich der Große's loyalist faction,"

"Did she make any specifics?"

"She briefly spoke this is related to callsign Midgard, but she lost contact with her intelligence cabal, and that was that.. I can't go into further details on what happens to them next...,"

"I see.. The British, the Germans, and Sakuran circles all spoke to us and they all said the trail went cold, but I do know of the specifics, just that I can't share this with you at the moment..."

"Anyway, we'll continue to give you updates, see you soon Mr. Secretary,"

"Keep yourself safe," nodded Booker before the two cease contact on their phones. Saratoga continued on watching the movements of Zuikaku, but more worriedly, she could see the Sirens encroaching on their territory from the distance...

...

..

Chapter Text

<>

Kings County Hospital, Brooklyn
June 14, 2022 - 9:54 PM

<>

It has been an entire day after Richard's gang assault, and the city is still on edge. Amidst fears of public safety, the feud between groups of people who had held sympathy or support over Richard, and the other who still believed his guilt and had went even further of supporting "vigilantism justice", had been re-ignited in a form of demonstrations on the streets, and flaming wars and debates on social media. 

As the NYPD tried to maintain order and control on the demonstrations, and make reassurances to the public that the city is safe and are working on the assault case, Lieutenant Julian Senna is investigating Travis Larkin, the man who is the primary perpetrator of Richard's violent attack, but was warned by the precinct captain, Christian Brandt, that he must share his findings with his fellow officer, Sergeant Mitchell Dessner, who is in charge of investigating Richard's gang assault case himself, threatening censure or at worst, unpaid leave, noting his former association with Richard. 

Senna remains anxious as he had suspected that the NYPD had let that incident happen or that it was retaliation and that either the NYPD itself or the family of Richard's former partner, Matthew Henderson, may have paid Larkin and his gang to kill him. He also suspected that it may have been a personal vendetta between Ambrose and Larkin borne out from their first interaction at the New York Subway back in 2015, that ended in the latter's arrest. 

There are many questions and theories running in his head amped up by speculative and sensationalist media coverage, and, not only has he and his partner been blackmailed by Larkin to get them off from his back, but he has many potential suspects on the list that he needed to rule out to remove any potential leveraging power before he could proceed forward to implicate Larkin, before something even worse may befall on either himself or his friends.

---

Outside the Kings County Hospital Center, a man approaches the main campus of the Kings County Hospital Center, a bag in hand, before he was stopped by a patrol officer of the NYPD, who is there to guard Richard Ambrose and Mika Hayasaka, both who are being hospitalized after last night's attack. Tonight, there are now more patrol officers lining up around the front entrance of the main campus, who are there in anticipation of a public demonstration in support of Larkin. The officer who stopped him, spoke:

"State your name, identification, and intention..."

The man pulls out his wallet containing his ID and spoke:

"My name's Ryan Keller Ambrose, I'm from Wilmington, North Carolina and I'm here to see my son,"

After a quick cursory check on his ID, as well as his bag, which is revealed to have contained his personal mementos, photographs, food and medicine, the officer nodded with approval and said:

"Okay, proceed to the reception..."

"Thank you," Ryan smiled with relief as he heads down towards the reception desk, and after telling the staff to see his son, he is guided towards Richard and Mika's patient ward located on the second floor facing near the facade window. It wasn't long before he was able to navigate his way towards the hall where he came across Doctor Boris Yevgeny. The two shook hands as Ryan spoke:

"Good evening, Doctor Yevgeny, how's my son?"

"He's awake and perfectly aware, but he's on restrictive fluid diet while his internal organs are recovering from injuries,"

"I see, may I speak to him?"

"Of course," nodded Yevgeny as he escorts him towards the ward and opens the door. Soon, he could see Richard lying on the bed, covered in bandages, surrounded by his friends and colleagues. As for Enterprise, Laffey, and Javelin, the once-shipgirls who had been transported into Richard's universe as a result of the disaster at Midway, it was their first time they could see Richard's father with their own eyes.

"Ah, good evening you all, I can see you have so many lovely people here," Ryan remarked.

"Good evening Mr. Ambrose" said Enterprise. It was an awkward mood as it was the first time Enterprise meets up with his father in person, especially when Ryan visits Richard with so many people he knows around him in such circumstances like this when he's beaten up and required surgery.

"Dad..." Richard spoke softly upon seeing him and he felt excited as the two hugged one another. 

"I'm glad you are okay my boy," said Ryan. "When I heard that you were sent to the hospital, I had made calls to look for you and I came here as fast as I could..."

"I appreciate your concern, I honestly just like to have some company..." said Richard.

"How was your work as the new Head of Security my son?" asked Ryan. Richard replied: "For the first time, I feel like I have my authority vested in me, to actually do something what I see fit to at least apprehend criminals and help the people in need,"

"And you there..." Ryan turned his eyes on Enterprise. "It seems you have gotten yourself a fine lady, a young looking one with lavender eyes sounds like a rare breed..."

Enterprise became introvertly embarrassed by Ryan's remarks as she spoke: "It's nothing... I'm his Assistant Secretary... Lulie Winters..."

"Been a pleasure to meet you Ms. Winters," Ryan gave a slight bow after lifting up his cap and a smile.

"Is that your father?" asked Javelin and Richard nodded: "This is Ryan, he once worked in Wilmington Police Department as Captain,"

"He's a police officer like you?" Javelin beamed and his father, Ryan replied: "I've been in the force for 28 years until I retired back in '92, That's around when he moved to Brooklyn"

"I see..." Javelin was intrigued. "By the way, my name's Jenna and this is my friend Bartlette... We both know Ms. Winters here,"

"I see, you three seem to care for one another just like how Richard has the people who backs you wherever you go," said Ryan. 

"So he's from North Carolina, like where you were born?" asked Enterprise curiously.

"That is true," nodded Richard.

" I am impressed he still has a loving father who's also a police officer even after all the hardships and his cynicism of his life... But what about his mother? Should I ask?"

Enterprise wracked on her head and wondered whether if she wanted to delve in about his parents before she came up with:

"I was wondering if there's someone else from your family who come to visit you in times like this? Your mother or someone you know perhaps?."

"My mother died in a car crash when I was 4 years old," Richard replied.

"I'm sorry..." Enterprise felt deeply about his personal tragedy whilst Laffey asked: "How did that happen?"

"Her station wagon she's driving was struck by a pickup whilst they were trying to escape from the police during an armed robbery..." replied Ryan. "This might be in large part on how he wanted to become a police officer,"

"Have you contacted Sherry and her kids yet?" asked Richard.

"She said she's on their way from DC by a train, she'll be arriving here in about 2 hours or so..." said Ryan.

"Who's Sherry?" asked Laffey.

"She's my daughter and a sister of Richard's..." Ryan replied. "Ever since when he became a police officer and she went on to become a fashion designer in Boston, they are living far apart but they are my good kids,"

"I see," nodded Enterprise. "I wonder what his sister would look like?" Enterprise then thought to herself.

<>

10:12 PM

<>

While Ryan converse to Richard's friends and colleagues, Enterprise stares out of the window, looking out in the dark sky and down on the surface lit up by police lights, acting as overwatch for anyone deemed suspicious. Sure enough, she could see the first group of demonstrators approaching the Kings County Hospital parking lot. With her observant eye, she could see the demonstrators are holding up signs above, being lit by torches held by others. The entire group are shouting epithets, expressing support of Larkin's vigilantism and demanding to see Richard.

"Guys, they're here..."

Ryan, Helena and Mika all peered out from the window.

"Seems now these people really wanted a pound of Richard's flesh," said Mika. "Sometimes social media can get them riled up..."

Richard grunted: "This is the reason why I only read newspapers..."

"It gets worse on television too," said Helena as she turns on the television and watches a news broadcast of a spade of demonstrations occurring across Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, showing live images of people shouting and marching down the streets, some holding up signs of politically-charged slogans demanding Richard being held accountable or some others supporting his innocence and denouncing Larkin's acts against Richard.

"Can you contact Mr. Clayton and send in some of their soldiers?" asked Mika.

"I mean I could, but if they see Platinum Shield, they'll see them as aiding the Cop-Killer as they like to call," said Nate. "And there's a good chance that whoever pulled the gun at Richard's head, they would see this and..." 

"Yeah you may be right," replied Mika. "We'll just have to wait it out and hopefully the police can just hold them back, because from what I'm seeing, their protocol is to call for backup when situation this calls for it,"

"If that," Richard mumbled as he stares at the ABC7 broadcast watching live feeds of demonstrators fighting on both sides. "That asshole surely has a huge following, who knows how many people had already clung their lives to him in these years..."

"I hope not," said Ryan as he huddled his palm on Richard's hand, who also watched the news footage rather worriedly. Enterprise, determined to protect Richard and his friends, heads out from the door without saying a word, leaving Laffey and Javelin behind, deciding to observe the demonstrations a bit closely.

<>

10:16 PM

<>

Enterprise reaches the ground floor reception area facing towards the main door, where she could see up to 4 patrol officers armed with pistols standing side by side, blocking the door, staring down at the crowds of demonstrators demanding to see Richard. Using Boris Yevgeny's iPad camera to record the footage, she could clearly see the signs and the mood of demonstrators.

"Justice is rigged. He must be stopped," one of the signs read at the back only dimly lit by the torches.

"If Matthew burns, he must burn as well," read the other.

She could hear one of the officers speaking onto the radio asking for backup and Enterprise could sense that there could be more coming.

However, with Enterprise's long white hair sticking out among the crowd, it was a mistake. One of the demonstrators saw Enterprise recording with an iPad, and almost instantaneously, became aggressive. Using both the sign and a torch, he rushes forward, smashing himself through a line of patrol officers, who were taken by surprise, and was knocked down or got themselves burned before they could respond.

Enterprise quickly throws her iPad down onto the nearest couch and responded by grabbing the demonstrator and quickly restrains him. She went further by breaking his shoulder in one grunt, causing him to scream in pain, before she silences him by striking her palm down on his windpipe and kicks the back of his head, being thrown hard onto the floor face-first.

Other demonstrators sees this and violently responded by charging straight at her, but Enterprise, unwilling to let them go through her, uses the torch stick and a nearby vase to give herself a upper hand against the charging crowd. She punches down the second demonstrator in such a force that it causes her to fall backwards and slam the backs of their head onto the floor. She then focuses on the oncoming demonstrator, who she charges straight at them, using the body of the demonstrator as a battering ram to break through the crowd. The person Enterprise is holding could feel their backs being slammed on before she hurls them straight at the glass door, striking the rear part of the cranium onto the upper frame.

As Enterprise is now near where the patrol officers are, the patrol officer, who happens to be the named Spence and is the same person who he did speak onto the radio and did let Ryan inside the hospital earlier, said:

"Who are you?"

"I'm just trying to save your life..." she said before she was attacked by another demonstrator, who she strikes the sign on her back. In response, she strikes at their face with her left fist, briefly immobilizing the attacker, which gives Spence an opportunity to pull out the Smith & Wesson 5946 pistol and fire at their foot, causing the attacker to tumble over onto the ground. Taking advantage, Enterprise pulls Spence away from the door and to safety whilst he provides covering fire. Once there, she uses Spence's pistol to pistol whip another approaching attacker, and her own left free arm to punch at their spleen. As another demonstrator rushes up with a torch on their hand, she fires the pistol at their knee, causing them to stumble over and fall over. After reloading the pistol using an extra magazine, she then grabs the torch and shoots another one on the thigh, right near the reception area.

Facing towards the now scattered group of people who had broken into the glass doors of the main campus, she uses both the torch to burn their face, charring their hair and their clothes, before she fires several warning shots high up in the air using the pistol, forcing them all to step back and walk out from the door,.

With both her gun and a torch trained and aimed straight at the demonstrators, she yelled out:

"Get the fuck back! Leave this place! Now!"

Before the now terrified demonstrators can move, suddenly, they hear sirens closing in on their area. Three armored vans and three police interceptors, loaded with riot police and ESU personnel approach the Kings County Hospital, responding to a call for backup that Spence had previously called for backup prior. The vans screech to a stop and armed personnel hopped out and draw their guns and riot shields at the remaining demonstrators as they are surrounded. All while this is going on, the skies let out a thunderous roar and a downpour began pelting down in the area outside the Kings County Hospital.

As Enterprise watches the scene unfold and watching the downpour, she hears voices calling out from her back.

"Lulie!" they yelled. She turns around and sees Doctor Boris Yevgeny, Richard's father, Ryan, as well as his friends, Nate, Sebastian, and Helena, all who are horrified to see broken glass and furniture around it, and people lying on their ground bleeding and battered, with Enterprise holding a torch and a gun standing still, momentarily frozen in shock and fear before she drops them both onto the ground.

"Come back inside quickly! They're here!" yelled Nate as Helena rushes over and hauls Enterprise out from the lobby area just before the NYPD ESU could storm in and rescue both the officers and the injured demonstrators. After the group ran back to Richard and Mika's ward, she could now see the news coverage now changed to a breaking news story...

"We've just learned that there is an incident occurring right now at Kings County Hospital. NYPD is responding to the scene right now. We could see that they are now hauling a small group of, what could be, rioters, who said there is a breach occurring. There are multiple witnesses saying shots are heard and there are unconfirmed reports of casualties,"

When Richard and Mika turns to see Ryan and Helena pulling Enterprise back inside the room, they, as well as Laffey and Javelin, are shocked to see Enterprise's bloody and battered face, her clothes now ragged and torn, covered in blood and sweat, and there are bruising on her knuckles and burn marks on her hand.

"L-Lulie, what... what the hell did you do...." cried Richard.

Enterprise lips mumble, she couldn't speak... except she could only muster up the courage by saying:

"I... I just wanted... to protect you... Richard....."

...

<>

NYPD 78th Precinct, Brooklyn
10:22 PM

<>

As Senna sat on the desk, having finished reading Larkin's first criminal report and was just about to check the financial records as well as the handwriting from numerous death threat letters, when he caught sight of the breaking news broadcast showing the Kings County Hospital entrance is in smoke and people are being arrested for rioting, some covered in blood, or are staggering as they struggle with the gunshot injuries caused by Enterprise. He saw how ferocious and strong Enterprise is when he sees the amateur video and CCTV footage of Enterprise bravely fighting against the attackers.

"My god...." he whispered. "I'm glad she's okay, but I've never seen Enterprise so strong... Looks like Richard trained her too well..."

Sergeant Kiefer McGuinness and Sergeant Mitchell Dessner also watched the news as well. Kiefer, who is serving coffee, said:

"That is some nice whoop-ass she got there..." chuckled Kiefer. "She's one hell of a fighter..."

"Is that Spence over there?" asked Mitchell recognizing the officer who is hauled to safety by Enterprise. "I was his cadet instructor back then... I'm glad he's okay, and I owe it to this young lady here who's able to singlehandedly hold the rioters back and save our officers but..."

"But what..." asked Kiefer.

"What will the rioters say about her?" he asked worriedly. "I could see some of them are injured, and this lady shot several of them inside the reception area... and as far as they're concerned, they're gonna say she did commit the crime despite she's trying to defend herself and our officers and civilians here..."

"You may be right on that one," mumbled Senna without even saying it directly to McGuinness or Dessner. "However, their right to protest just ends when they try to land a fist on someone's face..." He then sits back down and continues investigating Larkin himself. The background checks he reads in the document file reveal that Larkin, officially, is a quiet person but has a rocky financial record, oftentimes failing to pay debts for weeks. The IRS made statements that said they suspected him to have offshore accounts due to allegations of him experiencing unusually high amount of wealth, but lacked evidence.

He went further and searched on the internet in an effort to find any dirt on Travis Larkin. Sure enough, he finds a Facebook and TikTok profiles of Larkin, with the face he recognized to be the same man from both the Mount Sinai Medical Center, and outside the bar where he, Kiefer and Mika confronted him last night.

"Let's see who you really are..." he whispered to himself.

Digging deeper on the Facebook page first, Senna finds a few recruitment videos among a plethora of vlogs and selfies of himself and his friends. He clicks on one of the recruitment videos where an AI-generated voice plays out among an inspirational music, showing images of crime and people being victims of injustice.

"Tired of inaction and injustice, the activist group Crime Strikers are here to exert pressure on major local and state governments to do something more to stop every crime that never gets solved..."

"What is Crime Strikers?" he mumbled. "Are they pushing for officials to re-investigate unopened cases or tough on crime policies?" 

Unfamiliar with that name, he then looked back on Travis Larkin's history.

"Larkin was graduated at Murry Bergtraum High School in 2009 specialized in computer science and IT systems technology at the age of 21, then he had their first criminal record by 2015, before all mention of his public records stopped by 2020..." he said to himself. "That's around when COVID that started in Wuhan entered America and..."

Wondering if there are any correlations onto when he disappeared from public eye, he could see that all social activity from both Larkin's Facebook and TikTok profiles have stopped around that same year, instead, their last video he finds in TikTok, shows a black screen with a red circle placed in the middle. 

Curious, he decides to watch that non-descript video himself and stared at the screen, watching a 15-second short video which he could see are momentary glitches and decrepit and chilling VFX imagery, cutting between gritty and heavy contrast-tinted images of crime and newsreel footages shown in a gruesome manner and articles of conspiracy theories disseminated by high-profile far-right groups, before revealing in a short video revealing a short still frame of a cross covered with blood before it disappears the next frame after.

"This cross... I recognize this from the other criminal thugs who were in our custody right now..." he thought to himself.

As Senna was once an avid videographer during his high school days, he decides to analyze the video himself frame by frame. It only took him several minutes, all while Senna makes sure to always watch his backs to make sure he is not being spied on, until he soon makes a discovery; a few pieces of clues found within the last frames of the video showing first the website name and an array of symbols.

"Key symbol equals... Umbrella symbol..." he looks at the lead up paragraph before he encounters a glossary list of symbols each representing a set of letters posted alongside it found inside a website link upon clicking it from the video. Though he is not a best cryptographer as a Lieutenant, he could recognize that this is a form of a password disguised as symbols.

Using one of the frames that shows the set of symbols, he realized that by translating the symbols in letters and arranging them in sequence based on the umbrella symbol that is used as a reference language, he realized that, upon looking at the TikTok video description that says "Ticket to Admission", he realizes that this random plain video is secretly a recruitment ad, with the word hw could make it out as....

"REVENGE..." he reads. "Could that be a code word or something deeper?"

As Senna had also seen the coordinates from the website he is in, he was able to establish where their suspected base of operations are at.

"Travis' coordinates is at 6 Tulip St, Cedarhurst, Nassau County..." he said. "It might not be much, but this is a start..."

But for him to investigate, he had to report the information to Mitchell Dessner and ask Christian Brandt for permission to set up a recon on that area, considering that Nassau County is beyond the NYPD's jurisdiction. However, with his suspicions belayed on the NYPD for letting Larkin and his gang beat Richard up, he's facing a dilemma; perform an off-the-books investigation and risk being censured, or report his findings to Brandt and Mitchell but risk the information being intercepted by Larkin considering his capability to do anything he could to stop them.

He sat down scratching his head and gave a big sigh moving his palms up over his eyes, he had an agonizing decision to make...

<>

???

<>

Meanwhile, inside an apartment complex on a stormy night, a white haired woman stared out from a bedroom, whose room contain a desk beside a bed, full of books, magazines, work papers, snacks and a white cup only half-empty. She stares down onto a large elevated interstate highway interchange and a adjacent railway line from above with cars and trains rolling by below, right as when a voice spoke out:

"Ma'am, there's something going on in New York, you need to see this..."

The woman promptly leaves their bedroom and walked in towards the living room where she watches the news on television where, suddenly, her bluish eyes gleamed wide to see a familiar sight... A long white haired woman fighting bravely against the group of rioters who have been breaking into the hospital en masse, using both the gun and a torch to shoot the invaders on their knees and torching their faces alive, of which she is able to single-handedly force the group of aggressors to back away from the lobby, saving the officers and the civilians inside... 

She couldn't believe what she is seeing....

"Could it be..... Is that you... Enterprise?"

...

..

Chapter Text

<>

Kings County Hospital, Brooklyn
June 14, 2022 - 10:22 PM

<>

Inside the ward of Richard Ambrose and Mika Hayasaka, Enterprise stood in shock as she was confronted by Richard after hearing gunshots and seeing Enterprise bloodied and disheveled, he couldn't believe what she had done upon watching the news as she replied:

"I just... I just wanted.. to protect you... Richard..."

Enterprise breathed in raggedly as she continued: "I can't let them hurt you... I had to do it..."

Already exhausted from her ordeal and all the fighting, her adrenaline wears off and she began  to stumble down onto the floor, but she was only held up by his doctor Boris Yevgeny, close colleague Helena Mizuno, and his father, Ryan, who all hold her shoulders up high to lift her up to keep herself upright. 

"It's okay, you did the best you could..." said Ryan trying to comfort her as he guides Enterprise to a nearby couch where she sat there, shuddering in the cold and pain, only fixating on her shuddering hands covered in bruises and blood.

"L-look..." said Richard upon seeing her distressed state. "I appreciate you for doing everything you could to protect the civilians in the hospital and protecting me... but..."

"But what?" asked Enterprise.

"The people who you've hurt, they already saw your face..." he said. "Now its only a matter of time... Before they're gonna kill you too..."

"What are you saying?" scoffed Enterprise. "I can fight... I know how I can deal with them..."

"Look," he sighed. "You wonder why I asked you if you want to train at Platinum Shield...??"

"You want me to be an unstoppable killer, right?" said Enterprise and Richard nodded with a pensive sigh:

"To be honest, I said that I want you to be an assistant secretary in Vicerone because I really wanted an extra helping hand and I did saw your potential when I saw you fought at Chipotle, but now, at this state I'm in, I can't protect you... and... I can't afford to put you more in danger than I'm already in. You three, you have to go."

He then reaches for his wallet located by the small desk and pulls out several of his own banknotes, much to the surprise of Mika herself and Richard's colleagues.

"Wait, R-Richard, what are you doing?" asked Mika.

"What is this?" asked Javelin. Richard replied as he extended his wallet out to Enterprise: "$2,500 on my banknotes, and my credit card carrying an extra $22,000,"

"You have so much money?" asked Laffey, who she is surprised to see Richard had possessed a lot of money far more than what she could possess in her earlier time back in Enterprise's own universe, and so does Sebastian, who he exclaims:

"22 and a half grand...!? That's like less than half of your yearly's salary...!"

"I know," he nodded. "These should be more than enough to buy you food, provisions, a stay in a budget hotel or an inn somewhere across the countryside, as well as tickets for a bus or a train out of New York City... I suggest you three wait it out at Boston or head North back to Canada, and lay low there until things settle down... I'll give you my phone number as well, so you can ask me when if you can come back, and I'll tell you when..."

Enterprise stares at Richard and at the huge wad of cash held with his nearly mangled hand which he was able to move around, rummaging through her mind on what to do.

"I have survived the past few weeks thanks to him and the people Richard knew, and now he wants me, Laffey, and Javelin to move away from town?" she thought to herself. She felt that it is not right, for a person who had asked her the need of her skills and she had been able to prove herself to defeat Andrew Ritchson's group at Platinum Shield, adding to the fact that she could feel how much Richard had been betrayed by the public upon hearing his story, and could see he is still dependent on his friends and family to keep him company.

Shaking her head, she spoke:

"We're not moving..."

"What?" Richard's eyes widened. "What do you mean you're not?"

"You said you needed my skills to protect you and your friends as well as your job... And you still do..." Enterprise replied. "Before I first saw you, I had nothing else to live for and had no purpose in life until now. Meanwhile, you were still scarred and suffering from what had happened 17 years ago and that wasn't even your fault..."

"Lulie..." he whispered as Enterprise continued:

"And yet whoever did this, they still wanted a piece of you but I'm here to give them my own. I'll do anything whatever it takes to protect you.. But I need you to trust in me and your friends that they could pull this through.... Because I personally do not want you to be in the same fate like I was..."

Her steadfast determination impressed Richard's friends and his father, Ryan, especially Mika who could see how much Enterprise was willing to protect the man she had only met, although, upon remembering overhearing Enterprise at Sea Gate when spoke to Richard about her past, something she was desperately trying to keep it a secret, she wondered to herself:

"Two people were once been betrayed, they have a common bond... But, Lulie... Her story is lot different from what I heard, when she spoke something about Sirens or world domination... What is she referring to? Or was it possible that Lulie's past is something far more deeper than that?"

Deciding to ponder on about the mystery of Lulie Winters for another time once she recovers, Mika sat back on the bed, watching as Richard also thought long and hard on what to say to Enterprise. To him, he felt that having a lot more people involved under his name would add up a lot of personal pressure on him should things go south. After the death of Matthew Henderson, he had been cautious and wary about the prospect that the people closest to him would suffer the longer they stay around him in times of danger.

Folding and unfolding his palms, squeezing his wallet he was supposed to have been given to Enterprise until she declines, he eventually relents as he puts his wallet back on the table and said:

"Alright, you can stay... But if you still want to leave before things get south, let me know... Because things are gonna get a lot worse from then on..."

"Yes, Mr. Ambrose," Enterprise gave a single nod before she sat back down on the couch across from his bed, watching both Richard and Mika, as well as the scene happening outside. The armored vans who had arrived at Kings County Hospital, are still there amidst the heavy downpour while riot police and Emergency Service Unit teams work to secure the area to prevent any more demonstrators from entering near its premises as they form an even more rigid perimeter.

"Ma'am, I think its best you should stay here, it is pouring rain out there and there's police at the scene," said Ryan to Enterprise.

"I know..." she nodded while staring out through the windows, watching as police haul out the last of the injured rioters out from the scene. It was at this point she forgotten something as her mind clicked:

"My iPad, I left it at the lobby..."

She quickly stood up from the couch and tried to sprint out from the ward to retrieve it but Ryan and Nate stopped her as the latter asked:

"Hey, where are you going Lulie? You know there's police out there,"

"I left my iPad there at the lobby, on a couch just near the entrance," she said.

"Me and Nate will get it," said Helena. "Just stay put and protect Richard and Mika and your friends okay?" Enterprise walked back to the couch and sat beside Sebastian Jones, while Helena and Nate head out towards the ground floor lobby to find her iPad. After the two left, Ryan asked:

"So would you mind explaining it to me and my son what's going on there? How and why did the demonstrators try to storm through the hospital? There's got to be the reason why..."

Enterprise spoke:

"I just.... I just wanted to get a closer look from the ground to see what is going on with these people and I do want to hear what they had to say so I can understand what to work out with..."

"Knowing the enemy," mumbled Jones.

"And let me guess Ms. Winters... you had an iPad with you and you used it to record the demonstration, right up close?" said Mika and Enterprise nodded.

"Yes... I tried to record the people there so I can show this to you, but that was when someone suddenly became berserk and as soon as he knocked the patrol officers down to try and get to me, everyone else started following through... It happened so fast I had let go of my iPad and I did all the best I could to protect myself, the civilians, the officers who got hurt... and you and Richard..."

"I see..." nodded Ryan. "I mean I find that hard to believe, given I had just saw you on CCTV, fighting against like 5 or 10 people at once and you never back down..."

"Something like that..." sighed Enterprise. "But I do admit, they had a number on me," She stretches her legs, shoulder and hips as she continued: "But i did use both the torch and the gun to scare them off and immobilize them, not necessarily killing them..."

"You just simply wanted to stop them..." said Mika.

"I had no other choice," she grunted.

"I know I know... I just wanted to get a sense of what is happening out there..." Mika spoke reassuringly trying to ease Enterprise's senses. "It's just that... as far as they're concerned, they're gonna file a lawsuit on you..."

"What? What do you mean by that?" asked Enterprise.

"Before you beat the shit out of them, they think they have the right to protest, so they're going to see you as a sole counter-protester and they're gonna blame you, like you have already chosen their side," said Sebastian. "And whatever you say about your intentions, it means dogshit to them, because actions speak louder than words you know..." 

"So now Enterprise's now going to be a public enemy?" gasped Javelin.

"Not entirely," said Sebastian. "She's just siding with the other group of people who disagrees their stance and still believe Richard's innocent and they demanded police reforms to reduce racial incidents within the municipal police force," he explained. "Its just that this debate had been ongoing for 17 years the moment the Supreme Court found Richard not guilty for the manslaughter of Lieutenant Henderson, but it just got messier the moment I leaked your security draft..."

"Wait, you did this?" asked Mika. "You're the one who leaked the draft?"

"Dang it," Senna realized his mistake upon mentioning his earlier actions that had brought Richard to the forefront right in front of the officer of the law. "I shouldn't have said that..." he then mumbled.

Mika chuckled: "It's good to have a friend who wants the people to know he's not the person to be fucked with..."

"But apparently, they are not afraid... At least, those who still disagrees with the Court's decision," sighed Ryan.

"So... what are you all gonna do?" asked Javelin rather anxiously. "Can you guys stop them?"

"Unfortunately, they won't stop so long as they lived." sighed Richard.

"Only concern I have is my daughter," said Ryan.

"Y-your daughter, you told her what happened?" asked Enterprise and Ryan replied: "I spoke to her when I heard the gunshots... Last I heard, she had just passed through Wilmington at Delaware, but I fear she may not be able to walk inside the hospital because of what just happened,"

"If that happens, we can handle that..." said Mika.

"Thank you I guess..." said Richard though he was not completely optimistic, but in circumstances like this, he has no other choice. As he continues to settle himself down while Ryan can only give him cold drinks for him to drink, which is actually a mixed berry juice and strawberry smoothies, Helena and Nate finally returned with Enterprise's third-generation iPad on the hands of the latter; it was luckily undamaged despite the chaos it had erupted in the lobby earlier and hadn't been picked up by the police.

"Thank you..." said Enterprise.

"No problem," said Helena as she handed the iPad over. "Although seeing the destruction up close, it did give me chills and a lot of concern for these people caught up in this debacle..."

"And the gunshots too," added Nate. "We actually ducked behind one of the beds and locked the door because of that, but I felt glad that it didn't escalate this very quick..."

"It appears this iPad is still recording, I wonder what's in it,"

"H-here, let me show you," said Enterprise as she plays the recent video footage she took while she was at the ground reception lobby to capture the demonstrations up close from the inside.

 There was nothing else going on other than loud chanting being heard from the inside coming from a large crowd, and it was until a man wearing patterned polo and red shirt and black pants caught inside the shot, stormed through the doors using a torch, breaking through the human perimeter that is the NYPD patrol officers, much to the shock and disdain from everyone who sees it, especially Laffey and Javelin.

In desperation, Enterprise lets go of the iPad as she dropped it onto the couch, with its camera pointing straight cleanly at the lobby entrance, where from then on, the iPad camera, while still recording, captures the destructive scene as rioters attempt to break through, but they all find themselves being pushed back by Enterprise herself, who, with the help of Spence, the patrol officer who was injured and has also provided her firing support; before long, the riots ended as quickly as it had started and now the lattermost part of the footage shows Enterprise, already visibly battered and bloodied, standing in the shot before she also fled from the scene right before the  ESU personnel armed with submachine guns storm inside the lobby, and proceed to haul the injured rioters and patrol officers alike away from the scene.

Richard's father Ryan, and his colleagues Helena, Sebastian, and Nate, as well as Senior Detective Mika Hayasaka are appalled, while Javelin, Laffey and Richard himself find Enterprise's outstanding resilience and fighting skills very impressive.

"You never cease to amaze me... Ms. Winters," Richard chuckled. "I guess you were right about me needing you..."

With her iPad on the table, Enterprise nods: "I never let you down, Mr. Ambrose."

<>

June 15, 2022 - 12:11 AM

<>

Over less than two anxious hours had passed by with relatively no development since the unrest flare-up at the front doors of the Kings County Hospital, and Enterprise spent much of her time trying to get used to her iPad, all while making research after research. Taking advantage of the internet, she had an idea.

"If I could search the live shots of demonstrations, maybe I could find where Belfast or my friends are, whether if they got caught up in it or not, so I may have to use social media..." she spoke to herself. "But I didn't use my own kind of iPad this much back in my world, so it might take me a few days or several more to know all these features since this is my new field..." 

Enterprise slowly began to search for any sightings of her friends based on recalling their physical features and having her explore on their device's Maps application to research places right outside New York. Before she could go very far Enterprise, as well as everyone inside the ward, heard a knock on the door. The door open to reveal that Lieutenant Julian Senna and Sergeant Kiefer McGuinness arriving, much to their relief after they had been sitting out in the once besieged hospital. 

"Lieutenant," said Mika. "Thank goodness you two are okay..."

"No worries," chuckled Kiefer. "There aren't any reports of demonstrations in front of the 78th Precinct, it appears the police are holding the demonstrators back from going near some of the police precincts," 

"Yeah, for now," Richard scoffed quietly before he turns to Senna and asked: "What did you find?" 

At that point, he could see Senna's face feeling a bit less optimistic and he could sense something terrible has come up as Senna urges everyone except himself, Richard, and Mika to:

"Get out... All of you..."

Ryan Ambrose and Enterprise, as well as her friends and Richard's close colleagues were surprised seeing his different set of emotions, almost as similar as what Richard's emotions had been when Enterprise recalled Richard being an entirely different person when she pushed him to the brink, and now she could sense that Senna may have found something that he wasn't supposed to.

"What is going on, Mr... Senna?" asked Javelin, but Julian responded:

"It's a lot more complicated, and I think it's best that we talk to our former colleague, but I want all of you except Kiefer, Richard, and Mika to wait outside at the hallway...."

After several moments of indecisive wait and anxiety, eventually Ryan, then Enterprise, Laffey, Javelin, Nate, Sebastian, and Helena, all agree to step out from the ward. After one by one, they walked out onto the hallway, with Senna closing the door behind them, he walked past Richard and Mika, closed the curtains on the windows, and turned his head back to the two as he spoke:

"I'll give you the good news... First of all, we got a lead on the assault case, I have decided that I'll only be sharing limited information to our case officer, Sergeant Mitchell Dessner, who he is actually in charge of your assault case, but I can only say this..."

"Go ahead," said Richard and Senna spoke:

"I found a new lead, a form of coordinates I was able to dig out from the assailant's social media accounts that leads me to Cedarhurst, Nassau County... Now even though that area is beyond our jurisdiction area, I'll see to it that I'll ask the Nassau County Sheriff's Department if I can get permission to perform a recon of that area,"

"That's great," said Richard. Senna continued:

"But it requires having to report a cross-jurisdictional investigation to my precinct captain, which I won't be doing that at least for a day or two, which means I might be going off grid," said Julian.

"If Captain finds that out, he will fire you," said Kiefer. "He had told me himself that Sergeant Mitchell is investigating and even if I want to, Mitchell will find out quickly, he's not a greasy one..."

"I know," sighed Senna. "But I need to follow every possible leads, even if it may sound stupid and off-putting, but I wanted to cover all the bases... However, I need you to trust me on this.."

Kiefer paused for a time of thought before he came back with:

"What's your plan?"

"Stall him," said Senna. "Meanwhile, send the mysterious cross from TikTok to Dessner and ask if you can interrogate the prisoners we have in our custody, and pretend that this is your new lead and not mine, so it won't rouse suspicion from Dessner,"

Kiefer, pausing for some time of thought, then reached his decision.

"Alright, I'll stall him for 24 hours... If you do not come back, I'll be forced to report your infraction to Mitchell,"

"Consider it done," said Senna "By the way, what's the status on the handwriting analysis on Richard's death threat letters?" Senna then asked and Kiefer replied:

"Me and O'Halloran made cross-references with the handwriting we obtained from these prisoners in addition to obtaining their fingerprints," Kiefer replied. "And we found one match,"

"Whose the handwriting it belonged to?"

"Frederick Dukakis... aged 36, born in Wilmington, North Carolina. Former postal inspector and mailman of the US Postal Service, and former reservist of the US Army Reserve as Private First Class for 4 years.."

"An Army reservist and mailman... Maybe he could have been able to forge or create their own letters..." said Richard. "But does he have anything to do with what happened at the bar?"

"We'll see... Once I show Mr. Dukakis the symbolic cross Senna mentioned, maybe his ass will talk..." he said.

"So... anything else..." asked Mika. Senna then replied: "We found the identity of the assailant." He then pulls out his phone to show the picture of the assailant to Mika and Richard.

"The name is Travis Larkin, aged 37. He's a former IT specialist in a local tech computing firm according to his employment records, and he was a senior high graduate from Murry Bergtraum..."

Then, as Senna had suspected, Richard took only a few seconds staring at the face of Larkin for him to recognize who is person is.

"I.... I've seen him before..."

"Wait, where did you two first met?" asked Mika. Richard, though still battered, worked his brain to try and recall his first experiences.

"I remember coming across him at the subway... He was trying to jump over the turnstile and I knew that he had done a fare evasion, and I knew it was a crime, so I caught up to him and  roughed him up a bit after he tried to resist, before I turned him over to the police..."

"I see..." nodded Senna. "That's almost exactly as what the police report described..."

"So you're saying that... I had something to do with this case?"

"That may be the most likely motive," replied Senna. "Because, after 2015, Larkin lost his chances of a new job interview that was to be done by that computing firm he said he was running late for, and his new criminal record of resisting arrest by physical force meant he wont be able to get a better paying job or be accepted to college,"

"My god," Richard mumbled and Senna continued:

"It gets worse though. His debt is steadily rising and had resorted to go for odd jobs, culminating in him being forced to sell two of his properties, one at Gardiner's Island, and the other just near East End, both of which he once inherited from his late great-grandfather..."

"Wow, Larkin must really hate you for that," mumbled Kiefer in a mocking tone. Richard, hearing this, spoke loudly back:

"Hey, why don't you just shut the fuck up!"

"Hey, I was just saying man," said Kiefer raising his palms slightly.

"Anyway," Senna continued. "Though he was able to pay off his debt with that property, that's when every records of him stopped during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic... He just disappeared from public eye..."

"So you mean he's vanished?" asked Mika.

"Not entirely, there are some flagged purchases from the financial records that was picked up by the FBI since the wake of the events at January 6th, namely, the large purchases of fertilizer..."

"So, why aren't they investigating him?" asked Richard. Senna explained:

"The internal report states that both the FBI and the ATF had tried to investigate Larkin, but they were only able to find a small amount of fertilizer at Gardiner's Island... Apparently the fertilizer's used for replanting and Larkin's lawyers asserted it as such. The trail went cold from that point when he is found to have no involvement what happened at the Capitol, and by April 2021 they gave up..."

"These fucking dumbasses, they didn't look hard enough..." grunted Richard.

"I don't know if that is the case but... I'm afraid this is where I'm gonna break the bad news to all..."

With a deep breath, he speaks his heart out by saying:

"Me and McGuinness attempted to interview Mr. Larkin himself earlier this morning, but... the man responded by saying he will expose us to every major news organization that we are trying to defend the infamous Cop Killer, which is you, Richard..."

Richard and Mika likewise were as shocked and baffled as Julian and Kiefer.

"He's trying to blackmail the NYPD?" asked Mika.

"Well, at first I wanted to believe this to be batshit, but considering he said he's capable of doing anything, when I notice fertilizer from the purchase records, and that he's an IT specialist on the education background, I feared for the worst..."

Richard, hearing the news from Senna and having discovered that the man who had beaten him up is the same person who he had him turned away to the cops, said:

"I may have... I may have pushed him into doing this... I made a monster..."

"No..." Senna shook his head. "No you did not! It is just him... He did this all to himself.... We'll try and remove his base of power, and that means I'll try and weaken him as much as possible..."

"And that means doing an off-the-books investigation?" asked Mika.

"Exactly..." said Senna. "From this then forward, not a single soul of this to anyone unless I say so, understood?"

<>

12:18 AM

<>

Outside the ward, Enterprise and her friends, as well as Richard's father Ryan and his colleagues, Helena, Nate, and Sebastian, all sat outside the hall wondering what to do next as they realize it is getting late as they wait for Senna, as well as Richard's sister Sherry. Enterprise, as curious as she is, decided to lean her head by the door to try and make out what Senna is discussing. Much of the conversation was indiscernible as she can't make out the muffled words between the four, but Enterprise could make out the few....

"Cedarhust, stall, 24 hours, Fredrick Dukakis, Travis...." she thought to herself. "Are these related to what happened to Richard?"

In her current position, she had an opportunity to look into Richard more closely and root out any of his potential enemies. Nate and well as Helena also overhear that conversation as well and they all have similar questions as Enterprise as the three, as well as Laffey, Javelin, Sebastian, and Ryan secretly discuss among themselves.

"These names, Frederick Dukakis and Travis, you think they might be the related to the ongoing situation here?" asked Enterprise. Ryan sighed.

"28 years in the force I do know him..., Dukakis is a local from Wilmington, but I'm surprised he moved to New York..."

"What do you know about him?" asked Nate. 

"He's a good soul, never had a thing or two about anybody... He worked in the Postal Service as a mailman and, recently he's been promoted to be a postal inspector, but lately he went off-grid," replied Ryan. "Travis however, he's not from my town,"

"Can you dig up the information about this Travis?" asked Helena.

"I could go to county records if you want to..." said Ryan.

"But we'd still need to keep our store operational..." said Helena, as she is now focusing her concerns on the company itself. "We can't just wait it out for him to recover or we risk facing a financial uncertainty, not while the store is being renovated..."

"You're right..." Nate nodded in agreement. "We'll inform Manager Valdez and Platinum's CEO Clayton that Richard's okay. Meanwhile, we have to get some sleep, it's getting late,"

As if on cue, the door swung open as Senna, after having secretly discussed it among Kiefer, Richard, and Mika, also had the same idea.

"It's getting late, all of you need some sleep," he said,

"What is going on?" asked Enterprise, demining to know what Senna told Richard. But Senna, keen to keeping the details of their discussion a secret, can only respond with: "We'll give you details in due time, but we have a long day ahead and you need rest..."

"T-then... I'll stand by with Richard and Mika," said Enterprise.

"Fine by me..." Senna can only give a single nod as Enterprise, Laffey, and Javelin opted to stay with Richard and Mika inside the hospital. As the rest of the group leaves, Richard's father, Ryan, spoke to Senna, who he is still worried about his daughter, Sherry.

"Excuse me, sir, if I may ask..."

"What is it?" asked Senna and Ryan said: "I have my daughter Sherry Ambrose... She's on her way from DC and she said she'd arrive at Penn Station, but now I need her safe, so if you can..."

"Consider it done," said Senna before Ryan could explain away all the details as he knows what Richard's father is asking him for. "I'll send in police escorts to protect Ms. Ambrose and escort her to Richard's ward,"

"Th-thank you... Lieutenant," Ryan smiled.

Walking past the debris of shattered glass and dust of the ground reception lobby, Nate and Kiefer escorts Nate, Helena, Sebastian, and Ryan, who had observed the damage the rioters had caused, out from the Kings County Hospital and onto the armored van who Senna and Kiefer rode in it as well and had it sent over to Richard's rowhouse in Park Slope.

<>

Park Slope, Brooklyn
12:52 AM

<>

As the four arrived back inside Richard's home, his neighbor Elise Braun rushes out from the front door upon seeing the police escort and Richard's colleagues hopping out from the van.

"Helena! Nate!" she called. "Thank goodness you three are okay, I saw the riots at Kings County Hospital on TV and my kids are concerned,"

"It's okay," said Senna. "The ESU took care of that for now,".

"I see.." She turns to Ryan and spoke: "Who are you?"

"My name is Ryan Keller Ambrose, but you can call me Ryan. I'm Richard's father..." he spoke. He and Elise shook hands as she replied back: "Nice to meet you, I'm his neighbor, Elise..."

As the two converse, Kiefer spots a nearby patrol officer who had been patrolling the street for the past several hours and spoke up: "Sir, what's the status on your end? Was there any suspicious activity in and around this block?"

"None detected so far, Sergeant McGuinness..." the officer nodded. "The closest one was at Grand Army Plaza, but that's already been contained as far as we heard,"

"Thank you," Kiefer pats the shoulder as he said: "You can get some rest, we'll take it from here,"

"Thank you sir," the officer sighed with relief as he leaves the neighborhood onto their police cruiser. Likewise, with everyone already been up late due to recent events, they are already exhausted. As Richard's colleagues slowly clamber up the stairs towards the front door, Ryan phoned in Sherry.

"Hey dad, what is it?" asked Sherry on the phone. Ryan sighed: "Change of plans... When you get off Penn Station, just head to the waiting room and wait for the police to find you and then they will take you to Richard's house. Just tell them..."

"Yes father, I'm already at Trenton... I'm getting close..."

"Alright, be safe... Call me if anything happens..." said Ryan happily before he ends the call and he joins in with Richard's friends as he enters inside the house as well, and closes the door behind him, while Julian Senna and Kiefer McGuinness sat back inside the vans parked just outside, now being their turn to guard Richard's house for the midnight shift.

...

..

Chapter Text

<>

Azur Lane Port, Eagle Union
May 24, 1942 - 7:21 PM / 1921

<>

At the quayside, with the conclusion of a naval exercise that oversees the first trial use of Tegel Mark IV plasma cannons, Azur Lane Commander Dave Charles Berenson is watching as the docks are working around the clock loading and unloading cargoes full of parts, fuel oil and building materials sent by a former Eagle Union Navy friend, and Secretary of the Navy, William A. Booker, who is aware of the recent developments and has now granted authorization for the supply divisions to deliver crucial supplies. With extra materials now on the quayside, more personnel volunteering for construction to spend as much resources and manpower as they could to build more weapons, ammunition, emergency shelters, food purification systems, and soup kitchens, whilst more Kan-sens/Shipgirls also participating in the naval exercises and patrols as well and are now making retrofits to improve their speed and protection.

Berenson knew the Sirens are approaching after the attempted surprise attack fiasco that costed Ise's life, but he has no idea when or how powerful are they gonna get, and Saratoga had picked up no Siren activity near its naval borders although she finds a group of them farther away from their shores but had not made advancements to launch an assault. Wanting to ensure that the base remains intact, he needed everything he had gotten to muster to protect themselves from any threat until Zuikaku returns, who she is now approaching Sakura Empire via the Formosa Strait.

His only best hope rests on the Mark IV plasma cannons set up around the base, and on USS Guam and HMS Warspite, who the former already had fitted the Tegel Mark IV's on their armament that had demonstrated outstanding stopping power against ships with the strongest armor they can offer, and now Berenson watches as Warspite is pulled on over by the quayside for her own Tegel cannons to be attached on her riggings.

"Hiya, Commander!" said Guam who spots him. "Whatchu think about my new cannons!?"

"They're Tegel Mark 4's" said Berenson. "Once built and used by Iron Blood, these guns pack a huge punch against ships and aircraft with even the strongest armor we can offer even at the farthest distances. These things were kept in storage after the Royal Navy took them, and I was hoping that we don't have to use it, but now I feel like its time to pull out all the stops..."

"Yeah, at first I had a bit of qualms too," said Guam, "But now that I think about it, and seeing how powerful it is, I feel like I am confident, just after a couple more shots and turns to work out its kinks then I can whack the Siren butt in no time!"

"Yeah, you and Warspite would be the only beacons of hope, though Cleveland's still working with Akashi and Soobrazitelny on a few more Tegel Mark IV's..."

"That's right," said Warspite, who she has also volunteered to use the Tegel Mark IV. "Reusing the new guns after we captured them is a lot harder than it looks, lest with the lack of available materials the Iron Blood uses and how unpredictable these machines are gonna get..."

"Thanks to their reverse-engineering, it became less of an issue with compatibility and they can be built fairly easily with our parts and materials we procured..." nodded Berenson. "But of course, fitting the plasma cannon on the ship riggings is probably the new field which is the purpose of this exercise..."

"So when will Implacable and Vanguard return?" asked Warspite and Berenson replied: "Tomorrow morning... I hope the Sirens doesn't pick up on their impending arrival..."

"Implacable is one of our Royal Navy's finest," said Warspite. "Despite her religious background, she is also capable of wreaking havoc on both the shores and on the sea, she could even go head to head with Illustrious-class carriers,"

"I think of her as having a mix of Illustrious and Enterprise... A friendly neighborhood, and  a hell-maker..." Berenson remarked.

"That may be an understatement Commander," Warspite chuckled. "But with Enterprise still missing, she may be our best hope,"

"We have a lot of best hopes, the best we could muster, and its not just praises or literal hopes, but it's my trust in you all." said Berenson.

"I know," nodded Warspite. "How are you feeling right now?"

"I just went to therapy, just told to do exactly what I just said, and I feel a bit better," he replied. "And seeing you guys fitted with the new anti-ship cannons... maybe I need to give everything we got just to win,"

"Just leave this to us," said Guam happily.

"So how's your testing?" he asked wondering about the performance of the Tegel Mark IV's. Guam replied:

"Pretty good, I witnessed that the projectiles from Tegel Mark 4 can hit at even the furthest ranges than her main gun batteries. It did gave me a lot of kick and I felt that,"

"And there will be more coming soon," said Berenson. "There will be some more Tegel Mark 4's nearly done building. After some tests, they'll be ready for use either as a static defense for our base or as a naval gun battery for our shipgirls..."

"Now I had previously appointed you and Guam as the first subjects for the use of Tegel Mark 4's the day after I approved the accelerated testing of the Tegel Mark 4's, but as soon as the final batches are done, I will be discussing on who will be the ones to hold this brand new superweapon,"

"I'll let everyone know," said Hood who is approaching nearby, alongside with Prince of Wales, and Queen Elizabeth. "Ideally, we will hold that meeting when the Marshall Islands Expedition Team returns, and after a much-needed rest,"

"Even though there is no sleep for the wicked, we need our best of minds to ensure we will remain the best," added Queen Elizabeth.

"You're right," said Berenson as he was beginning to feel slightly drowsy. "It's seven tonight and we could spend our night or we go to sleep,"

"Shall I go to night watch, Commander?" asked Warspite and Berenson said: "Well again you have plenty of time so you can all do whatever you like,"

"As you wish, sire," nodded Warspite as she and Guam head out as they discuss on what they want to buy from the market. Hood and Prince of Wales also followed, who they need to rest for what is about to be yet another long day. Only Queen Elizabeth and Berenson remain at the quayside standing around and watching the docks continue bustling as more cargo and merchant ships sent by the Eagle Union kept arriving.

"This friend of yours," Queen Elizabeth spoke about his friend William A. Booker while still holding her shoulder after she had been hospitalized. "How long has he became the Secretary of the Navy?"

"Around 2 and a half months ago after I became the new Commander, so right now, that was around a year and a half..." he spoke. "I received the letter from him that says he is now moved up to become Secretary of the Navy by the President during that time. He was a wingman but he is my friend who kept me up on my feet, and I trusted him..."

"i see," nodded Elizabeth. "Does he know about any Siren advancements?"

"He did," he replied. "That can only explain why the supplies kept coming in... Apparently, we'd be in the front line to stop the Sirens before more reinforcements arrive..."

"You may be right about that, servant," said Elizabeth. "I was just curious about this Booker person considering what happened back at the FOB..."

"Booker as well as my buddies, Clay, Arthur and Charles, they all wanted to be naval aviators when we were high schoolers, and I had known them for as long as I can remember," replied Berenson. "And with Booker having become Secretary of the Navy, I had never been felt more proud and I trusted him,"

"Yes, I can understand your trust in them..." Elizabeth nodded. "You don't have to go so far you know,"

"So Your Majesty, you're not gonna join with them? I believe you may need some sleep..." he said.

"Hmph, you might be right..." sighed Elizabeth. "What would you do for tonight then?"

"Do i need specifics?"

"As Queen I deserve to know!" Elizabeth yelled.

"Ok fine..." he sighed. "I'll be making my last checks on the Tegel Mark IV's myself, as well as the new medical facility at Southern District, and... check on the last of my documents in my office and go to sleep..."

"Alright, then enjoy your night servant!" said Elizabeth before she leaves him alone on the quayside. After Queen Elizabeth disappears from view, he too also leaves the quayside towards his Ford Sedan. He then pulls out his phone to contact Yorktown, who spoke on the messaging app that she is at a shopping district and had asked him if she wanted to spend her night having dinner. Smiling, Berenson replied:

"I'm down, how's chicken and lobster sound?"

It didn't take long as Yorktown responded with a thumbs up emoji which affirms that she is down for it. Satisfied, he starts his car and heads for the shopping district within the Azur Lane port town.

<>

Commander's Residence, Azur Lane Port Base
May 25, 1942 - 7:25 AM / 0725

<>

The next morning had followed and Berenson woke up from his sleep from the alarm bell ringing at the time he had set it for him to wake up. He knew now that the Marshall Islands Expedition Team is about to arrive in the afternoon and he had to prepare himself. Rolling himself out from the bed, he sets on about doing his morning routine; he would make himself and eat breakfast, change diet or make some morning runs in the weekends, before he brushes himself his teeth after taking a long cleansing shower.

With his bath towel around his waist, as he was heading for the closet to get his set of clothes, his phone started ringing. He sighed and he walked towards the living room where the telephone is and picks up the receiver handset. A voice spoke through the telephone:

"Commander, how's your good night sleep?"

"H-hey... Yorktown..." said Berenson. "I feel refreshed already... Just finished showering..."

"I see.. well we still have some things to do before the Marshall Islands Expedition Team arrives..." said Yorktown.

"Let's see... How many plasma cannons we have left?" asked Berenson. Yorktown spoke:

"Last night, Akashi, Yuubari and Soobrazitelny, they all worked all night to get the rest of the plasma cannons working... And right now, we already have the last 4 in stock, all are scheduled for testing in about 20 minutes from now..."

"I think I'll go to the Southern District and see the testing myself... I'll be there before I had to meet with the expedition team and check up on Zuikaku..." said Berenson.

"That's right, but there's also a load of documents full of construction permits, requests for approval, and a series of documents and intelligence waiting on your desk," she said.

"Oh o-of course..." nodded Berenson. "I'll be getting this done... Tell you what... how about you have the staff send these to me at Southern District, I'll be spending a few days there inside the Weapons Testing Facility where I will be making this as my secondary office, so I can watch on the developments over the Southern District more closely..."

"That'd be wonderful," said Yorktown. "Hood's still your Secretary right?"

"Yes, and you and your friend can her out if needed be..." said Berenson. "She's already been out of the infirmary less than a day ago, so I'll be seeing you and Hood at the facility once I'm done prepping myself..."

"Alright Commander, bee seeing you..." said Yorktown before she hung up and Berenson starts quickly changing clothes down to his traditional sailor navy uniform and wearing himself his white and black, golden-trimmed sailor cap, which bears a three 1/2 inch stripes and a 7-star pointed silver leaf embedded above its visor and on his collar as its lapel. 

With his showering and rinsing of his hair and body and toothbrushing done, he skips breakfast, preferring to bring himself a small breakfast snack; a tuna chicken melt stored in the cold fridge. Arming himself with an M1911A1 pistol with a loaded magazine used as his personal protection sidearm, he had them tucked in his holster, and with time is of his essence, he sped down for his Ford Model A Sedan and drove away in a short distance towards the Azur Lane HQ.

<>

Weapons Testing Facility, Southern District
7:39 AM / 0739

<>

Berenson drove on down the small hill before arriving at the Weapons Testing Facility in the Port Town's Southern District, where the Tegel Mark IV plasma cannons had been under construction and as of now, are within minutes of performing its scheduled testing. Berenson arrives just in time and, standing beside Akashi, Soobrazitelny, and Yuubari, who she makes their last touches on the final batch of Tegel Mark IV's. With her signal, she yelled for the operator to fire, and the Manjuus pulls the switch, sending the projectile launching out from the barrel with astounding speed, traveling almost twice the speed of sound before slamming into the hillside in a one almighty explosion.

The destructive power the new set of Tegel's had brought out, has left the three mechanics and Berenson amazed with the results.

"With some cross-cutting and a laundry list of reconfigurations, we're able to improve its performance all while able to adapt the use of parts and components produced by Azur Lane's allied nations,"

"We've also had these retrofitted to fire tungsten carbide shells filled with shaped-explosive propellant and upgraded its external power to increase the heating output and the magnetization," added Soobrazitelny. "The last three we worked all night to make, are around 1.5 times as powerful than the last 5 we had produced so far in the past several days,"

"Three are only going to be emplaced on the coastlines as anti-ship defenses, nya," said Akashi. "The fourth and fifth turrets we produced before, we had that mounted on Guam and Warspite, nya,"

"I know, I've seen that last night," nodded Berenson. "Having these on their riggings may prove to be a game-changer,"

 "Soon, we are now considering on who are they going to be next first three shipgirls to actually wield its new destructive force of nature after Guam and Warspite," said Yuubari.

"We'll have to let everyone know at this point," said Berenson. "Meanwhile, I'll remain here for a few weeks to keep watch of the R&D as well as to stick around the Southern District. I've told Hood and Yorktown about this and they'll be on their way right now so you can ask them what do you think..."

"I see," nodded Akashi.

"But I do believe, with the five guns in use by our shipgirls, we could make them a new team of their own, and I believe I can arrange that.,"

"I see, you make a name and we all have to decide on the last three to take up the mantle?" Yubari processed what Berenson was planning and he nodded:

"That's right.." With the bag in hand he walks upstairs towards the office quarters located inside the hangar, whose windows overlook the entire testing platform. This office space is built out of corrugated steel, insulation and drywall, and that it was originally made as a cargo container. Makeshift in appearance but cozy and air-conditioned, this office had once been used by the lead engineers who had once directed other R&D projects under the leadership of former Commander, Bruno Wilkinson and also acts as an observatory post in the hangar for contractors and managers, up until Wilkinson himself was deposed and ultimately court-martialed. Recently, it now serves as one of a few secondary offices scattered across the town, designated to be used by the successor whenever necessary. 

As Berenson cleans up the desk space and the office itself and made some few arrangements, he sat back on the chair looking through the window as the three mechanics work on preparations to fire the second Tegel plasma cannon. It went off without a hitch, as does the final third one, and they are all ecstatic, including Berenson, who he had hopes that these will be enough to slow down the Sirens or even decimate their opposition enough for reinforcements to arrive.

<>

7:58 AM / 0754

<>

It was just around the third testing session that had just been wrapped up when Hood and Yorktown appeared inside the hangar speaking with the mechanic trio. Berenson slowly stood himself up from the desk and clambers down from the metal stairwell towards Hood and Yorktown.

"Commander," said Hood. "I was told you will be working here today,"

"Yes, so I can look closely on the final batch of Tegel Mark IV's and to oversee the medical facility construction just nearby,"

"I see," nodded Hood. "I'll still be in charge of your office,"

"You sure you'll be able to handle that,"

"I still have the Royal Maids," smirked Hood. "Even with Belfast and Sheffield not being here at the moment, Edinburgh's shown to be a capable substitute as a head maid and Devonshire's helping her out too..."

"How's Sirius?" asked Berenson, as he left wondering how she's been faring well after the last time he saw her 4 days ago when she was serving breakfast that ended with her spilling the coffee on both his uniform and on the desk and scalding her hand.

"Her hand's healing," replied Hood. "Our Majesty's retraining her alongside the other maids,"

"I could have trained her personally myself," said Berenson. "But right now, I have to focus on this district and the paperwork..."

"That's right, they're all back there in the car," said Yorktown, pointing to their own Ford Sedan which has three boxes placed in the back of the car. 

"Akashi, Yuubari, help me out with these boxes to my office," he yelled out and began to carry the first box of paperwork upstairs followed by Akashi and Yuubari, who they were able to deliver to his desk without any problem as mechanics.

"Thank you," said Berenson. "Now you two, have Soobrazitelny or Yorktown and Hood a bite to eat, while I got to start work right now," he said.

"But what about you?" asked Yuubari, noticing that Berenson had only brought a sandwich, but Berenson insisted:

"It's urgent... But don't worry, I'll be fine,"

"If you say so," she said before she and Akashi head back down the stairs and leaves the Weapons Testing Facility with Yorktown, Hood and Soobrazitelny while Berenson is now alone in his office, the telephone now wired and ready to make calls, and the desk now refined and cleaned, for the stack of paperwork ready for him to write signatures on the documents and financial reports.

<>

12:17 PM / 1217

<>

Hours had passed by and Berenson had done more than half of the paperwork sent by various staff members of the Azur Lane Port Base, the Eagle Union government, the Azur Lane's allied nations and several individual clients. He had already consumed the entire sandwich and had received some calls, mostly coming from Hood provided that she still remains in charge of the Azur Lane headquarters as his secretary.

Despite the relatively dilapidated interior furnishings of the "container office", he was still glad to be inside an office where he had sufficient air-conditioning, much like what the residential dorms also possess, as today's weather was increasingly hot and humid at the time, with the weather report saw a record breaking temperature of 39.7C°(103.46 F°).

Wondering if there is anything he could do to help the shipgirls and staff in this scorching heat, he pulled out his phone to text someone in an instant messaging group chat, consisting of Nubian, St. Louis, and Hai Tien. All three had spoken that the heat was unbearable and Berenson agreed by responding with:

"If you like, you can stay in your dorms, or come to the Weapons Testing Facility, it has great air-conditioning, but it is not always spacious..."

"Is there cola drinks or ice cream?" asked St. Louis on the chat and Berenson stood up to check on the fridge to find nothing.

"None at all, how's yours? Anyone?" he typed and Nubian replied: "I only have a gallon of ice cream, and it's just Neopolitan on the fridge..."

"Good, you can share them with the two of you or anyone else if you can see them..." he spoke on the chat. "I'll get my own ice cream whenever I could, and I guess to gather everyone you can and set up an ice cream shop inside the dorm,"

"Heehee, that'd be a wonderful idea," St. Louis replied.

Just as he was done chatting on the phone, he spots a maid carrying a loaded tray as she tries to climb up the stairs. His instinct tells him he must help her but as he looked closer he realizes it was Sirius, and the tray she's carrying has a plate of Salisbury steak with buttered vegetables and rice topped with mushrooms, peppers and gravy. There is a large cup of vanilla ice cream placed beside it...

"On second thought, If I step out now, she will embarrass herself and trip over... And in a dangerous spot whilst carrying a heavy tray on one hand up the stairs no doubt," he thought. "I need to make her get to the top on her own,"

Despite knowing he'd risk letting Sirius fall over and suffer an injury without any intervention, all he could do is grit his teeth, watching Sirius with clenched fists and bated breath as each step after step, she remains focused and determined to get up to the top as she brings herself closer towards the door and with two knocks, he felt a huge sigh of relief.

After trying his best to regain his composure, he slowly opens the door and faces with Sirius who replied:

"M-Master, here's the lunch I was told by Hood to deliver this by car, to you..."

Berenson can only smile.

"I... I really appreciate it.. I only ate a sandwich to be honest,"

As he and Sirius carried the tray over and unloaded the lunch set, Berenson pats Sirius' head and said:

"You've come far and beyond, and you managed to carry the tray in one hand and up the stairs... All that training the Royal Navy and I had put that in you, it finally paid off..."

Sirius giggled ecstatically: "Th-thank you Commander... I've been working hard to become the best maid the Royal Maid has to offer, and despite how much if I had made a lot of misunderstandings, I'd like to let you know, I'm really glad to be working with you..."

"It means a lot," said Berenson. "Now if you want rest, you can settle down in this office, or... help me out with work..."

"W-wait.. y-you mean we can do this... H-here? We're gonna do this right?" Sirius' face suddenly turn reddish as she puts her hands on her chest, thinking that he will give Sirius the kind of pleasure she thought she wanted but Berenson lightly chuckled.

"What? N-no... I mean, you can help me sign papers together..."

"Oh... I see..." Sirius blushed. "I jumped into conclusions yet again..."

Berenson laughed at the sight of Sirius' embarrassed face as the two proceed to settle down inside the cold office and spent their time eating lunch together, listening to music and watching television shows.

As the lunch break was over, Sirius continued to stay inside his office as the two read the final batch of documents before he gets to write signatures. With all the signed paperwork now stacked in the same three boxes Yorktown and Hood had originally brought them with, he and Sirius take a breather knowing that they had finally accomplished in record time, and as he checked the watch, he realized he still has two hours before the Marshall Islands Expedition Team would reach the quayside.

"Well now with that out of the way, we're gonna deliver all the documents to Hood at the headquarters..." he said. Turning his head after he stood up from the couch he asked Sirius:

"You in for another ice cream treat?"

"Sure Master, I'd love to..." Sirius replied joyfully as she and Berenson carried all the boxes at the back of the Ford Sedan, and made a short trip back towards the Azur Lane Headquarters, where he and Sirius unloaded all the papers and had them arranged inside the drawers specially designed for workloads located inside his main office where the staff will then collect all the signed paperwork to be submitted.

<>

Azur Lane Port
3:22 PM / 1522

<>

Berenson and Sirius spent much of the extra time they had earned after finishing the paper signing early through making a walk around the Southern District and they had actually checked the new medical facility construction site; the framework has now been constructed into building concrete walls and the construction crew are working hard.

After making a quick inspection tour, the two finally reached the dockside just in time to see the entire Marshall Islands Expedition Team arriving. The ships comprising the expeditionary team, Vanguard, Implacable, Alabama, Boise, and Nicholas. A joint expedition team between the Eagle Union and the Royal Navy, they are also one of the most powerful they could offer, and for Berenson, he feel now he had made up his mind on who they'll be receiving the new experimental cannon.

"Master, they're here. And they seem to be in good condition," said Sirus.

"They were searching for survivors, resources, and any trace evidence of the Siren or Crimson Axis' presence at the Marshall Islands under my command," he said. "It's a good thing they were able to return before the Sirens can catch up to them..."

With their riggings deactivated and the girls stood on the pier, the Marshall Islands Expedition Team walked alongside one another, greeted by Berenson and Sirius, as well as Georgia, Saratoga, South Dakota, Illustrious, Prince of Wales and Queen Elizabeth.

The entire commission team, naturally, were shocked by the state of their injuries for the latter four, but they are otherwise glad they are alright after they had received chatter about the events in Midway when they are ordered to retreat after the Pacific FOB's counterattack fiasco attempt.

What in the god's name has happened to you?" cried Alabama as she rushed up towards South Dakota, who she is already being recovered from her injuries from the Midway incident.

"Something's happened back there in Midway, and I took a grave hit by all the lightning and the whiplashes of the seas, but I made it and I'm fine..." South Dakota replied.

"My queen! And you guys... I'm absolutely gobsmacked by what happened to you all..." Vanguard exclaimed.

"We had been spending our few days receiving medical treatment, but the sense of urgency about this had never kept us sleeping..." said Queen Elizabeth. "We, as Royal Navy, are not the ones to give up because of a mere injury..."

"That's true, your Highness," nodded Vanguard.

"Commander Berenson," said Implacable as she approached forward. "It's been a blessed moment to be able to return albeit on such short notice,"

"There may be no time for pleasantries..." said Berenson. "Were you being followed? Sirens, anyone suspicious?"

"My planes show no signs of any presence of the Sirens or any of the Sakura Empire or Iron Blood forces," Implacable replied.

"Good.. The situation is already getting bleak. The Sirens have already occupied much of the North West sectors of the Pacific Ocean, and it's only a matter of time we are next," Berenson warned.

"We are glad you were able to make it back without being noticed," said Georgia.

"Of course," said Vanguard. "The Marshall Islands were on the Central Sector so we hadn't gotten any sightings of any Sirens, but we would also like to report that there are no unusual activity during our resource salvage operation, and also no survivors to be found..."

"I see..." nodded Berenson. "While you five were heading back, I've already instituted a full preparedness initiative, and we have gotten the base all fortified and being put on high alert..."

"We've also developed a new advanced weapon once belonged to Iron Blood," added Saratoga.

"If you can, I can take you five to the Weapons Testing Facility just down in the Southern District..." he said and the entire Marshall Islands Expedition Team are eager to see the new armament.

"Great, then we'll see what you have," said Nicholas. "Is it a new gun or a plane? Or more shells?" Boise added: "I am curious but we'll see..." She then thought to herself: "I hope they got something for me..."

<>

Weapons Testing Facility, Southern District
3:32 PM / 1532

<>

Berenson escorted the entire Marshall Islands Team, as well as Hood, Yorktown, Georgia, Saratoga, Illustrious, Prince of Wales, and Queen Elizabeth. Inside the hangars where the three Tegel Mark IV plasma cannons now sat polished and ready for use, everyone, sans Berenson, Yorktown and Hood, were awestruck by its high futuristic design that appears highly imposing against anything that points eked out by a large dual cannon.

As they arrive, mechanics Akashi, Yuubari, and Soobrazitelny perform the test-fire demonstration by having it fire three shots at a decoy Siren Rook battleship as a show of strength. They went a step further and had the Tegel fire a barrage of miniature-sized bullets at the now sinking hull, triggering a flak-like explosion at anything it hits... 

For those who had seen it with their eyes, they now feel they had created a behemoth, from a turret they had once been a threat against their naval operations against Iron Blood, into a far more formidable weapon that can counter the Siren threat.

"This is like giving them a taste of their own medicine..." remarked Vanguard.

"In all honesty, Iron Blood did most of their R&D on this," said Berenson. "When I was able to have Prince of Wales and her fleet take over one of Iron Blood's naval installations that suffered in huge losses, we were able to snatch 10 of them..."

"While I did not sincerely approve of this operation given how well-fortified that Iron Blood naval base was, I later saw that this is worth all the sacrifice we made to get to this..." said Queen Elizabeth.

"You can thank me, your Majesty," Hood smirked and Prince of Wales chucked: "We were just as reckless as we are,"

"So much power..." whispered Boise upon seeing the few plasma turret shots had just turned the Siren Rook battleship into scrap metal. "I could not breathe..."

"So far we've already put down five turrets for our base defense placed in strategic locations to provide maximum coverage," said Berenson. "And just yesterday, we have already fitted two cannons on Guam and Warspite..."

Berenson then walks back towards the whole group after he had been given them a demonstration and then spoke:

"And I have already decided on who will form The Five Miracles..."

"The Five Miracles?" exclaimed Queen Elizabeth...

"So, Commander, you've decided on who to instill the new cannons?" asked Yuubari.

"I've been thinking about that before I went to sleep last night and while I work in my secondary office upstairs..." he replied. "And now, I have already decided on the last three candidates..."

Berenson took a deep breath and spoke:

"Vanguard, Georgia, and Alabama...."

Everyone gasped, and Vanguard, Georgia and Alabama couldn't help but feel confused and overly ecstatic.

"C-Commander!? You'd give that gun to me?" asked Vanguard.

"You are one of the fastest battleships of all the Royal Navy..." said Berenson. "Speed and power, that's one of the two advantages that I need to rely upon, and for you not just to guard the Queen, but the whole integrity of our alliance, and I need you to use it to beat that Siren ass when they come knocking!"

"I guess I am," said Vanguard before she spoke proudly as she then raised her sword: "I, Vanguard, as once a palace guard, will defend this base with all my might... And with this, I shall wipe out that wretched enemies of our Honorable Majesty!"

Berenson then turned to Georgia and spoke: "Georgia, as a research ship, you've been sitting by the sidelines with me for over the past 10 months acting as Azur Lane's chief of staff and a high-ranking mission officer, and you have never fought in a single engagement since Wilkinson's, so now, I feel like it's high time, that I will hand that over to you so you will unleash your full potential you never have tapped before..."

"I... I really appreciate that..." said Georgia. "Even though this is my first time, with the biggest plasma gun, not one will be of any match for me, Georgia. I will sink the strongest enemies for you and our nation, no matter how thick their armor is..."

Berenson smiled and never have felt proud.

"C-Commander Berenson," said Alabama. "I've never seen this until the training exercise when I saw Guam and Warspite. That must be very powerful, but why are you choosing me?"

"Your sister is in no condition to have this on her riggings as of yet.." Berenson replied. "With this, you can beat them to a pulp and protect your sister..."

"I see..." said Alabama. With a deep breath, she said determinedly: "I will protect Azur Lane and my sisters with all my strength..."

Afterwards, when Berenson checked his watch, he spoke:

"I feel like we've already seen enough... We'll be preparing our next naval exercise for the three of you tomorrow, so for now, you all deserve a nice rest..."

Before everyone can leave, Akashi shouted:

"Wait! Don't you think this may not be actually it?"

"Wait, there's more?" exclaimed Nicholas.

Akashi giggled almost as if she is waiting for this moment to come and then said: "Follow me... nya."

Akashi guided the whole group to another hangar located just across the one where it housed the three Tegel Mark IV's. Proclaiming that she had crafted a secret weapon, Akashi approached the lever mechanism and pulled the lever switch. Not a moment pass by and the gigantic doors creak and slid open. Berenson and the shipgirls took several steps inside through what appeared to be total darkness until when Akashi turned on the hangar lights and revealed the hangar contained a few prototypes the likes of which they had never seen before.

Inside the hangar is a single prototype jet-powered fighter-bomber that is half-finished, packed with a few anti-ship and anti-air missiles , all of them are prototypes with each of their hidden capabilities. Around it are stacks of orange-tipped shells bearing the label "SAPHE-DE", which is branded as a semi-armor piercing high explosive shells but it is made out of depleted uranium, and a batch of supercavitating torpedoes packed with high explosives capable to tear up even the toughest ship armor. 

Berenson was stunned.

"H-how did you three do this?" he exclaimed. 

Yuubari replied: "The day when we fled from the Sakura Empire, we had some of the prototype blueprints that was originally handed by Akagi and Nagato as part of the naval weapon modernization program..."

"You took these with you?" asked Implacable.

"Yes," nodded Yuubari. "These are meant to modernize the Sakura Empire Navy, but these are few and far between and information is limited, and they are mainly about armaments and fighter aircraft for Shoukaku and Zuikaku... But after when we discovered Akagi's schemes, we knew we had to create these if we are to counter the combined Siren-Sakura Empire force, and thanks to the supply aid, we saw an opportunity..."

"So yeah, we kind of used the material aid to craft these in secret, nya," said Akashi feeling almost as guilty.

"That's kind of sneaky if you ask me," said Nicholas.

"I know, we just created these without your permission," Yuubari continued. "I know it might be quite insubordinate and reckless but knowing the Sakura Empire and the Sirens, we knew we had to do something to arm your shipgirls with these new weapons..."

Although Berenson knew that they had been secretly crafting weapons right under his noses that would itch him to sentence the three mechanics to probation or a prison sentence, he knew that at this point, he needed everything he can get to withstand an almighty Siren offensive. After standing around contemplating, he turns his head to the three mechanics and said:

"I'll decide on your punishment later... Right now, I need everything we have right now to throw at the Sirens..."

"Commander..." Yorktown whispered to herself, noticing that he had made a pivotal decision that she feel would change the course of the war whether if he would punish them there and now, or let them off the hook. 

Berenson then asked Yuubari:

"Do you still think you can craft these?"

"En-masse, I believe these would take several weeks, but if I could, I can make small batches of these once every 4 days,"

"Alright... I'll notify Secretary Booker whether if we could ask for more supplies," said Berenson. "For now, the next training session's tomorrow. All of you must prepare for what's about to come,"

"Yes, Commander," everyone around him spoke in unison and they went off their separate ways, with the Mariana Islands Expedition Team, who they are set to have their hands on Yuubari's prototype armaments, heading back to their dorms for a breather, and Berenson, after speaking to Hood and Yorktown about what had happened, heads back to his secondary office on the upstairs platform inside the Weapons Testing Facility, and sat down, pondering...

...

..

Chapter Text

<>

Vicerone Cashbacks, SoHo, Manhattan
June 15, 2022 - 7:34 AM

<>

The next morning had arrived, and Helena started out once again as Head of Security and Operations, who is taking over Richard as he is still in the hospital. During her stint, Nate is currently leading the Prefect Team consisting of a small number of armed private security personnel as well as an array of civilian security guards as they roam around, patrolling the complex and observing the ongoing renovation works that is set to keep the Vicerone Cashbacks Manhattan Branch to its up-to-date standards whilst providing extra space and amenities. In addition to this, he has also redirected some of the Platinum Shield operators to act as plainclothes officers, surveilling the surrounding streets and in a nearby subway station to check for any demonstrations. Sebastian makes heavy focus on maintaining the checkout registers to keep it in working order, and now assists in physical labor, arranging or transferring products from the delivery bay and storage to their desired shelves.

Throughout this time, the recently hired Head of Security and Operations' Assistant Secretary Enterprise (going through her alias as Lulie Winters), explores around the shopping complex who she is observing the renovation works and the Prefect Team itself. Armed with only a taser, baton, and handcuffs provided by Vicerone's Prefect Team, she walks down the halls watching the workers inspect the columns using a precision optical instrument called theodolite, an implement meant to inspect vertical columns inside the complex, something of which she had never seen before, but believed she had similar methods on how people in her universe inspect and build structures.

"I do remember seeing my people using a straightedge or plumb bobs to measure the flatness of any surfaces or beams as well as the tilt angle of any structures such as this," she thought to herself, "They have the same tools as in my universe and that concept never changes... Just like war..."

Enterprise sighs and clicks her tongue:

"What is up with me and this war again..."

She still remembers seeing her vivid images of explosions bursting out from the television screen when she was first hospitalized around the time she met Richard. Though she is the assistant secretary, her need for answers to her pressing questions on her head never went away overnight. Faced with trying to get on with her new job or to take stop for a short while and regain her bearing, she said:

"I'll deal with this tonight,"

Before she stood up from the bench and as she was just about to leave, a man walks up by her and said:

"What are you doing spacing out like that?"

She turns round and spots a large man towering above her forehead. She jumps in shock and took a step back before she exclaimed:

"Wh-what are you doing here? You scared me,"

The large man spoke: "I was just hauling this cart for the service elevator just down the hall and inside the fire exit by the left, and then I saw you sitting down as if your mind is not in the right place..."

"Oh I see..." Enterprise softly stuttered and took a sigh of relief before she plucks up her courage and said:

"I'm the new Assistant Secretary of the Head of Security and I'm working with Ms. Mizuno... I'm Lulie Winters, and I'm on an inspection run to observe the workers, the guards, and the shoppers alike,"

"Nice," the man smiled. "The name's Winston... Winston Kapoor. I haul goods from the storage to their respective shelves,"

"And that seems to be quite a load you got there," Enterprise observed that the cart Kapoor was pulling is full of boxes stacked on top of another. The boxes are labelled on where the products loaded in each box must go and it is very heavy.

"If you don't mind, would you need... a helping hand?" Enterprise offered Winston her assistance and Winston nodded: "Sure... In fact I desperately need one because I've been on this a few times for half an hour now, my hands and back are killing me,"

"Sure," she nodded.

Enterprise and Winston then work together to move the heavy fully-loaded cargo cart along the mall's atrium passageways past crowds of shoppers and building inspectors, with Winston at the back pushing, and Enterprise now taking over as she pulls the cart by the front. With her and Wilson moving the cart, they were able to reach the service elevator easily and Winston for once can finally catch a break.

As the service elevator clambered up towards the floor Winston needed to go to unload the goods from the boxes, he spoke: "Thank you for your help, Ms. Winters,"

"It's nothing really," Enterprise can only try and give herself a gentle smile to Kapoor.

<>

13 Old Fulton St, Brooklyn
June 15, 2022 - 9:34 AM

<>

Inside the apartment unit located above a commercial space, Lieutenant Julian Senna, after staring out into open streets for a short while, inspecting the Arabica coffee shop and the warehouse located across the street, as well as the Brooklyn Bridge Park from a distance for any suspicious activity but having found none, and already donned himself his police uniform and cap, he makes a look on a document file he had picked up from Nassau County local records.

"According to Nassau County Sheriff's Office's public records, there are around seventeen 9-1-1 calls coming from this single-family house at 4 Ivy St, Cedarhurst, all of them are complaints of disturbing the peace and prohibited firearm usage, and these reports span around 10 months..." he spoke to himself.

Piecing together with what he found on Travis Larkin's last known social media activity that he figured may be a covert recruitment scheme, he realized that this property may either belong to Larkin or any of his unknown associates and that it could be used as a hideout.

"If there is something fishy about that house, then there's only one thing for me to find out... I cannot risk waiting for a warrant, I need to be quick...

He walks up to his wardrobe closet just located across the desk where he had read the documents.. Behind the rack of dress suits, jackets, shirts, and uniforms, he unravels a safe that contains an array of specialized spy equipment he had once bought years ago; among of the equipment he chooses to pick is a parabolic microphone, a device used to detect voices omnidirectionally at a distance, a miniature digital spy camera is a recording tool meant to discreetly record audio and visual images, and a single piece of a scouting camera, which can be capable of recording images even in darkness using IR lighting.

Alongside the spy gadgetry, he had also brought in three smoke grenades, a set of binoculars, his own SiG Sauer P229 pistol along with 3 magazines loaded with .40 S&W, and his small foldable knife. He loaded them all inside a duffel bag placed on top of his bed and went with a painstaking effort to shred any sensitive materials he feared that someone who finds it may figure that the police may be onto them and kept said materials safe as digital files stored in his cloud storage. After spending a good 25 minutes, he shuts the lights off in his apartment, held on and lifted the duffel bag full of equipment and had it tucked on the foot area of the passenger seat inside his old 1991 Cadillac Brougham Sedan.

Still in anxiety on having to go beyond his call of duty that would potentially put him in danger, he slowly foots on the gas pedal and before long, Senna starts cruising down the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, crossing over the Kosciusko Bridge before turning right on a short hop through I-495, and then right towards JFK.

<>

Hempstead, Nassau County
11:17 AM

<>

Navigating past the largest international airport, he drove through the neighborhood of Meadowmere, acting as the county border town before he reaches Nassau County. At this point, looking through the GPS on his smartphone he knew he is almost there after he had been on the road for more than an hour. After a series of turns through the village's grid streets, he was able to reach his destination; pulling over his Cadillac right beside a black metal gate with the overgrown fence posts. He turns off his car and makes a quick cursory check around the area.

"Nothing, no one's coming at this time," he muttered.

Forgoing setting off the hazard lights, he opens his duffel bag he had stored on the floor by the passenger side and pulls out his SiG Sauer P229 as an emergency weapon should things get south, as well as his parabolic microphone and a scouting camera, which he plans to not only listening in on conversations from the inhabitants inside the house he will be surveilling on, but his scouting camera would be connected to his computer and he will surveil the area from the safety of either his 1991 Cadillac or in his home, as it is satellite connected.

With his pistol on his own holster and with a parabolic microphone and a scouting camera at hand, he leaves the Cadillac, climbs over the small white wooden fence, and makes a trek through an open field towards the house. It was quite a huge risk, as he is aware of the security cameras that he had spotted on the road earlier and that this open area with no cover makes him a sitting duck.

"I need to be quick, what if someone in that house or the neighbors operates a drone and sees me..." he muttered to himself. "What's worse, the Nassau County Sherriff's Office would be on my ass at any time... I can't afford getting caught by either these two... I had to run towards the brush and hide..."

After running through the open field along a guided dirt path and making a right turn in a intersection, he was able to reach the house as said in the address. Senna hides himself beneath the thick shrubs and underneath the tree, staring over the backyard with a swimming pool. Luckily, not a soul in sight and there was no drone that could be flying around the open field. Not a minute had gone by when he heard two gunshots ringing out from this very house...

Bang. Bang.... The two gunshots agitated some of the dogs who heard the blasts and Senna can hear a few people screaming.

"Well, I guess I may be in a right place based on the 9-1-1 report, but is this house here in Cedarhurst really be the hideout for a suspicious group or something else I may not know..." he thought to himself.

Inching closer just near the property ledges that borders the backyard area, he could see the swimming pool. Alongside the pool surface, he could see brown and green glass bottles lined neatly aside, and a large wooden platform with arrows sticking out from a circular target prop that was bolted on a fixed tripod.

"Are they setting up an archery range in the backyard?" thought Senna to himself with curiosity. Thinking this would be a perfect vantage point for his scouting camera as he thought it would be the hangout spot, he pulls out the desired camera out and began setting it up; slotting in the batteries and checking the antenna and the data from the camera before linking it up to his computer he had it left behind inside his Cadillac which acts as its local surveillance terminal. A green light shows that it is now online and Senna, satisfied, decides to analyze the house in an another angle.

Leaving the backyard area, he carefully snuck himself on the southwestern flank towards the garage and an adjacent connected house just across the driveway, all while avoiding being spotted by the people inside both houses he is straddling in between. There, he could hear voices coming from that building; he activates the parabolic microphone and with his headset on, he points at the house and listens in the muffled voices...

---

"I told you not to leave the door open man! We soundproofed the entire shooting range here for a reason, dumbass!..."

"Sorry I just wanted to do this very quick...

"Well our operation is to be carried out in a few days, we're waiting for others to arrive by tonight before we can learn of our plans and make our next move, and the last thing I want that to happen is you bringing in unwanted attention...!"

"Stop being such a worrywort okay? We already had our critical materials tucked away and hidden in places police won't even know where to look,"

"Ah yes, Lots of nails and bolts as well as ammonium nitrate, RDX, and fertilizer too... We have lots of them thanks to Larkin's secret stash he provided. They're well hidden, so much so the K-9 team won't be able to detect explosive materials,"

"That's right, it's all courtesy to me and my clever engineering.. So let's hope they can hold out.... Anyway, have you contacted the Helios about what happened to Larkin?"

"Already done, he's calling in the best lawyers to get him out..."

"Alrighty, anyway what the hell is up with this man, I mean, he's said something about how the tyrannical government deserves a little push and I do appreciate him setting this place up for us, but why did he pick on that head of security?"

"Who knows... Considering this Richard guy is the Head of Security of Vicerone, maybe he thought he's trying to cut down the leadership before he's going to bomb that site"

"Nah, that can't be... There's other capable people who could replace so I'm not sure if whatever Mr. Larkin's doing is gonna do any good in our movement against the federal government,"

"Don't have any doubts man, I'm sure what whatever Larkin has in store, he will lead us the way for our revolution..."

---

The muffled conversation between the two men, although muddled and fairly indiscernible because of the soundproofing, had sent shockwaves down on his spine. He had recorded the conversations using his audio recorder he had the parabolic microphone plugged to an audio jack and he was able to discover what might be a terrorist organization given what the two people are saying about Larkin and the materials he knew would be common for making explosives. However, he knew that just simply knowing it is a terrorist organization is only a half-part done.

"What the hell are they up to in Hempstead?" he thought to himself. "And who is the Helios?" He knew that there are more people who is expected to arrive at this hideout and he needed to delve in deeper by exploring the hideout closely and to discover what they are planning, but he had to pull back as he now hears tire screeches and police horns from a distance. Not knowing what to do and whether if it was for the gunshots or for him, he quickly crawled himself back out towards the thick shrubs where he had set up the scouting camera there; he leaves it behind and once back into open field, he pulls out the binoculars and notices there are no police officers approaching down the road where he had parked his car, but Senna knows he has to back out and to evaluate for his next move before both the hideout's inhabitants and the Hempstead Police became suspicious.

After running through the large patch of grassy field along the dirt path and back to his 1991 Cadillac Brougham, he slowly floors the gas pedal and the car moved briskly away from the vicinity of the terrorist group's hideout, just as two cars from the Hempstead Police parked right outside the hideout's front entrance.

<>

Kings County Hospital, Brooklyn
11:32 AM

<>

At the hospital, Richard is being assisted by NYPD Sr. Detective Mika Hayasaka, his father and former Wilmington Police Captain Ryan Ambrose, and their doctor, Boris Yevgeny as he slowly trundled his way towards the bathroom, fighting through the pain as he makes every small step in a long-standing effort to relearn his body on how to walk. Sitting down as well as standing and sitting up on their own is an issue at first. After seven hours of reconstruction on his broken bones, and another five hours from being in coma, he cannot walk without relying on crutches or the help from his father and his friends and colleagues.

After more than a dozen small steps from his bed, he was able to reach for the toilet and sat down for a call of nature, all the while Boris Yevgeny observes to see if there are any problem with his intestines. 

"So how are you feeling?" asked Boris. "Does it hurt?"

"Not much," replied Richard. "The only pain I'm getting from was my legs and ankles itself..."

"Alright, but if your fecal matter is in red color which suggests internal bleeding, we may have to put you in surgery once more..."

As Richard continues defecating on the toilet bowl after not having been doing this for a few days, Mika Hayasaka walked back to her own bed to watch a movie when Richard's cellphone rang. With Richard still inside the bathroom, Mika picks up his phone and saw that Senna is trying to call him. Wondering whether if Senna had any new developments on his off-the-books investigation, she held his phone up to her ear and spoke:

"Lieutenant, are you okay? Did you find anything?"

"Hey, Detective Mika..." Senna replied on the phone. "I followed the coordinates to Cedarhurst and I was able to discover that this place the coordinates said it was, it turns out to be a hideout run by a group, an anti-government militia or domestic terrorist group, though I'm not sure yet..."

"My god..." she whispered. "I-i mean if that's true, then we'd be facing a potential domestic terrorist attack..."

"The real questions I have right now is when will they strike and how much materials are they gonna store in this one hideout..." said Senna. "I believe they may make their move in about a few days but I need more..."

"You may be right..." nodded Mika. "You may need a lot more evidence than just them simply being a far-right group... By the way where are you now in Cedarhurst?"

"I managed to get out before the Hempstead Police arrive, apparently I think they were here for the gunshots the people there are making,"

"Then they might be able to arrest them right?"

"No... If that was the case, they would have been driven off and had this place turned upside down by now.. I'll sneak back in tonight where there's going to be a meeting taking place there as far as I have heard..."

"This might be dangerous," said Mika. "You have like 12 more hours before Kiefer will report that you went rogue. Even if he won't, other officers may be asking questions as we speak!"

"Mika... You know what my father used to work with?" asked Senna. "I know you're from the Detective Bureau, you must have kept tabs with something about me did you..."

"Ummm, let see..." Mika pondered hard about Senna's personal life and remembered her time when she was analyzing her files about Senna, during which when he first joined with the NYPD prior to Richard's. Mika is a steadfast detective who studies people for a living regardless whether if she is in charge of a case or not, and regardless of who, from NYPD's new recruits to civilians to politicians. On the file she discovers Senna's background information; his father works in intelligence until when his family emigrated to the United States. 

After peering over Boris Yevgeny and Ryan Ambrose who is still looking after Richard in the bathroom, Mika explains to Senna with what she can remember about him:

"Your father who passed away at the age of 79 due to coronary heart disease... Joaquin Arturo Olivera Senna,.... He used to work with the Brazilian Army when he was involved in the '64 coup d'état, and he worked at the Ideological Secretariat within the National Information Service from 1974 until 1990... When the democratic government dissolved that agency... And you were at your father's funeral back in August 2013 if I recall..."

"That's right," he panted. "I learned this from my father after when we moved to America when I was 4 years old, and from thereon I had gotten a knack spying on my classmates and making sure how not to get caught..."

"Oh..." Mika felt intrigued with a smug on her face knowing that Senna is a spy, as he spoke again:

"Anyway, I'll be heading back tonight, meanwhile I'll have to snoop around Hempstead and question the people nearby and see how much if they knew about that place..." said Senna. "Have Kiefer called you yet?"

"No Lieutenant..." sighed Mika. "Anyway, I'll let you know when I got something from Kiefer..."

"Thank you," said Senna before he hangs up the phone to end the call, at just that moment when Richard had finished his toilet break and is now using the crutches to walk himself back towards his bed, just as Mika was also beginning to watch the film she wanted to watch.

"Hey Richard, movie day," said Mika as Richard eventually sit back down just as doctors walked through the door delivering a tray full of lunch meant for Mika and Richard. One tray for Richard was full of beef vegetable soup and yogurt complete with blueberry fruit juice and a two scoops of Neapolitan ice cream, and the other for Mika also has beef vegetable soup, blueberry fruit juice, yogurt and ice cream but also includes grilled chicken breast and steamed veggies.

"At least this is perfect for watching a film," Mika remarked as the staffers unloaded the trays and onto the folding bed tables.

Ryan spoke to Yevgeny and the staff: "Sir, again I'd like to say I can never thank you enough for taking care of my son and the detective here too,"

"We treat people, its our duty, that's all Mr. Ambrose, now excuse us while we work on other patients" said Boris before he leaves with the staff. With Mika and Richard just about to enjoy the meal, he sees the person he recognizes...

"Sherry," he said.

"Brother," she smiled. "I brought you something for lunch, don't worry it's all yougrt and protein drinks..." She hands a plastic bag she had been holding on her hand, as does Enterprise's friends Laffey (Bartlette Amsley) and Javelin (Jenna Summers), who had also bought stuff for themselves, their towels, snacks, and books, the like, during which when they had left with his sister for a walk around the city.

Earlier on, she had arrived in New York City from Washington DC, but had to sleep in Richard's house as she had arrived very late through midnight, only arriving at the ward the following morning but never got the chance to see Enterprise, who she had just left early morning to work with Helena at the department store.

Richard felt happy to see his family after he had not been seeing them for so long after he had joined with the NYPD, but they all felt they could have reunited under better circumstances. But nonetheless, the sight of seeing Richard who is still alive brought some form of relief and now, the whole family, as well as Laffey, Javelin, and Helena spent their time inside the hospital watching movies and having their chat.

"So, about this woman I saw on TV, you know who she is?" asked Sherry.

Javelin replied: "Y-yeah, I do know of her, she is the one of the best fighters we ever knew... And she's now Richard's assistant secretary..."

Richard chuckled nervously: "I-i mean yeah... But right now she's working with Helena who she's my deputy, looking after the department store in situations like this.."

"Well I can't wait to meet this woman, you know what her name is?" asked Sherry curiously. With his father also wanting to know who she is. Richard replied: 

"She is from Canada, her name is Lulie Winters... I just... You know, I had took her in as a former police officer and I raised her a bit too well..."

"I see..." said Sherry. "She looks so cool,"

"As expected from an instructor," Ryan remarked. "You did a wonderful job..."

"Thank you both," Richard can give himself a smile before he and everyone else continued watching the movie, all whilst Mika still kept wondering what is about to happen with McGuinness and Senna knowing the danger the two are about to face.

<>

Vicerone Cashbacks Department Store, Manhattan
3:32 PM

<>

Returning to Enterprise, she is now inside the Head of Security's office standing beside Helena, who she as well as the branch manager Bryan Valdez is having a discussion with the construction contractors who are responsible for the multi-billion dollar project to renovate the now aging-Vicerone Cashbacks Department Store complex. As the contractor's representative discuss among themselves, Enterprise asked:

"Excuse me, but can I see myself out?"

"Sure," nodded Helena. "We're almost done with the meeting anyway," 

After making her quick check on her equipment, consisting of a taser, handcuffs, and a baton, she makes a walk out across the office and towards the door. When the turns the doorknobs and took a step out, she sees Seoung-hui Kwan, the first officer who she is one of several Platinum Shield personnel who is collaborating with Vicerone Corporation and the branch's security team led by Nate Fernandez... She too is guarding the Head of Security, but from the outside as she stood in guard armed with an M4 carbine on her hand, making sure no one else makes any funny business.

"Ms. Winters, how's the meeting?

"I can't give you any exact details as ordered by Helena, but I can only say it is alright," she replied.

"I see... So how are you after what happened at Kings County?" she then asked.

"Honestly, I feel like I am up to this..." Enterprise replied. "After I've been able to take on against 10 people, I don't see anything like this impossible after getting myself some rest... But I've still learning that's all and I've yet to know what is going on with me, was it about my survival instinct or my adrenaline, or am I that really capable?"

"You've just made a big leap and you're taking it slow I see," said Seoung. "But all that aside, you really have proven yourself to be a viable asset in uncertain times like this, especially with all the craze from the Richard's assault situation they're having,"

"There's people who believed in his innocence, and those who denied it," Enterprise overviews about the ongoing civil unrest the city is experiencing and Seoung-hui Kwan nodded:

"For all intents and purposes, what happened in Bed-Stuy is that he just killed his partner on accident and there's nothing he can do to bring him back. But from what I can tell, he's wasn't even the only one who would sacrifice partners for the jobs,"

"You suspecting that... This civil unrest, could they may be manipulated or they were literally having their eyes on Richard?" asked Enterprise.

"In this time and era, that may not be that far-fetched..." Seoung's shoulders shrugged. She then placed her M4 carbine barrel down on the floor to rest on her palms on the stock and spoke to Enterprise rather ominously:

"People believe what they want to believe, and in an era of disinformation and propaganda in the context of social media, where every opinion, fact, and argument is challenged, that concept would be highly dangerous so you'll have to be careful for anything,"

"Just like when I'm on patrol," thought Enterprise to herself. "I can get used to this, but social media... This is my new field... Everything I see on the internet, it's quite different than how people interact in my world... So how am I supposed to discern whether if its worth being heard or not?"

She then nodded to Seoung-hui Kwan: "Yes, I had done guard duties in the homeless shelter before," She continues to stick to her cover story that she was Canadian and, apart from Senna and Ambrose, no one is the wiser, at least for now.

Seoung giggled: "Glad to have someone with first-hand experience. Even when our forces had been dwindling in the past decade, we're now seeing more applications more than ever, and you could be our morale booster we may need..."

"I mean, I still come to your headquarters and perform firearms and hand-to-hand training... I still have Ambrose, as well as you and Mr. Harris, and Andy..."

"I know," said Seoung. "If you like, you can work with us full-time in Platinum Shield..."

"Thanks, but I'd rather stay with Mr. Ambrose..." said Enterprise.

After spending a short time with herself and Seoung-hui Kwan standing by outside the Head of Security's office, she then said: "I'll go make a patrol around this floor and check up on Nate, I'll be back after 10 minutes,"

She then leaves Seoung-hui Kwan by the doors of the Head of Security by herself and starts making a walk around the corridor and out into the atrium, inspecting every stores, restaurants, and watching over crowds of people beside her and down below along her way towards the other side of the building where Nate was. With her keen eye, she spots two men walking side by side, with their heads turned on a young woman being preoccupied by her phone.

With her senses tingling and her suspicion running high, she briskly walked down the corridor trying to find her way down to catch the two suspicious individuals, both of them are wearing beige jackets and navy blue pants, but had yet to see their faces as they close in on the oblivious female shopper, and so does Enterprise, who had went down one flight of escalator down to the second floor until soon, her worst fears came to life when two men finally decide to make a move. In a spot as the separation from the crowd grew, the two took that chance and pulls out their concealed combat knives and held the woman hostage.

One of the men shouted to hand over the valuables that she had bought not too long ago. Enterprise hears this and with no hesitation, she makes a dash down through the flight of escalators, while warning everyone to leave the area and call security. As she makes her way down from the third floor, one of the workers hiding by the counter inside the jewelry shop just right beside the active hostage situation, attempts to intervene by kicking the victim down and wrest for the knife, but only when did Enterprise arrive, she witnesses the assailant pushing him back and responds by firing the M1911 pistol at his right abdomen. The gunshot echoes across the corridor and the bullet causes the bystander to wince down and stumble down on the floor in straining pain.

The bystander had managed to free the female shopper from being held hostage but now took a hit in her stead. Before that assailant could fire at the now freed hostage at her back, Enterprise arrives and in a nick to time, lands her fist on his right armpit where his hand was holding the gun, allowing the female shopper to escape unharmed, as Enterprise is left fighting against two armed robbers.

Unwilling to become a repeat on what happened at Chipotle when she is left incapacitated, she pounces at the first assailant and charged head first at him, slamming at the wall by his back. She uses her knee to kick at his spleen and then lunges herself out of the way when his partner tries to shoot her by the back. Recovering herself, she then pulls out her baton and advances towards the two assailants, using the nearby columns as cover. She then rolls towards the two and strikes at the head of the second assailant before they could fire their gun at her. She then turns to the first assailant who trains the knife at her. Enterprise yelled:

"The hell are you waiting for!?"

The knife-wielding assailant can only respond her back with: "Who the fuck you think you are?"

Enterprise spits on the ground and replied: "I'm just a patrol officer... And this is my first day... You two tried to rob a lady and you just shot a man, I'm not gonna let you two off that easy,"

"Kiss my ass!" the other assailant yelled as he grabbed a nearby wine bottle from a winery stand located right within the corridor and tries to swing the bottle at the back of her head. Thanks to her quick-reflexes from both her time as an Eagle Union shipgirl and the additional training with Richard Ambrose and Platinum Shield, she ducks down and grabs the assailant  who had been holding a knife straight towards her. As a result, the bottle instead shattered on their partner in her stead.

This caught the man who struck him with the bottle off-guard. She uses the opportunity to disarm him from the bottle and then strikes her palm right by his trachea, knocking his windpipe out. For a good measure, Enterprise pulls out a taser from her duty belt, and shoots out two electrodes on his stomach, electrocuting him. After standing over the now already incapacitated assailant, who is now breathing laboriously, she notices the other assailant, his head and his beige coat now covered in blood attempting to walk away, but it was all in vain as Enterprise grabs the M1911A1 pistol from the robber who had tried to shoot at her, and fired up in the floor's ceiling, making him freeze on the spot in fear as she grumbled:

"Get the fuck down on the ground now and put your hands behind your head..."

"Or what?" he scoffed. Enterprise forcefully pulls him back and kicked him by the back of his left calf, stumbling him over before she then shoves the hot barrel of the M1911A1 at the back of their nape and said:

"I won't ask again,"

After several seconds of the robber now standing in the forced kneeling position locked by Enterprise's left foot pressing on his calf, the robber is left no choice but to surrender. He had both of his hands placed at the back of his head, allowing Enterprise to pull out her handcuffs and restrain him. She also dealt with his partner in-crime, who she resorts to using zip-ties, just as Nate's security team and Seoung-hui Kwan, Helena, and Bryan Valdez converge on the scene, as does several dozens of bystanders who were either amazed or appalled at what had happened, with people taking photos of Enterprise standing between the two restrained robbers, as well as the jewel store worker, who is shot just near his abdominal aorta and is severely injured. 

Enterprise wasted no time stabilizing his injuries right before paramedics arrive in the scene to haul the two robbers and the injured worker away. As many clapped and expressed praise for her efforts, Enterprise suddenly froze, her eyes staring out away from the crowd... At first Helena, Nate, and Seoung-hui Kwan had no idea what is going on but Enterprise can recognize the same cap, the same shirt.. and the same face...

Through the crowd, she saw the same person who she had first encountered at the bus stop weeks ago when she ran around desperate to search for Laffey. He is seen slowly clapping with a mere sinister and jovial smug on his face saying:

"Well done, you really kicked ass today..."

...

..

<>

???, ???
??:??

<>

Meanwhile, back inside the apartment, two women were frantically packing up their bags, as well as their identification cards, both containing their fake names, and a wad of cash, and some of their personal effects from their desk. After having saw Enterprise on television last night, the two are desperate to get to her as soon as possible.

"All packed up, Belfast?" said the other woman who is revealed to be Sheffield. She and Belfast were one of the ships who had participated in Midway and had ended up in a different place much like Enterprise, Laffey, and Javelin.

"Yes, Sheffy..." nodded Belfast. "I already got the two tickets and we saved ourselves some seats. If we leave now, we could pass the security checks and take a train to New York."

"What should we do when we find her, or our missing comrades for that matter?" asked Sheffield. Belfast replied: "We ask her to come with us..."

"But ma'am, she's already gotten a job like we have given that we already saw her on the news broadcast standing guard beside the man we know of as Richard Ambrose..." said Sheffield. "We've already have a day-off to pull that off, but what if she doesn't want to go?"

"I've been her personal caretaker when she was in our world, it makes sense that I will speak to her..." said Belfast as she walked out from their room and into the hallway where there is a stairwell nearby. "If she's willing, we could send her here and we plan for our next move..."

"As you wish, head maid..." nodded Sheffield as the two reached the bottom of the stairs of the apartment complex. But as they approach the main doors, they were suddenly confronted by two women, one with reddish-brown tinted hair, and the other with white hair, both having their fox ears and their tail partly concealed. Belfast and Sheffield couldn't believe what they are seeing...

"Hehehe... We meet at last..."

Belfast can only utter a single whisper upon knowing who spoke to her...

"Akagi..."

..

..

Chapter Text

<>

Azur Lane Home Base, Eagle Union
May 25, 1942 - 10:33 / 1033

<>

The next morning had arrived. The dockside is now becoming a whole lot busier with a new influx of goods and supplies continuing to arrive. Aside from food, water, clothing and medical supplies, there are also building materials and components of different variations, shapes and sizes also being unloaded on the quayside as well, one meant for the civilians and shipgirls/Kan-sens alike, and crucial to the base's survival, weapons, oil, and loads upon loads of ammunition, for small arms to naval guns and torpedoes.

However, some of these are going towards Yuubari's secret project, to arm Azur Lane with the most advanced and state-of-the-art battle implements. They had so far been able to produce a small batch of high-explosive armor-piercing rounds and hypersonic supercavitating torpedoes, of these that will be used by the Marina Islands Expedition Team; previously, a commission team, they will be assisting the Five Miracles, consisting of Guam, Warspite, Vanguard, Georgia, and Alabama.

Now fitted with Tegel Mark IV plasma cannons, and with Yuubari and Akashi's new type of torpedoes, both the Five Miracles and the remnants of the Marshall Islands Expedition Team (comprising of Implacable, Nicholas, and Boise) are now set in stage to test their new inventions for the next training exercise hosted by Berenson himself. And it is a massive one... Amidst several shipgirls participating in the exercise, learning how to attack in formations, how to respond to Siren incursions quickly, and to push their naval guns and AA batteries right to their limits by firing shot after shot at incoming dummy ships modeled after Siren cruisers, destroyers, battleships, and jet-powered fighters. 

Among those participating is Hood, Illustrious, Cleveland, South Dakota, who are still recovering from their injuries but their performances have gradually became promising to Berenson, Saratoga, and Queen Elizabeth, all three who are there to observe the exercises from a large command vessel situated just over a mile away from the quayside and where they could see the exercises.

"Baltimore, she's able to hold up against a flotilla of suicide boats, mostly thanks to Bremerton..." said Saratoga as she observes their combat from a high-tech drone.

"I've had Soobrazitelny fine-tune their cannons," said Berenson, observing using his binoculars, pointing at the two ships. "Seems like they got that worked out,"

Next, the two then set their sights on both Argus and Hermes, two among the oldest Royal Navy purpose-built carriers, deploying their torpedo bombers and fighters to fend off a combined simulated assault consisting of submarines Dace and Albacore firing practice torpedoes and Illustrious' Barracuda fighter planes. Despite their age, the two were able to evade the torpedo swarms and their planes to take down Illustrious and her fighter squads.

"Very impressive..." Berenson then wrote down on the clipboard. "Meanwhile, we got Repulse and Renown both able to execute their evasive maneuvers against another wave of suicide boats..."

"When is there going to be a main show you speak of, Commander?" asked Queen Elizabeth, and Berenson replied: "Soon... Just gonna give them a big surprise..."

Queen Elizabeth and Saratoga were becoming slightly nervous by his response as the two continued to observe the exercises.

<>

11:07 AM / 1107

<>

Everyone inside the exercise area had been fighting against decoy fleets and occasionally exchanging gunfire at each other for less than half an hour. Many have proven to have met their match on the battlefield and were able to take down much of the decoy Siren fleets, with plenty of ammunition to spare and without much injury. At this stage, he knew now that this would be their cue to pull out the big guns.

Pulling out from his naval uniform pocket, he held a flare gun and pointed the barrel up in the air, his finger on the trigger. Queen Elizabeth said:

"What are you doing, servant?"

Berenson grinned: "Time for them to show how tough they are now..."

With the pull of the trigger, the shot is fired. The pyrotechnic projectile rose into the bright sky, giving out a bright red glow. The flare grabbed the attention of many; however, they didn't know what it meant at first since Berenson didn't initially tell them in advance what the meaning of the signal flare was. It was around that point that Repulse turned around and yelled:

"More ships, 4 o'clock!"

Renown and soon, several shipgirls turned to Repulse's direction. Hood and Illustrious also followed, and they are surprised to see The Five Miracles, escorted by Boise, Nicholas, and Implacable all sailing in formation. The moment they spot one another, both Berenson and Georgia entered on their exercise communications channel where the former made a surprising announcement to all who were on the port's seas.

"Greetings to you all," he said. "I hope you aren't too surprised given the sudden change of events, but this naval exercise, I have decided that we will up our ante quite a bit, but I have to warn you... The going is about to get tough..."

Georgia then followed:

"This is your true test... We have all the highly advanced gear that could match what the Sirens and the Crimson Axis can offer..."

Cleveland and Montpelier, the two shipgirls involved in the naval exercises, were stunned, and so were many others.

"I know these would be installed on our riggings, but I never expected that we'd face against them like this..." said Montpelier. 

"It's Berenson's idea to put this up to a surprise..." said Implacable. Of course, we may go easy on you... But if you want to back out, now it's the time... If you choose to fight, then we will throw everything we have to see if you have what it takes to beat the Five Miracles..."

After several moments pondering what to do, South Dakota yelled out:

"If it means for us to get stronger, then we're ready for you!" ...She then fired a first volley of shells right at Guam, which responded by performing an evasive maneuver and then firing her Tegel Mark IV plasma guns at South Dakota. She managed to dodge the plasma energy beams just inches before they could hit her superstructure. Implacable supports Guam by launching its fighter-bombers. Due to its high rate of speed, South Dakota was wiped out in just a few strafing shots before her AA guns could hit them, and then two high-powered explosive ordnances dropped from the bombers and landed right on her superstructure.

With South Dakota out, Georgia then aims the Tegel Mark IV cannons right towards the awestruck Hood, and with a loud pulsating whirring sound coming out from their guns, Hood, seeing what was about to happen, quickly regains her footing and orders everyone to scatter. Georgia's new guns gave out a massive bang, followed by a bright explosion that sends a plasma energy projectile down at twice the speed of sound, and landing on the waters just beside Hood's rigging superstructure; she managed to evade the shot just in time.

"So much power, and I nearly got downed!" Hood whispered. However, she has no time to rethink her bearing, for she spots a squadron of planes deployed by Implacable heading straight towards her, only for them to be distracted by Illustrious firing her AA guns and sending her Spitfire fighter planes to stop them.

"Hood, you must move out and find an angle to take them down," Illustrious yelled as she launched several fighters to counter Implacable's state-of-the-art jet fighter-bombers.

"I know," she nodded before the two used an opportunity for them to slip away and attempt to regroup with the others. Meanwhile, not far from Hood and Illustrious, Eagle Union cruisers San Diego, Honolulu, and St. Louis are gunning their engines as they try desperately to find an angle to shoot at Guam.

"I-if we keep moving left and make serpentine or circular strafing maneuvers, we could have an opening," said St. Louis.

"Alright, I'll make a push!" San Diego replied, and two Brooklyn-class cruisers proceeded to suppress fire while San Diego darted for Guam; however, Guam kept maintaining its distance and used the Tegel Mark IV cannon to charge itself up for a powerful shot. San Diego braced herself as she fired a shot, and San Diego made a quick evasive action, with barely an inch left before the plasma energy sabot nearly struck her superstructure.

However, before San Diego could take a breather, she was suddenly sprayed with small plasma pellets coming out from the same gun; the Tegel had suddenly transformed itself to act like a fully-automatic machine gun firing explosive bullets. This sudden change had caught San Diego, St. Louis, and Honolulu off guard, and they were hit.

"Haha!" Guam laughed. "Look at me, I took them down in one burst!"

"That's good in all, but this is just an exercise..." Georgia reminded Guam while she deals with Prince of Wales and King George V, both of whom are firing their high explosive shells at Georgia, but she brushed it off and dealt only minor damage to her hull.

"Well done," said Georgia. "Now try to face this!" She then aims her plasma cannon first at King George V. "I'll take this easy on you, Wales, since you were recovering from your wounds, but surely your sister can fare that well..."

"Don't get hit!" Prince of Wales yelled out to King George V, and she immediately responded by firing more shells at Georgia and then making an evasive maneuver, only being struck on the stern of her superstructure. "I got this, Wales," she said. Right then, Duke of York also appeared right beside George and yelled out: "O my sister, you shan't fight them alone,"

...Before she then fired a volley of shells at both Georgia and Implacable in a well-placed shot, hitting them.

"Did you get them?" said King George V, but Duke of York could see that the two ships had tanked their blows by the time the smoke cleared, and as retaliation, Alabama also appeared and fired the plasma energy  sabot from the Tegel Mark IV blast right at both King George V and Duke of York. The latter managed to move out of the way, but because King George V's stern was hit, she couldn't move herself and already distracted, she was struck in an almighty explosion, much to the shock of her sisters Wales and Duke of York, as well Queen Elizabeth. Saratoga and Berenson was also shocked but also find it impressive.

Meanwhile, up on the Northern quarter of the exercise area, Eagle Union cruisers Cleveland and Montpelier, and Royal Navy destroyers Janus and Jervis have sailed around the Five Miracles and Cleveland hatched a strategy:

"Ok, you two, Jervis and Janus, we've already snaked around the Five Mircales Fleet.. From here, we will hit from near the stern area... We'll strike down from the Southeast flank and you two will fire torpedoes at Boise and Georgia while we will provide anti-air support from these freakishly-fast fighters..."

"Y-yes Cleveland..." said Janus who was nervous.

"We'll try," added Jervis as she and Janus rushed forward towards the backsides of the Five Miracles. As they approach the waypoint as requested by Cleveland they change direction and turned round, right by the Southeastern flank, where they will be less visible from their position and will provide them an opening for a sneak attack.

Unfortunately however, the moment they approach closer, they were spotted by Boise and Nicholas by their high-powered radar, which was also one of the features they received alongside receiving new prototype weapons.

"G-Georgia... We spotted 4 hostiles approaching from our Southeastern flank..."

Georgia replied: "Let them come... From this distance up close, they won't be able to dodge them... When they do, I'll give you and Nicholas the signal..."

"U-understood," said Boise as she and Nicholas maintain formation pretending not to see them. Cleveland and Montpelier quickly suspect that something doesn't feel right, but they have no time to reconsider as suddenly, Jervis spotted one of Implacable's jet fighter-bombers swoop in, right towards them. Initially they flew low, right above their heads, scaring them... 

"Now!" Georgia yelled. The jet fighters turned out to be a distraction, as the moment the 4 shipgirls focused on avoiding the fighter bomber jet, it was when Boise and Nicholas turned around. Facing against two anti-air cruisers and two destroyers, they fired a volley of anti-ship rounds, and a barrage of supercavitating torpedoes. The torpeodes launch with an explosive boom, creating a blast wave shooting out the water from the surface...

The torpedoes shoot through the water at a breakneck speed. Cleveland, Montpelier, Jervis, and Janus are taken by surprise as they saw a rapidly approaching trail of bubbling foam-like vortices racing towards them.

"Incoming!" yelled Montpelier as they attempt to outmaneuver the torpedoes, but their fates are sealed. The torpedoes struck the hulls on all 4 shipgirls. Luckily though, all of these torpedoes they fired contain dummy rounds.

"Cleveland, Jervis, Montpelier, and Janus, you are out," said Georgia. "Never try to get up close to us next time,"

"Dang..." grunted Cleveland who had feel as if their legs were hit by a hammer. "You really got us there this time..."

"I'm only sorry that you never get to take down my fighters at the first glance, hehe..." giggled Implacable. "Next time, we'll test out how strong are these new fighters this time..."

---

Watching the exercises from afar by the command vessel, Berenson who stood alongside Saratoga and Queen Elizabeth, said:

"Don't worry my Queen, any injuries they sustained during the exercise, we'll treat them.." he said trying to reassure Queen Elizabeth. She replied:

"I am aware that these turrets would be used for our own, but I am gobsmacked to see you made yourselves a new kind of fleet much stronger than we are... Was that even necessary to surprise them with what they were once called Iron Blood property?"

 "I am doing everything I could to make them win the fight against the Sirens and all of Crimson Axis... This is the final stopgap but it will serve as our main fire support so that we may have a chance to push the Sirens back,"

"Interesting my servant... You pull out all the stops in the name of your alliance..."

"Honestly, I was hoping to defend myself... I refuse for me and everyone to die here..." he thought to himself.

"Shall we stop the exercise?" asked Saratoga. "It looks like Georgia and the others had given them much more than they could handle, especially that the beams have struck King George V..."

Berenson took a moment to ponder what to do upon seeing that both the Duke of York and Prince of Wales were carrying an injured King George V on their shoulders. He shook his head and said:

"No... The exercises will continue... But... we'll stop for now... And next time I will make them go a little easier on them and give the others a chance to try out the new ammunition and torpedoes, and to check their capabilities..."

"How? Wait, you still have some more for the others?" asked Queen Elizabeth.

"We've already run out of spare Tegel plasma cannons at this point, this is all we can muster," Berenson replied: "Hence the Five Miracles, and why I had decided to pick Vanguard, Georgia, and Alabama as the final three who will wield a newfound source of power...."

"But the Tegel's are not the only one at play here..." he then added.

"What do you mean?" asked Queen Elizabeth.

"Soobrazitelny, Akashi and Yuubari, in addition to working and testing these guns, are also producing a brand-new arsenal of weapons... Supercavitating torpedoes, mass-produced kamikaze submersibles, a new radar jamming system, and new armor-piercing and high-explosive ammunition... These will be equipped on not just the Five Miracles and the escort fleet, but we'll be arming several destroyers and cruisers from both navies, and we could enhance our fleet's stopping power."

"Oh!?" Queen Elizabeth exclaimed. "Now, whose idea was it about creating these new kinds of weapons?"

"Yuubari's idea... She's an inventor, but we may need a lot more help if we are to get them to mass production..."

"And more components..." added Saratoga. "And don't you think they've already given you enough?" Saratoga was worried. "The Eagle Union would probably need some for themselves for the other military branches, like in the Army and Air Force..." 

"You may be right," said Berenson. "But we are the front lines in this global conflict," he reminded. "If we are to regain control of the world's oceans, we must destroy the Siren-Axis frontiers on the seas, so we could weaken their power enough for the world's militaries to give a push... And I will take that chance..."

"If you say so..." nodded Saratoga. "I'll contact Secretary William Booker and the Eagle Union president about the outcomes of the naval exercises and... these new inventions you are presiding..."

"That would be the very first that you are seriously considering since your predecessor," remarked Queen Elizabeth. "Mr. Wilkinson's stance about sharing the captured Sirens research and components, that's one of many reasons that split our alliance apart in the first place.."

"I know..." nodded Berenson. "But if they see our situation, hopefully they'd reconsider and this year, I hope this will be our last that we'll use these supercharged weaponry like this,"

"I hope you're right," nodded Queen Elizabeth.

Berenson sighed: "I'll go check up on Zuikaku and the others."

"Ok, you do that, meanwhile, I'll go tell everyone in the exercise area to reconvene and to give themselves a rest for the next live-fire exercises..." said Queen Elizabeth.

Berenson then ordered the crew to sail back to the dockside, just as at the same time Queen Elizabeth called upon all participants in the naval exercise communications channel to head back to the residential areas for rest. 

As Berenson leans forwards on the railing looking over at the exercise area being cleared out and the Five Miracles also heading back,, he felt sympathetic and fairly regretful about the power the Tegel Mark IV's could do to anyone compounded by the fact that these once belonged to Iron Blood, but was nonetheless happy he had found something from the Iron Blood that could match against the power and expertise of both the Sirens and the Crimson Axis.

"Hate to admit it, but Iron Blood have the most powerful cannon at their disposal and I am glad we are going to turn the tide with this..." he muttered to himself quietly. "But if anything happens after this, then it's my responsibility to use these guns just to take down the Sirens..."

Soon, the memories of Ise's sacrifice came to his mind when he thought of the last planned two-flank surprise attack against the Sirens, and he realized that whoever leaked the information to the Sirens, and to that extent, the Crimson Axis, is still at large.

"So far, they have ruled out Vichya Dominion, since they're still engrossed in the war against Iris Libre... Iron Blood, at least the loyalist faction of it, they're the only plausible suspect, but we don't have any proof to accuse Fredrich der Grosse," he thought to himself.

"And then there's Sakura Empire... Akagi may be treacherous and cunning, and she's a master of deception... But with Kaga and herself yet to be found, am I supposed to face the possibility that they're trying to weaken us, right as when Zuikaku are already trying to convince the Sakurans for help..." he thought to himself. 

He was comfortable sharing with both his friend and Navy Secretary William Booker and the Eagle Union President. However, he was uncomfortable about whether he would reveal the possibility of Akagi and Kaga working in the shadows to undermine Azur Lane to the higher command.

"Sir," said a sailor who rushed by his side, startling him. "We've intercepted a communication signal, said to have originated from the Sakura Empire..."

"Really!?" he exclaimed as he rushed down the deck towards the bridge. "Could they be?" he thought to himself as they climbed up a single flight of stairs leading directly towards the command vessel's bridge. There, with Queen Elizabeth and Saratoga already on the communication console, Berenson arrived and looked at the screens. There, he was ecstatic to see not just Neptune and Zuikaku, but also Mikasa, Sakura Empire's second-in-command and an esteemed, battle-hardened military tactician who oversees all naval and military applications.

"Mr. Berenson!" Zuikaku called out ecstatically. "I'm glad you are okay..."

"Zuikaku and... Mikasa..." he said. "H-how you two have been... and the others..."

 "It's been quite a long while, Mr. Berenson..." Mikasa replied.  "First I would like to congratulate you on being the new Commander of Azur Lane, and we wished we would have contacted you directly sooner, but the circumstances regarding Akagi and her collusion with the Sirens, our strained diplomatic relations arising from the fallout of the actions of your predecessor, your actions against our shipping fleet, and the overall instability of our domestic affairs, had prevented us from doing so..."

"I understand how you're feeling, and you have to understand that what we did under my own discretion was of my utmost importance to ensure the safety of Eagle Union and our alliance..." said Berenson. "But I never had once been treated you unfairly as was the man before me..."

"And I appreciate you for bringing Zuikaku and the remains of Akagi's 5th Fleet back to us... They told me that you treated them well after we lost contact back in Midway, and now, we have been informed of the Sirens encroaching our land and the entire Pacific Ocean..."

"That's right..." nodded Berenson. "Even if we were on opposing sides, I only wanted to contact you and Nagato was because you were the only one who was opposed to Akagi's treachery... And this is the best I could do, given the circumstances..."

"We're already amassing our forces as we speak. I've spoken to the Imperial High Command, and he's also in the process of speaking with your counterpart..." 

"I highly appreciated that... By the way, where is Nagato?"

"She's just finished meditating. She will be coming shortly..."

"C-Commander Berenson, Saratoga and Queen Elizabeth..." said Zuikaku. "How are you all doing on your end?"

"We've not yet been invaded by the Sirens, but it's been a week now, so I got the feeling that they would make their move..." Queen Elizabeth replied. "The Commander has already taken several steps to strengthen our entire fleet and keep our base fortified, but again, we fear we may be running short on time..."

"I understand," nodded Mikasa. "They've already relayed their concerns to me and Nagato... They were also concerned about Akagi and Kaga here..." 

"I've not heard from them, and I fear they may try and take advantage of the growing crisis we have on hand..." he said. "But even then... I made a promise..."

"Ise... right?" Mikasa inquired, having also known about Ise's sacrifice. Berenson almost gave out a surprised expression. Nonetheless, he nodded, confirming what Mikasa was asking about Ise, and went on to explain what happened at the Pacific FOB.

"I never wanted this..." he said. "But she's determined, even if it means she is going to die... She is the reason why many of us, especially Zuikaku and Atago and the others, were able to escape... And I wanted to make sure her death won't be in vain, but again, I couldn't do this without your help..."

"Ise is an honorable soldier. She had broken through their strides in our naval operations, and we will honor her wishes..." said the voice. Mikasa and Zuikaku turned around and were surprised to see Nagato and Kawakaze. who had just arrived from the shrine nearby, located within their war headquarters, where Mikasa is speaking from.

"Nagato, and K-Kawakaze..." said Berenson. 

"She was just pulled into this tragedy because of Akagi..." Nagato continued. She then added: "And just like her, Zuikaku, Shokaku, and most of our strongest fighters, they were pulled into this mess just for her gain, to try and bring down Eagle Union with her own Siren collaborators..."

Zuikaku nodded and spoke: "Ever since your predecessor, and Akagi's rise to power from their coup d'état because of Mr. Wilkinson's actions, both their hands are tied..."

"Namely, his behavior when our intelligence discovered Akagi's secret transactions with the Sirens..." reminded Saratoga. "His accusations led Akagi and some of her pro-war supporters to respond by pressuring Nagato and Mikasa to step aside, and soon, the Sakura Empire cut ties..."

"I sort of know what happened..." he thought to himself, recalling the events when Eagle Union and Sakura Empire reached breaking point. "When I became Commander, I was aware of the Sakura Empire's sufferings by the time Akagi took control of the Sakura Empire and declared war on Azur Lane while under Wilkinson's leadership," he thought to himself. "I only knew about this diplomatic incident a month ago, and by the time Wilkinson was convicted by a court martial for an entirely different reason..."

"Now, it was only when they arrived with all the foreign envoys that's when we realized we were able to free ourselves from their shadow and retake control of our government and deal with the pro-war faction..." said Nagato. 

"With Akagi gone, we've been able to apprehend Taihou, Hiei, Sakawa, Hakuryuu, Ryuuhou, Suzutsuki, and Kinu. Meanwhile, the Emperor's palace guards and the national police, they are also conducting raids to arrest pro-war figures as well as officers and politicians," added Mikasa.

"Though I fear the sudden return of Akagi and Kaga might spell disaster..." said Nagato anxiously.

"If they will return, let me and Zuikaku know, and they'll be ready..." said Berenson.

Mikasa took a deep breath and sighed. 

"Well, that's out of the way. Right now, we will send you aid and contact the Iron Blood resistance group and your Azur Lane allies as soon as we can," she said. "Just keep surviving for as long as we can, don't give yourselves in to the Sirens, and we'll come for you..."

"I will do my best..." said Berenson determinedly before he hangs up the communication session after being notified he is now approaching the dockside. Saratoga and Queen Elizabeth, and most of the crew inside the command vessel were ecstatic and relieved that Sakura Empire would now be lending Azur Lane aid, and as for Berenson, he never felt proud...

But in the back of his mind, he already knew they had only won a half-battle... Even with all the prototype armaments he had in store and ready to be fitted on the fleet, he wondered if that would be enough to take on the whole Siren Pacific armada...

...

..

Chapter Text

<>

Vicerone Cashbacks, SoHo, Manhattan
June 15, 2022 - 3:44 PM

<>

Inside the concourse hallway of the Vicerone Department Store Manhattan Branch, Enterprise stood in shock and fear upon seeing the man in the blue cap seemingly praising her for being able to stop two armed assailants from robbing an innocent shopper.

She stared, trembling upon noticing the same facial expression he made when they first met at a bus stop less than a month ago when she fled from Kings County Hospital to make an arduous trek to Manhattan to find Laffey. She shook her head and snaps at the person, shoving a few people aside before throttling at the man, grabbing by his neck and collar and pinning him by the wall nearby as she shouted:

"You! You knew what's gonna happen do you!?"

"H-hey, what are you talking about?" the man in the blue cap asked while raising his hands. Enterprise knocked his head again as she angrily replied:

"You told me about the danger lies ahead of me? You knew about what happened at Chipotle when I was just about to die and now you're here when two men tried to nab an innocent lady! You deserve to be punished!"

"L-look miss, it's not me! I had nothing to do with this..." the man protested. "I tried to warn you about crimes in New York City and how dangerous it is to walk alone, so this is why I had offered you for a bus ride so you can get to Manhattan safely, but you chose to walk alone and now here you are...!"

Seoung-hui Kwan ran up and persuaded Enterprise to release him. It took her no time until she relents and lets him go.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" cried Helena who had just arrived. Enterprise responded: "I thought he's the one who caused the Chipotle robbery, but I didn't understand enough,"

"Who are you?" Seoung-hui Kwan asked and the man replied: "Hale Specter, I'm just an investment banker working just down the corner... I may act all shady but I'm not the one who plans robberies..."

Enterprise couldn't say a word upon realizing that she was wrong to accuse him outright, and right in front of a crowd who had just witnessed her stopping a crime and now seeing this degenerate into a public accusation of Specter for a crime she got caught in. After a few minutes had passed, the staff was able to reassure the shoppers as well as for Enterprise and Hale to recompose themselves before they are soon let on their way.

For Enterprise, she is called over inside the meeting room just by the third floor which is separate from the rest of the public concourse areas, with Seoung, Helena, Nate following beside her. As they sat down inside the room, save for Seoung-hui Kwan who stood guard outside the doors, Bryan spoke:

"What the hell is that about, Ms. Winters? You accusing the man for masterminding both robberies?"

"I... I thought he planned this because he knew..." she replied rather embarassingly. "And when I was just about to die at Chipotle, I thought he also planned that somehow... He had his men trying to kill me and the people there and now they're going on a new low and nab a defenseless lady!" 

"You can't just accuse him simply because he's all knowing..." sighed Helena.

"I... I just don't know anymore..." sighed Enterprise. "Throughout my own life I've been faced with a lot of betrayal and lies..."

"What is it?" asked Bryan, wanting to inquire her about her past upbringings. "Was it about some unresolved trauma in your past back home? You feel like you have trust issues that seem to complicate who is suspicious or not?"

Bryan hadn't known about her actual upbringing as a shipgirl from her own universe where she had faced betrayals and broken trusts during her time in Azur Lane, not just from her former allies from Sakura Empire to Vichya Dominion, but from her experiences with Berenson's predecessor... 

Before him, Bruno Wilkinson, who is known by its façade as the respected military general, she had been ordered to deploy mission after mission against Azur Lane's enemies, often being tasked to execute with brutal means, and he had used her hatred she had instilled onto her as a means of power. That realization when that she had become an enemy the whole alliance swore to destroy, and the fact that Wilkinson's horrible conduct against shipgirls and his fellow officers alike, had left her socially distant and reserved by the time Berenson replaced him.

However, her past memories became too traumatic to delve in deeper, and she couldn't bring her courage to say anything to use that to incorporate her cover story and so she does not say anything to Bryan or any of Richard's close colleagues about it. 

Bryan took her silence and changed the question:

"That Chipotle armed robbery case... I had took notice of your white hair when you were gunned down... I knew it was you the moment you first step foot in my office, but... tell me... the two men who Richard killed, was this still a revenge to you?"

"I... I don't know..." she moaned. "After when I was shot, I was looking for someone to pay, and I had believed that those who knew, they are involved..."

Bryan, having felt he couldn't get something out of her, sighed:

"Look, you prove yourself to be the greatest for Vicerone as Assistant Secretary of the Head of Security and Operations with the immense agility and skill you have...."

He paused before he took a breath and continued: "We do appreciate your effort in stopping a crime at our premises, but openly accusing him and then pinning him on the wall, how would the public and our investors think about us after that?"

"What do you mean?" asked Enterprise.

"They might spread rumors and will discredit our parent company..." said Nate. "Some people, even on social media, they might put 2 and 2 together based on your accusations that you were shot, and they'll start to doubt both your mental capacity and their trust in our services as one of the leading retail chains in Lower Manhattan..."

"Oh yes... Vicerone's Head of Security's assistant goes ballistic on an investment banker..." said Helena. "I may be a sales manager, but my guess is that they might pull off financial support for the store itself and... our rehabilitation project..."

"Listen, Ms. Winters..." said Bryan. "You must not let your personal trauma affect your judgement to do your job..." said Bryan. "Otherwise, not only will our progress for our branch's future be set back, but our superiors from the parent company, after they had given us a blessing to have you with us, they will pressure us based on their view that you are no longer fit for duty and will just have to fire you..."

"I'm sorry sir..." said Enterprise. "I'll try and do better next time.. I just wanted to keep your store, Richard and his friends safe... Especially the innocents in your establishment..."

"I know, Ms. Winters... I know," said Bryan as he taps her shoulder before he gives her a hug in an effort to try and soothe her wavering sanity and determination. "Just be careful... Don't let Richard's work be in vain..."

Enterprise stayed sat on the chair as everyone else walked out from the office, except for Helena, Nate, and Seoung-hui Kwan who continued to stand by beside Helena as Enterprise said:

"I accused him for a crime he didn't commit... Does he?"

"I'll dig in some information about Mr. Specter and see if what he says really is the case..." said Nate. "For now, I think you may need some breather... You can sit down here or I'll take you to Richard's house to settle down, while we take it from there..."

"N-no... I'll stay here... Give me some time off..."

"Okay," Nate only pats her right shoulder once as he as well as Helena and Seoung-hui Kwan leaves Enterprise alone in the large meeting room, leaving to wonder if she could ever regain her trust in herself and to get over her trauma.

<>

Cedarhurst, Hempstead, Nassau County
3:52 PM

<>

Just outside New York City, in the village of Cedarhurst, NYPD Lieutenant Julian Senna, wearing a dark green jacket over his civilian clothing to remove any of his physical reference of being a police officer, had been wandering around the village's streets. Having hidden his car in a desolate location after making his way back into Cedarhurst, he travels on foot to familiarize himself and to ask any townsfolk any questions about Travis Larkin or the Crime Strikers group, without even mentioning the coordinates or how he found the secret hideout.

Owing to his father being a former intelligence officer in Brazil, he uses the teachings from his father to ensure not to look suspicious... As far as he is concerned, there were numerous calls for public disturbances and noise complaints coming from a single residence, located at 4th Ivy St, on the southeastern edge of Cedarhurst and discovered that someone inside the residence knew about both Richard Ambrose and his vicious assailant Travis Larkin and they claimed to have batches of explosive materials hidden in their home... The fact that this hasn't been investigated by Nassau County Sheriff's Office seems suspicious, and he knew that there may be someone within this town who kept a close eye on it, owing to how careful they are in trying not to get caught.

Walking alongside the stretch of Central Avenue, which is Cedarhurst's Main Street lined with small business and shops blending in with residential blocks, he sees that some of the cars parked alongside it, they bear vehicle plates originating from several US states... Alabama, New Mexico, North Dakota, Michigan, Missouri, Florida, and Texas... 

Senna thought to himself:

"So many people from numerous states... I know many people work here from out of state, but... what are they doing here?"

Having already caught the sighting using his miniature spy camera, which allowed him to record footages in secrecy, he stops by a nearby local bagel shop to crave himself for a smoked salmon cream cheese and a refreshing drink. As he stands by the counter to take an order, he makes a thorough look on his surroundings; there is no eyes from the outside watching him, and no one inside the shop but himself, and the staff inside the shop is very friendly. 

As the staff whip up the lox cream cheese bagel sandwich, he asked the cashier bearing the nametag, Saki, as she counts his change:

"Excuse me, Ms. Saki... I just saw a lot of cars with out-of-state plates... I'm curious but have you wondered what they were doing here?"

"I don't know, but they probably came from all over the country just to try out some bagels," chuckled Saki. "I mean we did get several dozens upon dozens and so does our neighboring shops..."

"Yes, but... how long were they here?" he pressed further and Saki replied: "Judging by the security cameras we had that installed, that was since this morning..."

Having heard enough and not wanting to draw up further suspicion, he then asked Saki with a different subject:

"Have you seen or hear anything, rumors, or official statements from the town, about something happening with this town or anything? I mean, I just moved out here to mellow out some dramatic shit..."

"Dang, where you're from?" asked Saki. Senna replied: "New York City..."

"Cool, given what happened within the past several weeks, things have never gotten much hectic then before, but here..." Saki then scoffed. "The whole village just got a lot noisier."

"Was that got to do with the public complaints coming from... that house just on the southeastern side of the village, you know that right?" he inquired and Saki replied:

"Yeah... That... I live close by Broadway, and it happened around like 3 times, once at night an then in the afternoon... Neighbors said they claim they were just shooting stuff indoors with a shooting range..."

"Could be a big possibility..." Senna rubbed his chin.

"I mean, I'm fine with that in all but why doing this in the New York state?" asked Saki.

"Beats me," Senna shrugged his shoulders. "I mean if people have a big yard, they could make their own shooting range.."

"Yeah, but... they could have at least added soundproofing or something," she added.

"Oh they soundproofed the entire range alright, but not enough..." thought Senna to himself. He then pressed Saki while the kitchen staff were now almost done assembling his bagel sandwich:

"The noise, when did that happen and, were you inside your home and spot anything unusual before or after that?"

"I only remember once... When I was in my house just down... let's see... 548 Broadway, just over there in a 7 minute walk... I did see black and blue vans passing by around 3 months ago..."

"3 months huh..." Senna then thought. "Vans, were they offloading something in Cedarhurst?... Is there a kind of terrorist cell within Cedarhurst or somewhere far out in the state of New York?"

After having had enough, and right on cue, the chefs had already finished making the lox cream cheese bagel sandwich, he grabs both the sandwich as well as a bottled blueberry lychee drink he ordered and said:

"Thank you,"

"It's been a pleasure..." Saki smiled as Senna leaves the bagel shop and walked back into the car. As he munched on for a quick snack break, giving himself a few bites of the tender and creamy taste of the smoked lox and cream cheese, he also has another objective in mind... 

He said to himself:

"The secret meeting... My guess is there'd be people coming up to this place I cased in... I, I'll have to lay low just close by and I'll watch them arrive... When that time comes, I'll go back there right into the den and listen close..."

He checks on his gadgetry, as well as his gun and a computer, which he had it already linked up to a scouting IR camera now pointing at the backyard where the swimming pool is, and at the house he had already been cased in.

<>

NYPD 78th Precinct, Brooklyn
4:19 PM

<>

Inside the holding cell of 78th Precinct NYPD Building, Sergeants Mitchell Dessner and Kiefer McGuinness walked alongside through the office and downstairs into the jail cell, a place where they hold the detainees. There, they walked towards the cell that is occupied by Frederick Dukakis and two other cellmates. The man was initially not much in a terrible shape unlike several other assailants who they are beaten or gunned down by the responding NYPD officers under orders by Julian Senna and he was only lucky he was only cuffed before he could react. But now, his face is covered up with cuts and bruises. When he sees Dessner and McGuinness calling out his name, he instinctively stood up and said:

"Wh-what do you want from me...?"

"We just need to ask you some questions... Mr. Dukakis... Come here.." Kiefer replied.

As both Kiefer and Mitchell gently hauled Dukakis out from the cell, the latter could feel the glares from Dukakis' cellmates directed at Dukakis, himself and McGuinness...

"I got the feeling they must have coerced him to shut himself up..." Mitchell thought to himself. "I need to find a way to loosen him up and make him talk..."

They escorted Frederick Dukakis into the interrogation room just on the ground floor and above the holding cell. Mitchell gently guided Dukakis to sit down on the chair just opposite of the other chair where Kiefer McGuinness sat down. Mitchell stood beside him and made the few words to Frederick:

"We have evidence to believe that you are the one who wrote the death threat letters to the man who your one and only savior viciously beaten him up..."

Mitchell then threw the results of the handwriting analysis compiled by Dale O'Halloran, face flat on the table, as well as the composite notepad that the two officers had him wrote the exact copy of Richard's death threat letters, word for word. Dukakis' eyes only rolled at the composite note and then to O'Halloran's handwriting analysis results, but despite that, he still kept his mouth shut; not a single word came out.

Kiefer slams his palms on the desk in reaction to his silence and said:

"You were there on the scene of the violent assault... You saw the look of the man's face beaten and bloodied to the pulp after we hauled your ass out... How does that make you feel?"

Mitchell quietly tapped Kiefer aside upon seeing him whimper and said: "Settle down Sergeant McGuinness..." He then takes over by speaking to Dukakis, pulling himself closer as he said:

"Listen... You don't have to say anything, but if you feel like if you are ready to talk, you can say something to me about what do you know about this death threat letter, and tell me why or who made you did this...? Tell me the truth, and the legal system will make sure that you won't have spend so many years in prison..."

Dukakis remained silent so Mitchell decides to change the subject; he pulls out his phone  containing the mysterious cross he got it from Travis Larkin's Tiktok page via Kiefer McGuinness and said:

"You recognize this? Kiefer found this from Travis Larkin's TikTok page... I've yet to know what this means but this is the same symbol you have on your right shoulder when we cuffed you and so does several of the assailants on the scene who we've have them in custody... Tell me, who is this group are we dealing with?"

Dukakis still wouldn't speak. However, the two officers could see his hands twitching more frequently before its fingers fold inwards, and his eyes closing tightly, almost as if he's pressing hard on his mind on what to do next.

However, rather than opening up to the officers, he said raggedly:

"Save my family..."

"What are you saying?" asked Kiefer. Frederick replied: "If you want me to speak to you two, then find my family and make sure they're safe..."

"You can't really expect us to--!" Kiefer tried to rebuff him but Frederick slammed the desk back, interrupting him, before he finally said: "Save my family...! If not, just leave me alone..."

Mitchell motioned Kiefer to calm down, and Kiefer feels he has no choice after he realized the Dukakis will never speak as he huddled his face down on the table, whimpering and sniffling. With a long sigh, he steps out from the interrogation room first, followed by Mitchell, who ordered the officer to watch over Frederick. The two walked out from the interrogation room as Kiefer said:

"What the hell is that about Sergeant?"

Mitchell replied rubbing his chin: "The two cellmates who sat with Mr. Dukakis... I got the feeling they roughhoused him to shut him up given how bruised he was in comparison when we arrested him without any serious injuries... That's what's holding him up..."

"Dang it..." he grunted as he leaned himself on the wall and both he and Mitchell think on what to do next. Pondering about what Frederick told them about the need to save his family, he asked Kiefer: "Have you checked his information about his family and his marriage?"

"I do have..." he nodded as he checked the documents pertaining to Frederick's personal life. "His mother, Phyllis Magne, currently lives in a retirement home under hospitalized care in Fayetteville. His father passed away 10 years after Frederick was born, at the age of 68, and he does have a wife and son..."

"Whose is it?" asked Mitchell. Kiefer folded over a few more papers in his envelope and said:

"Celeria Dukhovich, born to Belarusian emigres at Baltimore on September 11, 1991... Marital records state that he and Celeria met in Wilmington somewhere around 2008 when she worked as a bar waitress and Frederick was just assigned to 81st Regional Support Command in Army Reserve. They dated for 3 and a half years before they got married, at which point, she gave birth to their son, Martin."

"He's 10 years old now," said Mitchell upon reading in the file Kiefer had held about the young couple and he nodded:

"Yeah... Right now they're residing in The Bronx. Public records put them at 3649 Barnes Avenue... Her son's attending at St. Theresa's... So that does it, what do you think we should do then?"

"You heard him saying we must save his family, but he didn't specify what kind of danger is that..." said Mitchell. "But I need you to run these two on a missing persons database just in case... I'll try and go pay them a visit and tell them what happened..." said Mitchell.

"Whatever you say Sergeant," nodded Kiefer. "Wait... what about the mysterious cross from the social media post...? These two are similar to the one we spotted on Dukakis' right shoulder." 

Mitchell replied: "We might have to consider the possibility that whoever this organization is this, they may have eyes on him and his family for quite some time... Which is why, again, I need you to check on them on missing persons to see if they are missing, while I go pay a visit with this address and see how much they know..."

"You got it boss," said Kiefer as he walked out from the hallway to check on Frederick's family while Mitchell remained there, looking on over the guard who is watching Frederick Dukakis still inside the interrogation room. After standing still for quite a while, he walks up to the guard and spoke:

"Keep him inside the interrogation room while I go visit his family. Make sure they don't lay a hand on him..."

"Yes sir," the guard nodded as Mitchell then leaves the 78th Precinct, hopped inside his unmarked NYPD Dodge Charger Pursuit and gunned his engine, heading for The Bronx to visit Dukakis' family and see what he could do to help them in order to get Frederick to talk. 

Mitchell, a seasonal detective as part of the Detective Bureau, has had some form of experience when it comes to investigating major crimes and knows that if the person they caught demanded they help their families like Celeria and Martin, then with his understanding of people's emotions and distress, knows that he had to take this up and do whatever he could to acquiesce with the suspects, even if meant he means advancing an investigation.

<>

Manhattan, New York City
4:58 PM

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As Mitchell drove his Dodge Charger onto the FDR Drive, his cellphone vibrates on his right pocket. It was Kiefer who is calling him. Placing the receiver on his right ear he spoke:

"Dessner here..."

Kiefer spoke to Mitchell from their end: "I've checked the missing persons database. Ms. Dukhovich and her son, they're not in there. They seem to be okay..."

"I still can't take that chance... I need to check them out and see what is scaring him from speaking up... If possible, I could bring them over here and convince Mr. Dukakis to speak to them or us..."

"Yeah, but I couldn't help but feel what if he is lying..."

"If he were, he'd say something to pick us off from their scent..." said Mitchell. "The silence he made and given how scared he was when we hauled his ass out from the cell... That's all I need to know..."

"But Sergeant..."

Mitchell sighed and spoke before Kiefer could say anything: "Look, I'll try and do something to make Frederick talk and we are going to investigate every single lead, so as of now, I need you to keep eyes on him and make sure not to blow himself up and keep him safe... Try to question the other suspected individuals if possible, and do not hurt Mr. Dukakis here..."

"A-alright, alright! I'll try... Just hurry..." said Kiefer before he hangs up and with Mitchell's phone plopped back in his pocket, he gunned the engine, speeding the car up as he tried to get to Frederick's family as fast as possible.

<>

Williamsbridge, The Bronx, New York
5:34 PM

<>

Mitchell finally arrived at an address of Celeria Dukhovich's residence located in Williamsbridge. Mitchell pulls his car over by the side just over half a block away of the road and waited and waited for a few short minutes, wondering if Celeria or her son is in there, or had been outside for a while. Luckily he didn't have to wait long, as his eyes fixed on her. There, with black hair with orange tips over her head, and wearing a blue short-sleeved t-shirt and grey jersey shorts, she walked on the curbside holding hands with a child whom he recognized to be 9-year old Martin, wearing his school uniform he recognized to be from St. Theresa's Elementary. Mitchell observes the two walking upstairs and into the front door before they disappeared as they walked inside and shut the door behind them.

Rather than going in straightaway, Mitchell, like Senna, stayed put inside the Dodge Charger and observed the surroundings to see if someone may be watching their family. There from a distance, he could see two men dressed in black staring intently at Celeria's house. Although he could have wanted to ask for backup, he knew that whatever he does will spook whatever's holding Frederick against their will and may potentially harm both himself and his wife and son. Through his tinted window, he then spotted a man showing up from the corner, conversing with the two black-dressed men who they are observing her home. He didn't know what they were speaking about and the only way he could do is to get closer.

"This is risky... Even if I'm not in a detective uniform... I do not want to find out if I get caught... I need to speak with his wife without getting caught..." he said to himself. Mitchell waited and waited for the three men to leave, and when they do, he quickly gets himself out of the car, being very observant with the surroundings and careful not to get hit by oncoming traffic. He briskly walked down the sidewalk directly towards Celeria's house, and with the men still not in the corner across the road, he knocked the front door.

Standing still for several seconds while under the risk of being caught by three black-dressed men, the door slowly open to see Celeria's eyes locked onto Mitchell's looking highly vigilant and anxious.

"Wh-who are you?" she asked. Mitchell spoke: "M-my name's Sergeant Mitchell.. Major Crimes... May I come inside? I have something that requires I speak with you..." 

He then showed his identification as well as his badge in an effort to convince her that he is the real deal. After a few more seconds, Celeria slowly nods and pulls out the keychain and guided Mitchell inside her living room. Once inside, he sat down on the couch across Celeria's and asked:

"Is your son here?"

"I got him to the bedroom as soon as I saw you.." she replied. "What's going on?"

Mitchell proceed to explain everything about what had happened to her husband and the crime situation of Richard's violent assault.

"That can't be..." she cried. "My husband would never do that..."

"I know... When was the last time you saw your husband?" asked Mitchell and Celeria replied: "It was around three days before that vicious assault occurred... He told me he was going out to file papers at a company he worked, he told me it's for the Crime Strikers group..."

"Crime Strikers?" he thought to himself. Prompted by the mentioning of the group name, he pulls out the mysterious cross photo he had gotten from Kiefer in his phone and asked:

"Does this ring a bell?"

Celeria gasped.

"H-hey... I recognize this one... Freddie showed me this when he was looking for employment after he was discharged from Army Reserve, and found that on Facebook. He said this is meant for a good cause to help ordinary civilians fight against the city government for change," she explained.

"I don't get it why these members of the Crime Strikers would do this on Mr. Ambrose..." said Mitchell. He is not yet aware that Senna discovered Travis is having a homicidal grudge with Ambrose. He then asked: "You have any idea who leads this group that bears this emblem here... We know its found on Travis Larkin's social media profile posted 2 years ago but I was hoping if I could speak with whoever's in charge..."

"What do you mean? He is in charge..."

"Wait... Of the Crime Strikers?"

"Yeah... Only rumors I've heard of him was that he had a criminal charge of resisting arrest..." she replied.

"Anything else out of the ordinary?" asked Mitchell. "Because I have not heard word about the Crime Strikers in the two years since Larkin disappeared from the grid, nor were they involved in any lockdowns or police brutality protests our precinct was aware of as of recently..."

"Well now that you mentioned it..." Celeria rubbed her chin. "I do feel something a bit strange about my husband and Crime Strikers... He often changed the subject or never said anything about it, even when I said that I'd be supporting him with whatever he does since we have been married for a decade now..."

"Have you checked the Facebook page of his where your husband found a recruitment post or something else in particular?"

"Yeah his account's still logged in, let me have a look..."

However, before she could do so with her tablet computer who Frederick usually holds, the two heard loud banging on the front door. Using her tablet that connects to her own surveillance system, she spotted two men, dressed in black clothing, standing at the front door staring menacingly.

"What the hell are they doing here?" Mitchell whispered. Celeria opens the microphone function of the surveillance system that allows her to speak directly to the people from the camera itself. She then spoke:

"H-hello? What is going on here?"

"We're just checking up on you... Are you gonna let us in or not?"

"These guys, do you know them?" Mitchell asked and Celeria said: "That's also one of the weird things... After what happened to Richard Ambrose last night, I got the call that said three guys will protect me and my son from any possible harm..."

Mitchell recalled spotting the three men just across the intersection next to her house while he sat at his unmarked Charger and then asked Celeria if she were followed since that assault, and she nodded:

"Yes..."

Mitchell scratched his head as Celeria warned: "You need to get out of here, if these men sees you, they will kill you..."

"Well I am dead anyway... And so will your husband..."

Celeria was shocked as he explained:

"The only reason why I'm here is because of him... He wanted me to come and find you because he is scared... He's arrested and we knew something was up, but he can only speak... if you and your son is with me..."

She was flustered and confused by what he was saying, as he gives her two critical choices...

"You can answer the front door, and I'll sneak out from the back door... You and I didn't have this conversation...."

"Or what's the second option?" she asked.

"Take your son, and follow me..."

As the two men continue to bang on the door shouting her name and demanding she let them in, Celeria stood in front of Mitchell, wracking her brain on wondering what to do. With just seconds tick by, she said:

"Take us to my husband..."

Mitchell then pulls out his Glock 19C pistol from his holster, trained the barrel right at the front door past her, and said quietly..

"Get your son and go through the back door... I'll take guard..."

Celeria rushed upstairs while Mitchell snatched the tablet computer from her to check up on the two men, who, by this point became completely restless and suspicious as one of the men began to check on the windows... They hadn't spotted him yet, but he knew that time is about to run out.

Eleven seconds pass and as Mitchell checked the cameras to see the two men calling on their phones, Celeria returned with Martin, still wearing his elementary school uniform that he had yet to change. Mitchell quickly guided the two towards the back door past through the kitchen, all while trying not to make noise. Mitchell hands the tablet computer back over to Celeria as the two made it out. Closing the back door behind them and while not being spotted as of yet, he points his gun through the fences and Celeria and Martin clamber over fence after fence past four houses before he reached the lot where his Charger is adjacently parked.

The three made a mad dash towards his Dodge Charger and Celeria and Martin hopped in the back seat. But as Mitchell was about to hop into the driver's seat, he spots three men, all of them locked eyes on the grey door and his face. Mitchell froze for a split second, and upon hearing their shouts, he quickly gets inside the car and yelled out:

"Hold on!"

Without putting his seatbelt on, he pulled his automatic gearstick into reverse, and slammed his foot on the gas. Tire spun and screeched as he puts his car in reverse in an effort to get themselves away from the three men as they draw their guns at him. After nearly hitting the car  coming out from the intersection on their rear right side, he reaches the next intersection and sets the gear to drive. He then slammed his gas pedal and made a mad rush.

"Wh-what are you doing?" cried Celeria as she and her son was initially frightened by Mitchell's highly erratic driving maneuver but Mitchell, determined to keep Frederick's family away from danger, can only say:

"I'm getting you out of here... Just stay calm and check if someone's tailing us!"

Celeria clambered on the rear seat and raised her eyes right at the rear window, checking to see if there are any vehicles chasing after them. At first, she said there was nothing and went back to huddle herself with her son, but as Mitchell makes a left turn, he checks his left side mirrors... to see a black van speeding out from an intersection, making a screeching left turn and then roared towards him. Before long, he could see the passenger drawing out the H&K G36C from the van and began shooting. The instant they started firing and Martin screaming in shock and fear, Mitchell quickly turned the Dodge Charger onto the other road and crossed the bridge, then sped down and made a left turn, right through the Bronx River Parkway, but the chase driver proved to be resilient and its driving skills matched that of his as it continued following him. He has to do something to shake them off... 

"Just don't look back and stay low," he yelled as he makes evasive maneuvers, weaving dangerously past by cars, SUV's and pickup trucks as he tries to lose the pursuers who continued to fire the short-barreled rifle at his Charger; it had taken a few hits, mostly by the bumper and the trunk, but neither Celeria nor Martin are hurt as they continue lying down, curling themselves by covering their head and ears to protect themselves. After driving a good distance through the parkway at high speed, with the van still on its tail, he had a drastic idea...

He steers his Charger down into the cloverleaf interchange, exiting down towards the Pelham Parkway, where he was suddenly caught up in a late afternoon rush hour. However, both Mitchell and his pursuers are quite relentless as the former dashed through traffic and zipping across the packed intersection and the Pelham Parkway subway station. As he entered the Pelham Parkway, the black van also followed. They returned to the back of his Charger and they start shooting again.

"Dang it... I'll have no choice but to put them down..."

With his hands on the Glock 19C handgun, he turned his head to Celeria and said: "Celeria, get to the front, hurry...!"

Nervous and frightened, Celeria slowly crawled herself out from the rear seat while helped out by her son Martin. Once she is there, he pulls out the pistol and said:

"Left foot on the gas, and take the wheel!"

"O-okay!" said Celeria nervously as he opens the windows and lifts his upper body out from the driver seat and had himself positioned angled outward and his eyes facing back towards the black van. 

With one hand holding on top of the car door and the other holding the G19C, he opens fire, his eyes focusing on the iron sights as he aims at the driver, the engine block, and the tires. He fires 12 shots while the gunmen fires several more with his G36C, shattering the back window and narrowly missing both Martin, Celeria, and Mitchell. The sounds echo around the parkway and people witnessing the shootout panic as Mitchell, without any regard for his own safety, continues firing his pistol at the van and Celeria trying her best to dodge and weave past slow moving cars, motorcycles, and buses.

Luckily, in his final 3 shots, he managed to break through the windshield and kill the van driver. With no one in control, the black van swerved violently, nearly missing the stationary bus and crashed onto the embankment. The impact sent the van flying before crashing into a telephone pole, erupting in a fiery explosion that kills all the surviving occupants inside. With a great sigh of relief, Celeria and Martin try to recompose themselves while Mitchell regains control and drove his now shot-up Charger for several miles, passing through another parkway for a good distance. Finally, he finds a nearby exit leading right into the neighborhood of Westchester Square. Already rattled and exhausted by the ordeal, Mitchell pulled his car over into the nearby side road just between the occupational school and the MTA maintenance railyard.

"Are you okay?" asked Mitchell and Celeria and Martin can only nod.

"Yes Mister," Martin replied. "But what is happening? What is going on?" Celeria tried to reassure him by responding: "This policeman here, he's trying to get us to your dad, but... there are some bad guys who's after him..."

"Bad guys? Who are they and why?" asked Martin but Mitchell sighed: "That's not important right now... All I need to do is get you two to your father safely... I'll explain everything with what I know about this case when we get here,"

"Y-yes sir..." nodded Martin as Mitchell said: "For now, we have to settle down for a bit... Wait for things to settle down a bit after what had happened, and we make a move... I'll try and call somebody in the meantime..."

<>

Cedarhurst, Hempstead, Nassau County
7:01 PM

<>

Just way across from the other side of New York City where Mitchell was, back in the village of Cedarhurst, NYPD Lieutenant Julian Senna has been sitting around the village from inside his Cadillac Brougham for more than 6 and a half hours. After gathering some insight from a local bagel store cashier, Saki, and having done a recon of a house just on the southeastern corner where he suspected it to be a hideout as according to the coordinates he found from Travis Larkin's now inactive TikTok account, he waited and waited inside the car parked on the intersection just right next to the other T-junction that leads to the direction of the house he set it on waypoint. Around this time he turns on the radio to listen to the news to see if there are any more street demonstrations in the area. Instead he hears reports of a high-speed vehicle shootout in the Bronx had been picked up by reporters, describing as two cars rushing through crowded traffic and the van opening fire on the Charger. He was fairly shocked by what he had heard.

"My god... What is going on over there..."

He didn't know that it was Mitchell Dessner who was being pursued, but as the news radio tried to disseminate more details, it was at this point when he saw a small convoy of three vans and one pickup truck rolling past by before making a right turn... Straight into the direction of the waypoint where he 4 Ivy St. residential lot is... Thinking the convoy may be an unknown group he's after, he discreetly followed the convoy with his Brougham, with all his headlamps and interior lights off... Although it was nearly close to sunset, with a great enough distance, they had not spotted him yet. With the convoy disappearing from his sight, he parked his car at a dead-end road just straight ahead past where the convoy turned left.

With his parabolic microphone on hand, and his SiG Sauer P229 pistol in his pocket, Senna went back out into open field, just walking in a short distance towards the suspected hideout. There, his suspicion was correct. As he gets closer towards the front door of the house while trying to keep himself hidden, he noticed a group of people stepping out from their van, one by one, walking towards the front door. Using his parabolic microphone meant to catch voices, he hears that the people are speaking of a certain passcode to a guard:

"Password"

"Revenge."

The guard on the front door had asked each person who walked to the front door as when they are called, for a passcode for them to enter, and with the person saying "Revenge", the guard lets them inside, and told them to wait downstairs in a basement for a meeting. The same is repeated for every person who is told to step out from the van one at a time by the drivers of each van, and so on and on. Senna realized that he is now dealing with an unknown group, one who happens to possess a large batch of explosive chemicals and an indoor shooting range... The only way for Senna to find out what they are up to... is to sneak around the lion's den... 

Being very wary of their security cameras, he huddled by the wall of the indoor shooting range, which he soon realizes that this is just another residential lot, of which happens to connect with the house he had cased in; the owners of that main hideout complex owns that very lot he is sneaking through, which contained the shooting range. He uses the spy camera to record the comings and goings of people heading downstairs and into the basement.

The basement is fairly large underneath the home and it has only a few small rectangular windows. It is shown that it is brightly lit, meaning that it has been refurbished for something big that's about to come down. Peering through the small rectangular and fairly lit windows, he could see legs from what he thought are chairs and a few people inside, some having their firearms visible on their holsters.

"Looks like they are gathered up here... Maybe this is the meeting these two guys are referring to..." he thought to himself. As he was takes a step back to look for a better angle, all while trying to keep watch of the security cameras which he hasn't seen on yet, Senna spotted a tiny crack on the gaps between the window and a frame. Knowing that this is a folding window, he used his fingers to gently push the window open. After being able to nudge the window a bit, he uses both the spy camera and the parabolic microphone as he slowly positioned them both right over the gaps of the window just as more people began gathering inside an underground meeting room. 

It didn't take long before he noticed that the meeting room is already full. While he had been able to capture some shots of people sitting on the chairs facing towards a desk with a projector, he hears footsteps on his left side. Suspecting it might be the guard he walked out from the window and hiding on the corner just on the swimming pool area. He peered onto the right and saw a guard armed with an Remington M870 shotgun patrolling the side yard just between the terrorist group's hideout, and the adjacent and connected second house. Luckily though he wasn't spotted yet and as the guard approached his position, Senna used a nearby rock he picked up from a bush and strikes it at the guard's forehead, concussing him. Senna grabbed the M870 and shoved the weapon stock onto his windpipe. With the guard unconscious, he quickly hauled the body away from the hideout lot and into the second house which contains the shooting range. There, using the plastic cuffs, he tied the guard's hands behind the bruised head and secured it on a steel frame that holds the shooting booth. 

"Well now i got this shotgun... I may have to only use this if they spot me... Or wait... I have a cunning plan..."

Senna then cuts the plastic zipties using the guard's knife and then proceeded to take his uniform off, leaving only behind his t-shirt and his boxer shorts. After changing himself out from his civilian clothes and disguising himself as one of the guards, he used another set of zip ties to bound him, this time, inside the shooting range area, with their hands now tied on a steel legs just in front of the booth. 

Still unconscious, he stuffed his clothes into a storage closet. With the Remington Model 870 shotgun in his hand, the spy camera still in his pocket, and satisfied he looked the part, he cautiously walked out from the indoor shooting range and back into the group's hideout lot where he can allow himself to walk around the yard while in the range of the security cameras and will not sound an alarm. More importantly, Senna could walk inside the house with little resistance and the people who are inside, they greeted him warmly without any of the wiser.

"Good evening sir," said a man who spots the guard while sitting on the couch in the living room. "Is there anything suspicious outdoors?" Senna, wearing the guard uniform, clears his throat and said: "There's nothing out there... The compound is as secure as it is..."

"Whew I'm glad..." he said. "I mean I had left my phone behind hoping that no one will track me to here..."

"And I don't think airplane mode would do any wonders," the other person added, who just appeared out from the kitchen area. He was carrying a basket full of wrapped hamburgers and salted fries.

"You got the pizza ready Tom?" asked the man on the couch. Tom, the man who had came from the kitchen and who happened to be the cook replied: "Almost done soon Lyor, we've done the fifth batch..."

"Wow, sure there's going to be a party..." remarked Senna.

"For sure..." nodded Tom excitedly. "We're making a well deserved dinner for all our newest members who have proven themselves to be worthy to fight for our cause... Once after the meeting's over, the members here will gather here for their first dinner made by Fathers of Veritas... as a reward for risking their life and limb to get to his place..."

"Fathers of Veritas...?" Senna thought to himself. Is this how this group is called?" Through the tinted visors of the guard's helmet, he observes that both Tom and Lyor have their crosses etched on the upper side of their palms, similar to the ones found from Travis Larkin's social media posts that has the same cross from what was believed to be the Crime Strikers group.

Seeing this, he realized that the so-called "Crime Strikers" may be a cover name and that their motives of this organization run much deeper than just being a government pressure protest group. This also confirms his suspicions that Travis Larkin and the Crime Strikers may be connected. Tom and Lyor noticed that Senna stood briefly frozen in thought and when the two asked what was going on, Senna shook his head and said:

"Nothing I just spaced out about the guard duties as a first-timer, and it's about my family, please bear with me,"

"No worries," said Lyor. "Hey, if you like, you can sit down with us for dinner and give you a bit of a rundown of what were pursuing..."

"I really appreciate that, but I really got to go up to the second floor and check if there's anything out of the ordinary..." said Senna struggling to keep his grip on the M870 and Tom and Lyor said: "Suit yourselves, but if you want some food, come and find us..."

With a sigh of relief that he was not being made, Senna walked upstairs to the second floor where he was able to find a bathroom, a perfect place to set up his spy camera. Using his phone that he had linked up the spy camera, he starts recording the video and attached the spy camera into the front pocket of the guard uniform, hiding it from plain sight thanks to the flap covers. After checking himself in the mirror for his last touches and for the spy camera to actually point at his face, he lowered his visor and walked out from the bathroom where he continued to snoop around the main hideout complex. Searching through each room, he finds storage crates, half-full with stocks of ammunition and AR-15's, Mossberg 590's, Glocks, and a small batch of SEMTEX explosives and nails.

"Where are they going with this... I need to find documents about their plans about what are they gonna do with these..." said Senna to himself. He knew he cannot ask them where are they keeping the top-secret files, as this will greatly rouse suspicion, but hanging around the second floor as a guard for too long may be as equally as suspicious, noting that there are some security cameras placed by the halls.

"If I stay in here for too long, or if someone finds a body in the shooting range, I may have to fight my way out with this..." he thought to himself as he knew he still has the M870. "Even if it means I might get killed, or get arrested by police... I... hope it does not come to this..."

Leaving the storage room, he went to an adjacent room leading to a bedroom which is also turned into another storage room. There he finds a metal cabinet and started opening each and every one of them, trying to find documents or anything that could lead to what the Fathers of Veritas is planning to do before he would have to eavesdrop the meeting. He did find files about Travis Larkin from the Figures section, which revealed that he is the leader of this organization.

"Well, this confirms that Travis Larkin is not just a mere internet political activist, but he is the leader of this terrorist group..." he thought to himself. "But what the hell is he trying to accomplish and what are they plotting... I need to find something other than just guns, explosives, and revenge passcode if I were to bring them down..."

Unfortunately... when he was about to open the upper file cabinet that had it labelled "Secretive", Senna suddenly felt a blow on the back of his head... He didn't see the face of who it was, and he was blacked out... The last thing he could hear is the muffled voice saying they found an intruder whilst he is dragged away out from the storage room...

...

..

Chapter Text

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Azur Lane Home Base, Eagle Union
May 27, 1942 - 11:22 / 1122

<>

Two days following the Sakura Empire's first contact with Azur Lane saw the next training exercises adopting a more structured approach moving away from the surprise and chaotic free-for-all format. The Five Miracles (consisting of Guam, Georgia, Alabama, Vanguard, and Warspite) now serve as lead drill instructors, guiding participants in utilizing the newly revolutionized arsenal of supercavitating torpedoes laced with rocket-fuel propellant, and high explosive armor piercing (HEAP) rounds.

The shipgirls, while still performing sparring matches, have resumed targeting dummy ships or Siren replicas, as well as conducting sustained fire tests akin to previous drills. Meanwhile, the Five Miracles are also executing long-range barrages using the high-yield energy supercannon Tegel Mk. IV, showcasing immense power and range that surpasses all expectations. The energy sabot, shot from Eagle Union's Alabama, travelled in astonishing distances, extending well beyond the entrance of Azur Lane Harbor and narrowly skimming past the multi-span bridge that connects the two corners of the island territory.

"Oh, I nearly cut that close did I?" said Alabama staring at the dust cloud enveloping part of the bridge generated from the exploding sabot.

"Quite close..." nodded Cleveland.

Dave Berenson is currently observing the second round of naval exercises in a small aircraft whilst Hood, who had previously participated in the exercise, laid off from the second exercise itinerary and relegated back to white-collar work, this time to focus on the internal issues within the Royal Navy. When Alabama fired the cannon, to his astonishment, he was able to bear witness to the full might the Tegel Mark IV plasma cannons can offer rather than watching it from his secondary office inside a stationary weapons development hangar.

"This cannon... It acts like a sniper... That sabot can travel at nearly twice the speed of sound up to 35 and a half miles at the furthest before plunging into the sea..." he said to himself. "However, given their precision has yet to be calibrated based on Alabama's attempts to compensate projectile drop just right above the bridge...,"

"She just nearly destroyed the bridge, but, oh well, it'd serve as a expedite means to bring up the construction process of the new bridge..." said Guam, who she chose to sit in the plane beside him rather than training with the other shipgirls. Berenson replied:

"Maybe, might as well force their hand to accelerate the new bridge development, but at a situation like this? That could work..."

"Oh!" Guam was somehow able to read his mind. "You mean, you'll create an artificial blockade to stop Siren invaders?"

"Possibly..." he nodded. "Provided if they come..." he nodded. "I could only block a large channel and act it as a barricade but leave only one part open when Sakura Empire or any of our allied Azur Lane reinforcements arrives..."

"Well, Sara and Georgia had been considering that after the Pacific FOB's disaster when they heard news with Ise's death.." said Guam. "We knew they will arrive soon so I feel like this might be on the table... And Navy Secretary Booker's also considering that as well ..."

"I guess so..." nodded Berenson. "If the pieces are in the right place, at least we could make a new bridge once this is all over, not just this old bridge we're replacing, but the alliance as a whole..."

Having already observed the exercises enough, and with the second round of live-fire exercises concluded by lunchtime, he steered the small craft back into the runway, heading back to his office to resume signing paperwork. Everyone went on with their routines, with some opting to set up patrols in and out across the bay and others deciding to spend throughout the afternoon relaxing leisurely on the beach, hang out at lunch, and working on more machinery, medical facilities and emergency shelters, and new armaments.

<>

Commander's Office - Azur Lane's HQ
2:54 PM / 1454

<>

Even after lunch, and with Berenson having already gotten himself a fancy lunch in the form of fish and chips, strip steaks, and buttered mashed potatoes with vegetables, the papers containing various proposals kept piling up. Aside from typical requests ranging from resupply, dorm renovations, personal matters, budget spending, building permits, there is also a sizable caseload of requests on his desk, proposing more research and development on new prototype weapons overseen by Yuubari and Soobrazitelny, as well as the patrol and expedition sorties.

Berenson would analyze every single report and write signatures whenever he feels suited or find acceptable. Only a few of the reports he had it set aside, those on large-scale projects such as land reclamation, suburban expansion, and utility reconstruction are denied given the fact that the whole base is still on high alert, and had made clear on prioritizing building emergency shelters, naval defenses and building more weapons and shells to make up the shortfall of the shipgirls that had vanished since Midway, and to get a footing against an impending Siren invasion.

It was around 3 and a half hours past 12 that he had already finished all the paperwork and with nothing else to do, he walks out from the Commander's Office and took a long stroll across the base, watching every soul working hard and some even playing with other destroyers, until he stopped by at the overhang area, on a cliffside with a tree growing out and sat down. He stared out at sea, past the large suspension bridge and into the channel, knowing that if the Sirens were to start invading, they will come through there.

In addition, he could see two plasma cannon turrets mounted on the ground; one was over 500 meters East away from his position, and the other, was sitting on another cliff across the waters. Both plasma barrels are facing towards open sea. He also felt despair and anxiety, since for the first time in his life since becoming the Commander as part of a compromise for his reckless behavior in the Eagle Union Air Force, he would be facing the full-scale Siren invasions in his eyes on the ground, not by video screens or from the air where he had gotten used to up until this point.

It was only a few minutes since he sat there when a woman shows up behind him.

"Commander? I was surprised to see you here..." she said.

Dave turns around and sees Yorktown, who showed up.

"Yorktown... I... was sitting here, just smelling the sea air and... watching the potential doom about to befall on us..." Dave replied.

"Hmm... Well I thought of the same thing too... After I had done the secretary duties, I also come here for rest too..." said Yorktown as she walked up and stood beside him.

"So how are things been doing so far?" she asked.

"I... don't know..." said Dave, who felt grim but tried to put up his stoic brave face. "Enterprise, and most of the shipgirls including Belfast... Javelin, Laffey, and Akagi... still missing... One of Sakura Empire's comrades brutally killed, and now I'm about to face death come rushing through this inlet here..."

"Hmm, I see..." said Yorktown. "Enterprise..." she slowly began to feel a bit sad to hear her young sister gone missing in war. Dave, seeing her despaired face, then said,

"But we have some good news though. Sakura Empire finally decided to rejoin our alliance, and they are amassing reinforcements to help us break the siege,"

"How long when are they going to arrive?" Yorktown inquired.

"As fast as they're able..." he replied. "They can't specify how much time will they arrive, but whatever happens, we have to put in our best hopes to the Five Miracles, and our line of supercharged weapons..."

"You may be right..." nodded Yorktown as she sat down on the ground beside him and rubbed her palms over his own dorsal hand and Berenson could feel Yorktown's softened palms that gives him comfort. The two then stared out into sea for a few minutes, taking in with the gentle breeze amidst watching the docks and the shipping channel being crowded with numerous supply and training ships and other Kansens/shipgirls doing naval patrols to keep watch of the Sirens, and the quietness of the scenery where the two could relax after having been working for several days with a few hours of sleep.

But all of a sudden, their peace and quiet was about to be shattered as Berenson and Yorktown hear a thunderous roar in a distance. When the two get up to face the ocean, they were surprised to see the storm clouds, with light purplish glow pulsating across the clouds. The clouds began to envelop the bay, onto the mainland Port base, and soon, right by the cliffside where he and Yorktown relaxed. 

Simultaneously as he saw bolts of lightning roaring towards their direction, the Earth beneath them started to shudder and vibrate violently in a one massive forward jolt, sending Yorktown tumbling on to the ground. Berenson was able to hold onto the tree, but he knew what would happen if lightning strikes at the trees. but the ground beneath Yorktown started to crumble due to the earthquake and Yorktown screamed out as the cracks surround her. Berenson, in an attempt to save her, pulls her hand out from the cracking cliffs and pushed her from her back, but in doing so, he is now forced to hold onto a rock surface as he dangles himself over the exposed part of the cliffs with its rubble falling into the sea, all while the earthquake and lightning storms continue throwing the Azur Lane Port Town in chaos.

As he gripped precariously on the ground that remained intact, Yorktown manages to get her strength to get herself up from the ground and reached out her hand to Berenson's as he and Yorktown heaved out from the collapsing cliffside, just as the earthquake subsides. However, the danger is far from over...

"You alright?" panted Yorktown. Berenson quickly said: "I'm fine but the storm! We have to get out of here!" The two ran through the pathway, doing their best to avoid being near the trees for fear they would be hit with shrapnel when the lightning strikes. It didn't take long before he and Yorktown sprinted inside the entrance of the Azur Lane headquarters, where just in time, he hears a siren blaring across the landscape, followed by an automated message:

"This is an emergency. Code Grey has been issued. All civilians and personnel must evacuate to the designated emergency shelters or seek shelter indoors immediately. Repeat, this is an emergency. Code Grey has been issued. All civilians and personnel must evacuate to the designated emergency shelters ior seek shelter indoors immediately."

"That's us..." said Berenson. "Seems Sara and Georgia, they got that going..."

"But the others, at the infirmary and down in the Southern District!" gasped Yorktown. "Are they going to be okay?"

"Once the storm's passed, we could inspect the damage and search for anyone hurt. We got the emergency services on standby..." Berenson held by her shoulder using both of his palms and Yorktown nodded: "You're right... Let's wait it out..."

As lightning continues to strike, Berenson quietly mumbled to himself:

"An earthquake and a lightning strike... This can't be a coincidence... does it...?" Berenson looked around the inside of the headquarters and he noticed there were only a few cracked walls but had otherwise sustained minor damage during the earthquake, but looking out in a distance, he could see smoke billowing out from the middle of the port town, and he fears the worst.

<>

3:52 PM / 1552

<>

After sitting around taking shelter inside the headquarters, and with the port town being pummeled by bolts upon bolts of lightning, the zapping and thunderous booms seems to have dimmed down, and everyone could see the skies around them have stopped flashing. Berenson and Yorktown peered out from the windows and could see that while the skies are still dark, the lightning bolts have stopped. Without waiting to make sure if the lightning strikes have stopped, he spoke to Yorktown:

"I gotta get back to the Operations Command Center and contact the President and the Secretary of the Navy.... I need you to take the car and get to the Southern District." He hands her his walkie talkie and continued: "Contact me or Saratoga and let me know of their status,"

"Yes Commander," nodded Yorktown before she ran off, hopped inside a nearby Ford Model A Sedan that was parked nearby and drove off towards the Southern District, while Berenson ran through the hallway and down the stairs all the way to an underground chamber area leading towards the Command Operations Center. He stopped upon seeing the entire room was littered with glass shards, papers and staffers tending to their injuries. He could see small cracks on the ceiling but he was relieved that no one had been killed, nor did the room collapse.

He was spotted by Georgia and Saratoga, who were likewise unharmed. They ecstatically ran towards him, for having they had feared for Berenson's safety after what had just happened in a flash.

"Commander!" cried Saratoga. "Thank goodness you're alright, we feared you may be dead!"

"Likewise, but I'm alright... Is everyone okay!?" he called out

"I am alright," said Implacable as she slowly stood back up after she hid underneath the desk alongside Vanguard and Alabama. All three, who were part of the Five Miracles Fleet in addition to Georgia, were inside the headquarters when both the tremors and the lightning storm struck, as does Boise, who was tagging along with the group... All of them were not badly hurt as everyone else inside the command center.

"Can you still contact with Mr. Booker or any of our allies? What's the damage report of our port town?" said Berenson.

"Nothing yet, backup generator should be kicking in," said Georgia as she and Saratoga work hard to restore power.

"I saw you going out and Yorktown following you to the cliffside, where is she?" asked Saratoga and Berenson replied: "She's alright, she's going off to check the survivors in the Southern District,"

He took a breath and turned his head to Alabama and Implacable and said:

"Alabama, and Implacable, go and check up the surface and see if anyone can help, they may be injured!' said Berenson as they rush out from the command center with a nod. Berenson stayed behind and held his palm on the walkie talkie, still waiting for an update from Yorktown while he also proceeds to establish contact with the Sakura Empire to try and explain what happened.

<>

Southern District - Azur Lane Port Town
4:16 PM / 1616

<>

As Yorktown reached the Southern District, the entire district almost resembles as a warzone. Buildings had crumbled, some remain intact with its but its exterior walls and fittings, as well as glass, timber and concrete had cracked or smashed. A few of the buildings around the area were either reduced to rubble or is completely ablaze.

Around the pandemonium, she watched as people frantically navigate amidst all the rubble and debris, most were in a state of shock or are frantically searching for any survivors. Some are injured in a form of cuts, broken bones, or concussions from the falling debris or had tripped over in the initial jolt, and even a few who are trapped underneath the rubble whilst other civilian volunteers and responding firefighters rush to the scene and try to tackle the inferno and rescue survivors trapped in the rubble.

Yorktown parked her Ford Model A on the side of the road, and she frantically joins in the fray, desperate to search for survivors, most importantly, he heads down to the site where the workers there were building a new medical facility. Only when she arrived just a few minutes later, to realize that it is nothing more than a fiery rubble. He could hear screams all around him, and in the midst of the chaos, he could see a man trapped underneath the rubble of timber, rebar, and wet concrete above, just right beside a raging inferno.

"Help! I'm down here!" the man cried. Yorktown, despite having her legs shudder in fear and that she had just been recovering from her medical condition, wasted no time attempting to haul the person whom she recognized to be one of the workers who had been constructing the new medical facility that was now nothing more than a pile of rubble. After she first attempted to lift the rubble using her bare hands to no avail, she finds a nearby crowbar and uses it to act as a lever, hoping the man can pull himself out.

"I got you, can you get out?" she called out.

"I'll try..." he said.

The man uses his arms as a grip to crawl himself out from the rubble, but above his legs, the rubble began to shift by his movement, and it started to press on his legs, causing him to grunt in pain, but nonetheless, with help of the arriving firefighting personnel, Yorktown was able to haul the trapped man out from the rubble. Covered in patches of wet concrete and dust from the collapse, the man was otherwise virtually unscathed apart from the sprain of his ankles and the pain on his legs.

"Thank you, Yorktown," said the man as he is escorted out by firefighters to a nearby ambulance. At this moment, the fire chief, Andrew Thomson, wearing a white helmet on top of his bright yellow vest worn over his navy black striped dress uniform, appear out from the scene, who had observed her rescue effort.

"Yorktown, I'm surprised to see you here..." said Andrew.

"Likewise, Chief Thomson..." nodded Yorktown. 

"What are you doing out here?" he then asked and Yorktown replied:

"I was just here scouring out the area looking for survivors. I'm acting under Berenson's behalf... What do we got?"

Andrew explained: "The earthquake dealt severe damage in all 4 other districts with the Southern one being hit the hardest due to the inadequate seismic retrofitting, but the city hall is fairly intact. There are numerous calls coming in about people buried alive or needing urgent medical care..."

"Have you contacted the Emergency Management, did they give you anything"

"Spotty at best," said Andrew. "Communication network is largely down... Where is Commander Berenson?"

Before Yorktown can respond, Vanguard and Implacable also show up.

"Yorktown!" the two called out. "Commander Berenson told us to do find whatever survivors we can find and give them help,"

"Thank you," said Yorktown. "I don't think I can manage on my own like this..."

"Alright, you three whatever you can to get these people out of the rubble, and bring those to the already existing emergency shelters," said Yorktown. "Start from the south and split up from there, I'll see what I can to relay this information to Commander Berenson..."

"As you wish, Yorktown," nodded Andrew. "We already have additional manpower from the Engineering Systems Command, so we can manage,"

"Alright," Yorktown pats Andrew's shoulder. "Tell them I sent you on behalf of Commander Berenson and ask them to give whatever help they can give.."

Andrew leaves Yorktown, Vanguard and Implacable to continue with the rescue effort as the three continue to navigate the streets using her Ford Sedan, but it didn't take long to see Columbia and Denver frantically running in the opposite direction towards him and they started waving their arms calling for help.

Yorktown immediately clambered out from the Sedan, and ecstatic to see the three, Columbia and Denver said:

"Yorktown, Vanguard and Implacable! Thank goodness, we have a terrible situation! This is bad!"

"What's the matter?" asked Implacable.

"It's the Cooling Cup Café! It's destroyed, and there's so many people trapped in there!" cried Denver,

"Wh-where?" she gasped as Yorktown, Vanguard, and Implacable ran with Denver and Columbia as the latter two explained: "I remember seeing Cleve and Monty, a-and Ping Hai, and Lung Wu, they were all in there to take cover inside the lightning storm, but then the tremor struck and it collapsed!"

"What!?" gasped Vanguard. "Th-then how did you get out? Were you able to escape!?"

"N-no! I just left to buy from a nearby toy store just down the road to buy toys and bubblegum and we took shelter there from the storm right before the earthquake hit!" cried Columbia. "Ning Hai, she's all alone trying to dig them out themselves!" added Columbia. "But... It's my fault I shouldn't--..."

"Don't," Yorktown interrupted. "Nothing is your fault, what's important right now is I need you to get out down North and find help, you may see a firefighter or a naval engineering corpsman nearby,"

"On it, Yorktown!" said Columbia as she volunteered to look for help while Denver stood by with Yorktown as she guided her and the Five Miracles to the site of where the Cooling Cup Café was; the building had been reduced to rubble due to a strong tremor, leaving nothing but piles of sheet metal, timber, plaster, concrete and glass, leaving only its establishment logo and sign laid on the ground battered. Berenson, while appalled by the scale of the destruction, could see Yorktown and Ning Hai desperately attempting to dig the rubble around the part where Lung Wu is, as she is much closer to the rubble's surface.

"Guys! I'm here!" Denver yelled out.

"Thank goodness," said Ning Hai. "But, D-Denver, where is Columbia?"

"She went out to find more help, she'll be back, but we need to act fast," said Denver. The five focuses the attention of getting Lung Wu out first; she had suffered slight lacerations on her face and her lower body and legs are pinned down by corrugated metal sheets and timber. Luckily, with coordination, Berenson, Yorktown, and Ping Hai were able to free Lung Wu, allowing her to crawl herself out from the rubble, with only minor injuries.

"Thank you," said Lung Wu. "But there's others trapped here,"

Yorktown and Vanguard can hear voices calling out for help underneath the very rubble they're in and said: "I know, just stay put and sit by the curb alright?"

"Yes Master," she nodded as the three continued to dig out the rubble. There, they could see Cleveland, through the gaping hole formed through the corrugated metal roof and wooden beams. She is trapped underneath tons of rubble, but was otherwise protected by big, sturdy tables in the café preventing her from being crushed completely. However, she is still pinned down and couldn't move.

"Cleveland, I'm glad that you're okay," said Yorktown.

"Y-yeah I'm fine...," grunted Cleveland as she struggles to move her hands through the rubble. "But I can't get out from this position... Hey, have you seen Columbia, is she okay?"

"She's okay, she went out to get more help..." Yorktown replied. "And Commander Berenson's okay too..."

"Oh thank goodness... It's just that Monty... She went into the bathroom right before the earthquake occurred!" she said. "She might be around here somewhere, and I remember a lot of people were in here!"

"What do you mean?" asked Yorktown.

"I saw Gloucester and Charybdis walking inside this shop...!" said Cleveland.

"Oh no..." thought Yorktown. "That means there are a lot of people..."  Vanguard and Implacable were also equally shocked by the revelation Cleveland had given them.

"Don't worry, we'll get you two and the rest of the people out of here," said Ning Hai as she continues to pull out the rubble piece by piece, despite the risks that the rubble may shift and crash on Cleveland, potentially injuring or killing her. All the while, Yorktown, and soon Vanguard and Implacable, influenced by what they had heard from her, also went in and used their nearby rebars and beams to pull out the rubble as well, constantly yelling out for their names desperate to look for any sign of the trapped victims. The commotion attracts the attention of two civilians, who happens to be working in a disaster volunteer group nearby.

"Ma'am we're here to help, what's going on here?" asked one of the civilians.

"We're looking for survivors, there's around 5 of them.. One of them is okay but the others... they're still buried alive..." replied Yorktown.

"It's okay, we have crowbars and jacks at hand, we're gonna lift them out of here. With their newfound assistance and an extra manpower, Yorktown work tirelessly alongside Ning Hai, Vanguard, Denver, and Implacable to free Cleveland from the rubble. It is a slow work. Given the scale of the damage however, it is a very risky and dangerous process to manually dig out the rubble with only their bare hands, crowbars and scissor jacks alone, and they had to do it carefully.

As they were about ready to haul Cleveland out, Yorktown and Cleveland could hear a distant yet imperceptible sounds of tapping around the rubble.

"Stop!" she yelled. "I hear something,"

Everyone stopped all at once and they began to listen intently on the tapping sounds Berenson mentioned. Sure enough, they could hear tapping and then, their shouts coming from below.

"That's... That's Monty, she's right here behind me!" said Cleveland.

Soon, more voices started ringing out from around the rubble, complement with more tapping ang banging sounds. Yorktown could sense that the people that are trapped underneath are starting to regain consciousness. Motivated, Yorktown and Ning Hai was able to dig through the rubble and spots Montpelier, who is also trapped inside the restroom, only saved by a portion of the concrete wall and some wooden beams that acted as a support to protect her from the falling rubble.

"Monty! Are you okay?"

"I'm alright," she grunted. "What about Cleveland!?"

"They're getting her out! Columbia went out to get more help, but were going to get you out soon..." said Yorktown as she and some of the civilian volunteers work hard to free both Cleveland and Montpelier.

<>

4:31 PM / 1631

<>

Several minutes has passed. With her own brute strength to pull out every scrap of rubble and volunteers, including Vanguard, Denver and Ning Hai using crowbars and other pieces of rubble heave out larger pieces of debris... As they pressed on, desperately attempting to free the trapped survivors, they hear Columbia yelling out for Yorktown, arriving with a team of firefighters and Naval Engineering corpsmen behind her.

"Yorktown, I brought in more help!" she said.

"What's the situation, Yorktown," said the corpsmen who is armed with a entrenching tool. She replied:

"We got several people trapped underneath the cafe, we fear they may be severely injured, and we need to get them out as soon as possible,"

"I just got word out from both the HQ and the Emergency Management division, " said Fire Chief Andrew. "We got most of communications back up and they're deploying every emergency service assets we can..."

"And the cranes?"

"One of them was damaged, the remaining three are in good condition, but the whole area's blocked off.. We only have enough time to only bring in ambulances..."

"We'll just have to use bare hands," sighed Vanguard.

"We got this," said Andrew. Pretty soon, a dozen of firefighters and Naval personnel began work to clear out piles of rubble, using their hydraulic and scissor jacks, crowbars and metal poles the men had brought into the site to secure the shattered, crumbling pile of rubble, whilst Yorktown, Ning Hai, Denver, and Vanguard continue to pull out every scrap of debris. With extra manpower at hand, they were inching closer and closer towards Montpelier and Cleveland, until they were able to simultaneously and carefully pull Cleveland and Montpelier out from the rubble, the two suffered cuts and bruises, but otherwise can walk on two feet.

"I'm so glad you two are okay," said Columbia.

"Yes, we are," Cleveland gave out a beaming chuckle, but Yorktown spoke up to the rescue team: "This is not yet done, we still have more people trapped, I need you all to keep hauling out the rubble, I'm going to search for others from here,"

"Yes ma'am!" said the rescuers as they continue to haul every scrap of debris away from the site while Yorktown and Columbia continue to search for any other survivors. With the others now tapping on the rubble, it didn't take long for Berenson to find both Charybdis and Gloucester inside what was once a kitchen area. Both are pinned underneath the ceramic ties and wooden beams and are seriously injured, with their heads and arms covered in blood but they are still alive.

"Guys! Are you three okay!?" Yorktown yelled out. "What were you doing here?"

"Never better," said Charybdis. "We were just here for our part time job to help the kitchen and then..."

"The lightning storm forced us to stay indoors, and before long, an earthquake took this building down..." added Gloucester.

"It's alright, we're going to get you two out!" said Cleveland as he called out the rescuers to the location and converge in as they proceed to carefully dig through the rubble, using jacks and crowbars in an attempt to free them. Every piece of rubble dug out and it was a slow work, inching closer and closer to Charybdis as they carefully haul out and cut up each piece of debris that was pinning her down.

But then, suddenly, Yorktown hears crackling on the radio:

"Y-Yorktown! Come in quickly! Yorktown, pick up!"

Yorktown quickly picks up the walkie from her pocket and spoke: "Commander, what's going on?"

At that same moment, warning sirens started blaring and then she could hear the shells flying and explosions rumbling. Their worst fears are realized when Berenson said:

"The Sirens! They've launched an attack! Where the hell are you!?"

Everyone who had heard the Commander's voice felt distressed and their chills running down their spine. Yorktown shook her head and responded:

"I'm at the Southern District; I'm trying to get Gloucester and Charybdis out of the rubble!"

"Then hurry up!" said Berenson. "Georgia will be leading the Five Miracles, so if you can find Vanguard and Implacable, tell them that they must meet up with her right now, where she and the rest of the group will receive instructions! I need you to get these people to the shelters!"

The invasion meant that Vanguard and Implacable have to leave the site to prepare themselves to fend off against the Siren invasion. Although the two are conflicted whether to help Yorktown free the trapped civilians, the two felt that this is the moment they have to be on the frontline and hold the Sirens back.

"We're sorry, Yorktown, but we have to be out there and meet up with Georgia and the others from the Five Miracles..." said Vanguard.

"This matter requires our urgent attention," added Implacable. 

"It's alright," said Columbia. "We can take it from here..." 

"Go and kick them Siren butt," added Cleveland. "We'll get them out, don't worry,"

With encouragement from Columbia, Cleveland and the rest of the rescue team, Vanguard and Implacable leave the Southern District to meet up with Georgia and the Five Miracles fleet. Now time is against Yorktown and her rescue team as they work tirelessly to remove the rubble to get Charybdis and Gloucester out before the Siren barrage reach the area.

<>

Operations Command Center
4:49 PM / 1649

<>

Inside the Operations Command Center located underneath the Azur Lane Headquarters, only Berenson and Saratoga is on the helm supervising the Siren invasion and coordinating the defenses. The main defense force they have is the Five Miracles, where he could see that Georgia, Vanguard, Alabama, Implacable, and Guam have finally met up, and was joined in with Boise and Nicholas. All seven of them have just finished arming themselves.

"Sir, 2 Tegel Mark IV's were damaged by the earthquake, and they were all obliterated by the Sirens..." said the staffer who is inspecting the defense systems planted around the base. "It appears the Sirens had used the lightning storms and the earthquake to their advantage..."

"Don't worry about that... We still have our main draw..." said Berenson.

"Commander," said Georgia on the communicator. "This is the Five Miracles, we are moving out down the bay and setting up the defense position out front. What's their position?"

"The armada has just entered through the channel," Berenson replied as he watches the surface radar,: "They are about 4 and a half nautical miles from the bridge, I've sent a signal to a nearby patrol group to launch suicide boats to destroy the bridge..."

"Blocking the channel, right?" asked Georgia and Berenson nodded:

"Exactly, it should force the Sirens to pass over the only opening, and that's when your group will strike..."

As the Five Miracles sailed towards the channel, more and more shipgirls are now wearing their riggings and are sailing across the bay, ready to take on any Sirens that approach the town as then Hood and Prince of Wales appear on his video communication feed.

"Commander, Hood from the Royal Navy, we are on the Northern side of the bay here, we've spotted Siren aircraft bombarding the storage facilities en route..."

"Get your anti air guns and missiles ready... Any anti air cruiser nearby, engage the jets at will..." said Berenson

"Hiya, Commander!" said San Diego, who she is sailing alongside Hood, and is armed with an array of anti-air missiles, who she gives it a go, and with a sharp whoosh on her back, one missile flew high up in the sky in just seconds, and before long, it was able to track down one of the incoming Siren jet bombers who were ready for a bombing run when the missile struck at the underside of the jet where the engine and fuel tanks are. The jet exploded in spectacular fashion.

"Wow, these missiles are very powerful!" said San Diego.

"Don't push it..." warned Berenson. "These anti-air missiles are state of the art, but these are in a limited supply... Just stick to normal anti-air guns for now."

Hood's escort fleet was able to down a few more Siren jets as they make their way towards the bridge where the Five Miracles Fleet, as well as the Beaver Squad – helmed by Eagle Union's Charles Ausburne – were also approaching towards the bridge, readying themselves for a fight against the massive Siren armada that is now approaching the bridge as well. One of the patrol groups – consisting of Royal Navy ships Liverpool, Nubian, and Eskimo and helmed by Hermione – had just finished connecting their fuses to the string of high explosives – what is called a detonating cord – strung up and planted on the bridge. Their mission is to blow up the bridge to block the Siren advance towards the Azur Lane Port base, whilst the Five Miracles Fleet, as planned by Berenson and Georgia, will use either Implacable's fighter-bomber jets or the Tegel Mark IV plasma cannons as a backup measure to destroy the other suspension bridge spans. If it all goes to plan, the Sirens would funnel through the only gap they will leave open, and they will be left vulnerable.

"Ready for detonation Commander," said Hermione. Georgia then followed as she said to him: "I got my gun on one of the spans..."

"On my mark, Hermione goes first, and then you will be next... Leave one span intact by the North so the Sirens will go through here!"

"On it," both Hermione and Georgia nodded as the Five Miracles approach closer towards the bridge, where they could see a long line of Siren Mark V Rooks and Queens (battleships & aircraft carriers) lining up just by the bridge as the Rooks trained their guns towards the approaching Five Miracles. Charles Ausburne's Beaver Squad arrived closely after the Five Miracles when Hermione's patrol fleet receives an order:

"Detonate at will!" Berenson yelled out on the communication feed and Hermione pushed the button on the detonator, setting off a long line of high explosive detonating cords strung up around the bridge spans, ripping off the cables on each span and sending a group of unsupported bridge spans crashing into the sea below. The detonating cords also set off a large batch of plastic explosives onto the supports, ensuring the bridge's destruction that will be enough to sufficiently block the channel, making it act as a naval barrier.

With the Siren advance halted, the Five Miracles unleashed all the power they can get under Berenson's orders. The Beaver Squad, which is armed with high-speed rocket powered supercavitating torpedoes, was the first to engage against one of the Rooks. The Siren battleship fired a few rounds of high explosive shells at the Beaver Squad, but their evasive maneuvers allow them to advance towards the naval barrier, and finding through the gaps on the blockade, she fired two pairs of rocket-powered torpedoes. At the position where the battleship is, and Charles' Beaver Squad, the Sirens have no time to dodge the newest of the torpedoes, and pretty soon, with an almighty explosion, one of the Mark V Rooks began listing to port before sinking down the depths of the bay.

The Azur Lane ships and the Sirens continued shelling at one another from across the collapsed suspension bridge with some even resorting to push through the open area under the intact portion of the bridge in their attempt to get their edge against Hood and the Five Miracles Fleet. As expected from Berenson, who saw what was coming, he then ordered Georgia, Guam and Vanguard to open fire their Tegel Mark IV's at the Siren invading fleet. With two massive shrilling bangs coming out from their barrels, the beams struck the leading Rook battleship and it disintegrated in an almighty explosion. The beams also struck two supply ships and three Bishops (Siren heavy cruisers), suffering severe damage.

Witnessing the beams from afar, the Siren commanders, one being the Observer, chuckled:

"This is getting interesting... I recognized this kind of beam from anywhere..." she said.

"Observer" said one of the humanoid Sirens who is revealed to be Tester. "I believe this is the same kind of cannon that was once built by the Iron Blood, until it was taken a few years ago..."

"Who is the one who lent them these powerful machines?" asked the Observer and Tester replied: "Mr. Berenson. He's leading the Azur Lane since April 1941, and he was a former naval aviator."

"Mr... Berenson... A naval aviation, you say..." Observer mumbled quietly and giggled. "He may think he had an upper hand thanks to the stolen Iron Blood technology, but he forgot one little thing...."

"What is it?" asked the Tester. The Observer replied: "We'll see to it. Right now, we'll make it believable... And wear down his resources... Once they started to tire themselves out, we will bring in our ace from our sleeve..."

Observer then orders a squad of Rooks fire their shells at the collapsed sections of the suspension bridge, creating a new opening for the Sirens to cross on over.

"Commander, the Sirens have created a new opening!" said Hood.

"We're sending in additional reinforcements, just don't let them through...!" Berenson replied.

"We are on it, Commander," said the voice. Another feed popped up and it is revealed that it is Queen Elizabeth, leading in charge with Suffolk, Norfolk, Edinburgh, Sirius, Devonshire, and Glowworm behind her. They are heading out into the channel towards the naval frontline, right where the Siren Armada is bombarding the sunken suspension bridge to clear the obstruction as well as the Five Miracles Fleet.

"Your Majesty," said Hood. "We're glad you're okay, but you have far more severe injuries than we are,"

"Hmph, so long if there is an enemy on our doorstep, I will always be ready to fight," Queen Elizabeth huffed. She is escorted by light aircraft carriers, Unicorn and Hermes – from the Royal Navy – as well as Bogue and Wasp – from the Eagle Union – to act as their additional aviation support to counteract the oncoming Siren fighter-bombers. They arrive by the suspension bridge where the Siren fleet is now breaching through one of the channels past the collapsed spans. Queen Elizabeth aimed her batteries and fired high-explosive shells at the intruders, with Implacable also redirecting some of her jet bombers to land a pair of precision bombs at one of the Siren's aircraft carriers, slowing their advance as well.

Edinburgh, Glowworm, and Devonshire all fired their high-explosive supercavitating torpedoes at the now weakened fleet and in no time, two of the Siren Knights (Light Cruisers) and one Bishop (Heavy Cruiser) sank underneath the depths of the bay. They were now slowly pushing the Sirens from approaching the naval base and it seems they were about to drive them back...

<>

Southern District - Azur Lane Port Town
5:18 PM / 1718

<>

At the wreckage of the former Cooling Cup Cafe, Yorktown, Cleveland and Columbia, as well as the Eagle Union Navy's engineering division and the local firefighting team have spent the last half hour on getting Charybdis and Gloucester out from the rubble. They only have a few personnel since their manpower and resources are being stretched, with several other teams already busy clearing the rubble and evacuate any other survivors across the town. From there, without the use of cranes and bulldozers, they had managed to cut up and pulled out every scrap of debris, being extra careful not to shift the rubble above them and although the Siren shelling from the battle seem to have eased out, Yorktown said:

"We have to hurry, we don't know if the Sirens have any more tricks up in their sleeves!"

"We're almost there, ma'am," said one of the rescuers as he inches closer and closer towards Charybdis as he pulled out the last pieces of rubble and started using their hydraulic jacks to lift the rubble. After positioning it onto one of the beams that were pinning Charybdis and pushes the lever to force the hydraulic press upward. He grabs one of the hydraulic cutters to cut away the last pieces of the rubble and is now within Charybdis' reach. 

With another assistance from their fellow rescuer, they slowly heave the rubble and pull Charybdis out from the kitchen area and onto the surface. After several harrowing minutes, and with no Siren barrages hitting the area as of yet, they were able to pull Charybdis out of the rubble. She had suffered cuts and lacerations as well as her broken shoulder and ribs, and she was barely conscious. The rescuers rushed her into an ambulance and is sent for a nearby medical center.

With only Gloucester remaining, the rescuers continue to use bare hands and hydraulic tools to remove the rubble piece by painstaking piece. Yorktown and Cleveland were cautiously optimistic, but all of a sudden... it does...

*BANG*

They hear a massive bang and everyone across the bay watched as the giant mushroom cloud suddenly erupted far out into the distance. The blast was so great, it had thrown debris several dozens of miles across and generating a massive shockwave that rocked the entire Southern District. It had caused the rubble to shift dangerously before it starts tumbling down, burying Gloucester further. At that same moment, two pieces of corrugated roof sheets came sliding down right towards one of the rescuers who was close to pulling Gloucester out. Acting on instinct, he lets Glocuester go as he tried to get himself out of the way, only when did he leap himself out of his way, it was too late, for the sheets had just slammed on his left leg, Although it didnt cut through his pants or through his skin, the impact sheared off his ligaments on his knee and it was split into, leaving his leg only held up by his own skin itself.

The rescuer, unable to stand up freely, tumbled down on the pile of rubble and onto the surface, crying out in pain, as he held onto his now broken knee using his arms.

"John!" yelled out Andrew as he tried to help him up, but as the extent of the rescuer's injuries becomes apparent, he yelled out to one of the Navy Engineers to build a stretcher and call for help while Yorktown, Cleveland, and Columbia work to stabilize his leg, despite felt shaken to watch Gloucester being buried alive.

"What the hell is that explosion? It's like its right close to land!" said Cleveland.

"I don't know!" said Yorktown. She tries to radio Berenson but gets no response...

<>

Bay Bridge - Azur Lane Port Channel
5:20 PM / 1720

<>

Meanwhile, out in the port's channel near the destroyed suspension bridge, everyone looked out in awe as the small mountain peninsula ridge nearby had been destroyed. Even the Siren invaders had also stopped firing and they all bore witness to an unsettling gargantuan figure rolling through the smoke.

Soon, much to their horror, they are staring at a massive battleship more than thrice the size of Georgia's slowly rolling towards the Bay, using the gaping hole on the peninsula that was just created as another entrance into the base. On the main deck there are six main gun batteries (three at the front, and one at the back), with a large cannon sticking out in the middle. It appeared to be emitting white hot smoke, suggesting that it has been recently fired and they had witnessed how powerful this cannon is.

"That cannon... It had even more destructive power than the Tegel Mark IV cannons we stole from Iron Blood..." said Queen Elizabeth.

Making matters worse, following behind this gargantuan battleship, are two more large ships rolling side by side. At first glance, it was another battleship, but as they looked closer, Berenson realized that it was a large aviation battleship. It is almost as large as the first battleship that fired the high powered plasma cannon, but in addition to having two artillery batteries front and back, there is also a large armored runway deck attached on top of it, and he could see few of its bombers taking off and dropping bombs onto the Southern District, to his horror.

"This aviation battleship, its a lot powerful than what Ise and Hyuuga can offer..." thought Berenson. Just then, the video communications feed began crackling. Someone is trying to forcefully enter their channel and it wasn't long before a familiar voice popped up.

"Hahahaha... Hello humans... What a grand entrance I say."

"Observer..." said Saratoga. The video feed blew up to reveal Observer's face as she spoke: "It appears that you all finally get to see you with these two massive prototypes we have invented with the help of our Axis allies, tearing down your whole fleet in pieces..."

"What are they?" asked Hornet.

"These two are the part of our secret naval project called Øresund. This is our trump card, but this is our prototype we will be testing the mettle of the humans with materials given out by the Crimson Axis,"

Berenson's heart sinks. He recalled that he was first briefed on the secret project of the same name since December 1941.

"That project threatens the balance of naval power, but we didn't know about this nor were we able to make a connection..." said Saratoga.

"Not even our naval intelligence were able to pick that up... Until I could recognize what I saw in the only photograph I can remember..." Berenson spoke quietly, still staring in awe to Project Oresund.

"What are they going to do to us!?" Hood yelled out on the feed.

"Ah... You remember how you all disappeared at the forward operating base some days ago?" Observer replied. "It turns out your cheeky commander is much cheekier than I thought. And I had to admit, he is such a clever guy..." she remarked.

"But, with this one supercarrier, and one battleship armed with plasma anti-matter cannons, hiding won't save you this time...".

Berenson felt terrible. He realized that Ise's sacrifice that been all for naught while the Observer remarked: "Such a sweet moment to have someone dying for you... All for such a futile resistance. I say that you have the skills and luck for a man of such a young age..."

The shipgirls said nothing while they attempt to drive out the Siren aircraft and Destroyer Pawn Mark III's, and Dave and Saratoga never said anything either.

"But I'm afraid your luck is running out," sighed the Observer. "So its time that you all face the final test... Just how much more you're going to die before you give up your base to me so we can make changes of this world..."

"No!" Dave snapped. "We'll never give in! We'll stand and fight," Dave then said firmly.

"Hmph... Very well... Good luck trying to destroy our two state-of-the-art super machines if you dare..." the Observer said before she cuts communications. Soon immediately, the attacking Siren mass-produced ships began breaking through the artificial naval barrier and through the large crater area of the peninsula. 

The Five Miracles and the Beaver Squad now find themselves encircled and surrounded, though battered by the massive warship's electrical beam attacks, sprung up into action once again, and they are now in a desperate situation. More and more groups of shipgirls began to mobilize as the situation turned desperate.

"This is Unicorn from Light Support 1," she said as she joined on one of the communication feeds for the Commander. "Your Majesty, the Southern District is about to be bombed, so I'll get out there and protect the Southern District!" Unicorn, alongside Hermes split off and four destroyers, Janus, Jervis, Gallant, and Musketeer, converge onto Unicorn's First Light Support Squadron as they all head for the shores of the Southern District, where several Siren Rook battleships and Humanoid Oceana Mark III's started shelling the hillside as they engage at one of the Tegel Mark IV turrets, which does its best to take out some of the mass-produced Siren ships.

Before the Sirens could land a hit on them, Unicorn and Hermes deploy torpedo bombers onto these ships in their desperate bid to sink them before they could bombard the naval defense positions or the civilian populated areas of the Southern District. Seven of its torpedoes struck two Rooks, causing it to list portside. One of them hit the Oceanas, and they retaliate by firing laser sabots at First Light Support fleet. Only were they obliterated by Georgia plasma beams from her Tegel Mark IV's batteries and Implacable's jet bombers.

"Thank you for your assistance," said Gallant.

"It's been a pleasure," Implacable giggled.

"More Sirens incoming from the North!" yelled out Franklin as she, alongside Essex, Washington, North Carolina arrive and engages against the combined Oceana, Peace Breaker and Lurkers, who all converge from the northern peninsula. The lurkers responded by firing torpedoes, narrowly hitting Washington and Franklin.

"Harumph! You need to do better than that!" Washington yelled ferociously as she turned her gun batteries and fire on the surface, which somehow landed on the Lurkers and exploded. She then turns to the Rooks and Peace Breakers, all were firing shells on the Northern and Southern Districts of the Azur Lane port town and fired another salvos at the Siren fleet. The skies above are bristled with Siren jet fighters and bombers, and anti-air cruiser groups fight to keep the skies clear.

San Diego work alongside Biloxi, Atlanta, and Eldrige who use their new anti-air missiles to unleash devastating power against the fastest fighters.

"Seven down!" said Atlanta. "And counting..."

"Make sure you conserve the missiles Sandy!" Biloxi reminded San Diego and she replied: "I know I know, I got this," She continued putting herself a fight against Siren naval ships and dozens upon dozens of Siren aircraft. However, as time had passed, and the skies are now turning into dusk after more than an hour of a defensive battle against the Siren armada, they were now running out of ammunition and fuel, and one by one, they are being picked off.

"Commander, I don't think we'll be able to hold them out for much longer than this!... The... Sirens... they've broken the barrier and are coming in hot," said Hood as she slowly became exhausted while attempting to fire their guns at the supercarriers but to no avail.

"Okay, just go to retreat! Tell everyone to fall back to the quayside to regroup!" said Berenson. "Eagle Union's reinforcements are halfway close to our base so hunker down for now!"

At that moment however, Georgia and Prince of Wales saw something flickering out in the sky, and suddenly, three Siren jet planes materialized itself into existence, and before they could realize it, the trio each dropped a Hellfire ship missile onto Hood. In no time, two warheads struck her hull, and she was engulfed in an almighty explosion. Her riggings were destroyed, and she was thrown back on the air and fell into the waves.

"Admiral Hood!" cried Prince of Wales and King George V, as Hood lies on the surface, writhing in pain as she struggles to get herself up. Berenson was shocked by this harrowing sight and realizing the danger, he yelled out on the communication channels:

"The Sirens, they pulled out the invisible bombers! Get to retreat positions and prepare the AA guns!"

Despite their attempts to get back to the docks, more and more of their naval forces are being taken out. Even their mass-produced warships built by Azur Lane, which they had been putting up a fight since the Sirens began their assault were also destroyed in an instant, and even the Five Miracles fleet, alongside Unicorn and Franklin's fleets are now in a critical situation as they are now hunted down by more and more invisible bombers, which was revealed it came from the Project Øresund supercarrier itself. The bombers had stalked the strongest of the ships and had now unleashed the silent hell while Prince of Wales, Illustrious, and King George V drags a severely injured Hood back to shore, where Unicorn's First Light Support fleet is now waiting.

"Thank goodness you're here!" Unicorn cried. "Is Hood okay!?"

"I can't tell but it's worse," said Prince of Wales.

While most of the shipgirls were able to evacuate back to shallow waters of the bay, some had suffered severe damage by the camouflaged bombers and are out of action. Dave Berenson tried to formulate another strategy to hold the Sirens back, but he, as well as Saratoga can only draw a blank...

"Commander!" said Georgia on the communicator. "We're almost down on ammunition... We could still fight but these bombers! They're not like the kind we saw before!"

The Observer called on the communication feed again and said:

"It seems your time is up... None of your strength and all of your bravado talk will save you... I guess it's time for our big beasts will have to taste its first blood to end your misery... Starting with your precious commander back here," 

At that moment, the anti-matter particle railgun from the Øresund battleship starts to charge up and turned its barrel right towards the hillside where the Azur Lane headquarters was located. 

"Oh no..." Dave said now feeling horrified as he watched the railgun starts generating a large energy sphere from the tip of the barrel.

"Commander! No!" cried Hood as she, in pain, tried to stand up and fire at Øresund but was held down by Unicorn and Hornet, who also watched with deepening fear.

The railgun is now reaching critical firing energy phase... and Dave, who already saw what that railgun does, realized the end is near... Even Saratoga knew about this too, and some of the base command staff attempted to hide under cover or run away, but it was all futile as there is no way they could escape froom the blast radius...

They all shut their eyes as Dave and Saratoga ducked their heads as they waited for an inevitable brink of death...

...

..

Chapter Text

<>

78th Precinct Building, Brooklyn
7:57 PM

<>

At the 78th Precinct Building of the New York City Police Department, Sergeant Kiefer McGuinness has been sitting around the precinct for hours, having witnessed the attempted robbery of Vicerone on television. Sometimes he'd lay back on his desk chair trying to relax as he waits for news from Mitchell Dessner, but after seeing the events that happened across New York City for a past couple of days - especially the attempted robberies he had witnessed - he was anxious.

He observes three officers working in 78th Precinct Lyustifer Marrow, Alex Carter, and Charlotte McGuyer, making themselves a bet on whether if there is about to be a robbery happening in Brooklyn within the night; they settle on raising their bets until one is satisfied. Before Kiefer could even butt in and make an outrageous sum, his cellphone on his desk rang. He slowly pulls it out from the desk where he had it placed and was shocked but also relieved to see Mitchell on his contacts.

"H-hello, Sergeant Mitchell where the hell have you been?" he spoke. "You've been silent for the last few hours!"

"I'm sorry about the whole situation," said Mitchell on the phone. "I've been chased and almost got myself killed in the Bronx, so I've been in the dark now trying to lose whoever's trying to kill me or his family..."

"W-wait... His family, is he safe? I mean I just saw the news about a shooting in the Bronx..." Kiefer then whispered and Mitchell replied: "Yes... Ms. Dukhovich and her son Martin, they're alright... I'm just about a few more exits down, then I'll be with you shortly..."

"Ok just be careful... The whole precinct's a lot nervous right now, dealing with the protests, the shootout in the Bronx, a riot in Kings County Hospital, and I couldn't even get in touch with Senna as of now..."

"I'll make it back... I'll need Frederick's information, no matter what..." grunted Mitchell. "By the way, is he okay?"

"Frederick's resting comfortably inside the interrogation room and I've left one officer to look after him," said Kiefer. "And also, about the other assailants you asked me to question them..."

"Any luck?"

"None..." Kiefer sighed. "Many of them kept their mouths shut, and a few others told me to suck my dick..."

"Of course..." Mitchell sighed as well, having already expected Kiefer's response. "Just keep Frederick safe until I come back with his family, it's the only way that will make him open up..." Mitchell advised before he hangs up the phone call. However, right at that same moment, Precinct Captain Christian Brandt burst out from his office with anxiety flowing down from his face. He approached Kiefer and officers Lyustifer, Alex and Charlotte, asking if he had heard from Lieutenant Julian Senna.

Kiefer replied:

"No sir, I can't get in touch with him either..." The other two spoke the same thing and said the last they saw him was in the late afternoon.

"You have any idea where he was, or have you last seen him? Did he said anything where he was going?" asked Brandt. Kiefer wrangled around his head wondering what to do next. He knew that Mitchell is about to return with Frederick's family and that he thought that will be the key to getting more information out of him, although he remembered Travis Larkin's threats back at the Mount Sinai Hospital. To err of the side of caution, he can only reply:

"Not me as well... Last time I've seen him, he sat on his desk until the late hours before he left..." He didn't specifically mention about Senna's visit at the Kings County Hospital - the place where it had become a site of a riot - nor the fact that he already knew where Senna would be heading, because, as much he is a stickler for rules, he understood that revealing the information right now would invite an even bigger risk, either for him or Senna. Luckily however, his feigning of ignorance of Senna's whereabouts was enough for Captain Christian Brandt to buy it for now.

"Alright, but regardless, we'll need try and find him as soon as possible..." he said. "If these two come out empty handed, I need you to scrounge whatever information Lieutenant Senna has and see if there is any link."

He turns to the three police officers Lyustifer, Charlotte and Alex and orders them to find Senna by his residence to see if he is still there. However, Lyustifer picks up the phone to check his text messages and said:

"Captain, I'm sorry but I was told there was a malfunction of the fuses near the air-conditioning ducts just on the roof." He shows the text message to Christian Brandt proving the importance of needing to fix the airconditioning unit, who he replied:

"Alright, but if the situation calls for it, get your ass back here,"

As a mechanic, he opts to fix the fuses while the two remaining officers decide to head out for Senna's residence just near the Brooklyn Bridge. After when the three officers disappeared from the precinct squad room, Kiefer decides to wait it out for Mitchell Dessner to return with Frederick's family as he knew that he needed to know more information from Frederick in a place he thought would be safe but he knew that when it comes to this, he'll have to spill the beans.

<>

????
8:00 PM

<>

Meanwhile, NYPD Lieutenant Julian Senna's senses slowly start to recover as he regains consciousness... By the time his vision came back, he looked around and saw people all around him, chatting about and discussing what to do with him... Judging the flooring and the walls, he realized he is inside the indoor gun range where he had tied one of the guards there for his disguise.

When his sense of touch came back, Senna quickly realizes that, aside from him still wearing the outfit from the guard he stole, he is being tied to the chair, using both plastic zipties to hold his legs by the chair, and handcuffs to restrain his hands tied on his back. The chair he is sitting on is fixed to the floor by chain and nails, making it impossible for him to even stand up. He knew he got caught, and he expects the worst.

"What the hell am I gonna do now..." he thought to himself.

"Wakey wakey douchebag..." said the man who spotted Senna already waking up. Almost immediately, everyone inside the soundproofed garage-turned shooting range stopped speaking at once and turned their contemptuous and menacing gaze onto Senna. The man who spoke up, walked up to him, wielding a crowbar and said:

"What the hell is this errant person doing here in our humble abode?"

"Humble abode?" Senna thought to himself but said nothing, only staring back at the person and looking around the entire group circling around him. Among them is Tom and Lyor, who were shocked to find out that the guard they had spoken to by the kitchen only several minutes before is actually an intruder in disguise.

"I can't believe this guard here is actually that government spy in disguise..." said Lyor who was shocked by what he saw.

"And this son of a bitch whacked the actual one... Now he's got brain damage because of you..." added Tom fumingly who directed his hostile gaze at Senna.

"Well they knew now, it's over..." Senna thought to himself. He still said nothing and can only move his eyes slightly away from theirs to avoid their gazes. Seeing Senna's eye's however, the torturer responds by swinging his crowbar right at Senna's left thigh in great force that it caused him to yell out in pain.

"Why are you here? Tell me what this spy is doing here? Who are you working for!?" the torturous interrogator asked. Senna stomped his left foot in an attempt to negate his pain before he can only respond:

"Money... And nothing else I can tell you..."

The torturer shoved the back, metallic wedged, part of the crowbar onto his abdomen, wincing in pain and grunting hard as a result. The man repeated the question albeit with some slight revisions:

"Why are you here? Tell me what are you doing here? And who are you working for?"

"You don't need to ask..." said a distant voice coming from the other side of the indoor shooting range. Senna watches as the people took a few steps aside, making way for a man wearing all-black military gear with a camo shirt underneath, and a grey kevlar vest in front. He also wears an olive drab colored helmet covering a large part of his black spiked hair, but with a blue stripe painted on the helmet.

"Commander Babbitt..." gasped Tom. "This man yielded no information... He's roughing him up now..."

"I said, there's no need to..." said Babbitt as he takes off his helmet and turned to Senna. "I've read his files about you... Your name is Julian Senna... You were first born in Brazil in 1979 before you grew up in Queens after your father fled during the democratization of Brazil, is that correct?" he asked.

"Tch," Senna sneered but nodded. "What's it to you? What else do you don't know about me?"

"I also know that you are a police lieutenant of the New York City Police Department, considering that you are nothing like what I see on the county records..." he replied. "In addition to that, your father was a former Brazilian Army solider and intelligence officer from Brazil's old intelligence agency..."

Everyone around him gasped but Senna grunted:

"You know nothing about my father, and you must stay the hell out of it!"

"Calm down..." said Babbitt. "I'm just here having a chat... and to get to know you... Forgive my subordinates but as you know, they really loathe government spies, and whatever basically everyone whose political affiliation and beliefs does not align with theirs..." He spoke in a somewhat calm, collected, and a professionalism manner without being almost as fazed whenever Senna's temper boils.

"Your father was instrumental in handling against communist dissent across Brazil as a NIS' Ideological Secretariat," he continued. "But after when Brazil began to democratize starting in '85, he fled from the liberal government and became one of the speakers in one of the conservative think tanks, but after several years, he disappeared from public eye due to health reasons..."

"Fuckers... Detective Mika ain't the only one who dug up about my father..." he thought to himself before he then asked Babbitt:

"How the hell do you know who I am, and my father was?"

"To answer your first question Lieutenant Senna," replied Babbitt. "I took your blood sample while you were knocked out... In goes with your fingerprints and checking your phone, and its simple really..."

Babbitt took a breath, and he continued:

"Secondly, during my stride in anti-government activism, I came across your father when I attended one of the political conventions back in '95."

"Great, have you spoke with my dad?" Senna scoffed. Babbitt replied:

"We've only met and spoke a couple of times from then on but after September 11th, around 21 years ago, he disappears from public eye. He never spoke about you during the time, but his speeches made me realize that everything I believed in was all an utter lie... He bolstered my views how corrupt our federal government system is and how they leave our citizens feel neglected and spiteful..."

"I've heard that so many times before...." thought Senna sulkily.

"Now normally my colleagues and the leader of this chapter, Mr Larkin, would want a pound of flesh," said Babbitt. "But I have seen your employment records... You were a cop, joining around 2 years your ex-partner was, and see how much your city and your life crumbling around you after you've been on this shit for 24 years and feel like nothing changed?"

Babbitt touched his palms on top of Senna's restrained hands and said:

"You and I, we can relate with our endless feeling of career and psychological dead ends, and I believe you and I know the true root, the true source of all anxiety, uncertainty and fear of yourself and your career..."

"And what the hell is that you are talking about?" Senna inquired as he pushed Babbit's hands away from him, causing him to take a few steps back.

Babbitt spoke:

"It's your ex-partner Richard, of course. After he had been fired for killing one of your own, he had given you so many favors more than you can fathom of, and frankly, these favors he owed you are what's putting your life and your career and reputation at risk, but it doesn't have to be this way..."

"Augh..." Senna grunted with the pain he's still having from his left abdomen and his thigh. "What are you trying to say?"

"You know the streets, and you may know about the 78th Precinct better than you, so why not we form a partnership?"

The men around him were surprised about this proposal. Babbitt continued:

"By partnering with me, you'll be free from these restraints, and you are obliged to do everything we ask of you as a new member of the Fathers of Veritas, you know, seek out vital intelligence on public sectors, infrastructure, or even politicians we want to target... We can organize and create disorder and chaos at wherever we wish..."

"But Commander!?" cried Tom. "He's the one who shot Leader Larkin a few days ago!"

"I'm perfectly aware of that..." said Babbitt. "I've already contacted him and said that he's okay. However, we have a mission to do, and in these circumstances, we cannot spend our time going through his usual welcoming ceremonies... I'm the one who gets to decide who is valuable and deserves to live or not..."

Senna grunted: "The only reason I shot your first in command, it was because he was going to kill an innocent person, and I didn't know him until just now!"

Babbitt responded: "Innocent, well be that as it may... Richard is not a very popular local figure as you may be aware... No matter... I'll forgive you if you can at least work for me... Leave your old friends behind and start a new chapter, this time, not just to fight crime on the streets itself, but to fight crime within the government itself..."

Babbitt looped around Senna as he said:

"The federal government has spent for far too long, alienating people who masquerades their policies to lie, cheat and steal... They used you for their own gain and to push for government policies strictly aimed to benefit for the rich, and only for the rich..."

"..And you, seeing you have a form of a parental background that involves fighting against communism, I feel like it is right that I convince you to switch sides and fight for Veritas, to take down governmental tyranny and expose their harsh truths... We act as a spearhead so others will seize the opportunity to strike one way or another before we give our citizens equal share..."

Babbitt leans his face closer to Senna and gives him a choice:

"...All you have to do is say 'I accept' and, aside from skipping the ordination measures, we will start by getting rid of every abscess from the system and cut off its head... Or you die a slow and torturous death... and everyone you know, friends and family, they are going to join with you..."

Senna took several deep breaths to think it through, and after a while, he spoke:

"That's a good one but you got so many things wrong..."

"And that is...?" inquired Babbitt.

Senna spat at Babbit's pants and replied: "I never liked my father very much... I only followed his teachings just to clamp back at his ass and keep my real friends safe... And also... I never agree with everything you said, you all just wanted blood and control... And whatever this is or ya'll gonna do, take over New York City, or the state, or the White House by force? I will not let that happen..."

"Nah nah, you're basically projecting," nodded Tom, callously dismissing Senna's predictions as nothing more than his confession on behalf of the liberals, who the Fathers of Veritas sees them as fierce enemies on the political background. Senna, taken aback by Tom's response, yells out:

"Fuck you!" Senna then tried to punch Tom by forcefully pulling himself free from his restraints so he could land a hook at Tom's face, but to no avail.

Babbit gave a disappointing nod as he wipes off Senna's spit from his pants and sighed: "I was hoping you'd see the truth, and join our cause to destroy tyrannical corruption and take out anyone that stands in our way, but..."

Babbitt turns his back around facing Senna and said with a blank intimidating stare on his face:

"You just signed yourself a death warrant..."

As he proceeds to walk out from the indoor gun range, Babbitt said to his members: "Get the contraption ready, we're going to start a ritual..."

Senna angrily yells for Babbitt to face him.

"You bitch! Come back here! You will never get away with this, I will fucking kill you...!"

"Shut this projecting pig up..." said Babbit without even looking back. It was the last thing Senna could hear, before with just one whack on the back of the head with a crowbar, he was knocked unconscious once more... As he lies silent, the members grab a piece of masking tape and stuck by his mouth, to ensure he cannot make a cry for help...

<>

Vicerone Cashbacks Department Store, Manhattan
8:44 PM

<>

After having spent a little time to recover herself, Enterprise continued to work alongside Helena in keeping the store safe all whilst overseeing the ongoing rehabilitation project. Her nerves are still shaken by the amount of fighting she had undertaken against the thieves, as well as being unnerved by the sudden reappearance of the man she first met at the bus stop just out in Brooklyn and was trying to believe it was all a coincidence.

Her violent outburst at Hale Specter led to the formation of doubts from people in and out from the Vicerone circles in regards to her incapability to work as Helena's deputy assistant, and some make their own theories about her mental troubles, which literally matched just as what Helena and Richard's close colleagues had predicted.

"Hey look, its her..."

"Does Ms. Winters feel anything about him?"

"Are these two thieves innocent all along? Are we wrong about them?"

"Is the company okay hiring this lunatic?"

"She must resign before more innocents get hurt..."

Enterprise continued hearing rumor after rumor as she continued inspecting the rehabilitation work, surveying the construction crews and equipment, and keeping civilians out from restricted areas all while becoming Helena's right-hand woman through and through both on the desk and out on the store's corridors and retail areas. Helena herself she could see their expressions ranging from skeptical or doubt to outright scorn and embitterment from both the shoppers and her fellow employees wherever she and Enterprise go.

Finally, whenever if she is asked random questions directly, both Helena and Enterprise would always respond by either walking away or saying, "No comment" as they walk away. On some occasions, they always require intervention by Nate and the Prefect Team's security guards. Enterprise would always put up with it like she always tries to brush off her sense of guilt in believing that she did the right thing, a similar case when she had once fought against her own kind and against civilians and soldiers from nations they were once allied under one banner.

After working throughout the night, Helena was already exhausted, having walking around, inspecting every facilities and critical systems. Nate is also exhausted after managing their training sessions for the new security guard team under Platinum Shield's backing. With everything quieted down, she and Nate, followed by Sebastian all decided to call it a night and hit the hay.

Nate and Enterprise sat inside the borough taxi before the driver drops her off at the Kings County Hospital, where Mika, Laffey and Javelin are still inside the ward trying to keep Richard company. He waved his hands wishing her well and advises to get herself enough rest to prepare for tomorrow before he asked the taxi driver to head for his home as well. Enterprise reluctantly walked through the reception hall, where much of the mess caused by the short period of rioting instigated by her own doing, are still being cleaned up by police officers and construction cleanup crews.

After taking through the hallway and walked upstairs on the second floor towards Richard and Mika's patient ward, she slowly extended her hand by the doorknob and twisted it open. The sound of the door clunking drew the attention from Richard and Mika, as well as her friends and fellow comrades, Javelin and Laffey, who are all resting by the couch and watching television when they all see her.

Richard stood up, walking in crutches, and walked towards Enterprise as he said: "Ms. Winters... I'm glad you are safe..."

"It was one hell of a fight you got!" exclaimed Javelin. "That detective here she said you were improving since the last time you were beaten up..."

"Like I said, I trained her well..." Richard slyly chuckled. Enterprise said rather glumly: "I don't know about that... But I may have hurt an innocent person... It's my fault..."

"No, it's okay..." he said as he hugs Enterprise. "You are strong and you were just stressed out from what had happened... Right now, I need you to get some rest, you look already exhausted..."

"You're right... Thank you..." nodded Enterprise. Mika meanwhile watched the two closely. After what she had witnessed in Sea Gate, she's already grappling between what to believe Richard in, as since from that point on when she saw Richard and Enterprise together, she didn't know what to think about who Lulie Winters actually is, and she also suspected that it might not even be her real name, nor was she even from the city.

"Sirens... World domination... I can get about the World War II vibes, but what is she actually experiencing?" she thought to herself. "Was she even from here?"

<>

4th Ivy St, Cedarhurst, Nassau County
9:11 PM

<>

Back inside the Fathers of Veritas' hideout, Senna, once again, was able to regain consciousness. He felt a pain on the back of his head, but he's still restrained by his handcuffs tying his hands behind his chair, as well as his legs secured by zipties. He could see that he was still alone, and all the lights in the room were switched off... He knew that the group is still working on a contraption he suspected will be used to execute him, whether it be gallows or an iron maiden, but his nerves start to shudder at the fact that time is about to run out. At any time, he would soon be killed, and he is becoming desperate.

He shouted and shouted, but against the soundproof lining across the walls, his cries were easily absorbed, and no one can even hear his cries. He had already exhausted himself trying to force his way out from his restraints and he didn't have any options on what to do next...

"I should have called for backup when I had the chance," he stumped. "Is this it? Papa, is this how it's supposed to end!?" he thought to himself.

As he was fuming and was about to fall in despair, he heard the door creaking open and the lights went on once more. Three people walked towards him as they pass through the shooting booth and into the gun range area where he was restrained.

"What the hell do you all want with me!? You all gonna give me one last torture before my watery grave!?" he scoffed angrily but his mouth was still taped shut so he could only give out muffling noises as he speaks.

"Leave us... " the masked figure spoke to the two escorting guards who they nodded without question and left the masked figure and Senna alone. As soon as they do, the figures pulls the masking tape out from his mouth. After getting himself some air, he looks at the person and scoffed:

"Oh just you and me? You have no idea what you are going to say, or who are you dealing with, so why don't get this over with or you can just back the fuck off. Otherwise. I will kill you if you continue to stand around..."

"Really? After I have given you the lox with cream cheese?" the voice chuckled. His heart froze, as he couldn't help but wonder:

"That voice earlier, and now she said about the lox, No... It can't be..."

Before he could try to process, shortly after, the masked figure unfurls their hood and pulled down the mask, and much to his shock, he could see Saki, the same person who he had given her an order for his lox with cream cheese at the local bagel shop just hours ago, standing in front of him.

"H-how the fuck..." he stuttered. "I... I can't believe this.. You're working with them!?"

"N-not officially..." said Saki with a nod. She pulls something out from her pants pocket and unfurls a black folding wallet, showing the identification card that bears her photo and the name "Saki Yoshio O'Hara". and Senna sees the organizational seal attached to it...

"Special Agent Saki... Y-you're working with the FBI?" he exclaimed quietly.

"Joint Terrorism Task Force, and my division handles domestic terrorism cases..." said Saki. "Meanwhile, my occupation as a store worker in a local bagel shop, it's both my part-time job and cover..."

"Cover... so you can get close... Get close as an undercover agent?" he said, guessing what her actual motive was, and Saki confirmed this by nodding: "That's right... The Bureau has been searching and tracking down far-left and far-right militia and terrorist groups since our sub-division was founded months after the infamous Capitol attack..."

"What? What terrorist groups are you dealing with?" he inquired.

"I'm not authorized to explain, it's classified..." Saki nodded as she inspects her sidearm she had brought as part of her undercover operation against the Fathers of Veritas. "But what I can explain is to you is that this organization, its our recent objective that we have been tracking for the past 6 months and I was inserted here by my superiors to gather intelligence, although I have never expected that a local cop like you would end up getting tangled in this mess looking for a same thing..."

"Tch, that boss man of yours in Veritas, aside from Babbitt, he had hurt my friend and I'm trying to stop him from harming everyone else..." said Senna. "But then again, I couldn't help it as a wannabe intelligence officer and yeah, I never expected that a mere assailant of his would be part of a terrorist group... but I had been using my father's teachings to try and get ahead of them..."

"I could understand that..." said Saki having already learned of his identity when he was first held captive. "Considering your father was an intelligence officer and you're here, playing spy... And playing spy for a cop without knowing the enemy enough, it usually doesn't end well..."

"The hell was that supposed to mean..." he asked.

"You're underestimating this organization..." Saki warned. "You had thought Larkin is a nobody, or is part of a ragtag group looking to ruin your friend's life for what happened 17 years ago, but unfortunately, you were being made the moment you stepped foot into their territory.."

"What?!" he gasped. "You mean you suspect there's a mole?"

Saki leans close to Senna and whispered:

"Think about it.... How did they know you were going to have a drop on them... Who is giving them inside intel, and what do they have the most to lose if – at some point – they discover this hideout..."

"God damn it..." he seethed. "Y-you know about this? You know who the mole is?"

"That was only my hunch based on my 4-year experience," she reiterated. "But I'm sorry, I have yet to know who are the moles, and judging the circumstances, you may not have enough time..."

Senna clicked his tongue and nodded disappointingly. He then asked Saki with the other question about the Fathers of Vertias:

"This organization, you suspect they're planning something big?"

Saki paused for a moment and took their time to listen intently for anyone that may be coming, but then the two heard a knock from the two guards who she had them stationed outside, saying:

"Foxbat," they said, which is Saki's secret callsign as part of her undercover identity working for the Fathers of Veritas. "Are you done? The contraption's halfway done!"

"I'm working on it!" she yelled out. She then quickly turns to Senna who also realizes that time is running out.

"I'll brief you in with the details at a later time," Saki exhaled. "Right now, the most important thing is getting you out of here... But..."

"But what?" he said. Saki paused to think of a plan on how to break Senna out of here, and soon she had an idea, but it means she had to break it to Senna for what to do next...

"The only opportunity I can give you is when they're going to execute you using the contraption they're building..."

"Ok, I'd rather not want to find out what that is... But you have a plan on how to get me out of this shit?" he said frantically.

"Like I said, the only opportunity I can give you is when they're going to execute you..." Saki then pulled out a hairpin from her light blonde hairlocks and hands it over by Senna's left palm and explained:

"During the execution ritual, the group will shut down the security cameras only on the backyard pool area where that ritual will take place. From there, this will give you a window to break yourself out of here and run from there..."

"What?" Senna was confused. "How is this going to work?"

"I'll try and make a distraction. Use that pin I give you to pick the lock when I give you the signal, then run through the backyard fence, and get yourself out of here straight away... If possible, call the police and let them know where they are..." she said quietly as she knelt on behind his back, handed her hairclip to Senna's palm and curled his fingers, motioning him to hold it tightly. "If I make it loud enough, that should distract these guys, give you one shot to escape, possibly, bring the cops' attention,..."

"Wait-- what about you!?" he cried. "How are you going to get out!?"

"I'll manage," she said. "But in case if I'm not going to make it, everything I have on Veritas is in my house..."

She then stood up and then rubbed her fists.

"Now, I'm going to have to beat the shit out of you..." she whispered.

"What?" Senna exclaimed quietly.

"No one will be any the wiser... Just trust me, okay?" Saki insisted whisperingly and Senna, now hearing the knocks on the door behind her, reluctantly nodded:

"Okay, fine.... Just get this over with..."

With a relenting sigh and Senna taking a deep breath, Saki raised her fist and strikes at Senna's chest and face repeatedly, making sure to avoid his eyes and his kneecaps, with each hit that caused Senna to yell out in pain. Her plan was to beat Senna up to make the guards believe she has been torturing him. Regardless of if she's going to leave empty handed or not, with the group setting the stage to perform an execution ritual, she knew they won't care about his own life, and to ensure his escape, Saki does everything she could to make Senna bruised and battered even more to make it believable for the guards.

After landing a dozen punches on Senna, she stops and pauses to take a breath. Peering on the exhausted and battered Senna, she whispers:

"Good luck Lieutenant..." Before she furled her hood back on her head and pulled up her mask on her face and walked back out of the gun range. She knocked on the door, and two guards opened the door. The two guards looked at Senna as Saki said:

"No word... Let's go sit back and watch the execution... Watch the front doors just in case..."

"Right away Foxbat..." the guard nodded before the three leaves Senna alone without even having to check his body thoroughly. Despite having been beaten up so many times in one night as well as having searing pain on his upper body and thighs, he still kept hold of Saki's hairclip, and now with a tool on hand to pick a lock on the cuffs, he is ready to use it when they are going to drown him...

<>

78th Precinct Building, Brooklyn
9:17 PM

<>

Back inside the 78th Precinct, NYPD Sergeant Mitchell Dessner finally arrived back at the precinct with Frederick's family; his wife Celeria Dukhovich and son, Martin, already shaken by the drive-by chase, but otherwise unharmed. Mitchell suffered only minor injuries with the gunfire he and his undercover Dodge Charger had sustained but he brushes them off as Sergeant Kiefer McGuinness and Captain Christian Brandt were shocked but elated to see him.

"Mitch!" said Brandt frantically. "Are you okay? And who are these two?" He inquired about Celeria and Martin and both Kiefer and Mitchell explained everything what happened in the Bronx.

"C-Captain, are there any civilians who were hurt because of me?"

"Word is there were only a few... mainly from civilians walking along the path on a central median of the Pelham..." said Bryan.

"These people who are stalking Frederick's family and who had been chasing me, they are armed with fully automatic weapons..." grunted Mitchell. "Something tells me, they are not from this state at all..."

"Captain, have you checked the vehicle registration plate or the individuals who were in the van?" asked Kiefer, but Brandt replied: "Information's scarce, but we will try our best to forensically identify a bomb van, while all precincts in the Bronx are responding, but we will get to it in around the next few hours."

"Alright, I'll let Fred know and you bring these two to him.." said Kiefer as he rushes towards the interrogation room where he and Mitchell had kept him safe inside. He thought that with the wife and child present as assurance to put his faith on the NYPD, he could reveal the location of the Fathers of Veritas' hideout and get it over with. However, with a twist of the doorknob, he opens the door and gasped in horror.

"Fred!" he called out. His panicked expression alarms Mitchell and Brandt, and most devastatingly of all, Celeria and Martin. The four rushed towards Kiefer and are beyond appalled to see Frederick Dukakis lying on the floor with a gaping wound in his chest.

"Call the bus! And lock the building down, we may have a killer on the loose," Christian yelled out as his squad officers scramble to block the doorways and secure the interrogation room and to call for an ambulance. Celeria and Martin was horrified to see Frederick and Mitchell, also in shock, tries to pull the family aside while Brandt and Kiefer tried to tend to his wound.

"Fred... You're gonna be okay, just stay with me..."

"S-Sir..." Frederick struggles to speak as blood was gushing out from his mouth and Brandt responded by wiping the blood off using his handkerchief from his pocket. Kiefer could see that his life is slipping away, and aware that he is not going to make it, he asked Frederick: