Chapter 3-7
Panama was a wreck. The entire country was literally and figuratively on fire, mostly literally.
The canal was in ruins and General Manuel Noriega was still in power. The American base was abandoned, and there was empty hulls all along the coast and some even in the streets on both sides of the canal.
"Well, this is completely destroyed." Salt lake says
The girls were standing on the water looking at the entrance to the canal from the Pacific Ocean.
"I knew it would be bad but not this bad," Georgia says sadly.
"I'm astounded by our time." Independence says holding her bow.
"8 days. That's honestly impressive. Though maybe we could've been faster if we didn't stop at Hornet, Iowa, and Midway." Enterprise says
"You enjoyed seeing your sister and you know it," Georgia says
"Are we going to be able to get food here?" Knight asks
"It's probably not a good idea too. Why don't you girls run ahead and I'll be right behind?" Georgia asks
"You are looking for more of those cubes Huh?" Enterprise states
"I think we'll stop by the old naval base and raid the freezer the food might still be good," Atlanta says
"Fine just be careful," Georgia says
"We've been by it plenty of times," Enterprise says reassuringly.
Georgia nods trusting the fleet to meet her in the Gulf of Mexico. After spending a cube on each spirit they visited on the west coast to make them visible to humans and able to interact with the physical world she was down to 12 that could be used without sacrificing another spirit.
"I think I'll stick with you," Archerfish says having surfaced.
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Taylor was cleaning up the basement to the house. She needed a place to hold her spiders that didn't scare her dad. He knew she was a cape and was fine with it, however, she needed to take care of her bugs.
So a box of stuff labeled desk decorations was being carried upstairs by the black-haired teen.
"Hey, dad? What's this box of stuff?" Taylor asks
"Oh? That, it's a box of knick-knacks your mom used to decorate her desk with." Danny says
"This thing is literally a plate of steel." Taylor deadpans pulling a hunk of metal out of the box.
"That plate of steel is a section of armor off of Warspite….." Danny says going silent.
Taylor looks at the metal plate in her hands in shock.
"Does mom have any other odd navy stuff in the house? I thought she was a literature professor." Taylor says
"Your mom had a masters in history and literature. Her main area of study was the Second World War. She was even an editor for James D Hornfisher." Danny says
"Do you think Warspite's spirit could be like Enterprise?" Taylor asks
"We will have to ask Georgia when she gets back. She was last seen off the coast of California heading south." Danny says
There was a knock at the door. Danny and Taylor looked at each other Taylor looked at the box in her hands before looking at her dad and nodding.
"I got it." Danny says
Taylor runs upstairs to her room with the box of stuff not wanting it to be seen.
"Ah, he finally made it. He wasn't kidding when he said the government was slow at making progress." Danny says walking over to the door.
The front door to the house opens to reveal a man in navy uniform standing there.
"Danny? You've certainly grown up Huh Kid."
"Captain Avatar," Danny says with a smile
The old bearded man grabs the rim of his captain's hat lifting up the front and showing an amazing smile.
"Danny you don't have to call me that anymore. In fact, I think I'm here for your boys today." Avatar says
"Right, the dry dock correct?" Danny asks
Functional dry docks were a rarity with the decline in shipping the need for them had almost dried up except for the navy and they had their own dry docks. So the fact that there was a new civilian dry dock really would help after that duel with game master.
"Yep Enterprise and Samuel B Robert's need some repair. The fact we don't have to sail them around South America to Pearl would help a lot." Avatar says before his phone rings.
A simple push of a button mutes the phone sending it to voicemail before the ringing starts again with a vengeance.
"Maybe you should get that?" Danny asks
Avatar looks at the phone before recoiling in shock.
"I do need to yes."
"Hello? Captian Avatar speaking?… what? No no, say it again, slower." Avatar says in complete confusion.
"What do you mean the Panama Canal just fixed itself and the fridge on the base is empty? What base?" Avatar asks
Danny watches the vice-admiral sigh tiredly.
"Danny, I have to run back to Norfolk. Probably stop by DC on the way. I'll be here when Enterprise and her escort group arrives though." Avatar says leaving the house in a hurry.
"The Panama Canal fixed? Do you think shipping could return?" Danny asks himself.