Bab 41

Enterprise and I are speeding back towards the harbour. She won't tell me what's wrong but judging from the look on her face I can at least tell that it's not an attack. No, whatever this is, it is something personal. Realising this, I focus on the matter at hand, simply getting her back there as quickly as possible. Since she left her ship behind, I'm the only one that can do this.

Me: Hold on! 

Enterprise: Hmm?

Moving to max power, I blast off with her in my arms but the speed surprises me, catching me off guard. When did I get this fast? I'm travelling so quickly that I leave a parted ocean in my wake. At this rate, we might split the base in half!

????: [Warning: Calibration incomplete.]

Calibration? Wait, who just spoke? What was that about?

Enterprise: What's wrong?

Snapping back to reality, I realise that I've slowed down almost to a halt. Shaking it off, for now, I lie, telling her it's fine before restarting. This time, however, I aim for less than full power and the remainder of our trip goes smoothly. 

When we arrive, I am surprised to find Jiangsu playing with a female I've never met before. From the looks of it, they are having fun but Enterprise seems even more surprised than I am. Like me, she's staring at them but an expression crosses her face that I can't quite comprehend. 

It doesn't take long for the pair to recognise that we are present and when they do, they wave, indicating that we should join them. As we do, I take a closer look at the female with Jiangsu but I still can't figure out who she is. Still, her attire tells she's certainly from Eagle Union.

????: Don't act so surprised to see me. Don't tell me you thought I'd stay in bed forever. Don't you have any faith in your big sis? 

(Image)

She stretches as she straightens from playing with Jiangsu on her level. As I take her appearance in, I still can't quite place her. She said she's Enterprise's sister but I only know about Hornet. Did she have another all this time and if so why am I only hearing about it now? Furthermore, how did Jiangsu meet her? I have so many questions...

Enterprise: You...you're outside!

????: All thanks to this darling which cheered me up.

She squeezes Jiangsu's cheek as she speaks, for emphasis, and I'm surprised to find my little sister grinning from ear to ear. I thought she was the shyest thing on two legs. 

????: Oh...you must be the infamous Zhejiang. Forgive me for not introducing myself sooner but I am Yorktown, Enterprise's older sister and your future sister-in-law if the rumours are to be believed.

I can't tell which of us redden more in response to her comment but I'm the first to break the silence that follows, shaking her hand and completing the introductions. Enterprise, unable to take it anymore, demands to know what she's heard to which her sister replies almost too eagerly. From her we learn that she's heard about our little escapades prior to my disappearance and can tell just how much her sister loves me just by seeing us reenter the harbour together. 

My heart skips a beat upon hearing that but Enterprise, on the other hand, looks like she's about to die from embarrassment. Just when I think things can't possibly go any further, however, Jiangsu decides to bring up what she saw. I can only stare in shock as she reveals every last detail leading up to her bolting off. Enterprise? She looks like she's died inside. 

Yorktown: Oh my! It sounds like you two had quite the adventure. 

Not sure how to answer or continue the conversation from here, I simply laugh nervously. Now looking for an escape, I search for a way to change the subject and almost immediately, the question arrives. It was the initial thing I was curious about when I saw them after all. 

Me: How did you guys meet? 

Yorktown: Now there's a story. Come, let's have something to eat whilst we talk. I don't doubt this will take a while. 

Jiangsu: Will there be sweets? 

Yorktown: Certainly. You can have as many sweets as you'd like.