Shallow Waves (Azur Lane)

Enterprise

William Thompson's P.O.V

As I sat in my office, leaning back in my chair my head would swirl with dead-end thoughts. I stared up at the ceiling pretending it was a white canvas and painted my thoughts across it. Each thought was random yet had nothing to do with the troubles we currently face. They were simply thoughts of my past and thoughts of my present, thoughts of what I would have ended up like had I not joined the navy. Thoughts of how I would be living differently in a separate universe. 

Just dead-end thoughts, nothing more. 

For the past few days, I had noticed myself getting tired much faster than normal, though I'd stay up until twelve in the morning going through reports and schedules, which never seemed to affect me in any way up until this point. My trip to the Sakura Empire the other day didn't do much to help either.

My random thinking was abruptly interrupted by a knock at the door, I silently groaned as I straightened my back in the chair and leaned my elbows on the desk. "Come in" I answered the knock.

The doorknob clicked and to my surprise, the Royal Navy maid Belfast walked in. I did a visible double-take as she came to stand in front of my desk and smile once noticing my confusion. Normally the only ships that came into my office were those from the Maple Monarchy and Prince of Wales.

"Hello sir" Belfast said as she bowed. I quickly cleared my throat to answer her. "Good afternoon Belfast. Er, What can I do for you?"

"I'm glad you asked, you've studied psychology before joining the navy correct?" She asked. 

"I did, how did you know that?"

"I did a little research on you, sorry for the intrusion into your background, but I-"

"I'm sorry but I have to stop you right there. You intentionally dug into my background without my knowledge? I don't necessarily enjoy the security of my life being breached. For what reason did you do this?"

"W-Well sir I was getting to a part of that. But the reasoning behind it was just simple curiosity at first, I apologize. But now the reasoning has changed and I have a request!"

I leaned back in my chair with mixed feelings. "go on?" 

Belfast smiled once more. "Well sir as I looked through your life, I noticed how well you are at treating and communicating with the ships, and I wondered if you could be of some use. See I have been ordered to look after USS Enterprise and help her in discovering who she is-"

"I see where this is going" I cut her off. "But I must decline your request. I must look after my own fleet not look after and teach another ship from a separate nation" 

"Ah, I forgot to mention I spoke to her majesty about it before coming here. She said it was a wonderful idea. She has given the order for you to help" Belfast said abruptly.

I nearly choked on my saliva after she said it. "I'm sorry, You said it was a request!" I coughed. 

"I did, It was a request from myself, but an order from her majesty Queen Elizabeth" 

This sucked. If what Wales said were true then I would not be able to deal with the Queen's annoyed state. "What about my fleet? How am I supposed to manage that while I'm out?" I asked. 

"Oh I'm sure miss Ontario can step in if something comes up. After all, She did take over while you were presumed dead those three days" 

Though there was a rough start in the beginning, Belfast was right. "I don't appreciate being misled either" I said. "Fine, I'll help Enterprise, For how long?"