Zhejiang and Enterprise (Book One)

Realization

It takes some time but with Yorktown's help, I manage to make it to the beach. We'd initially planned on going to the dorms but I just couldn't bring myself to return indoors. The fact that Vestal is probably waiting on me to tell me off is also something I'm not exactly looking forward to. I know she's done her best to help me and given the difference between what she's used to and my own ship, she'd done a great job, but...

Yorktown: So, I actually wanted to talk to you. 

Her voice breaks my thoughts. Looking up, I find that we're by ourselves. Jiangsu is some distance away, playing with some other girls. Turning back to face her, I find a rather curious look in her eye but I still remain silent, wanting to first hear what she has to say.

Yorktown: Do you love my little sister?

Me: I-

Yorktown: And I mean, truly love her.

The second part of her question gives me pause. What if I don't? What if this is all just an in the moment thing and it'll go away? As I sit there, thinking about my feelings for Enterprise, she turns her attention back to Jiangsu. Watching her, I notice that even though she's waiting on my reply, she's still keeping an eye on my sister and ensuring she's safe and for the first time I realize what a terrible person I've been. 

Not only did I entirely abandon Jiangsu on her own but even now, as she plays, I wasn't even watching her to ensure she's okay and doesn't go wandering off or anything. Then there's Dalian whom I've also ditched on multiple occasions despite her being like a little sister to me. Not to mention the entire nation of Dragon Empery. I'm their leader now and yet I haven't so much as considered returning before now.

As the last thought crosses my mind, horror strikes me. What if they've been attacked in my absence? I haven't contacted them or anything. Am I even still their Empress or has that opportunity passed by? 

????: [Understood. Arranging departure. Course set for Shanghai, Dragon Empery.]

Huh? Well, I guess now would be as good a time to return. After all, I'd also be able to get the proper repairs I might need there given we'd set up facilities for such when Dalian and I had first arrived. 

????: [Understood. Sending an Encrypted message to Type-055 Destroyer Dalian. Delivery successful.] 

Hearing the voice again gives me pause but it's not long before I figure out what it is. I may not know how it came to be or what it's called but it is almost certainly an assistant of sorts. It's the same voice I'd heard before fainting and that I heard after the whole incident. Of course, it could just as well be hostile but I doubt that given it's done nothing but inform me of things and help me do things much faster than I'd otherwise be able to. 

Me: [Say, what's your name?]

????: [Error. Name not found.]

So a type of Ai then. That's interesting, at the very least. I wonder if it's something that was added to my ship when I'd returned to...

Yorktown: Miss Zhejiang? 

Me: Hmm? Oh, I was just lost in thought for a second.

Yorktown: I can tell, though your ship is currently heading this way.

Me: My ship?

She points and as my eyes trace her fingers, I'm surprised to find my carrier speeding towards the shore. Seeing no other way for me to stop it in time but also having made up my mind, I call out to Jiangsu to tell her we're leaving before arming my ship. Unlike times before, however, things don't go as expected. 

The ship explodes, blanketing the entire harbour in thick fog-like mist. As it does, there are flashes of black and yellow. The temperature plummets, creating a path of solid ice for me to walk on towards the centre of the harbour.

Behind me, I hear Yorktown calling out as panicking girls run back and forth like mad. They seemingly think we're under attack but with the fog so thick, they have no idea of what direction to point towards to fire so instead, a few begin firing blindly into the harbour. As they do, a hand grabs mine.

Jiangsu: What's happening? 

Me: Not sure but we're leaving.

Jiangsu: Where are we going?

Me: Home.

Jiangsu: Can Miss Yorktown come? Is...her sister coming too?

Me: I doubt that.

Picking her up, I continue making my way towards my ship which I can still sense but a sudden feeling has me breaking into a sprint and not a moment too soon as behind us, an explosion sends water and ice flying. 

????: [Charge complete. All units returning. Preparing to jump.]

Me: [Jump?]

The minute the word leaves my mind, yellow flashes erupt from my body as all the cubes of my ship return to me. The minute the last one arrives, my vision changes. The shift is so jarring I think something's wrong at first but after a while, I'm able to realise that it's simply a new feature. With it, I can not only see the entire harbour through the fog but I can also see the girls, buildings, ships and even the trajectory of incoming fire along with calculations on whether I need to avoid them or not and how best to do so. 

Before I can fully take everything in, however, yellow streaks of light appear in the air beside me, moving forward. I turn to try and avoid them but they seemingly track my movements, always pointing directly ahead of me.

Me: [What-]

????: [Jump successful.]

A sudden tug on my body propels me forward at blinding speeds. My vision goes white.