The Bonds That Mend

Small Apologies and Shattered Truths

King George V was called to the Commander's office after thinking long and hard about her place at the base. She wanted to help, she wanted to make sure the mistakes of her world were not repeated in this one. However, with the Commander restricting her,  it is only a matter of time before she would lose it. Upon arrival at his office, King George V was welcomed to a variety of different foods and delicacies from the many factions found on his desk. Sitting across from her was Commander Jackson, sitting across the food-filled table with glee.

She wanted to punch that smirk off his face, but she managed to restrain herself from reacting to her feeling and her hunger as she sat down. "Why have you called me here?" King George V asked as she crossed her arms.

"I just want to talk," Allen said as he started to eat. "You know, I haven't had breakfast yet, so I ordered a big meal and I found myself not able to finish everything, so I thought-"

"I am afraid I am not hungry nor in the mood for eating." King George V interrupted.

Allen was left stunned before placing down his utensils and giving a big sigh. "I guess I should uh... Skip the pleasantries then."

"Please do. What is this meeting all about?"

"Well, I just want to apologize from yesterday. I should have handled the request denial with more dignity."

"... That's it?" King George V slammed her hands on the table. "We are at war with a threat that could annihilate everything in this world at a moments notice. I can provide much needed help to the sorties in the field."

Allen rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Listen, I would like for you to help us, but you are one of the only METAs we are able to... Persuade to our side, if you sink out there, we lose all the knowledge in your head."

King George V chuckled. "Oh please. You are not telling me I can't handle myself."

I'm not saying-"

"Do you realize what I had to go through just to get here? Literal hell. I have seen my sisters die right beside me as we tried to escape. Left and right, Destroyers, Submarines, Cruisers, Battleships, and Carriers fell just for the chance to leave the hellscape that is our world. I didn't survive because out of luck, but because I was strong enough to fight against the onslaught of Sirens tried to kill us!"

"King George, I do realize where you came from, but even so, I cannot allow you in good conscious put you back in sea, not yet."

"My rigging was fixed days ago and even with my damage rigging, I was still doing more good than being stuck here!" King George V's voice raised louder and louder as she slowly started to stand up from her seat. "Why in the bloody hell are you so hesitant?! This isn't because of information nor the fact that I still need repairs, this is because of you!"

"BECAUSE I CAN'T LOSE YOU!" Allen jumped from his seat in anger. "NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, I CAN'T LOSE YOU!"

"IN YOUR FEAR AND COWARDICE, YOU MAY ALREADY HAVE LOST ME!" King George V said before storming out of the office.

Wales was walking down the hallway and saw her upset sister. "Sister, is everything-"

"Don't talk to me." King George V quickly said before coldly walking away.

Wales quickly made his way to Allen's office. There, she saw a desk filled with food with Jackson staring blankly at it, almost lifeless. "Allen," She said after allowing the distraught commander some time to process the events that transpired. "What happened?"

"I... I can't lose her..." Allen repeated, his tone sounded as if he was somewhere else. "I... I just can't... Not... Not again..."

Wales sighed. "I know it hurts. However, in this situation, I believe telling the truth is the best thing to do. No more of these white lies. You know my sister hates those lies."

Allen sighed and rubbed his face. "Yea... I know. But I don't know if I have the heart to tell her. Not yet."

"Even so, it is not wise to keep her inside of base. She is a king and like a king, she will lead her warriors into battle. Whether if a commander wants to or not."

"But what if she gets hurt? What if we lose her again? What if-" Allen quickly started to spiral before Wales stopped him.

"She is not the same King George we know. I understand your apprehension, but you can not allow what happened in the past to sway your thoughts in the present."

Allen took a deep sigh before standing up. "I can see why Penny married you."

Wales could only give a reassured smile as Allen put on his cap.

"Thank you and I'm sorry for all this trouble." Allen said.

"I am here to assist." She nodded before Allen left.

___

"What do you mean I can't leave?!" King George V shouted at the top of her lungs at Akashi.

"Well, orders are orders, nya~" She said with a smug smile. "The seas are getting dangerous nya. Commanders need to know where you are going, nya."

King George V quickly unsheathed her blade and pointed it at Akashi. "In the name of God and all that is holy, I command thee to release my ship, posthaste or-"

"King George, that's enough." Allen called out behind King George V.

King George V growled as she turned around to see the commander. "What do you want? Are you here to tell me that I can't sail again? Are you here to throw me into the prison again?" She barked. "I promise you, I will not return without the fight, no matter what you put in front of me."

"Akashi, She's greenlit for sorties, I'm personally putting her on sorties regarding the other METAs."

"R-Right away, nya!" Akashi said before quickly running to the Manjuus to tell them the news.

King George V quickly blinked. "You're... putting me back into sorties?"

"Your information is vital to the success of this base, if you leave permanently, we will lose that information. So best to keep you happy in anyway possible."

King George V quickly sheathed her sword. "So... That's it?"

"That's it."

King George V took a deep breath to recollect her thoughts. "I-I apologize for causing so much trouble."

"Don't apologize. Just go out there and save the world."

King George V nodded before Akashi returned.

"You are ready to set sail, nya!~"

"Thank you." King George V looked at the Commander. "And save that food for me, I am going to be starving when I return!" King George V jumped off the edge of the port and with her sword pointed in the air, she summoned her rigging. "ONWARDS!" She shouted before she sailed into the setting sun.