Zhejiang and Enterprise (Book One)

Reunion (P1)

As they come into view, Jiangsu hides behind me. I haven't yet told her my own plan so I assume she's simply shy and encourage her but don't force her to step out into view. After all, the longer she stays hidden, the better this will be. 

Dalian is the first to really spot me and she speeds ahead of everyone else, heading directly for me. Smiling, I await her arrival. She arrives and is about to throw herself at me when she notices I'm not alone. Before she can ask, however, the others also arrive and much to my surprise, Elizabeth knocks Dalian out of the way before throwing her arms and legs around me. It catches me by surprise but I can only imagine what Jiangsu felt given she was standing behind me. Still, even without looking, I can tell she dodged Elizabeth's limbs as they wrapped around my frame. 

Hood: It's a pleasure to see you safe once more-

Elizabeth: What happened?

She finally lets go of me but in doing so, she sees Jiangsu. She spends some time looking at her and then me before seemingly arriving at a conclusion. 

Elizabeth: You had a child?

Laughing, I shake my head as I finally encourage Jiangsu to step forward. Once she does, I introduce her, correcting Elizabeth in the process. 

Me: This isn't my daughter. This is my little sister, Jiangsu.

Dalian's eyes widen at that and I can already tell that with that little detail, she's figured out what happened. Still, before she can ask whether Jiangsu sunk I give them the short version of what happened, promising to give them the full details once we return to port. 

Me: So, where's the tryhard? 

Everyone falls silent but before I can ask whether she sunk, Hood speaks up. She informs me that after I vanished in an explosion, Enterprise broke down. She went mad with rage and drove off the enemy before combing every inch of the water for me. Try as she did, however, she couldn't find any traces save for a single shell. This sent her spiralling into a state of depression. After the finally managed to force her to leave the site where I vanished, she was brought back to Royal Navy where she hasn't spoken a single word since. 

I am surprised by the revelation. I know Enterprise and I had become good friends but I never thought she cared about me that much. My mind now made up, I ask them whether she knows I'm back. They reply by informing me that they wanted to confirm it was truly me first and that's all the confirmation I need. Before I can even arm my carrier, it deploys with a jet ready for takeoff. It's as though it read my mind but I don't stop to fully process what this could mean, instead, making a beeline for the plane. 

Jiangsu follows, and after a split-second internal debate, I help her into the jet before climbing in. The others simply stare as I get ready but when they see both Jiangsu and I get in the jet, the questions begin.

Elizabeth: What's happening?

Dalian: Wait, don't-

Hood: Safe travels, your majesty. We'll meet you there. 

I mouth the words thank you to Hood as the canopy closes. The minute it does, the jet launches and as soon as it is clear, my ship returns to me.

Jiangsu: [Where are we going, sis?]

Me: [We're going to Royal Navy, this world's United Kingdom.]