Zhejiang and Enterprise (Book One)

Time Fracture: Love|etaH

Enterprise's POV:

After Zhejiang vanished before our eyes, the fleet returned to port to tend to those that got damaged during the fighting. It's only been a few minutes yet the harbour is busier than it's ever been as machinery are brought out to begin work on retrieving George's ship. 

As the others go about their various duties, however, I can't help but pace to and fro. My mind racing at a million miles an hour, I try to piece back my fractured world together but no matter how hard I try, I fail. The details just don't add up. Jiangsu said it was Zhejiang but her appearance can't change in such short a time...right? What's more, she attacked us even before waking up but once she did, she destroyed George's ship and would have gone on to wipe out the rest of the fleet of Jiangsu didn't intervene.

????: Pacing around won't bring her back, you know.

Looking up, I find George standing there. I'm surprised to see her on her feet given what happened to her ship but the sight does comfort me somewhat. It offers some hope that all isn't yet lost.

George: I'm sorry.

Her words catch me off-guard and for a moment all I can do is stare at her dumbfounded. Still, as she beckons me to follow her, my legs comply and before long we're in a private garden. I'm still not sure what she's saying sorry for but as we sit at the only table visible, I give her my full attention.

George: I feel I must apologise, Enterprise. Because of my actions-

Me: You didn't do anything-

George: On the contrary. Did you see her facial expression when she got up?

Me: No...

George: When Zhejiang first got up, her face screamed confusion as she looked around. After seeing that she was under attack, however, it quickly transitioned to fear which got immediately replaced with determination but for that split second, she really did fear for her life and as a result, she was ready to burn the world just to survive.

Me: So you think she attacked because she thought she was under attack?

George: Yes and when she attacked and we retaliated it only served to confirm her initial suspicions thus removing any doubts from her mind. Right now, I do not doubt that she thinks such and as a result, it will inevitably harm your relationship with her. Hence my apology.

I'm silent for a while as I process this information. On the one hand, it makes me happy to hear that she didn't betray us but I can't help but feel disheartened. What if she thinks we betrayed her instead? What if she thinks I...

Before I can sink deeper we're interrupted by Anchorage who informs us that the Royal Navy has received an encrypted message from Dragon Empery and that we're both needed in the briefing room. Surprised, we make our way there to find the others waiting on us. 

George: Is it good news or bad news?

Elizabeth: We haven't listened to it as yet.

Even though she doesn't mention it, I can tell George is just as surprised as I am to see Elizabeth up and jovial as ever. She was the first one to get hit during the fight after all so we'd expected her to be out for at least a few hours yet here she is. 

Elizabeth: Now that everyone's here, Belfast if you would.

Belfast: As you wish, your majesty.

I am again shocked to learn that Belfast is here. I'm pretty sure we left her on the other side of the globe and yet...then again, I may have locked myself away in my room for longer than I thought. Still, as she reaches forward to begin playing the transmission, I can't deny that somehow, she's before me.