Legends

Chapter 29~ Liners Can Troll with the Rest of Them

This morning, Admiral Cunningham decided he hated his life. By mid-afternoon, he'd decided he really, really hated his life. Some higher power was out to get him, he swore. It wasn't that Big U didn't get along with his girls. She integrated herself into the warship cabal effortlessly. The problem was how American she was about it.

Big U was currently consuming the massive plate in front of her. Her third thus far. Her size and great speed meant she could give Akagi a run for her money. Several of the shipgirls were already calling her the "Yank Akagi" behind her stern. She continued to make a dent in the base's supplies with one hand while hanging onto Curacoa with the other. The poor cruiser had only the briefest respite from Big U's cuddle sessions yesterday as the liner quickly learned that mealtimes could be a one handed affair with minimal loss of efficiency.

Curacoa for her part had long since given up, having recognized the futility of resistance. She now sat partially on Big U's lap as she ate her own, by comparison, measly batch of food. She had nearly every single shipgirl on the base following her around like fangirls, all with various reasons. Hood because she was a battlecruiser and found speed to be sexy. Campbeltown because she thought Big U's impressive bow, normally used to smash through Atlantic swells, could also be used against more solid targets, like walls or enemy drydocks. The rest were along for the ride and/or damage control as apparently British destroyers had all taken to be as lewd as Johnson.

Thankfully, Big U's stay was only as long as it took her to fuel up. For the return trip she was carrying a batch of intelligence documents as well as battle plans. One could never be too sure about the Abyssal code cracking ability.

Her bunkers stuffed, Big U was seen off by Hood and after a few sharp words from the battlecruiser, reluctantly relinquished Curacoa. "Until next time, little one." She cooed.

Curacoa puffed up, giving the Yank a glare so dark her eyes turned white. "I AM NOT LITTLE!!!" She screamed to everyone else's amusement. Even Hood laughed at seeing the normally unflappable cruiser, well flap.

Big U offered her lead escort a curtsy. "Ladies first." She said to Hood who smiled and ruffled her hair as she went past.

For all her craziness, Big U was actually sensible and professional where it counted. Cunningham could almost believe her departure would go off without the hitches her arrival had caused... "Bye, cutie dears!" She sang to the rest of the girls gathered, but mainly to Curacoa. The desk felt heavenly against Cunningham's forehead.

The trip across the Atlantic lasted all of 2 days. Even with the zig zagging, Big U ensured her speed never dropped below 36 knots the whole way across. As she neared New York, she met up with Queen Mary, fresh from a transporting trip of her own in Australia. It had taken the British ship a month to complete her voyage and she was exhausted but she still had the energy to wave at her American counterpart as the two sailed past the outer perimeter.

"Did you enjoy yourself in Europe?" She asked.

"Oh yes. There were a few uptight squares but for the most part, the Brits are surprisingly hospitable." Big U said.

"Hey now, remember who you're talking to young lady." Queen Mary half scolded her.

"Sorry Mary." Big U giggled back, going slightly in front as they turned into the Ambrose Channel.

"Do you ever run out of energy?" Queen Mary sighed.

"No. At least not yet anyway." Big U replied, still just as chipper as ever. The older liner sighed again. She hadn't a hope of keeping up with the American even when she was fresh out of the dockyards, never mind now. Her engines were sore and they gave her a spasm of pain just considering the idea.

"So where's Liberte? I thought she went down south with you?"

"She did. However, her speed is much slower than mine and so we parted ways in Rio." Queen Mary explained. "And what about you? I hear you've been getting friendly with Curacoa."

Big U's squawk was adorable, not that she would ever admit that. "Mary!" She exclaimed. "She's tiny and adorable and makes for an excellent plushie."

"Oh is that all?" Queen Mary raised a brow at Big U's pout. She had picked up some bad habits from her French rival. She was equally good at trolling.

Big U was still pouting when they arrived at the docks.