(Remaster) The Ship of the Tempest

The Slumbering Giant

The day after the events prior, Belfast was standing alone on the docks of the bay, looking out of the canal and towards the open ocean some distance off from them. Her mood since yesterday never saw improvement, and she woke up surprisingly late today, unlike what she usually did.

Some were worried for her, while others thought to give her space since, as some believed yesterday, they might have thought she was rejected from some sort of advance on Enterprise. Rumors spread quick on that one, but they were entirely untrue...doesn't stop them from giving their conveyed message.

Enterprise was nearby, wondering herself if she should approach and try to settle her mood. She knows how bad she was socially, and that's what kept her from going already, incase she would only make the situation worse.

Belfast had reached up, taking her headband off and running a hand through her hair, the motion clearly tense and trying in vain to calm herself. Enterprise couldn't stand there anymore and let it happen, and was already on her way to speak to her.

"Belfast."

The Maid spun around instantly, surprise in her eyes that quickly calmed. "O-Oh...please don't startle me like that..."

"I usually can't even if I wanted to. Something's eating at you, and I hate to see it happen when I can give a helping hand."

Belfast looked away from her, back out to the ocean from her response. It was clear as day that whatever happened involved Enterprise somehow, but whatever it was, she didn't know...at least, not too much.

Thinking on it, she decided to grab Belfast's hand, the Cruiser's eyes going down to her hand before re-meeting Enterprise's eyes. "Belfast...we're friends aren't we?"

The Cruiser didn't respond, but that didn't deter Enterprise. "I'm your friend, you know that, and since you took care of me, I'll take care of you in return...so please, what's wrong?"

...

Belfast sighed, a small smile growing on her face as she gently squeezed Enterprise's hand. "If we do...can we speak in private?"

"In one of the Guest rooms?"

"No, somewhere truly private." She looked out to the water, the Ocean barely visible from where they were. "Out to the open waters, so no one could intrude."

"...You sure about that? We still don't know where Z73 is."

"This close to shore, I'm certain we don't need to worry."

After a moment to think, Enterprise decided to go along with her. Not only was there the two of them, but it was a bright and sunny day, so Z73 couldn't sneak up on them and she could use her planes to their fullest.

"Alright, let's get going then. Don't you need to ask permission or something?"

"Self patrols are uncommon, but not unheard of. We'll be fine going out here to discuss."

She nodded, letting Belfast take the lead as they hopped into the water, Riggings manifesting as they both sailed out to the Ocean. With Belfast in the lead, Enterprise had no way of seeing the red glow of her eyes, nor the small smirk she had accompanied with it.
—————

Both were now about a mile from shore, staring off into the Ocean side by side. Enterprise occasionally looked over to the Maid, who was always staring straight ahead, watching the clouds move and the waves crash.

"So..." Enterprise broke the silence, catching Belfast's eyes turn to her. "What is it you wanted to talk about?"

"It's...about my mission."