Legends

Chapter 36~ Flying North to Sail South

It was several miles before Titanic felt they were far enough inland to be confident that Tosa wouldn't follow them. Stepping ashore in Trenton, Titanic pulled Olympia up beside her. The cruiser hadn't said a word since they retreated but tears still stained her face. United States was keeping it together as she offloaded her passengers. Titanic followed suit.

"Tang reported in. The way south is blocked by Tosa's secondary forces. They've got Long Island sound and Delaware Bay." The American said.

"They have us pinned. So where do we go?" Titanic asked.

"Boston." Constitution cut in. The frigate had a wound in her shoulder but her fairies were hard at work repairing the damage. "It will be Tosa's next target but she'll have her forces fuel up in New York and Philadelphia first. If we're quick enough we can beat her there and slip out before her net closes around us." Titanic nodded, it made sense. "Speaking of, we could use some refueling ourselves." The frigate continued. "Big U, how much further can you push?"

"As far as you need me to, flagship." United States replied, her steely gaze doing nothing to hide the pain she was in from her constantly complaining empty bunkers.

"I know a place where we can eat." Theabaud said.

It was a three mile walk inland from Riverside to the place Theabuad mentioned. A Cajun Seafood Boil and Bar off Olden. Obviously the town knew about the attack for as soon as the lead waitress saw them enter she went into full momboat mode and ushered them to a table out of the way of staring onlookers and told them they could eat the entire stock of food if they wanted. The sailboats didn't need much but Big U did her best to comply with that order, stuffing herself on plate after plate of crab and lobster. Titanic still had mostly full bunkers and so didn't need as much. Olympia hardly touched any food despite Constitution's insistence that she eat.

With full stomach's the girls hit the Delaware and Rariton Canal, using it to break trail north to Carnegie Lake. The biggest challenge would be slipping through New Brunswick and across the Hudson River without being seen. They were still several miles from New York when they began to see evidence of Tosa's handiwork. Everything up to five miles inland was either blackened soot or in flames and on its way to being there. Bluenose offered to crest the top of the Palisades and scout the route ahead. An offer Constitution reluctantly agreed to with Titanic's vehement disapproval. Their only course option was to go inland, cross the Hudson at Newburgh and skirt around New York. But Constitution outranked her and she conceded.

The first thing Bluenose noticed was that the city was relatively untouched at least for the moment. There were a few fires burning but nothing major. But she felt she knew why that was. Tosa like other Abyssals took what they wanted from a place first before setting it ablaze to prevent reoccupation. Such would be New York's fate within a few days at most. She scanned the shoreline looking for the Abyssals even though she could feel their chill down her keel. A few mingled in the harbor while barges were hastily corrupted and pressed into service for the task of transferring stores to them. She even saw what appeared to be makeshift prison ships, holding thousands of the city's citizens in what was no doubt preparation for Tosa's next meal. The evilness and cruelty of the Abyssals made Bluenose sick.

Then the schooner saw something that would change her fleet's plans entirely. Trapped at the docks with a destroyer guard was Liberte. The kanmusu was tied up but otherwise she looked relatively unharmed. The fact she was technically a civilian ship and Tosa might not see her as a threat could be the reason she was spared.

Bluenose had seen what she needed to and slipped back to the others, telling Constitution what she had seen. "We're not equipped for a rescue mission." Titanic began.

"I don't see how we have much of a choice." Constitution growled, her tone low.

"You didn't let me finish." Titanic hissed. "I was going to say that we're going to need to be clever about this. We can't just walk through the streets of New York and expect to get away with snatching a prisoner."

"Maybe we can." Constitution put a hand beneath her chin as she thought, her blue eyes shining as she looked right at her British counterpart. "Just how long did you spend as a human before people realized you were a kanmusu?" She asked.

"A while." Titanic replied. "Even fellow kanmusu didn't know at first but I don't see how- oh. Oh! Hmm, yes that just might work."

"What will work?" United States was confused.

"Blockers." Olympia spoke up for the first time, her voice quiet. "That is what you were thinking, yes?" She asked.

Titanic nodded. She'd created a set of blockers that hid a kanmusu's ship side from those capable of detecting it. That was how she hid for so long. Naturalborns like Langley and Richardson's daughter did it instinctively at least until their ship side became too dominant. "I only have enough to split as two doses for each of us." She said.

"And each dose lasts a day correct?" Constitution asked as she accepted one. Over the years Titanic had refined her manufacturing technique and the blockers looked no more significant than an aspirin pill.

"Yes. So we'll need to be quick about this." Titanic replied as she passed them around. "A fair note of warning. These blockers will also limit your ability to summon your rigging. In fact it will be nearly impossible to do so before these wear off." Olympia accepted hers with resigned acceptance.

"Where is Liberte being held, Bluenose?" Constitution asked.

"West Harlem." The schooner replied.

"Our best bet is the Washington Bridge." United States, who had more experience than any of them with the Big Apple, said.

"The odds of being seen is extremely high though." Titanic frowned. "What about Lincoln Tunnel?"

"If it's open we could use it." Constitution nodded. "But the concern is that Tosa likely knows that avenue of attack and would have collapsed the entrance on the New York side."

"I could scout again." Bluenose offered but Constitution shook her head.

"We'll have to risk the bridge." She replied. "It's more direct and closer than the Tunnel and we can't afford to waste time. How long after consumption do the blockers take affect?" She asked.

"Five minutes." Titanic replied.

"Okay, Bluenose. In your scouting did you see a path for us to walk along the cliffs without being seen?" Theabuad asked.

"Why are you asking me? This is your city." Bluenose snorted.

"For the last time, I'm from Gloucester!" Theabuad snapped.

"Okay, quiet down now. What did Henry Hudson Dr. look like?" United States asked.

"It's clear. Just human motorists. Looks like Tosa is leaving the Jersey side alone. At least for now." Bluenose replied.

"Hmph, at least someone has the sense not to fuck with those bums." United States muttered. On a plane over the American midwest on its way to Virginia, battleship New Jersey sneezed.