New Ship, New Era

Battle of the Philippine Sea

Truk Naval Base, 6 months later...

"Nimitz, your new ships are here." Nakhimov said to Nimitz, who was still trying to fix his bow. He looked up at the Russian ship.

"Alright, so who's joining our..."

"NIMITZ!" Arleigh shouted, busting into the room. She walked up to the desk where he was sitting. And slammed her hands onto the table. "WHY DID YOU ACCEPT HIM?!" She shouted and pointed to the other destroyer, who had a band-aid on his left cheek. A taller girl, who was a cruiser stood behind him. When she saw Nimitz, she walked up to him and hugged him.

"Nimitz, so good to finally meet you." She said, while hugging him. After a while she let go. "I'm CG-67 USS Shiloh." She said, calmly. The destroyer walked up next to her and saluted.

"DDG-67 USS Cole, reporting for duty!" He said, with the same enthusiastic tone as when Arleigh-Burke introduced herself. The Supercarrier smiled

"Nice to meet you two, welcome to the fleet. I'm CVN-68 USS Nimitz. I can see Cole knows Burke" He said looking at both Arleigh-Burke and Cole. "And this is Admiral Nakhimov, Russian battlecruiser." Nimitz said. He waved at the two. Arleigh was clearly upset and punched her brother on the left side of his stomach.

"OOOWWW! WHAT THE HELL BURKE?!" He shouted, collapsing to his knees, and holding his side. Shiloh helped the destroyer to his feet and walked him over to a nearby futon. Arleigh stormed out of the room.

"What the hell was that about?" Nimitz asked Shiloh.

"I guess some Arleigh-Burke class destroyers just don't like their siblings." Nakhimov said. Cole started crying, which caught everyone's attention. Nimitz walked over and sat down by him.

"Why doesn't she love me?" He asked, sobbing. "She was only there once..." He said, lifting up his shirt to show them what he meant. There was a scar from what looked like surgery.

"Wait, you're the one that abyssal self-destructed next to?" * Nimitz asked. He nodded his head. "I'll go talk to her, ok?" Nimitz said, in assort of angry tone. He nodded again. Nimitz patted him on the head and got up.

"Nimitz, don't be too harsh on her, ok?" Nakhimov said.

"Don't worry, I won't."

One hour later...

After an hour of searching he still couldn't find her. Where did she run off to, it's almost time for lunch. He walked back to his room. He opened the door to find Arleigh-Burke sitting next to Cole, rubbing his head. Nimitz began to walk away, but it was too late.

"I Know you're there Nimitz." She said. "I honestly want to be like you, caring for the fleet, jumping in front of shells to protect others. I just...I don't..." She began to sob.

"Burke..." He walked over and hugged the crying destroyer. "It's ok, just let it out." The two stayed like this for about 15 minutes before she calmed down.

"Arleigh, did I ever tell you about my family?" She shook her head. "Well, grandmother and her sisters didn't get along, but even so, they were there for each other. Didn't matter if they hated each other. My friend, Missouri, learned a Hawaiian word. 'Ohana' which is family. And family should never get left behind." He said. "He's your younger brother, you have to protect him." Nimitz said. She just nodded.

"Now then, we have a sortie order. Shiloh and Naki are already on the water." He explained. At about the same time, Cole woke up. When he saw his sister, he jumped back.

"Nice to see you rested Cole, now don't worry, I talked to your sister. She won't hurt you anymore." He said looking at both destroyers. "Now move it! Can't keep the rest of the fleet waiting."