Why her? Why had it been her?

She still couldn't figure out why it had been her. There were by far better choices to bring through. Far better choices that had not failed their country. Why not one of them? Why her instead?

Midway sat on the end of her bed within the dorms, her room be separate from the other girls. But perhaps separate was a slight understatement.

Her room was at the end of the hall on the right. At least four doors away from the next occupied room.

She sat on the end of the middle bed in the room, staring straight ahead. Her eyes remained unblinking for the longest periods of time before they finally relented. Only to repeat the process once again.

She ran the possible reasons through her head multiple times, but she never arrived at a satisfactory answer.

Turning her head slightly, she rested her gaze on the empty bed that sat there. Watching it a moment, she then slowly turned her gaze back to the door.

It didn't make sense. Not to her. There were by far better choices for carriers. Far more sensible decisions than her. But yet, here she was. In this new existence. Given a second chance.

"Why would you take a chance at another failure...?" She spoke quietly, talking to no one but herself. But the more she thought about it, the more she realized something.

The gateway.

In all of its mysterious wonder, it was exactly that.

It was the object responsible for the summoning of the ship girls. The Kanmusu. The very thing she was.

But the question Midway was asking to herself was not of the Gateway's origins. No, she was asking something far different. Something much more specific.

She was questioning herself about its abilities. About what it could do.

It had the ability to give.

Could it take away?

It was a question that was currently at the forefront of Midway's mind.

A question that now held her absolute attention.

A question she was going to learn the answer to.

With that, Midway got up off of her bed and opened the door with one quick motion. And with that, the first of the three Midway class carriers had a new mission.
-------------------------------------

"I can't believe you tried to get me in trouble with the Captain!" San Francisco yelled. The heavy cruiser next to her only gave a shrug in response.

"I fail to see the issue here. You did not receive any sort of punishment for it and everyone walked away no less happy. What I can't believe is that you're still going on about this." Chicago answered with a roll of the eyes. "You're making such a big deal out of nothing, Frisco." She answered, looking at the girl over the rim of her glasses. San Francisco gave the girl a glare in response.

"The hell are you talking about!? I didn't even do a thing!" She responded. Chicago gave a small laugh in response.

"I don't know what you're talking about. You clearly struck Midway. I witnessed it myself. If I were you, I-" but before the heavy cruiser could say anything further, San Francisco grabbed her by the collar and forced her up against the wall next to them, even managing to hold Chicago a few inches off of the ground.

"I don't know what the fuck your problem is with me, but I suggest you drop it real fast before you find yourself somewhere where you don't want to be." San Francisco growled. Chicago only rose an amused brow in response.

"Oh? Did I strike a nerve? How.... Interesting.... I'll be sure to remember this for future reference...." Chicago said with an amused smirk, adding in a light chuckle to go with it. San Francisco only slammed her against the wall once again.

"I said shut up Chicago...." San Francisco said again. Chicago only gave a huff of annoyance, rolling her eyes as she did so. After a moment, she looked to San Francisco.

"Be a dear and put me down? It's quite drafty a whole three inches off the ground. I pay credit to you and your immense strength." She replied, now gaining a bored expression. San Francisco gave her a glare in response but slowly released her fellow heavy cruiser. Giving a nod, Chicago brushed herself off.

"I thank you. Now if you-"

San Francisco's fist collided with the side of the Chicago's face faster than the Northampton class could've expected. The impact sent her crashing to the ground, her landing no where near the definition of soft. In her impact, her glasses were jostled from her face.

San Francisco stood over the downed heavy cruiser for a moment, looking down at her with distaste for a second, before she bent down and picked up Chicago's glasses.

"Have fun seeing without these, bitch." San Francisco said in a huff as she walked away.

Chicago watched the blurry form that was San Francisco walk away. From her current spot laid out on the concrete, she could barely make out the form of San Francisco. After a moment, the Northampton girl pushed herself up off of the ground, readjusting herself to a sitting position.

"What a marvelous change of events this is...." Chicago deadpanned. She supposed she could try to walk somewhere, but seriously doubted that would be in her best interest.

She supposed that she could attempt the crawl somewhere. But crawling was below her and she would not be caught dead in doing such.

She supposed that she could yell for some help, but then again San Francisco may still be within earshot. And Chicago would not give her the victory she sought.

She guessed that she could remain in place where she was. Which did not seem like a terrible option. There was a total of eighty eight Ship Girls on base. One of them was bound to walk by her.

And that was the choice she chose. The choice to sit and do nothing.

As she did so, she gently reached up and placed a hand on the side where San Francisco had so unceremoniously decided to punch her. It stung a bit still. No doubt there would be a bruise there from the cruiser. All's fair in love and war she assumed.

Chicago sat against the wall of the building as she listened to her surroundings. Since her sight wasn't go to be of much use at the moment, she supposed that she could try and rely on her second best sense.

As she sat there, she could hear the various noises that made up base life. She could hear the distant waves of Tokyo Bay. She could hear the various voices of girls elsewhere on base. She could hear thunder crashing somewhere off in the distance. She could hear as the winds blew through the trees here and there. She could hear a group of footsteps approaching.

Chicago turned her head to the right, the direction she was hearing the footsteps approach from. She listened as they grew closer, the various voices only giving Chicago a better idea of exactly where they were.

As she listened, she could make out two distinct voices. But from the sounds of it, it sounded like more than just two people walking along. Chicago guessed that she would find out just who it was in the coming moments as they neared her position.

As she watched, she could barely make out the shapes of what seemed to be two blue blurs. As one of them neared her, she thought she caught a glimpse of blonde hair. Hesitating a moment, wondering if she should ask for assistance, she was noticed.

"Hey." A voice asked, rather plainly. "You ok down there?" Asked another figure that registered to Chicago's vision. Looking to the side, Chicago focused what she could on the girl.

"Yes, I am alright...." She told them. The girl looked like she crossed her arms in response, peering closer to the heavy cruiser. But Chicago couldn't exactly tell for a fact.

"So what are you doing on the ground?" She asked. "And who are you? My guess is a heavy cruiser...." She reasoned. The girl that seemed to be standing next to her gave a nod.

"No doubt. She looks like she could give Atago a run for her money... All that top weight..." She muttered under her breath. But despite the quiet, Chicago still heard it. Looking up at the blur, squinting her eyes a bit, Chicago spoke.

"And who might you lot be?" She asked, looking up at the blur. Blur in question bent down, looking at the girl in return.

"Name's Hatsuharu. Nameship of the Hatsuharu class. Next to me is Murakumo, a destroyer within the Fubuki class. On your other side is Takao and Atago, heavy cruisers apart of the Takao class.... If I may ask, who are you?" The supposed destroyer questioned. Chicago gave a slow nod.

"Name's Chicago. A ship within the Northampton class of heavy cruisers..." She told them. Hatsuharu seemed to give a nod in reply.

"The outfit speaks for itself. And you certainly look American. But what's with the bash on your-"

Hatsuharu only touched the spot for a brief moment before Chicago's grasp caught the girl's arm in an iron trap, eliciting a small gasp from the destroyer. After a moment, Chicago released the girl's arm.

"Sorry...." Chicago murmured. From her point of view, it looked as if Hatsuharu and Murakumo traded a glance between one another before Takao spoke.

"Well sorry or not, why are you just sitting out here? It's supposed to rain soon..." She told her. Chicago shrugged, waving a hand in front of her face.

"I can't see. I had glasses but they were taken...." She informed them. "A... Petty feud if you will. Between myself and another..." She answered. She could barely make out Takao watching her for a moment but gave a nod after a moment.

"Well...." Atago began. "We'll see about securing your glasses at a later moment. For right now, let's just make sure you're inside somewhere before the rain picks up again." She suggested. Chicago only offered a nod in response as she got up from the ground, dusting herself off a moment, before allowing herself to be lead away by Takao and Atago, Hatsuharu and Murakumo following behind closely.
-------------------------------------

"Where are we going, Captain?" Pargo asked, looking around as she and her two sisters walked alongside Captain Algerona. Woman in question only nodded ahead.

"We're going to meet with the Japanese submarines and their minder." She replied. Pargo and Snook looked to Sofia in turn.

"Their submarines...? And they have a minder? We're not gonna have a minder are we?" Snook asked, looking up at her. Sofia shrugged.

"Not sure. And if anything, their minder will also be your minder. And no matter what, you are not to be hostile towards their minder either. Her girls will not stand for it and I will not stand for it. Is that clear?" She asked, her voice going firm. Pargo and Snook offered nods in response. But unsure for the third, Sofia turned her head. "And you Harder? You got that?" She asked. Submarine girl in question gave a huff.

"Sure. You got it Cap." Harder replied, grumbling to herself as she did so. Sofia only shook her head in return, not dignifying a response as Harder crossed her arms.

"Anyways...." Pargo said after a moment, briefly shooting a pointed glare at Harder. "What's the minder's name?" She asked. Sofia in turn looked ahead as she answered.

"Her name around base is Mama Whale." She answered. Pargo and Snook looked up in surprise.

"Mama.... Whale? Wait what? That's her actual name...? That can't be..." Snook protested. Sofia gave a laugh in turn.

"It isn't. But that's what a lot of people around base refer to her as. Her actual name is Taigei. And formerly, she was a submarine tender." She answered, looking at the two. Pargo gave a nod.

"Now that makes sense. Sort of...." She answered. Sofia only gave a shrug in response as the four walked on, heading towards the water. "But wait.... We don't have our riggings.... How are we supposed to be of use... At least at the moment?" Snook asked. Sofia gave a nod in turn.

"Understandable. But you girls are different from the other types right from the get go. Your rigging? Only real advantage it adds to you girls are weapons and sonar and the such. But you can already swim faster than a lot of things on earth and you can breathe under water. At least for a time. Plus your sight is well above that of a normal person while submerged." She answered. The three girls in question looked surprised at this, even Harder showing a bit.

"We.... We can breathe underwater?" She asked, a bit wide eyed. Sofia gave a nod.

"Yes, even without your riggings. It's an ability unique to those who possess the souls of prior submarines." She answered. Snook looked surprised at this.

"Abilities? Are there other abilities?" She asked. Sofia shrugged.

"Trials suggest so. But most are latent at the most part. But.... The first sortie that included American ship girls may suggest otherwise...." She answered. Pargo looked to the Captain in turn.

"Really?" She asked. Sofia gave a nod.

"The evidence is... Sketchy at best, but it gives the idea that Arizona has a better radar than most. She knew there were planes before anyone else did and acted accordingly. She saved two destroyers in doing so because she somehow knew...." She reasoned. The three submarines looked in surprise.

"She knew..?" Pargo asked. Sofia shrugged.

"Apparently. We're not sure how but she did. Anyways, we're approaching where they're supposed to be." She told them. In turn, the three American submarines looked ahead to find a lone woman standing along the edge of the pier. She was staring out over the water, her hands behind her back as she watched. The three submarine girls watched her uneasily but Sofia kept walking ahead.

"Taigei." Sofia called. The three American submarines watched as the woman turned around, landing her gaze on the approaching American Captain. After a moment, she gave a friendly wave, giving sight to the cartoon whale that sat on the front of her outfit. Pargo couldn't help but giggle as they approached.

"Hello Captain." Taigei greeted. "And who might these three be?" She asked, looking at the three girls with Sofia. The Captain placed hands on Pargo and Snook's head as she introduced the three.

"This is Harder, Pargo, and Snook. 257, 264, and 279. Sisters of the Gato class submarine." She told her. Taigei offered a small smile in response as she looked down at the three.

"It is quite the pleasure to meet you three. I believe my girls will be quite excited as well... Or... At least I hope so..." She told them. Pargo looked around Taigei at the open water, a confused glance on her features.

"Your girls? Where are they?" Pargo asked. Taigei gave a smile as she turned back to the water.

"Why don't you take a swim and find out?" She suggested. Pargo looked unsure for a moment as she took a glance back to the Captain, who in turn offered a nod. Looking back to the water below her, Pargo still hesitated.

"Here, let me help!" Snook offered before promptly pushing Pargo over the edge and into the waters of Tokyo Bay. She laughed before she jumped in as well, Harder not far behind. Sofia gave a small laugh as she stood next to Taigei as Pargo was the first to surface.

"It's so cold!" She yelled. Snook soon surfaced next to her, Harder not too far behind. Snook gave a laugh, despite the fact that she too was shivering. Harder merely turned and watched the distant water before ducking back below the surface of the water.

"Where's she going?" Snook asked.

"You girls are a Wolfpack. Where one goes, the others follow. Find out." Taigei answered. Snook and Pargo traded a glance with each other for a moment. Then, before anything else was said, Pargo ducked under the surface as well, soon followed by Snook. Sofia gave a small laugh as she watched the two vanish beneath the waves.

"How many girls do you have down there?" She asked the Submarine tender.

"All Five. Hiding their best and all ready with practice torpedoes. It'll give your girls a shock for sure." She answered. Sofia gave a nod in turn.

"Probably make them aggravated that they can't fire back but War isn't always cut and dry. Best be ready for anything." Sofia answered. Taigei gave a nod in response, offering a simple smile.

"Indeed." She answered.

"How long do you think it'll take them to stumble across one of the girls?" She asked. But before Taigei could answer, water bubbled to the surface, causing a small geyser. Taigei laughed in response.

"I'd say they found one." The Ship Girl reasoned. Sofia only nodded in response, watching as a Japanese submarine girl surfaced rather quickly, her laugh echoing across the water's surface. Soon after, Snook surfaced, attempting to what looked like strangle the poor girl. Sofia gave a laugh before she called out to the sub.

"Snook! You can't strangle her!" She called. The Japanese submarine only laughed harder as Snook looked at the Captain in disbelief.

"But... But she fired a torpedo at me!" She argued.

"It was a practice torpedo. Supposed to do nothing more than spook you." Sofia yelled. Snook looked completely shocked for a moment before she ducked back under the water. The Japanese submarines gave one final laugh before she did as well, soon vanishing as well. Sofia only gave a laugh in response.

"How long do you think they'll be down there?" She asked. Taigei simply shrugged.

"Shioi may keep the game up for a while. And Goya and Imuya always tend to cause some sort of stir up in practice. I doubt this time will be any different." She answered. Sofia gave a nod.

"Well that's good. I trust that they're in good hands with yourself?" She asked. Taigei gave a smile.

"Indeed Captain. I will treat them no different from my own." Taigei answered. Sofia gave a nod at that.

"And for that, I thank you." Sofia answered. But as she turned around, she noticed San Francisco stomping her way through the base. Arching a brow, she heard Taigei give a laugh.

"From one fire straight into the next I suppose...." She offered. Sofia only gave a sigh.

"You have no idea...." Sofia answered before making her way towards San Francisco.

"Hey! Frisco! What's got your turbines blown?" She yelled. It didn't slip by Sofia unnoticed as she watched San Francisco turn to her, more than prepared to yell when she realized who it was that had called out to her. She visibly calmed as she slowed to a stop to allow Sofia to catch up to her.

"Oh.... Hey Cap..." She greeted. Sofia put a hand on her hip as she watched the heavy cruiser quietly.

"So... What'd you do?" She asked. San Francisco looked surprised.

"What do you mean...?" She asked in response, crossing her arms as she did so. Sofia only shook her head.

"Well you were stomping across the base a few moments ago like you were the Hulk himself. Seriously? What's up?" She asked. But as she did so, she noticed that the heavy cruiser was carrying something within her grasp. "And what might that be?" She asked. San Francisco looked down at her hand for a moment before shrugging.

"I don't know what you're talking about...." San Francisco said. Sofia simply crossed her arms as she gave a glare to the heavy cruiser.

"Really? You expect me to believe that?" Sofia asked. San Francisco looked to the side in an uncomfortable way. "Seriously? What's that you have?" She asked again. San Francisco gave a heavy sigh in response as she held up her hand, and within it, a pair of glasses. Sofia took a look at them for a moment before giving a heavy sigh.

"Please tell me you didn't...." Sofia answered. The heavy cruiser shrugged.

"Alright. I didn't." She answered. Sofia only glared at her.

"So if I go looking for a certain Northampton class heavy cruiser, I'm not gonna find her missing her glasses am I? Because I know you're not stupid enough to steal Musashi's. At least I hope so...." She asked. San Francisco shrugged.

"I told you what you wanted to hear." She supposed. Sofia put a hand to her forehead as she sighed.

"Not what I asked. Give me her glasses." She said. San Francisco was the one to sigh this time as she handed over the object to the Captain. At that, San Francisco began to walk away but was stopped as Sofia put a hand on her shoulder. "Where you going?" She asked.

"I was going.... Back to the dorm..." She began but stopped when Sofia gave a shake of the head.

"No. You're gonna give Chicago's glasses back to her." Sofia answered. San Francisco just stared at the Captain in surprise.

"Me!? Why me!? Why can't you do it?!" She exclaimed. Sofia shook her head.

"Won't mean a thing if I hand them back to her. That's why you've gotta do it." She told her.

"And what's that supposed to mean when I hand them back to her? What? Hey I punched you in the face but here are your glasses because I'm a good person?" She answered, but Sofia was looking at San Francisco in surprise.

"You.... What?" She asked.

"Nothing." Came the sudden response. Sofia gave a heavy sigh, waving a hand in front of her.

"Forget it. Just.... Just go..." She said. San Francisco only offered a small nod in response as Sofia watched her go. After a moment, Sofia looked from the way San Francisco had come, expecting that the best way to likely find the absent heavy cruiser. Eventually, she began to walk forwards, looking at the glasses in her hand every so often.

As she walked, she released a sigh. Having a problem with a person was one thing. But actually resorting to violence was another. Though the Captain doubted Chicago was innocent either, she seriously questioned the methods that San Francisco had resorted to.

The heavy cruiser reminded Sofia too much of her own self. The person she had once been, more willing to rely on her fists rather than her head. The person that she had left behind.

At this thought, Sofia's mind began to wander to the subject of her less than ideal family. Namely, the subject that was her sister and her disappearance in accordance. Where had she gone? Vanished to? Why had she seen it necessary to completely fade? It didn't make sense to Sofia. Not at all. But she supposed it was a question that she would never see answered in her lifetime at the current rate of things.

As she walked on, she began her search for Chicago. She didn't know what the heavy cruiser's sight was like without her glasses so she wasn't sure if Chicago was willing to risk walking to somewhere familiar. But as she walked on, she found a few friendly faces.

"Yamato. Musashi." She greeted as she approached the two. Battleships in turn turned their gaze to the approaching American, Yamato offering a small wave.

"Hello Captain. And how might we be of help to you?" Yamato asked as she watched the woman. Musashi simply crossed her arms as the two Yamato class girls watched her curiously.

"I was wondering if you two might have seen one of my girls. A heavy cruiser. Goes by the name of Chicago. Another of the American Ship girls took her glasses as a trophy of sorts and I'm not sure how well she can do without them." She told them. Yamato put a finger to her chin in thought as Musashi gained a small smirk.

"How.... Curious...." She snickered. Sofia gave a sigh.

"Tell me about it. Was not expecting the new girls to go at eachother's throats like they have apparently demonstrated..." Sofia answered. Musashi only gave a nod in response, her smirk still present. Yamato in turn looked back to Sofia.

"If Chicago still adorns the summoning outfit of your country, then that may be who Takao and Atago were leading towards their quarters." She told her. "We can lead you there if you require." Yamato said, to which Sofia nodded.

"That would be helpful. I've not yet stepped inside the dorms of your own. Not like The Admiral has." She told the two. Musashi gave a small laugh.

"Indeed. Tenryuu still checks the halls before she steps out after that." She told her. Sofia gave a nod as the three began to walk towards their destination. As they did so, Yamato turned her head to Sofia.

"It is quite the day for the Admiral to fall ill. Leaving you to watch over twenty eight instead of the prior seven..." Yamato said. Sofia gave a nod.

"Tell me about it. She better hope her cold kills her because otherwise I'll gladly finish the job. She needs to stop doing things like this to herself. She's not invincible and it's going to catch up to her one of these days...." She told the two. The two battleships only gave a nod in turn.

"Our own Admiral was like that at first, trying to prioritize us over his own health. That ended after Nagato nearly ripped his head off for it...." Yamato recalled. Sofia gave a small laugh.

"It's about that way with Arizona. No doubt she would've been furious had she known Anya was up so late...." She told them. Musashi gave a nod.

"When I happened upon them last night, Admiral Johnson did not look so good...." She said. The American Captain gave a nod.

"Yeah. My point exactly. It's like when you mention her being sick, it goes in one ear and out the other. It gets old after a while..." She said. The two battleships only nodded in reply as the three walked on. After a moment, Sofia looked to the two.

"I've got a question that concerns a couple of the classes on base. And since your ship class is no exception to this, I'll ask you two to start." Sofia told them. The two battleships looked at her in turn.

"And this question is....?" Musashi asked as the three entered one of the dorm buildings for the Japanese.

"Let's say that your country had a higher limit for how many ship girls you can pull through. What if one of those girls were another of your sisters?" She asked. Yamato and Musashi nearly stopped walking at the question, looking at the Captain in surprise.

"What do you mean...?" Yamato asked. Sofia shrugged as the three walked down the first hall.

"I mean what if another of the Yamato class came through. Sure, you two are actual Yamato class battleships. But what about Shinano? Although converted to another type, she was at one point Yamato class. And what about those of your class who were never built?" She asked. Yamato and Musashi traded a glance with eachother before Musashi looked back to the American Captain.

"Why all the sudden interest in those of our sisters who went unfulfilled?" She asked, one hand on her hip. Sofia shrugged.

"Couldn't honestly tell you. Sure, you girls are absolutely fantastic at what you do. But I can't help but wonder what other girls are just waiting to get through that gateway as soon as they have a chance. Both of official origin and not." She told the two.

"Official origin? What do you mean by that?" Yamato asked.

"I mean both officially commissioned and not. Take Akagi and Kaga for example. While they were officially recognized as carriers, that's not what they were originally intended to be." She spoke. Musashi gave a nod.

"The Amagi and Tosa classes. I see what you mean now. Classes or ships that were meant to be but were unable to be. As I understand it, your country has more than their fair share of such ships. The last Battleship class for instance." She spoke, watching Sofia. She gave a nod in turn.

"The Montana class. Or the earlier South Dakota class. All help we could take at the moment." Sofia said. Musashi gave a nod. Yamato nodded as well, adding her own statement.

"I often find myself wondering what would happen should the limit disappear. What would happen then?" She asked. Sofia bit back a small laugh at that.

"I suppose should that happen, we would most likely have to relocate the American ship girls else where, possibly to our own soil. I figure that you'd have your hands full with more members of your own Navy. Speaking of which, how have you two adapted to us being here? I've never really gotten the chance to ask you two about that...." She asked. Musashi gave a shrug.

"Whether or not we look the part, we are grateful for the help. And your presence here has added some variety to be sure." The battleship said. Yamato added a small laugh as they walked up a set of stairs.

"Indeed. Bristol is... Quite an experience. Just when I thought no one could best Kongou in boundless energy..." She said. Sofia only nodded in response.

"Indeed she is. Indeed she is...." She said. Yamato turned to the Captain with a known glance.

"You're worried aren't you. You're worried when the day will finally arrive..." She said. Sofia looked confused.

"Arrive?" She asked.

"The day when the American Kanmusu count drops in number instead of rise...." She said. Sofia looked surprised for a moment before giving a small nod.

"Yeah.... I guess I am... It's been a couple of months now since we've been here. I feel as if we're getting to lucky...." She said. Musashi gave a nod as the three stepped onto the second floor of the building.

"Indeed. With Fusou and Yamashiro... It was all but sudden. I think Admiral still blames himself for that. I do not what to think what Admiral Johnson will be reduced to should the same happen with one of your girls... Especially someone like Arizona..." The blonde battleship said. Sofia only nodded.

"Reduced to is certainly a good way to put it for sure. But I hope that it won't be too bad...." She said. Musashi gave a shrug as Yamato gestured to one of the doors on their left.

"This is Takao's and Atago's room Captain." She told her. Sofia gave a nod.

"Thank you." She told them. With that, the two battleship sisters gave nods in return as Sofia knocked on the door, already hearing an assortment of voices within the room. After a moment, the door opened, giving sight to one heavy cruiser.

"Hello Captain." Atago greeted. "How can I help you?" She asked. Sofia in turn held up the pair of glasses she carried.

"I was wondering if you had happened across Chicago. I have her glasses here and I believe they need be returned to her as soon as possible." She told her. Atago gave a very visible nod, her blonde locks shaking with the motion as she opened the door further for the captain. As she did so, Sofia laid eyes on Takao and Chicago talking amongst themselves. As if sensed she was being watched, Chicago turned her head to the door, looking at the Captain.

"Captain? That you?" She asked, Takao turning her head to look at the woman as well. Sofia gave a nod as she stepped forward, into the Heavy Cruiser's room with the glasses in her hand.

"Indeed. I believe you are missing these." She said as she deposited the spectacles within Chicago's outstretched hand. The heavy cruiser gave a nod as she slipped them back onto her face, looking up at Sofia in turn.

"Yes.... Well... Thank you for returning them to me..." She said. Sofia gave a nod as she noticed the bruise Chicago's face was adorning.

"She did quite the number on you...." The Captain mused. Chicago simply rolled her eyes in turn.

"Yes, she got lucky. That is all and any there will ever be to it. She simply got lucky." Chicago said. Sofia looked unconvinced.

"Sure... Anyways, I'll get out of your hair for now. Play nice Chicago." Sofia said before promptly walking out of the room. Atago watched her go before closing the door behind her.
-------------------------------------

She watched the Gateway remain still in her presence, as if it was simply watching her in silence as she tried to make a final decision.

Midway watched the mysterious fog stir and swirl as it kept what was ever on the other side secret from her eyes. A secret from anyone's eyes.

A secret even from her own.

A secret that would not remain a secret for much should she have anything to say about it.

She would find out just who or what exactly was behind this whole thing. Behind the task of turning former ship souls into human girls. And after she was done with that, she would ask for it to be taken away from her.

This was not a gift she needed.

Not a gift she deserved.

It was something she was more than willing to return as she watched gate quietly.

All she had to do was step inside of said gateway.

That's what went through her head as she began to walk forwards, her intent all but set in stone.

But a sudden grasp on her shoulder, now holding her back from her goal, shattered that stone rather quickly. Midway whipped her head around rather quickly, coming face to face with a girl she did not know.

"Midway-San?" She asked, her expression one of calm. Midway watched her a moment before giving a slow nod.

"Yes. I am Midway. And you are?" She asked, her own features showing no sign of emotion themselves. She watched as the mystery girl studied her a few moments before answering her question.

"I am Kaga. Second of the Akagi class. And I wish to know what you're doing here." She finally answered. Midway watched her a few moments before turning back to the Gateway, her back now to Kaga.

"I believe that to be rather obvious at this point...." Midway answered in her usual, calm whisper like tone. Kaga stepped up next to her as she watched the gateway as well.

"You believe yourself to be useless. You believe yourself to be unwanted here...." Kaga answered, her own eyes now focused on the gateway. "You believe yourself to be a hinderance to others on base." The ever stoic carrier said. "Is this true?"

Midway remained silent as she looked into the Gateway. After a moment, all she offered in answer was a nod. Kaga only nodded in acceptance.

"Are you not proud of you past service to your country?" Kaga asked. Midway only fell silent again as she continued to watch the gateway.

"My service.... My service is not what confines me to this train of thought. My service is not the cause of this... course of action I have elected to take..." Midway said after a moment, her gaze never wandering from the Gateway.

"Then what is?" Kaga asked, her hands clasped in front of her as her gaze did not move from the Gateway. Midway in turn looked to the carrier.

"Miss Kaga, are you familiar with the term museum ship?" Midway asked. Kaga gave a nod.

"Although I myself was unable to achieve this state in my steel hull form, I am familiar with the idea of it, yes. The preservation of a steel ship after their decommissioning so that future generations may learn from the past. I understand that before the war, your country had more than its fair share of such ships. Including yourself." Kaga said, stealing a small glance at the larger carrier out of the corner of her eye. Midway only nodded in response.

"Indeed. But are you aware of the difference between myself and other museum ships of my own country?" Midway asked. Kaga gave a nod.

"Despite the fact that our countries were once standing against one another, I know of what you speak. When we of the Japanese began to return through the gateway, we looked for something that held even the slightest remnants from our own time. When we discovered that a select group of American ships remained as their steel hulls, mixed feelings were had to be sure. Just another sign that you had bested us in the old war. But when the Abyssals began to tear your hulls down one by one, we did not feel happiness. We did not feel relief. We did not feel victorious. No, we felt something far different from even our own expectations...." She said. Midway looked to Kaga in turn.

"And that was?" The nameship asked.

"Anger. We felt unbridled Anger when they began to do so. Your sisters in arms so to speak had fought to hard for such an end. They had fought to well to be put to the sword by someone who had no right to make a decision. We heard the news as one after another was torn down. And we hated it. But you ask me if I know the difference between you and other preserved ships of your country? The answer is yes Midway-San. I know what separates you from the others. And that simple fact is that you were the one to hold the most losses among any single museum ship of your country. Your President.... Called it a national tragedy if I recall correctly...." Kaga recalled, looking at Midway. Carrier in question only nodded.

"Then you see why I am-"

"That does not make you a failure to your country." Kaga interrupted. Midway in turn looked to Kaga in surprise. Or, what would have been surprise if Midway ever showed emotion.

"But I-"

"I say this again, Midway-San. That does not make you a failure to your country. There wasn't a thing you could do. The only thing you could have done was give those people a place to rest." Kaga said. Midway still looked unconvinced.

"I am a-"

"You aren't Midway-San. If every ship that sunk in one way or another was considered a failure, why would we be called back? Why would the Gateway bother with us? It summons us because it knows that we can be of use to the people, both of Japan and the United States. Just because your sinking was not of your own preference means nothing. We rarely end up how we would choose to do so...." Kaga said, growing quiet after a moment. "And if you really think yourself a failure Midway-San, then take this second chance you have been given and make the most of it. Make the Abyssals pay for every life they brought an end to." Kaga said after a moment. Midway only looked into the Gateway in response, offering a small nod in addition.

"Indeed... I may.... Take your idea for that..." Midway finally said. But before Kaga could respond, someone else beat her to it.

"Yeah! You'd better because there's no way in hell that I'm lettin Franky tell me what to do! Haha!" A voice rang through the summoning chamber. Midway and Kaga snapped their heads around to face the door, looking for the owner of the voice. But as they did so, Midway was knocked to the floor as a girl exited the Gateway. "You make a good brake system, sis." Said the voice again before breaking down into laughter.

Kaga in turn turned her vision to Midway, who in turn was having her own problem to deal with. Apparently, the Gateway had decided that their talk was over and had ended it accordingly. And it wasn't done yet, as Kaga noticed a second navy blue clad girl exiting the Gateway, far calmer than the first had.

As she stepped out, the second girl in turn looked to Kaga, taking no time to meet her gaze.

"I trust that my sister did not hurt you?" She asked. Kaga simply shook her head, watching silently. Accepting this answer, the girl in turn went about hauling Midway's mystery attacker off of the carrier. The attacker let out a resigned sigh as she was lifted off of the girl. Moving her to the side, the second girl wasted no time in hauling Midway back to her feet.

"Thank... You...?" Midway asked but trailed off as she got a look at the two finally. And puzzled she was. But only for a moment as she put the pieces together. After a moment, she gave a small nod to the two. The one that had been hauled off of her gave a sigh.

"Man, you're no fun! Already figured out who we are and everything! Where's the fun at having a good old fashioned mystery!?" She asked, rather loudly and dejectedly.

"Because tackling her while calling her sis maybe be considered a giveaway to most people. Not to mention that we look just like her." The second said. The first looked confused for a moment before giving a small giggle.

"Oh yeah." She answered with a smile. Kaga in turn looked between the two and Midway a single time before speaking.

"Midway-San, I'm assuming these are your siblings?" She asked. Midway in turn gave a nod, her usual emotionless expression present as she gestured to the two.

"These are my sisters. CV-42, USS Franklin D. Roosevelt." Gesturing to the calmer of the two new girls. "And CV-43, USS Coral Sea." She said, gesturing to the one that had tackled Midway to begin with. Kaga gave a small nod as she studied the two.

For all they were, the two younger sisters of the Midway class looked just like their older sister. Kaga supposed she could call the three of them identical triplets. Before anything else could be said though, the doors to the summoning chamber opened, admitting one Captain Algerona inside.

"Thought the ring was going crazy. But I guess not...." She mused. Coral Sea just laughed in response, prompting Franklin to put a hand over the carrier's mouth. Midway only looked on, but Kaga noticed the corners of the carrier's mouth just barely turning upwards. Just barely.