Legends: Chapter 3
The entrance into New York was tricky for a ship of Queen Mary's size. The liner had made this trip over 200 times before and she had done it nearly every week for over half the year for the last decade. And each time, the trickiest part was squeezing underneath the Verezono Bridge. Once under the pilot gave the commands to utilize Mary's bow thrusters and in conjunction with her azipods, they gave the 100,000 ton ship the ability to turn on a pinhead.
Once safely in her berth after another successful voyage without an Abyssal shoving a torpedo up her ass, Mary returned to the passenger decks and managed to pull aside Tegran before the latter disembarked.
"How long do you think you're gonna be in the states for?" She asked.
"No idea. My orders only said to report in at Lakehurst. Admiral Carraway will give me further instructions there." Tegran replied.
"You've had a little bit of time to think about what we talked about earlier. So before you go, I'd like to know what you're thoughts are so far." Mary said.
Tegran sighed. "I don't know Mary. The Abyssals are a threat to everyone, kanmusu and human. They've sunk both girls and warships. How would one more, and a civilian ship at that, make any difference at all? I'm as slow as a standard at best, and half the armor of a tin can with absolutely no weapons."
"No but you're fairies have compiled the notes for all the applicable weapons over the years." Mary said. "All you need to do is increase your appetite a bit and..."
"I eat enough as it is thank you." Tegran sniffed.
The average human consumed about
2500-3000calories a day. Tegran was a little higher than that, eating about 6000. She supposed she was fortunate that she was in America now. In Britain, it was difficult to explain away her large appetite but at least here, in the land of fast food and obesity, she'd fit in more.
Mary shrugged. "It was just a suggestion." She huffed. "But how is your rigging? 6000 calories is barely enough for upkeep."
Tegran had discovered very early on that being a kanmusu meant a vast increase in stomach space. But in order to keep up appearances she had cut her diet into a fraction of what it should be. She'd gotten used to the constant hunger pangs and her chiefs continuous rants long ago. Her crew had learned to make due with what she gave them. "It's far from sparkling clean but my crew keeps things from falling apart."
"That's about the best we can do." huffed her Chief Engineer.
Tegran ignored him as she had done for the past 100 years. It was mere habit to her now and he hated her for it, not that she gave a shit.
Mary tsked. "I wonder what Nomadic would have to say about that." She said.
"You haven't told her about me have you?" Tegran hissed.
"Keep your props feathered Tegran. I haven't told anyone. I'm literally only the third person in the world who knows your true identity." Mary answered, the other two being the Chairman of Cunard and the Queen herself.
Tegran sighed. "Do not tease me like that." She scolded.
"But you're so fun to tease!" Mary pouted.
Tegran rolled her eyes. "Sometimes I think you just pick on me because I'm White Star."
"Tegran, it's beneath you to suggest that a grand ship such as moi would
ever stoop so low as that!" Mary gasped, holding a hand to her chest dramatically. "You forget, I am White Star as well. It is my heritage, of which I am most proud and..."
She broke off as she saw Tegran smirk, a small half smile that was a telling as it was subtle. "Oh you're good." Mary said, chucking a finger at her. "Until next time then?" She asked.
"Until next time." Tegran smiled. "I'll let you know what I decide when I decide it."
"Just don't take too long. This is not a choice that time is favorable to."
"It has been for the last 100 years."
"We weren't at war with demons from the Abyss." Mary pointed out.
"Touche." Tegran chuckled and gave Mary a hug. "Safe journeys until I return." She said.
"If I hear you've been sunk, I'll go to the spot and bring you back as a kanmusu myself so I can punch you in the face for being so stupid!"
Mary's eyes widened. "I promise to be a good and dilligent lady." She promised.
"You better be. You're my successor, the last ocean liner."
"Ah, I'm not the last." Mary reminded her.
Tegran nodded, thinking of Mary's older and more esteemed fleetmate plying the Pacific. "You're the only liner in these waters, the waters that our ancestors traveled from old world to new for centuries."
"I see your point Tegran." Mary said.
"All ashore who's going ashore!" came the familiar and very old cry.
"You better go." Mary told her. "Oh and Tegran! When you get tired of Yankland call me up. I can give you a taste of Britain to relieve the insanity that is the American kanmusu."
Tegran chuckled. "I might take you up on that." She said. "Goodbye Mary."
She stood on the dock, waving as many well wishers beside her did, her eyes on the
Queen Mary 2, ship and girl, as they left New York behind and sailed over the horizon.
