This is one I bounced back and forth on a lot. Hopefully the final product worked out well.
Also, for the Sara fans: Low-priority 'get out of my head' project that I needed to get up.
Chapter 15:
"Admiral!"
"Good to see you too, Ari."
Arizona smiled widely, as she hugged Admiral Thompson tightly. The older man didn't resist the motion, as they stood on her deck. Sunlight reflected off the awnings spread over her turrets, the light shade covering both Admiral and ship girl. Ari hardly cared for that though, as she squeezed Admiral Thompson around the waist. It had been far too long since she had seen him in person, and she had...well, she'd
missed this. Her own Admiral was as far away from her as ever, but this man was not. She could
hug him, and Ari would never turn that opportunity down.
Of course, it helped that Admiral Thompson returned the hug, his own arms wrapped gently around her. That made Arizona smile against his chest, content to stay where she was. She quite liked this position actually, able to relax against the Admiral. She didn't get to see him nearly enough. And as the one person who could talk to her, Ari missed seeing Admiral Thompson.
I like him a lot after all!
Smiling wider, Ari pulled away to look up at the Admiral. Her brown eyes stared into his green, as Thompson reached down to ruffle her red hair. Arizona didn't pull away from that, even if it
didmess up her hair.
"How have you been, anyway?" Admiral Thompson asked, nothing but curiosity in his voice.
"Great!" Arizona replied, looking over at her hull. "I haven't been able to talk with
my Admiral, but otherwise, I have had a good time. Being able to spend time talking with everyone else is nice too."
"Good." The Admiral nodded, a small smile on his own face. "I'm glad to see you girls happy."
"And I like to see
you happy!"
Thompson's smile widened slightly, "That I can see."
"Why did you come here, Admiral?" Ari changed the subject, feeling her face flush.
The Admiral hummed, recognizing the topic change for what it was, "Just visiting. I wanted to see how you were doing."
That made Arizona's smile widen, as she leaned against Admiral Thompson's side. The Admiral wrapped an arm around her shoulder, as the pair walked underneath the awning. Ari had never been more thankful that her crew didn't have any members nearby, since it let her do that. Leaning against the Admiral...hearing his breathing...it was still a new experience for her. But one she wouldn't trade for
anything.
After all, she liked this quite a bit.
"Well, I'm doing very well."
"And it's good to see."
Even as she felt a happy feeling lodge in her chest, Ari tilted her head in confusion, looking up at the Admiral, "You aren't going to ask if I've made progress?"
"You told me you haven't been able to talk with Admiral Willson, so..."
"But normally you at least ask how it's going, Admiral."
All Thompson did in reply was squeeze Ari again, "Hey, can't I just visit to say hi?"
Fighting down her flush, Arizona felt her confusion grow, "Wouldn't Admiral Willson be..."
"Don't worry about him. This is just us, right?"
"Well, yes...but..."
Confusion fully taking hold, Ari let Admiral Thompson guide her to sit down next to her turret. Once they were sitting down, though, she let her confusion be known. If only by pulling away, missing the warmth as she did so.
"Aren't we supposed to be working? And what if someone finds us?"
Even as she said that, the battleship looked around. It was almost odd that none of her crew had shown up. Actually, it was very odd. Shouldn't at least someone have come by now? She wasn't a large ship, not compared to Saratoga. And while only half of her crew was actually aboard, one would think at least one of them would have shown up by now. It was...odd. Not that she was going to complain about being alone with Admiral Thompson though, as his arm wrapped back around her shoulder. But as she leaned against him, her blue overcoat pooling between the two, she had to wonder where her crew was.
Those worries promptly fled though, when Ari felt his arm squeeze her tighter against his side.
Wha...?
Looking up at the Admiral, Arizona couldn't help the deep blush that crossed her face. Not that she could be blamed for that, considering she saw the Admiral looking down on her. She couldn't read the expression on his face, but the look in his green eyes had her shuffling uncomfortably. The feeling in her heart grew stronger, the beating almost going out of her chest. What was this...why did she...?
"Ari. I wanted to see
you. Not anyone else.
You." Admiral Thompson spoke softly, not once breaking eye contact. "I care about you a lot, you know that right?"
"Admiral...I..."
"And because I care about you, I want to see
you. I don't care if anyone sees us. Hell, let them see us."
Arizona couldn't help it, her brown eyes widened, "Admiral?!"
"What? Is it so wrong to not care? You mean a lot to me Ari, and I don't give a damn if anyone notices."
Even as he said that, the Admiral leaned his face down, making Ari's heart beat even faster in her chest. She didn't realize that was possible, as his face came closer to her own.
Why is he...I...
"Arizona."
Utah?
"Wake up, Arizona."
Wake up?
-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
Blinking slowly, Arizona shook her head. Admiral Thompson was gone, as was the bright sunlight. Muggy clouds were above her, a rare rainstorm pouring down on the Harbor. And she was leaning against the same turret as she had
thought she was with the Admiral. Only now, she was alone. And the only voice in her head was that of a concerned Utah, the motherly battleship clearly worried about her.
Shaking her head again, Ari sighed softly.
"I was dreaming..."
She wasn't sure what she had felt for the Admiral. But there was still a hint of disappointment in her heart, as she focused on Utah.
"What did you need, Utah?"
"Are you alright Arizona? I heard you saying something in your sleep." Utah replied with a question of her own.
"I'm fine!" Ari was quick to reply, her face still warm. "I'm fine."
"If you are sure," it was clear the elder battleship didn't quite believe her, but Utah was never one to press the point like that. "
In any case, I was asking if you had any further progress in talking with your Admiral?"
Arizona could only sigh, "None. I've tried, but he doesn't hear me at all. Not like Enterprise."
It had been over a week since they had found out how close Enterprise was to breaking through to Admiral Halsey. But Arizona, despite having good reason to keep trying harder, had yet to make any progress. If the theory was accurate, she had an idea why she hadn't made progress though. Her Admiral...he didn't have the same connection to her that Halsey did to Enterprise. And perhaps more importantly,
she didn't have a connection to him. Arizona had seen several Admirals in her career. But none of them had...well.
None of them were important to her, like Admiral Thompson was. And, maybe, that hurt her efforts to make contact.
"I see." Utah sighed softly.
"Neither have I. I can make him hear noises, but not...not my voice."
The tone of voice there had Arizona clenching her hand. She was as close to Utah as any battleship was, and she didn't like hearing the worry in the elder girl's tone. But what could she do to help? Her own attempts at contact had hardly worked after all. And Arizona was no expert on the situation, so...
"Wait..."
"Arizona?"
"Can we use something in our hulls to get a message out?"
There was silence at first, before Utah sighed softly,
"Maybe. They can tell we use our Talk Between Ships sets, so...perhaps."
"Morse Code?"
"That..."
Silence came over the line again, and Ari couldn't help a small smile. She could almost
see Utah placing her head in her hands, sighing heavily. She was almost inclined to do so herself. Using Morse...why hadn't it occurred to them before? Why hadn't it occurred to Admiral Thompson?
Of course, even as she wondered that, Ari
did place her face in her hand. She knew that the Admiral she cared so much for was from the future. Who knew if they even still
used Morse Code in his time. Admiral Thompson could be forgiven for not suggesting that, considering. But that didn't change the fact that she, or one of the other ships, should have suggested it.
Well, nothing for it.
"I think we should try that next." Utah paused, before sighing.
"Actually, contact Enterprise. She should try it first."
Ari frowned lightly, "Why Enterprise? I thought you wanted to..."
"I want nothing more than to talk with my Commander." The older battleship sighed softly.
"But I doubt that I will be able to. Would he have any reason to believe Morse? Or would he leave me like...like my last one?"
And now Arizona winced softly, "Utah..."
She had forgotten. But Utah's last Commander had requested reassignment, when he began
feeling her. Refusing to serve on a 'haunted' ship. They had no way to say for sure, that her current one would not do the same. Especially with something as major as the ship's radio or Morse communicating in code. And Arizona could say the same of her own hull. She was confident that she
couldinfluence it. But Admiral Willson couldn't hear her at all, so he had even less reason than Utah's commander. At least the latter man could hear her somewhat.
That in mind...
I can see her point. Still, I know she wants to help. And so do I!
But the fact remained, it was arguably better to let Enterprise have first shot at it. She...she at least had an Admiral who wouldn't dismiss something out of hand. Not when he could hear her so well.
"Enterprise...?"
Ari could only hope this worked. If it worked, she could at least say she came up with something to help Admiral Thompson!
"Morse Code?"
Blinking slowly, Enterprise looked down at the radio set in front of her. She had come down here, technically, because Admiral Halsey had. The man had taken to spending time in the room whenever he wasn't working on something or other. Mostly because it was the 'source' of the 'haunting' in his mind. And where he went, Enterprise followed. Within reason, of course.
Because if she was going to get through to her Admiral, it would require being
close to him. She had found that out, when various words started getting through. Never more than one at a time, and not every time she talked did even that much happen. It was kind of hit and miss, to be completely honest. But it wasn't going to stop her from trying!
That said...Little E couldn't help the frown on her face.
"Are you sure that is going to work?"
"We think it will. Our crews can tell that we use our radios, so, they might see Morse as well."
"Hm."
While Enterprise hummed in thought, her radioman looked at his set, before turning to Admiral Halsey, "I don't know sir. I've checked, double checked, and triple checked. Everything
should be in perfect operating order. I even sent for a technician from the base, and he said the same thing."
"Well, this doesn't look like it is in perfect order to
me." Halsey grunted, looking at the set like it would bite him. Or glared at it, more accurately. "Even I can hear the static."
"Static that is in perfect order, which isn't
possible if it were malfunctioning."
Enterprise could only smile, "Well, that's because it isn't malfunctioning!"
"..."
"You heard that?"
The question from Admiral Halsey wasn't directed at Enterprise, but at her radio operator. The young man flinched, and shook his head rapidly.
"I...no sir."
"Hm." Halsey scowled. "Keep an eye on it. If you find anything wrong with the set, report it immediately."
"Yes sir!"
Realizing her Admiral was about to leave the communications room, and knowing that she had to try Morse, Enterprise
acted. She focused on her Morse set, and started tapping out dots and dashes. Both Admiral Halsey and the younger man turned their heads sharply at that, as the carrier used all the focus she had, and continued to tap away. She had to get her message through, but she couldn't move too quickly. This was her best chance, and she
couldn't fail. She
wouldn't fail.
Enterprise was nothing special, save for her ability to talk to her Admiral.
I have to make him hear me!
"You
are listening to this, correct?" Halsey turned to the younger man, a single eyebrow raised. His eyes were stern, not quite glaring at the man as he flinched.
"I am!"
Quickly grabbing a pen and paper, the officer started to copy down what Enterprise was tapping. Copying it down, and translating at the same time.
"Can...you...hear...me...?"
A befuddled look crossed the man's face, as he turned to look at Admiral Halsey. The look didn't leave his face, despite the grunt from the Admiral. Halsey took the paper, and looked over it himself. While it was likely quite some time, Enterprise knew he would have learned Morse himself. The older man was going to be looking it over, to see for himself that everything was in order. And while she was practically vibrating with excitement, Enterprise refrained from tapping anything else out. She knew that rushing would do her no good.
And so, she waited.
"Who did this?" Admiral Halsey finally stopped reading, his sharp eyes scanning the room. "I expect an answer. That's an order."
Only Bull Halsey would order around an apparent ghost. Enterprise felt a wide smile cross her face though. He wasn't dismissing it out of hand. He was willing to look past the impossibility of what she had done, and focus on the action itself. After all, it wasn't like someone contacting her
over the Morse set. That was the physical set moving on it's own...which couldn't be anything but a 'ghost'. Especially not in a legible communication.
"You know who I am." Enterprise replied, both vocally and with the Morse.
All she got was a raised eyebrow though, as Halsey read the message, "No I don't, damn ghost. I can't believe I'm...talking with a ghost."
"Sir?"
"Should be impossible." Halsey grunted, shaking his head. "Continue."
Enterprise was hardly one to deny a command from her Admiral, as she tapped out the most important answer she could give.
"I am USS Enterprise?"
Halsey leaned back, looking at the message in his hands. For her part, Enterprise wrung her hands. She...she didn't know what to expect. It would have been one thing to claim she was a ghost of one of her crew. That was at least
believable to even someone who wouldn't believe in a spirit of a ship. But to claim that she was the ship they were standing in? Claim that she was USS Enterprise? While it was the truth, she didn't quite know what to expect her Admiral's reaction to be. Admiral Halsey was being remarkably accepting as it sat.
And she knew that was only because he looked at things from outside the box, so to speak. Given evidence that was indisputable- the Morse set moving on it's own and replying to his questions -it was clear that something was happening. But would he accept her last answer? That was something she didn't know, and it worried Enterprise more than she would necessarily like to admit.
"Bullshit."
Admiral?
"I don't give a damn if my girl is haunted," Halsey's eyes narrowed, as he looked at the Morse set. "But don't even think to claim you
are her. No one can do that."
Enterprise felt her face flush, despite the pain of his words. Her Admiral...she knew he was protective of her. Attached to her. But to hear it like that?
"Admiral..."
Halsey's head snapped up, eyes looking in her direction.
"I heard that."
"I'm not lying to you!"
"And that."
The radio operator between the carrier and her Admiral looked more confused, and worried, than anything as he watched the two. Enterprise barely paid any mind to that, as she looked directly at Admiral Halsey. And he looked directly at her, though she could tell he couldn't quite see her.
"I
am Enterprise. I know it's hard to believe, Admiral. But if you could just
see me..."
The Admiral grunted again, "Radioman."
"Yes sir?"
"Log the messages, and continue your tasks."
The man didn't question the order, as he set to doing as told. For his part, Halsey walked out of the room, Enterprise trailing behind him. She bit her lip worriedly, wondering what his thoughts were. Would she have to figure out a way to make her Admiral
see her, before he would believe her? Was talking alone not enough?
"If you
are my girl, I expect proof. And I need to get James over here..." Halsey didn't turn his head, as he continued to his office. "I can't believe I'm even considering this. Might be going crazy."
I'm happy to get just this much!
And Enterprise truly was happy, that he was at least willing to believe this much. It was going to be difficult to convince him she wasn't just a ghost...but perhaps, she could at least be happy she had this much progress to show.
