[X] Turn yourself in and hope your superiors accept your explanation.
There's no running, huh? You sigh regretfully, polishing off the last of your oil before turning to Wo.
"Come on, Wo," you offer your hand, "Time to face the music."
"Mu...sic?" her eyes light up as she takes your hand, "There will be music, Flagship?"
As it turned out, there was no music. Just armed guards and an angry Iowa.
Wo seems very crestfallen at this development, actually.
"No... music..." she mumbles in disappointment, wringing the edge of her shirt. You'll play some music for her later. Make it up to her.
"You've got some nerve," Iowa snarls, stepping up to you, her nose nearly touching yours as she glares down at you, "Deserting, then coming crawling back? Do you have anything to say for yourself before I throw you in chains?"
You steel yourself and gather your courage. Now or never.
"I know you don't like me," you start off unsteadily, "and I know that Wo behaves oddly! But Flagship, she poses no serious security threat and represents a good opportunity to learn more about the Abyssals!"
Iowa stares at you for long, silent seconds, until she snaps, "Is that all?"
"....Yes," you fidget.
You are promptly seized and thrown in the brig. Well, is it still a brig if it's on land? It's a cell. That's what's important. You're left there to worry over Wo's fate for a long, long time. Good thing you have an internal clock, otherwise you'd lose track of time and lose your mind! Especially since the sailors who bring you supplies and food don't even speak to you!
Three days. You're stuck in a cell for three days.
So it's a massive relief when you hear someone approach, and for once it's not the stoic and emotionless guards or the sailors.
"Porter!" the familiar voice of your kind Admiral rings out from the other side of the bars, and you look up to see her concerned face.
You practically launch yourself at the bars and take her hands, gratefully holding it like a lifeline.
"Admiral..." you sniffle, "Iowa is... is... is being a bitch to meee~!"
You just... had to let it out. You can only put up with so much abuse, really.
"I know, Porter, I know," she pats your head, "but you did almost sink her."
"That was Chief Dawson's fault!" you indignantly reply, trying to blink away tears of shame. How many times were people going to hold that over your head?!
Your Admiral just continues patting your head... she really knows her way around ships, huh?
Then you remember that, yes. She does. She and her skilled hands with her... collection.
You are very uncomfortable now.
"Ah, the real thing is much fluffier," she smiles as she pats your head, "Nothing like my models."
...
You want an adult.
"Anyways," she removes her hands, much to your relief, "I'm here to let you out. Iowa overstepped her boundaries, and I've reprimanded her accordingly. You're out from under her boot for the time being."
"Thank you, Admiral," you manage a smile as she unlocks the cell door, "I... Is Wo okay? You were briefed on her?"
Your Admiral smiles fondly at your question, "Oh, the Not-Abyssal, yes? She's been quite friendly so far. Apparently the Admiral here managed to intervene at the last moment and keep her alive until I got here."
Ah, such a relief! You sigh as you let your tensions bleed away. It all worked out!
"Now, we have to move onto bigger, greater things!" she nods enthusiastically, "The first major offensive against the Abyssals! Of which I want you to take a very important role, Porter! It's voluntary, but I can't tell you what we intend until you accept. Top Secret stuff, you understand?"
Top secret, huh?
[] Accept immediately. You won't let this slip away!
[] Nope. You're flattered but you belong in the rank and file.
[] Ask for a bit more time to decide. You're not exactly in a great state of mind at the moment.
