The door handle was pushed down and a thump was heard from the door. Whoever walked into it didn’t expect it to be locked ‘Who’s in there?’ Enterprise was woken up from her calm sleep with a jolt. That answered that question. Someone else could wake you up ‘What?’ Enterprise replied, not quite sure who was on the other side of the door ‘Just open up, i need a towel!’ The voice on the other side of the door replied Enterprise was just about to reply but decided not to. Answering would mean the other person would hear her voice, and wouldn't recognize it. Probably. Instead, Enterprise found a big, white towel on a shelf and went over to the door. Standing behind it, she unlocked it, reached around and into the little gap between the door and doorframe, holding out the towel. ‘Thanks’ The voice said, taking the towel and walking away. Enterprise sighed heavily. She said she would wait for Saratoga before she opened. This was a new, a brave new world, and she had no idea what awaited her. Whatever it was, it probably required wearing clothes. Same dull grey skirt and blouse as yesterday, she simply didn’t have anything else. And now, it was just to sit on the bed and wait. The room wasn’t very big, and just like Saratoga had said, there was quite a few cardboard boxes in one corner. Storage. Before she actually started looking in them, she pulled the curtains shut and went over to the box. After digging around in it a little, she realized she had no clue what she was actually looking for. Yet another thing she didn’t know. Unbeknownst to her, while this all happened, four eyes were peeking over the windowsill, observing her. The two girls that had been looking at this newcomer jumped off the box they had put under the window to get tall enough to peek over the windowsill, and jogs over to a staff building. Naturally, there were rules to follow first, so they knocked on the door, and then sat down and waited for whoever was in there to finish. They knew things were very busy at the office, lots of papers, and lots of stuff to make sure the naval district keeps rolling. At last, a voice was heard from inside, inviting them both to come in. They stood up, straightened out their uniforms. Destroyers Z1 Leberecht Maass and Z3 Max Schultz walked into the big office and stood at attention. A short explanation followed, and while they weren’t actually allowed to peek on people, there was an outsider in their spare room. Two narrowed eyes peeked under a polished black brim, looking at the destroyers. As nervous as they were, this definitely wasn’t a prank. And it sure wasn’t Iowa in there, she was off getting repaired. Not that that was anything uncommon for the time being. As their leader stood up in front of them, the two destroyers turned around to show the way to the room where the outsider had been seen. Enterprise heard someone banging on the door. Hard. ‘Who is in there? Open the door at once!’ It was a heavy, commanding voice. Enterprise was somewhere she didn’t know where it was, and whoever was on the other side of the door this time was probably in charge of things here. And yet… ‘I promised Sa- uhm someone i wouldn’t open until she got back’ ‘Who?’ The voice was still very stern, commanding and a touch angry ‘Saratoga…?’ Would that be enough? ‘Saratoga isn’t in charge here. I am. Open up’ It seems not. Enterprise straightened out her clothes and unlocked the door ‘I am battleship Bismarck of the Kriegsmarine, Secretary ship of the western forces. You are in a closed off naval district. What business do you have here?’ Enterprise looked very surprised at the loud blonde, standing half a head shorter than she was, despite heels ‘Bismarck…?’ It was a name she knew very well. And didn't expect in the slightest ‘Yes. Bismarck’ ‘Wait, is everyone here…? God damnit where is Saratoga, she owes me an explanation’ ‘You're not speaking to anyone before you tell me who you are’ ‘I'm… I'm not exactly sure’ Enterprise lied ‘Saratoga thinks I'm an Essex, so call me that for now’ ‘USS Essex… that would be the same class as Intrepid, would it not? ‘Intrepid is indeed an Essex, yes’ Bismarck took a step back and looked at the woman in front of her ‘The Essex class are about 35 thousand tonnes, fully laden. I was almost 50. You're no Essex’ This was even more strange. Enterprise wasn't a big ship, she was supposed to be smaller than an Essex, and lighter. ‘Maybe I'm just tall…?’ ‘I can tell you are. There are naturally variations in ship classes… But you're bigger than the Yamato sisters are’ A shiver went through Enterprise at the mere mention of that word. It was her time to narrow her eyes ‘Are th-’ She never got to complete the sentence before Saratoga came running ‘Aaaahhhh, Bismarck, ma'am, sorry I was going to tell you but I was so tired!’ Bismarck turns her gaze to the out-of-breath carrier. She got the clue, straightened out her back and stood at attention. ‘Ma'am, I apologize for not introducing our reinforcements to you earlier! B-but she was really heavy…’ ‘I can see that. Maybe we should take her to the admi-’ ‘NONONOnonono. Sorry ma'am, but please give me some time with her before that. Y-you know how they are with American carriers’ ‘I do understand you concern’ She turned back to Enterprise ‘So… “Essex”. Where is your rigging?’ ‘In the boat I think?’ ‘No!’ Saratoga almost shouted ‘I took it to our house!’ ‘I'd like to see it’ ‘Yes ma'am’ Saratoga’s voice started cracking up a little bit ‘May I suggest the workshop in 15 minutes?’ Bismarck looked at her watch ‘65. I'm having lunch and god help anyone who disturbs me’ ‘Yes ma'am’ The battleship turned around and walked away ‘Okay, slept well? Good, c'mon come with me. I got like, an hour to explain looots of stuff’ Saratoga took a firm grip on Enterprise’s wrist and dragged the taller woman along, outside ‘First and most importantly, anyone you see here, on the base, in the naval district is a friend, okay? Just like Bismarck! German ship, but we're allies now!’ ‘They've finally joined us in the fight against the Japanese?’ Saratoga laughed nervously ‘We'll get to that later. Let's just get you installed for now’ Enterprise was dragged into a big building, past a few startled people she couldn't tell much about and then into a room. ‘Ooookay!’ Saratoga sighed heavily and fell onto a bed ‘Sorry I was late, want something to drink? Eat?’ ‘I don't know’ Enterprise replied ‘I've never had something to eat. Or drink’ ‘Oh dear… please have a seat, I'll make you something! It’s no problem!’ Of course, what Saratoga actually did was bring some leftovers from yesterday and boil some tea water. A few minutes later and they both sat over a plate of food. ‘So…’ Saratoga began ‘There is quite a few like you and me, all living in the Naval district. It's split in two parts, a smaller “Western” part and the much bigger “Eastern” part. We are in the western part, having ships from the US, Great Britain, Russia, France, Germany and Italy’ ‘Makes sense, apart from the Russian ones’ ‘Which… Also explains why there was a Zero overhead before you got here’ ‘Say again?’ Enterprise's tone sharpened ‘See, the bigger, “Eastern” section are solemnly Japanese ships’ ‘Why ha-’ ‘Please let me finish. We, and i really mean WE, are at war. Monstrous, horrible creatures, Abyssals, have risen from the depths, laying waste to everything they come across. That is our enemy' 'At war with sea monsters? The leviathan?' 'Worse, probably. And there are a lot of them. Please trust me. The japanese are fleetgirls, just like you and me' 'And they help us fight these Abyssals?' 'Ah, about that...' Saratoga's voice trailed off, just like it usually did when she got a little embarrassed or had troubles explaining something. 'It's more like we help them. Our western district has 30 ships, tops. And most of them are bigger ships like battleships or carriers. We are desperately short on destroyers and cruisers. And while their admiral technically doesn't have any power over us, we do co-operate a lot. Meaning we request smaller ships to escort, and they lend some bigger of us. We are fighting the same war, together. Against the same enemy. That makes us and them...' 'Allies. Even if i'm not sure they feel that about me' 'Yeah. Which is why you are Essex and not Enterprise for now. Speaking of... how many did you sink?' 'It's hard to say. But i had 71 marks for sunken ships when i got cut up. And probably damaged-' Enterprise empties her cup, looks at the ceiling and thinks a little ‘Maybe 150, low count? Under 200 though’ ’That’s great! Buuut, i don’t think they will find that fun. So, Essex for now?’ ‘Yeah, whatever. Essex. Anyway, other American ships… uhh- women?’ ‘Fleetgirls. Yes. In order of showing up here, Iowa, me, Intrepid and Gambier Bay’ ‘Not many… where are they?’ ‘We have seen heavy fighting as of late. Iowa is getting her repairs finished up, and Intrepid is living up to her nickname again’ ‘“The dry I”, yeah’ ‘Both of their steel hulls are still afloat. Maybe they can shed some light on what’s going on with you’ ‘Excuse me?’ ‘See… Your mind says Enterprise. But the rest says something else. Especially the rigging’ ‘Good idea. Let’s get that sorted out. You spoke about a workshop?’ ‘Yeah. Usually a place to fix lighter damage. I carried your rigging there’ ‘Shall we? Unless you have things to do?’ ‘Nothing but getting you ready’ The two stood up, Saratoga dumped the dishes in the sink and they went outside. But just as the door closed Enterprise could swear she had heard something thud in the room. But now was no time for waiting, and they set course for the workshop. It had an aura about it. A place where metal was bent back into shape, rejoined and made functional. It had three large workbenches, each under a window with a myriad of tools hanging on the wall. Enterprise’s rigging lay on the bench facing south. ‘We still have 25 minutes before Bismarck gets here’ ‘Yeah…’ The bench was almost filled with little metal parts, a select few in wood, some leather. And that box. ‘Instructions in that one, maybe?’ With the use of some of pliers and a flathead spanner, the box was pried open. And the contents made even less sense. The box was full of little paper bags in five different colors and in varying sizes. Saratoga and Enterprise look bewildered at the contents, and poured it out on another bench. The majority of the boxes were Yellow, numbering 54. Second most numerous was red, with 18 little paper wrappers. With that was eight blue, eight green and four purple ones. An excited Saratoga picks up one of the yellow paper wrappers, measuring about 6 inches in length and unfolds it ‘Airplane!’ And just like she said, there was a tiny little airplane in her hands. Or they thought it was, since it was nothing like a plane they had seen before. First of all, it lacked a propeller. The wing was rather small and triangular, with the leading edge swept back at about 45 degrees, with a slight curve to them. The vertical stabilizer was heavily swept back as well, with a small horizontal stabilizer, also triangular in shape sitting about ¼ of the way up. The plane had two large, semi-circular air intakes on either side of the fuselage behind the cockpit and a single circular exhaust in the tail. Despite the unfamiliar appearance, the markings were the familiar star and wings of the US naval aviation, and “NAVY” written in big black letters on the side. ‘What is it?’ ‘I… don’t know. I’ve never seen a plane like that before’ Spurred by confusion and curiosity, the two started opening the rest of the boxes. Halfway through, and at least 10 minutes before Bismarck should arrive there was a light knock on the door. Saratoga went to meet the guest and left Enterprise with the paper wrappers. ‘Oh hey pudding~’ Saratoga’s voice changed from cheerful to a touch seductive ‘H-hey Sara! Frau Bismarck sent me here to check how things are going’ The guest, a smaller ship, didn't look far from a carbon copy of Bismarck, but scaled down a little. She wore a similar black, grey and red outfit, and had a little notebook in her hands ‘Aww, not interested in seeing me?’ The newcomer looked a bit hurt, then annoyed as she replied in a hushed tone ‘You know very well I like to see you, but I am working now and it's-’ ‘Yeah, yeah darling, big sis biscuit is working hard and you have to as well, I'm just teasing’ The shorter blonde puffed up her cheeks and stomped the ground she was standing on a few times ‘Stop teasing me, i didn't-’ ‘God you're adorable’ Saratoga sighed and pulled the cruiser into a tight hug ‘You're still my little pudding’ Saratoga knew the smaller girl was blushing, even if she didn't look. When they both took a step back and had straightened out their clothes, Enterprise stood with her head bent over the little airplanes. ‘Essex! This is-’ ‘Fourteen’ ‘N-no, this is my dear friend-’ ‘I mean there are fourteen different types of aircraft here. Ninety in total’ ‘That's great. Now I'd like you to introduce you to my dear friend, Prinz Eugen’ Enterprise turned around to look at the smiling blonde standing next to Saratoga ‘Didn't we meet like an hour ago?’ ‘No. That must have been Frau Bismarck. We look alike’ She extends a hand ‘I'm pleased to meet you!’ Enterprise looks in confusion at the hand extended towards her ‘Take her hand and shake it. People do it as a greeting, and to show they mean no harm’ Saratoga kept being cheerful, her patience seemingly never ending ‘Oh. I'm En- Essex! Lead ship of the Essex class of fleet carriers’ ‘Heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen of the Admiral Hipper class!’ Prinz Eugen had a warm and sincere smile ‘That doesn't sound like a girl's name’ She was taken aback slightly, but stopped from being hurt by Saratoga stepping in ‘Which is why I call her pudding~ So sweet I just wanna eat her!’’ ‘Uhh… Alright’ ‘Anyway!’ Saratoga shouted ‘Howsitgoing?’ Enterprise shrugged and let her have a look. Ninety little aircraft lay in front of them. Worst of all, most were unrecognizable, and many didn’t even have a propeller! ‘What are these…’ Prinz Eugen looked beyond bewildered ‘The only ones i recognize are these’ Enterprise shoved most of the aircraft to the side, leaving a modest 18 left. They were by far the most familiar looking machines, with a large radial engine in the front, low mounted wing folded upwards in the middle. Rather conventional looking, even if the cockpit appeared to be rather small. Unusually for navy planes, they were not painted in the usual deep blue, but in a light grey hue, approaching white. ‘These are Douglas Skyraiders. They were being introduced as i was phased out. And most importantly, they never flew of my deck. And neither did ANY of those!’ As the cruiser picked up and tried to make any sense whatsoever of the airplanes. Picking one up, unfolding the wings, feeling it in her hands. ‘Hey, look. This one has wings that fold backwards! And this one has a backpack! A-and these have the propeller on top!’ ‘Those with the propeller on top are called “Helicopter” i think’ And then the room quieted down. Enterprise was still a carrier without a flight deck or an engine. Which is a polite way of saying useless. The two friends quickly realized they looked at someone who lacked purpose. And she knew it too ‘Would anyone here know how any of this works…’ ‘Uhm…’ Saratoga started ‘Intrepid an Iowa’s steel hulls are still floating, they’d know. They are also both in the Eastern part of the naval district for repairs. We don’t have such facilities here. ‘So no one here knows what's going on with these planes?’ ‘Not for now, but I'm sure we can figure it out!’ Saratoga’s optimism was seemingly unkillable. ‘She would need to get her rigging in order first though. We should probably get help from another carrier’ ‘I'm right here!’ Saratoga shouted, probably playing a bit more hurt than she actually was ‘Yeah yeah, scatterbrain, I know what happened last time you tried you luck as a mechanic’ Saratoga blushed at the remark ‘That's not fair, I didn't know it folded. I'm better now!’ ‘I'm sorry to interrupt your little trip down memory lane, but I'd really like to get it fixed. Is there anyone who could help me with this? ‘Well…’ Saratoga started, raising one eyebrow ‘I believe Graf Zeppelin should be able to help’ ‘Yesyesyes!’ Prinz Eugen jumped energetically and waved her fists around. ‘She's really into science!’ But then suddenly stops and looks down into the floor. ‘O-or magic stuff, it's really hard to tell with her sometimes…’ ‘I'm more interested in results than methods. If she can help me, I'd be happy’ Before Enterprise actually managed to answer, Saratoga and Prinz Eugen had hooked into each other's arms and walked out. Big E was once again left alone with the mess of parts. She didn’t do much but organize the planes in little piles, depending on the color of the paper it arrived in. When the door opened, a figure very similar to the two other Germans appeared. She was more pale than they were, in regards to hair and complexion as well as clothes. Her uniform went in red, black and white instead of the dull Grey they wore. She looked Enterprise. Not a glance. An analyzing, piercing stare ‘Are you lying to me because you want to seem like someone else or because they told you to’ ‘Excuse me?’ ‘You're no Essex’ She took two steps forward and extended her right hand towards Enterprise ‘Flugzeugträger Graf Zeppelin. Pleased to meet you’ Enterprise shook her hand ‘That's a handful of a name’ ‘Just “Graf” to you then. And you usually introduce yourself when you take someone's hand for the first time’ ‘I'm Essex, Graf’ ‘If that is so, let's get to work, as much as I would prefer honesty’ ‘Maybe later…’ The two approached the bench, and Graf Zeppelin seemed to study each piece in detail. Without lifting her eyes from the table, she started speaking ‘Do they make any sense to you?’ ‘Nope’ ‘Then the fickle mistress we call logic will not help us. And when logic is nowhere to be found, systematics will always be there. Sadly, she is a lot fatter, and rather slow’ ‘Uhh… alright’ ‘Out journey begins with putting those alike together. You have for instance started with the airplanes. Very good. I see five colors. What do they mean?’ ‘No idea. They came in little paper boxes with those colors’ ‘Have you looked in the papers? Perhaps something is hiding there’ ‘Nope. Just plain ol’ colored paper’ ‘Then we shall proceed without any hints. Say…’ Graf Zeppelin pointed at the flight deck split in two pieces ‘Can you tell me anything about them? As in, why there is more than one, for instance?’ ‘I sure hope it's not one of those double decker things’ ‘I somehow doubt it’ ‘Then we shall have to begin at the other end. Namely, you’ The Count circled around Enterprise, analyzing her in minute detail. ‘Say, Essex… See the light brown leather belt? Approximately 80 centimeters long and six wide’ ‘It's not a belt, there aren't any-’ ‘Please hold it around your waist’ Essex did as instructed, picking it up and holding it around around her waist. However, there were no buckle for the belt to lock into, and even if there was a buckle, it was too short. ‘Excellent. That is most likely a Hüftgürtel. Sadly the English word is escaping me. But it will sit just over your hips, to save your shoulders from carrying heavy weights. A backpack, usually’ ‘So this will carry my… Rigging?’ ‘Not like that. Look for something that could make a lock’ From the heap of hundreds, the two carriers eventually did find some metal clips and clamps. The wider hip belt was joined by two thinner leather ribbons that went over her shoulders, with a third connecting them. A simple harness, that even without any adjustable parts fit like it was tailored to Enterprise. Graf Zeppelin looked rather pleased with herself. Sure, it was only four pieces of leather and some bits of metal, but this was that famed first step of the thousand mile journey. And with the momentum of the first step, came the second and the third. Enterprise got to know her first ever talent. She picked up arc welding very quickly, and had started melting one part into another. A structure had been formed, and the two carriers grew more and more comfortable with what they were building. Unlike Saratoga, Enterprise had quite a bit of rigging to carry on her back. Or hips, as the belt ensured. She was told the pitifully small tank of fuel would refill as Enterprise herself ate food. She doubted that, a lot, but that wouldn't be the strangest thing she had heard today. Saratoga also had a quite large launcher. A shoulder fired flight deck. And her planes were stored in “magazines” attached to the bottom of the flight deck. None of the parts on the workbench looked like they could make a magazine, or even a convincing feeding or launching systems for an airplane. Just as bad was the issue of propulsion. Enterprise was informed the overwhelming majority of fleetgirls moved over the water akin to what ice skating would look like. Sadly, the two shoes, and shoes being used in the broadest sense of the word, Enterprise was provided with looked nothing like anything that could remotely be used for ice skating. Or any boilers at all,which was a mystery since there was four steam turbines, but significantly larger than the ones Iowa had. And that was a ship with over two hundred thousand shaft horsepower. As day turned to evening, the two carriers had done enough welding to work up a slight tan on throat and forearms. The rigging was starting to take shape, a chassis was starting to form, and a way to mount it to the leather harness had been attached. It fit just right, and stayed on as she was moving around ‘I gotta say, Graf, this isn't bad at all’ Graf Zeppelin smirked a little, looking at what she had made in the last few hours ‘I had almost forgotten the feeling of accomplishment after making something like this. It's the chase, the journey. The hunt. And heavens, is it exciting’ ‘Oh yeah. But we still have to figure out the planes’ ‘Take one of each and bring them to the cafeteria. It's a normal day, so dinner will be served between 6 and 7’ ‘Yeah, I'm just gonna take it easy until this identity thing has been figured out. You don't much believe I'm Essex, do you?’ ‘I do not. And fair enough. But I am hungry and in dire need of a wash. Unless I get get to help you again, good look with the rest of your endeavor’ Graf smiled politely and left Enterprise alone. Which she felt was a shame since the german had been very useful. And had spoken the truth. Enterprise’s skin was stinging from the prolonged exposure to welder, her hands were a little sore, and she had a light headache from the dehydration. All around new feelings. As was the slight stickiness of her clothes. Graf would probably feel the same way. Hence the wash? Maybe Enterprise should wash too. Which presented her with another challenge since she had no idea how that would work. Would salt water be harmful to people as well? Like it corroded ships? And everything? Enterprise walked out, the cool ambient air giving her a little shock after having been inside the steaming hot workshop. The naval district had once again fallen into a state of tranquility, the only noises being the cheering and the babbling from the cafeteria. But Enterprise wasn’t interested in food at all. She hadn’t been especially hungry when Saratoga had offered food earlier, but ate anyway. Instead, the more alluring thing right now was the sea. The neverending and calm pacific. She felt it was a good as place as any to wash up. And she did belong there after all. She went down to the waterline, taking in the sights and the atmosphere as she went. When she had made sure there was no one around, she got rid of her dull grey clothes and stepped into deep blue. It was pleasantly warm in contrast to the evening air. She walked until the water went to her hips and then fell in. She had never swum in her life before, but it felt so natural. It didn’t take her 10 meters to get into a rhythm. How her arms moved, how she cupped her hands to go even faster. The kick of her strong legs, it all just flowed. Not that she had an idea on how, but she could swim. Really well. The swim came to an end, and she retreated back to the extra room, she knew there was towels there after all. However, the salt water left a somewhat stingy feel on skin. There was probably nothing harmful in that. But as many times before, Saratoga came barging in through the door ‘Eeeeenteeeerprsie! Where have you beeen! We had food and you weren’t there and dessert and you weren’t there and then-’ ‘Swimming. Needed it after the welding’ ‘Oh yes! Right! Graf Zeppelin told me! Howsitgoing?!’ ‘You don’t have to scream. And i’m making progress’ ‘Can you launch the planes now?’ ‘Oh. No. Not that much progress. At all’ ‘Okay! Wanna eat?’ Saratoga was now really loud, and really close to Enterprise ‘Not hungry’ ‘Okay. Your hair is wet’ ‘Yeah, water seems to do that’ ‘Okay! Aaaaand, i have a new room for you!’ ‘This was just fine for me’ ‘Nononono, i got better for you. And let’s bring your planes, unless you gonna work more!’ ‘I don’t think i’ll work more today, no’ Saratoga, who was somehow still full of energy took a firm grip on enterprises wrist and dragged the bigger carrier into the workshop. She hurried around for a few minutes, inspecting the rigging, putting all the planes in a bag and shouting out her excitement about it all. Enterprise got more tired by the minute. She is dragged back into a building she was in earlier this day. Back in, she get a chance to inspect the room more carefully. It was actually a rather big room, with a bunk in both of the rear corners, a small table, chairs, and a few closets ‘We’re gonna be rooooomies!’ ‘Please don’t shout’ ‘This is your bed!’ Saratoga pointed to one of the bunk beds ‘Normally, Intrepid sleeps there, but she’s you know, getting repaired’ ‘Why can’t i have the bottom one?’ ‘Cause that one is Iowa’s and i don’t even want to know what’s been going on there. Buuuut, before that, we have another roomie i’ll introduce you to!’ Enterprise looked around in the room. There was no one else there, apart from her and Saratoga, who saw and sighed. The smaller carrier goes to the bunk bed above her own and pulls the blanket off. Whatever used to be under the blanket shrieks in terror as it is revealed to the light. ‘C’mon now! You have to say hi’ The only response Saratoga got was incredibly nervous and inaudible babbling. A smaller blond thing, shouting incomprehensible things while flailing its legs and arms around was finally brought down to the floor ‘This!’, Saratoga started, ‘Is Gambier Bay! Gamby!’ ‘Hi’ Enterprise kept it short, since Gambier Bay really didn’t sound like she was much for it The light carrier looked terrified, tried to say sorry and greet Enterprise all at the same time, all while looking everywhere but her eyes ‘Are… uhh, you okay?’ ‘HELLOYESI’MSORRYSORRYSORRY’ ‘Okay… Hey there, i’m Essex’ ‘HeyEssexI’msorry’ Enterprise looked up at Saratoga, many questions in her glare ‘She’s just a little shy!’ ‘If that’s what you call shy…’ Enterprise crouches down and gets a little closer to Gambier Bay ‘I’m not trying to hurt you. I was actually asking you for a little help’ Gambier Bay calms down to the point Enterprise could actually hear what she was saying over the stuttering. They sat down around the table, and Enterprise had placed all of the planes on it. It turned out it was fifteen different types of aircraft, and not 14 as Enterprise thought first, two of the types looked very similar, but one had a four seat cockpit instead of two. Because of their similarity, they were called “brother” and “sister” by the carriers. “Brother” and “sister” were both propeller-less, slightly swept and folding wings and big intakes under the cockpit. After that, the plane narrowed down into a rather slim tail with a conventional, if slightly swept empennage. They found out after a little while they had no idea how any of it worked, and swiftly moved on. The next two planes that looked very much alike were called “mother” and “father”. They were both high wing, two engines propeller driven monoplanes, and very large for something that would operate from a carrier. Saratoga figured it was even bigger than the B-25 Mitchell of somewhat similar design. Both “mother” and “father” also featured a very odd empennage with four vertical stabilizers. The differences were that “father” seemed to be a cargo plane, with a big empty space in the fesalage, and “mother” carrier a large, circular disc on top of the aircraft. And this raised some questions. “Mother” carrier no weapons, nor did “father”. And while neither of them had heard of a carrier borne transport aircraft, outside of a TBD Avenger without any bomb load, the could see why that would be useful. But “mother” had no space for either cargo or weapons. Instead, the whole plane was filled with workstations for the fairies, who “would come eventually”. It just had that large disc on top and whatever it was useful for. But it had to be something. No matter how big the carrier was, deck and hangar space was precious, and it would never have a plane that didn’t serve a purpose. Right? Cups of tea were drained, planes were discussed, and questions about what Enterprise actually was were raised. So far, the only one who knew she had memories of the Big E was Saratoga. Everyone else, including the stuttering mess of a Casablanca-class escort carrier, knew her as Essex. The three figured out it would be a three part job. The aviation launch and recovery system as first priority, propulsion as second and electronic systems third. None of them had looked at any of the electronics, no one knew what any of the planes did, save for the few Skyraiders. And as propulsion went, they hadn't even found a way to produce enough steam for the turbines. With that out of the way, Gambier Bay, lovingly nicknamed “Gamby” by Saratoga started getting tired and went to bed. The two larger carriers stayed up and chatted a little before turning in as well.