The Engineer

Chapter V: The Queen Commands and We Obey

Hood walks passed the Shikikan's desk and opens the doors to the office balcony.

"What are you doing?" Collins asks her.

"Letting some fresh air in here, it is a bit dusty wouldn't you say?" She turns around, her back now towards the open doors. "You may want to cover your eyes, gentlemen."

Collins opens his mouth to speak but the words die in his throat when Hood suddenly became a sphere of light, causing both him and Douglas to cover their eyes as Hood suggested.

"WHAT IN THE BLEEDING HELL...!" Exclaims Douglas as the light only gets brighter. Yet even as his vision was clouded, what he heard was unmistakable. The sound of heavy machinery.

Finally, the blinding light began to fade, slowly revealing a shocking sight to Douglas and Collins.

There stood Hood, elegant in her poise, graceful in her demeanor, beautiful in her appearance. Yet what stood out to the to men was the mass of steel rigging affixed to her back, the unmistakable four double-barreled fifteen-inch guns of the battlecruiser attached to said rigging.

Collins stares with eyes filled with shock, "What in the name of Christ is this?"

"This is who we are, Admiral Collins." States Hood. "The souls of warships given manifestation. We are living, breathing creatures just like you. But with the strength and durability of our original forms."

Collins turns to look at Belfast. "So that means you are really...?"

"Edinburgh-class Light Cruiser, Belfast, at your service Master." The Maid reintroduces herself with a bow.

"I... think I need to sit down for a moment," Collin says as he slowly does just that in one of the office's plush leather chairs.

Douglas stared at Hood; his eyes locked with hers. He didn't even notice Warspite finally recovering her sword from him, his gaze never leaving Hood's.

"It is good to see you again... Douglas," Hood says while tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. "You look well."

Douglas doesn't say anything. Instead, he breaks his gaze from Hood and walks out of the Shikikan's office.

Hood's eyes widen in panic as she watches Douglas leave. "Wait, please!" She pleads as she sends her rigging away so she can run after him. But before she can, she is stopped by Belfast.

"Let him be for the moment, Lady Hood." Advises the Head Maid. Hood opens her mouth to protest but is cut off by Belfast who holds up her hand. "I understand your reasons for wishing to go after him but look at it from his point of view. The ship he had served on for over four years is now a human woman. Give him time to process that fact."

Hood looks at the office door for a moment before nodding her head with a sigh.

(Scene)

Douglas really didn't have a destination in mind when he walked out of the Shikikan's office. He just knew he had to be anywhere but there. He needed to find someplace quiet so he can calm down his racing mind and be able to think.

God, he needed a good smoke about right now.

Finally, after about ten minutes of walking aimlessly, he found himself by the Sakuran docks once again. He could see the Amagi alongside its sister ship Akagi.

'Though can they be considered sister ships anymore since one is an Aircraft Carrier instead of a Battlecruiser?' He wonders absentmindedly as he takes out his pipe and begins to light it.