Chapter 19

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19. No Matter What, We Must Stop It!

"Ah-choo!"

"Enterprise? What's wrong?"

"Ah, nothing, just feeling like something of mine is about to be stolen..."

In response to 111's concerned inquiry, Enterprise shook her head, her golden ponytail swaying as she suppressed the unease in her heart.

However, due to being in the bushes, her hair didn't have much room to move. After feeling some discomfort, Enterprise stopped her actions and continued to keep a wary eye on the sweating Zhonghai Global, who was standing at the crossroads.

"I don't think hiding here makes much sense, right? We can't even scratch an itch..."

"Onee-chan, shut up."

The somewhat restless Plan Ship No. 1, hiding on the other side, was quickly suppressed by her younger sister, causing 110 and Montana to chuckle.

Not only Enterprise and 111 were hiding in the bushes; the entire Air Combat Department of the Kūsō Fleet was also there. As for the logistics department's Haihu and the three members of the Execution Team, they were hiding elsewhere, monitoring the nearly crying Zhonghai at the crossroads through the ancient facilities, continuously sending signals to her.

'Your facial expression is too unnatural, Zhonghai. Relax, if you don't relax, you won't fool the Admiral. Just get through this, and we'll think of a way.'

The cold but somewhat concerned voice of Haihu came through the earpiece.

'No problem, take a deep breath, yes, that's it. Just relax.'

Essex also chimed in, giving Zhonghai instructions.

'Don't be so stiff, the Admiral can tell.'

'Keep your hands natural.'

The commands from Haihu and Essex alternated in the earpiece. Listening to the orders, Zhonghai Global, with a pained expression, leaned against the railing at the crossroads, constantly changing her expression according to the commands.

Her pitiful appearance even made Enterprise, hiding in the bushes, feel a bit sorry for her, almost unable to bear the sight.

But there was no choice. On their way, they had encountered the sweating Zhonghai, and after asking, they learned what Maersk had done. The usually very independent cargo ship had decided to quit and forge oil. This level of execution left everyone in awe.

Due to the urgency of time, they couldn't all rush to the warehouse to start working. After all, they had different roles, and they didn't know how to forge oil. They might even end up hindering the process. After calculating the probability of hindering the process and seeing Zhonghai's nearly broken expression, they all decided to hide and remotely command to stall the Admiral until they couldn't hold on any longer.

As for persuading the Admiral to change his mind and go elsewhere, they had no such thoughts. If it were Sacramento, she might do it, but the other shipgirls didn't have the courage or ability to oppose the Admiral with their words and actions.

"But, to be honest."

Watching Zhonghai clumsily imitating something at the crossroads, Enterprise, hiding in the bushes with a bird's nest on her head, pressed her earpiece and asked everyone.

"Isn't it a bit unfair to leave Zhonghai alone there? Someone should be with her. Otherwise, I feel like Zhonghai will eventually break down. Just look at her, the Admiral will see through it in a second. We need to find someone to help her."

'Exactly! I can't do it alone! We need someone else!'

'Impossible.'

In response to Enterprise and Zhonghai's request, Haihu coldly said in the earpiece.

'How do you explain running away from the factory? The Admiral has given us a lot of freedom, but we've made a mistake. Even for the Admiral's sake, we can't expose this. Now, this is our chance to make amends.'

"I don't think this has anything to do with our Combat Department. It's entirely your Logistics Department and Execution Team's problem. It has nothing to do with us."

'How dare you say it has nothing to do with you! We're all in this together, so don't try to shirk responsibility.'

Essex's voice also rang out in the earpiece.

'If it weren't for your Combat Department's excessive consumption and waste, would we be in such a poor state? How much do you consume on a trip? An average of 10,000 per day! If it weren't for your excessive consumption, we wouldn't be in this situation!'

"Huh?!"

Enterprise's voice instantly rose several octaves.

"Are you blaming us for this? If it weren't for you people always holding us back, we would have brought the Admiral countless victories long ago. You blame me for eating too much? If you can do it, go ahead! We may consume a lot, but we can also fight well. If you're not convinced, let's have a one-on-one match. I'll let you use two legs and one arm!"

'You, an aircraft carrier, have no shame? You want me to use one arm and two legs? Will you not use your planes? If you don't use your planes or artillery, I'll let you use two legs!'

"Try to break through my defense first!"

'You little—'

'Enough! The Admiral is coming!'

'Ah!'

Seeing the faint white figure in the distance, the girls all let out a low exclamation, quickly crouching in their hiding spots, wearing various decorations and camouflage, and watching the Admiral, who was still covered in patches, approach with a wary expression.

In the distance, the Admiral, wearing a washed-out navy uniform, his face slightly sunken and yellowish, had a hint of joy on his face. It seemed he had received some good news, humming an off-key tune as he hurried towards the warehouse. He didn't even notice Zhonghai, who was hiding nearby.

In response to the Admiral's actions, the shipgirls all subconsciously held their breath, their eyes fixed on Zhonghai, who was already on the verge of breaking down.

'Zhonghai, what are you doing? Quickly stop the Admiral!'

Under Haihu's constant urging, Zhonghai gritted her teeth, steeled her resolve, and stood in front of the Admiral.

"Admiral! I have something to say to you!"