Chapter Text
"This is USS Normandy CG-60, with CSG-12 contacting USS Arleigh Burke. Sitrep."
The commanding voice of the Ticonderoga-class cruiser echoed from Arleigh's communicator. Missiles, lasers and cannon rounds streaked past the injured destroyer, her unconscious sister nestled in her arms.
The determined veteran pushed through the pain as she took in her immediate surroundings and the few undamaged instruments she had. Panting heavily, the exhausted destroyer responded to the cruiser.
"Hah... USS Arleigh Burke reporting, enemy forces have been significantly diminished, but Stout and I have sustained heavy damage. How far out are you?"
"We're 12 nautical miles from your position, prepare for evac."
Arleigh never thought she'd feel as relieved by Normandy's voice as she was then. After all, as her superior, the cruiser could be quite stern—always strict with US Navy protocols and procedures.
Especially when it came to the discipline of the Kansen under her command, the first of the Burkes was no exception.
"Heh... Hear that, sis? We ain't dying here today!"
The damaged ship reassured her unconscious sister as she cradled her protectively. Arleigh attempted to manoeuvre away from the remaining enemy fire, but the only response she got was a strained whine from her destroyed riggings.
"Damn... guess we'll just have to sit tight then."
In the midst of the battle, her Aegis combat suite warned her of an enemy anti-ship missile, closing in fast.
"Fuck, hold on Stout! We're all out of SM-2 and SM-6 interceptors and my Phalanx is damn near empty... better make this count!"
Arleigh locked onto the incoming missile and waited for it to get as close as possible before unleashing the last of her ammo.
With a resounding roar, the Phalanx fired off the last of its 20 mm rounds towards the oncoming threat. The rounds hit their mark, detonating the missile in the air just shy of a few hundred feet from the two destroyers.
"Haha! Now that's what I'm talking about! Ya see sis? That's how ya clear the skies!"
The proud destroyer gloated to her passed out sister, as if she were awake and aware of the events that just transpired.
Unfortunately for the exultant destroyer, her celebrations would be cut short by another warning from her Aegis... a second missile was en route.
"God damn it!"
Arleigh frantically peered around her, searching for something—anything—that could shield them from their impending doom. Sadly, the seas were clear. A deep sense of dread gripped her mind as she realized there was nothing she could do to save them.
"Burke, missile headed towards you bearing 127°! Interceptors launched!"
Normandy's hurried voice came through her communicator. Arleigh knew that there was no way the interceptors could make it—they were just too far away.
And thus, it was time for the loyal Kansen to say her final goodbyes.
"Cap, listen... I don't have much time. Please, tell my sisters that Stout and I fought to the very end—as soldiers of Earth. That we met our ends with honour... and dignity."
A choked breath was heard from Arleigh as she continued.
"Remember us for the lives we've lived, the memories we've made... the experiences we've shared."
She let out a trebling sigh—one of acceptance—as she bade farewell to her captain.
"I wish I could've known you as someone more than my captain... I wish I had asked you out for a drink earlier.
A beat,
"Take care of my sisters. Goodbye, Mandy."
On the horizon, Normandy could make out the silhouette of her comrade. Her torn uniform and destroyed riggings did little to hide her tearful smile. She held her Stout tightly to her chest with one arm whilst the other saluted her superior, one last time.
Normandy's final sight of her dear subordinates was that of a massive fireball engulfing them, then... nothing. The sudden silence over the cruiser's communicator confirmed the finality of the sisters' fates.
The Captain stood motionless upon the waves, her expression lachrymose. Rain had begun to fall. For once, the mighty cruiser felt powerless.
She fought back her tears, knowing that weeping would only serve to lower the morale of CSG-12. Despite her efforts to keep her composure, she failed to conceal her despair from the group. Normandy felt one of them embrace her tightly from behind.
"They will be mourned... their deaths will embolden us to keep pushing forward."
Porter whispered, trying her best to hold back her emotions. Trying to be strong for them.
"...not only for the sake of the fallen, but for humanity. We cannot, and will not allow their deaths to be in vain..."
Normandy wanted to say something to the grief-stricken destroyer, but the weight of the moment pressed down upon her.
Porter's attempt at comforting her superior didn't do much to abate her emotions. She was close to breaking down all the same.
For the first time in years, Normandy didn't know how to respond. she wasn't used to being comforted like this—especially not by a sister in arms during a mission.
The cold feeling of Porter's tears eventually led Normandy to return the destroyer's embrace, knowing that she had just witnessed the deaths of two of her sisters, two irreplaceable people whom she called family.
The gentle rain grew into an unyielding tempest, each furious echo of thunder and every wrathful bolt of blinding lightning that tore across the skies served to amplify Normandy's rage. The vaunted cruiser practically trembled with anger as she spoke.
"I swear, upon my name as Normandy..."
Her breath grew heavy and her tears flowed freely as she vowed through gritted teeth.
"...a proud Kansen of the Ticonderoga cruisers—the Sirens shall burn for what they've done!"
Normandy wiped away her tears as she felt Porter tighten her embrace around her, sobbing into her chest. The ordinarily cold cruiser pulled her grieving comrade closer, gently stroking her head to console her.
"Arleigh... Stout... they're gone..."
Porter wept, a newfound animosity had awoken in the hearts of both Kansen that day—a wrathful hatred that both friend and foe would come to fear.
A/N: Jesus Christ there were a lot of problems with the earlier chapters like this one. Punctuation is hard :(