You focus on the telepathy web while Rin sleeps warm against your chest, her breathing steady and deep. "Everyone, another of my famous announcements you all love so much!" You keep your mental voice light, almost teasing. "I'm going to take a moment to go over the CDC's list of known dimensional travelers, both dead and possibly still alive."

  You feel the network shift, attention focusing, curiosity sparking across multiple minds simultaneously. Yoruichi's presence feels amused. Nova's is clinical and attentive. Albedo's radiates sharp interest.

  On the list of known dead..." You begin rattling off names, adding context as you go. "Yamcha, Krillin, Chi-Chi from Dragon Ball. Mineta Minoru, Bakugo Katsuki, Eijiro Kirishima, Tamaki Amajiki from My Hero Academia. Light Yagami and Misa Amane from Death Note. Zenitsu Agatsuma and Kamado Tanjiro from Demon Syer. Eren Yeager from Attack on Titan..."

  The list continues. You feel Yusuke's consciousness fre briefly at Kuwabara's name. Nami and Robin both register Luffy and Chopper.

  "It's awkward to say, but most of them make sense to be dead. Either because they're variably stupid or just morally incompatible with actual zombies. Some were recognized and killed as fast as possible because of their infamy. Even some of the so-called heroes would have been lynched hard by the right group."

  Robin's mental presence ripples with dark amusement. "Harsh but accurate assessment."

  "Moving on to the list of the living, with a note that the individuals are likely to have differences depending on which timeline they are from." You shift Rin slightly, her head nestling deeper against your shoulder. "Sakura Haruno and Karin Uzumaki, both originate from the same ninja-type story as Hinata. Depending on their age, they could either be bratty and whiny little teenagers, or aggressive magic-assassins."

  Hinata pulses with recognition. "Sakura-san... if she is shinobi-trained, she would survive. But her personality..."

  "Edward Elric and Riza Hawkeye from Fullmetal Alchemist," you continue. "Edward is loud and whiny enough I am surprised he is alive, but his ability to reshape nearby mass makes him capable of producing instant fortresses or turning lead into gold. He could be captured as a prisoner or just wandering from group to group trying to figure out what is going on. Riza Hawkeye is a sharpshooting soldier who knows how to survive, she probably just walked out in a soldier's uniform when she found the CDC were hunting civilians."

  Rika's mental voice cuts in, professional and precise. "Hawkeye's tactical profile matches mine. If she is alive, she is operating independently or embedded with military remnants."

  "Most likely, but do not forget their fame. It will be hard for either of them to stay in groups that do not have solid structure. They are both famous enough to the people that know them, that they are worth abducting forcefully."

  "Kiritsugu Emiya is from Fate/Zero, but he is no magic user, instead he is more dangerous. A professional anti-mage assassin, with the will to exterminate half of humanity with his own hands if it means saving the other half. He is likely to be on our side if it is expined properly. If it is not... then he might be pnning how to assassinate me right now."

  Yoruichi's presence sharpens with interest. "That one we need to find before he finds us."

  "At the very least, making contact with him would be nice, but communication is a bit of an issue when we are as famous as we are. We will absolutely be bombarded with questions, requests and demands if we have a public method of direct contact. That is why we have been using the navy as our main method of communication. I am actually rather afraid to ask about how many contacts Webbs has had to deal with... Meaning our only option is to wait for if he contacts us through the Navy as a dimensional traveler."

  "Revy from Bck Lagoon, pure bck-market mercenary. Offer her enough and she will shoot her way through armies. She is likely unbothered by the zombie apocalypse. She would be pissed the power is out but unlikely to come looking for us unless she thinks we have a way back home for her."

  "Levi Ackerman from Attack on Titan, like Mikasa..."

  Mikasa registers the name with mild recognition, celebrity from her world, nothing more.

  "This world does not have the gear they are using avaible. If he had it with him it is likely out of fuel. Without it his danger is halved to a super-reactive soldier-assassin. With it he is a three-dimensional skirmish-assassin."

  You pause, then add with dry amusement: "Roronoa Zoro is from One Piece, same as Nami and Robin. Depending on timeline he is either a lost musclehead wandering around with three swords, or a lost swordsman capable of cutting mountains in a single ssh. Did I mention his impossible sense of direction would get him lost outside of a sealed room?"

  Nami, half-awake now, radiating fond exasperation. "That idiot... he'd get lost in a straight hallway. If he's out there, he's probably walking in circles somewhere useless."

  Robin's mental voice carries mild curiosity. "Pirate Hunter Zoro? I only met him once."

  You let the list settle, then add one final note. "That cover's the dimensional travelers that we can suspect are out there and ends this announcement." The web quiets. Attention drifts back to tasks.

  Rin shifts in your arms, still unconscious, still wrapped around you.

  The motorhome rocks gently with the ship's motion. The night outside the small window is bck and quiet.

  You focus out specifically to Yusuke and Kenshin.

  "Yusuke, Kenshin, if I kept track of time right, then the final load should be getting ready. If you stay on shore, you can easily mix into the chaos heading to Redding and down south, then east across the country. If so, good luck finding the other lost travelers, and know that if you ever need us, we will come. Or you can get a safe rest with us and we can drop you off by helicopter after sunrise when we are enchanting farther south and get ahead of the chaos. Your choice."

  Yusuke's mental presence fres with immediate response, his voice carrying a street-fighter edge. "You kidding? I am not bailing now. I have got unfinished business with the CDC bastards who executed Kuwabara, and you are the best shot at tracking them down. Plus-" there is a pause, almost embarrassed, "-you gave me a ring that means I do not starve or freeze. That is worth sticking around for."

  Kenshin's response comes slower, more measured. "This one has wandered many roads alone, Brad-dono. But the chaos you describe... it would be difficult to protect the innocent while traveling through such disorder. And there are others here, dimensional travelers like myself, who may need guidance adjusting to this world's truths." A quiet hesitation. "If the offer is genuine, this one would accept rest and transport south. Perhaps there are people in need along your route who could benefit from an extra sword."

  You feel the sincerity in both responses through the telepathic link. Yusuke's is driven by revenge and pragmatic gratitude. Kenshin's carries that wanderer's guilt, the need to be useful, to protect, to atone.

  "Good," you reply. "Get to the final LARC. Albedo should have it ready in about twenty minutes. Find bunks and get some sleep, we are pulling out at dawn."

  Yusuke's mental presence shifts toward the dock. "On it. And Brad? Thanks for no goodbye speeches. I hate those."

  Kenshin's reply is quieter. "This one is grateful for your trust, Brad-dono. We will not disappoint."

  "Uh, Yusuke, you do realize that as a half-demon your lifespan is measured in hundreds, right? And that ring on your finger means, like us, you'll ever get old at all. Kinda removes the point of goodbye's, If you ever get back home, give it immediately to Keiko."

  A moment of silence follows, then Yusuke's mental voice returns, gruffer than usual, almost defensive.

  "...Yeah. I know. I just... didn't think about it like that." Another pause, shorter this time. "Keiko would probably kick my ass if I showed up looking the same age while she's... yeah. Thanks for the reminder, man. I'll make sure she gets it. If I ever make it back."

  His presence softens slightly, the usual bravado giving way to something quieter, more thoughtful.

  "Anyway. I am heading to the big fan-boat now. See you at dawn."

  The connection fades as both men disengage, their attention shifting back to physical reality.

  You squeeze Rin slightly in your arms, her unconscious form settled against your chest. "Sorry Keiko, but I won't use Yusuke as a test subject for multiverse travel." you murmur.

  After several minutes, You shift Rin carefully in your arms, her body warm and sck against your chest. She murmurs something incoherent as you stand, but doesn't wake. The motorhome's bedroom is small but functional, a queen bed with navy sheets, overhead cabinets, a narrow closet. You y her down gently, adjusting the pillow under her head and pulling the comforter up to her shoulders. Her hair spreads across the pillow. Her breathing stays deep and even.

  You step back out into the vehicle deck, closing the motorhome door quietly behind you. The space is quieter now, most of the RVs are secured, their occupants either resting or assisting with the final loading operations. Floodlights cast harsh white light across the deck, reflecting off painted metal and concrete.

  C.C. stands near the rear ramp, arms crossed, watching the harbor entrance. She wears a midnight blue t-shirt and bck dress pants, long green hair hanging loose down her back. When you approach, she gnces over with golden eyes that hold their characteristic detachment.

  "Done pying?" she asks, tone neutral. "Or should I expect more women to stumble out of motorhomes looking thoroughly used?"

  "Is that jealousy?" you reply lightly, before adding, "No promises."

  C.C. tilts her head slightly, golden eyes narrowing with faint amusement. "Not my style."

  You stop beside her, following her gaze out toward the dark water. "Is there anything left for me to do?"

  C.C. tilts her head slightly, considering. "Albedo has the loading operations handled. The final LARC is staging now, Yusuke and Kenshin are aboard. Cargo manifest shows six more pallets of supplies from local storage, but those are already being secured by Shinobu and Erza." She pauses, then adds, "Nami is still on the bridge. Asia and Bulma are in the hangar bay with the Apaches. Nova and Yoruichi returned to assist with cargo handling after your jet ski adventure."

  She turns to face you fully, golden eyes assessing. "So no, Brad. There's nothing critical requiring your immediate attention. Which means you have a choice."

  "Which is?"

  "Rest. You have been operating on Vigor and Zero-Sleep for how long now?" C.C.'s expression does not change, but there is something almost like concern beneath the detachment. "Your body does not need sleep, but your mind might benefit from actual downtime. Or-" she gestures toward the harbor, "-you can stay up and micromanage the final loading. Watch Albedo coordinate. Make sure the pallets are stacked properly. Personally supervise the tie-downs."

  Her tone makes it clear what she thinks of that option.

  In the distance, you hear the LARC's engine rumbling as it approaches the well deck. Voices echo across the water, Albedo's crisp commands, responses from the shore team. Everything is moving smoothly, efficiently, exactly as pnned.

  C.C. watches you, waiting for your decision without impatience or urgency. Her hands rest loosely at her sides, the notepad tucked under one arm.

  You reply. "You're not wrong, rest sounds nice... When Albedo gets back and the well dock can close, we raise the anchors immediate and turn south. That's when I'll share the fgs video I made the other day, every captain on the sea will either worship me for cutting the cords to phantom governments, or curse me for insulting their indoctrination... either way we'll spend the day with Lightbend and Faraday Veil active."

  C.C. listens to your entire expnation without interrupting, her golden eyes tracking your face as you y out the operational timeline.

  "The reason I can't sleep yet, is sunrise." you continue, "Every minute counts for the people out there, at sunrise we need to fly innd, two to five locations need enchantments, depending on if there's trouble in sight or we see another cargo jet in the airports. once they're enchanted and we're on our way back, we'll be clear for maybe a week at a time as we travel south. The first thing I'll do when we get back, is ask my many beautiful roommates is for twelve hour hugs."

  When you finish with the mention of twelve-hour hugs, she makes a small sound that might be amusement.

  "You've thought this through," she says, tone neutral but not dismissive. "The fgs video will cause exactly the chaos you're predicting. Some captains will see liberation, others will see treason. Either way, the maritime communication channels will be flooded for days." She tilts her head slightly. "Lightbend and Faraday Veil are smart choices while that storm settles."

  She gnces toward the harbor entrance where the final LARC's engine rumbles closer. "Your sunrise timeline is tight but achievable. Two to five locations means you're pnning four to ten hours of flight operations depending on complications. You have a list of volunteers who can provide security for any ground approach if needed. The pilots still ck experience, they will be mostly bluff."

  Her expression doesn't change, but there's something almost approving in her voice. "And the twelve-hour hugs afterward... that's probably the first time I've heard you acknowledge that you need rest as much as they need reassurance." She pauses. "Though I suspect 'hugs' is optimistic phrasing for what will actually happen when two dozen women who've been watching you operate on fumes finally get you alone."

  You meet her gaze. "I will either be having you or Asia pilot the Bell Venom or King Stallion depending on our passenger count to Bakersfield at sunrise. Then have the Apaches join us en route to the two other locations farther south. Splitting up will not be an option. Too many unknowns. Yusuke and Kenshin will want to be dropped off as we finish. It will put them ahead of the chaos for their goals of helping people and finding the other dimensional travelers. As for the extended hugs, it will be almost a week before we need to fly into Mexico for a few hours, then another week before Panama. I think that is plenty of time for me to funt my new reclusive harem lifestyle. Any chance you will be joining those hugs?"

  C.C. holds your eyes for a long beat. Then she exhales softly through her nose, the sound almost a ugh.

  "I will consider it. If the timetable allows." Her voice stays level, but there is a faint warmth beneath the detachment.

  The LARC's engine grows louder as it approaches the well deck ramp. You can see Yusuke standing near the front, his distinctive green jacket visible under the floodlights. Kenshin stands beside him, red hair tied back, one hand resting on his reverse-bde katana.

  "Albedo will have final loading complete in approximately twelve minutes," C.C. continues, checking the harbor. "Well deck closure takes another eight. That puts anchor-raising at 3:30am, which gives you ninety minutes before sunrise to finalize flight teams and brief the dimensional travelers on the innd mission parameters."

  She turns back to face you fully. "The fgs video broadcast... you're pnning to release it via the naval communication network? That ensures maximum captain coverage, but it also means Webb and Morrison will field the immediate fallout. Have you warned them what's coming?"

  You reply calm and direct. "They will be the ones to broadcast it, so they will have to watch it first. That will be their warning."

  C.C. inclines her head once, golden eyes steady. "Efficient. Webb and Reeves are professionals. They will adapt."

  The LARC reaches the ramp, engine cutting back to idle as it begins the careful ascent into the well deck. Albedo's voice carries across the water, directing the final positioning with her characteristic precision.

  "And one more thing," C.C. adds, her golden eyes holding yours with unusual directness. "When you do finally colpse into those twelve-hour hugs... make sure someone keeps watch. The hostile factions observing your operations won't wait for you to finish resting before making their move. You've been extremely visible for the past eighteen hours. That window for asymmetric action I mentioned? It's closing fast."

  The LARC settles into position with a hydraulic hiss. Yusuke hops off first, stretching his arms overhead. Kenshin follows more carefully, offering a polite bow toward Albedo before scanning the vehicle deck with professional assessment.

  C.C. crosses her arms, waiting for your response.

  "Hostile factions have about ten minutes before we finish raising the anchors and activate Lightbend and Faraday Viel with the current Muffling Aura," you say aloud. "After that, I will bid them good luck finding an invisible, muted, signal-less ship on the open ocean. Plus, the fgs video should cause even more headaches as any form of former authority slips from under them."

  C.C. gives a small nod. "Practical."

  You gnce toward the ramp. Albedo is already directing the final tie-downs, her white dress catching the floodlights as she moves with calm authority.

  The well deck is nearly full now. Twenty-three motorhomes sit secured in rows, engines silent, interiors dark. The st few pallets of supplies are being moved into storage compartments below.

  SnafuSam