If Midway ends without decisive losses

What happens next if Midway never occurs or neither side loses ships?

The carrier contest continues, potentially with earlier or more consequential British carrier involvement.

If Japan detects the trap or both sides withdraw without losing carriers, the United States is likely to seek another decisive carrier engagement. Damaged or overworked American ships would make an earlier request for HMS Victorious plausible. Victorious could serve as the task force's fighter carrier while the American decks concentrated on offensive strikes. Later discussion suggests that British assistance might be exchanged for troops, aircraft, or even American-built carriers for a future British Pacific Fleet. The next battle changes, along with the timing and terms of Anglo-American carrier integration.