Fragile (Slow Updates)

Chapter 2: New Orders, New and Old Friends

As he waited in line to grab a bite to eat, feeling tired of MREs and canned food, the four female hybrids he had just met stood with him. His face remained devoid of life or emotion, as he smoked a cigarette mixed with opium. He could sense the animosity from various ship girls and Commanders who disapproved of his presence on the base. They stared at the 19-year-old Legionnaire, who bore the signs of intense fighting through his wounds and dirt-covered appearance. Conversations buzzed around him as people whispered about the Sous-lieutenant, some recognizing him as Cdr. John Davis, Azur Lane's missing Commander.

He had vanished without a trace after being hospitalized for broken bones, bruises, and a concussion, which he had received from being beaten up by some very jealous Commanders.

"What can I get...?" A Caucasian ship girl with long blond hair and orange eyes asked but stopped mid sentence with her face going pale upon seeing Sous-lieutenant Vogel's initial appearance as well as recognizing him under the uniform and battle wounds. Though for him he simply paid no attention to her as he had more important things to do and that was getting something to eat.

"I'll have the steak, with two fried eggs done sunny side up and a serving of breakfast potatoes on the side." Answer the Sous-lieutenant after he let out a puff of grey smoke. He received his order almost immediately and sat down at an empty table enjoying his meal with the four female hybrids joining him.

As he sat there, savoring his meal and adding Tabasco sauce to his breakfast potatoes, he pulled out five bottles of birthday beer - ST. FEUILLIEN BLONDE - which the Belgian Army Regiment stationed on Outpost 23 had generously gifted to him. He happily shared one bottle with each of the girls. As they sat together, talking and enjoying their next round of beer, he found himself warming up to them. The shared experience of being soldiers and having fought in similar places made it easier to connect with them, or perhaps it was the beer loosening the barriers between them.

As they say their chatting away two ship girls who were bold enough to approach their former Commander sat across from him with one of them holding a small gift box in her hands which was nicely wrapped up with a bow on top.

"I thought I recognized you, Commander." Said a red-haired, amethyst-purple-eyed Caucasian female, appearing to be in her mid-twenties to early thirties. She was dressed in an opulent white jacket with gold trim, a matching white skirt, and a gold and red striped belt around her waist, adorned with a white medal. A black cape and gold cape were draped over her jacket, and she wore a cap in the same color scheme. Black gloves covered her elegant hands, and she sported fancy black laced leg stockings along with stylish black high heels.

"It's good to see you, Commander." Greeted a Caucasian female with long blond hair tied in a braid ponytail and icy blue eyes. She was dressed in an elaborate red and black gown, displaying various medals. A white cape with a fur collar graced her back, and she wore black lace leg stockings, with a sword holstered on her back and stylish white boots. As she sat down, she placed a gift in her hands on the table and slid it towards the Sous-lieutenant. "Here, I know this is late, but I thought you might want some of my cookies, knowing how much you used to like them."

"Merci." (Thank you.) Said Sous-lieutenant Vogel as he pulled the box towards him and proceeded with opening and stuffing a chocolate chip cookie in his mouth as well as offering some to the four hybrids who happily accepted. As he did that he slid two bottles of ST. FEUILLIEN BLONDE towards the two ladies. "Je vois que tu es devenue une vraie sœur, alors pourquoi ne pas fêter ça? (I see that you've become a real sister so why don't you celebrate?)"

"Sorry we don't really understand French,  Commander and we can't really drink at the moment." Said the blond.

"Sis, let's live a little." Translated the red head as she took a swig from her bottle savoring the taste.