Fragile (Slow Updates)

Chapter 15: Boiling Point

A group of destroyers and frigates were making break neck speed towards them. 

XXX

Columbia's irritation peaked as she kicked him lightly giving him a playful smile. The Legionnaire, mildly annoyed, glared up at her.

"It's not polite to be-" She began, but he cut her off.

A Black Devil cigarette dangling from his lips as he met her gaze. "I'm aware," He replied, his voice a raspy, cold drawl. A faint smile curled at the corners of his mouth. "Sorry, I had to deal with something."

"What could be so important that you must ignore me?" Columbia asked, her curiosity piqued.

He leaned in, drawing in a drag of smoke. "If you must know, I'm currently managing an operation. There were some troublemakers last night but I gave them a lovely ultimatum. Words of advice Columbia: don't engage with a drunk and jealous commander. Those types are capable of unspeakable things. It seems Azur Lane's security is pretty lax, allowing the enemy to encroach upon its doorstep once again, pushing me back into my Commander position."

The Sous-lieutenant criticised Azur Lane's lack of security measures. Not only had the Sakura Empire conducted a surprise attack but managed to infiltrate the base and conduct a possible assassination attempt. A quick drunk text to Rear Admiral Williams, Vice Admiral Evans and Carter would fix that. "My duty under the UN mission involves a P-8 Poseidon and several task forces tracking them down." His battlefield management system watched in real time as the Poseidon tracked them from above and the fleet rapidly closed in with other hybrids nearby for QRF.

Colombia's eyes widened in horror and curiosity. "The enemy here on base? Why didn't you sound the alarm? Importantly, what's that thing?" Her eyes sparkled with amazement at the technology he wielded allowing him to command in real time from afar.

"The Commander can be... Formidable when drunk and jealous." Of course she knew what he was talking about. Most Kansens and Commanders held a unique bond with him in their heart. Though drunk words don't lie. You can love a man but would he return that love? Admiration could only go so far when a heart is as scared by war's brutality. A hole filled by the violence of war, the killing of another man. To him love felt overrated, reserved for those who could truly comprehend the violence he experienced. His war.

"Oh, It's all just a bunch of micromanaging." He chuckled, recoginizing how foreign this was to her. "Haha... First time for everything. Welcome to the modern battlefield." One of the finer moments of being a Commander was introducing Kansens to the more modern aspects of life when their mindset were often antiquated. 'Azur Lane should really allow them base leave? Though not like there is much out here, though this rock does have everything anyone could want.'

Columbia's amazement persisted. "Never took you for a desk Commander?"

A smirk tugged at his lips as he stowed the tablet back into his pack. "You'd be right in that regard; it's part of being a section leader. But as mission Commander, not everything requires your full attention. I trust my command staff and fleet commanders to be flexible and adapt as the situation demands." Trust goes a long way and he trusted his command staff enough to feel comfortable to sit back and enjoy a cold beer with a good friend. "Wanna see what drunk soldiers get up to?" He invited her with a sly smile and a glint in his eyes.

"Hell yes!" She pumped a fist eager to partake in what Shanagines were to come.

XXX

As much as Sous-lieutenant Vogel was enjoying his lunch date, exposing Colombia to the more wild side of his life, duty called. The situation with the Sakura Empire fleet had escalated rapidly - far quicker than his staff or himself had anticipated. Taken by surprise, he now found himself in the rear of a UH-1Y Venom, cutting through the blue sky at top speed.