Fragile (Slow Updates)

Chapter 15: Boiling Point

"Fleets 3, 5, 6, 7, 13 and 2nd SFS - reroute immediately." Magic ordered over the comms. "Air assets on standby, mark targets."

Sure, he might be overdoing it. But strength and honour were essential when things fell apart. That was the Sakura way - honour. Iron Blood? Strength. And war... War left no room for either. Ity was just another nine-to-five grind with higher stakes.

The distant thud of turrets echoed across the ocean, barrels swinging toward the lead destroyer. Their guns elevated, adjusting to meet their target.

"Magic, Ajax Actual, permission to fire, over?"

The Legionnaire watched the screen intently, observing as the Iron Blood turrets finalised any corrections. The muzzles of their barrels lifted into position, prepared to fire. 

"Negative," Magic replied "You may only return fire if fired upon."

The decision came just in time - the Iron Blood's naval huns boomed, shattering the tense silence of the afternoon.

"Magic, Ajax Actual, contacts marked as hostile, over!"

The UN formation immediately shifted into their rigging form, manoeuvring to avoid incoming shells while their CIWS systems spat bursts of lead at the incoming round.

"We need immediate air and heavy support now!" Lieutenant Prescott's voice crackled over the comms, tense but composed. "Reorganise and fire on the move! We're falling back to the fleet!"

Prescott wasn't a fool - she knew when she was outgunned. Her only hope was to link up with the main fleet as 16 inch shells rained sporadically around them. The two battleships in the rear did their best to shield the exposed vanguard, but it was barely enough for an Iowa and Lion-class to handle.

Sous-lieutenant Vogel knew Lieutenant Prescott could handle herself under fire. She'd proven that during Operation Sandcastle, when a RPG had punched through her soft-skin G-wagon, tearing through the rear door and floor. It was a miracle that the warhead hadn't expodied but passed right through leaving her with only a burn on her leg. Could've been much worse.

"Ajax Actual, Magic, contacts bearing 270 and 315, confirmed hostile. Engage at will over." The AWACs called out in a calm voice over the comms.

"Magic, Ajax Actual, contacts bearing 270 and 315, confirmed hostile. Engage at will, out." The Lieutenant acknowledged. "Ajax 1-1, engage 270. Ajax 2-1, engage 315."

Atago and Takao exchanged looks. Despite their differing opinions about the Sous-lieutenant, there was one thing they could agree on.

"Was this really part of the plan?" Atago asked quietly, watching the bursts of gunfire light up the horizon. "Declaring war on the United Nations just to draw him out? All this - just to further the Red Axis's goals?" Her voice was steady but her eyes betrayed the conflict within. Her heart carried the weight of words left unspoken.

Takao gave a slight nod, her ears twitching at each distant noise. "I don't like it either sis." Her body shivered involuntarily at the distant thunder of 16 inch naval guns, each blast resonating through her bones. The growing roar of parroaching fighter jets only heightened her unease. "This... Might have been a mistake. But Mushashi is determined to take the United Nations and him on."

Both sisters flinched at the memory of what the Sous-lieutenant had done to the Siren collaborators.

Takao placed a reassuring hand on Atago's shoulder. "He wouldn't hurt us." Her voice was quiet but firm, as though trying to convince both her sister and herself. "We're like his second family. We're his sisters."

'What happened to you Commander?' The same thought echoed silently between them, unspoken but shared. The man they once knew and the man standing before them now felt like two different people - familiar, yet unsettlingly distant.