Fragile (Slow Updates)

Chapter 15: Boiling Point

The Azur Lane base descended into chaos. Peacekeepers rushed through the cluttered corridors, medevac choppers cycling in and out carrying the wounded. Other outgoing helicopters fairing fresh reinforcements, fresh meat for the grinder. All bore the distinctive white of the United Nations, though some had makeshift black painted boxes with bold white lettering hastily scrawled across the side.

The harbour teemed with departing warships, while the airfield buzzed with life - taxiways clogged with aerial refuelers, another AWAC prepared to replace the one already circling overhead and P-8s queued up for launch tasked with surveillance and hunting down Sakura submarines or Iron Blood U-boats.

In the midst of the chaos stood Sous-lieutenant Vogel, huddled with his advisors, eyes locked on the tactical display of his tablet The Black Devil cigarette dangled from his lips, a faint ember glowing each time he took a drag.

"So much for a quiet day at the beach," Captain Florence muttered over the deafening whirr of helicopter blades.

Sous-lieutenant Vogel exhaled a thin stream of smoke. "Alright, listen up." His voice cut through the noise, pulling everyone's attention to him, He took a slow drag from the cigarette before continuing.

"This morning, as you know, we had an intrusion on base and a possible assassination attempt targeting me. Now it looks like the Crimson Axis has decided to go all in - declaring open war. Their goal is to cripple the United Nations presence in the region with a full-scale assault. They're throwing everything at us. We can expect heavy casualties."

He glanced around the group, gauging their reactions. "Our mission is to delay their advance until reinforcements arrive - specifically, the NATO task force with the US 7th Fleet, HMS Queen Elizabeth and FS Charles de Gaulle. Option two..." He paused, inhaling again before exhaling smoke slowly. "Well, we hope it doesn't come to that, but Command is prepared to authorise total sanitization of all kill box's"

A brief silence followed, thick with tension.

"Questions?" The Legionnaire asked, eye shifting from face to face

"ROE?" Lieutenant Colonel Angelica inquirered.

"Rules of Engagement have been revised" The Sous-lieutenant gave a small nod. "All Red Axis Kansens inside the exclusion zone are now classified as hostile. Fire at your own discretion."

The shift in the room was subtle but unmistakable - relief washed over the gathered officer. The frustration of being held back by a restrictive ROE had weighed heavily on them and now they had permission to act without hesitation. 

"Will Azur Lane provide support?" Major Volkov asked, exhaling smoke from her own cigarette.

"We'll see." He shrugged. "It's not my call, but I can request it. This is primarily a UN operation."

Florence clapped hands together, a manic grin spreading across her face. "Well what are we waiting for? Let's kill some Red Axis fucks!"

No one disagreed. Florence has said aloud what they had all been thinking.

The sharp snap of a camera shutter pulled his attention. He found himself face-to-face with Rebecca, her Nikon F2 film camera poised to capture the group before they boarded the waiting helicopters.

"I know what you're thinking and no!" His voice rose over the whir of rotors, his tone leaving no room for argument. "I don't need a civilian death on my battlefield!"

Rebecca flinched at the authority in his voice, her heart skipping as she glanced nervously at the chaotic scene unfolding around them. A peacekeeper was carried by on a stretcher and being loaded into a waiting ambulance. Their left leg was blown partially off while blood dripped down the face from a gash in their forehead and served to burn wounds to the right arm and surrounding area.