Fragile (Slow Updates)

Chapter 19: Another Day in the Office

"You look confused, Rear Admiral." Lieutenant Colonel Angelica remarked, following Williams' line of sight to the French officer and his security detail. "Oh them... Looks like his Command isn't taking any risk of another attempt on his life if you can even call it that."

Williams frowned. "I'm just worried what effect all these men on base are going to have. There is a reason why Azur Lane is heistrent to re-hire Male Commander as past incidents didn't exactly leave the girls with the best of experiences." A sigh escaped the Rear Admirals lips. "Though I suppose it's a good thing to have them interact with the opposite gender now and then. It does help that they are disciplined enough and follow a strict policy." 

Military fraternisation policy applied more so between officers, non-commissioned officers and the lower enlisted. Where Kansens military proper or civilian was a matter of ongoing debt. If they wanted to date a Kansen who was going to say no. However, Azur Lane's regulation on relationships was clear - fraternization between Commanders and their shipgirls was strictly monitored. Though professional relationships were encouraged, anything beyond that had led to enough incidents in the past that restrictions were firmly in place. Romantic affairs were seen in the eyes of Azur Lane as a liability, a conflict of interest in the Commander Kansen relationship that potentially led to favouritism and compromised operational effectiveness.

Of course this was the rule but did anyone actually follow it or was policy enforced to any real degree? That was a subject of debate. The ALMP had more pressing matters to attend to than policing a Commander's one-night stand. Even Commander John had bigger problems - like Azur Lane itself falling apart like a broken vase.

"Your ladies are more curious than the boys are seeking to cause trouble." The Lieutenant Colonel remarked putting on her best smile before taking her leave.

At the food line, Nevada raised an eyebrow as Sous-lieutenant Vogel with the three flanking him approached the counter. "Bonjour, Nevada."

She eyed him, then shifted her attention to the three shadowing him. Uniforms alone Nevada could tell that they weren't normal soldiers. High cut helmets, HK416A5s, were set up differently from the Sous-lieutenant, tan and Multicam uniforms unlike his CCE F3 style uniform. She's seen enough of the other special forces members to put two and two together.

"Morning." She responded, offering a polite smile.

"Can I do the breakfast potatoes, fruit salad, egg and bacon on an everything bagel, English muffin breakfast pizza, maple bacon cinnamon and Oreo cinnamon rolls."

"Wait... Do we have options?" A surprised Master Laurent inquired peering his head at the food displayed in disbelief.

"Um... Oui (Yes)." He replied while receiving his plate.

Lucas scoffed. "You gave this up to be a Legionnaire? Damm, somebody was desperate to get out of here."

Desperate. That wasn't even half of it.

Who would willingly stay a Commander when a quarter of the base wanted you in their bed, another quarter wanted to crucify you and the other half couldn't care less. Sure being behind a desk was probably the safer option than having your left leg mangled beyond repair or being on the receiving end of enemy mortar fire.

He lowered his head so his eyes appeared over his glasses. "You say it like you know what the life expectancy of a male Commander is." Lucas just raised his hands in surrender.

Nevada could see how his eyes have gone from once youthful, full of life to the eyes that have witnessed the horrors of war. Of which she couldn't fathom.

For Master Lucas, Andre and Sergent Adrian they saw something much worse than simply dull brown eyes. They saw hunger, death, friends die, injustice, violence, murder, taint of blood and gunpowder, Mirror Sea exposure, those eyes saw his own innocence vanish.