Fragile (Slow Updates)

Chapter 15: Boiling Point

'Congrats on the win.' Foch texted Sous-lieutenant Vogel in the middle of his lunch date with Columbia. The drunken singing of the peacekeepers in the background as he quietly enjoyed his beer.

It wasn't so much a date and more as a casual catch-up between old friends. That's how the Sous-lieutenant perceived it but for any Kansen passing by, the sight of him with Columbia, chatting amiably was certainly the talk of the base - especially in light of the peacekeepers recent victory over Azur Lane.

With a roll of his eyes the Legionnaire tapped away at this phone, half-listening to Columbia's yapping and him lazily paying attention. 'Uh huh. Sure whatever, tell that to the assholes sent to kill me last night.'

That made his mother's blood boil. His phone started buzzing, the ID flashing: Asshole Mother. He quickly selected a pre-written response. 'Can't talk. Call later.'

'No, this is important!' She texted back.

'Can't busy.' He lazily shot back while taking a leisurely sip of his beer in hand.

'What could be more important than discussing a hit placed upon you without my knowledge of authority!' A faint smile formed as he imagined her seething. Part of him felt a strange satisfaction at her protectiveness.

'On a lunch date and no I'm not stupid. Have a Poseidon and task force activity tracking them.'

'Also actively attacking UN peacekeepers is considered a breach of international law and may constitute a war crime.'

XXX

Out at sea, the group of Kansens sent to kill the Sous-lieutenant Vogel were actively panicking. For one he knew they were there. Two, the what if possibility of following up with his death threat. Not much of a threat but his displeasure  was clear. He clearly saw their presence as an annoyance to his mission. All a minor inconvenience.  

The ship girls eyeing each other wildly, adrenaline still coursing through them.

"Some scouting mission." A dejected Atago huffed arms crossed

Elder sister, Takao, slapped her younger sister on the back. "Is this just a game to you?" Her eyes narrowed and eyebrows furrowed. "Just because you want to coddle him again doesn't mean he won't kill you." Her younger sister's eyes went wide as the gears in Atago's head started turning. Finally put some of that brain power to use. "Everything about him screams a bad omen. Hell he wears a tarot card of death as if it's fashionable. Though you know what it suits him. Those innocent eyes of his are gone sis, he's a cold heartless killer who's seen and done things we could never fathom of doing."

Sometimes one gets so caught up in the past they forget the present. Cute and cuddly no more but a lean, mean, killing machine. The years of war changed him, altering his personality, any hint of happiness being removed with a blank expression.

Someone with the Sous-lieutenant's service record just isn't normal. Thank God for the Legion brushing things under the rug as only he can testify what sins he's committed.

"N-No, I-I just thought-" Atago stuttered trying to process her big sister's words as Takao cut her off.

"Thought what?" She asked her younger sister. "He's gone sis, he would rather kill you for getting in his way. To him were mildly inconveniently the larger bigger picture. Sure part of him cares but that's all just a facade of not having to put up with us. Those scars aren't healing and no amount of saying sorry is going to fix that." 

"Um... ladies this chat is lovely and all... but we have company." Souryuu announced her rabbit ears picking the P-8 doing circles above them as well as the fast approaching the UN fleet being dropped off by helicopter from the main task force.