Silent Jealousy

An Azur Lane Fan fiction

Chapter 1: Broken Heart Battle

"Atago! Follow Z23, she's breaking off formation again!" Duke of York ordered. In the current battle against the opposing Sakura navy, Duke of York, Arc Royal, Renown, Z23, Atago and San Diego were ordered to route the enemy flagship while the other squad deployed was to handle the front assault. In the midst of the Battle, the level-headed Z23, the captain of the squad, seemed unusually distracted with internal conflict and feelings.

"I have to prove to the commander that I'm the only one who can lead his fleets...I must not fail like last time..." Z23 coldly mumbled to herself as she stayed focused on the enemy flagship. Although strong, Z23 was no where near equipped to handle enemy carriers, much less their flagships, but in her blind state of thought she believed that she could win without fail. As she grew closer, several heavy gunships and destroyers moved to intercept, easily out numbering her.

"Commencing combat!" Z23 shouted, already moving into an aggressive, evasive pattern of movement. Like fireworks on the 4th of July, the blazing screams of gunfire soon deafened the air, signalling an intense confrontation. It was the booming sounds of combat are what caught the ears of the much slower Atago, whose eyes widened at the sight of the seemingly suicidal ally of hers.

"Oh dear...this is not good..." Atago sighed, charging at full speed to try and get into a supportive position. Atago sent out a distress signal to Duke of York, twitch gave her the fiercest growl ever heard amongst the fleet.

"What is that foolish girl doing?! She's supposed to be the smart one...alas...Arc Royal, please move to their position, Renown, San Diego and myself will handle the planned route since Z23 is practically pulling their entire fleet..." Duke of York groaned, shaking her head as Arc Royal gave her a salute and moved towards them immediately.

Z23 zipped in and out between the enemies onslaught of bullets and torpedoes, only occasionally being struck by stray bullets and schrapnel. Her eyes were filled with cold, murderous intent as she blew up ship after ship, nearly meeting her end over and over again.

"That's another two down...so there are only 5 heavy gunships and 5 destroyers left. Fighting with the destroyers will prove the most difficult...so I should...ACK!" Z23's train of thought was cut off as two torpedoes smashed into her rear engines. She cursed in barely understandable German out of pur anger as she saw smoke beginning to trail from her.

She felt sluggish as she narrowly avoided a barrage, forcing her to push herself to the absolute limits to survive. As she narrowly escaped a pair of torpedoes, she then came face to face with a heavy cannon pointed directly at her. Her heart stopped as she saw the sparks building in its chamber, visions of her dear commander praising her for countless missions flashing before her very eyes as she accepted her fate. Clenching her eyes closed tightly, she expected to be met with the hot gun fire of death but instead was met with her ender exploding in a hail of bullets.

"Bad girl, making big sis worry like that," the familiar voice said with a giggle. Z23 looked over to see Atago plowing through the enemy line, stopping right in front of her.

"Atago! What is the meaning of this?!" Z23 cried, her mind still dead set on doing this all on her own. Atago sighed, unleashing a barrage of torpedoes to put space between them.

"The 'meaning' of this is to save your life, check your system satus dear," Atago replied, taking a defensive position to cover Z23. Typing in her diagnostic commands, she quickly grew pale, a cold sweat trickling down her back.

"Primary Guns: 89% Damaged; Secondary Guns: 91% Damaged; Torpedo Launchers: 96% Damaged; Structual Integrity: 65% Damaged; Overall Funtionality: 24.65%. Retreat advised...radvised...rretreat advised..." Z23 read, the suggestion to retreat flashing in red.

"What's wrong with you? You're usually so level headed and careful but these last few battles you've been so reckless..." Atago inquired but was met with silence from Z23. The two lone ships began taking massive evasive maneuvers to stall time for Arc Royal to back them up. The hell fire coming from the enemy was nothing short of savage and plentiful as the two would occasionally return began to work against them however as Atago withstood shell after shell of ammunition protecting Z23, Z23 beginning to beg for her to withdraw.

"You can't handle anymore! Don't lose your life on my behalf!" Z23 shouted, Atago clashing her ship against hers to buck her out of the way. Z23 stared in disbelief as a few bullets manage to breach Atago's defensive haul, planting themselves deeply into her side. Atago's scream shook Z23 to her core, quickly leaping at the chance to push her aside. Pulling Atago over to her, she began to try and tow her out of the battlefield. As a barrage was ready to blow the two heavily damaged comrades to death, the sounds of plains and jets roared through the air.

"Leave my friends alone!" Arc Royal cried out, bombs and and missiles shredding the pursuing enemy to shreds, which finally gave the two ships a window to escape. Z23's began to well up with tears as she found two more bullet holes in Atago, who was now breathing heavily with sweat drenching her body.

The remainder of the mission was a success; Duke of York used Z23's reckless assault as a distraction to directly annihilate the enemy flagship. The moment they arrived back at base, there was a medical team waiting for them patiently so that they could take Atago into urgent care. Along the way, Z23 emptied out her heart to Atago; how she felt about the commander, wanting to stay on top at all costs and how several of the other ships were receiving more attention from less merit.

"Don't worry...I don't blame you for what happened to me. I understand it all now...I think it's wonderful how far you will go to keep his praise and trust in you. But remember, you aren't the only one out there. Learn from this OK?" Atago said with a warm smile, holding Z23's hand tightly. The moment they reached HQ, the medical team retrieved Atago with her sister, Takao, right there with them. It felt like a walk of shame as Z23 and the rest of her squad walked to the commander's office, ready to give their report.

"I'm not going to sugar coat your recklessness Z23, you aren't a child, you're a high commanding officer. Your conduct says otherwise and that's how it shall be reported," Duke of York scowled at Z23, who simply looked down at the floor in shame. Z23 had been with this company longer than anyone else, yet now here she stood, the reckless one that caused severe damage to a dear a and caring ally.

The meeting went as expected. Duke of York did all of the talking, explaining every single detail from start to finish. As they were all about to leave, the commander requested that Z23 remain, which made her grow very pale. Now, with only the two of them remaining th he commander let out a heavy sigh of discomfort.

"Z23...we have worked with one another since the very beginning. Your brilliance and level-headedness are what made you not only who you are, but what has attracted me to you as a superior. You have proven to me, without fail, that you are loyal, strong and more than capable. So...Z23. Can you please explain the cause of your current brash behavior and disobeying direct orders?" The commander's words pierced her heart like a bullet, causing her composure to waver ever so slightly. Clearing her throat, she locked her eyes with his.

"Commander...having been at the forefront of most of your plans and strategies as brought me more joy than words can explain. However...for the past 2 months you've only rarely confided in me for anything. As commander I'm aware that your duties are very time constricted, so I didn't say anything. But...I had seen you praising some of the others for jobs well done that I have easily out performed on a mission to mission basis and have heard nothing. In short commander, I let my personal feelings override my duties as a soldier; I wanted your praise and attention like before...so...I tried to out do myself and try to show you that I am worth more than just an after thought. That is why I have done what I have done," Z23 said, not breaking eye contact for a single moment. The commander let out a sigh, rising to his feet. Circling around his desk, he then stood before her, his eyes now gazing into hers.

"It is true that I have been neglecting of you, but it's because I knew I could rely on you. You don't need attention and praise to know how much you mean to me and this company. I...admittedly do see you as more than just a subordinate at times, but I never mix those feelings with my duties. So, Z23, As much as I hate to do this, I hereby declare that you are suspended from any further operations. Take this time to think and better yourself for the future," the commander stated firmly. Z23 stood still like a statue, unable to completely take in her new, harsh orders. As the commander left the room and proceeded down the hall, Z23 fell to her knees, tears forcing their way out of hers as her strong will finally broke.

"H-How...could I be...so stupid...? Z23 sobbed loudly within the empty room as her sole purpose for existing was ripped from her heart. Her tears began to flow uncontrollably, blotting the carpet with the moisture that dripped from her face. She had finally come to terms that she loved him, but now those feelings would quite possibly, if not definitely, fall on def ears and hearts. Suddenly, she stopped everything. It was if she had died or literally was stopped in time. Her tears soon dried as malice embedded itself within her eyes.

"I'll do whatever it takes to be his number 1 again...no matter the cost..." Z23 said quietly as she edged out of the room.

Continuing...