An average among specials

by Dasmara

...Have I ever imagined how this war looks like through the eyes of the ship girls? Our commanders? No, I saw this war, experienced it and lived through it in this normal human body of mine with average natural talent equipped with rifle in hand as I battled the Sirens...How long would I survive in this war? Don't know, but I'm down for the ride to the end, one way or another.

13. Guard duty (Sardegna)

BUAK!

Sullivan fell to the ground and rolled for a bit, I retracted my gloved right fist that just launched a full powered right hook as I stared at the downed man. When I promised that I will punch him last night? I wasn't kidding. Archer, Gideon and Maximus looked between Sullivan and I in confusion, of course none of them understood why would I call them on a briefing and the first thing I did is to punch one of our squadmates in the face.

"What the fuck?!" Maximus asked out loud as he looked at me.

"That was a solid hit, really" Archer said out loud as he looked at me.

"There's a reason why I did that" I said out loud.

"…Are we in trouble?" Gideon asked me.

"None of you are. However, Sullivan here deserved that one" I said to Gideon.

"Why is that?" Archer asked me as he cocked his eyebrows.

"Ouch mate, that hurt!" Sullivan said to me as he still laid on the ground.

"Good. I assume you know why I did that?" I asked Sullivan while I frowned.

"Yeah…That was on me" Sullivan said to me while he smiled bitterly.

I nodded my head and extended my right hand toward him, Sullivan grabbed my hand and I helped him stand up. He turned to be quite a degenerate but in the end he's still my friend, I might knock him down but I won't hesitate to help him up as well. That's what he get for stealing panties, normally I would've beat someone who did that without any kind of mercy that Vestal might be horrified with the end result, but Sullivan here might only need one hit. Not that I'm trying to be party pooper or anything, I just want him to realize the severity of a crime we know as stealing and depending on who you ask, panties being among the worst or best item you can steal. I need to get my point across to him because we're about to guard Sardegna dorms, I don't want this to happen for the second time! He could get traced by the Military Polices because I didn't doubt by now the Ironblood dorms are fuzzing due to that missing panty!

"The first thing you do as a sergeant is to beat me up eh? Charming" Sullivan said to me while he grinned.

"That has nothing to do with my rank…Anyway, listen up lads. We're going to guard Sardegna dorms as a squad, this is the new system that Ambrose implemented yesterday. As usual, we will know our position once we report to the lieutenant in charge for the day. I trusted all of you already have the experience in guard duty but I want to remind all of you regarding one thing, rules of engagement. If you see anything amiss, double check it and only fire if you are sure that what you're facing is hostile or in self-defense. The girls are strong enough to take a bullet and only suffer bruises, but that is not an excuse for negligent weapon discharge. None of us want any friendly fire incident, am I clear enough?" I said out loud to my squadmates.

""""Sir!"""" Sullivan, Maximus, Archer and Gideon said to me.

"Good, let's move to the armory" I said out loud.

…I said that due to personal experience, I doubt Nobuyuki or Ambrose has the same view as Reynolds but there's nothing wrong with upholding our rules of engagement. At least, I want none of them to repeat the mistake that I've made when I was guarding the Royal Navy's dormitory. I don't want any of them to be publically humiliated and talked down upon, it's enough with just me who's having to deal with that…So, Daedalus Squad entered the armory and we are faced with Dwayne who's instructing few people to do something. The man was just done talking when he noticed us standing in front of the counter, he turned his head around and his gaze immediately fell upon my face.

"Wallace, I heard about your promotion" Dwayne said to me.

"Is that so" I said to Dwayne.

"Yeah, I have a problem with your habits on leaving my weapons and equipment in the battlefield but I got no doubt about your skills" Dwayne said to me.

"Thanks, but I returned the Gewehr and Sterling back here" I said to Dwayne.

"And you think by doing that once will just null your bad records with me? That's not how the world works. Besides, you broke the Gewehr" Dwayne said to me while he scowled.

"Right…Anyway, we're about to guard the Sardegna dorm, I need your permission for weapons" I said to Dwayne while I frowned.

"Alright then. As usual, pick what you want to carry. Light load, you don't want to be standing around with full combat load while wearing full armor" Dwayne said to us.

I nodded my head toward my squadmates and everyone immediately dispersed to pick their weapons. Sullivan choose to carry an M1 Garand, Archer choose an M3 Grease Gun, Maximus choose a Thompson and Gideon also choose an M1 Garand…Hmm, two SMGs and two rifles, how do I balance that composition? Another rifle of course, I also choose an M1 Garand, it is quite heavy for a rifle but it's better to carry the same weapon with few others in your squad so you can share ammo easily when you need to. I attached the sling to the rifle and put them around my body before filling my ammo pouch with clips for the rifle, I also take a frag grenade for worst case scenario. Okay, I'm set. I looked around and noticed that my squad is just done with their loadout as well, time to move out.

"Three Garands, a Grease Gun and a Thompson with its ammo alongside grenades I reckon" I reported to Dwayne.

"Then you're all set. Marines, make sure you return your weapons and don't follow in the footsteps of your new sergeant here" Dwayne said out loud, he just have to take a jab on me!

"Sod off, they get it. We're leaving" I said to Dwayne then to my squad while I frowned deeply.

"…Sir, how many times you lost your gun? He seems to have deep beef with you" Archer asked me as we walked out of the armory and headed for the motor pool.

"I lost an M1903 on my first day, thrown away a Thompson off a bridge and lost an Enfield alongside an M1911" I said to Archer while I frowned.

"All that within a month since his assignment here" Sullivan quipped while he grinned and I frowned, he's right.

"No wonder the guy hate you" Gideon said to me.

"No arguments there, Gideon" I said to Gideon while I frowned.

We walked toward the motor pool, get a spare jeep and make our way to the Sardegna dorms. It's twelve at noon but the sky is grey and its showering us with snow, dear god I hope it won't become a snowstorm during our guard duty because it will suck big time if we got the outdoor part and no way to warm ourselves since we can't drink on duty! I leaned on the shotgun side as I looked around the road, the road is quite crowded today as I could see cars occasionally passing us and there's quite the number of pedestrians around the base today. Is there something going on? Maybe, but I haven't heard anything that could serve as reason on why there's so many people outside despite the cold weather.

"Remember, no mentioning Pineapple Pizza on Sardegna dorms" Archer said out loud.

"What kind of abomination is that?!" Maximus asked Archer in horrified tone.

"You haven't heard? It's quite good" Gideon said to Maximus.

"Good?! I never heard that hellish combination! How do you even enjoy that?!" Maximus sounded outraged, it seems he's in the non-pineapple camp.

"Come on Max, it isn't that bad" Archer said to Maximus.

"If we're ordering pizza, I will do whatever it takes to stop any of you from ordering one with pineapple on it!" Maximus said out loud.

"It is healthy, take it from a medic" Gideon said to Maximus in flat tone.

"Don't use your job as an argument!" Maximus said to Gideon in frustrated tone.

"…What about you sergeant? Any opinions?" Wow, I was dragged into this by Archer!

"Food is food. Admittedly, I've never tried pineapple pizza before so I'm not sure" I said my non-committal answer to Archer.

"Bah, typical peacekeeper answer! Hey Sullivan, how about you?" Archer in turn asked Sullivan who's driving the jeep.

"I'm definitely on the no pineapple pizza camp, who the hell eats pizza with pineapple?" Sullivan said out loud.

"Archer and Gideon, apparently" Maximus said to Sullivan.

"Come on sergeant, you're the tie breaker here. This might affect our further ability to order pizza!" Archer asked me while he tapped my shoulder.

"I'll compromise to whoever has the money" I said to Archer while I smirked a bit.

"…Dude, I hope you don't become a mercenary" Archer said to me with deadpanned face…

"That has nothing to do with ordering pizza" I said to Archer as I looked back with half closed eyes.

"Still, you're willing to sell out toward whoever has the money" Archer said to me while he frowned.

"Depend on the context alright?" I said to Archer while I smiled a bit.

"Can I buy you to do strip dances then?" …

"Archer, the moment you did that, I will not hesitate using whatever weapon available to murder you" I said to Archer while I frowned.

"Noted sir!" Archer said to me while he grinned, this motherfucker didn't take me seriously or what?!

"Um Archer, I got a feeling that he really will do that if you ask him for real" Maximus said to Archer.

"I'm just kidding! Who wants to watch men stripping anyway? I prefer watching girls!" Archer said out loud.

"Someone in mind?" Gideon asked Archer.

"I saw a girl wearing bunny suit around the main compound before, don't know her name but she got long blue hair. She was doing pole dancing, man I couldn't forget that supple ass and thighs!" Archer said out loud.

"Ah, that must be New Jersey" Gideon said to Archer…wait-

"How do you know it's her?" I asked Gideon.

"Someone called her that and she responded, I was within the area and the description fits her" Gideon said to me.

"Oh yeah, you're also on main compound at that time. If she put on a show, I will definitely come and watch!" Archer said out loud.

"Ditto on that" Gideon said to Archer.

…How did the conversation steered from concerning food to girls? Well, I think it's a natural direction whenever the boys gathered around. Still, New Jersey? I haven't met her before, maybe I'll get the chance to do so in the near future…We arrived on the Sardegna dorms and quickly saw the lieutenant in charge, she's standing near the entrance so it's quite convenient. After parking our jeep, we walked toward the woman and that's when I noticed something. Well what do you know, it's Koyanagi herself who has her hair tied in a ponytail and not holding any weapon at all! This job is going to be quite relaxing one with the person in charge being someone we're in good terms with, Koyanagi chatted with her fellow Sakura Empire infantry when she heard our footsteps and turned her head sideways toward us, Koyanagi smiled and looked at each one of us.

"Well well, Daedalus squad eh? Good to see all of you" The lieutenant said out loud while she smiled.

"Likewise, ma'am. We're ready for orders" I said to the Koyanagi, we're on the job so let's get the formalities out of the way first.

"I need you marines to guard the ground floor area of the dorms. Sardegna dorms isn't that big compared to the major four factions so command decided to only allocate two squads here, at least until they renovate it. Thus, all of you will have to cover a lot more grounds instead of standing around in one spot…I have but one simple rule, do your job until the end and we won't have a problem. Understood?" Koyanagi said to us before she asked whether we're listening or not.

"""""Yes ma'am!""""" We answered clearly.

"Good. Get inside the building, you're in until dusk. Wallace-kun, you stay here for a bit" The lieutenant said out loud.

I nodded at my squadmates and they went inside the dorm, I subtly looked around and noticed that the other squad is from Sakura Empire. I can see three of them are standing around the front yard while occasionally moving, never staying in one spot for too long since it's cold out here! Hmm, did Koyanagi arranged our guard area in the interior knowing that there's only half of us left compared to the original numbers? Maybe, she's a good woman after all. Wonder why she wants me to stay though, probably she just want to chat for a bit? Yeah, we haven't met with one another since Ceres so she might want to talk about few things.

"Congratulations on your promotion, Wallace-kun" Koyanagi said to me while she smiled.

"Thanks Koyanagi" I said to Koyanagi while I smiled a bit.

"…I heard about Sergeant Walker" Koyanagi said to me while she frowned.

"Yeah, he'll be boarding a flight back to Eagle Union tomorrow" I said to Koyanagi, the man is currently undergoing final medical check and packing his stuff.

"In his current condition? Shouldn't they at least wait for a month or something?" Koyanagi asked me with confused gaze.

"Walker said that he's going home alongside few other patients in a special plane, I think it's an aerial ambulance so they should have proper personnel and equipment" I said to Koyanagi.

I talked to the man two days ago before I got promoted, I visited so Walker will have someone to talk to and that's when he revealed that he will be going back home in three days. He mentioned that Gordon came to checked his condition before me, does Walker really have an input in regarding my promotion? He never told me about it so I will never know, the important thing is now I'm the leader of Daedalus squad and those men are under my command…To be honest, I still have this fear that they will die like few others back when we're investigating that island…I lost three marines due to my inexperience and not being able to utilize them to their best, I will not repeat that same mistake again. The woman in front of me is the one who drilled the fact that I shouldn't run just because I'm afraid that I will fail, with a katana pressed on my throat. Honestly, I really respect her both as a soldier and as a person.

"By the way, there's a warning for all lieutenants in charge of the dorm security. Apparently, someone managed to steal two panties from Ironblood dorms yesterday. The MPs have no leads whatsoever regarding the perpetrator, but there's a big suspicion that it's among the guards whose on duty that day. Or, someone from outside who's really good at evading dozens of patrols and dorm inhabitants which I doubted to be the case. A full scale investigation is currently conducted on Ironblood dorms and we are being told to be on the lookout so this won't happen again, including this place" …I knew it will come to this!

"Bloody hell…whose panties was it?" I asked Koyanagi while I frowned.

"The panties belonged to Bismarck and Friedrich Der Gross" …Holy shite you don't want to mess with those two!

"Really? The two big shots of Ironblood KANSENs? Someone who did that must've had a death wish or something" I said to Koyanagi while I frowned, Sullivan is really trying to get himself killed!

"Oh I agree, heard the two of them are quite pissed with the incident. They're demanding that the perpetrator is to be brought before them, who knows what kind of punishment they have in mind" Koyanagi said to me while she grimaced.

"I'll tell my men to watch for anything suspicious then" I said to Koyanagi.

"You do that. We can't let this become a serial incident, we are going to lose the KANSEN's trust and our credibility as a soldier would be tarnished if this keeps happening" Koyanagi said to me with serious tone.

"Yeah, that will be bad for all of us" I said to Koyanagi while I frowned a bit.

…Like I predicted, this has become quite the troublesome situation. I received only one so I can assume that Sullivan has the other? I burnt the one that he gave to me, he better eliminate the other panties and hoped this incident will die out eventually. I walked inside the dorm and looked around, the dorm has cream colored wallpaper like Ironblood's dorm interior but it has different pattern on it and the fact they somehow managed to make it…has Mediterranean feels to it. I don't know how to point it out, was it the staircase design? The doors? The chandelier? I don't know exactly, it's just that being inside this place feels like I'm on an authentic Sardegna architecture that I saw often on films, books and newspaper. I walked along the corridors and without long I found Maximus staring outside through the window, he has this gentle look on his face which I never saw before so I also looked through the window as I approached him…He's watching two Sardegna girls, they has small stature and mannerism that could usually be seen on a destroyer KANSEN. Both girls has white hair with one being long while having red eyes and the other is shoulder length with blue eyes, both has same type of attire so…sisters?

[Subject: RN Libbecio]

[Subject: RN Maestrale]

"What are you looking at, Maximus?" I asked Maximus as I approached him.

"Oh sergeant, everything is clear so far" Maximus said to me as he turned his head toward me.

"That's not what I asked, you know" I said to Maximus as I stood beside him.

"…Well, I'm staring at those two girls. Looking at them playing in the snow just fills me with satisfaction" Maximus said to me while he smiled.

"You're a sucker for cute things?" I asked Maximus as I looked at the two destroyers.

"A bit. Though, it's mostly because the two of them get along so well. The one with the blue eyes reminded me of my little sister" Maximus said to me in low tone.

"Huh, is that so" I said to Maximus, so he's an older brother.

"…How about you? Got any family back home?" Maximus asked me as he looked at me.

"I don't even have home anymore" I said to Maximus as I stared at the two girls.

"Oh uh, sorry for asking" Maximus said to me while he frowned.

"Its fine, I'm over it…" That's how much I'm willing to say about my condition.

"…So, when the war ends, what are you going to do?" Maximus asked me.

"I don't have any plan for that, I'll just see where fate will take me when the time do comes" I said to Maximus.

"Not much of a planner huh?" Maximus said to me.

"Honestly? Maybe. I take that you will be going back home?" I asked Maximus in return.

"Yeah, of course" Maximus said to me.

"…If you don't mind me asking, why did you join the marines?" I asked Maximus.

…If I want to work with them better, I have to know them…I can't just ignore my squadmates anymore like I used to, if I don't know them then I couldn't play to their strong points and there's a chance that will result in their deaths. As a leader, I couldn't afford that kind of fuck up, I have to get to know them even if that brings me pain on having to go through social maneuvers and possibly getting hurt emotionally should something bad happens to them…I don't want these people under my command to die because of me, Walker entrusted them to me, Gordon surely wouldn't put me in this position if he thinks I couldn't do it…I need to believe in myself more…easier said than done, but at least I could try bit by bit…

"…I…I was forced to" Maximus said to me in low tone.

"Say what?" I asked Maximus again, forced?

"…I came from a military family with long records of service in the armed forces, naturally I was sent to boot camp the moment I graduated high school…That is bullshit really because I want to be a mixed martial arts athlete, it gives thrills of combat but without the danger on the frontline that can get you killed. Besides, the news regarding the Sirens? Many people out there considered it to be blown out of proportions, even though they managed to hit New York" Maximus said to me…

"How can people considered the Sirens to be an exaggerated threat when New York becomes a battleground when those aliens hit us?" I asked Maximus as I squinted my eyes in complete bafflement.

"The media man, it's always the media…Those reporters, the newspapers, they all laced with words that makes the Sirens seems to be a watered down threat to all of us. They said that the war is going well against them, that the KANSENs handled their forces with ease while our soldiers fought well and hard against them. I used to believe in those words, that's why I didn't take this entire thing seriously from my training all the way until that battle in Ceres town…That's when I know that these Sirens are nothing like the media portrayed them to be, they are vicious, cunning and they are pretty much overwhelming in numbers and technology and even their strength…I was blinded by the lies for so long that when it dawned on me, I was already fighting for my life on the frontline…" Maximus can tell quite the monologues when he wants to…

Now I see what's going on though, why these new recruits seemingly so delusional when they first arrived to this place. They eat the words of the press so easily that they couldn't take their training seriously, with the Sirens being a new threat and nothing much is known about them it caused these new recruits to underestimate them. That's why I found them quite odd despite undergoing a military training before coming to Point Azure, they all seems individualistic and their overall combat skills are quite subpar, it's like their training is…rushed…don't tell me that their training is really rushed so we could have constant supply of reinforcement? Everything makes sense when I put it that way! Not just Maximus, Archer and Gideon, all of the new recruits that comes here! That's why Nobuyuki and Ambrose mentioned that they will only held the special force training later! That's why Gordon asked for some time out so these recruits will get used to the military life and gain sufficient experience first! It all makes sense!

"I still couldn't get rid of the shock when we made it out on that halftrack, I almost collapsed the moment we reentered the town hall…I was quite lucky that despite being shocked due to my world being broken down with the truth, I managed to survive intact…Some people aren't so lucky, I swore that day that I will now take this seriously" Maximus said to me…

"…I get it now, why you three acted the way you are when you arrived here. Regardless, you've seen what those things could do. I'm glad that you decided to take this seriously on your own without me having to tell you, do your best" I said to Maximus.

"Yeah, I will…I have to return home, I have to survive" Maximus said to me with a determined gaze.

"It's good that you have a reason to, Maximus" I said to Maximus while I smiled a bit.

"Ah sir? Just call me Max, calling me Maximus must be quite mouthful" Maximus said to me while he smiled a bit.

"Alright then. Got it, Max" I said to Maximus.

"And thanks for leading us through Ceres, I don't know what will happen if you're not in charge of us" Maximus said to me while he smiled.

"I just want everyone to get back alive" I said to Maximus while I shrugged.

"Yeah and that shows" Maximus said to me while he smiled.

I nodded my head and I moved along, Maximus is quite open with his feelings and what he thinks so I now understand the cause of their attitude. I don't need to go to extra length, the experience we had before immediately shattered their rose tinted glasses and faced them with the cold truth of war. It's bad enough to fight against fellow humans, it's even worse when you faced off against these unknown aliens that seemingly merciless and overwhelming. I have little to worry about with Maximus, if he's capable of self-reflection and determined to get better? I'm quite pleased with that fact alone, he'll be fine on his own…I continued walking around the dorm and I heard some clattering coming from the kitchen, hmm is someone there? You know, each dorms has kitchen but most of the ship girls prefer to eat on the canteen. Why is that? I heard another clatter which is louder and someone yelped so I opened the door without delay.

"Dammit I was careless!" …

I saw a woman with blonde hair styled in twin tail looking scornfully at several stainless steel bowl on the kitchen floor, the woman bended and picked them up while grumbling about few things. Now, I've seen this woman before. With that twin tailed blonde hair tied with black bows, fierce looking crimson eyes, red and gold clothes that is a bit skimpy in some parts? There's no doubt that person is Nelson! What is she doing on Sardegna dorms?! Nelson then put it back on the table she used to prepare something, it's a metallic tray with a teapot and four cups on it…Uh, is that for afternoon tea? I was about to bail out when her eyes fell upon me, those crimson eyes widened for a bit before looking at me in annoyance.

"What are you doing here!?" Nelson asked me.

"I'm on patrol, what are you doing here?" I asked Nelson back.

"None of your business! Fuck off!" Nelson said to me while she scowled.

"Sheesh, alright!" I said to Nelson while I frowned.

I quickly closed the door and walked away from the kitchen, she's really uptight and hard to approach! Here I though she mellowed out on Ceres, I didn't do anything and she's already blow a fuse at me so I guess she just that kind of woman huh? If she only being this harsh toward me then I'm seriously going to be sad! Hah…maybe she's just in a bad mood, maybe she's on her period or maybe she just got up on the wrong side of the bed. I shouldn't bother her next time unless she really asked for me for some unknown reason, I'm going to put some distance between me and her so I wouldn't get flaked like before. With that in mind, I kept walking and before I know it, I stepped into the backyard of the dorm. There's a small park on their backyard and I could see four people seated together around a round table, there's one guy and three women there wearing winter coats…Why the hell are they gathering outside during winter?!

I squinted my eyes a bit and noticed that the man has red hair…Holy shite, is that guy Ambrose? Our major? Sitting with three KANSENs who looks to be paying full attention at him? Man, what a Casanova. I turned around and I almost recoiled, that's because I saw Nelson walking towards me while carrying a tray with teapot and cups on it…Oh, she's the one who has to serve the tea for some reason. However, I don't want to further agitate her so I looked away from Nelson as I passed her while I walked back toward the dorm. I stood on the rear entrance of the dorm and zoomed in on the group of people to identify them.

[Subject: Major Caleb Ambrose]

[Subject: HMS Nelson]

[Subject: HMS Formidable]

[Subject: RN Vittorio Venneto]

[Subject: RN Littorio]

…Huh, I don't know what they're talking about, but with two ladies from Royal Navy and the two leaders of Sardegnian KANSENs? I think their talking topic is quite important…Bah Alex, what they're talking about doesn't concern you in the slightest especially with one of them seemingly pissed at you for some reason! Stay away from them! I sighed as I looked around the backyard and noticed Sullivan standing by himself near the edge of the dorm's perimeter that are walled with three meters tall metal fencing, he seems to be monitoring the meeting from his position. I walked toward the man, seeing him alone and no one else is around in close proximity? It's the perfect chance to talk about this panty stealing incident. Sullivan noticed me approaching and he only smiled bitterly, seems he already know why I approached him right now.

"Go easy on me mate, if you punched me again I'm sure the others would noticed that something's off" Sullivan said to me while he smiled bitterly.

"Noted…So, why did you did it? There's two missing panties, you gave one to me so you surely still have the other one" I asked Sullivan.

"…You're right, I still have it" Sullivan said to me while he frowned.

"Then why did you do it? You took a massive risk with that stunt, our reputation as soldiers could get tarnished and the KANSENs could lose their trust in our abilities. MPs already started sniffing around for clues and the guards are the prime suspects on this one. Besides, I didn't take you as someone who's mad enough to commit sexual crime" I said to Sullivan while I frowned deeply.

"Hah…Promise me you won't get mad" Sullivan said to me while he smiled bitterly.

"As long as you can explain it to me properly, I won't" I said to Sullivan.

"…I'm frustrated, sexually frustrated. But I'm a married man with a child on the way, I don't have the guts to cheat on my wife, I respect her too much to do that…" Sullivan said to me while he frowned deeply.

"That's why you stole those panties, as stimulant for your wank session?" I asked Sullivan as I folded my arms and leaned on the fence.

"Yeah…It does give me some relieve, but it's not enough…I need the real thing" Sullivan said to me while he frowned as he leaned on the fence.

"How about visiting a brothel?" I said to Sullivan.

"…I don't know mate, feels wrong as a married man" Sullivan said to me while he frowned.

"…Look Sully, you're torturing yourself. You do know that our job means we need to relieve ourselves on occasion, especially with these past few months fighting against the Sirens. I think, living with guilt is preferable compared to losing control and doing something that you will definitely regret for the rest of your life both as a soldier and as a human" I said to Sullivan while I frowned.

"…I know…But, it's hard to bring myself to do so" Sullivan asked me while he frowned.

"I just want to help you mate, you know that I always got your back" I said to Sullivan as I smiled a bit.

"…Heh…yeah, you're my trusted partner after all" Sullivan said to me while he smiled a bit.

"Tell you what, we could go together. So if your wife somehow found out, just blame it on me" I said to Sullivan while I nodded.

"…Thanks, I'll take up on your offer" Sullivan said to me while he smiled.

"You're welcome. Listen, burn that panty to nothingness then let this incident die out. If you didn't say anything, they'll never figure out that you took them because I'm sure as hell won't blab a word about this" I said to Sullivan with serious tone.

"Got it, I'll do that as soon as we're back" Sullivan said to me.

…Being a soldier has its own detriment to your health, for example, you need to keep your hormones in check. Being in the fight will raise your testosterone level, if it raised constantly without being kept in check you'll become sexually frustrated. Since ancient times, there's a reason why comfort women or entertainment are provided for the fighting soldiers in the front, it's so they could keep their head clear and to prevent someone from assaulting the locals…Yeah, it really happened, it's a cold dark truth that we all need to be aware of. I've seen or heard several cases during my short time as a soldier, I couldn't imagine how times more I will hear that kind of mess in the fight with those Sirens. The base also has so much beautiful ladies, or maybe if someone is desperate enough they could take down a Siren KANSEN and have their way with them…Stop stop stop, don't go there Alex, that's a hell of an abyss you're staring into!

"…Well, enough with the depressing topic! So, how's the date yesterday?" Sullivan asked me while he grinned.

"I wouldn't call it a date" I said to Sullivan.

"Oh come on, a man and a woman going out together to enjoy the afternoon? That is straight up definition of date" Sullivan said to me while he grinned.

"I call it friendly outing" I said to Sullivan as I stared at him with half closed eyes.

"Whatever you say, did you enjoy it though?" Sullivan asked me while he smiled.

"…I do" I said to Sullivan in low tone while I smiled a bit.

"Then everything's fine, I was worried since I kind of pushed you into it" Sullivan said to me while he started to walk away.

"I'm quite grateful for that push, I'm kind of slow when it comes to these matters sometimes" I said to Sullivan as I followed him.

"Ah don't worry, you'll get there" Sullivan said to me while he grinned.

"Hopefully" I said to Sullivan while I shrugged.

"…So, what do you think those important people talked about?" Sullivan motioned his head toward the KANSENs and Ambrose.

"Hell if I know, beyond our pay grade obviously" I said to Sullivan.

"Heh, of course, I bet they're either talk about-. Wait, Formidable and Ambrose is going somewhere" Sullivan said to me in low tone.

I followed at where he's looking and saw Ambrose and Formidable walked away from the meeting together, Sullivan and I looked at each other before his mouth morphed into a grin…Oh boy, you want to tail them!? I shook my head a bit in refusal but he wiggled his eyebrows, he know that I'm also curious on what's going on with the two. I relented by sighing hard and jerked my head toward the two of them, Sullivan bumped my right shoulder while he grinned before the both of us started walking and tailgating Ambrose and Formidable from a safe distance…They walked to the side of the dormitory? Why would they go there? Oh dear, don't tell me they're going to get it on?! No no no, who's going to do that outdoor especially during winter?! We heard both of them stopped walking so Sullivan and I pressed ourselves into the dormitory wall while keeping our ears open and our bodies out of sight from those two.

"…Lord Ambrose, are you sure that you couldn't leave this matter to Lord Nobuyuki?" Formidable asked Ambrose.

"While I'd like to, I can't. This falls under my responsibility as the leader of the ground troops on this base" Ambrose said to Formidable.

"I see" Formidable said to Ambrose in slightly dejected tone.

"…What, just a normal conversation" I said to Sullivan in low tone.

"Oh wait for it mate, I knew this tone, it's the one a maiden use when they're in love~!" Sullivan said to me in low tone while he smirked.

"You think Formidable has a crush on Ambrose?" I asked Sullivan in low tone while I cocked my eyebrows, I kind of felt dejected when I said that.

"Think? I'm sure of it, come on, keep listening and you'll get the proof in a bit" Sullivan said to me in low tone while he grinned.

"…Lord Ambrose?" …The way she called his name is so affectionate…

"Yes?" Ambrose responded to Formidable calling his name.

"I still want to thank you for the other day" Formidable said to Ambrose, wait, the other day? What's going on between those two?

"Ah, I told you already, its fine. I just want to help" Ambrose said to Formidable.

"Still, you took a great risk for me. I'm so thankful for you~" Formidable said to Ambrose.

"Hoo boy, she wants the D" Sullivan said to me in low tone while he grinned.

"Eh? Don't be ridiculous!" I said to Sullivan in low tone while I frowned.

"No, just listen to them!" Sullivan said to me in low tone while he grinned.

"…In that case, you're welcome. I don't want to make you feel that you owe me for anything though" Ambrose said to Formidable.

"Well in that case, at least let me show my appreciation for you" Formidable said to Ambrose.

"Oh she's really going in. Ambrose, give her the D" Sullivan said to himself in low tone.

"Appreciation?" Ambrose asked Formidable.

"I also want to get to know you better, Lord Ambrose" Formidable said to Ambrose.

"Give her the D" Sullivan said to himself in low tone.

"Hmm, what do you have in mind?" Ambrose asked Formidable.

"I was wondering on whether we could enjoy a fine dinner?" Formidable said to Ambrose.

"Give her, the D!" Sullivan said to himself in low tone.

"A fine dinner huh" Ambrose said to Formidable.

"My room is on the far edge on the second floor, the room around are vacant at the moment so the two of us could talk and enjoy ourselves without interruption~" Formidable said to Ambrose.

"Oh bloody yes, that's a green light! Give. Her. The D!" Sullivan excitedly said to himself in low tone.

"…I'm down for dinner" Ambrose said to Formidable.

"Splendid! I will prepare right away!" Formidable said to Ambrose in happy tone.

"Oh you mean tonight? I don't know, there's some job that I-"

"YOU COULD'VE GIVEN HER THE D!"

I went wide eyed as I grabbed Sullivan, slammed him into the wall as I put my left hand over his mouth but it's too late…He already shouted out loud in outrage, there's no way they won't heard us! I was contemplating to make a run for it when I heard incoming footsteps, that sound is followed by Ambrose appearing beside us while he stared at us with flat expression…Yup, we screwed the pooch on this one. Wait, Sullivan did! I'm just happen to get dragged into this! Hah, blimey, I agreed to go with him so I'm surely within the crosshair as well! Ambrose motioned with his fingers for us to stay put and the two of us could only nod our heads, he then walked back toward Formidable…

"I'll finish everything as soon as I can, how about eight o'clock tonight?" Ambrose asked Formidable.

"Delightful, I'm looking forward to it!" Formidable said to Ambrose in excited tone.

"Me too" Ambrose said to Formidable.

"…Mate, you screw up!" I said to Sullivan as I glared at him.

"Ambrose almost has the same level of thick headedness as you, it's pretty obvious that Formidable got the hots for the lad! Come on, anyone sensible should've seen that coming from miles away!" Sullivan said to me while he glared.

"Yeah but do you have to shout?!" I asked Sullivan while I glared.

"It was outrageous! How could I not?!" Sullivan said to me while he glared.

"I'm impressed"

Sullivan and I stopped glaring at each other and looked to the side to find Ambrose standing there, both of us immediately stood at attention while throwing a salute which he nodded to so the both of us lower our right hand. Ambrose stared at us with an analytical gaze, like he's really dissecting us inside his mind! I don't know what he's thinking right now but I really don't want to know!

"As expected of Phobos Platoon veteran frontliners, I couldn't hear or sense the two of you until you shout. Given your track records though, I shouldn't be so surprised" Ambrose said to us.

"Thank you sir!" Sullivan shamelessly said to Ambrose.

"But what gives you the idea that you could eavesdrop on my conversation with Formidable, hmm?" Ambrose asked us.

"Curiosity-. OUCH!" I bumped Sullivan's side with my elbow.

"We apologize for our actions, it is unethical to do so" I said to Ambrose while I frowned.

"No harm's done so I'll let this slide" Ambrose said to me while he nodded.

"Thank you sir" I said to Ambrose.

"Just one thing, I do know why Formidable would invite me to her room" Ambrose said out loud.

"Huh? Then why are you playing dumb and try to use your work as excuse?!" Sullivan asked Ambrose while he cocked his eyebrows.

"I just don't want her to rush things. If she do felt that way for me, then I want it to be natural, not out of gratitude" Ambrose said to Sullivan…

"…Wow, never take you as the romanticist" Sullivan said to Ambrose with half closed eyes.

"Did something happened between the two of you?" I asked Ambrose.

"Nothing that will concern you, sergeant" Ambrose said to me.

"…Understood" …So something did happen.

"Well then, carry on with your duties" Ambrose said out loud.

The major then turned around and head straight for the main gate as Sullivan and I watched his back from our position, he get onboard a jeep with Formidable and drive away from the dorms…You know, I am quite interested in Formidable but there's no way I'm going to win if I have to compete against Ambrose who also already got something going on between them. Also, it would seems he already spent more time with her that the both of them are friends now? Compared to me who's still an acquaintance who haven't talked to her that much, I'll only make a fool out of myself if I start now…Oh well, I'm not dumb enough to risk everything only to get flat out rejected, better give up and snuff any hope on being more than friends with Formidable.

"That's such a firm message" Sullivan suddenly commented.

"What do you mean?" I asked Sullivan.

"You heard him, nothing that will concern 'you'. He indirectly makes a claim, he see you as a potential rival…Phew, guess the feeling is mutual between the two of them. Still wonder why he took the long way if he could just make love with her tonight" Sullivan said to me while he smiled.

"Unlike you Sully, he think with his heart" I said to Sullivan while I sneered.

"Oof, that's harsh mate, I only did that on occasion!" Sullivan said to me while he smiled bitterly.

"Yeah, yeah…That's that, want to go back inside?" I asked Sullivan.

"Uhuh, I don't want to freeze out here" Sullivan said to me.

.

…What are the chances Ambrose is making a harem? He's stoic, a man of few words, good looking and I think many girls dig that kind of man…Yeah, common folks like me are no match for him. Well, with Formidable being off limits, I better burry my little crush feeling deep down and never dig it back up again. So, ignoring that depressing crap, right now I'm leaning on the wall while staring at the snow falling outside. The sky have turned grey once again and accompanied by large amount of snowflakes falling down to earth added with strong winds, everyone have went inside the dorm now because of the cold…I looked at my Garand and pulled the slide and ejected the fully loaded en-bloc clip, I inspected the clip I have closely. Eight rounds, but one of this will definitely kill any unarmored person especially if they get hit on the head. I put the clip back in and the slide moved forward and jammed by thumb! ARGH! I took out my finger, stared at it for a bit before I scowled at the rifle…I forgot that you have to hold the slide once you reload it…

"Garand thumb huh? Must've hurt" I heard someone said to me.

"Yeah" I muttered as I turned toward the person who spoke to me.

He's Gideon, our field medic. The man leaned on the wall next to me and took out a cigar pack, Gideon offered me one but I shook my head and he put the pack back on his pocket. He took out a flip lighter and light the cigar on his mouth…Seeing a field medic smoking is something that caused me to cocked my eyebrows in amusement, but I guess it's still kind of fitting compared to seeing a civilian doctor smoking. Medic's job is to mitigate the damage to someone when they got injured, they're not here to provide health consultation or something as they're here to fight and help out their fellow soldier when they are wounded. Now, if I saw Vestal smoking, that's when I will probably laugh due to the contradictory image.

"You smoke?" I asked Gideon.

"Yeah, I know what people might think, but they can go and fuck themselves with their opinion" Gideon said to me.

"Huh…" I said out loud, must've get told that a lot.

"Anyway, how are you doing?" Gideon asked me.

"Fine, why do you ask?" I asked Gideon back.

"I just want to make sure our new squad lead is okay, especially after what happened on Ceres" Gideon said to me.

"Ah, regarding me passing out?" I asked Gideon.

"That one" Gideon said to me.

"Don't worry, I'm okay now" I said to Gideon.

"Good to hear" Gideon said to me.

"...Gideon, can I ask you something?" I asked Gideon, better resolve this now.

"Go ahead" Gideon said to me.

"Do you have a beef with Maximus or something?" I asked Gideon.

"Huh? What give you that idea?" Gideon asked me back.

"Besides the fact that you being confrontational with him on Ceres, I don't know" I said to Gideon with half closed eyes.

"Heh, I see…Well sergeant, here's the thing. I'm going to call out bullshit if I saw one. What he did back then is total horse shit because there's another way to make sure you're not in the way of his conquest" Gideon said to me.

"Calling it conquest is a bit…" I'm uncomfortable to hear Lina being mentioned like that.

"Second, he think he's a hot shot just because he got bigger body than the rest of us and think every problem could be solved with violence" Gideon said to me.

"Uh, how did you-" I said to Gideon with my cocked eyebrows.

"Third, I hate the jock type ever since I hit puberty which is fifteen years ago" …Ah…

"In short, you hate him" I said to Gideon.

"Supposedly, but he proves that he could handle himself and quite reliable on the field when he wants to so I'll call it mild dislike instead outright hate" Gideon said to me…

Gideon spew all those words without a hint of emotion on his face! How cold can this man be?! But, he did told me his reasoning on why did he act like that…Wait, there's something odd here, despite him disliking Maximus, Gideon still engaged in conversation with him just like when we're making our way to this dorm. Huh, I understand his reasoning but I do not get his way of thinking, he's the mysterious type but not one at the same time. Why do I say that? It's because he have that unapproachable aura but will seemingly tell you what you want to know if you just ask him…

"…Listen, we all heard Walker's message so I'm going to say this. It's fine if you don't like him, but I want you to cooperate with him" I said to Gideon with serious tone.

"You have nothing to worry about sergeant, I may dislike the guy but if he's injured I'll still treat him" Gideon said to me.

"Not just injuries, anything that require teamwork in general. I don't want your personal feelings and beliefs to mess this team's already shaky balance" I said to Gideon with serious tone.

"I don't want to lie to my own feelings, sergeant" Gideon said to me.

"It's not lying, it's tolerance. You may dislike something but for the sake of unity you're willing to set that aside for greater good. That is what we call tolerance and I want you to do that" I said to Gideon.

"You ask a lot of me" Gideon said to me.

"I am, so we all can work well together and it might be our salvation one day" I said to Gideon.

So he's the rebellious type, if it doesn't fit with him then he's not going to want anything to do with it. I appreciate that he's the type to stick with his beliefs and principal, but I despise those that aren't willing to compromise with the situation. Being consistent and being stubborn are two different thing, this attitude could make or break a team and it's my job as squad leader to clear this up with Gideon. If I can't handle Gideon and make him fall in line, then as a squad leader I'm officially failed to keep the team's cohesion…To be honest, I appreciate people like Gideon who could be blunt when needed to but this man? I don't know, there's just something off about him that caused me to be more wary of him now…Gideon looked me straight in the eye before he shut his own eyes and nodded his head…what's up with that?

"…If that's what you want, sure" Gideon said to me while he shrugged.

"Glad we could clear that up, I don't want to make it a direct order" I said to Gideon.

"Don't get me wrong, I didn't like that I'm being forced to get along with Maximus, but since you ask then I have no choice but to comply" Gideon said to me.

"Huh, because it's me?" I asked Gideon as I cocked my eyebrows.

"…You're officially on the list of people I don't want to cross" Whoa! That is surprising!

"You feared me?" I asked Gideon.

"Fear? Respect? I don't know which one…My commanding officer is someone who's been on the thickest part of the frontline against man or alien and he survived all of that intact, not to mention he also once dueled a KANSEN directly and survived despite being on death's door. The infamous Lowenherz, calm, collected, fierce and deadly, who would want to be against that kind of person?" …

"Someone with higher rank than me" I said to Gideon while I smiled a bit.

"And why I got a feeling that might not be enough to stop you from defying them anyway?" Gideon asked me.

"Depending on the context" I said to Gideon while I smiled a bit.

"Good to know you're the type who wouldn't hesitate giving a nasty hook to a commanding officer" Gideon said to me.

"How about you? Will that happen to me as well?" I asked Gideon.

"We'll see" Gideon said to me.

So basically, as long as I didn't overstep my boundary with him then we wouldn't have a problem? I thought Archer's going to be the most troublesome one, looks like I'm wrong. I wouldn't involve myself with his personal life, but on the job? I don't care who he is or whose son he is, I'm still his squad leader so if the moment really comes I will not hesitate to be confrontational. Though, I appreciate that we could talk about this clearly and without skirting around the issue. I've learned that if I want to brought up something to Gideon then I have to be straight about it, it's easier like this too compared to dancing around…Gideon nodded at me before he walked away and I only nodded back in response, I just hoped that Archer won't be as or more troublesome than him…

"…Oh?"

I turned my head toward the source of the voice and I saw two girls staring at me while carrying shopping bags, one is a crimson haired girl with topaz eyes while the other is a silver haired girl with violet eyes. Yup, it's Zara and Algerie, what a coincidence to see them here…Wait, it's not, Zara lives here and Algerie is probably visiting her! I nodded my head to both of them and both girls approached me, I better ready myself to converse with them.

"Working hard, Corporal Wallace?" Algerie asked me while she smiled.

"I'm bored out of my minds to be honest…though it's sergeant now, Ms. Algerie" I said to Algerie while I smiled a bit.

"Oh my! Congratulations!" Algerie said to me while she smiled widely.

"I see that Comandante Nobuyuki recognized your prowess, Signor Wallace" Zara said to me while she smiled.

"I think I only got this position because the sergeant in charge of our squad has to be discharged from duty" I said to Zara while I shook my head.

"Eh? What happened?" Zara asked me while she frowned.

"He's crippled, it happened when we're advancing on Siren artillery position" I said to Zara.

"That is unfortunate, and now his shoe is yours to fulfill" Zara said to me while she frowned a bit.

"Basically" I said to Zara while I shrugged.

"Well, I'm sure you'll do a fine job" Algerie said to me while she smiled.

"Not sure yet, but I plan on giving it my best effort" I said to Algerie.

"Good to hear" Algerie said while she grinned a bit.

"Oh by the way, is it fine if you're not on your post for a bit?" Zara asked me.

"I can't leave my post. But my post is inside the dorm so technically, as long as I'm inside the building then it doesn't count as leaving" I said to Zara.

"Perfetta, follow us~" Zara said to me while she smiled.

…You know, I technically bullshitted that one because while I still need to be within the dorm? I have to be on guarding position! Not freely walking around or hanging around just as I like! But I'd admit, the boredom is killing me so maybe just this once. For fuck sake Alex, you're only just been promoted and you're not setting an example for your men? What a role model you are! I followed Zara and Algerie to a door that I presumed to be one of the girl's room, this might be Zara's room. Zara produced a key, used it to unlock the door and opened it. She beckoned both Algerie and I to enter so that's what I do, the moment I entered the room, sweet fragrance of feminine smell mixed with air freshener immediately strike my senses. It's a room painted in vertical stripes of dark green and white, it has wooden furniture that are painted in white and filled with lots of personal touches like pictures on the walls and trinkets here and there.

"You're staring for quite a bit" Zara said to me as she looked at me.

"Yeah, it is a nice room" I said to Zara.

"Grazie~" Zara said to me while she smiled.

"So, what did you need me for?" I asked Zara.

"I need you to be a good guest" Zara said to me while she smirked a bit.

"Guest? Oh well, if that's what you want" I said to Zara.

So I was called here just to be a guest? What, I thought she required me to do some job but I guess I was wrong. I looked at Zara who's taking out a pastry box and Algerie who is busy making tea, I feel kind of bad so I decided to ask them if there's anything I could help them with. But before I could ask them, Zara already motioned me to just stay put with that little smirk on her face…I narrowed my gaze at her in confusion and suspicion, how did she know what I was thinking? Is she some kind of mind reader or something? I shook my head slightly at the idea, it's getting quite ridiculous. But, after meeting Nyx and witnessing his power, I don't know the boundary between fiction and reality anymore…As far as I'm concerned, anything could happen now…I choose to sit on the dining table chair as I thought about the vision…Both Zara and Algerie shows up on my vision, I could very well take that as an omen to pay special attention to them. If there's anything I could do to prevent their deaths, then I will do so without hesitation-

"My, so serious~. Is there anything troubling you, Signor Wallace?" Zara suddenly asked me as she put a plate with a slice of cake alongside a spoon in front of me.

"Ah no, nothing of sort" I said to Zara as I turned my head towards her.

"Hmm, your face says otherwise though" Zara said to me as she sit down on the opposite side of me.

"Does it really looked like I'm thinking that hard?" I asked Zara while I frowned a bit.

"Si, you will easily get permanent wrinkles if you keep it up" Zara said to me while she smiled a bit.

"Right…" I said to Zara.

"But now is the time for you to relax, Signor Wallace. Whatever that is troubling you, I'm sure that you'll find the solution to it eventually" Zara said to me while she smiled.

"…Thanks" I said to Zara while I smiled a bit.

"Algerie, didn't you say that Signor Wallace helped you when a meowficer ran off of the cattery?" Zara asked Algerie.

"Yes he did, tracked him down easily too. Is that something that you learned during basic training, Sergeant Wallace?" Algerie answered Zara before she asked me.

"Yeah, I did get thrown into sniper class during basics" I said to Algerie.

"Sniper? But, you fought with a squad didn't you? Aren't they usually work alone or in a two man's team?" Algerie asked me as she walked toward us while carrying tea pot and three cups.

"I'm a marksman, something in between a regular rifleman and a sniper. Though, depending on the situation, I could alternate between being a marksman or sniper..." I said to Algerie.

"Oh is that so. But in the end, whenever they require a precise shooting, they call you" Algerie said to me while she sit down.

"Basically" I said to Algerie while I shrugged.

"So, how good are you?" Zara asked me while she smiled.

"I'd say four out of five shots, I can still miss" I said to Zara while I smiled bitterly, I remembered that night on Ceres quite clearly.

"That's impressive enough~" Zara said to me while she smiled.

"Heh, you ladies could do it from kilometers away with a cannon. I'd say that's even more impressive" I said to Zara while I smiled a bit.

"I didn't really think about it, but I guess it is" Algerie said to me.

"How does it really works? I'm quite curious, if you don't mind me asking" I asked Algerie.

"Hmm, how do I explain this…It's like looking through a binocular, we could zoomed in or out with our natural vision if we have to make a long range shot. That's why we don't really need a binocular, but this ability seemingly only become possible when we have our riggings deployed. I've tried to do that without my rigging and it doesn't happen" Algerie said to me…

"True, also, aiming our guns just felt natural. It's like, we know the direction the gun is pointing and the predicted impact point without the aid of any visual marker on our vision" Zara said to me.

"Hmm, so you just…know? Like you can feel it in your guts?" I asked Zara.

"Close enough I guess. It's also one of the reason why the carriers are so efficient for reconnaissance work, they are able to see what their planes are seeing" Zara said to me while she smiled.

"Wow…amazing" I said to Zara in amazement.

"It is" Algerie said to me while she smiled.

…It's basically is the same as how ANARIS able to zoom my natural vision! Did Nyx build it based on the KANSENs ability? No, if he did, then these girls would also has the ability to read emotions…Oh no, Zara did that not too long ago, so do they really have one? But wait, Algerie said that it could only works when she has her rigging deployed and Zara didn't have hers on so we can rule that out of the drawing board. Still, now it makes senses on how these ladies are capable shooting at targets kilometers away. I wonder what other abilities they have in store, especially considering the KANSENs each have an ability or gimmicks on their own based on what I've heard from people around.

"There you go again, Signor Wallace~" Zara said to me while she smiled.

"…Sorry, it seems I tend to get lost in my own thoughts easily" I said to Zara while I frowned.

"Fufufu, you really need to relax more. You haven't even touch your cake and tea" Algerie said to me while she smiled.

I stared at the cake in front of me and I proceed to grab a spoon, take a spoonful of it and shove it in my mouth…brownie cake with a hint of tiramisu and coffee? Hmm, the cake have a perfect balance between its sweetness and bitterness, this is pretty good! I took a sip at the tea as well and I immediately noticed that Algerie used a black tea for this brew…admittedly, my favorite blend.

"…Delicious cake and a perfectly brewed tea, I approve" I commented on the snacks.

"Thank you" Algerie said to me while she smiled.

"I really like that cake, glad we shared a common taste" Zara said to me while she smiled.

"Oh by the way, tell us about yourself sergeant" Algerie said to me.

"You ladies could just call me Wallace, less mouthful that way" I said to both of them, should make the ordeal simpler.

"Alright then Wallace, I support Algerie's words though. We'd like to hear about yourself" Zara said to me while she smiled.

…This is the moment where a man will show off about their background and having the chance to impress the ladies, but all I could think at the moment is how screwed I am right now…I've sworn that I will never reveal my past to anyone because it's a clusterfuck! I'm not exactly a saint as well, I've did some bad things too and I am convinced these ladies will see me differently if I reveal those years! I really don't want to lie, it feels wrong with my conscience as a person and but I'd like them to know me better at the same time. I don't want them to be turned off by me, I want to remain friends with them or at least on good terms and revealing my past will certainly cause that to go off the window…I have to come up with something quickly though, I could already feel their anticipation and I hate to disappoint. Ah! Let's revise some part of it and omit a LOT of details! I think that could work, the best lie is a half lie and some truth woven together with a string made of bullshit…

"…Nothing interesting really. I came from Royal Islands, Britain, been staying there ever since I was born. I came from an average family, I have an older sister who cared for me and goes through school just like any other kids would. I went to college and took mechanical engineering but I had to drop out, then I joined the military by getting drafted. Spend some time training, participated on few fights across Iris before shipped to participate on African Campaign, survived and reassigned to Phobos Platoon. Then, I'm off killing Sirens until now…See? Pretty mundane" I said to Algerie and Zara as I shrugged.

"…I know about Africa, Crimson Axis kicked Azur Lane so hard that they have to retreat into West African coast" Algerie said to me while she frowned a bit.

"Yeah, getting chased by Panzer battalions and hounded by Stukas from above were quite the experience back then…nothing fun in that" I said to Algerie as I stared at the cake in front of me…

"I wouldn't call your experience mundane though, Wallace…You even participated on The Battle of New York, right?" Zara asked me…

"You knew?" I asked Zara as I narrowed my gaze at her.

"Heard it straight from Baltimore, regarding the fact that you're the one who guides her to provide fire support in effort to hold off chasing Siren troops. With all of that experience until now and possibly in the future, I'd say you won't lack stories to tell to the others" Zara said to me while she smiled.

"Also, you survived all of that, jumping from one battlefield to another, squaring off against men and alien alike…As a normal human without superpower, that is an amazing feat" Algerie said to me while she smiled widely.

"…I just counted those occasion as lucky, to be honest" I said out loud while I smiled bitterly.

"No one got lucky that many times without some skill to back it up. Like it or not, you're a proven survivor" Algerie said to me while she nodded her head.

…Those are the exact words Ambrose said to me during the banquet, oof what are the chances I'm being told off with the same sentence huh? Regardless of that coincidence, I have to admit that those words did have some truth to it. I wouldn't survive if I didn't utilize everything I've learned and having the drive to continue on, the fact that I've did somehow made it with the combination of skills and luck is a blessing…Enough about that though, time to switch gears. I got on the defensive so it's time to switch into offense, I'd like to hear more about these two ladies in front of me as well.

"…Well, how about you two? Anything you'd like to share about yourself?" I asked both of them.

"Hmm, should I?" Algerie asked out loud as she stared at me with a sly smile.

"I thought this is a get-to-know event" I said to Algerie with my eyes half closed.

"Fufufu! You're not wrong! Well, what do you want to know?" Algerie asked me after she giggled.

"What are you doing before joining Point Azure, Ms. Algerie?" I asked Algerie.

"Just Algerie is fine...Before this hmm? I'm basically running errands for the Iris Orthodoxy after the reunification, doing patrols across the Mediterranean Sea and occasionally engaging Siren ships along the way. I also participated in the Defense of Gibraltar, that's how I know Major Caleb Ambrose and his prowess during the battle" Algerie said to me while she smiled.

"In fact, that's how both of us knows him. I was also there, while Algerie was providing coastal bombardment I was in charge of the seaborne defense against Siren fleet. It was a tough fight, if either the land or sea defenses failed, then Sirens would've been able to eliminate all of us…Our ground forces secured our rear from ground based attacks while we KANSENs protected them from the enemy naval forces. We are in luck that both held out even though the ground side are almost wiped out, they only survived because they held out long enough until Iris reinforcement arrived and flanked the Siren ground forces. I have to say, with Major Ambrose being in charge of you and the others? I am confident that he will lead you all to victory" Zara said to me.

…It would seems Ambrose already known these two and both held him in high regards, I heard of his exploits from Gordon but hearing the story directly from the participant of that battle? Yeah, I am impressed to say the least…I took a sip of my tea as I contemplated the fact that Ambrose really got it all, just like Nobuyuki. While their personality differs, both of them got the achievement, looks, charisma and apparently, a talent for attracting women to their sides. I won't even be surprised if Zara and Algerie held some kind of feelings for the man…Well, they did work hard for their achievements right? If they do, I'd say they earned the privilege of commanding joint forces of this base…

"…It seems Point Azure would do well under the command of those two" I said out loud.

"On that we can agree" Algerie said to me.

"Their achievement are surely great, but yours could be said so as well" Zara said to me.

"Oh? What makes you say that?" I asked Zara.

"Think about everything you've done since your arrival to Point Azure, Wallace…they might not be on the same scale, but few man could be as daring as you" Zara said to me while she smiled a bit.

"…I'm not a fearless man, you know" I said to Zara as I looked down.

"Si, and that's what makes it admirable. You know you are afraid and you have your worries, but you still took the risk anyway…Few can match your courage, I respect you for that" Zara said to me while she smiled.

"Ah that is true. We all heard the tales, from the way you fight when you first arrived here to that battle on Ceres" Algerie said to me.

"I have to be honest, I'm confused. Why do I get the spotlight? Even though there are others who might have pulled even more amazing feat than I do" I asked out loud while I frowned a bit.

"…The thing is, you've set yourself to be someone worthy of attention when you protected Arizona from harm. Then, there's the infamous case where you opened fire at something while shielding Newcastle in front of the fleet leaders and their aides at the time. After that? You challenged a KANSEN in close combat in front of other KANSENs and dozens of troops. On Ceres, you are among the most active unit in the fight. You retrieved someone who hold crucial Intel, you took out the radio jammers, you're the one who recon that site on top of that hill, you're the one who assisted the KANSENs in taking out that Mirror Sea Generator and you still become the one that marked Siren artillery site for our carriers in order to stop them from butchering our ground troops…Honestly, I would be surprised if your name aren't known among the others" Algerie explained to me while she smiled.

"But, I'm not alone in all of those" I said to Algerie.

"Oui, you aren't alone. But, compared to them, you're the one who shielded Arizona from harm and having your name being known by KANSENs…When you did that, you have stepped into the spotlight and everyone only continued to be amazed by what you've done so far while being in that spotlight" Algerie said to me.

"Cause and effect…" I muttered to myself.

"There's consequences for everything you've done. Good or bad, small or big and even, right or wrong" Zara said to me while she smiled.

…Nelson said that to me once as well, so let's put it this way…If I do something then I need to prepare for the consequences. If I saved people and doing daring things in order to secure our victory, while I considered them to be reckless the others might've seen it as heroic. It's all matter of perspective, I did those actions because I want to secure victory for us and quell the threat as soon as possible and I did not do it because I want to be heroic or famous. It's the consequences, whether I like it or not and whether I expect it or not, I have to live with them…Heh, despite her attitude, Nelson is quite wise…

"I see now, I shouldn't be surprised because I did it from the start…Guess I just have to live with it" I said out loud while I smiled a bit.

"That's one way to put it" Algerie said to me while she smiled.

"…So anyway, I'm kind of curious on how the soldiers live on your site. Mind telling us about it?" Zara asked me.

"Ah, I didn't really have interesting story for that but I'll tell you how it's like" I said to Zara.

The three of us talked a lot regarding many things while enjoying tea and cake, I got to say, I thought it's going to be one sided conversation because I'm sitting with two women and I'm not exactly fit well if they started to talk about topics that women usually talk with one another. But they only talked about the common things like how's life going, some events and even few general topics to talk about in daily life…Yeah, even though it's just ordinary talks, I'm feeling quite elated talking with them both. Their voices are soothing and both are just smooth talkers, I could just sit here and hear them both talk with one another…But yeah, participating in the conversation is much better. Thanks to this, I got to know Algerie and Zara better…Zara is as I expected to be the flirtatious type, she often talked in sensual tone but she can be quite direct when she wants to. The fact that she decided to dance around when she can be direct? That shows how much confidence she has in facing someone…Algerie on the other hand is the type to go straight to the point, she seems serious but now I know that she can be quite lax as well. It's just that I haven't seen her off duty until now, though I should've known how she is just from our encounter yesterday alone…

"So how about it, want to compete?" Algerie asked Zara while she smirked.

"Chess huh? Sure, I'm looking forward to see you lose~" Zara said to Algerie while she smirked.

"Oh? Let's do this then, I'll shatter that confidence!" Algerie said to Zara while she grinned excitedly.

"Uh you two go on with your duel, I think it's time for me to go back" I said to Zara and Algerie.

"Aww, here I thought you could be the spectator that cheer for me~" Zara said to me while she smiled somberly.

"Next time" I said to Zara.

"I will remember that~" Zara said to me while she smiled.

"It can't be helped then. It's nice to get to know you, Wallace. We should spend more time together later" Algerie said to me while she smiled.

"When I'm free, sure" I said to Algerie.

"Looking forward to it" Algerie said to me while she smiled widely.

"Until then, thanks for the tea and cake" I said to both of them.

"Mhm" Algerie said to me while she smiled.

"Are you sure about going back out there to spend your days being bored~?" Zara asked me while she smirked.

"Heh, unfortunately yeah, I don't want to get punished" I said to Zara while I smiled a bit.

I got up and left the room with a smile on my face, I think the three of us are friends now…I looked around the corridor and noticed that there's no one around at the moment, the coast is clear. I held my Garand and then started walking away from Zara's room, got to pretend like I'm still on patrol. I walked around for a while and I still haven't seen anything interesting, starting to regret leaving Zara's room, watching chess match could be more fun than doing this…Oh responsibility, if only you didn't exist…

.

"And that is why, I, the great Littorio, wish to spend more time with a lovely lady such as you, mio amore" …

…What the fuck did I just witness? I just saw Littorio cornered a good looking female Sakura Empire infantry with a rose in her mouth and winking at her! The girl looked flustered with red cheeks and looked around in confusion, she then saw me and our eyes locked…Oh no I'm going to be dragged into this aren't I? Littorio followed her gaze and saw me, she smiled bitterly before she looked back at the girl.

"Wallace Gunso! Sorry, did Koyanagi chui asked for me?" The girl asked me.

"…Yeah, what are you doing? Get to it" I said to the girl, I should help the poor lass.

"H-Hai! I'm sorry Littorio-san, I have to go!" The girl said to me then to Littorio.

"Mhm, it can't be helped then. Duty calls" Littorio said to the girl.

The female soldier escaped from Littorio's hold, semi run toward me, bowed a bit before disappearing to the corridor behind me. I turned my head toward Littorio once again and found her smirking at me, I got shivers down my spine and I turned around to leave so I won't get caught up in whatever nonsense that's going to happen-

"Hold it right there signor" …Crap.

"…Yeah?" I turned around and said to Littorio.

"How kind of you to help that girl out" She knew that I was pretending immediately, she's scary…

"You swing that way?" I asked Littorio.

"Gender doesn't matter to me, if they are worthy of my greatness~!" …This woman is a narcissist!

"Huh, I see" I said to Littorio.

"…Hmm, so it is true" Littorio suddenly said.

"What?" I asked Littorio.

"Nothing fazes you, but I guess if monsters doesn't scare you then I suppose I wouldn't be able to" …What kind of rumor about me that's going around with them?!

"Who did you hear that from?" I asked Littorio.

"Oh, of course I heard about you. You're quite the storm among us, but alas, your greatness is no match for Littorio!" Littorio said to me while she smirked confidently.

"How can I ever compete with a KANSEN like you" I said to Littorio while I frowned.

"Exactly, mio amico. No one can match my greatness" Littorio said to me while she smirked.

"Uhuh, you're confident, I'll give you that" I forgot the 'over' part but, whatever.

"Fufu! Making you fall for me would be quite a challenge I'm going to enjoy!" …Hold up, what?

"Your first mistake is assuming I would fall for you" I said to Littorio while I folded my arms.

"That's all they say at first, but they give in eventually" Littorio said to me while she smirked.

"Heh, whatever you say lady" I said to Littorio while I smiled a bit, she's amusing to say the least.

"Littorio! We have to go, what are you doing? Don't tell me you're flirting with another soldier!" Someone suddenly said out loud.

I looked past Littorio and saw a dark silver haired woman with equally silver eyes, the Vittorio Veneto herself. Oh my, I didn't notice it before but Veneto is quite a beauty with sensual body up close! Why do I get a feeling that every fleet leader is all beautiful women? Who am I kidding, I saw them all back then and they are all beautiful! Some just doesn't fit my taste, specifically, the Queen Elizabeth…If she's a psychic she will without a doubt goes after me directly on this dorm just to murder this peasant hahaha…I noticed that Veneto is rubbing her left arm, she looked to the side with slightly parted lips, her cheeks are red while her eyes looked uncertain…Huh? What happened? She looked embarrassed?

"Ah! Mio amico! Such heated gaze! Such passion! Such lust! Such desire!" Littorio suddenly said to me in a passionate tone...

"Huh? What are you talking about?" I asked Littorio as I cocked my eyebrows.

"Haven't you been staring at Veneto's bosom with such raw lust in your eyes? I admit, she has quite the pair isn't she? My sister is the glorious flagship of Sardegna Empire KANSENs after all, of course mere mortal men like you will succumb to their desire" Littorio said to me while she smiled knowingly…Huh?!

"W-Wait, that's not-" I said to Littorio while I frowned.

"Uh…Staring like that, is not an appropriate behavior, Signor Wallace…" Veneto said to me.

"Um, I am terribly sorry, I did not have such intention. I was simply lost in thought because of your beauty" I said to Veneto while I smiled apologetically.

"Huh?! Oh, well, thank you for the compliment…" Veneto said to me while she blushed a bit…huh…

"Oh, you are a smooth one~! I can see us becoming friends!" Littorio said to me while she grinned.

"Not sure what you mean by that but thanks" I said to Littorio with half closed eyes.

"…Littorio, we have to go" Veneto said to Littorio while she frowned a bit.

"Fine, it seems you can't wait to meet with Yorktown today for some reason. We must go now Signor Wallace, till we meet again" Littorio said to me.

"Until next time" Veneto said to me.

I nodded, waved at them for a bit and smiled as best as I can while seeing the two Sardegnian ladies head's out through the main door. Huh, the weather is quite bad though, are those two really sure about going outside at this time? Heh, whatever suits them I guess, maybe they'll take a car…I was just about to walk away when I noticed something…I technically didn't lie when I said to Veneto that I'm lost in thought because I though Veneto is beautiful, but the way I said it and the context makes me like I'm hitting her on! The fleet leader of Sardegna KANSENs! A mere Azur Lane Marine Sergeant dares to woo someone with such high status?! Fuck me sideways this is not going to end well if it's spread around! I facepalmed, leaned on the wall and sighed…I don't know how much absurd my reputation among the people now but I don't need the playboy part to be added as extra.

"Oof, rough day buddy?" Someone said to me.

"Quite possibly" I said as I stared at the one who talked to me.

What do you know, its Archer. The man stared at me before he shrugged, he walked then leaned on the wall in front of me…I stopped facepalming and stared at the man in front of me, if I want to be honest, he looked like barely out of high school. I mean, there's this certain youngness in his looks, I used to have the same kind of young energy on Archer's face before I'm thrown into the streets where I guess I ended up maturing very quickly. Now whenever I see myself in the mirror? I never saw the face of a teenager who lacked familial love and acknowledgment of himself anymore, all I saw is a hardened man who have gone through hell and back. He looked tired, his gaze are coldly analytical, his lips are firm and he looked like he could kill someone anytime…Wait, is that how I looked like to these people? I wonder why ship girls are still willing to talk to me. Are they really immune to the horrendous look I usually has on my face? It sure bound to turn off quite a lot of them, so why?

"You know, I'd take this kind of job compared to being sent to die in the frontlines" Archer suddenly talked to me.

"Then why didn't you join the military police?" I asked Archer.

"Oh? They're the ones who didn't have to go toe to toe with alien force?" Archer asked me as he folded his arms.

"You didn't know?" I asked Archer almost in disbelieve, he surely know this much…

"Heck, of course I know that they aren't primarily deployed to the frontline…I just thought, with our situation, they would've been sent into the fight as well" Archer said to me while he frowned.

"We're not desperate enough yet, I guess" I said to Archer.

"Hehehe, true that" Archer said to me while he smiled.

"So, thinking on joining them?" I asked Archer.

"Hmmm…dunno, I haven't decided yet" Archer said to me while he shrugged.

"…You said you don't want to be sent to the frontline yet you have second thoughts on joining military police?" I asked Archer while I cocked my eyebrows.

"I just want to hear what option might be good in case the front ever get…you know, like Ceres again?" Archer said to me while he grinned.

"…It will, could be worse anytime. So if you're not prepared for that, either transfer now or ready yourself to be better because the Siren won't let you" I said to Archer while I frowned deeply.

"Heh…dammit sarge, are you always this stiff?" Archer asked me while he grinned.

"Sorry to say, but your jokes are not funny to me" I said to Archer while I frowned.

"Ah, at least you're honest about it. People would usually steer clear of me without explaining why" Archer said to me while he grinned.

"…What makes you act like a comedian anyway? Don't get me wrong, it can be good for morale. But jokes could either hit or miss" I asked Archer while I stared at him.

"Hmm…well, there's this kid who's the son of a famous politician. People have been kissing his ass ever since the day he was born, living it pretty good eh? Rich background, people kissed his footsteps whenever he goes and he have the whole world within reach. Say what he wants, he will get it…But, despite all of that, he was set to be nothing more than a replacement for his aging politician father. Controlled to grow in the way they want, never even once considering how the son feels about anything. His whole life, have always been steered by those in the seat of power…" Archer started telling me a story…

"…Go on, if you want to tell a story, don't stop midway" I said to Archer.

"Okay~…So anyway, back in the states, there will be an upcoming election within few months from now on and the aging father want to reign once again. Thus, he pull everything he got to gather sympathy from his fellow countrymen. One of those methods? Yes, sending his son to the frontline! What better way to gain public trust and rally them under his banner than showing them that his son is a patriot who's willing to serve in the defense of the entire planet from Sirens? Nay, there's no other way, at least nothing quicker and cheaper than that. But! He was sent away with one clear order, he have to return at all cost, joining the military is nothing but a publicity stunt for the old man, he still want a heir" Archer said to me while he smiled.

"…I see, thus explaining why he didn't want to risk his life if he can…" I said to Archer.

"Precisely~! So, with that in mind, there's a deal made in the background. That the son, will stay as a reserve. It gives the chance of being in the front while being at the safety of home most of the time, but! Shit happens! Something happened in the frontline and they need reinforcement, somehow, the son managed to get sent there, to the thickest part of it…Well, being stuck in the frontline, he got to do whatever it takes to survive" Archer said to me while he smiled.

…Make senses with his stance during the fight on Ceres, now I know why he's such a wuss. Though, I got to admit that he's still willing to fight when push comes to shove…In a sense, I do sympathize with him, both of us have aristocratic backgrounds but he made it off better compared to me. But, that won't make me giving him a special treatment. As long he's under my command, like it or not he will have to fight in the front. I can relate with his background and situation, but unfortunately the world is cruel…If Archer didn't shape up from now on, he will only die faster. Even if he prepared himself, he could still die early if shite happens. So, it's better to be prepared for it and hope your luck holds out.

"…Archer, I'm going to be honest…while I can sympathize with your situation, that doesn't mean you will receive exception from me…When we're training, you will participate. When we fight, you will participate. When we are told to stay and hold the line, you will also participate. When I give you an order, follow it or we might have a problem. As long as you're under my command, you fall in line, I don't care where you're from or what background you got…I will do my best to keep you and the others alive, I won't give an order that I'm not willing to carry out myself. But despite all that, anything could happen in battlefield…So I want you to be ready. Your basic training might be subpar, you might still lack the experience to fight in the front. Time to change that and you better be ready for it" I said to Archer with serious tone.

"…Heh…spoken like a veteran, I can see why you're someone that most people don't wanna mess with" Archer said to me while he grinned.

"That again, is my reputation that frightening?" I asked Archer while I tilted my head in wonder.

"Rumor said so" Archer said to me while he shrugged.

"Rumor…What rumor?" I asked Archer while I squinted my eyes.

"Dunno, which one you prefer? The one where rank didn't hold a meaning to you or the one where you are un-killable despite the crazy shit you've done?" Archer asked me while he grinned.

"…While it's true I've done crazy stuff, I'm not invulnerable" I said to Archer while I frowned, I'm just going to address this one.

"Well can you blame them? Legends start from somewhere, and happenings like that always romanticized by the others. Hey, tales are a good pastime especially for us soldiers, right?" Archer said to me while he smiled.

"You're not wrong, I'm just uncomfortable that I'm the one people talk about" I said to Archer.

"Better get used to it then, I don't see it stopping anytime soon~" Archer said to me while he walked away.

…Ah bollocks, he's right, there might be more of this talk if I keep performing like that on every fight we participate in. I don't like what comes after that but I shouldn't stop giving my best and extra, completing the mission without any unnecessary casualties would be preferable than seeing people die just because I don't want to take the chances to save them. So what if that resulted in me becoming famous? Yeah, it will make it harder for me to maintain my reputation. But should when I did something bad and their opinions turned on me? There's nothing I could do, I am already in knee's depth when I choose to save Arizona…

"Archer" I called out his name.

"Hmm?" Archer hummed in acknowledgment as he stopped walking.

"You didn't mention why you like to joke around" I said to Archer while I frowned a bit.

"Oh that? I just like to make people smile, better than being a brooding bastard cursing fate all the time~" Archer said to me while he grinned.

"…You still have a lot to work on then" I said to Archer.

"Obviously, so tell me, what can make you laugh out loud, sergeant?" Archer asked me while he smiled.

"I don't want to make it easy for you" I said to Archer while I smiled a bit.

"Ha! Playing hard to get I see! Very well, look forward to it!" Archer said to me while he grinned.

Archer walked away and I stared at his back until he disappeared into nearby intersection…Okay, a degenerate husband, cold bastard of a doctor, reluctant mixed martial arts fighter and comedic politician son. We are set, a really volatile set of people grouped into a squad that I hope could accomplish anything at hand without breaking down in the middle because of conflicting egos. Heh, easier said than done! Well, what's life without a challenge? Does Nyx know about this as well? Does he know that this will force me to adapt so I could improve myself? Maybe, he said he could look into future, bet that guy already saw what I will do in order to adapt with this situation…

"Hey"

I looked to the side and saw a girl significantly shorter than me, she has shoulder length blonde hair styled in some kind of roll? I don't know what to make of her hairstyle. But, she's dressed in black military uniform with a cutlass on her hip. Behind her? I could see a musket that are held in place by the sling she wore around her. ANARIS, who is she?

[Subject: RN Carabiniere]

"Um, yes?" I asked Carabiniere.

"I have asked around and people said that you're the best shooter here" Carabiniere said to me.

"…I am a marksman, what of it?" I asked Carabiniere while I cocked my eyebrows.

"I need your help, please follow me!" Carabiniere said to me.

She grabbed me by my left hand and dragged me with her, she's strong! Even as a grown man, there's no way I can break free of her hold without putting tremendous effort! Wait, did she said that she need my help? And it's related to the fact that I'm the 'best' shooter on the dorm at the moment? What did Carabiniere need help with? Something that require a marksman, I can't hardly imagine anything but something related to firearms and shooting. Anyway, the girl dragged me to the backyard garden of Sardegna dorms. After being dragged for a while, she finally let go of my hand when we entered the garden. There are various weapons on the round table in the center of the garden, small arms weaponry. I looked at Carabiniere with confused gaze, the girl only stared back at me before she widened her eyes in realization...she's still holding my hand.

"Oh sorry, I should probably explain all of this…You see, I need your help. Out of all weapon on this table, which one is the most accurate and easy to carry in public?" Carabiniere asked me as she released my hand.

I looked at the weapons and I narrowed my eyes in confusion, easy to carry in public? Why would you have a rifle here!? I looked at the weapons and I see nothing that you could conceal without making pedestrian looked at you in surprise or fear! Why? There's only rifles and sub machine guns here! What did she expect when she walk in public area?! I sighed and facepalmed, that before I reached for my M1911 and showed the pistol to Carabiniere who looked at it with confusion. You want something you can carry in public and quite accurate? A handgun would do just fine!

"…You better off with this" I said to Carabiniere.

"…But a pistol lacks power" Carabiniere said to me while she frowned a bit.

"Makes up with being easy to carry and conceal. You want to conceal a weapon without making it too obvious? You have to compensate size with stopping power" I said to Carabiniere.

"Hmm…how far can I shoot with a pistol?" Carabiniere asked me.

"With M1911? Generally at around fifty meters, doesn't mean you couldn't kill anything farther than that but it's quite hard to do so" I said to Carabiniere.

"…Okay then, I think I'll use a handgun…I feel quite uncomfortable having to leave my musket to be honest, but can't help it with this one, hah" Carabiniere said to me before she sighed.

"Going somewhere?" I asked Carabiniere while I folded my arms.

"I have to escort someone important tomorrow, I…really don't want to attract attention" Carabiniere said to me while she looked to the side while pouting slightly.

"Ah, then why are you showing me rifles and sub machine guns? Did you plan on bringing a bag or something?" I asked Carabiniere while I folded my arms.

"If I have to, I can't afford to go underpowered if I want to do my job as an escort properly!" Carabiniere said to me with determined tone.

"Yeah, as expected, you better off with a handgun. Going full power but attracting attention would be counterproductive" I said to Carabiniere.

"Uuhhh, you're right…" Carabiniere said to me while she frowned.

"…By the way, you seems to be someone who know a thing or two about firearms" I commented at Carabiniere.

"…I only know how to properly use my musket…" Carabiniere said to me in low tone.

"…Do you know how to operate current day weapons?" I asked Carabiniere with serious tone.

"I said I only know how to use my musket, alright?! Don't make me repeat it, geez!" Carabiniere said to me while she blushed…cute…

"…You want to carry a tool that can kill people without the full knowledge to use it, I admit you are reckless and bold...Hey, how about I show you how to properly use the handgun?" I said to Carabiniere while I smiled a bit.

"Eh? T-Then, please do!" Carabiniere said to me while she smiled.

Thus, I spent some time teaching Carabiniere on how to use the M1911 I have with me. I taught her the features that the gun has such as the safety, how to properly hold it, how to fire it while keeping the recoil down and how to reload it quickly. Carabiniere is a fast learner so she grasped the lesson easily, naturally since she already got some basics by wielding a musket which has the same principle as with any firearms. I watched Carabiniere practicing when I heard footsteps coming from behind us, I looked back swiftly and saw someone approaching us. She has light grey hair tied in ponytail, with fierce orange reddish eyes and wearing white uniform. Who is she? She looked like a serious and fierce woman…

[Subject: RN Giulio Cesare]

"There you are Carabiniere" Cesare said to Carabiniere.

"Ah, signorina! Did you need me for something?" Carabiniere asked Cesare.

"Trento is looking for you, better get to it" Cesare said to Carabiniere.

"Huh, I wonder why…Grazie Sergente Wallace, for teaching me. I'll be sure to put the knowledge I got today to good use!" Carabiniere said to me as she handed my M1911 back.

"Sure, good luck" I said to Carabiniere.

Carabiniere walked away after picking up her musket and the weapons on the table, Cesare only stared at me for a bit while she frowned a bit before she followed Carabiniere. Wonder what she thought about me, she looked like she didn't like me for some reason…I shook my head then looked at the sea just beyond the fences that bordered the garden, there's several mass produced warships moving in slow speed. Hmm, are those cruisers? Yeah, a bit too small to be a battleship but a bit too big to be a destroyer. I walked toward the fences and spend some time staring at the passing warships, sometimes I just want to stare at something and empty my mind from all the thoughts occupying my head…

…

…

…

KRSHK!

I turned around the moment I heard that while drawing my M1911 and aimed at the bush that makes that noise, when I pointed my gun at the bush it moves frantically…I cocked my eyebrows in wonder while keeping my handgun aimed at it. What's that? Animals? Most of them should be hibernating in this season. Ship girls? Probably, but what kind of ship girl that would hide inside a bush? Another case like back on Royal Navy? Yeah, probably…if it's another pervert I won't hesitate. Maybe not shoot it but I'll be sure to beat them, thoroughly if I have to.

"Show yourself!" I said out loud.

But I received no response other than the bush going motionless…Okay that's it, I'm not going to play around with this situation. I approached the bush and reached inside it with my left hand while keeping my handgun aimed at it, I managed to grab something fleshy and I immediately pulled it toward me. What I saw shocked me to say the least, it's a pale looking girl with long messy green hair and having red eyes that are wide opened as it gazed at me in surprise. Who the hell is she?! More importantly, I'm grabbing her by the neck! So to avoid misunderstanding I immediately let go of her and that caused the girl to drop on the ground. I sighed hard as I sheathed my M1911, good thing I've learnt my lesson.

[Subject: RN Torricelli]

"…You okay?" I asked Torricelli.

"Uhuk uhuk…uh…I don't have choking fetish" Torricelli said to me while she's calming herself.

"M-Me too but sorry, that's an accident…Take my hand" I said to Torricelli as I offered her my right hand.

"Si…" Torricelli said to me as she used my hand to get herself up.

"What are you doing in the bush?" I asked Torricelli.

"I was observing…the warships" Torricelli said to me.

"Huh, same as me…How long you've been in there?" I asked Torricelli.

"Longer than you…I even saw you and Carabiniere together" Torricelli said to me.

"That long in a bush without moving? Wow, all you need is a rifle and you're set to be a sniper" I said to Torricelli while I smiled a bit.

"Perhaps…hehehe" Torricelli said to me then laughed…creepily.

"Uhuh…well, sorry for disturbing you. I better get going" I said to Torricelli.

"Si…hehehe" Torricelli said to me.

I walked away from the garden and head back toward the dorm…What a strange girl, her messy dark green hair blends well with the bush so of course she's hidden pretty well, not to mention her laugh is a bit unsettling…I checked my wristwatch and its half past two. Ho, pretty long way to go then, around four and half hours more before I could call it a day and head back to my flat. I kept walking when I saw someone on the back entrance of the dorm that looked like Zara. What prevented me from saying hi is the fact that her hair is purple and her eyes are the same color as mine…Really! Her face looks almost the same as Zara! Who is she? Her sister? Must be with how similar they look!

[Subject: RN Pola]

Pola huh? Well, at least I know her name now-. Pola turned her head towards me and our eyes met…Shite! Quick Alex, get yourself out of this predicament! I nodded my head at her before immediately looking away and walked to the side of the dorm. Phew, yeah, almost got caught staring…I didn't doubt that men will stare at Zara and Pola if they are together, in addition to being beautiful as hell both of them has amazing figure. I was just leaning on the wall when I heard footsteps to my left, I turned my head a bit to the left and I saw Pola standing beside me while staring at me…Uh…

"…Can I help you, miss?" I asked Pola.

"Haven't see you around here before" Pola said to me.

"Yeah, it's my first time here" I said to Pola.

"Ah, you must have been transferred here recently. How do you find Point Azure so far?" Pola asked me while she smiled a bit.

"…Living conditions are a sky above compare to the ones on other bases, but we got front row seat against the Sirens. I'd say it's an even trade" I said to Pola while I smiled bit.

"Hmm, I see. At least you enjoyed your stay" Pola said to me while she smiled a bit.

"I guess…Oh, the name's Wallace" I said to Pola as I extended my right hand, better drop my name now.

"Pola, nice to meet you" Pola said to me as she shook my hand.

"Likewise…When did you get posted here?" I asked Pola.

"Ever since the war between Azur Lane and Crimson Axis stopped, we originally stationed on Mediterranean Sea and participated in the Defense of Gibraltar. After that, we are immediately sent here and have been staying ever since" Pola explained to me.

"Ah, you must've fought alongside Zara and Algerie" I said to Pola.

"Ho? How did you know both of them participated in that fight?" Pola asked me while she squinted her eyes.

"…They told me?" I said to Pola with unsure tone.

"You know my sister huh…" Pola said to me in low tone.

"Yeah, I think we're friend-" I said to Pola.

[Threat detected!]

[Sword – Rapier]

[Imminent range]

[Priority: Maximum]

I stopped myself because I saw that warning from ANARIS, I reflexively dashed backwards while aiming my M1 Garand at Pola…She has a rapier on her right hand and it's pointed at me! Oh blimey, what did I do wrong here?! We were just having civilized conversation before this happened! What the hell is going on right now?! I kept my rifle aimed at Pola's head with my finger resting on the trigger…I prayed to anything holy out there that she won't move and strike me down! There are no witnesses here and if this brought up to command of course the ordinary guy like me would lose! How did the situation become like this?!

"Impressive, you noticed my movement so quickly…What are you up to, Wallace?" Pola said to me in cold tone!

"I don't understand what you mean by that question" I said to Pola in calm tone, but I'm a nervous wreck deep inside!

"You're trying to get close to my sister aren't you? What, so you can take advantage of her?" Pola said to me while she scowled.

"That's a bloody accusation you just spouted off there" I said to Pola in calm tone.

"Are they? Men are all the same, you must have the same motive as the others" Pola said to me while she scowled.

"Hey, I befriend her because she's a good person who helped me out" I said to Pola in calm tone.

"Is that all there is to it? I don't buy your excuse" Pola said to me in cold tone.

"What will it take for you to believe me?" I asked Pola in calm tone.

"Nothing. I don't trust any men who try to befriend Zara, she's too gentle and compassionate sometimes she's blinded to the evilness in people. Men who could conceal their intention is the most dangerous of the bunch, and you're one of them" …What?!

"Is there any reason why you did this? Did something happened to her before?" I asked Pola while I backed away a bit.

"I have no reason to explain it to you…If you don't want me gutting you, stay away from her as far as possible" Pola said to me while she scowled.

…I was nervous, I think I'm quite calm whenever I have to handle problems but even I have limits to my patience whenever something absurd happened and this is one of them! I didn't know Pola would be a psychopath?! Something is wrong here! Or something happened to Zara in the past that caused her sister to be this overprotective of her! Fuck, what do I do here?! How can I get myself out of this mess without harming us both!? But I don't think that's possible…I felt anger bubbling inside me for being accused so severely. I know Zara is beautiful, I know Zara is sexy and I know she's kind! But I never even once thought about taking advantage of her just so I can stick my eighteen centimeters dick inside a pussy! If I'm so horny that masturbation won't cut it then I better off heading to a brothel than taking advantage of the KANSENs I know! But I got to proof to Pola that I don't have such intention and there's only one idea come to my mind…I sighed as I lowered my Garand before throwing it to the side, I took out my M1911 before also tossing it to the side, I unsheathed my combat knife and dropped it in front of Pola and even taking out my frag grenades and put it down where the Garand and pistol is on now…

"…I will say this to you Pola, I have no intention to do such things and I mean it" I said to Pola.

"Why did you disarmed yourself?" Pola asked me in low tone.

"Because I'm serious about this. I respect you KANSENs too much to even think about doing something like that, I know Zara is the epitome of beauty but I have never thought about having sex with her. If killing me is the only way I could prove my conviction, then go ahead. I have nothing to lose, I'd throw my life away if it means I could prove to you that not every guy befriend your sister just to take advantage of her kindness!" I said to Pola with serious tone.

"You talked big, but it could be a lie as far as I'm concerned. Though I'd admit, you got bigger guts than the rest of those bastarde. All of them scurry like ratti the moment they are threatened, none has sfere di acciaio like you do" Pola said to me while she scowled.

"Because I have nothing to lose, no hidden agenda to bust and no intention to harm Zara in any way" I said to Pola with serious tone.

"Are you sure about keeping that statement of yours? I won't hesitate to kill you so lying this far is not worth it, I'm ready to face the consequences if it means keeping Zara safe. You will lose your life, are you prepared?" Pola said to me while she scowled.

"You just want to protect Zara? Then that makes the two of us" I said to Pola in calm tone.

I walked forward so I can get closer to Pola, I stopped just at the perfect range of her rapier. I grabbed her rapier and redirect it to my throat, challenging her to stab me right here right now. My heart is beating rapidly, my adrenaline is running wild, my vision narrowed toward Pola and the rapier she's holding, my body goes rigid as it prepare for incoming trauma coming from a sharp object…Oi oi oi Alex, you're a suicidal madman! You just got promoted, you got promise to keep and there are expectations on you! What a twisted joke would it be, if the man known as the one who is quite protective of the KANSENs are murdered by one! What would the others think? What would my friends think of this? What would Nyx think of this? What will Bremerton think about me doing this? Algerie? Or even Zara herself? Would she hate her little sister? I don't know and I might never know the answer. No one has managed to convince me to preserve my own life no matter the cost, not yet, I have no such bounds because I myself who is the owner are prepared to die if I have to. I will die defending my own truth, I will die holding my principle with absolute resolve, I got nothing to fear and I am willing to lose my own life so I could change Pola's mindset…

The mission Nyx gave me? It won't mean shite if I can't at least secure Zara's trust and to do that I need to win Pola's trust! If I can't do at least that much, then I don't know if I can do the entire mission itself! I better off dead than seeing that kind of future happened because of me failing spectacularly! The rapier is pressed closely on my throat, I saw several dark red droplets running down the thin silver blade…it is my blood without a single doubt. However, I didn't pay it much attention because I am staring directly at Pola's unwavering eyes. I don't know when she will do it, but any seconds now. I know that look, it's the look of someone determined to finish the job so I got no doubt she will do it for real if she want to…After what feels like forever, Pola closed her eyes, sighed slowly, retracted her rapier, swung it once before sheathing it back on the sheath that she has on her left hip…I released my breath that I didn't know I've been holding and my whole body feels weak as the tension eased off…That was so fucking close! But it seems that I did managed to convince Pola. The said woman still has her scowl as she stared at me, looks like I'm not out of the woods yet…

"…Let me ask you, are you brave, idiot or suicidal?" Pola asked me while she scowled.

"I'll let you decide…" I said to Pola while frowned.

"Hmm, then I'd consider you a mix of the three" Pola said to me while she frowned.

"Well, whatever suits you" I said to Pola.

"…Fine, Wallace. I am convinced, but if you so dare hurt my Zara? I will not stop or hesitate if that happens, understood?" Pola said to me...that's a pretty clear threat.

"Noted" I said to Pola in serious tone.

"Bene…we're done here" Pola said to me while she turned around and left the area.

…Crisis averted, I guess? I collected my weapons as I went into deep thought…Something must've happened to Zara before if Pola is this aggressive toward any man who approached her, then there's the fact that she said the 'others' when she said that I got bigger guts than those bastards. The others ran when Pola threatened them, they didn't consider sticking to Zara after being threatened? I could safely assume that their intention is quite shallow that they feel it's not worth to lose their life if Pola stood between them and Zara…Also, if those men ratted out Pola to Zara, she would've reprimand her sister so the fact that Pola still do this means that either Pola did it behind her back or Zara never knew about Pola's action in the first place. Still, I wonder what happened in the past. My guts churned in uncomfortable assumption that something involving sexual crime happened or almost happened to Zara herself, I don't see why other men would take advantage of Zara other than using her body. Let's be honest, rapist and playboys? I could see them going after her…

Zara will surely able to overpower any human so it's hard to imagine that someone will attempt to rape her when she's conscious, so what about other methods? Alcohol or drugs? Yeah, impaired judgment could be their perfect weapon. If not, then it happened as Zara was unconscious. But wait, Pola mentioned something about Zara being too gentle and compassionate that she couldn't see that people could be evil…I refused to believe that Zara is a gullible woman, there must be other factor at play here…Ah! The one that most dangerous are those that could hide their intention! That someone must've been pretty close to Zara somewhat to earned her trust, so that someone who has close relationship with Zara attempted to do or did something to her when Zara has her guard down…Apparently, according to Pola, I fit to be in the same category as that person. Did that person's method to gain her trust is by trying to be friends with her at first? I can see the resemblance. But, if that's how they got to Zara, then Zara would've been more cautious at me and she won't just freely invited me to her room just as today…She will surely be more wary of men…

The remaining possibility is that person who's about to do some bad thing to Zara got busted by Pola without Zara knowing about it, otherwise Zara's attitude would've been much more different than the Zara I just saw around an hour ago. It's not hard to believe that anyone who ever got raped will be more cautious to the type of person that raped them. Conclusion? Zara wasn't harmed because Pola managed to do something to the would-be-perpetrator…Pola has good intentions and I respected her for trying to keep her sister safe, but that was a pretty abrasive method she used back then. Did she really threatened every man that approached Zara? I got no doubt in that possibility. Should I consulted to Zara about this? No…everything I've gathered indicates that Pola did this without Zara knowing about it, telling her could just create new problems and strained their relationship and that's the last thing I want to do…What happened here? It's sufficient that only Pola and I who should know what transpired today…

.

…Nothing else interesting happened after my encounter with Pola, no one knows what happened on that backyard. People noticed that my neck was bleeding though, so I lied by telling them that it must've got grazed when I fell on the garden. Gideon said that it's just a scratch so he only put on a band aid on my neck and bobs your uncle, it's fixed…It is night time already and I walked back to my flat after buying few ingredients to cook dinner, yeah, I do cook for myself on occasions you know? Sometimes eating your own food is more satisfying than eating a take-out meal. Anyway, I think the ingredients would be fine if I just put it on the refrigerator? Is that what they called it? Yeah, they said that your ingredients will last longer if you put it on that chilling machine. Each room got one of those, mine included but I didn't store anything inside other than alcohol and some ice.

…I reached the building, get on the elevator and headed for fifteenth floor. Now, I think cooking a simple ham toast would be pretty fulfilling dinner, of course I planned on making more than one portion! A man got to eat dammit! After around half a minute, I finally reached the fifteenth floor. The moment the elevator door opened though, I immediately recoiled in shock. That's because Nelson herself who's wearing her white winter coat is standing in front of me and she looked as shocked as I did! Heh, what is she doing here? Did she have some business with the occupant of this floor? I think so. Maybe she's here to discuss an upcoming mission with Gordon? That's also a possibility! Anyway, better greet her now and book it immediately! I don't want to get bad mouthed like before.

"Good night Ms. Nelson" I said to Nelson then immediately walked past her.

"Good-, hold it!" Nelson said to me and I immediately stopped walking.

"…Um, yes?" I asked Nelson as I turned around to see her.

"Can we talk?" Nelson asked me.

"…Sure, what do you need?" I asked Nelson.

"Not here. Your room, let's go there" Nelson said to me with serious tone.

My room? Holy moly, those who doesn't know the context would call me a lucky dog when they heard a woman wanting to go to my room at night. But, I couldn't help but to feel apprehensive, am I going to get verbally abused without reason once again? Probably. But it seems Nelson did have something to say, so yeah, maybe it's worth listening to her despite her being a jerk just this noon. I looked around and noticed that there's no one around so I motioned her to follow me as we went to my room immediately, unlocked the door then let Nelson enter first. I subtly looked around to see if there's anyone else around that could've saw me, when I see no one I immediately entered my flat and locked the door…Nelson was surveying my whole room with her brows furrowing, I can immediately tell that my room doesn't leave a good impression on her.

"Your room looked so…plain" Nelson commented.

"I keep forgetting to decorate it" I said to Nelson as I walked to the fridge.

"How can you forget to decorate your own room when you lived inside it every day?" Nelson asked me.

"Means that it's pretty low priority for me" I said to nelson as I put ingredients that I brought with me, then put the rest on top of the counter.

"…You'll want to decorate it Wallace, give it some kind of personal touch" Nelson said to me.

"Well, what would you suggest?" I asked Nelson as I grabbed two glasses and a bottle of gin.

"Some pictures would be a good start" Nelson said to me.

"Unfortunately, I don't have a camera" I put the glasses down on top of the dining table and poured gin on it.

"How about paintings then? You could buy that easily" Nelson said to me.

"Not worth the money spent, I'm not an art enthusiast as well…By the way, how long are you planning to stand around for? Have a seat" I said to Nelson.

Nelson widened her eyes a bit before she proceed to sit on the dining table's chair after taking off her coat then put it on the chair, I pushed the gin filled glass toward Nelson and she took it albeit reluctantly. What? You want some tea? She didn't say anything though and it's cold so alcohol would do you good. I put the gin bottle on the dining table just in case she want a refill, then I head back to the kitchen counter and make sure the ingredients I'll need are present. Ham, bread, lettuce, tomatoes, onion and cheese…Oh yeah, I'm getting hungry just by thinking about it, better get started. Wait, I want to offer some to Nelson but will she eat something like a toast? It's hardly a proper dinner, even though it's fulfilling.

"Have you eaten yet? I'm about to make some ham toast, I can make some for you" I asked Nelson.

"…Yes, I would like some" Nelson said to me.

"Alright then. Is there anything you didn't like? I'm going to put lettuce, tomatoes, onion and cheese" I asked Nelson.

"I don't mind all of those" Nelson said to me.

"Got it" I said to Nelson.

…While preparing to make dinner I noticed something…Holy fucking hell the atmosphere is awkward! I'm trying to come up with conversation topic but so far I don't know what to say to her, I'm just too scared that I'm going to set her fuse off once again…Wait, I almost died this afternoon alone, what am I afraid of?! I put on the pan, turned on the stove, put some cooking oil and wait for a bit until it heated up…

"…So, why did you come all the way here?" I asked Nelson while I prepared the ham.

"I've said it before, I want to talk to you" Nelson said to me.

"Regarding what?" I asked Nelson as I put the ham on the pan, it immediately sizzled.

"…I want to apologize…" Nelson said to me in low tone.

"What's that?" I asked Nelson since I couldn't hear her due to the sizzling meat.

"I said I want to apologize!" Nelson said to me albeit louder this time.

"Ah…well, no harm's done except for my feelings" I said to Nelson as I shrugged.

"…You're not mad?" Nelson asked me.

"No, I am annoyed though" I said to Nelson as I took a spatula and begin flipping the meat.

"Hah…" I could hear Nelson sighed behind me.

"…Want to explain to me why you suddenly being rude?" I asked Nelson as I inspect the cooking meat.

"…It is a bad day for me…" Nelson said to me…

"…You're also being rude during the hearing back then, was that also caused by bad day?" I asked Nelson as I took out the meat with spatula and put them on the bread.

"Admittedly, yes…Every time I got frustrated I…need to vent it out somehow" Nelson said to me.

"No wonder I became your target, twice" I said to Nelson while I frowned as I put the other ingredients on the bread.

"…You're just in a bad place and in a bad time, both happenings are a coincidence…I don't hate you or anything…" Nelson said to me.

"Mhm, will this happen again in the future?" I asked Nelson as I grabbed a fork and a dining knife.

"Perhaps, but, I will do my utmost so this won't happen to you again…" Nelson said to me in determined tone.

"Good to hear" I said to Nelson.

I put a plate of ham toast in front of Nelson before putting the dining knife and fork beside the plate, Nelson looked at me and I just nodded my head at her. I turned around, grabbed another portion and joined her on the dining table. Nelson is already slicing a small portion of the ham, stabbed it with a fork and proceed to eat it…all of that? Done elegantly in a manner befitting an aristocrat…Back as a child, I would've get hit if I didn't do it just like I was told to but now I am free to eat however I want. Why do high class people are so fussy about eating techniques anyway? I believe, as long as someone isn't being messy and barbaric enough to mess up the dining table then I'm quite fine with how they eat…I proceed to eat my own portion, tasting a bit of the portion that I just cut with a dining knife…Oh yes, I'm no Littorio but damn I am proud of myself for managing to make a delicious ham toast!

"…How is it?" I decided to ask Nelson regarding the taste.

"Surprisingly delicious" Nelson said to me while she stared at the toast in bewilderment.

"Hey now, are you implying that I didn't look like I could pull it off?" I asked Nelson while I frowned.

"Yes I am, I never thought you'll be able to cook something this delicious" Nelson didn't hesitate to tell me that?! She's the blunt one alright…

"You're half right though, my selection of recipe is very limited" I said to Nelson while I frowned a bit.

"I see. But I'll give credit where it's due, this is delicious" Nelson said to me.

"I could tell you the recipe so you can make it yourself" I said to Nelson.

…Nelson didn't answer my offer, instead she stared at me like she's really contemplating on what she want to say! Oi, what's going on? Don't tell me she can't cook?! Weren't nobles has to attend home making class or something? Oh wait, she's a KANSEN, she might not receive such education because she come to this world as a human shaped ship…or are they? I better stop right there since I really don't know how the KANSENs come to this world, I've never seen the process on making one.

"…No need to, thank you" Nelson said to me then continued eating.

"If you change your mind, you could ask me anytime, if I'm still alive by then" I said to Nelson as I resumed eating.

But the moment I said that, Nelson stopped moving and she in turn stared at me. I pretend not to notice her staring as I continue to eat my toast, let's see whether she will say anything or not…I waited for around ten seconds and Nelson decided to continue eating, huh. You know, I believe she has something that she want to say but refrain from doing so for whatever reason…I finished my portion and I proceed to get second helpings, I made four portion after all. I returned to my seat with another ham toast and Nelson looked at my plate before she stared at my face with a judgmental expression…But she choose not to say anything as she continued eating, we eat in silence for a while before Nelson looked up to me.

"…Wallace" Nelson called my name.

"Yeah?" I asked Nelson as I eat.

"You're getting along with a lots of KANSENs around Point Azure" Nelson said to me in matter of fact tone.

"Most are just acquaintances, you know?" I said to Nelson while I cocked my eyebrows.

"Is that so? Most?" Nelson asked me.

"Well, I did consider some of the ladies to be my friends" I said to Nelson while I smiled a bit.

"I see…" Nelson said to me before she continued eating.

"What brought that up?" I asked Nelson.

"…Nothing, I was just curious" Nelson said to me.

"If you want to be my friend you could've just asked, you know?" I decided to tease her a bit.

"Wha?! W-Who said anything about that?!" Nelson answered me while she blushed a bit and stammered…Oho?

"Oh you don't? I do want to be your friend though" Keep it up Alex! There's something juicy happening here!

"…It's not like I mind…if we become friends…" Nelson said to me while she looked to the side.

"Let's get along then" I said to Nelson while I smiled a bit…that worked surprisingly well.

"…Yes…" Nelson answered me in low tone.

"You know Nelson, you should act like this more often" I said to Nelson while I smirked a bit.

"W-W-Why should I?!" Nelson asked me as her cheeks reddened.

"Because you're acting cute, that's why" I said to Nelson.

"I-I'm cute?!" Nelson asked me with widened eyes.

"I mean, you're already a beautiful woman, if you act cute like this every day then it will be a deadly combination" I said to Nelson while I shrugged.

"Y-You! Stop teasing me!" Nelson said to me while she pouted.

…I widened my eyes before looking to the side in realization, I let my true thoughts slipped out by letting my mouth running amok! I was too honest there, but oh well, what can I do at this point? I looked at Nelson as I resumed eating and I saw her looking unsure with blush dusting her cheeks while her eyes looking at everything but me…Holy freaking hell, that small comment bother her that much? No, affected her that much? Is that the first time she received a compliment from a guy? I think I can see why with her acting high and mighty most of the time, guys are afraid to approach her. I wonder why she haven't attracted any man who's quite stubborn enough to push through her defense. Admittedly though, she generally feels quite unapproachable despite being beautiful. But I found her stammering and blushing quite easily just now, that shattered my image of her pretty quickly when I saw this gap between her on duty and when she's alone off duty like this…Both of us finished with eating dinner before long and right now we sat on opposite side of each other, with two glass filled with alcohol and a bottle of gin accompanying us.

"…About this afternoon, I'm sorry for saying something like that" Nelson said to me while she frowned.

"No letter this time?" I asked Nelson while I smirked a bit.

"I did this to you twice, I think mere letter won't be sufficient this time" Nelson said to me in serious tone.

"Maybe, but don't worry since you're forgiven already. I don't want to make you uncomfortable or anything though, so if you don't want to me talking to you casually-" I said to Nelson.

"No, I'm fine with you doing so. It's just…sometimes, I'm not in my best condition or mood so there might be a situation where I could act…unpleasant to you…If that happens, I want you to understand that I don't mean any of it…Unless, I'm being serious" Nelson said to me while she frowned.

"…Okay then, I'll be sure to remember that" I said to Nelson while I smiled.

"Make no mistake though, if you do something stupid I will surely reprimand you for it!" Nelson said to me with serious tone.

"And here I thought by being your friend you would mellow a bit" I said to Nelson while I smiled bitterly.

"On the contrary, I will make sure my friend will properly reflect for his action when necessary" Nelson said to me while she smiled.

"Alright, just…try not to be too harsh on me" I said to Nelson while I smiled a bit.

"No promise, alright? If you did something really stupid, expect a long lecture from me and I mean it" Nelson said to me while she smiled.

I only chuckled in nervousness then downed the gin on my glass, I won't consider that a bad deal at all, maybe I will need someone like Nelson who's quite blunt and no nonsense in her approach to life. It's nice to be able to just sit down and talk with her like this and Nelson is surprisingly can be quite cute! Didn't expect that at first, but now I know that she's tease-able? My mischievous desire started to bubble up within me, I will definitely tease her next time I got my chance because her reaction could be quite entertaining. Though I will have to be careful not to incur her real wrath, I wouldn't survive if she hit me for real! Both of us then decided to just have some leisure chat with one another for a while, I immediately found her to be so smart and knowledgeable! She could talk about any topics without struggling! I will most likely lose any argument with her so I better not challenge her in that aspect!

"…I think it's time for me to head back to the dorms" Nelson said to me.

"Oh, it's quite late already. Let me drive you back" I said to Nelson as I looked at my wristwatch, it's now ten at night.

"Thank you, let us be off" Nelson said to me

Yeah, luckily I haven't changed my clothes so I'm already good to go. Nelson equipped her winter coat and both of us exited the flat, after locking my room of course. It's a short walk to the motor pool where we get a jeep to use, I climbed on the driver seat with Nelson beside me and I drove out of Delta Site…Fucking hell its cold! Must be several degrees below zero right now! I glanced to the side and I could clearly see Nelson folded her arms crossed her legs so the winds won't get up to her…Now that I think about it, Nelson doesn't lower apparel! It's just her clothes extended enough to cover her crotch area! Ah, poor lady, she must've really feel the breeze and that's why she crossed her legs.

"Bloody hell it's really cold" Nelson said out loud while she frowned.

"Yeah it is. You okay?" I asked Nelson.

"Y-Yes I am, just hurry up" Nelson said to me.

"As much I'd like to, I don't want the jeep to lose control. I got suspicion that there's ice forming on the asphalt" I said to Nelson, I could feel the loose grip of the tires against the road.

"This jeep supposedly has winter tires installed, right?" Nelson asked me.

"Doesn't mean it won't lose friction. If I speed up and there's ice near a turn? That's a potential crash" I said to Nelson.

"Then go as fast as you can while being as safe as possible" Nelson said to me…no, ordered me?

"Heh, roger that ma'am" I said to Nelson while I smiled a bit.

Being fast but as safe as possible? Quite a demand there lady, but you still being reasonable enough compared to the nobles that are out of touch with society. How do I know that? Yeah, my mother acted like one. There's this one time when she really want to eat cake, at two in the morning and it's not due to cravings because she's not pregnant at the time. Granted, she's working on something so I understand if she want snacks, but does it have to be a cake? Where would you find a pastry shop open at two in the morning?! Our maid suggested some cookies but mother didn't care, she want a cake and she ordered our butler to find one at any means necessary since our kitchen is unusable at that moment. In the end, she did get her cake, but I really felt sorry for our butler that I brought him some of his favorite coffee blend for him to enjoy. He did such a good job despite that unreasonable order…Without realizing, we managed to reach Royal Navy dorm. I stopped the jeep near the front entrance and Nelson immediately jumped out of the jeep.

"Thank you for driving me Wallace, have a safe return trip" Nelson said to me while she smiled.

"Yeah, you're welcome. I'm off" I said to Nelson while I nodded.

Nelson only waved at me for a bit as I stepped on the pedal to get back to my flat as quickly as possible, I don't want to spend my time outside any longer than I have to…I quickly returned the jeep and basically jogged my way back to my flat, phew, finally somewhere I could be warm. Now, all that's left to do is to change into something more comfortable, probably watched something on TV for a bit then jumped on my bed! I get out of the elevator and I froze again, why? Because Gordon in front of the elevator door alongside few members of my platoon including Lina and my squadmates! What the fuck is going on here?! I looked around in confusion but I couldn't find anything that could give me a clue on what is happening.

"Ah Wallace, perfect timing" Gordon said to me.

"…Did something happened, lieutenant?" I asked Gordon as I cocked my eyebrows.

"Yeah, mind telling us why Ms. Nelson wanting to meet you at all cost that she waited for hours in here?" Gordon asked me while he smiled.

"Hours?" I cocked my eyebrows.

"She's been here since five o'clock, you know?" Lina said to me with her eyes half closed.

"And then, you both spend your time inside your room, door locked, for hours as well" Gordon said to me.

"We only eat dinner together and chatted" I said to Gordon while I cocked my eyebrows.

"Really?" Gordon asked me as he cocked his eyebrows.

"Yes really, search my room for proof if you want to" I said to Gordon.

"Alright, let's go" Gordon said to me.

We walked toward my flat and I unlocked the door, few of my fellow marines entered the room while I waited outside with Gordon and the rest…After spending some time inside my room, the inspection team comes out. I am pretty confident that they won't be able to find anything incriminating there, because I simply didn't do anything with Nelson other than dining and talking!

"Report" Gordon said out loud.

"No sperm stain or any other liquid on the bed, sir"

"Sink is full of dirty plates so they did have dinner"

"Bathroom doesn't smell fishy so they didn't do it there"

"Veranda is clear"

See? You won't find any incriminating evidence because I didn't do anything! I looked at Gordon as I expected him to say something regarding the accusation he thrown at me few minutes ago, the man rubbed his chin as he take in all the info that the investigators provided to him…Come on mate, we're waiting for your input here! What are you thinking so deeply about huh? After around a minute thinking to himself, Gordon turned his head toward Lina and just nodded at her…what's that supposed to mean?

"Everyone is here right?" Lina asked out loud.

"I think we are" Sullivan said to Lina while he folded his arms while he smirked…triumphantly?

"Then I'm taking out the list" Lina said out loud before she took out a paper that has two columns of writing on it? Are those names?

"Alright! Pay up losers! This is what you get for being horn dogs!" Sullivan said out loud while he grinned, I could hear cheers and groaning coming from all around me!

"How did you know that he didn't do anything?!" Someone asked Sullivan.

"Look at him dammit! Does he look like someone that just got laid?!" Sullivan asked out loud as he pointed at me.

"…What's this about?" I asked Sullivan as I folded my arms.

"We're betting on whether you shagged Nelson or not, too easy mate~" Sullivan said to me while he grinned.

"And thank you for making me a rich man tonight Wallace, I knew I could count on you" Gordon said to me while he patted my shoulder.

"Safe to say, my guess is on point!" Lina said out loud while she grinned.

"Sergeant! You blew your chance!" Archer suddenly said out loud to me!

"Guess it's too early to assume huh?" Gideon said out loud.

"Oh come on Wallace! Are you gay or something?!" Someone said to me.

…These bastards…I sighed to myself at the antics of my fellow marines then went inside my flat, closed the door and locked it, I was done for the day. I hurriedly changed into ordinary clothes and turned on the TV, but nothing interesting is playing right now so I turned it off and jumped straight to my bed…Now I realized how many potential problems and rumors that could surface if a KANSEN appeared here, especially if they're here to meet me…So, what does that mean? Yeah, no bringing in KANSEN to my flat unless I want my platoon to spy on me, betting on what's happening and also might spreading rumors along the way! Sounds troublesome, better avoid it at all cost…With that being bookmarked in my mind, I let my thoughts roam and recounted on what happened today…Overall, pretty eventful and I'd like to think that I make some progress in befriending people that I know. I hope everything keep being this smooth, higher trust mean I can help them easier when the time comes…I was closing my eyes when I heard my door being knocked several times.

"Wallace! Hey, Gordon is ordering pizza for everyone! Come out here mate!" Sullivan said out loud…son of a-.

"Yeah…I'm coming…" …Free pizza? How can I say no to that?

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Mrlol: Noted! Thanks for the suggestion!

Eventful day to say the least, there's a lot going on despite it being relatively peaceful day…got to say, I found that it's quite difficult to make a guard duty chapter without being boring or going overboard with the ridiculousness factor that I can throw in with the ship girls shenanigans. I'm all for the comedic mess that could happen especially with the unique characters of the KANSENs but I'd like to keep it a bit grounded for this story. This chapter is a lot longer than the previous guard duty chapter and having so many events, if it's too much I could just reduce it to the most important events but what do you dear readers think? I have no problems in making it this long since I could use the challenge to come up with something interesting on each dorms though. I'm just afraid that I might or already bore some of you hahahaha! Well, anyway, thank you for the follow, favorite and the reviews dear readers. Stay tuned for the next one, cheers.

See you next time!

- Dasmara