Battleships are hereby forbidden to have friends in their fleets, friends with foreign fleets, friends with either domestic or foreign merchant fleets or any other form of a relationship. Sister ships may interact with one another but no friendship can be formed between them. If one is found in any or all of these scenarios, the death penalty will be issued to the offending ship/s.
Note: This rule was abolished in the US in 1948 by USS Missouri (BB-63).

Tirpitz and Serapis

Sneaking out of the harbor had become gradually easier for Serapis as time went on. Due to the increasing tensions with France, the fort sentries were more concerned with ships entering the fortress than leaving it.

"If anyone asks, I'm on patrol." She whispered to one, her friend Ottawa. She was the only ship that knew the truth about where Serapis was going at night. Ottawa nodded. "Be back soon, I hear that we're going out to fight in the morning." She whispered. Serapis dipped her head and sailed out.

Tirpitz was waiting for her when she arrived. "I was beginning to get worried." She said. "Security's gotten a little tighter on my end." Serapis replied.

"Serapis, I don't know how much longer we can keep this up. It's only a matter of time before England goes to war with France and when we do, I can't fight you." Tirpitz whispered. "I know that, Tirpitz. Neither can I." Serapis replied.

They shared a brief embrace and Serapis reluctantly turned back for England.

Barely a week later, England and France's fleets were at war in the English Channel. The French and Indian War had begun.

"Give it up Paris, you'll never win!" Victory cried. "I'll never surrender if that's what you mean." Paris replied.

Serapis exchanged gunfire with a small frigate named Atlantis. She gave her a good round in her side that sent her reeling. "Serapis!" Tirpitz cried in warning.

Serapis turned just in time to meet Paris' collision head on. She managed to push the French flagship off her as Victory came racing in, yowling "Back off Serapis, she's mine."

Paris glared at Serapis with utmost hatred. "Tirpitz!" She called to her nearest fighter. "Finish her!" Serapis turned to face Tirpitz. The French warship stared at her with incredible pain in her eyes as she fought against her leaders' orders. She knew then that she just couldn't do it, she couldn't hurt Serapis.

"What are you waiting for, a bugle call? Finish the Anglo off Tirpitz!" Paris cried as she grappled with Victory. One of the English ships of the line had gotten tired with Tirpitz's indecision and Serapis' apparent ignorance to the fact that she could be shot at and charged her.

"Tirpitz, watch out!" Serapis cried. Her warning came too late. The English warship crashed into Tirpitz and rolled her over on her side.

"No!" Serapis wailed. She raced over, shoving past the offending battleship.

Tirpitz lay on her side, a large gash along the length of her hull. She coughed and opened her eyes. "Serapis?" She whispered. "I'm here." Serapis managed, leaning down to nuzzle her. "Goodbye Serapis." Tirpitz rasped. "No Tirpitz, please." Serapis begged.

Tirpitz gave her friend a small smile before her eyes closed for the last time. Wordlessly, Serapis pressed her bow deep into Tirpitz's lifeless side. At the same time, Victory managed to knock Paris' masts down with a chain-shot, crippling her.

She then moved in for the kill. There was a small squeal of pain from Paris that was abruptly cut off.

"Retreat!" Her deputy, Cellous cried. The French fleet was only too happy to follow that order and raced off back south, a few English ships chasing after them until Victory called them back.

She approached Serapis. "Victory, Tirpitz is dead." Serapis moaned. "I'm so sorry Serapis. She meant a lot to you didn't she?" Victory asked. Serapis nodded. Victory brushed against her. "Come, there's nothing you can do for her now. Let's go home." She said.

When the war ended seven years later, Victory and Cellous, the newly appointed leader of the French fleet, met in the English Channel. "So many lost." Victory murmured. "Yes, but what to do about Tirpitz?" Cellous asked.

"What about her? Her death was not our fault." Victory snapped. "No but Tirpitz would not have died if she hadn't been, attached to Serapis." Cellous replied. Victory nodded.

"Nor could their relationship have prospered as long as it did without help." Cellous continued. "Yes, Ottawa admitted to helping Serapis." Victory replied.

"I propose that from now on, battleships are forbidden to have relationships of any kind. We are the pride of our nations and are invaluable in battle. We cannot afford distractions." Cellous said.

"Agreed." Victory muttered. "From now on, battleships must live solitary lives within the fleet. They are not allowed to have any friends either with their own fleet mates or other fleets." She declared.