Pax Propter Vim [Azur Lane Fanfic]

Chapter 16

Allied Forces Mess, Singapore.

Zumwalt let out a long sigh as she stretched her sore muscles, feeling the ache from a long day’s battle. She had spent the entire day bombarding Japanese positions north of Singapore, near the crossing to Malaya. Only now had the Admiral granted her and Javelin some well-earned rest. Javelin, however, had excused herself early, opting to sleep aboard Zumwalt’s ship. Understandable—she had fought hard alongside her.

George, her friend, was still out flying air assault missions with Enterprise and Hornet. That meant she wouldn’t be back tonight.

That left Zumwalt here, in the dimly lit mess hall, searching for company. War had kept her and her usual companions apart for too long, and Singapore still felt a bit too foreign. Making new friends wasn’t just a luxury—it was a necessity.

As she scanned the room, her eyes landed on a lone figure sitting on a worn-out couch near the corner. His uniform was dull and covered in dust, the telltale signs of a long day on the battlefield. The insignia on his sleeve marked him as a Royal Marine, an officer assigned to ABDACOM, with the rank of Lieutenant.

Zumwalt shrugged. Time to make a friend.

She approached with an easy smile, hands casually tucked into the pockets of her slightly dirtied uniform. "Evening, am I interrupting?"

The Marine started slightly, as if lost in thought before looking up at her. His piercing gaze studied her for a brief moment, an odd flicker of surprise crossing his face.

"Ahh… no, not at all." He finally responded, his voice carrying a distinct British accent. "Are you… a shipgirl?"

Zumwalt chuckled. That question never got old. "I am. The name is Zumwalt, lead ship of the Zumwalt-class. Nice to meet you." She extended a hand.

The Lieutenant took it, his grip firm and calloused. "Lieutenant Thomas J. Jones, Third Royal Marine."

"Lieutenant Thomas, nice to meet you. " She said in a friendly tone.

"It's a pleasure to meet the renowned Pearl Hero."Thomas smirked.

Zumwalt groaned, scratching the back of her head. "Ahhh, that nickname is so embarrassing."

Thomas let out a low chuckle. "Oh, I don’t know. It has a rather nice ring to it."

Zumwalt rolled her eyes but smiled. "So, Lieutenant, what brings you here?"

"Same as you, I suppose. Needed a moment away from the war." Thomas leaned back, his sharp eyes flicking toward the ceiling as distant artillery fire rumbled through the air. "But I imagine it's a bit different for someone like you."

Zumwalt tilted her head. "And what exactly do you mean by that?"

Thomas turned his gaze back to her, smirking. "You ships… you’re different from us. Built for war, yet still human in a way that’s hard to define."

Zumwalt tapped her chin, pretending to consider his words. "Well, that’s one way to put it. But at the end of the day, Lieutenant, loneliness doesn’t discriminate."

Thomas nodded, as if understanding something unspoken. "Lonely, huh?"

Zumwalt gave a small snort. "Oh, you know what I mean, Lieutenant."

He let out an amused chuckle. "Hardy har har, Miss Zumwalt."

Zumwalt folded her arms. "You’re just gonna keep calling me that, aren’t you?"

"Until you start calling me Thomas, perhaps."

Zumwalt grinned. "Deal."

Thomas stood, stretching slightly before gesturing toward the bar. "Well then, Miss Zumwalt—whiskey?"