"Wing will March Past in Column of Route, move the the right in Column of Route, Right... Turn!"
Several hundred boots slammed simultaneously. The BAF could drill.
"Wing will March Past in Column of Route, by Squadron, by the left, quick... March!"
The deck of the Derby was rolling with the sound of the BAF Marchpast, played by the 7th Royal Fusileers Band.
The Fleet Admiral was at the Dias, and the wing marched past in good order. Admiral McKenna presented the Wing to the Fleet Admiral with a crisp salute, then returned to the Head of the Wing.
The Fleet Admiral pulled a prepared speech from his pocket, looked at it, realized it was vapid tripe, crumpled it and threw it away. He'd wrote it sober. Not a problem now.
"Not so long ago I was like you lads, and lasses.", he started.
"Meeting a Chim for the first time in battle... That Kusari, well, he could fly. I wet my pants. True story." That raised some eyebrows..
"The general public has very little idea what we are putting ourselves through for them. Some of them think their jobs are stressful.. Yes, accounting can be stressful at tax season, surely.."
"But, hell's bells, seeing a man vapourised in front of you, realizing that mine was meant for you? Well, that sort of thing will put a pilot or two on the bottle.. Won't it?"
The pilots, most of them, smiled knowingly. Maybe he was drunk (ish), but the Fleet Admiral spoke the truth.
"So, promotions and awards, that, at least, is some small recognition for what you are doing out there. Lets get through a few, then on to the mess, hmm? We have brought in some Rheinland Weiss beer!" And that brought a cheer.
"Firstly, promoted to Lieutenant, Ensign Jaedon Phoenix, Ensign Jason Resbane, Ensign John Richards, and Ensign Roger Ring."
Cheers went up as the new Lieutenants came to the dias and received their ranks.
"Next, and this is something that has been strongly recommended to me:", Nelles paused for effect.
"The Distinguished Flying Cross is awarded to Lieutenant Jacob Carter."
Carter looked surprised, but came to the dias quickly, and went away looking very pleased with himself, with the medal on his tunic.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, that is all. See you at the mess! Save some of that Weiss beer for me! Don't spill any! That's taxpayer's largesse you'll be drinking there!"
Had the Kusari invaded that night, they would have found no few Templars unable to fly straight.
Fleet Admiral Nelles regarded the young pilot from behind his desk.
Lieutenant Rodney Trotter stood at attention, then at ease, when directed to by the Fleet Admiral. He was very formal, and nervous. He had no idea why he was here.
"Son", began Nelles, "You were present at a fleet action against the KNF a fortnight ago, in Dundee, yes?"
"Sir, yes sir!", came the reply. What the hell did I do wrong?, he wondered.
Nelles sat back in his chair, reading a brief one page report, then looked quizzically at the lieutenant.
"Lieutenant Commander James Hobart has provided to me this report, and you have received a Mention in Dispatches."
Nelles leaned forward in his chair.
"He mentions in this report that you were shot up, and down to only one serviceable weapon, your Supernova, and you STILL managed to take out two Eagles, and one Chimaera. Is that true?"
"Sir, yes it is true, sir." Trotter was smiling now, with pride.
Nelles put down the report, came around to the front of the desk, and pinned a medal he had been concealing in his pocket on the Lieutenant.
"That, son, is a Distinguished Flying Cross. Wear it with pride. With flying like that, you deserve it. I only regret I did not have this report prior to the recent awards ceremony."
Nelles stood back, saluted, and dismissed a very happy (and relieved) Lieutenant Trotter.
Ensign Tom Ramey looked bemused for a moment, as there was not even a chair in the room, but obediently followed orders. Even though Commander George Harrington was renowned amongst the recruits for recently muddling names and orders, he was still revered as he was known to dish out a whipping to anyone who spoke back to him. Ramey smartly sat down on the floor.
"Yes Sir."
"Now then Jim, seems theres been a fair few reports flying around about you..." Harrington took a moment to collect his thoughts, before forgetting, standing up and walking out of his office door.
"Sir?" Ramey shouted down the corridor after him
"Oh, are you still here?" enquired Harrington, wandering back to his desk
"You had something to tell me sir?"
"Ah yes," Harrington sighed, sitting back down. "I've been asked to tell you John, that we are pleased with your progress. Your combat reports are concise and show much improvement. You've survived where your peers have died, its not easy being an ensign, and you'll find it a damn sight harder being a Lieutenant!"
Tom smiled, even though he hadn't been correctly named he knew what this meant.
"Don't smile lad!" Barked George "When those under your command fall, you're responsible! I've seen it drive even the best of us mad."
Sitting back in his chair, and with a more relaxed demeanor George said "But well done Lieutenant Rainy, you've earn't this" handing over the new badge.
"Thankyou sir!"
Lieutenant Tom Ramey saluted as he smartly walked out of the office door. It was a good thing the Commander did not hear his muttering of "Crazy old fool." as he left.