Despite the situation, Tyler couldn't suppress a wry smile at Page's comments on Orbital uniforms. She made a note to file that particular tidbit away for later use. They sat in silence for a while, the Lieutenant Colonel sitting there grinning like the Cheshire cat.
"It's a shame you don't get to go out. Back on Houston, the flight crews used to go out on Fridays. We might have to fix that sometime."Before she had the opportunity to devote any further thought to the idea Page's hand settled over hers. The motion took her by surprise, and her fingers curled around his palm. Annoyed at the reflex, she forcibly relaxed the offending digits, focusing on the message hovering between them.
Quote:
∙[font=Agency FB]R e d e p l o y m e n t
[font=Agency FB]
[color=#FFFFFF]FAO - Lieutenant Colonel Melanie Tyler
[color=#FFFFFF]Sender - Aaron Gibson, Assistant Minister for Defense
Message -
Colonel Tyler, the vote came through this morning, so I'll keep this brief.
Effective immediately, Task Force Sierra is dissolved. All units involved are to make preparations to return to Liberty as soon as possible, that includes grounds staff and the Ravenswood. The Government believes that the Air Force's operation in this sector and capability, though valiant thus far, is no longer required. Positions occupied by Air Force personnel will be filled by the staggered deployment of Liberty Navy assets in the future.
Upon your return, Space Command will also be required to step down in its duties, focusing once again on atmospheric and planetary actions. Ravenswood is to be returned to Naval Command, though enlisted Airmen and Women wishing to remain in their current capacities may opt to transfer to the Navy in full. As I'm certain you'll understand, Colonel, due to issues in maintain the command structure this option cannot be extended in full to ranking members of the LAF, including yourself. Should you, or any other Officers, wish to be transfered, you will be reassigned to secondary fleet assets. If you wish to remain with the Air Force, I'm certain central command will be glad of your assistance in scaling down the LAF space-borne presence.
I appreciate your willingness to serve as Liberty requires.
Aaron Gibson
Assistant Minister for Defense
Republic of Liberty
[font=Agency FB]Message Ends
[color=#CCCCCC]Tyler stared at the message, anger and shock pulsing through her. Her jaw moved silently as she struggled to give voice to her emotions. "They can't do that..."She breathed, as though saying it aloud would disprove the proof hovering before her eyes. "After all we've done."It was impossible to believe. After everything the Air Force had been through, everything that had happened... The loss of Command, the Forward Base, the missions alongside the Bretonians. All of it was being thrown away because some administrator on Manhattan decided it wasn't cost-effective. That the lives of the people on Leeds, London, here, weren't cost effective. She was staring at the message, but not looking at it, watching Page through the hologram. He was one of the people that those orders would force her to abandon to the Gallics, and somehow, that cut deeper then the thought of Leeds and London combined.
She scowled at the orders, slowly her hands shaking, reached up and tugged the rank slides from her shoulder, placing the silver leaves on the table."They can't..."She repeated hollowly, knowing full well that they, in fact, could and had.