It was impossible to miss Page's glance toward the table. Now it was Tyler's turn to sigh. As she'd risen through the ranks she had increasingly been the one making the decisions, counting up the pieces and frantically trying to fit them together in time. Even when the decisions hadn't been hers alone, she had at least had a say in what happened. Now the little metal device sitting calmly on the table threatened to rob her of all the apparent freedom she'd fought hard to earn. If she squinted, the circular emitter even looked smug. Tyler made a valiant effort to fight off the urge to hit it, contenting herself with staring daggers at courier. Had the courier possessed the capacity to be intimidated, it would no doubt have found the entire display rather off putting and retreated from the five foot four Lieutenant Colonel with all due speed. Being a bundle of circuits and housing, it remained exactly where it was, much to Tyler's dissatisfaction. "I suppose I'll hang around, assuming that's what they want me doing. I did re-sign for another six years before we shipped out, so it's not like I'll be going anywhere else for a few years yet. It's not that bad really. We do get shore leave, and you haven't seen a party until you've seen Archer host one."She caught a quizzical look from Page."Samantha Archer. She came into the academy the year I graduated, nearly got kicked out for that party just before I left. She's the Electronics Officer on the Ravenswood now; and still doesn't regret a thing."
"I don't know what I'll do when this is done. When I was a kid I wanted to fly for Spa and Cruise, one of the big liners. Go exotic places, meet exotic people. You know, just like in the vids. Looking back on it, I think I was just in it for the uniform."Tyler's lips curled into a faint smile, remembering hours spent on the neural net, eagerly devouring anything she could on the company."But, well, I joined the Air Force, and they provided a better uniform and faster planes. Besides, after the Ravenswood I think that Liner might be a bit cramped."Assuming she kept the Carrier Tyler brooded, eyes returning to the courier before darting back up to meet Page's, something he'd said flashing into her memory. The world has changed me much more then I can change it in return.
"And for what it's worth; you're wrong."She was quiet for a long time, looking into the London traffic but watching something else entirely."You can change things. Everyone can. Everyone does. It's just a part of what people do. That's why we're still here, why the Gallics are here. If no-one thought they could change the world more then it changed them we'd all be on a beach back home drinking cocktails. Not-"She added hurriedly. " - that I'm at all opposed to cocktails."
"That said."Tyler scooped up the courier, cupping it between her palms as though it were something that had very recently died."Now and then it is nice to know just how you're meant to change things."She rolled the device across the table to Page.
![[Image: icthMHY.png]](http://i.imgur.com/icthMHY.png)