Hudson with Terror

[Lochrath]

Her name being said smacked her like a drunk's slugging fist. Somehow she had managed to space out in her vigilance. Wrapped up in her nerves she never saw the man coming. A quick turn to face the one who called.

It was a well known face to her. She wasn't wrong during her previous conversations with the man nor her crew that giving off an iconic image and good marketing behind it can surely rally others behind a cause, no matter the morality of it. The silhouette of "Cobra", the ideal strong willed pilot fighting the fight of freedom for Liberty was met in person. He looked different. Cheekbones higher than she imagined, hair a shade off than her memory. Most of all was the clear exhaustion only gained from the life of an active fighter pilot. He looked like a work-weary fatherly figure she knew from Leeds. Working twelve hours a day, most if not all days of the week. It was a reality that couldn't be hidden by holo-edits or digital touch ups.

Mary figured that she hasn't responded yet. It couldn't have been more than a few seconds, but it was quickly becoming more awkward than intended. An excusive cough as she also noted she was staring during that time. "Ah am she. Didn't think you'd come t'fetch us yourself, Cobra." She finally responded in her thick industrial-world accent.

By chance more than anything, Piper was tapping away on a datapad and didn't notice the man approach or the exchange until Mary turned to the other. The reporter tucked the pad into the crook of her arm and turned to stand beside Mary, beaming at him.

Seeing Piper noticing, Mary was quick to speak up before her counterpart could. "This is Piper Taylor, our broadcaster f'the Autumn Broadcast ah told you about. You offered free press, an' seeing as this whole thing is for inspection an' report she'll be documentin'." Mary gave introduction and formalities to smooth over the initial start.

Mary's hand still lingered on the grip of her piece, though it seemed more an idle unconscious stance than anything.