Larissa looked at the ship and was a bit scared of it, she remembered it quite well when she escaped Rheinland, but also when she was in the Navy. It was not a pleasure to get shot at by these.
'The 90-ARKM-N45 'Wraith'. The most feared enemy I've met so far in space, it's a beauty, agile but not lacking any firepower. Yes, I do know what a Wraith is. I remember flying one of these for a short time when I was escaping from Rheinland, it was a short flight, yes, but it was awesome. This ship is just perfect...'
Rall kept silent and it seemed he was not paying attention. 'Hmmm, doesn't look like he's listening to me. Guess I'll just shut up for a moment.' she had to think about her wingmen she used to fly with in the Liberty Navy, all of them feared the Wraith and hoped they were not the ones who had to do the Rheinland patrol. Larissa was not the one who feared it, but she was the one who was sent to Rheinland, where she had the pleasure to get shot at by three Wraiths at the same time.
It would surely need a lot of effort to learn how to use the Wraith properly, she remembered her sister ranting about how difficult it was, and her sister usually was somebody who knows how to fly a ship. 'I wonder if they'll let me fly one of these babies...' were her thoughts, even though it would probably involve shooting her former wingmen.
Gunther continued to run his hand along the side of the ship, but he in fact, taking in every word Larissa was saying to him. He took some time to think about how he wanted to phrase his opinion, even though it was her first opportunity, she had reminded him that she was no military veteran by any means, be it from Liberty or otherwise. 'Some say a Wraith is a spiritual likeness of our physical self seen before death, as opposed to just simply being a ghost. Rather than a foretelling of death or ours at least'¦, I like to think the ship takes on the personality of its pilot. It's almost like living a separate life, but one that's still your own. I'm probably not making much sense now that I think about it, but with a bit of luck you'll be able to experience it for yourself.' Gunther finished, scratching his head in thought, as he turned back to face Larissa.
'In all honesty there isn't really a lot to see here, maybe the cafeteria, but with that uniform you would probably incite a riot. I probably shouldn't have gotten your hopes up as well, if Verena has her way, you'll be flying around in a Phantom, but don't worry; I hear it's a thrilling experience. I don't believe anyone told you that you won't be learning here on Vierlande, nor am I able to watch you while it happens, so if you have any questions, it's best to ask now.' He finished with a dry chuckle, mostly at his poor ordering of events.
Gunther took a seat on a crate of ammunition next to his Wraith, looking around the hangar. There were only three engineers left, tentatively laboring to fix his Eagle, despite the fact this was not their job. He began to think of some way to thank them later, while waiting for Larissa to make her inquiries
'Everybody has different feelings for the ship one is using, personally I can't imagine a ship to have a personality, however I've learned one thing from my sister and even from some of my libertonian wingmen. Treat your ship well and it won't let you down. Quite superstitious, but I believed in this and I still do.'
Larissa watched the engineers working on Rall's Eagle, it almost looked like it was a new ship. 'Amazing, how fast they fixed the damage. They'd need ages in Liberty.' were her thoughts when she walked closer to the Wraith. She always ranted about the laziness of libertonian engineers.
'I can't and won't expect you to look after me, you're an Admiral after all. I'm damn sure you have other things to do, things that are way more important than caring after a traitor, how Higham would refer to me. And well, she has every right to call me that way. Anyway, I hope those tests won't be on New Berlin...I can't stand that place...'
'Fair enough,' Gunther had no intention of getting into a philosophical debate about inanimate objects.
'For the record, we don't conduct training on New Berlin traditionally. You'll probably be on the Moselle, if nothing else, it will be quiet and devoid of all the interesting staring you get here. That said, I can't guarantee anything, I never really thought to ask, of course if you're feeling brave, I could drop you off at her office. It wouldn't be the worst thing for you two; you almost look like you could be related in fact.' Grinning as he said this, Gunther began to wonder what Higham really had planned.
Truth be told, he thought overall it would be a good idea. If he kept Larissa himself, should she be allowed to stay and join the ranks of the Rheinland Military, soldiers would only believe he coddled and favored her. If she was going to stay, she would end up fighting for their respect at one point or another, and there was no better place to start than with the one that would be the source of all her problems.
'How in hell is he thinking that I could be related to her ? I couldn't live with such a person being in my family.' She smiled at Rall even though she would actually prefer to slap him, but she knew it wouldn't be a good idea. With a nod she showed him to lead her to the office.
'Well, then follow me.'
He started to walk into a hallway and Larissa followed him. Every step brought her closer to Higham and every step made her more nervous. How would the Vizeadmiral react if she'd see her again, after all she wanted to execute Larissa. They stopped in front of a door and Rall smiled.
'Good luck with her.'
It didn't sound very motivating, but at least he said something. Larissa knocked on the door and entered after some moments.
Higham looked up from her paperwork, as her door opened, she hadn't actually invited anyone in, and not that she ever did. She had grown accustomed to the newer recruits simply opening the door at the lack of her reply, others would simply count themselves lucky, and assume she wasn't there, leaving without ever seeing her. If Verana wanted to speak with someone she never had a problem finding them herself. She watched Larissa enter her office, motioning for her to sit in the chair seated in front of her desk.
It wasn't that Higham disliked the young woman more than anyone else; she simply felt that a rule had been broken, and the appropriate measures should be taken to reflect such. Frankly, having Larissa sit in front of her like nothing happened, and ready to go off into military training in hopes of joining the ranks of the Rheinwehr, someone was playing a cruel joke on her, Higham felt it.
As Larissa quietly took a seat in front of her, Higham cleared her throat, looking up directly in her eyes. She cleared her throat, keeping an even tone, attempting to maintain what she felt should be a professional environment.
Larissa let that question sink in for a moment, she expected a more aggressive reaction from Higham. However, that sort of calm and unexpected question made her to feel insecure and she struggled to find an answer that wouldn't let her look like a moron.
'Well...' Larissa felt Higham's cold gaze and she tried to ignore it as much as possible. 'As you probably know, you're the one who'll be conducting my training. Our first...meeting wasn't that pleasant for both of us and the things I've been doing in the past weren't the best decisions of my life. Now I have a request and I know you've every right to deny it, but still I hope you'll take it into consideration. Please, trust me.'
There was silence in the room after it, a more hostile silence and it caused Larissa to shiver lightly, but she believed she was able to hide it in front of the Vizeadmiral. Fear was the last thing she wanted to show in front of her. She was waiting for an answer, and hopefully a positive one.
Higham looked back down towards her paperwork, reading requests from Meyer about assessing the candidates for the Rheinwehr's next Major General. She figured none could as troublesome as Larissa, even if it would be easier on everyone if she would be given the job. She hated the paperwork, it didn't help that portions of it were redirected to her, usually from Rall's desk. This was why she didn't believe in having children in positions of power. First Junkers in Braunschweig, then Unioners with Wraiths flying in Military squadrons, now traitors to Rheinland being drafted into the Rheinwehr.
Even if running Larissa through basic training could get her onto the field it wasn't something that she could pretend to accept completely. She quickly placed a check mark next to the name 'Kaiser,' and looked up at Larissa; examining her for the first time since she was sleeping in her bed. Aside from the uniform which she fought not to wince at, she was sure it was probably one of Rall's jokes anyway. She noticed how young Larissa looked, but also how lost she looked. She held herself with a distinct lack of confidence, but she didn't seem scared, she couldn't be with that uniform. For a moment Higham wondered Gunther was trying to incite a riot, but pushed the thought away.
'Trust isn't something you can just plea for, especially after what you've done, you should consider it a privilege that you can walk around this station. As for denial of your request, its been approved well over my head, whether or not you actually get through is something is more dependant on you than I.'Higham's words held a cold indifference, as she looked back down at her notes, continuing on with them as if Larissa was no longer there.
'I expected such an answer. She's predictable...' Were her thoughts when she stood and went for the door. Higham was not looking at her, Larissa expected it and for her it was sure she would get the same treatment during her training.
'I'll make sure not to fail then and...thanks for listening.' Were her words when she left the office.
Rall was waiting outside and surprisingly he did not ask how it went. Larissa stood in front of him while some persons walked past them, some of the, of course with the usual reaction about her Liberty Navy uniform. She scratched her head.
Gunther simply watched Larissa quietly, deciding it was best not to bother her with the happenings in Higham's office, if anything eventful happened she would surely tell him. He had instead taking the time to rummage through the drawers of his own office, just across the hall. His only intention had been to retrieve a book, which he now held out before Larissa.
In truth the book looked more like a worn journal, mostly because it was. It had been passed down to Gunther when he started his training. The journal belonged to a former admiral of the Rheinwehr; as well to someone he considered to have one of the brightest minds to date. Even if she didn't read it, which he didn't expect her to, as it had taken Gunther himself years to appreciate its content, he figured it may give Larissa an easier time simply having it in her possession. Her training would probably be conducted on the same admiral's former flagship.
He hadn't thought of it before, but Bremen was the only place that really made sense. It was isolated from practically everything, and as long as the war went on, it would be a good assessment of what she could do. Coupled with Higham's love for the field, nothing else would fit more.
