COMM ID:Jane Hartman TARGET ID: Reginald Lewis SUBJECT:Transfer ENCRYPTION:Low PRIORITY:Low
Lewis,
Have to say your message came as a surprise to me.
I thought I'd be cold in the ground before I saw a transfer request with Reginald Lewis' signature on the line. Leaving the Navy's a tough call. Not one I could have made myself, but it ain't my place to lecture on that. Sure as hell you've served your time, and then some. Not a lot of civilians understand just what it means to serve, what it costs. Well, I guess what I'm getting at is that you'll always have a family back here in the Navy. If you ever choose to come back, the door'll be open. I don't think the Recruits'll be forgetting you too quickly at any rate. At least not until the bruises heal.
If you need some work back planetside, I've still got family down on Houston who'd help a friend out. Dad's running a real estate firm in New Richland if you're lookin' for something that way. Can't imagine you selling houses, but looks like the right strange is becoming usual these days.
Anyway, whatever happens, keep your head forward Lieutenant Commander. The Navy'll be a quieter place without you.
COMM ID:Reginald Lewis TARGET ID:Jane Hartman SUBJECT:Transfer ENCRYPTION:Low PRIORITY:Low
Evening, Hartman.
You reminded me of the friendly spar that we'd planned for sometime. Guess that's unlikely to happen now...
Thanks for calling up, I wasn't expecting mail in all honesty.... always felt a bit of a gulf between me and the new batches of recruits that kept coming. As I said on the navy commlink, I'm pretty sure the navy is still in safe hands. If "Young Baker" slips up, be sure to slap her upside the head and salute later, eh? Even the best of command officers need a stern hand from time to time, as I can attest.
On a more serious note, thanks for the offer...don't think I need it just yet though. After I got family through some lean times, my navy salary has pretty much been accumulating for the last half-decade or so. Wasn't sure what to do with all that money... Decided I'd take a vacation. A sirius-wide jaunt maybe..visit all those places I always heard about.
Don't have anyone to take along with me though. Unfortunate side effect of being a career man...
[He raises an eyebrow at a sudden thought.]
Wouldn't mind if someone from the navy I knew and could live with wanted to join in. Let me know if you can think of anyone who might be interested.
COMM ID:Jane Hartman TARGET ID: Reginald Lewis SUBJECT:Transfer ENCRYPTION:Low PRIORITY:Low
Lewis,
That was a quick response. I'm glad to see you're finally getting some time to yourself.
I'll be certain to keep an eye on the chief for you, though I reckon Mr Polstari'll have that well under control. They're a good bunch. Inexperienced, maybe, but they'll catch on quick. Perhaps that's what the Navy needs right now. There's Gallics swarming through New York claiming to be friendly, the Rogues reportedly have a station in the same area, and I heard Pittsburgh actually served a cold drink a week back. We're living in some very strange times. Could be that new blood's just what's needed to deal with that. Sometimes I miss the days of the academy. It was a simpler world when my biggest worry was whether my boots were gleaming.
I'm still up for that spar if you are, old man. Swing by Missouri some time before the cruise companies fatten you up too much.
[She paused, rotating her chair to look out the window.]
It's a hell of a universe out there, Lewis. I'm glad you're taking the opportunity to see it. I can think of a few folk who'd like nothing more then to join you. If things were different, I'd go with you myself. I'm tempted to go with things as they are, but you know I couldn't leave the Navy. It's the sort of place that don't let go easy once it's got a hold of you. You know that better then I do. Hate to admit it, but the old maxim's true. The boys and girls in those ships might as well be my own, and it just ain't right to abandon family.
Doubt I'd belong on a cruise ship anyway. There's only so much peace and solitude a person can handle, and I get my two days a fortnight. Any more, and I'd probably end up murdering the butler.
Good luck out there Lew-.
[She pivoted the chair back to the camera, a corner of her scarred face inching into a smile.]
Seeing as you're not in the system anymore, 'reckon I can get away with Reginald now.
![[Image: icthMHY.png]](http://i.imgur.com/icthMHY.png)
