Listening intently and laughing gently at her jokes, Page had by now finished his tea, setting his mug next to the still half-laden plate of cakes. As he glanced down, the electronic courier came into his view.
Hmmm, I suppose that'll be why she's so distracted, Thomas thought, I don't even know if I could stomach a cake with news like that hanging over my head... it's good to have a chat and a wind-down though.
"I didn't realise how hard it was to get the proper training in Liberty - a lot of hoops to jump through. You don't seem to have gotten too snagged on any of them, and look at you now on the Ravenswood. Not to mention some fairly decent fighter skills, and from what you've said that's a massive improvement from how you started off in the Air Force," he said with a teasing grin. "You definitely seem to have had an interesting career so far, hopefully plenty more to come. And if you pick up a few culinary skills on the way, all the better." Thomas laughed at his own joke here, remembering some of his mates at uni who had no idea what they were doing with the simplest of meals.
Thank goodness my mum had me helping out before I flew the nest. Useful to fend for myself, and for impressing any house-guests... he thought.
Page was interrupted by Christy, who had come over to refill his mug. She seemed to have been paying attention the whole time and was being as kind and helpful as usual.
"Here you go Tom, saw you were out of tea. Let me know if either of you two need anything else," she said before retreating back behind the counter.
"Thanks Christy, will do." Turning back to Mel, Thomas got back to the topic at hand. "Anyway, eh... ah yes. Things were a lot easier for me: I'd been getting lessons from my grandfather from 14. This was after years of pestering him of course - growing up with a senior-ranked policeman in the family fills a young boy's head with fantastical ideas. Stories about his adventures had kept me interested all my life, now I have a few to tell. There are always adventures to be had as part of the student lifestyle too, but I think Gallic battlefleets trump drunken shenanigans any day."
Since he had maintained a similar level of attention on Tyler as he spoke, Page had still left his tea the whole time. Thinking it a good time to start on that, he moved the conversation back into her court:
"I think I've talked enough about me for now, so what about you presently? How do you cope with being based from a carrier in foreign space like the Ravenswood? I would assume it's fairly different from me and my appartment planetside at any rate..."
Tyler shrugged."It's not that different to being back at home, once you get used to the lack of headroom. And the food." Battle rations were renowned for a great many reasons. Unfortunately, tasting decent was not among them. "And with the operations we've been on lately, there's really not that much opportunity to think about being in Bretonia. Anyway, I'm a fighter pilot Thomas. The stars here don't look that different from back home. I am a bit curious about the cities though."She added, gesturing to the rain-soaked window."Leeds is practically a fortress now, so there's not really that much to see. It's been driving our guys on-base insane."
Tyler paused for a moment, removing a slice of cake from her plate."But it's not as though they're completely lost for things to do. You know sailors.
But what about you? You said you joined up with the police because of the Gallics. What'll you do once we beat them?"Once. Of course it would be a matter of when. Despite the losses the Air Force had suffered, she doubted that the Gallics could keep up the attacks forever, not with Bretonia and Kusari on either side. "Hang around and get some more stories to tell your grandkids? Can't say that I can really picture you as a mathematician."
"Well, a quaint Cambridge home life seems to be much simpler. Back home and New London have both stayed roughly the same avoiding the refugee camps and temporary housing everywhere. Being on the front line has obviously had its effect on Leeds..."
Taking another mouthful of tea, Page becomes pensive again, considering the future.
"I'm not envious of the military life, despite everyone around you, it sounds rather lonely at times." Thomas continued. "As for my career future, I suppose I haven't really considered that far. The invasion was the 'push' that returned me to my childhood dreams. Seems I had the right idea back then, a good career for me. As for being a mathematician, I guess recent events have had an effect... the world has changed me much more than I can change it in return. Anyway, I... I think it'll take more than a couple of weeks to get rid of these Gauls," he finished with a sigh.
"And your own plans? Or is it just a matter of waiting and... seeing what they've told you?"
Thomas looked towards the courier as he stops talking. What message was it supposed to relay?
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.
Watching Tyler's frustration at the courier, Page was glad he was on good terms with her. If looks could kill... he thought to himself.
"Sounds like this Archer's quite a wild child. I'd never have guessed from what I've heard from her in space. I guess some really change when you get them out of the uniform. As for your other career dreams, I'm sure you'd look fine in one of their uniforms." Thomas said with a cough and a slight blush as he recalls a certain uniform of one of the more expensive brochure lists, "I admit I may have had a bit of a thing for the Curacao fleet Spa and Cruise uniforms."
Fully coming to realise what he'd just said, Page took up his mug again for the duration of the rather awkward silence.
*ahem* "Anyway... You may have an idea of what teenage boys can be like." he said, returning his mug to the table, and to the topic at hand. "Cocktails are always a good idea. Celebrating a special occasion, to cheer yourself up, or to relax. The reasons are always around, but not always the company; the other officers seem to prefer tea, although we don't exactly have nights out as a force...", finishing with a slightly distant look.
Again, Page was brought back to the present moment by Tyler. The courier rolled around the table, very slowly, towards him. Keeping his eyes on it, he thought of what she had said:
"Yes, I do suppose we have an impact. Moreso than I realised. However," Thomas stopped the device with his left index finger, before passing it to his other hand, "we are sometimes the object of these sorts of impacts." Shifting forward in his seat, Thomas placed his right hand - palm up with the courier held loosely - into her still-cupped hands. "Let's take a look at your destiny to come Mel."
Seeing the slight look of apprehension in her eyes, Page slid the toggle across the top of the courier with his left hand, the courier opened up and the holographic interface projected between their two faces.
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.
As Tyler gently squeezed his hand for a moment, a small smile came across Page's face despite the situation. As he began to read through the message though, the corners of his mouth dropped once again. From Tyler's manner, he had expected a scaling back of sorts, but this was so... severe.
Recalling the Ravenswood, the dismantling of Space Command; bloody hell they aren't even giving the officers full positions, he thought. All wars have their disconnected bureaucrats I guess - if they'd been pounding on Liberty's door first I doubt they'd have made the same call...
After Page came to the end of the message, he noticed that Tyler was watching him, a devastated and angry look in her eyes. Just as he was about to speak up, she removed her hands from his, in turn removing the leaves from her uniform.
"Well, Congress made it pretty clear what they think of the situation here", Thomas said, picking up the courier. After taking one last look at the Air Force eagle, he closed and latched the device, cutting off the holographic image. "...and where that leaves the LAF."
Page looked back up to Tyler to find her facing away from him, looking out to the busy New London square outside.
"So, keep the uniform and stay planetside, or keep the speed and move back to the secondary fleet? Our Armed Forces might even be willing to have you transferred and stay on the Leeds Front." Putting down the courier, Thomas placed his hand upon Mel's shoulder, his fingers resting upon the tabs where her rank insignia had been moments before. Speaking softly he continued, "Remember there'll always a place in Bretonia for you..."
Tyler was silent for a long time, watching the London traffic flash by, throwing up puffs of water. If she closed her eyes, the cars could have been fighters, tearing clouds of dust from a Houston training field. Fighters that would carry the next generation of pilots thundering off into the sky. Then Page's hand has heavy on her shoulder, dragging her back to the present. Almost subconsciously, she looped her fingers between his, turning to face him. He was right. She could stay. Resign from the Air Force, stay on in New London, yet... That would be the final betrayal to the fleet, wouldn't it? "No. I'll go back with the Air Force, Tom. Command might have abandoned them, but I won't do the same." She took a shuddering breath, drawing strength from the simple action. "I might not have lead them out here, but I'll take them back. I owe them that much."
"Maybe, when it's all over, when our people are all back home, I'll come back."She scooped up the rank slides still sitting on the table with her free hand, sliding them into a pocket in her jumpsuit. Soon. Soon, she would take them off for good, one way or another. Either the Air Force would dissolve entirely, or she'd be kicked back to ground school - Which wasn't an option. That left the Secondary Fleet. "I need to stay with them. Just until things at home are sorted out again." Then, maybe, she could come back to Bretonia. She straightened as she pocketed the slides, raising her face to look Page in the eyes.
Sitting there with her hand in his, returning her gaze, Page thought about Tyler's position. The Air Force was her life, and it was being taken away. He knew he could never really have expected her to stay in Bretonia; it wouldn't be the same Mel that he knew from the front lines, not even this more human side of her.
So go she would, and Page would be unlikely to see her in a uniform (OS&C or otherwise) for quite some time - either until Congress changed their mind, she was reassigned to the Leeds front again, or the war with Rheinland ended and the full Navy came across to fend off the Gallic assault.
"The Air Force's pilots are in your good hands then Mel, you'll see them through the worst of it. Hopefully Navy Command has some sort of offer to give them.
"Once you do get back, stay safe. You might not have the Gauls on top of you through there, but Liberty's still far from peaceful. The Outcasts aren't so willing to look aside without another target in front of them...
"If you do find yourself in Bretonia again - whether that's at the helm of any ship you manage to somewhat replace the Ravenswood with, or... on your own business - let me know. Otherwise, please keep in touch."
Getting up off his seat, he helped Tyler to her feet before ending on:
"Everyone needs to know someone they can get cocktails with."
"Don't worry, I'll write. Just try not to get yourself shot in the meantime, okay?"
Life was strange in the cards it dealt. Tyler accepted Page's hand, swinging to her feet. Inwardly, she resolved that that day wouldn't be the last time she stood on Bretonian soil. Outcasts or no, she'd heard whispers of the Navy mobilizing their ships to assist the beleaguered Leeds. They were just rumors, but if it was true, then there was still a chance she would make it back. In the meantime though; there were other things to attend to.
"Cocktails hmm?" Tyler's lips curled into the sort of smile more commonly seen on animals with rather more teeth. The sort of smile that haunted the nightmares of sheep everywhere. Without breaking eye contact, she tapped her watch. "You know, I think it's seven o'clock back on Riverside."
Without waiting for Thomas' response, she grabbed the Bretonian's hand and tugged him out of the Tea House.
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