A car pulled to a stop outside the gates to Buckingham Palace, the rear passenger door opening just before it stopped moving. Captain Briggson stepped out, pulling his military uniform straight. It was clean and crisp, as was to be expected of him in his weekly meetings. It had actually been Her Majesty's request that someone attend to brief Her on updates, and Briggson was a seasoned Captain with experience summarising the events of the Board. Satisfied, he took his hat from his arm, the Armed Forces emblem mounted on the front, gleaming in the sunshine that had graced New London this day. He took a moment to wipe some lint from the rim of the cap, before placing it upon his head. His companion had joined him by this point, and they moved to the gate to speak with the guard on duty. A quick salute between the three parties, before a few words, leading to the opening of the gate, permitting them entrance. The two officers proceeded to march across the courtyard, towards the archway, leading into the inner complex.
Marching up to the covered entryway, Briggson took the stairs up to the door two at a time. Greeted by a steward, he removed his cap, stating the reason for his visit, as he did every week.
Captain Briggson, here to report updates to Her Royal Highness. My aide is here to learn some of our advanced duties. I hope this is not a problem. Would you pass on my request to Her Majesty?
The steward dropped them off in a small room, by palace standards at least, before retreating, closing the doors behind him
I hope you're not going to cause us issues Captain.
Mired in flashbacks from her childhood, Captain Kaze Nelson Reidman Dagon, was still somewhat phased by where they were. The rooms, the halls and the corridors where she did spent sometime alongside her family during receptions and royal dinners. She looked at her companion and nodded.
"None whatsoever, Captain Briggson."
Deep down inside, she was frightened, for she did not knew what to expect, and how would she react. Kaze looked forward, at the door, steeling herself for this.
"I wish my mother was here, at my side." The thought in her mind traveled, alongside with her memories.
Excellent. As my aide, you're here to pull up the relevant data to the points I am making.
He hands her a datapad after setting a few documents in plain folders on the tabletop
Pay close attention. I'm aware you may have some experience in dealings of the house, but in an official capacity, on the other side of the fence as it where, we are nothing more than humble servants, doing our duty to keep our highest commander informed. A noble honour, I'm sure you agree.
You'll find that datapad provides you access to the necessary documents. In fact, it'll provide heightened privileges than you're used to, Admiral O'Brian's suggestion.
The click of the latch, the slight creak as the old, wooden door swung inward. Briggson placed his cap back on his head, standing tall, saluting before she could enter.
Put your hand down Captain.
As she moved in, he bowed his head slightly, waiting for her to be seated before taking his own
Bowing her head at the same time as Captain Briggson, she waited for her to be seated and sat at his side, preparing the data-pad. Kaze noticed her non-bionic hand was shaking slightly.
Your Majesty.
Shall we begin Captain?
Her voice still was the same. Although.. more hard. Like a edge of a blade that had just been sharpened. Could be due to the situation in itself. The data-pad came to life and several classified files appeared. Her eyes met as Kaze raised her head. And she could swear her hand went dead cold as it happened.. Her eyes scanned Kaze in less than a second, as Kaze quickly returned to her duty, feeling ashamed somehow. Cold hands and a sudden heat-wave through her body. She was there. In front of her.
Kaze cursed herself, for trying this. Applying to be the aide of Captain Briggson, Secretary of the Board. Madness, just to see her aunt. More madness is that the Board accepted. Breathing in slightly, she steeled herself and raised her head from the data-pad once again.
William opened one of the folders. As he spoke, he'd reference points, nudging Dagon to indicate the use of the datapad. Fleet movements, recent engagements, nothing spectacular, but clearly enough that the Queen felt engaged. He paused at the last file, the tag reading "Offensive fleets". There would also be one final report on the datapad before Kaze, filed by the Fleet Admiral herself.
The final point, is Admiral O'Brians attempts to form a strike fleet. Not as strong as your Great Fleets ma'am, but fast, mobile, able to cause enough confusion and disruption to the Gauls so that we may move in. I'm sure you remember from our previous conversations on the topic?
Go on Captain
We are short on resources, and a little tentative to push the Merchant Navy too far. We were hoping for your blessing, ma'am, to include the civilian companies. With their assistance, we could finally get hold of the more elusive items, finally get more bulk shipments. It could be the push we need to get this fleet mobile.
Then you have my blessing Captain Briggson. Though do not forget, we are Bretonian, we struggle on, for those who cannot.
Briggson stands, closing the paper file
Of course ma'am.
She stands too, her eyes boring into Kaze's skull. For Dagon, the room suddenly felt small, the uniform a tight. A finger tugged at the collar as she sat there
Captain Briggson, would you please give us a moment. I'd like to acquaint myself with your aid
Ar..
He took a breath, remembering his place, swallowing, and clearing his throat
Of course ma'am. I'll wait outside.
The cap fixed in place, he bowed his head shortly, then let himself out the main door
As the door closed, the warm look dropped from her face
Kaze didn't even dared to reply or raise her head to meet her eyes. She quickly left her seat and knelt in front of the Queen. For two very long seconds, her mind tried to organize everything that she had to say. "I am here for my selfish reasons, I admit."
Raising her head to meet the cold stare from her aunt, it hurt and it burned into her very soul, to see those eyes with a mix of disappointment and rage. "I am here not as a Captain of the Armed Forces, not as a Reaver, not even as a former Colonial hero, or even as mercenary. I am here as your niece. And I know this whole situation is beyond madness. You cannot be seen with me, and the even slightest inkling of our relation.. is damaging." Kaze steeled her face, but her left eye was getting moist. She damned her feelings to hell, for even now, this was a place of protocol and decorum.
"But.. I had to see you, my Queen." She finished before bowing her head and looking at the floor, averting her eyes from her gaze.
She turned away, refusing to look on Dagon any further. Her voice was still near emotionless, but for a slight second, Kaze could have sworn she heard the façade drop
My niece? You know you lost that right a long time ago.
She turned to face Dagon again, her face set once more
It is more than damaging, it destabilises everything we have done here. My position requires a level of professionalism few can afford. It requires me to, on occasion, put my work before my relationships. You burned those bridges, so I find it hard to forgive and forget. Why would you jeopardise all that? What requires my immediate attention, that a letter cannot fulfill?
You made your choices, Captain Dagon, so what do you hope for next?
"You made your choices, Captain Dagon, so what do you hope for next?"
Kaze gritted her teeth. Hellish times ahead, no doubt. Alone in the storm, no backup, no fallback, no safe place to retreat to. She had made her choices, indeed. And it was the point of no return for her. "I am here to state a fact. To deliver a promise."
She rose from her kneeling position, and removed the right glove, clearly showing the metal bionic hand has she inspected it, creating some apprehension in the Queen's face. "I will die to protect you and Bretonia. I have found who I truly am." She finally stood in attention.
"Thus, I have made my choice. And that is to serve you and our House to the end of my days." She rose her head, in a military fashion, averting her gaze from the Queen. "If you so wish, I will never seek contact again, Your Highness. It is the best for you. It is the best for Bretonia."
Her eyes betrayed no hint of the whisper of irritation that flared within her
I do not need you or anyone else telling me what is 'best' for me, I am more than capable of making that judgment for myself, yet as I have mentioned, your being here destabilizes a great many things, something I will not allow.
She paused, the shock at Kaze's arrival had since worn off, but veiled irritation was now manifesting itself.
You said you wished to see me, and you have, this is your chance to say what you need to if you have not done so already, is there anything else?
"You said you wished to see me, and you have, this is your chance to say what you need to if you have not done so already, is there anything else?"
Kaze breathed in, knowing very well what was to come. There was no acceptance, no reprieve. The life of a Queen demanded so, and she demanded the same in return."I do know words are empty, and without form. Many promises are the same."
Her hand placed the glove again, covering the bionic hand. She then looked at her aunt, a testament of strength drawn in marble. Cold and strong. "However, actions are not." She returned to attention, without diverting her gaze. Her face turned to marble as well, her head raised up high, proud and solemn.
"And all that you will see of me will be my actions." She saluted first signaling her miltary stance, and bowed afterwards. "With your permission, your Highness, am I excused?"