Spontaneous, but not unexpected. She actually did it. Elizabeth was mean to her and it was only natural for her to take vengance. After a few moments of confusion under a white sheet and holding a crazy smile to the barrel of an unloaded gun, she grabbed Mayers hand and got up again. "Thank you Mayer."
Straightening up her uniform she started walking closer to Ambre. "Truly Admirable capitane. Brave but not very well thought out, was it?." She smiled as she fixed her lipgloss with her finger. "Only natural. I can understand. Take a seat." She motioned at her bed with her hand as she passed behind her to turn off the apparatus. Evading colliding her again. She proceeded to pick up the sheet and put it back on the bed.
the radio she was carrying started mumbling with some coded comunication "Priority alpha to Echo one-" Elizabeth muted it at just that. Somehow that sound would remind Ambre of the actual situation she was in again. "Alright Mayer. Let's give our little captain a rest." Looking at the spinning planet again she continued. "Make it just a standard meal. Get her some warm coffee too. Meet me outside." she turned around to take a good look at Ambre. "We'll be back. Catch some rest for now." She then moved outside and was waiting for Mayer in the hall, standing on the side of the door.
She had her doubts about it working out the easy way. But maybe it was just a bad start. Nonetheless she was in the end just a gallic pilot. She couldnt have let her talk like that on Libertonian lives. Much was going on in her head. They could always forward her to homeland security but she had another thing in mind rather than having her end up broken up and forgotten in some prison.
It seemed like a mess, but it just needed a little bit of patience.
As DeGrange passed John, he followed, locking the door behind him. "That didn't work out as planned. I can't blame you for loosing your temper, I had to hold back several times." He walked next to DeGrange and leaned against the wall. His hand reached down to his hip, searching for a magazine for his gun. As soon as he found the spare one he carried around, he pulled it up with his left hand. While he checked if the magazine was loaded he reached for his gun that he holstered before he left the room. As he slid out the empty magazine he started talking again. "I do think however that she might not be as hostile if we continue to show her respect and act friendly. Though this might only be my optimism talking."
He slid the full magazine in and gave it a nice slap on the bottom to ensure it sits properly. With a quick move he cocked the gun and activated the safety switch again. As he let the gun glide in the holster he looked over to DeGrange. "Anyways, to sum up what we showed her today is rather quick. First of all we let her realize that we are only acting to be friendly. Secondly that we aren't 'barbarians'. Now the question is, how are we going to continue? Shall we try to continue playing the nice neighbors or are we going to use a different tactic?" John still thinks that DeGrange's plan will work out eventually, if they continue act nicely. Ending the day here was a smart choice since staying longer in the room might have heated up things even more. Maybe resulting in a complete failure due to a possible intervention of the guards outside.
As they moved outside, Elizabeth was still wondering. "I just hope your optimism talking is right Mayer." She turned around and gave him a subtle smirk, just to continue with a more concerned look on her face. "I hoped that would work too, not sure if it still will. I just don't want to give her out to the standard interrogations done by the intelligence and homeland defense. Sounds easy to do, but having her broken in a worst case scenario and left to rot and forgotten in some cell, certainly isn't the best option." At the end of the hall there was a window. Elizabeth started to walk towards in and Mayer followed up. On the back nurses and two guards were going into her room to bring Ambre her meal.
As they were walking Elizabeth took a moment to commend Mayer on his creativity. "You know. I didn't really lose any family during their assault on San Diego. Interesting you came up with that." She smiled for a few more steps as they approached the window. "But I do remember some of the faces that were there that day." Going back to her more serious self she continued looking through space. "I was a commander back then and got deployed along the first wave of defense. I remember docking with the station earlier that day, only to later be part of the responding force. And her disrespect for that.. I uh.. Yeah. Don't know what to say." Taking a brief look at Mayer she turned around leaning on the window.
Pausing for a moment, she imagined herself in Ambre's position. Just to get a better understanding of what the next move should be. Only to be met with more confusion. "I'm not sure what to make of her yet either Mayer. I don't know what I would've done much different myself either. But I do have a feeling it may work, or that we can make it work rather." The other thing was something about space ships and stations that came to her mind. They always were the people's fortress in the skies, but at the same time they were all but some closed up spaces, whatever they were; Battleships, trade ports, orbital stations or any other type of installation. The intensity of what happened earlier just made it a wish for some fresh air or so. "We'll try again getting to her again later. We'll decide depending on how things go. Perhaps even get her Planetside after we're done here." As she disconnected herself from the window she straightened her uniform slightly. "Let's head up to observation deck. This place is a bit too closed up for my taste of relaxing." She motioned a "come me" with her head as she led the way as he started walking.
„The observation deck? Sounds like a good idea to me.“ While they walked towards the elevators Mayer came back to something DeGrange said. „About the San Diego destruction, I just said the first thing that came to my mind when you lunged at Lachnce. It sounded more dramatic." John let out a chuckle and smirked. "Though on a more serious note. Getting her planetside might release some of the tension from her. I'd say we prepare a small apartment on Los Angeles and restrict accessibility to enter and to leave. Maybe even prepare something in the rural areas, the landscape down there's really beautiful and might calm her. The earlier we ship her down, the easier it might get for us. But it's not my call alone."
The elevator arrived and the entered. After a quick ride they left it again and found themselves at the observation deck. The large windows really showed the planet's whole beauty. The deck was relatively empty, besides a few crew members that had finished their shifts came up here to relax. Both of them walked to the windows, keeping their eyes on the spinning planet. As they reached one of the many tables they sat down.
At a different day the door of Lachnace's room opened at a different time than usually. An unarmed man in a uniform stood behind the door. He took a few steps closer, not entering the room. His face was now clearly visible for Lachanc, it was the Captain that had already visited her, John Mayer. "May I Miss?"
He took his cap off and held it in his hands. Taking a few more steps into the room, he smiled at Lachance. "How have you been? I hope they treated you well." John walked towards the window as the door closed. Stopping at one of the tables, he lifted the bottle of water that stood in its center. With a few twists he opened it and poured water in the two glasses that stood next to the bottle. Placing the bottle on the table again he picked up the two glasses and handed one to Lachance. "Miss DeGrange will arrive later, she's occupied right now, and I though I'd check in on you before she arrives." The glass in his hand fogged up due to the cold contents. Small drops of water formed on its sides that dropped on the floor as John moved the glass to his mouth.
The room hasn't changed much, a few new sheets were brought in and the chairs had been rearranged. John was now leaning against the window taking a quick look outside before he turned his head to Lachance. "It must be horrible for you to be in here. The calm planet, so close but still so far away."
Pausing for a moment he took another sip from the glass. "The docs said your vitals are better now and that we don't have to keep you in here anymore." Taking another look at the planet he continued. "Los Angeles, it looks majestic from here doesn't it? What would you think if you could escape this 'hellhole' and stay planetside? No prison, just a normal apartment in the rural areas of Los Angeles?" John smiled again and turned to Lachance again. "It isn't exactly easy but I'm close to get you planetside. A small apartment in the rural ares, the perfect place to steam off and relax." His face got more serious now. "There's only one thing I need to know. I need to know if it would help you to calm down, lower the tension." John took a deep breath before he continued. "Do you think that could be possible or not?"
Mayer looked on the woman, arguably better looking than the day before. She was given food, drinks, a chance to shower, time to let the situation crush her more. The bed didn't help much - she was much too anxious to sleep or do anything other than contemplate the situation and try to keep her emotions at bay. Regardless, she probably shed more tears than she'd like to admit, the noticeable bags under her eyes showing a sign of her sleepless "night" onboard the ship. Trying to pull a move to escape, only for it to backfire so blindly...
Ambre was sitting on one of the chairs, her palms on her head at the time Mayer opened the door. The moment the she heard a beep from the door and notice it slide, she tensed up and glared at who it was - the same captain from before. Great. She observed him intently as he was pouring the glasses, taking one as he handed it to her. Again, why were they being so friendly? It still didn't make sense whatsoever. If they were in Gallia, they shouldn't expect to even breathe by this point.
As she heard the offer of an apartment, she put the glass down on the table. ".. What?"
The more the Libertonians spoke, the more baffled she was.
„Yes, an apartment. If I get the higher-ups to accept my proposition and therefor I need an answer to my question.“ John already thought that Lachance might be confused but that she just said a single word was unexpected. She didn't even show any hostility, something John said must have calmed her or confused her to a point that she wasn't able to be hostile for now. "Either way, consider the offer, I will come back later since I have to take care of some stuff." John emptied his glass and placed it the table. John placed the cap back on his head and made sure that it sits properly. Finally he moved to the door, taking another look at Lachance. "You look tired, you should get some rest." He paused for a moment and started to smile. "Food should be coming soon, so bon appetit and see you later." The door opened with a squeaking noise and John left the room, leaving Lachance to think about his proposition.
Later that day, John met with DeGrange in the hallway next to Lachance's room. Greeting DeGrange with a nod, he extended his hand. "I did asked her about the apartment down on Los Angeles. It seemed like she confused by the proposition. She didn't even show any hostility. But the most important thing was, that I asked her, if such an apartment would calm her down, release tension. I said, that if it would help her, I will try to send her planetside asap. The only thing that is missing now, is the confirmation of the apartment and her word that it would help to release the tension." John clears his throat and looked down the hallway to Lachance's room. "I think we don't want to let our guest wait longer, I already told her that we will come later this day."
Both of them walked down the hallway to the door and as soon as the door opened John took a few steps into the room. "Hello Miss, do you mind if we come in?" He waited for a moment so that DeGrange could enter the room. "As I already said, we'll visit you later this day. So here we are." Again John walked to the table and poured in water in the glasses and handing both the women the glasses. He then took the last one on the table and took a seat.
Lachance stared intently at the duo as they entered the room and made themselves comfortable. The woman was sitting at the table towards the corner, not making a move as they arrived closer. She had spent the past hours wondering on what sort of charade this will turn out to be: captured by mortal enemies, now offered to go to an apartment on the planet? Why is it so necessary to pull someone's leg at this point? It was unconvincing at best. It's too hard to believe that the Libertonian POW process involved getting homes for them planetside...
Without pleasantries, the pilot gets straight to the point: "I think it's about time to stop with this nonsense. I'm not that gullible to be fooled by this friendly acting - what do you want to gain from this? You're not going to just whisk me to some dreamland apartment on that planet. Why would you?" the pilot shifted ever so slightly closer to the table. "I'm not stupid, you'd never do that to an enemy. Just tell me the truth!"
Elizabeth found Mayer's proposal interesting. She was considering about bringing her planetside aswell, with the difference being that it would be a military facility rather. In any case after greeting friendly greeting john she calmly proceeded into the room exchanging a gaze with Ambre. Moving on normally despite their prior conflict, she prefered standing close to the table rather than sitting. One one hand she picked the water as she was holding a special Navy suitcase on the other hand. "Enemy? Do you truly still wish to be my enemy?" She smiled as she drank the water emptying the glass, wondering about the fact that this one enemy pilot was now defeated. Now just needed to enlight them a bit.
Putting the glass back on the table she continued. "History is usually written by the victor, and along with that truth fades away. While in reality, its all relative to one's perception." She put he suitcase on the bed and moved on to sit in front of Ambre. "Since you're asking me about it? The truth is I need you and you need me. You're being used. The roi does not care about you, and your buddies would probably arrest you under treason were we to just let you go." Taking a deep breath and raising her eyebrows she continued. "You just need to realise it now. Theres more to it than just "barbarians". Theres more to this war than the Royal Navy's doctrine. I understand that as it is its rather inconcieveable for you."
She stood up again moving on to open the suitcase. "You do perhaps have had your deeds. But taking revenge on soldiers like me and you doesnt go too far. So in short I need you to work with me." Opening the suitcase she continued. "A dreamland appartment is a bit far stretched. But I can tell you that we'll make do of something." Leaning on the suitcase she asked. "So how clear are we on where things stand? Anything else?"
Elizabeth's words did nothing but upset the Gallic pilot. It's inconceivable to think that the Roi wouldn't care about his soldiers, the same with the Navy. Colleagues looked out for each other, even if they were friends or enemies. There was a sense of honor, patriotism and they were all joined in arms fighting for the same cause. She was partially right - her colleagues probably would try to detain her to question her on what happened, but there would be no way she'd suffer anything worse. The same condescending theme followed her words, which was incredibly infuriating.
"I am your enemy, Capitaine. Working with you will mean treason, and it's not something that I will dare do. I'm surprised I'm not dead by this point, given that you vultures found a weak prey after barely escaping that." Lachance stops for a moment. There likely would be a chance to find a way to escape if she went to the planet for the promised "apartment", it does not sound secure at all, actually. Would it be worth the gamble? She sighs, thinking for a moment, leaning her head downwards before lifting it up again. "But it's not something I can choose now, can I? The choice is basically where I want my grave now, isn't it?"
Elizabeth sighed at her words. She could relate. Even she herself would've thought the same.
"You know, Amber," Elizabeth anglified her name, kind of to make her fit more. "I do agree with you. Treason as they say, is unforgivable." She picked up the opened hardcase suitcase and placed it on the opposite side of the table. "But one day everyone ends up under a white sheet. Thoughts will abandon fast. But that wont matter much. Whats important is to not be affraid of the darkness for what you have done during your time." pulling a small tablet from the suitcase she continued. "But here you are, because of an inquisiton made out of your King's ambitions, pushing a war filled with atrocities on a lot of civilians." Following that, she pulled a tracking device which would be attached to Ambre's leg. "Captured. Forgotten. And even if we sent you back, you'd never be the same again. You would perhaps be met only with despise. So right now I'm your best chance." She had to go around it. It was going to be difficult.
Picking up the handcuffs. "So wherever our graves may be, its definitely not going to be here."She suddenly restrained one of her hands to forcefully connecting it to restrain the other as well. "Dont mind it, its just standard procedure." It would've been rather shocking for Ambre, but nonetheless they were expecting some resistance. "Mayer hold her down." As Mayer was holding her on the table, telling her to calm down, Elizabeth reached for Ambre's leg and attached the tracker. "Okay we're good." Mayer gently released her as Elizabeth had already shifted her attention to the tracking tablet.
As her position was being projected with relative precision on the screen, Elizabeth continued, getting closer to Ambre showing her the screen as well. "That's you. We're going for a ride. Or would you rather stay here longer?"