Razor looked at the woman and thought "Is she following me, first on Manhattan, then Fort Bush and now Leeds." he gave her a nod then looked at Jackson and said "Fine Mr. Jackson but i doubt the Guildmasters will have anything against this however i will talk to one of them and if they do not approve it i am sorry but i will have to abort the operation but i will still be able to operate around Leeds if there is any pirate problems."
The woman sat at a table, looking around the bar as she usually did. Her eyes alighted apon razor, and she wondered. :I wonder if hes following me...fort bush, manhattan, now here...:
A million dollars isn't cool. You know what is cool? A basilisk.
The Countess took out her PDA and pressed the screen a few times as her address book whirled around scrolling until she had found her father's PDA in her contact list she gently pressed it as the transmission was accepted a hologram of the Marquis of Arundel rose out from the screen his head was knelt over paper work as he went over his work. Lafiel waited a few moments before she gently interrupted his work, "Exscuse me father if I am not interrupting may we speak." The Marquis's face melted from stern concentration to that of adoration his lips pulled into a smile as he heard the soft voice of his daughter he looked up his piercng green eyes warm, "My daughter what a pleasant surprise, by all means speak your mind I always have a free moment to speak with you." The Marquis brows furrowed slightly as he noticed the run down back drop of the room from his end of the transmission. He spoke again before she could respond, "My dear were have you gotten yourself misplaced to now is Oliver with you are you safe."
Lafiel smiled but as she went to respond she was cut off as Oliver leant around the edge of the table his strong voice was as serious as ever, "My most honourable Lord Marquis, I am at your daughters side. She seemed to feel the need to go exploring the workers apartments area of the industrial district on planet leeds in its capital city. We are currently in a private room in the establishment known as the Patriot."
The Marquis nodded his eyes betraying no sign of emotion now, "I know of this establishment, it is indeed a wonder why you are there Lafie but I would indeed advise you not to tarry long it is known that there are a lot of Kusari spies operating on Leeds you would make a prime target especially in a place were you could dissapear without being noticed. You keep her safe Oliver. Now continue my daughter I believe you had something you wanted." Oliver responded his response formal, "It will be done my Lord Marquis."
Lafiel smiled as Oliver resumed his seat her voice was soft almost melodical, "Well papa I do believe you have certain ties to a lot of the old ex armed forces officers who have retired from active service. I was just wondering if you would talk to them for me and ask if they would be interested in training civilians." The Marquis rubbed his clean shaven chin, "I believe this can be arranged the older retired brass are always wanting to return to the battlefield passing on their knowledge would be a pleasure and a service to Bretonia to which they would never pass up. These civilians would it be anything to do with the civilian force that is coming together." The Marquis's tone became serious as he continued, " You should not encourage them my daughter they will just get themselves killed, why do you think I have returned to the armed forces to do my active duty we are here to serve and protect our civilians and way of life from threats such as the military invasion forces of other houses. Our Kingdom was not born to sacrifice its people's when hounds knock upon our doorstep it was built with honour under a just and fair rule its people kept safe by the blood and honour of the armed forces the protecters of our kingdom."
Lafiel nodded understanding that her fathers sense of honour would not allow the civilians fight and that he himself would give his life without second thought in their protection. "Well papa no words or wise counsel that I can give will change the minds of these people so it is my wish that they receive the best training and resources that will at least be equip them for war. If I can not prevent them from this irational course of action it is of my opinion that i wish to minimise the loss of civilian life. This is so very wrong father but pray do help me please it is the most logical course of action."
The Marquis frowned, "I do not like this at all but if we can protect them as best as we can I suppose that is the best we can do." As if by some foresight he knew what his daughter would say he spoke with stern command, "Do not involve your sister in this stupidity am I clear my daughter." Lafiel slightly blushed as her father knew what had crossed her mind while she sat in the room with the others her voice sang innocently n response, "Yes sir." The Marquis's stern face melted again warm and caring as he spoke, "I am sorry my daughter I must return to this paper work I will speak with you later regarding your trip to rheinland."
Lafiel smiled at her father, "Love you papa good bye and take care." The Marquis smiled as he spoke his voice filled with love and pride, "Love you to my dear daughter stay safe I will see you later this eve." The hologram of the marquis suddenly turned to Goodmen his voice stern, "I expect to be speaking with you soon Mr. Goodmen." The hologram died suddenly and Lafiel put her PDA away.
Her green eyes locked upon the commander's, "I do believe this will suffice having some of the most experienced minds assisting with training."
Connors sat in attention, while listening to the Marquis and his daughter talking, during which he noticed the thoughts her father shared with his daughter about the Citizens Army, he found it amusing, but he understood, the Aristocracy understood what the people wanted, but he didn't mind..
They'd understand soon enough, and during the call, Eric looked down on his own PDA and saw that the admiralty board had responded to his wish about acquiring Armed Forces weaponry. He smiled while reading, as he saw the: "On a more personal note, Give them hell for me. Godspeed commander." [color=#FFFFFF]by Commander Tom Ramey. He grinned and then he knew, the Citizens Army had support within the Armed Forces.
He listened to end of the Countess and her father's discussion and when it had ended he said happily.
Eric: It will do more then suffice, with the training given by these officers the Citizens Army will become a force to be reckoned with, the Armed Forces could cause of this concentrate on the front lines and leave the mop-up of Corsairs and the occasional Kusari scouting and invasion that leaked trough to us.
It is a glorious day for Bretonia, you do know that, right Countess Tarrant?
He takes a long look at Goodman, observing the young man with curious eyes.
Eric: What about you lad?
What will you do now? Continue evading those that are to capture you?
What have you planned?
And if you need help, well, just ask, Goodie..
Can't help but grin as he awaits responses from both of them.
Meanwhile out in the bar
Jackson looked at the woman and smiled, then at Razor.
Jason: Perhaps we should invite her to take a seat?
Before Razor could respond, he motioned to the woman in the black trenchcoat to take the empty seat by the table as he ordered in yet another Pint and lit a cigar.
Razor looked at Jackson and said "Actualy as i said guildmasters won't have anything against this, i believe we have finished our discussion about training the recruits." after saying that Razor called the woman in the black trenchcoat
when she turned around he said "Would you join us for a drink?"
A man walks down the metal stairs, his heavy metal boots clunking, and clanking heavily as he goes along, his hands idly twisting and turning a Rubix Cube, a black and orange leather racing jacket thrown over his flight armor.
He comes to a halt at the bottom of the stairs and scans the crowd looking for familiar faces, this actually being his first time in the bar and all, he spots Jackson gesturing and smiling for some reason, and another man, one he's never seen before, calling for someone.
Ace's ruggedly handsome features spread into a slight smile that only lasted for what might have been mere moments before he makes his way over to the gentlemen's table. He takes the empty seat Jackson motioned to earlier, and roughly punches Jack on the shoulder, before leaning back and idly playing with the Cube once more.
Lt Lee Adama casually walked towards the patriot thinking of the tall crisp sidewinder fang waiting for him on the bar. When he reached the entrance two burly militia stopped and quickly scanned him with a detector "weapons please" one of the militia asked after handing them all the weapons, they quickly scanned him again then they repeated their order. Lee quickly turned around and replied back " that's my leg your picking up"
"sorry sir" he mumbled back
"hey Christina" as Lt Lee greeted her
"hi Adama" she replied
"the usual please" Adama asked politely
"right one sidewinder fang coming up" she turned around and poured and handed Adama the drink
while sipping the hourly 5 minute BBC bulletin came up as the light shone on Janet Clarringdon "good evening our top story Armistace with Mollies Announced!" the bar stared up the screen in shock as this couldn't be predicted as she finished announcing the story the crowd started to mutter while I just sipped my sidewinder fang as usual mulling over what I heard
Lafiel locked her gaze with the commander as her voice soft beautiful voice gained firm accents, "No commander this is not a glorious day at all a course which spills blood is never to be glorified. There is no honour in war only death and the exstinguishment of life the most precious thing to which people of all walks of life from all the people of sirius can agree and revere. I work for peace and the preservation of human life not needless spilling of blood. No commander this is a sad day when my people the people I serve must take arms the citizens the life of this empire must stand and fall in a malevolent war that is irational and sparked with out any cause except the extermination of our people."
Lafiel finished her barrage on a more sentimental note, "My mother was one of the ambassadors to Kusari they murdered her in cold blood on a civilian transport carrying bretonian civilians home on a mass exodus from their space before the war. Know that I hold no hate or bitterness for the naval officers that did the deed and fall into the animosity at the picture that is twirled of words to cry for death and lose sight of the fact the kusarians are human beings like you and me for they were just soldiers following orders the hardest orders that can possibley be given to murder the innocent in cold blood an act that would hurt them the individual if not emotionally their sense of honour for they live in a society made of honour like our own. I hold my endless rage to the real men and woman at fault the leaders that gave the order but especially at their emperor to whoms malevolent madness this all stemed from. Listen now to my words when i say that it is a sad day and such stupidity should never occur for all human life is precious an know that when I speak I speak as one touched greatly by this war for my brother was taken also in Kusari space and is most likely dead."
Lafiel took a breath and a moment to contain herself the emotions that had threaten to make leave of her vanished as she doned a mask upon her face her features becoming blank leaving bare hints of any sign of emotion within her. Her tone was calm and even, "You will get your resources commander your ex officers to train your men, your medical supplies and your money that is needed but there will be one clause for the use of the money that will be given to you. This clause shall be that it will only be for the use of the purchase of medical supplies to heal the sick an wounded and to prevent the loss of my peoples lives. I may even find a few ships to charter for your use as medical ships but know this well I am not happy with my people the civilians fighting and should I find that the resources I bestow upon you are being abused I will withdraw my monetary support and make sure that it is used appropriately."
The countess finished speaking and sat back in her chair to look upon the faces around the table her face was an impassive mask betraying none of her feelings.
Eric looked down, not in shame but in an attempt not to explode in anger, he took a minute to concentrate then he said in a strict tone.
Eric: My lady..
Forgive me, you are not alone to have felt loss in this war..
My brother, my sons and my doughter all died at the hands of the Kusari..
I hold a grudge, I am not foolish enough to lie to you.
But know this, I do this not cause of revenge, but of of honor.
I can not sit idly by and let others feel as I have, letting their homes be bombarded from space, finding when you one day come home, nothing but rubble where ones home used to be.
I do this for all other parents and husbands out there, I do this cause of them.
To give them something to fight about.
Forgive me my lady, I did not wish to anger or to think of me as something im not, a heartless bas**rd..
He sighs and then looks directly at the Countess
Eric: The resources you have provided us will only be used for medicinal supplies and equipment, you have my word..
And I thank you for the support you have been willing to show us..
It will save lives, in more ways then you can imagine..
He looks down yet again, and a tear falls down his rough cheek..
Meanwhile outside the back room in the bar.
Jackson stands up and smiles as Ace's sits down, he yells out in happiness
Jason: Ace's! Mate! How are you doing?
But before Ace's had a chance to respond he and the others heard the broadcast and everyone became silent..
Some looked depressed, some angry and some, like Jason just smiled, knowing that this is yet another turning point for Bretonia.
Jason: One less enemy to worry about!
He laughs and lits his cigar yet again and takes a gulp of his pint