Planet New London, BAF Recruitment office, near closing time...
Just as the last clerk was walking toward the door to shut the office down, a young man stepped through the door, soaked by the rain.
"Sorry sir, am I too late?" he asked.
The clerk took a quick peek out the window and checked his watch.
-"No lad, there's still time. Come and sit down"
The clerk went straight for his desk and the young man slowly followed behind. As they sat down, the first question instantly followed.
"Name?"
-"Jeff Bloom, sir. I am a pilot in the secondary fleet of Bretonia s..."
As the clerk was still writing, he waved his hand.
"One thing at a time pilot. Let me grab your record, i'll return shortly"
The clerk stepped away from the desk to the nearby neural net terminal and looked up the file. After 2 minutes he returned to the desk with a few sheets of paper.
"So let's see. Jeff Bloom, born out of Cambridge, age 24, eldest of 5, past flying experiences in secondary fleet, stationed at Battleship Derby, Leeds. I trust that this information is still accurate?"
-"Yes, sir"
"Well your record seems fine pilot. What is it you wish to apply for?"
-"I would like to apply for the primary fleet sir. Flying with the primary fleet has always impressed me and I would very much like to become one of them. I feel like i'm not doing enough to stop the Kusari. Recently I lost a friend, he was shot down near Stokes and there was nothing I could do to save him. This event has made my resolve stronger sir, I just want to matter that's all."
After a brief pause the clerk replied
"Very well pilot, I will forward these documents as soon as I can. We will contact you at the proper time"
-"Thank you sir"
"If you would sign here and here, please?"
After signing the documents the young man stood up, shook the clerks hand and walked out into the rain again.