A Royal Summons

[St.Denis]

Chief Constable Nigel Hutchinson sat quietly, in the large room, pondering the reason for the summons, he had decided that turning up in a suit would be a lot more appropriate, than wearing full dress uniform. Didn't the Prince realise that time was precious and there were not enough hours in the day? He would have preferred to send one of his Commanders instead, but a Royal Summons left no leeway.

Nigel was mentality going over all the recent Reports, from his Commanders, highlighting all the troubles in their Systems and requesting more manpower. Recruitment was not going well, as all the competent pilots were going to the Armed Forces, as was expected. What the recruits lacked in skill and experience was made up for in their enthusiasm.

He came to, from his thoughts, and looked over at the other 'guests'. He saw Admiral McIntire, who he knew only from pictures and reputation, bedecked out in full dress uniform, talking to another man dressed in a suit. This other man had the demeanour that you would associate with a 'spook'.

He could not hear what they were saying, but it looked like they were introducing themselves to each other. Suddenly as part of their conversation drifted over to him, he couldn't help giving a wry smile when he heard the question, from the 'spook', ''Any idea when Officer Hutchinson and His Royal highness will be arriving?''. So much for the 'spook' theory, "can't get everything right all the time, Nigel" he chuckled to himself.

Nigel then went back to his contemplating and how to word his responses to his Commanders, telling them that Bretonia was sitting on the bare bones of their backsides and the future was bleak.

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'I would like to be half as clever as some people like to believe they are'
Life is full of disappointments, it is how we handle them that helps to define us, as a person