Proving Ground

[Frostpfote]

Epilogue

Once all paperwork had been sorted out, both Captain Mikai as well as Commodore Edwards met up at the Norfolk's bar to talk about the events, which had unfolded mere hours ago. The two had met occasionally in person in the past, so they weren't strangers to conversing in person with one another. Both were still wearing their uniform and ordered a non alcoholic drink of their choice. After picking up her penberry soda, Rachel sat down at a table, opposite of Christopher.

"It's nice to meet you again, Commodore. After all it's finally my time to thank you for getting me into the 46th.", she said with rather happy tone in her voice.

The Commodore carried a slight grin on his face, yet in no way did it take over his otherwise rather grim demeanor. "No worries, I'm glad you haven't regret your decision just yet. Thanks for the help in Magellan. If it wasn't for the faulty intel, we wouldn't have needed the assistance. Anyways, I am in no mood to beat around the bush. What did want to talk about? You didn't sound like we'd be meeting just to thank each other."

Rachel sighed, not expecting she'd have to get to the point that quickly, yet she should have known that the grumpy grey-bearded man was no one to enjoy small talk. "Well, guilty as charged. Ever since the supergate events a few days ago, my mind kept racing about what all of this could be, day in, day out. And knowing that either you or Akhetaten's task force are always around, when it comes to new discoveries ... I wanted to test the waters regarding making the Essex a part of such a task force.", she said, trying to convince the commodore of the idea.

Edwards took a deep breath, leaning back in the chair as if he was about to decline the request, so Rachel was quick about cutting him off to add a few more reason as to why this was a good idea. "Please listen, I'm serious about this. After the fifth had put me on the sideline doing months of guard duty in Omicron Nu, I developed a desire to find out more than whether or not a supplyship missed its schedule or not. To find out what makes the universe go round. And being part of the Akhe's task force is the best way to always be on the frontlines when it comes to these kinds of events. Today has proven that the Essex can - and will - be a valuable asset to the battlegroup. From my time in the fifth's R&D department I still have a mobile laboratory in form of the Hawking, a Bison-class that has been painstakingly converted to host all sorts of research."

Edwards remained in his position for the entirety of the captain's monologue, only leaning forward and interlocking his hands that were resting on the table once Rachel was finally either done or out of breath. "Don't waste your breath, Captain. I don't doubt your intentions, nor am I against expanding the task force. Yet this matter is not something I can simply decide on the spot, nor can I give you an answer without consulting Uhmen first. I'll have a meeting with her in a few hours, so I could bring up the topic once all necessary matters have been discussed. I can't speak for her, but if you're willing to stand your ground in a conversation with her I think it's unlikely that she'll be the one to stand in your way. Think about it for the night and if you're still sure that this is the way then I arrange a meeting in due time."

Rachel nodded in an understanding manner, before finishing her soda and getting up to return to her quarters after saying goodbye to Edwards. She kept thinking about how to present her points to the Admiral, yet she never doubted that this was the way to take. Before eventually heading to bed Rachel once again went over everything that she wanted to mention to Uhmen in their coversation, until eventually passing out at her desk.

The End