Admiral Hale's transport had arrived somewhat later than intended. He hadn't slept nearly as much as he would have liked, and was a touch concerned it may have been showing. He spent a few hours trying to catch some sleep before getting ready to take the limo which had been waiting at the gate to his hotel for some time towards the party.
It hadn't been an easy journey from Liberty. Hale wasn't a man for caution, but in hindsight perhaps a little more would have paid off. Clearly some lane hackers had got hold of the shipping details and had attempted to cause them some problems. They got out with enough damage to the Liner to need to put in at Curacao for a day to do some minor repairs.
There was a knock on his bathroom door.
"Admiral, we're going to be late unless we get going now" came the voice of Commander Jasmine Greenson who was acting as his PA for the journey.
"Jasmine, for the love of all that's sane, just leave a man to shave..."
An hour later they were sat in the rather overly luxurious limosine heading towards the Araluen estate.
"Admiral, don't fidget, it'll crease the uniform and..."
"Jasmine, relax. We're going to a party..." Greenson looked confused "Look, we're not on duty, and I think I've known you just about long enough for you to call me Dave if you so wish."
The limo seemed to be slowing and David looked out the window.
"Jesus... Jasmine, this is... "
"Bretonian old-money family Admi-" she coughed "...Dave."
They stepped out of the Limosine and were greeted by a pair of footmen who walked them ceremoniously into the hall, where a butler officially announced them.
"Fleet Admiral David Hale and Commander Jasmine Greenson... Delayed."
The butler scowled slightly. Hale grinned.
David was dressed in the formal white dress uniform of the Liberty Navy. He was unused to such formality and shuffled slightly uncomfortably. "Jasmine" he muttered to the young woman next to him "This is weird."
![[Image: DramaticExit.gif]](https://sig.grumpybumpers.com/host/DramaticExit.gif)