Transmission; Start
Identification: Stephanie Gray
Location: New York system, Planet Manhattan, Fort Bragg
Encryption: Secure
A long overdue letter of apology, and a request.
Hello. That was the first word I mumbled upon entering the recruitment office of the Navy a long, long time ago. The frail, shy girl I was back then has been changed and twisted by this world into the wizened cynical bitch you see in front of you now. I won't tread lightly with my language as I full expect to be stepping down after this communication anyways.
Some of you may hate me ~ yet some of you may love me for my antagonistic sense of humour. However, I have no doubt that in my years in and out of the office and upon the field of battle, I have helped, inspired, even befriended some of you. However, I can handle this no more. The pressure of helping to manage the Navy alongside the memories of my losses throughout the years has finally grown too great. We've all felt it. We fight alongside our comrades, and the next day they are swiftly taken by us. Friends, brothers, sisters, fathers and mothers too. Lovers, some of us have had taken from us. These losses are a part of life that are omnipresent but unacceptable, and I can overlook them no longer.
Consider this my letter of resignation, David. I haven't been capable of fulfilling my duties for the past few months and I don't foresee myself willing to take a step back into office at all. Ever. Yet I do not want to sit on my laurels until you are forced to have me removed and my name plate torn off the door. No, you saw this coming as much as I did. I'll leave quietly, simply because the respect I have for you, and the rest of the members of this valiant Navy is far too great.
You are all wondereful, you are all amazing, you are all talented. The Navy is a diverse range of skills and people, not simply a peacekeeping force. You have character, you are not emotionless killing machines. I do not wish you to pretend to be so. We may take a lot of flak, both metaphorical and literal, but never forget.
That person in the ship flying next to you in formation to patrol round Liberty space, bathed in the light from the glorious New York inferno that lights up our hopes and lifts our heart, that person goes throught he same experience as you. They win and lose battles, they gain new friends and lose old ones as suddenly as a tremor can shock a city. Yet they feel the same as you. Take solace in that fact.
