Charlotte ignored the shady Admiral as if he wasn't there. He clearly enjoyed pretending he was some sort of shadow that could not be seen. So she played along with it to please him. She carried on watching the game with the Fleet Admiral, who too, didn't really care about the strange Admiral.
George reached the bartender, quietly gave him his order, received his tea and paid it, hiding the contents of his wallet. He took the disposable plastic tea cup and passed by the officers with the same stealth and haste. He reached the exit, thinking he managed to stay invisible. As the exit was also the entrance, someone happened to enter at the same time, hitting George and causing him to almost drop his tea and make the officers look at the direction of the noise. There wasn't a worse time to be seen, than in such a disgrace.
Nothing, fortunately, happened, so George left as quietly as he came. It seemed that even the bloke who was entering didn't recognize him. His suit was a mere commoner's, so the tea stain made no important damage.
Later that day, George tried to find out who was the bloke who hit him, so he could send him to Leeds.
That's... disappointing. My father was a supporter. He has severe dementia these days, so I'm not sure he really understands. Doesn't seem to recognise me some days. Did I ever tell you why I fight? I fight for people like him. Those who can't, because they are too sick, or elderly.
She takes a swig from the glass bottle, allowing the cool liquid to run down her throat before looking up. She brings her arms in, turning to Brooks
Tell me Captain, for what reason do you fight? Is fighting the right course for you? How about paperwork, I know Admiral Reaser gives you a lot to keep on top of, how do you find it?
"Oh, I'm so sorry.." Charlotte took her eyes off of the screen. "It is a good reason to fight Ma'am." She sniffs, "My family.. Dead." She takes a deep breath and looks down "That's why I fight, I never had a chance to say goodbye.. I went home one night and our house smashed up, brutal murder.. My sister dead, only 8 years.." She pulls herself together and remembers who she is talking to. "The paperwork?" She giggles quietly "I keep on top of it." She looks back at the floor trying not to remember.
She reaches into her pocket, pulling out a strip. It's like the one already sewn on her arms. Captain Brooks looks at it a second, It doesn't look like a Captains strip...
O'Brian hands it to her, standing up to face her
That's good enough for me, Commodore Brooks.
She takes a deep breath
COMMODORE ON DECK!
Snapping into a salute, looking dead ahead. The guards at the door take a salute as well, holding their weapons against their shoulder, saluting with their free hand. Brian, the barkeep, raises a glass in her honour
Congratulations Commodore. It's a pleasure to finally welcome you into our ranks.
Charlotte stands up and looked at the strip, it wasn't a Captain stripe. Was she demoted? Had she not done well enough? When she saw the extra two stripes she realised. She saluted the Fleet Admiral. "Thank you.. Thank you so much Ma'am." She was lost for words. The guards saluted, she felt so undeserved. "When do I start?" She laughed.
A sudden female voice approaches as the doors of the lounge opens. Admiral Reaser had already heard the salutation to Brooks, A smile was seen on her face and a mug of coffee in her left hand. moving slowly towards the Fleet Admiral and the new Commodore.
"The title suits you well. I hope that your training period for a High command rank as the Executive officer had been a good effort. Say, Miss Brooks?"
Taking another sip from her coffee, then places it on the counter near the couch, looking at the O'Brian with a smile. "My best officer was stolen from me, I hope that I will get a good replacement."
Charlotte turned to her boss. She saluted, and smiled. "I am starting to like the sound of it as well." She laughed, "I suppose we'll find out... Do I know which fleet I will be assigned to?"
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