Arthur got out of his seat, straightened his uniform, and took the teacup with him. He had heard the Lieutenant Commander walk in, and wanted to talk to him. Arthur was always more of an outgoing type. He walked forward and sat down next to the Lieutenant Commander.
"Fine day is it not?" he said, trying to start a conversation.
Victor Looked up, it took a few moments before he realized who was speaking to him. Auther Cuttingham, recently promoted to Commander. Victor quickly put down his paper and stood up.
"At ease Lieutenant Commander," Arthur said. He thought the idea of always standing at attention in the lounge was silly. It was a lounge, after all. A place for relaxing. But, duty calls.
''Yes sir'' Victor began ''To answer your question sir, yes sir. Very fine indeed'' He remained standing, being at ease or not one must always show respect to a superior officer, regardeless of how unusual it seemed. He waited for Cuttingham to reply.
Arthur got up, and stood as well. He sipped his tea, walked over to the closest table, and sat his tea down. He walked back towards the Lieutenant Commander.
"We've flown together have we not?" he said, scratching his head. "I could swear I remember you an assignment in Omega-3 not too long ago. What was your name?"
''Steiner sir. Victor Steiner.'' Victor remembered Omega-3, a hellish system of Corsairs, Hessians and rocks. He didn't enjoy patroling that system, not when the Gallics were knocking on New London's doorstep. Returning his attention to the Commander, he had to admit there was something familiar about his voice. Although he couldn't quite figure out what it was.
Arthur motioned his finger. "That's it! I remember you, Victor! Well, how have you been these past few weeks? How has the war been treating you, my good sir?" Arthur was in good spirits, always was. He was a father of three, 46 years of age. He had had a fulfilling life, though his past wasn't a good topic for lighthearted discussion.
That was it, the words ''My good sir'' made Victor realize exactly who he was talking to, Arthur Cuttingham, a man he had seen rise from the rank of ensign, he had flown with him on countless missions. Omega-3, Leeds, New London, Poole....Never had he met the man in person. Yet here he was, greeting him as friend. True, Victor and he did know one another, but the fact that a ranking officer was greeting him so......causally made Victor nervous. Still, no one was here.
''I'm good...Arthur. And how about yourself? How is the family?'' Using an Officer's first name....Hall would be Livid, still Victor trusted the man had flown with. The man standing in front of him, that was him, he had a voice, now he had a face to match.
Arthur loved to talk with people. Even his enemies. He recalled that one time in Leeds, when he talked with a GRN pilot for a good two hours before almost getting killed by the pilot. Augustine Clair was the name.
"I am well. The family is good. Charles, John, and Michael are all fifteen. Fine lads, they are. The wife is good, yeah. How about yourself?" he asked.
Victor decided to sit, he picked his glass up and motioned for the Commander to sit so they could talk more comfortably.
'I'm alright, I've just come back from the BPA, delivering evidence against them per the Admiral's orders. Aside from that, my Brother is now the lawyer for BMF and Alfred is still running raids into Leeds. But i digress, tell me what your wife does again, i have forgotten.''
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