"Now now let's play this fair." Emalet said approaching Rudolph and Lennox, she'd overheard the conversation and found it intriguing as it was a bit of fun and presented a decent friend making opportunity "It would be a little unwise to ask someone who actually has a say in the final decision to participate in such a wager, compared to we ambassadors who don't have that capacity, I'm not a fan of gambling but this would appear to be a more friendly wager. So a bottle of forty year old whiskey from Ui Cenneslaig, Raspberry spirits and a bottle of gin from Neu Uburzis. If you gentlemen don't mind let me add something to that, I managed to bring a few crates of Mossflower honeyed mead from home in my chambers. So I'll add one crate to the pot and I'll bet on Natalia."

	Kaitlin Parker
Titles	None
Education	First Class Honors Degree in Law and History from the University of Artaxia Officer Graduate Achkaerin Army Academy High School Qualifications from Artaxia High School
Positions Held	Major, Aelmoor Watch (Achkaerin Army) Posting: Representative to the CAC of the Uppsalla Convention
Family	Father - Max Parker † Mother - Abigail Parker † Sister - Melanie Parker
Links to Important events?	Late Cold War Engagements
Biography	A skilled soldier with plenty of experience under her belt. She brings all that experience to the CAC, prior to which she did some time as a JAG officer.

"We can't speak for Futurist beyond outlining the general idea, if you want to discuss specifics then I would suggest you talk with the CEO of the company." Nettie said, there was little doubt that this part of the conversation had run its course given that Peter and Nettie weren't privy to the specific details of what Futurist would want to do in terms of location and such, plus that was something that Nemerie and Futurist would have to work out between them it wasn't Peter's place to stand between them.

"With that said I think we should leave that metaphorical ball in your court as it were and allow you to contact Futurist if you wish." Peter said "At the end of the day they're far better placed to answer your questions than we are. So if we may move on to other matters? I believe we could discuss things such as trade, travel between our nations, maybe some cultural stuff."

Back in the Saddle

Sophia Stark and David Anderson were finishing one of their regular runs around the Space Agency Complex, which in truth was something like a large village itself as it embodied accommodation for the astronaut and staff, hangers and laboratories, mission control and a launch site, though naturally the Achkaerin Space Agency maintained launch sites across Mundus. The pair wore typical exercise clothes Sophia a red sleeveless top and black shorts, David wore a pair of white shorts and a dark blue t-shirt.

"Why do I never win?" David asked as the pair stopped by the Astronaut Memorial that commemorated all those astronauts who had died in space while on missions for the Achkaerin Space Agency, there had been mishaps especially in the early days back in the 1950's and 1960's but no disasters for a long long time.
"Because you over pace yourself before agony hill." Sophia said, referring to the hill to the south that they always ran up "You slow down going up and that lets me catch up but you've used up so much energy so I win a sprint finish."
"One of these days I'll remember that." David said
"I've said that to you at least fifty times." Sophia said smiling as she was bent over her hands on her knees getting her breath back
"Here." David said handing her a sports bottle of water that Sophia drank from.
"Thanks." Sophia said
"Not a bad day is it?" David asked
"You know it's just the calm before the storm." Sophia said "Back end of storm season and then we get spring." there was something of a routine the regular Nywaln storm in August that started storm season, last year compounded by the Morris Ice Shelf, then came the first series of storms over the autumn period finishing just before Christmas, then there was something of a break before a usually more severe series of storms over a shorter period hit in January and February. At that point their phones went off - a text message.
"Nicola's office?" David asked
"Let's go." Sophia said

Ten minutes later the two astronauts were in the office of Nicola Fernley, oh wait it was officially Dame Nicola Fernley now as she'd been knighted in the New Year honors list.
"Have a seat." Nicola said, the two astronauts sat down
"What is it boss?" Sophia asked
"What do you know about the Virgil probe?" Nicola asked
"About as much as anyone else." David said "It's a scout probe for the Keaclite asteroid."
"It's ready to be launched" Nicola said looking out of the window of her office "There's a routine Athena launch, a run around the block scheduled for a weeks time. It's nothing special just get up do a couple of orbits and then back down. However it's a two for one deal."
"Meaning you want us to take Virgil up and deploy it from orbit?" Sophia asked
"Yes." Nicola said "Do you want it?"
"Hell yes." Sophia said "Been getting a little frustrated with having to kick my heels down here."
"David?" Nicola asked
"I'm in." David said
"Ok then go see Samantha and get checked out." Nicola said

Sophia and David left the office smiling broadly it had been months since they'd been up in space
"So we get to launch Virgil." David said
"Looks like it." Sophia said "It's been so busy with SCION launches lately that I was beginning to wonder if we'd ever get a chance to get back up there."
"Well we're going back up now." David said

Group A

Vafleon 2-2 Lodja (at Yuzukemyouji Lightbox)
Victoria 1-0 Saheristan (at Marumaru)

Lodja win Group A

Group B

Rokkenjima 1-1 Ecclesiastical State (at Marumaru)
Weremark 0-3 Kerajaan Agung (at Ise-Kokoda Hub)

Kerajaan Agung win Group B and advance to the last sixteen
Ecclesiastical State advance to the last sixteen

Group C

Achkaerin 4-0 Herrunbucht (at Ise-Kokoda Hub)
Rodina 2-2 Ui Cenneslaig (at Marumaru)

Achkaerin win Group C and advance to the last sixteen

Group D

Zimalia  2-0 Germanic Kingdoms (at Yuzukemyouji Lightbox)
Nya Aland 3-1 Foxtrove (at Isemura Club)

Group E

Hygelac 1-0 Solonia (at Marumaru)
Iwi 1-2 Cantabria (at Isemura Club)

Hygelac win Group E and advance to the last sixteen

Group F

Borland 3-1 Phuebra (at Yuzukemyouji Lightbox)
Vaguzia 0-5 Arda Tuluva (at Isemura Club)

Group G

East Moreland 2-0 Nemerie (at Yuzukemyouji Lightbox)
Rhand 1-5 Kaitaine (at Ise-Kokoda Hub)

Kaitaine win Group G

Group H

Himeyama 2-1 Mountjoy (at Ise-Kokoda Hub)
Akhabnil 1-2 Quintelia (at Isemura Club)

Current Standings

---

***Reply to this post by personal message to Achkaerin and not on the forum to keep your choices private***

The following is the list of third round replays in the FA Cup:

Leicester City v Fleetwood Town
Mansfield Town v Cardiff City
Sheffield Wednesday v Carlisle United
West Ham United v Shrewsbury Town
Reading v Stevenage
Chelsea v Norwich City
Swansea City v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wigan Athletic v AFC Bournemouth

1 point for each correctly picked winner and a bonus of 3 points for getting them all right.

This is the last round of boosts.

	David Anderson
Titles	None
Education	Passed Astronaut Training First Class Honors Degree in Astrophysics from Solaria University High School Qualifications from Hearth High School
Positions Held	Astronaut
Family	Mother - Jasmine Anderson † Father - Charlie Anderson †
Links to Important events?	Athena Project
Biography	A talented pilot, reliable in a pinch though he hopes to never be in such a situation. He's always checking out the latest aerospace news.

	Charlene Brightwall
Titles	None
Education	Studying part time at College of Law, Avalon Officer Graduate Imperial Naval Academy High School Qualifications from Queen's High School, Gowu
Positions Held	Ensign (Achkaerin Navy) Posting: JAG HQ, Valtheim
Family	Mother - Michelle Brightwall Father - Gary Brightwall
Links to Important events?	Phuebran Conflict
Biography	Young, eager and idealistic, she's a quick study on most things. She enjoys swimming, running and cycling so it comes as no surprise that she does the Imperial Navy triathlon challenge. Sev'Rance Star awarded for "Heroic or meritorious achievement or service"

	Ariel Lightfoot
Titles	None
Education	Officer Cadet Graduate of the Imperial Naval Academy High School Qualifications from Cambridge Street High School, Artaxia
Positions Held	Lieutenant Junior Grade (Achkaerin Navy) Posting: JAG HQ, Avalon
Family	Husband - Steven Lightfoot Son - Alex Lightfoot Father - Jason Thompson † Mother - Tracy Thompson † Father in Law - Billy Lightfoot Mother in Law - Jennifer Lightfoot †
Links to Important events?	Andean Genocide Trials
Biography	Runs the JAG office in Avalon, highly organized, slightly obsessive compulsive at times but always means well.

	Steven Lightfoot
Titles	None
Education	Lower Second Class Honors in Law from Lakeside University Officer Graduate Imperial Naval Academy High School Qualifications from St Mary's Faith School
Positions Held	Lieutenant (Achkaerin Navy) Posting: JAG HQ, Avalon
Family	Wife - Ariel Lightfoot Son - Alex Lightfoot Father - Billy Lightfoot Mother - Jennifer Lightfoot † Father in Law - Jason Thompson † Mother in Law - Tracy Thompson †
Links to Important events?	Andean Genocide Trials
Biography	Diligent but perhaps occasionally over analytical, he has good research skills and capacity for storing knowledge as such he has number of areas of law within his scope. Specializes in the Uppsala Convention, Fair Seas Concordat, Property Law, Criminal Law and Contract Law.

	Ashton Sutton
Titles	None
Education	Upper Second Class Honors Degree in Law and Sociology from the University of Freshwater Officer Graduate Imperial Naval Academy High School Qualifications from Freshwater High School
Positions Held	Lieutenant Commander (Achkaerin Navy) Posting: JAG HQ, Avalon
Family	Mother - Mary Sutton † Father - Jake Sutton †
Links to Important events?	Andean Genocide Trials
Biography	Thorough and supportive. Plays a straight bat in the courtroom and as such is highly respected by his colleagues.

	Stella Pierce
Titles	None
Education	Upper Second Class Honors Degree in Law from the University of Freshwater Officer Graduate Imperial Naval Academy High School Qualifications from South Valkyria High School
Positions Held	Lieutenant Commander (Achkaerin Navy) Posting: JAG HQ, Avalon - Internal Affairs Counsel
Family	Father - Alan Pierce † Mother - Katy Pierce †
Links to Important events?	Andean Genocide Trials
Biography	A strong investigator who relentlessly pursues justice, she always seems like she's got a point to prove to everyone.

	Helen Baines
Titles	None
Education	Doctorate in Psychology from Artaxia University First Class Honors Degree in Law & Psychology from Artaxia University Officer Graduate Imperial Naval Academy High School Qualifications from Ivyfield High School
Positions Held	Lieutenant Commander (Achkaerin Navy) Posting: JAG HQ, Avalon
Family	Mother - Luna Baines Father - Maurice Baines Brother - Carson Baines Cousin - Norman Makin
Links to Important events?	Andean Genocide Trials
Biography	Humble, careful, analytical with an eye for detail and a great capacity for understanding, she's the welcoming ear in the JAG office, her psychology qualifications make her a valuable expert witness to have on hand. She specializes in the Uppsala Convention, the Fair Seas Concordat and the MCUR

	Amara Yuki
Titles	None
Education	First Class Honors in Law from the College of Law, Avalon Officer Graduate Imperial Naval Academy High School Qualifications from Lady Brianna High School, Valtheim
Positions Held	Lieutenant Commander (Achkaerin Navy) Posting: JAG HQ, Avalon
Family	Mother - Harriet Yuki Father - Karl Yuki
Links to Important events?	Andean Genocide Trials
Biography	Smart and keen, covers all her bases though is probably better and fact finding and negotiation than courtroom questioning. Specializes in the Uppsala Convention, Fair Seas Concordat and Family Law.

	Andrew Conway
Titles	None
Education	Upper Second Class Honors in Law from the University of Solaria Officer Graduate of the Imperial Naval Academy High School Qualifications from South Lane High School, Foxton
Positions Held	Commander (Achkaerin Navy) Posting: JAG HQ, Avalon
Family	Father - Nathan Conway † Mother - Zoe Conway
Links to Important events?	Andean Genocide Trials
Biography	A by the book lawyer, determined, focused and an excellent orator. Specializes in the Uppsala Convention and Criminal Law.

	William Rankin
Titles	Judge Advocate General
Education	Upper Second Honors Degree in Law from the University of Dovah Officer Graduate Achkaerin Imperial Naval Academy High School Qualifications from Southern Bridge High School, Azureton
Positions Held	The Judge Advocate General Admiral (Achkaerin Navy) Posting: JAG HQ, Valtheim
Family	Ex Wife - Megan Rankin Daughter - Bethany Rankin Father - Terrence Rankin † Mother - Lucy Rankin †
Links to Important events?	Andean Genocide Trials
Biography	Even handed and confident in decision making, a strong litigator though not usually forced into the courtroom these days. Liberty Cross awarded for "Gallantry during active operations against the enemy at sea."