"We Stand On Guard For Thee"
Stories From Vice Admiral Sophia Forrester
(https://i.postimg.cc/R0B55tNM/Sophia.jpg)
Location: Imperial High Command
Time: 7:45 AST
She knew that a reckoning would be coming, and today was the day. Less than forty eight hours following the operation against Camp Taryō Rowe was looking for answers. "How did this occur without my knowledge?" he asked as he slammed his fist against the desk before pausing. "Did the years we served together mean nothing, the loyalty, the trust? Not even speaking of the disrespect of the Empress declining to meet with me, instead having me speak with the fucking Seaforthian," he struck the desk again. "I've been humiliated publicly, twice, not to mention the usurping of my authority over the Imperial Rokkenjiman Armed Forces. That's three humiliations," he trailed off, looking toward the sea, "at least two of which you've had a hand in."
"Grand Marshall," she began, "even you must realize that the SIS overstepped its boundaries in this case. What other action could Pyrettania do but see that the law of the land was enforced? At the end of the day the operation was legally sanctioned, done by the book, though if it makes you feel better I only played my role, as expected, when orders come from the Throne itself. I don't need to remind you that the Empress, not Grand Marshall, is the commander-in-chief of the Imperial Rokkenjiman Armed Forces. Would you have had me commit insubordination?" she let the last word hang in the air for a moment.
"No," Alex replied after a moment and a swirl of the whiskey in his glass, "I suppose I couldn't demand that of you. You did what you had to do to retain your commission, and in doing so saw that I have at least one friend in the Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy. I can't trust Admiral Fujioka, but you," he said as he placed a hand on her shoulder, "we've spilled blood together, shed blood together, I should be commending you instead of berating you for this. You play the game of being on a short leash rather well, and I thank you for that. Soon we won't have to play such games," he said with a grin, "you're relieved."
After she left his office she took the short trip back to mainland Azukishima where Kado was waiting. "So?" he asked as she approached him, "So," she sighed, "he's not the man I served with if that's what you wanted to know. He's there physically, his voice is the same, but he's holding back just enough from me that I can tell something is not quite right inside. That's all I can help you with at this stage, Director." "Maintain control of Camp Taryō for the rest of the week," would come his reply, "my people have been pouring over many reports that need to be reviewed, documented and duly investigated. I recognize this must be difficult for you..." he continued before being interrupted, "no, in fact, it's not. I swore my oath to the Empress, I'll remind you that she held her blade to my neck just as she did yours. If Sutāraito believes me to be her enemy then let her command me," she said as she placed her hand on the hilt of her sword, "and I'll take my life here and now."
"That will not be necessary," Kado said calmly, "you proved your loyalty to the Crown in Taryō. However I fear there will come a time when Rowe may issue orders that are in opposition to the desires of the Empress. Are you capable of seeing that the IRN does not dirty its hands in such a case?" he asked, to which she nodded. "I'll need Cole though," she said, "Rowe may be Grand Marshall but Cole's done so much for our forces even after his retirement, we had a sailor lose his grandmother and grandfather within the same week and he flew out to offer his condolences and comfort to them, he gets letters from the various branches and takes the time to answer each one personally; to many he's not viewed as their former commanding officer, he's Grandpa Henry. I know he was there for me when I left my husband after he had an affair when I was on a long deployment during the Themata-Warsaw conflict. He didn't know me from Adam but here he was, then Grand Marshall in the mess hall, his hand over mine as he assured me it wasn't my fault and that I deserved better, and that better was waiting for me when I got back home. If you want me to succeed in what you're hinting at, Cole is irreplaceable."
"Noted," Kado said, "and I'm sorry to hear that." "You shouldn't be," Sophia smiled as she revealed a locket from her necklace which had a photo of her current husband and herself displayed. "He writes me each day, gives me a look into life back home when I'm on deployment, and won't go to sleep if we have some silly argument, he makes it his mission to solve it before we both go to sleep. Henry was right," she said with a smile, "I deserved better and I found better." "I stand corrected, happily in this case," he said as he stood to leave. "If you have any relevant information for me in the future..." "I already know to provide it," Sophia finished his sentence. "Thank you, it makes my job easier," Kado would simply reply as he departed.