The wind whipped across the expanse of grey concrete, the figures stood stock still like blue statues the only sound being the occasional jingle and snap coming from the flickering flag on the pole. As the 36 members of B Squadron kept their focus on the task at hand the sound of music could be heard above the flag, it drifted on the breeze gradually filling the air as the Royal East Moreland Air Force's School of Music band came closer. Archduchess Sophie Harrison-Ironside, the King of East Moreland's niece took a quick sideways glance as the drummers entered the parade square and marched over to stand between the two graduating squadrons. Knowing that the focus of the families and friends gathered in the grandstand behind the Officer Training College Commanders plinth would be on the band for the moment a few of the soon to be officers flexed their knees slightly trying to get the blood circulating around their lower bodies. It had been their training Sergeant who had advised them to make the most of the tiniest movement, Sophie couldn't imagine anything more embarrassing after 21 weeks of training than feinting at your passing out parade. The band stopped playing and a flutter of applause rippled through the crowd in attendance. There had been a media scrum to try and send photographers and her uncle had ensured that only one photographer was in attendance, and that was Abigail Tucker, the daughter of the King's Royal Press Secretary, she was careful enough to not get in the way but still ensure the press would get their shots of the latest royal to join the military. The King had however done everything to ensure that this day was not about the Ironside's, he recalled his own passing out parade fondly and remembered the sense of pride him, Alex Redfern and Danny Frost had all shared gaining their commission and how he'd felt his day had been ruined by the media being invited, Freya who was sat next to her brother in the stands had felt likewise and so they had ensured Sophie wouldn't have to experience it the way they had. The two royal siblings sat on the back row of the temporary seating, both in their own military uniform, as were many of the other guests, proudly watching loved ones gain their commission. Rollo MacAllister, Sophie's boyfriend sat next to the King dressed in a smart suit, a kilt a nod to his ancestral home of Somerset, a East Moreland rugby team blazer showing his divided loyalties, at 6ft 8 he had been sat at the back to ensure he didn't block the view of anyone and truth be told he had managed to steal half of David's leg room too.
The Air Commodore had now arrived and was walking down the rows of A Squadron chatting to a handful of the men and women soon to be under his command, once they'd completed their trade training that was. He returned the salute of A Squadrons training Sergeant and made his way over to B Squadron moving down the ranks, each Officer Cadet stating their name as he stood in front of them. "Acting Pilot Officer Harrison-Ironside Sir" Sophie said loudly as the senior officer in her service appeared.
"How did you find your training Miss Harrison-Ironside" the Air Com asked making no reference to her royal title.
"It was challenging Sir, but I found it useful Sir" she said nervously despite having attended some high flying diplomatic meetings, she'd even technically been ruler of East Moreland for 24 hours during her life but that had never seemed real.
"Good....good" the Air Com moved on, passing by several Cadets with nothing more than a cheerful nod of the head and a glance at their uniform. The last to be inspected was Hope Meadows, a 21 year old from a rather poor area of Roberton. "Acting Pilot Officer Meadows Sir" she said without her eyes moving from the point she'd picked just above his head.
"Roberton, I know Roberton well, whereabouts Miss Meadows." Hope hesitated, anyone who knew Roberton knew that those from her particular area tended to be those inclined to be well known to the Police, drug dealers and gangs, not something an officer was supposed to have any idea of .
"Merryton Sir" she said finally.
"Ah..." was all the Air Commodore said a rather surprised expression on his face, "We tend not to get many officers from that neck of the woods" he said with a smile but a tone that seemed disapproving.
"I know Sir, I think the last one was probably Major Redfern" Hope didn't hesitate, to her Alex Redfern was a role model, a kid who grew up in the old mining community of Merryton, had used soldiering as a way of improving his life and was now probably one of the most respected military men in the Kingdom, Hope realised her comments where boarding on insolence now but she continued, "I grew up two doors down from his father Sir" she said rather proudly.
"Well if your half as good an officer as him then we'll be in good hands." the Air Commodore simply turned, thanked the Sergeant and went back to his stage. He took his position behind the plinth and began the graduation properly. After thanking the families and friends of those graduating he gave a small speech designed to inspire the next generation of East Moreland's military leaders, Sophie could feel her knees seizing up by the time he'd finished. Next would come the presentations of the commissions, each granting them command of the King's forces, the only acknowledgement of the King's prescence had been him sitting in the Mess Hall this morning signing each of the commissions personally rather than using pre-printed ones. One by one the cadets names were called out and the Cadet marched forward, handed their rifle to their Sergeant and then smartly made their way up onto the stage, they saluted the Air Commodore who first handed them a cavalry sword, it wasn't theirs to keep unless they had already somehow earned the right to carry a sword of their own through the Cult of Helus, this evening those who had yet not earned that right would relinquish their sword, it being put into storage for them until the day they earned that right, however an officer on duty was permitted to wear a sword and so the next part of the ceremony required the blade. A Flight Lt. helped them attach the sword to their cross belt and then the Air Commodore presented them with their commission scroll. This time the newly created officer saluted with their shiny new blade before marching away. Several of the cadets recieved more than these two items, there were other certificates and trophies presented for those with top test scores and a variety of other honours.
"Acting Pilot Officer Harrison-Ironside" the name was called, "Also being presented the Trophy for best Combat Run time, and a new Air Force record" it was hardly surprising but Rollo, Freya and David still applauded loudly. Sophie felt a little embarrassed as she accepted first the sword, which was heavy than she'd expected, next was her scroll, her heart leapt with pride, and then finally once she had put away her sword the small trophy of a running soldier. "Pilot Officer Harrison-Ironside will be deploying to the Force Protection Training College along with her K9 for further training" the Air Commodore announced her next posting, for Sophie it was obvious, certain trades had only limited pathways once you were past initial officer training. For Sophie that meant 16 more weeks in Keepton with her dog Bandit, they'd spent a few sessions together already but nothing as serious as it would be at FPTC."
Ten cadets remained to be presented their commissions and a handful of awards remained. "Acting Pilot Officer Maddison" Hope snapped to attention and began heading towards the stage now releaved of her rifle. "Also being presented the Commodore's Medal" Hope nearly stopped marching, the Commodore's medal was awarded to the Cadet who had achieved the highest scores throughout training and Hope felta tear of pride roll down her cheek as she saw her Mother and Father standing clapping, her fathers threadbare suit looking out of place among the smart uniforms and pin stripe suits of those around him, but as a school caretaker he had little need for a suit. Hope's mother was clapping so energetically that her already slightly battered hat fell off. Hope thanked the Air Commodore as he pinned the medal to her chest. "Pilot Officer Meadows will be deploying to Flight School here at Ostlake and then onto 6 Squadon." Hope could have hugged him but kept her composure the only reaction visible being her mouthing the words "The Flying Can Openers", the affectionate nickname for the unit as she marched off stage.
Ten minutes later the parade was over and the cadets, now all brandishing swords, marched back towards the College, they took a long indirect route passing the Junior Ranks Mess, not all the traditions of the day over. As the newly commissioned officers passed the assembled airmen and NCO's, all dressed in their best blues, a large moustached Flight Sergeant yelled at the onlookers. "Junior Ranks" the men and women snapped to attention, "Officer passing the front, to the front salute" in one syncronised move over 100 airmen saluted, the new officers giving them an eyes right in return. As Hope in the rear rank passed them by she heard the Flight Sergeant give a rather less formal order, "OK, job done, get inside get that bull off, lets get pissed." the training base would shut down for a few weeks to give everyone time to prepare for the next intake and so the passing out parade symbolised a party for those of all ranks.
There was a second reason for taking the circular route, it allowed the guests to have made their way into the main college building, a beautiful 19th century hall, its entrance hall wide and vast it had staircases at each edge sweeping up to a balcony overlooking the giant blue square carpet bearing the
Winged Propellor emblem of the Air Force. Despite living in the main college building for the last six weeks of training not a single cadet was allowed to walk on the blue carpet, instead having to walk around the edge of the entrance hall on the red strip of plain carpet barely wide enough for two to walk side by side. Only those with a commission could walk on it and that included the guests who now watched from the balcony. Instead of falling out in front of the college and walking in they began marking time at the foot of the white stone steps that lead to the two polished oak front doors, a rank at a time they were ordered to march forward once more, their route taking them into the college and directly over the carpet. The families applauded as they welcomed each new group who marched directly into the ball room. Once the last rank was inside the guests made their way into the ballroom's 2nd floor looking down on their children or friends. "PARADE!" the Flight Sergeant yelled, he took a quick glance up towards the balcony and spotted the King, while he knew David wished no fuss for being here the Flight Sergeant was a stickler for regulations, "Three Cheers For His Majesty King David", the group turned to face the King and in time with the Flight Sergeant gave three "Hip, Hip, Huzzahs" while waving their white banded officers caps in the air, "PARADE" he snapped again, "Fall Out!" the group snapped 45 degrees to the right, paused, took three steps forward and then in one voice cheered finally free to express their happiness, several had already begun looking for families who were now hurrying down the steps to hug their loved ones, others hugged their friends who they graduated with, while some couldn't wait any longer, slid the white band from their peaked cap and stuffed it in their pocket, the final symbol of them being Officer Cadets gone. Sophie had found Rollo easily, he was quiet literally head and shoulders above everyone else in the room, he scooped her up in a bearhug as he kissed her. David was next to find them and he hugged Sophie and told her how proud he was of her.
"Your Majesty" Freya said rather formally as she approached the group, "I think your a moron" she said matter of factly Sophie and Rollo looking puzzled, David turned on his sister.
"Freya Ironside I am demoting you to Legionnaire for insolence" the King said trying despertaly to keep a straight face. He removed the velcro captain rank tabs on his sisters uniform.
"Yes sir" Freya stepped past her brother. "Ma'am" she addressed Sophie, "This Legionnaire requests permission to deliver this officers first salute" it made sense now, to an officer the tradition of recieving their first formal salute was a big deal, and many often had loved ones who had retired as NCO's who would take the oppurtunity, around the room Sophie could spot similar things with families who had other children who were on national service rather than officers saluting their siblings and then hugging. Sophie didn't have that, until now.
"You may Legionnaire" Sophie said as watched as Freya snapped the smartest salute she had probably ever managed to her niece, Sophie returned it, thanked the Legionnaire as she did so and then hugged Freya. "Now may I have my pips back now" she said turning to David.
"Erm....no" David teased before Freya balled up a fist, her brother tossed the rank boards back as he kissed her on the cheek. Freya replaced them, it was tricky as it was hard to spot the exact position out the corner of your eyes, "They look ok" she asked her brother who just shrugged and suggested she find a mirror. This being an officers ballroom they weren't in short supply and Freya huffed off to check, last thing she wanted was to look ill dressed, "Wait for it" David said as he took hold of Sophie's hand as she was about to follow and sort them out for her auntie. Freya leaned forward checking in a mirror, something wasn't right and she removed one of the patches and checked it. The three pips had gone and a crown sat there, she turned and saw her brother smiling, she returned to him about to give him a ticking off, "Your promotion was approved by General Yacobs yesterday, I asked if I could present them, Major Ironside" the King in his Captain of the Alpine Cadre uniform saluted her, she didn't bother returning it and just hugged her big brother whom she now technically outranked.
Across the room Hope had taken a little longer to find her family, her Dad was fidgetting nervously as his daughter approached them at a half brisk walk half run. Hope wrapped her arms tightly around both her parents. "Thank you" she said as tears flowed. She'd been the first of their family to get to University thanks to a combination of her parents working all the hours Helus sent to earn the money to pay for her to go to Royal Northfort University and her hard work to get a degree in Physics. "Thank you so much" she blubbed as he Dad freed himself from his daughters embrace. He reached inside his blazer pocket and removed his old white beret, now greying in age. As a veteran he was still entitled to wear the trappings of his former life as a member of the Alpine Cadre and he'd never replaced his old issue one. He donned it and Hope knew what was coming and a simple nod between the two wet eyed relatives set the first salute tradition into motion followed by a hug. Stewards had begun circulating the room to pass out drinks and food as the room began to take on a less formal feel, a party about to begin.
Back across the room the King was already being approached to have photos taken with the new officers, each asking if they could have a photo of the King and them holding their commission, it was something the King was glad to do remembering how his own commission was now in a musuem and feeling a little sad it wasn't on his wall at home as he knew many of these would be. His eyes however were attracted across the room to one of the shabbiest looking berets he had ever seen, it was the same cap badge as his own, but his was as white as the fresh snow of the Alps his beloved Alpine Cadre called home. "Excuse me" David walked over towards the man who seemed to be lost in his surroundings, the King remembered the face of the girl he was with, she'd been the one winning the Commodores award. David approached, "Pilot Officer Meadows I believe" he extended a hand, "Congratulations. Is this your father?" he asked and the surprised girl nodded. "Mr.Meadows, your an Alpine?" he asked.
"Indeed Your Majesty" the man seemed embarassed.
"I noticed the beret" the King pointed.
"I'm sorry Your Majesty, it's seen better days. I'll take it off" he reached up and the King stopped him.
"It is a privilege to wear the beret of the Alpine Cadre regardless of its condition" the King said reassuringly, he was trying to gauge the man's age, he'd probably be in his early 50's, a generation before the King's own service. "I'd like a drink with my brother in arms and his family if thats ok" The King collected glasses from a passing steward as his own family joined him. "A toast, to two fine additions to our military." he raised a glass towards Sophie and Hope. "Helus Gird me with the strength of Thy steadfast hills, The speed of Thy streams give me! In the spirit that calms, with the life that thrills, I would stand or run for Thee. Let me be Thy voice, or Thy silent power" he recited a blessing used by his old Regiment.
"Thy Steadfast hills" Mr.Meadows saluted the King with his own glass and the two drank.
The King turned towards the new Pilot Officer Meadows, "So I think I remember you being posted to the 6th?"
"Yes Your Majesty, the Flying Can Openers, they were my first choice, I can't wait to get behind the controls of a Dragonbane 2." the anticipation was clear, "I hear they are incredible....but just to get a chance to fly will be a dream come true. I did some with Cadets as a child but this will be different."
Freya was smiling, she'd been an Air Cadet when younger and had considered a career in the Air Force, she'd opted instead for the Army but had served her secondment as a pilot with the Dragonhearts before returning to the Army, she never had got rid of that longing for the skies though. "You'll love it" Freya winked, "What was your aptitude score?" It was a typical pilots question when a new recruit arrived at the Squadron, Hope proudly revealed her score making Freya's eyes bulge, "A 92," she repeated what she'd just been told, "David, meet the future best pilot in our Air Force, no one scores more than 90" she had thought her own score of 86 was impressive. Hope was blushing.
"I will be watching your career with great interest" David was impressed, "I believe you said you were from the same neck of the woods as my Brother-in-law?" the King asked in regards to her comments about Redfern earlier.
"Yes Your Majesty, we know his father."
"I'm going to have to start sending more recruiters to that neck of the woods, seems they turn out some decent officers every now and again." the King extended a hand to Hope, "I wish you luck in your future career, I'll be keeping an eye out for you." he wished the family well, made a mental note to have a new beret delivered to her father and then headed off to enjoy his evening.
