(Untitled)

[joiningyousoon]

TO: CENTRAL COMMAND
FROM: SKYMARSHALL URIK ANTARES, COMMANDING OFFICER: R.S.S. KONSTANTINOV

FIELD REPORT: THE WAR IN NOKGORKAAFTER SUSTAINED AERIAL AND ARTILLERY BOMBARDMENT, AIR SUPERIORITY HAS BEEN ATTAINED BY SKYFURNACE DETACHMENTS OVER THE CITY'S RECOGNIZED NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN HOSTILE DISTRICTS. AS ORDERED, THE FLEET HAS SUCCESSFULLY

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[theredstars]

The Skymarshall's face is unreadable as he watches the tactical protocol cycle through another set of probabilities.

"Central didn't listen," he says at last, as a flickering krawl opens fire a few centimeters from his boots. "We've been ordered to proceed with the ground assault."

He looks up, eyes finding first Maya's, then Alex's.

"It looks like the bastards are going to fight this children's crusade until all of Nokgorka is bled white."

[theredstars]

"There isn't any," Urik says dryly. "In all seriousness, as much as I'd prefer Central Command not to send us in tomorrow, the 'Gorkas have been battered to hell. They've got to be ready to break. If the recon holds up, this whole mess should be over by 1500 hours."

He looks from one woman to the next, then nods sharply.

"That will be all. Dismissed."

[theredstars]

He is the Skymarshall in charge of this skyfurnace, as well as her friend Urik Antares.

Which is why Alexandra doesn't roll her eyes at that precise military formality.

...Much.

[joiningyousoon]

Maya catches that gesture of Alex's. That's insubordinate, technically. Not that that ever stops Alex Goncharova, or that it typically fazes any of them who are used to her ways.

A hint of a smile hovers on Maya's face, more in the eyes than her mouth.

[theredstars]

Urik hides his own smile behind a hand as he turns to leave the briefing room.

"To a safe return," he says quietly, and is gone.