For Forty Weeks the Sunbird Flew: An Airman's Tale

Chapter 13: The Formalities of War

"Are you ready, Talon?"

The man nodded, resolute and determined.
"As I'll ever be. It's high time they know who I am."

Lawrence nodded, a sort of melancholy pride on his face.
"God, how much you've grown. I'm so proud of you, Talon. I should say it more, but you mean the world to me."

Archer watched the smile on Talon's face grow, saw the adoration in his eyes as he replied to Lawrence.
"I know, Lawrie. I know I do. Now lets do this."

The kindly man walked through the doors with purpose and resolve, a sense that not only was he doing the right thing, but that it was his duty.

Archer thought the man had cleaned up nicely as well. For certain, he'd not looked half bad before, but seeing him in a dress uniform made him acutely aware of the natural charm that the man carried with himself. Similarly, whilst somehow also being the complete opposite to Talon, Lawrence also looked rather dapper in his dress uniform. He clearly wasn't comfortable wearing it, what with how he constantly wrung his gloved hands, but he'd agreed that this meeting required him to look as official as possible. Archer vaguely recalled some comment the man had made previously regarding his dislike of tight uniforms and having to wear gloves, but the specifics of the event eluded him.

Regardless, he still looked rather fine in his uniform, a few medals Archer had never realised the man possessed pinned on his chest. It made sense that Lawrence would have earned a commendation or two across his service, but the man had never spoken of the actions that he had earned his accolades in. There was a medal for fighting as a part of the Grand Fleet, two more for serving with distinction and bravery, and a forth for nothing less than fighting at the Carronade Pass. It might not have been as many as the man deserved, but Archer had no intention of bringing up that topic or the medals in general. Lawrence was clearly uncomfortable already, and given his unwillingness to speak of the medals prior to this point it seemed that there was some level of reservation that the man held on this topic.

Much like the topic of the late twins he had replaced, Archer chose to let sleeping dogs lie. There was little need to stir up unpleasant memories in the last moments before an extremely important meeting began.

Whilst Lawrence may not have enjoyed wearing his dress uniform, Archer had to admit that he was feeling more at home wearing something rather smarter and tighter-fitting than his usual daily slacks. He might not have been able to wear this suit in his day job, but that didn't mean he couldn't enjoy wearing it where appropriate.

"Talon? The fuck are you in dress for? I didn't even know you had a dress uniform. And the necklace, what's that about?"

Talwynn's voice cut through the silence of the room in an impulsive but not at all inconsiderate manner as she greeted the first one of them through the doors. Lawrence was close behind, with Archer bringing up the rear.

"We're here to update you on your orders given what we now know of Commodore Greyfax's position, as well as a few other factors besides. I need it noted that, and it is not my intention to lead like this, but I am not asking you your opinions on these orders this time. These are set in stone."

Sergeant Rickard spoke up, resolute but a little confused.
"You gave myself and Talwynn here orders a little over an hour ago. Are they to change already?"

Lawrence shook his head slowly, gesturing towards the chairs around the table for everyone to sit. Assembled and seated were both of the Rickards, Talwynn, and Stefan. Archer wasn't exactly pleased to be seeing the weasel again, but the man had been true to his word so far and was technically the second, well, third if princes were counted, highest authority on the ship. Begrudgingly, he accepted that the man did have a right to hear this even if Archer himself didn't like him. He could think of a dozen people aboard the Sunbird who deserved to know before Stefan did, but that was the way life went sometimes he guessed.