Laura sat motionless in the conference room, checking the clock for the 100th time. Twenty minutes. She had left her waiting for twenty minutes. Looking across the table at her loyal aide she felt doubly humiliated. Being left to sit by herself was one thing. To be left with her new assistant was torturous.
It was Laura's second day in Grozny. Her first was spent inspecting her office space and settling into her new apartment. Her top priority was to establish a working relationship with the Air Force. She had Billy arrange a tour of the military base and a meeting with the commanding officer. Upon her arrival, she was coolly greeted by the executive office Major Saul Tigh.
The welcome was icy and the tour abrupt. The Major showed Laura quickly around the areas of the base he deemed necessary for her to see and provided limited information on the Air Force's actions in Grozny. Anxious to relieve himself of the chore of meeting the Empress' liaison, Tigh proceeded to dump Laura and Billy into a room under the pretense of going to fetch Colonel Adama.
As the clock ticked past the 24 minute mark, Laura finally heard footsteps in the hall. Quickly she adjusted her posture and braced for the Colonel's entrance.
"Wait till you see the kid they sent down here. She looks like she ought to be a school teacher," Saul commented with a harsh laugh.
Laura's face reddened at the sound of the Major's criticism from outside the door and wondered if they were aware that she could hear the conversation.
"Federov said they were sending a baby-sitter. I guess he was being literal. Just put on a nice face and lets get this over with." Colonel Adama replied quietly as he opened the door and made his way towards his new colleague. "Miss. Laura Roslin, I presume."
"Ms. Laura Roslin," Laura corrected with a tight smile as she extended her hand.
Bill accepted but was visibly caught off guard by her response. Eager to capitalize on the unexpected upper hand. Laura decided to get right to business. Time for small talk ended a half hour earlier.
"As you know the Empress asked me here to re-establish a civilian government; however, the problems here are much deeper than who's making sure the streetlights work. There is a fundamental conflict between the minority groups in Grozny and the military. A history that cannot be wiped away with the election of a city council. Trust and mutual understanding between the civilian and military populations in this region is essential. That will not happen if the military is literally hiding behind the walls of a stoned fortress. Therefore, I will be arranging monthly town hall meetings to open the lines of communication between the residents and the government. I'll expect that you attend these sessions."
Bill listened attentively to Laura's speech and when she finished he declined her invitation.
"Excuse me?"
"I don't pander."
"This isn't about pandering - this is about peace," Laura responded sternly. "Something this town desperately needs and you haven't done enough to obtain."
"With all do respect Ma'am you've been here less than 24 hours. I've been here 24 months. I think I have a better understanding of what's going on than you."
"Enlighten me," Laura said stiffening under the room full of eyes on her.
"I have a base to manage and until you establish a government and functioning police force - a town and oil refinery to oversee as well. I don't have time to lecture you on the complicated history and ethnic divisions of the region."
"Right...I'm the school teacher," Laura quipped.
Taken aback by the reference Bill quickly exchanged a glance with Saul, who merely shrugged and rolled his eyes.
Annoyed by the blatant disrespect and disregard for her authority, Laura decided to waste not time in ending the meeting. "I hate to keep you from your work Colonel. As it is I have my own responsibilities. Come on Billy - we can see ourselves out."