Hat Twenty-One – Kepi
The time on the clock changed from 05:59 to 06:00, marked by the sound of the bridges door opening and a person shuffling in.
"Commander, the reports are waiting on your console." Gardinia said automatically, as she'd done every morning. Then she realized what had just occurred and glanced over to find why her captain was up already, surprised further to see a short girl taking a seat in the chair.
"Hmm? Oh, thanks." The girl said in her commander's voice, yawning as she pulled up the data. "Would you let me know when... uh, whoever-is-on-laundry-detail gets back? Or wakes up? I don't feel properly dressed without my hat."
Gardinia remembered the messy and very, very late New Year celebration the previous night. Or rather this morning. Four hours were not an acceptable amount of sleep, but that was Prairie. Even with the break they'd talked her into, here she was, awake as best as could be expected at her usual time and ready to take on her responsibility as best she could.
Gardinia smiled, returning to her own task: That of supporting the Guardian leader. "Yes, ma'am."
Happy New Year! And happy 25th anniversary Rockman! Next hat - ? ? ?
I don't own the characters, just a few art books.