Giant Drill All-Out Attack
"I can't see why you'd want it though."
She tried to keep the apprehension out of her voice, catching a glimpse of her reflection in a shard of glass within an open port, hastily adjusting her red beret, straightening the front of her uniform. Although she had resigned her commission with the Air Force long ago, the Silver Guardians still carried with them the trappings of a military organisation, a number of funding sources both known and concealed, the result of which meant that the military's vested interests in a private company ensured old habits died hard.
Airily, the woman ahead of her trailed her fingers along the hull of the machine, dust catching on her white gloves, fingertips turning slowly black.
"Perhaps it would take too long to explain," she said, her tone patronising.
Taylor Earhardt bristled with dislike. She straightened, pulling at the front of her uniform again.
"Perhaps you should consider your manners when asking for favours," she said sharply.
Before her, the Aquitarian woman blinked slowly, as if surprised by this hostile reaction.
"Captain Earhardt," she said, her voice rising and falling with the words. "I'm sure you are aware that Space Patrol Alpha has seniority in such matters. This is not a favour you are doing us, as you so quaintly refer to it, but rather a declaration of our intent to use this… this…"
Her voice trailed off as she turned to look at the machine, the dulled drill of its nosecone, the blue paint scorched and chipped.
Earhardt resisted grinding her teeth.
"The Raimei," she said. "It's called the Raimei."
Delphine nodded slowly, her expression one of clear distaste.
"The Raimei," she repeated. "We will have to see about renaming that."
Earhardt felt a sharp pain as her teeth clamped down hard together.
"Lady, what is your problem?"
Again, the Aquitarian woman blinked.
"My problem, Captain Earhardt? I have no problem, I assure you."
"Then why have you got such a big stick up your ass?" Earhardt snapped.
She noticed Delphine's hands twitch, almost as if she was about to check her behind, to make sure that there was no stick there.
"This is a colloquialism, correct?" she asked but did not give Earhardt a chance to reply. "I find your aggressive conduct to be troubling, Captain. You are aware of the importance of Space Patrol Alpha and yet you insist on acting as if your Silver Guardians are somehow equal in standing. Allow me to disavow you of this opinion. You are not."
"The Raimei is private property, you can't waltz in here and take it without explaining what you're doing."
"No one is waltzing, Captain Earhardt," Delphine answered matter-of-factly. "As I'm sure you know, Space Patrol Alpha is a venture far larger than the concerns of your employers. In fact, it is your species' first real attempt at entering into a relationship with many of your nearest neighbours. When we are informed of a hostile extraplanetary vessel now making maneuverers near your world, it behoves both you and your new relations on other worlds to act swiftly and decisively."
The other woman lifted her chin slightly, looking sternly down at Earhardt.
"That is why the Raimei is being requisitioned, Captain," she announced cooly. "I trust that you find this explanation to be suitable."
"Send me," Earhardt said without missing a beat.
Surprise crossed Delphine's face.
"Send me," Earhardt insisted again. "If you're outfitting the Raimei for space, you're going to need a pilot. Send me."
The other woman recovered her composure.
"That will not be necessary, Captain. We are already have a more than capable pilot in Commander Hammond. We do not require assistance on this mission from the Silver Guardians."
Earhardt tightened her fists, her arms rigid at her sides, frustration apparent in her every movement. Regardless, Delphine ignored this, sighing as if satisfied that the matter was resolved, pausing to adjust the black armband of her uniform, frowning when she realised the transfer of dust from her gloves to her jacket.
"Please make whatever preparations you deem necessary," she said, still frowning at her dirty gloves. "Meanwhile, I will arrange for our team to be on site within the hour to begin the process of relocating the vessel."
She gave up with her armband and at last looked up at Earhardt again.
"Thank you for your time, Captain," she said brusquely as she passed, her heavy boots on the worn concrete of the hangar.
