TheAdvisor13

==Chapter 13 - The Advisor==
FSS Kentares NR-001
Kentares- Class Corvette / Ram Ship
Sol Star System
Republic of the Sphere
3155
[Sol System, Day 61...]
...it's a diplomatic outing, Commander.  That makes  it part of your mission."  Chief Willard said.
Anh sighed.  "Ah dun' lahk et." she said.
"Slowly." the chief said, "Speak slowly. be clear."
"I don't like it." she enunciated.  "Stone has seen the Tharkad yards, they know our capabilities. Why would he want one of us to see his?"
"Strategy."  at the open door of her shipboard quarters, Lt. Lafayette was standing in his AFFS class A's.  "Standard strategy really, displaying the Republic's might to allies and potential enemies.  Think; Why did your Archon insist on the Naval talks being held at the Tharkad Naval Yard?"
"Th' facilities were big enough?" she asked, "Convenience?"
Francois chuckled, "En tant que génie, vous n’avez pas une compréhension de la stratégie nationale, Commandant. This is poker, not chess or rugby."
She frowned.  "c’est un jeu d’esprit?" 
"Exactly, a mind game, impressing on us that the Republic is a good strategic partner. To remind the visiting Lyran officer that the Republic Navy has teeth."
She finished closing the fasteners on her buff-white equipment harness. She checked her helmet over before hanging it to the harness's stowage-hook, then she pulled her platinum bar from its place in her locker.
"Someday, you people will change your minds and start wearing normal clothes."
"Not for a...bit yet." she enunciated, "Cet uniforme est confortable à 4 degrés kelvin ou 1000 degrés celsius."
"Point."  he laughed.  "Have you ever been to the Sol system before?"
"Nope." she said.  "Ah hae'...I have studied the charts, but I have never been here."
"We passed through on the way to the Commonwealth, it's really very impressive.  La Terre est vraiment la capitale de l’humanité."
She snorted, but remained silent all the way to the ship's flight deck, where a K-1 shuttle awaited them.
----
[Geneva Spaceport, Earth]
The Federated Suns ambassador's party met them at the landing pad.  Anh glanced at Chief Willard, who was already donning his helmet before the airlock opened, "Willard, Keep th' faceplate open." she ordered in German.
"What's the problem?"  Captain Gracie asked, the infantry officer looking puzzled.
She considered how to speak before answering.  "Willard was born at Winter Key." she said, "il a moins de quarante heures de vie sur les planètes."
"Agoraphobia?"
"Planetophobia.  I forgot my anxiety meds." the Chief said apologetically.
"Do not seal up, Ther en't no contagion heah." Anh ordered.
"Aye mum."
"An' tek th'dam het off'n stowet."
Willard hesitantly took his helmet off, and stowed it on his belt.
"Can you really order him not to be anxious?"  Francois asked.
"We's see'n." she slurred.  "Ef et sticks, ah kin, Ah cogitate."
They stepped out into sunlight and fresh air under a vault of blue sky.  Anh watched her subordinate's body language.  While tense, he wasn't in panic mode.
I reckon I can order him not to be afraid after all.  The civilian officials from the Federated Suns embassy greeted the AFFC personnel warmly, and looked at the two of them like fascinating displays.
Her nose detected a faint tang in the air here. She could imagine she heard the rumble of billions of Earthmen just out of sight, packed in urban hives just out of direct vision.
Now I just have to make sure I can keep ME from panicking.
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