Military parlance

In the military-style organisations in the Orion Arm, and possibly beyond, **military parlance** was the unique form of speech of the service people in the organisation. It differs from Union Terminology in that Union Terminology is usually words and phrases used in casual context, picked up over time by only the Interstellar Union.

## As you were

**As you were** meant to disregard the previous order and revert to what one was doing beforehand. It was sometimes used kindly, such as to allow crew to relax following a call for attention or a salute. In other cases, however, it could be a command when someone assumed a hostile position or attitude.

Mia Lawson was often the recipient of "as you were", usually as a command.

## At ease

*"Captain Lawson, at ease before you hurt yourself." - Chief Admiral J.R. Payne, early 2220*

**At ease** was a request or command for a crewmate to relax.

## Attention-to-orders

**Attention-to-orders** was a command that required personnel to cease making distracting movements and noises and give their undivided attention to the speaker, but which did not require those present to come to a position of attention.

This is one of few commands that Clara Boleyn never gave. Mia is the most frequent user of this command, usually when she's being ignored.

## Brace for impact

"**Brace for impact**" was an alert usually declared from the bridge of a starship, before it achieved an impact that the shock absorbers could not adequately compensate for. When this alert was sounded, usually through the order of the captain or first officer, all hands were to secure their stations and prepare for impact.

Mia Lawson declared this before an asteroid that was set to hit the Aquarius before it broke to reveal a torpedo. (*Film: Defenders of Eternity)*

## Confined to quarters

Being **confined to quarters**" was a punishment that could be applied on Interstellar Union starships. This form of discipline was generally used for more minor offenses, rather than those of a more serious nature that would require action such as being placed in the brig, a reduction in rank, or even a bad conduct (or even dishonourable) discharge. On occasion, this punishment may be used as a long-term measure in special circumstances. The punishment usually, though not always, also involved being temporarily relieved of duty.

Mia Lawson was known for giving out unusually long confinements, usually reduced "immediately after she calm down", according to Levi Adlington.

## Cover your six

*"You stay there, Ensigns. Cover everyone's six." - Carolina Martinez, 2224*

**Cover your six** or **watch your six** is a military slang term that means 'watch your back'. ‘Six’ refers to the six o'clock position on a clock. So, if you’re facing forward, 'six' is directly behind you.

## Dismissal

*"Translation: Please leave." - Alyx Lawson, year unknown*

**Dismissal** was usually used as a formal release of a crewmate from an official military function, such as a briefing or other meeting. The most senior officer in the area typically gave such a command.

## Duty

**Duty** was a term that conveyed a sense of moral commitment to someone or something. When someone recognized a duty, they committed themselves to the cause involved without considering the self-interested courses of actions that may have been relevant previously. The first duty of every Interstellar Union crewmate was to speak the truth, whether it was scientific truth or historical truth. The first duty of anyone who found themselves captured was to attempt escape. When one was a commanding officer, their first duty was to the ship on which they served, even if that meant ordering another member of the crew to their death. The line of duty referred to an action or event, typically the death of a crewmate, which occurred while they were on duty.

A duty shift was the portion of the day during which various scheduled personnel aboard a starship were on duty. Mia Lawson was known for working extremely late, which often left her tired the next day.

## End of watch

**End of watch** usually denoted the end of a duty shift for the crew, as many worked on the same timetables, with some medical personnel choosing to work later to deal with late night emergencies.

## Engage

*"Engage at FTL-2." - Mia Lawson, clearly in a hurry.*

**Engage** was mostly used as verbal confirmation to an earlier order given to another on the bridge about the FTL Drives. It could also be used as a verb within the order referring to some other technological device.

## Fire at will

**Fire at will** was an order given to members of a firing squad. It meant to fire when they felt they should.

Levi Adlington was once a member of a firing squad due to his experience with firearms, and distinctly remembers being given this command.

## Five-by-five

"**Five-by-five**" was military slang for a system being at optimum performance.