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[center][h3][color=ed1c24]Annona Colony - Grand Dock[/color][/h3][/center]
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The minutes rolled on.

It might almost have been painful, how slowly the fleet was proceeding. Gilbert, however, had no complaints. Safety was paramount — he'd looked over the regulations and plans himself, and had found no fault with them beyond the degree of ostentation that had been baked-in. Yet it was these little displays and rituals that helped maintain the aura of mystique and awe around the nobility and royalty, and he accepted that as a necessity despite the compromises elsewhere. Image was just as important as martial might — if not more so. 

Which, again, was why he was [i]here[/i] instead of [i]out there[/i].

A low murmur swept through parts of the assembled crowd as the side doors opened and the last stragglers to the welcoming brigade entered. Without turning his head, his eyes flicked to the side to watch a parade of mostly-familiar faces stream onto the dock. He saw mainly captains and commanders from the incoming escort fleet — those sufficiently highly-placed or well-connected to avoid major responsibilities in the defensive screen, so that they could be a part of the first set of ceremonies. Many he recognized, if not from past operations than from their personnel files, and as for those he did not he trusted the guards posted at the doors and throughout the nearby halls to have done their duty.

One man among the bunch met his eyes across the dock. Even if he had not been able to resolve every detail of his face, the light-mocha complexion and large scar comprised a highly distinctive appearance among those present. It was not unexpected that Signifier Galahad would have been looking for him, given that a common purpose had brought them both to this toxified planet. Gilbert inclined his chin a fractional degree — the most miniscule of nods, easily dismissable as a random movement to those not on the lookout. It could be taken as acknowledgement, or perhaps even an invitation. 

Seeing the man (and a young lady who might have been his adjutant) approaching, Gilbert slowly melted towards the back of the formation. It wouldn’t do to force the Signifier to wade through a packed block of nobles and commanders, some of which might very well take offense at being made to rub shoulders with lower-ranked commoner soldiers. The reputation of the “Lion of Gibraltar” could only go so far, and even the little disturbance he himself made as he moved garnered a few quick frowns and tightened smiles. Where he would receive the two would be among the junior officers (on assignment in Annona, and so accorded higher honors today than their rank would otherwise warrant) towards the rear of the block, close to where he thought Galahad would have been assigned to stand. 

The younger officer’s salute was returned in a more formal manner than usual, owing to the severity of the mood hanging over the docks. Galahad’s words were very welcome as well. Though Gilbert hadn’t been notified of any obstacles to his request, it still pleased him to hear a sort-of confirmation in person. [color=00aeef]“Welcome to Annona, Signifier,”[/color] he replied. [color=00aeef]“I hope you found the journey to be pleasantly boring.”[/color] His tone was edging on droll, nor did he expect a real answer. Boring was good for the princesses, but many soldiers would have been itching for a skirmish.

He then turned his eyes on the young lady. As he’d thought, hers was a face that he’d never seen in person before. On a personnel dossier, certainly. The memories were on the cusp of recall; he’d have to review the 5th Carrier’s files in depth once the festivities were concluded. For now, just her name and the pips on her uniform were enough. [color=00aeef]“Charmed, Avocatus,”[/color] he stated, more an acknowledgement of her presence than anything else. 

[color=00aeef]“If there’s nothing else that requires immediate attention . . . ?”[/color] But that and a few gestures concluded these courtesies, and his assigned position in the formation was soon filled once again with a pair of well-shined boots. Confirming with Victoria and the other lieutenants that the spaceways were still clear of any threats, he settled back into the wait.