[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/2rzyA1k.png[/img][color=crimson][h3]Annona Colony Docks[/h3][/color][/center][hr]

Victor wordlessly nodded as Gilbert exited their presence and made his way back to his primary post. Not much more could have been expected- Konig was a busy man, and for all of Victor's praises and titles, he was still a rather junior officer in comparison to some of those present. To top it all off, not everyone here was quite pleased that the 'Lion' was here. Sure, there was no doubting his prowess, but some Martian misgivings never really faded, and while most treated him with respect- not everyone was thrilled to see him. Though that could have been said for anyone about any situation really: Victor himself wasn't too fond of many of the Military's upper brass, most of them being pompous nobles born into military titles with only the select few- such as Konig, actually earning themselves the respect of a proper commander. 

[color=crimson]"Oh I wouldn't worry too much about it Izumi, I'm pretty sure most of them would prefer we didn't speak at all."[/color] Victor said with a light chuckle, garnering some sharp looks from nearby officers- which he feigned ignorance towards. [color=crimson]"Nowadays, many people think words matter more than actions. Unless someone is offering to spirit you away to a life of luxury for the rest of your days in return for marriage, they're probably not worth speaking to."

"Ah, that was a joke, by the way. I do hope you don't plan on leaving me any time soon."[/color]

Minutes seemed to stretch on as hours as they waited for the Venue to slowly dock with the outer ports of the colony and for the princesses to begin their procession across the bridges and into the docks themselves. The Zerns did enjoy their ceremonies, but while the concepts were all fine and dandy, the processions themselves were incredibly dull and dreary. It was funny that despite one of the princess' reputations as a pop idol, her welcoming party was little more than over pomped, ramrod straight, and stuffy corps of officers.

[color=pink]"I honestly would rather be fighting back at the siege of Gibraltar then be here right now. Gosh has it been that long since the siege?"[/color] Ayame had commented quietly as they waited. The comment had taken Victor by surprise and he was unable to stop himself from turning and giving her an incredulous look before turning his head back straight with the rest of the formation.

[color=crimson]"I believe you'd be alone in that thought my dear."[/color] Victor said almost wistfully, [color=crimson]"While I appreciate the experience we gained and the mettle we've forged- the value it gives you to me as a commander, I would give my ship and all of my fancy titles for you to not have experienced it."[/color] Victor's face hardened for a moment, and his mouth took a thin grimace, scrunching like he was about to spit. The scowl lasted for a moment before it faded. He gave Ayame a sidelong glance, a small, sad smile, and uncharacteristic melancholy in his eyes.  

[color=crimson]"Too many lives were lost that day: young men, brave men, good men. And what did I get out of it? A title that reminds me of the men I failed. Ghosts that haunt me in my sleep..."[/color] Victor's voice trailed off for a moment. [color=crimson]"Did you know I hate being called that? '[i]Lion[/i]'. Its a mockery to everyone I've lost and everything they stood for. I'm a soldier, not a mascot."[/color]

[color=crimson]"You as well Ayame. You're a talented fighter, but more than that you're a soldier. A defender of peace- remember that."

"Glory is good. Safety is better. Peace is best."[/color][hr]

Out of the corner of his eye, Victor caught Gilbert barking into his earpiece before stepping off abruptly. Victor's eyes narrowed. Something was going on, and he wasn't quite sure what. What he [i]was[/i] sure of was the intended target. The princesses were the only new thing to the Colony in months, and the fact that something was happening as the Venue was docking was an obvious tell. His eyes shot to his ship- most recently docked and closest to the exit ports of the colony's dock, but more importantly his eyes rested on the four mobile suits placed on top of it- kitted out with ceremonial rifles and dressings, but warmed up and running. 

[color=crimson]"Ayame, which pilots are on parade duty right now?"[/color] Victor murmured as his eyes scanned the mobile suits. [color=crimson]"Things may yet heat up after all. Keep close."[/color] 

Victor began making his way to the front of the formation, catching all manner of dirtly looks from officers who continued to stand upright and straight. Maybe they weren't aware of whatever was going on- it was highly likely, was it not for Victor's coincidental glance, he probably wouldn't have known either. It wasn't as though he had a earpiece with comms telling him what was happening. Which was part of the problem.

[color=crimson]"Pardon me,"[/color] Victor apologized as he approached one of the security officers. Before the officer could even reply, Victor had ripped the man's comms unit out of his ear and began putting it onto his own person. Moments later, he was sprinting across the gangplank to his ship.

Clambering up some ladder rungs mounted on the outer hull and onto the deck of the Nyx itself, Victor sprinted towards the nearest Tommy, while shooting Ayame a look and pointing at the second closest one. He slammed his fist on the foot of the machine a few times before the sensor looked down to face him. Jerking his fist backwards, the cockpit of the Tommy opened, with a confused Munifex Torren poking his head out.

"Boss what are you-?" Torren barely had time to ask as Victor rode up the cable to the cockpit and roughly grabbed Torren and yanked him out of the seat, throwing him the boarding cable before jumping into the Tommy's seat himself. 

Luckily, the Tommy was already primed and ready to go- if somewhat underarmed for a fight. The Heckler rifles had been replaced with gilded, more ornamental ceremonial versions of the weapon and only had a single magazine's worth of ammunition loaded- though Victor was lucky that Torren was incredibly lazy and didn't bother removing the spare Heckler magazines from the Tommy's side compartments- and the mills bombs had been removed. In short, it wasn't his Knight Errant, but it'd have to do.

Victor began stomping his Tommy across the deck of the Nyx and towards one of the unused airlocks, Ayame likely not far behind him. [color=crimson]"Victor Galahad, heading out."[/color] spoke into his 'commandeered' comms unit, now patched into the security team's communications.

Victor opened a second, private comm line with Ayame's Tommy as the airlocks opened, emptying them out into space. [color=crimson]"Well, lets see what all the ruckus is about right? If we do it right maybe we won't get court martial-ed after this."[/color]