The post captain nodded and listened to the Col who seemed to have some idea of what might happen in the next few days. They had tailors and had to get fancy outfits for a royal event. Alas his dress uniform was probably burned or loot… damn hard to get a comfortable dress uniform. Bloody columnists. He also had blood on his current uniform and would need at least a copy making that roughly matched. Having to use a knife was messy, too damn messy. 

“Thankyou Col. Your hospitality is welcomed and appreciated. Hurry up and wait, we are all familiar with that axiom of military life. Gold, that is always the question, problem and the answer. And all 3 can be true at once.” That was all they could do, Harry to the city, risk life and limbs and now wait. A royal event would be an interesting distraction regardless, strange they invited but he guessed their arrival had not gone unnoticed or what they carried would be unknown. “Even though it is a airship and not a dreadnought, I can say I have grown to like her. I hope she is well taken care of. I hope it weathers the storms as well as it did for us.” He said politely, the ship had saved their lives, a degree of attachment was far from unexpected. 

“I would appreciate a map to the telegraph office, I'd hate for my sister in Favis to think I'm dead, take my celler or my brother take our fathers desk, never get it back off his ministry office. Being dead would mean far too much time and paperwork.” He also had a more official encoded message to send that would be more sensitive, he had to report their losses, potential intelligence breaches and the potentially killed or captured among his people if it had not already been sent. Of course they would likely know, but it was only polite to not engage in public acknowledgement of more sordid matters around the table right now. 

If there was a Favis consulate, he could get them to send a more complicated brief then via telegram and also find out a more accurate picture of events from their military intelligence and others. Also whoever sent estimates for the columnists needed to really revise those… They were capable of fast and rapid advance, a real field army, not some semi military system. The Navy needed to prepare and take them seriously. 

That was another job to do. He took a pull from a hip flask as he looked about the room. “Some of our fellowship are far from home, lost their trades, homes or just have clothes off their backs.  So if I might politely ask, that some kind of support is made available. They have shown nerve and bravery, even in difficult times and such should not go without note.”

 He finished, it was not too much to ask when they delivered a fortune in gold from under the enemy's nose and denied the enemy a major strategic and economic victory. He doubted they got it all but with it the red war industry would be able to better trade or purchase technology than they would now. 

He was a little verbose but he was also clear on his aims and polite to their hosts. The officers might be better placed but some like the brave private or civilians had less resources or fellows to call upon. Even if it was just winter clothes, food and ability to get home / to where they chose. 

 [@Dyelli Beybi]