[color=8493ca][h3][b]Post Captain Le Marinier[/b][/h3]
[b]Telagrams and Talks.[/b]
[I]New Uniforms.[/i]
[/color]



Favian Embassy. 
An Interlude.

…



“I need to speak with someone,  someone now. Post Captain Le Mariner, Favisn Royal Navy military attache. Arrived in the airship." Captain le Mariner presented his credentials and caused chaos as people ran about and several rapid fire conversations occurred before he sat with a senior member of the consulate who was writing everything down from start to end as they went over events from the early fall to the present day. 

“You know about any others, you're listed as missing, we know most of the Marines were lost making time and the garrison we had was heavily bracketed by artillery. Very few made it sadly. Anything we can tell families.” The woman asked as a senior aide and staff here was able to get a debrief from the member of the military side of the fallen embassy.

“Like I said. The ambassador said to make our own best escapes, I saw the Marine..Captain fall, brave man Lyon, he was leading the defense of the garden aide until they swarmed the gate. One Private Mallory, escaped with us aboard the airship. Most of them are mixed. A few I think might be hiding things or want a share but mostly just running on survival.” He paused as he took a tea and someone ran in with a note about another question as they resumed asking about what the enemy was like, and if they captured any airships. 

“Far as I am, there is none. Intact. Mostly mech and cav, rail. The trade area was pretty heavily bombarded and this was the last available that could fly. Trade ships were burning bright ” He said with a clear tone as they moved through questions and it would take a while to answer all the consulates questions and such. 

…

“Gold, it's in the lower hold, a bunch of fancy booze too. There are a few mixed feelings, the Officers won out for now, but that's a lot of money on that ship, enough to fund an army or maybe a Dreadnought.” He admitted as they talked back about the fort they escaped and what might be left behind. “Some, we were rushed and barely took off at that, 

“Damn, at least it's not in enemy hands but we could have done with that.” She said and added a slug of Favian brandy to their drinks. “You know it's bad, but at least we can pass a direct account, not just rumours.” She added clinking cups as they nodded, and thought about all who had not made it. 

“Excuse me, it's Marie, she says she had a basic uniform made up, but the rest will be sent later.” And promptly vanished as the door closed. 

“Oh, the Trade envoys wife makes a good income as a seamstress here, we ordered a Captain's uniform for a Marine but they mixed up and sent us the Post Captains rank markers, along with a guard captain 's hat and a  captain's sabre… I give up.” She said with a lighter tone. “Now we handle the business, pass your message and we will inform Favis you're alive, and pass a message to your brother and family.” she said as got up to brief her own people on what she found out. They had lost a lot of people, too many. But far as they knew the secrets were not captured.

“Long days, I understand.” He said as they both nodded and the woman stood up and she took a whole pile of notes with her from their meeting, hand drawn rough maps and a rough estimate of the gold.

“Duty calls, for both of us. Do attend the Royal Event, we need more eyes on the movers.” She said with a look that told she knew how the game was played and that just because you were allies did not mean you took everything at face value. 

“Aye, its when they quiet i worry” he said as she left leaving him to his thoughts. 

…

Message.

“I am alive, not wounded and escaped the city Via Airship. I hope this calms yours and sisters' concern. I'll send a longer message later. The lines are busy. Fathers desk is not yours yet.

Hamelin.”

He said closing the Telegram and placing next to one coded in a cipher, longer official and intended for eyes in the Favian diplomatic core. Both to be sent soon as they got a spot on the telegram lists. 

“Send these. Please.” He added them to a large wooden tray that had multiple sealed documents inside for dispatch labeled for home and abroad. 


…

 In a new clean uniform, the fit was a little out but better than he could expect on this time line. He saw the sun still shining over the city and the shade cast by the great air ship masts. He had done his duty to pass on what he knew and had seen, the whole battle for the fort, the escape, the valley, the gold. So much had happened in a short time. 

He left the embassy feeling lighter with a sea bag, a promise of new clothes and access to contacts and links back home again. He would have to send the young private down to pass on what he could add, what could help them to make the best of what was a growing and ever difficult time. 

…

Next, back to the airship? Maybe a bar to get a drink? He could do with a drink after dredging up the memories of the fire and fall of the capital? He saw the air ships in the sky at its mooring high above the city. One was theirs still with its patches and battle damage.