The only aspect of the accident that had bothered Hrolf had been the worry of being injured badly enough to be discharged from the navy.  Fortunately the medical care had been outstanding as he'd gained the attention of an influential commanding officer.  Now that this was behind him his stoic mind was more focused on the here and now.

"Yes, the mind foolery is unmanly but their psionic warriors are deadly.  The Zho commandos, all psions can teleport into your ship or behind your lines, see what you are doing with clairvoyance and flip off the switch of your mind shield or pull a pin on your grenade with telekinesis."  He shook his head.  "A deadly foe to be sure."

Hrolf smiled slightly. "But the Sword Worlds... some of them are very beautiful and the people are proud and honorable.  They aren't perfect of course but they are different in beliefs and traditions from the Imperial standard.  It is a shame that there are such tensions between us.  I would love to travel there as well and see the home of my family."

"I can do without teleporting, telekinetic people trying to kill me. Seems like too much to deal with when combat has never been my forte." Jacqueline said "I've heard the Swordies have great food. Probably a lovely place to visit, as long as you don't wear your uniform."

Hrolf laughed.  "Oh I wholeheartedly agree with the no psion bit.  They'd definitely rain on your parade." He nodded and smiled again. "The food is hearty and well flavored for sure.  And you will find the people on a whole to be friendly even to strangers, even to Imperials as long as war isn't looming.  Like most people they mainly want to be left in peace with their families and homes.  And homes and hearth are almost sacred with the Sword Worlders."

Jacqueline smiled. “Good food and friendly people, I’d like that. There’s two things that I don’t often find together.”
“I’ve never felt that kind of connection to home. I wish I did” she said a bit mournfully.

Hrolf returns her smile and she can see he is genuinely moved as normally his emotions are tightly controlled. "You should visit my family estates sometime.  We have aunts, uncles and cousins galore all in a sprawling mix.  It's chaotic and sometimes intense but very connected as family and kin."

Jacqueline looked down shyly "If, if it wouldn't be any trouble, and I wouldn't be intruding"

Hrolf shook his head and reached out to squeeze Jacqueline's shoulder in a comradely fashion.  "Oh you would be very welcome.  Our family may be a bit chaotic and loud but they are welcoming and generous to a fault.  We can be a bit standoffish with strangers especially as some mistrust us for our Sword World origins but as a friend and shipmate of mine you would be welcomed with open arms." He thought for a moment. "Perhaps after this assignment is complete we could take a month of leave and travel to visit."

Jacqueline blushed when Hrolf squeezed her shoulder. But she smiled at his description. "It sounds lovely. I'm an only child myself. It would be very different, in a good way. Perhaps- Perhaps we could."

Hrolf let his hand linger for a moment as Jacqueline smiled.  "Well, then we'll need to get you over to see the chaos of a large family.  I think you'll enjoy yourself.  I'd enjoy introducing you.  Now we just need to survive this adventure."  He paused; "What do you think so far about our voyage?"

Jacqueline nods softly. "Is it all very formal?" she asked.

"Oh, it's been fine so far, although I was worried when we showed up late at Mtensic. Nothing will happen on this voyage" she said, much more confidently.

"Formal?" Hrolf shook his head. "No, not really or not at least as say the Imperial nobility might consider it.  You would be welcomed warmly as a friend of mine.  We are all about personal honor, reputation and one's word.  If I gave my word for you the family would welcome you like one of our own.  I'm sure as well they would be charmed by you and fall in love with you regardless though.  There would be no worries."  He laughed; "You might find yourself persecuted with friendly questions."

He frowned a bit.  "I'm worried that what should be a straightforward naval exercise of shaking down the ship will be turned into something political.  The captain is a fierce one and I'm afraid there may be some inside the admiralty that wish us ill."

Jacqueline laughed, recovering a bit from her shyness.. "Nobody does formal like nobles. And I, I think it would go well"

"The captain can be a bit... intimidating. But he has our best interests at heart."

After time passes...

Jacqueline entered the gym, deep in thought. She barely seemed to notice those around her as she started to warm up.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:52, Wed 03 Feb 2021.

Hrolf came into the gym just a few minutes behind Jacqueline.  He paused for a moment in the door to watch her warming up and then stepped inside. "We have a pretty good pace going with a mix of cardio and strength training.  Are you up for that again?"  Hrolf started to stretch himself and then paused.  "You look lost in thought, everything ok?"

"Oh! Hrolf!" Jacqueline said and turned around to face Hrolf, startled out of her thoughts. "I, yes, that sounds good. I've just been thinking about the attack on the spaceport."

Hrolf nodded but his half smile turned to a frown at Jacqueline's words.  "A hard work out will clear the mind or at least help you sleep well."  He stepped up onto one of the treadmills and started to walk briskly. "What about the attack on the star port is occupying your thoughts?  I think there were few winners in that battle myself."

"I hope so." Jacqueline scrambled up onto on of the treadmills, narrowly missing falling down as she wasn't really paying attention. "How many people down there didn't make it, do you think?"

Hrolf gave Jacqueline a worried glance as she nearly stumbled on the treadmill.  That type of behavior was completely unlike her and he turned his attention to her.  "I'm afraid that many hundreds died in the conflict if you count the civilians that were caught in the crossfire our own efforts.  These kind of things are always ugly."

"So many" Jacqueline said quietly. "Hrolf, am I a bad person?" she asked.

Hrolf stopped mid stride and stepped off the treadmill at Jacqueline's question.  He stepped over to stand close to her and put a hand on her wrist.  "A bad person?  No," Hrolf shook his head slowly.  "I don't think so.  Quite the contrary if anything.  Are you upset by our role in the uprising and the prisoners we carry?"

"Thank you." Jacqueline said weakly, with genuine gratitude. "I can't see what else we could have done back there, and I'm glad we were able to resolve the situation without serious collateral damage. Still... have you ever been to Feri?"

Hrolf shrugged.  Being understanding and honest was the least he could do. "It was a pretty lose-lose situation to have to intervene in local affairs like we did.  Usually both sides are ugly and whoever you aid is tainted.  We were just lucky to prevent a massacre of the prisoners.  That was the real victory I think."

He paused for a moment. "No, I've never been to Feri."

Jacqueline nodded. "I'm real glad we prevented that. I didn't want that on my conscience."

She gets a faraway look for a moment. "I've been there once. We were escorting a troop transport... I got to spend some time on the surface. There's a war going on there. The Imperial Army has some troops on the surface supporting two of the local nations against all the others."

Hrolf stopped and mopped the sweat from his face and shoulders. "I think we ended up with the less bad result.  At least there wasn't a major massacre.  The thing is the local situations are pretty much out of our hands unless it really impacts the larger Imperium.  Otherwise we do what we can to help with the worse bits of corruption and oppression.  The really bad part is when we get used to prop up an obviously bad but legit government."

He shook his head.  "Feri sounds like a snakepit.  What led to the Imperial Army intervening like it did?"

Jacqueline nodded softly. "I guess it was for the best there. I appreciate how sure of yourself you seem."

"Oh, the locals-the bulk of the locals-felt their affairs were dominated by the big nations and the Imperium. They really believe it too, enough to give them the edge."