#6 Identification
Jordan sat at the conference table. She let out a bored yawn. There was a 0900 meeting and she was about 20 minutes early. At the table a few other officers and NCOs were in attendance, though most were either drinking coffee, reviewing the meeting agenda or their own papers, or listening in on a linkpearl.
About five minutes beforehand, the organizer of the meeting, Commander U'Namo Tia, arrived. The brusque man, in his mid-forties, and about as stiff as the overstrached uniform he sported stopped at the head of the table and, still standing, let out a cough.
"Ahem. Let's get started."
Jordan and the other stood and gave a perfunctory salute before they all sat. At this point, Jordan noticed someone with him. An Auri woman that she couldn't quite place, espeically in the red jacket and gray epaulets that signified her as a non-comissioned officer.
"Officers, I'd like to introduce my new Assistant, Staff Sergeant Ikuko Morioka. She was promoted from the infantry ranks for her exceptional logistical capabilities in Quartermaster's Office. Please, introduce yourself, Sergeant."
The Auri woman bowed in the Eastern manner. "Greetings," she said softly, almost meekly, appending a tremulous, "Til' Sea Swallows All."
The officers in the room nodded and the Commander began speaking, "Okay, the agenda for today is largely in regards for preparations in Alliance maneuvers on the Eastern Territory..."
The meeting itself was largely unproductive save for the status updates from each department. Jordan herself was mostly there to talk about the result of a meeting with her counterparts from the Flames and the Adders. At this point they had gotten used enough to each other that the meetings were 30% hammering out logisitcal details (these days the Flames and Adders providing Infantry and Cavalry, respectively, while Limsa brought its considerable artillery support as well as supported with Logistics and it's Arcanists to supplement the troops of Thaumaturges and Conjurers) and 70% complaining about the job, spouses, kids, bad backs, and airship sickness.
As other spoke, Jordan couldn't help but notice the Auri woman. At first she was afraid she was letting her eye wander on the job, especially to someone who was at least twenty-five years her junior. After a second she realized her thoughts weren't libidious, but investigative. She started imgaining the otherwise normal looking Auri woman not in uniform, but in loose breeches, light padded leather shoes and gloves, a bandanna covering her put up long hair, and a face mask.
Jordan cursed herself. She'd stopped keeping close track of the new folk who walked into the Dutiful Sisters of the Eidelweissm, especially after the influx of Doman refugees. 'Auntie' was letting her work get in the way of her duties.
After the meeting the other officers stood and went on to business but Jordan stayed back a moment. The Commander stood and address his assistant.
"Thank you Sergeant. When is my next appointment?"
"1200, sir."
"Good. I'll leave you to your duties until then. I'll be in my office."
"Yes, sir."
The Commander briskly left, leaving Jordan and the Auri Sergeant who stayed behind. Jordan got up and moved to leave, though she slowed as she approached her and said, in a low voice:
"Lonny spotted a dimber mort with a bit of deft millwork, eh?"
The Sergeant smiled and said, "The Upright Man suggested I speak with Auntie when I could."
Jordan nodded, "I'll be 'avin high tea in me usual table, 'en. Remember if'n yer 'ere, ye 'ave ta uphold the law-"
"and defend the code."
Jordan nodded and uttered a quick, "Bene." before leaving to do her duty.
