Snippet #2014682

Alice flicked out her card, checked its color. Green. Good. She nodded shortly to herself and started her clipped walk, each step punctuated by the snap of heels. The one inconvenience she allowed of the female stereotype. Alice liked her boots to have taller heels than most. She walked with confidence up onto the bridge, moving to the head of the crowd of personnel. She was a leader by nature, a leader by design.

Though she did not slow her step as she strode up to the belly of the Salient, she did snatch her chance to stare. A beautiful ship. Well-built, well-equipped. Nothing like her previous assignment - a prison ship with all its guns pointed inwards instead of out. Not the sort of assignment she had always hoped for, but good for learning leadership and self defense. After the things she had seen on-board the Corrector, there was very little that Alice would be unable to handle. The minds of normal men were simply compared to those of the twisted criminals she had watched over for nearly two years.

Walking among these soldiers was a simple-thinking relief.

As she ascended into the Salient, starting on her way to the hall, Alice turned to continue her conversation with James Grey. She would forge connections with the others later. For now, she had his attention, and of all of them he had seemed the most reluctant to approach her. The faster she gained his trust, the better for them both.

"Grey," she addressed him calmly, caught between formal and informal. No title, but a surname. Such was her upbringing. "I am told that you helped to outfit the Salient?"