Seamus Boylan's Story

As expected, Seamus was early for his appointment. Being that his current Leave time had not yet run its full course, he appeared in a sharply pressed, well-tailored three-piece suit of Black and Midnight Blue, with striking Black Tie to contrast the simple white shirt, tied into an intricate Trinity Knot. Major Seamus Boylan had taken some well-deserved Leave after his recent promotion, and his assignment to the Reverence II class Warship Profound Solitude II as its CAG. However, with this promotion came the need for a new level of security, so here he was.

Boylan was an Aschen of modest birth and beginnings, but through a mixture of talent and hard work, found himself in very high standing within the Aschen Navy. Prior Enlisted, his experiences added to his ability to command and understand the battlefield. His experiences flying numerous craft, as well as having enrolled himself into the next available courses for further licensing for more advanced and expensive craft drove him to continuously better himself, aiming to stand out positively from his peers.

He Checked in with the receptionist at the desk, took his seat in the waiting room, and leaned back comfortably. He had with him a binder, zipped closed, containing his important documents that he would need in order to get his Security Clearance verified. He also had a small note-book and pen, which he took out of his inner coat pocket, and began to scribble down some notes as well as go over older notes. Inspection would note that the notes were on Astronomy, theories, and equations. It was his hobby, and the subject of his Masters Degree which landed him his Commissioning as an Officer.

When called, he closed his notebook, tucked it away, and stood, heading for Marlene's door as another receptionist led him down the corridor. His dress shoes made their dignified presence known as he approached. He stopped at the door, nodded to the receptionist, and knocked twice.

Marlene herself had been scribbling notations into a binder in preparation for the upcoming interview, she had researched Seamus' dossier, and was somewhat impressed, but she also knew the responsibilities he was about to embark on, and she had to do her due diligence in investigating him.

Following his promotion, EVE, and the IIA had kept him under constant surveillance, everything from his social media profiles (if he had any) to the woman he shared a drink with in one of Caprica City's many bars. Aschen surveillance was intensive, and EVE had put together quite the detailed personnel file on the man.

"Enter." Marlene said loud enough for the voice to carry through to the other side. The Receptionist nodded, and opened the door. Sitting before Seamus was the woman herself, a woman known throughout the Aschen Empire for her exploits. She was staring at him, her eyes shimmered an unsettling shade of blue before her gaze diverted back to the flickering hologram of EVE.

Marlene didn't say anything at the moment, she simply closely observed his body language, her eyes watching him closely, but she did not reveal anything else, her gaze was stone cold, without so much as a single muscle twitching in her face.

Her eyes followed him if he started into the office, a leather chair had been pulled out from the desk, and a thick vinyl bound binder bearing the logo of the Imperial Intelligence Agency was sitting on Marlene's desk.

Seamus entered when admitted, strode inside three steps, snapped to attention, and saluted the woman before him. "Ad Victoriam, Director." he said before anything else. Once allowed, he'd relax, and take his seat, setting his binder in his lap. "I appreciate you being able to see me before my Leave is over - this process is much better done in person, I believe." he said. His tone and facial expression were both even. He was sincere in his gratitude, but knew, at least a little, about how good EVE and Marlene were at reading people.

He wasn't about to let anything slip that may even give an inkling of an idea that he was anything but loyal to the Empire. He did as commanded without question, and often with better than expected results. Of course he had felt the watchful eyes of the Empire on him ever since receiving his promotion. They were ever-present, but recently more than ever.

He wasn't the most appealing man to look at. Brown hair, almond eyes, skin lightly kissed by the sun during his recent weeks of relaxation, and a fit build becoming of an expert pilot. His eyes, while otherwise nothing special, were quick and analytical. His mind raced at almost every opportunity. Life was a dog-fight, in essence, and the person who could better predict the enemy's movements and counter, even in a lesser craft, could win.

But right now wasn't a cause for battle or even worry. This was a routine procedure to secure proper clearance to do his job. Nothing more.

"Ad Victoriam." Marlene replied, bringing her fist across her chest, briefly. She didn't stand up, or make any further motion to return his salute. She waited for him to take his seat. Her eyes didn't leave him as he moved to sit, and she had focused her attention completely on his actions, analyzing his subtle body movements, watching his eyes, seeing where they were looking.

She shifted in her seat, and slowly took a breath, exhaling on the binder in front of her, she pulled it open, her eyes scanning the contents of the dossier.

"Major Seamus Boylan, of the township of Cuffle's Breath Wash, Province of Aerilon." Marlene said aloud. "Your previous assignment was the air wing of the Hastati class cruiser 'Helios Guard' Where you served with distinction in two campaigns." Marlene said, turning the page. "Your service has been otherwise free of any egregious discipline violations.. no records of any thoughtcrime." She trailed off, turning the page once again.

"Your Callsign is Typhon, and you've been recommended for a promotion to Major, and assigned to the Profound Solitude II as it's CAG." Marlene continued, turning the page once more.

"So you're from Cuffle's Breath Wash?" Marlene asked. "Your records indicate you came from a poor family, were they sheep farmers?" Marlene asked. "Lots of farmers come from that part of Aerilon, they think they can join the Navy, make a name for themselves." Marlene added, turning the page once more.

"I've been doing this for the better part of five hundred years, Major." Marlene said, turning the page once more. "I come from a class of people who like to do things the old fashioned way, rather than use these new-fangled aurora chairs." Marlene crossed her legs, one over the other, putting the tip of the pen in her mouth, and leaning forward.

"Commander Almodovar is a pushover, Chairman Inviere is not. She will expect you to carry out your orders without hesitation. I'm here to find out if you've got the mettle to stand up to pressure, and keep a secret. You've got a B-1 Classification riding on this, that's a pretty big responsibility."

Clearing her throat, Marlene narrowed her eyes, her gaze becoming stark, and unsettling. Her eyes seemed to shimmer, like sunlight reflecting off of water.

"Tell me, what do you stand for?" Marlene asked.

She'd done her research for sure. It was almost unnerving how much that she'd found out about him since his recommendation, and then promotion to Major. "Sheep, Goats. Small Live Stock. We never had much." He confirmed, nodding. There was a subtle hint of recollection in his eyes as he allowed himself to remember his humble beginnings. "The Gods and Empire have shown me considerable mercy and favor, allowing me to grow so far beyond my home." his accent was coming out now. Slight, dignified with his education, but still there.

"Many of my friends were not so fortunate." he added in the same tone of voice, allowing himself to blink and refocus. He'd joined the Navy with numerous friends he'd grown up with as children, playing soldier and similar games in the fields in between basic chores and schooling. Seamus had never been the most physically fit or even smartest of his peers, but he was always the one with the quickest wit and learning abilities.

As she leaned forward, and noted the beginning of her questioning. He expected this - he was going to be working under Chairman Inviere of all people. He had to be trustworthy. He had nothing to hide that wasn't already known. Except, perhaps, just how far his interest in Astronomy really stretched, but it never got in the way of him performing his job.

"I stand for the Empire, of course. She has been good to me, I wish to return the favor all I can." he answered without hesitation despite her off-setting change in mood and aura. He even maintained eye contact. His pupils dilated, his heart began to speed up for a moment before he breathed in, and it slowed. He was mistaken - this was a dogfight - one of words and minds and wills, and he was in a Prop-Engine fighter against a Raptor Talon.

"Of course." Marlene said, turning the page again, her eyes scanning the contents, of his service record, and medical data. "My ex was from Aerilon." She commented. "My Stepfather was an Aerilonian too, came from a family of sheep farmers outside of Gaoth." Marlene said, nodding slightly.

"You've been busy I see." She stopped briefly at the part where it contained his service record, and commendations. "It pains me, most of you young flyboys have never even seen real action. Not since the termination of the Galactic War." Marlene said, cantering her head.

"My son was a pilot, and a damn good one." She said, nodding slightly. "You've probably heard of him." She said, nodding to a picture that was perched neatly on a shelf behind her. It was a picture of Marlene, and a young blonde man. The man was wearing an Aschen uniform that Seamus would have only seen in the history books, a high collared dark blue uniform, which was far different than the grey ones worn now.

The ship in question was a Viper, an old star-fighter that had since been phased out decades ago.

The nameplate read "Lt. R. McGregor 'RAYGUN'"

"Tell me." Marlene said, off handedly.

"Why didn't you choose Astrometrics as your Military Occupation?" She asked.

He nodded gently as she looked over his service record and Commendations. He remained in an upright sitting position. There was no room to relax now. Any slip up, and he wouldn't make the cut. And he had to do it. She mentioned being around and doing these sort of investigations for five hundred years. That unnerved him, but he knew better than to show any outward signs, or internal, for longer than but a brief second. A subtle, almost natural pause in his normal functions.

He turned his gaze to the photo of Marlene and her son. He blinked. McGregor was her son? Blinking once more, he looked back to Marlene, and began to see the resemblance. "Your son - Retired Admiral McGregor - is a great influence for me, if I may say so. The McGregor Maneuver in particular, inspires me to improve my abilities as far as they will." he said, a twitch of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips as he thought over the maneuver in his mind. Sling Shot around a planet? The only way to top it would be to do it around a Star.

A worthy aspiration, though one that would require all of his knowledge and expertise. Speaking of which, she asked about his choice of Military Occupation. "The Stars have always Fascinated me, Chairman. I want to know everything about them. Every individual Star. I want to visit them, study them, map them, all for the Empire." he blinked - he'd just caught himself rambling for a moment.

"To further more be a Pilot among the Stars only serves to further my fascination." he added, swallowing his innate fascination for a moment to return to a professional temperament.

"Director." Marlene corrected. "Your nerves are getting the best of you, that's not good under pressure." She said, closing the binder in front of her with a somewhat satisfied smile on her lips.

"I can smell your fear, Major." The woman said coolly.

There was a long pause, and a look of satisfaction as she took it all in. "That's what makes us human, that's what separates us from the savages at the gates. You channel that fear into purpose, you channel that purpose into results."

Marlene leaned back into her chair, and it creaked under her weight. "Sometimes we have to do things, that we thought we were never capable of. If only to show the enemy our will." Marlene said, pulling out a pocket knife, and looking down at the blade, she examined it.

The blade glinted in the light.

"Your record shows me, that you're capable of setting aside your fear, setting aside your hesitation. Even your revulsion." She said, turning the knife over.

"Every natural inhibition that during battle can mean the difference between life, and death." She added, holding the knife up.

"When you can be this? For as long as you have to be. Then you're a razor."

She placed the knife on the glass desk with an audible clack.

"The Navy expects you all to become razors. Because if you don't, you don't survive. And then we don't have the luxury of becoming simply human again, do you understand me?" Marlene asked.

He blinked. He'd messed up her title. "Director." he repeated, correcting himself on top of her own correction. His throat tightened as she continued, and then promptly relaxed as her tone shifted, and the look of satisfaction spread across her face. His eyes focused as well on the blade of the Pocket Knife, and he watched her movements carefully as well.

"I do what I must for the Empire." he confirmed. "Whether that needs me to be a razor blade or a brick, I do as commanded." he added, nodding.

"Good." Marlene whispered.

"Well then, Congratulations, Major." She said, picking up the binder, and setting it aside. "I've granted your clearance, and will forward my recommendation to the Minister, and the Chairman."

She settled her gaze on him one last time.

"Good luck." Marlene said. "You're dismissed."

Boylan was half way to the shuttle set to bring him to the Profound Solitude when the official Declaration of War was announced. The man stopped in his tracks, staring up at the screen announcing it before gripping tighter against his sea-bag. He smiled - an excited, but cautious smile. There'd be a chance to use his skills in the near future. As the announcement ended, he smoothed out his uniform, and continued to walk with the rest of the New-Joins to the Profound Solitude's crew. There were plenty of assorted Enlisted-men and Lower Ranking Officers among him, all rendering appropriate greetings and salutes, which he returned without a thought or hesitation. He set his bag down at his feet, and waited.

Half way out onto the tarmac, Boylan would find thousands of Aschen servicemen gathered near a large stage. Small signs guided him to the area where people were being prepped to ship out.

There were at least a dozen transports sitting on their landing pads, waiting for takeoff, while there was a sea of dark greys, and dark blues waiting to ship out.

Standing on the large stage was a single individual, a woman that everyone recognized as the Minister of Defense, for the entire United Aschen Empire.

She approached the microphone, and grasped it firmly to address the crowd that had been assembled.

"Brothers and sisters of the Armed forces of the Empire." The woman called out. "Today, we prepare to embark in a fight for the very survival of our way of life, for our civilization. We face an enemy that wants nothing more than to see our worlds burn, but we are what stands between the howling barbarians at the gates, and the shining jewel of this Empire."

"Brothers, and sisters. As you ship out, keep in mind the gravity of your responsibilities." Chaska said on the mic, her voice booming among the assembled crowd.

"This is where we hold them!" She called out. "This is where we fight!" She shouted again. "This is where they die!"

"Remember this day, brothers and sisters. For it will be yours, for all time!"

"Ad Victoriam!" Chaska shouted, and the crowd went wild, shouting "Ad Victoriam" In return, all around Boylan, men and women of the Aschen Empire steeled themselves for what was to come.

"Ad Victoriam!" Boylan shouted in return to the rousing speech. He hadn't been aware of the entirety of the threat looming within Aschen Territory, but now that he was. Now, he was certain of his position within life, if ever there was doubt before this moment. He put a hand to his chin as he sat on a bench awaiting his shuttle to arrive and allow them to board, and considered the news.

A genocidal war against the Empire? Was this foreign entity suicidal? Surely the Aschen Empire and her allies would prove victorious without much effort. Their tech outmatched much of the known Galaxy, their pockets were deep, and their training was vast. Not to mention E.V.E., who was likely analyzing every detail at every moment and coming up with contingincy plans by the dozen as he made this thought process.

Boylan was confident that the Aschen Empire would emerge from this trial stronger than ever. He was sure of it.

Andreas didn't want to be here. He would rather be preparing for his next match, or maybe training. But the law demanded that he show up here, waiting to have his number called and shipped off to die in another meat grinder of a war. As backward and horrifying as the Terrans were, they at least knew how to put up a fight. They would have won easily if it weren't for the Coalition meddling.

"This isn't what I wanted. I wanted to buy my mom a house with my game check," he muttered to nobody in particular. But as the battle cry rose up, he couldn't help but join in. "Ad victoriam!"

It was time to play the most important game of all, the game other games prepared you for. The game of war.

"Now go forward! Gloria fortis miles!" Chaska called out from the stage, her voice carrying across the crowd. "To those that would commit genocide upon our people! adversor et admorsus!"

Concluding her speech, she raised her hands into a fist. "Ad Victoriam! Non Sibi sed patriae!"

---

Slender pale hands found their way onto Andreas' shoulder, giving them a firm, but reassuring squeeze. Someone would think it was just another conscript that had been rallied to the spaceport, trying to give their fellow man some form of reassurance.

If he turned, he would find a sharp, angular face, and short black hair that had been cropped to frame the woman's face. She was wearing a dark grey officer's uniform, lapel insigna upon the blue lapels was unmistakable. The woman who gave the reassuring squeeze was none other than the Admiral of the Fleet, Sheila Nagala.

"None of us wanted this." She said, reassuringly. "But, you want a house to be able to buy? This enemy is relentless, and will not stop until every one of us is dead, they will not cease until our worlds are burning. We have to do what we must, so that we have the luxury to buy that house." She said, extending her hand.

"Nagala." She introduced herself.

AHSC Profound Solitude II


Following the spectacle in Caprica City, Seamus would find himself being dropped off in the primary hangar bay of the Profound Solitude II. As he stepped off the transport, he would be greeted by the sounds of welders chattering, and deckhands going about their business.

No one greeted him, no one looked at him, he would be surrounded by a mostly apathetic crew, and would have to find his way to CIC.

Inviere was in CIC, going over some notations for the incident in Molecay.

His broad, bronzed, muscular shoulders shrugged off the hand, but as he turned to see who it was...wait...Nagala? The Admiral?? He immediately snapped to what he thought was the attention stance, recognizing that he would probably never get this close to top brass ever again. "Sir, Andreas Moustakas, reporting for duty, sir!"

With the speech concluded, Boylan stepped onto the shuttle, and was bound for his new station aboard the Profound Solitude II.

While Boylan had not been on a Rev II before, he knew that the layout of such a vessel would be at least slightly similar to other Aschen vessels that he'd served on. It took him a while, but eventually he found the CIC, and entered. He didn't care that no one was there to greet him when he stepped off the bird - he was a grown ass man surrounded by other grown-ass adults doing their jobs at the beginning hours of all out war.

They had better things to do than meet and greet a new CAG and show him around.

He stepped into the CIC, and quickly identified Inviere - he'd seen her picture on the command structure walls that were around the ship to remind everyone of who was in charge of who. Pretty standard practice for a Military. Walking up to her, he set his bags down quietly and then snapped to attention, rendering her an appropriate salute.

"Ad Victoriam, Chairman Inviere. Major Seamus Boylan reporting for Duty as your CAG here aboard the Profound Solitude II. At your Service, Ma'am." he said, holding the salute until told to relax, where he'd do so, going to a sort of modified Parade rest, with his hands in front of him rather than behind the small of his back.

Inviere didn't even bother to raise her head, or look over to her new CAG, rather she had her gaze affixed to the paperwork that was strewn on the console before her. They were mostly star charts, with a few war plans, ship movements, and a few other things.


"Did you enjoy your coffee, Major?" Was all she said.