RUSSIA MISSION ♔ CLOSED TO ETHAN

[socialgraces]

WHO || Francesca and Ethan Mavery [Closed]
WHAT || Mission stuffs
WHERE || Outside Magadan, Russia
WHEN || Day after arrival in Magadan
HOW || Prose

Francesca pulls Ethan aside the day after they arrive in Magadan. She requests that they speak alone, and proceeds to lead him back to the Knights' aircraft to ensure they have privacy. She closes them in plane after briefly scoping the surrounding area, making sure this is indeed a private conversation.

"I have special orders concerning this mission and I'd like to ask your assistance with carrying them out, if you'd be so inclined?" She raises her eyebrows, awaiting his response while attempting to gauge his reaction.

Comments

[socialgraces]

"Our orders follow the actual purpose of this mission, I suppose you could say. There's no way we can reach any form of peace in this situation, and Wynn knew that to begin with. Our diplomatic strategy is merely a decoy."

She keeps her voice low throughout her entire explanation. She wants to be as cautious as possible, but she's not that guy that keeps secrets that end up blowing the whole mission. And she really would like his help.

"We need to distract the humans long enough for Thomas to finish his blockade efforts, which also must remain secret, for if the sun elves realize we've assisted them against the dark elves, we will become their enemy as well.

So our first plan of action is to keep the humans out of the way long enough for the sun elves to succeed in forcing back the dark elves." She takes a breath, letting what she's said so far sink in.

"Now, our special assignment is even more precarious than the aforementioned undertakings. Wynn believes that the humans have already made their decision and are currently planning military action. When I go to speak with them, he believes it will cause enough commotion that they'll call together their city leaders to discuss this new development and how it plays into their strategy.

What they discuss at this meeting is what we need to find out. We need to know what exactly they're planning, and that information is what you and I are assigned to procure."

[militarized]

Ethan listens to the briefing with a kind of practiced attentiveness, his expression remaining neutral and composed throughout. He's not surprised by the news -- humans tend to be that way. They get themselves in the middle of it, take military action. If it weren't for the fact that they'd be overrun and killed, Ethan isn't sure he'd normally be opposed to letting them go for it. But, they would be, and he is. So, he nods.

"So, how do you want to do this? Covertly infiltrate the meeting by planting me in it," it seems obvious she wouldn't be the one to be planted in it -- hard for her to pass as a human, and she'd be the subject of it, "or planting a way for us to listen preemptively and tackling it indirectly?"

[socialgraces]

Francesca contemplates his suggestions for a few moments, obviously weighing both options.

"We'll have to see what the set-up is, but an indirect effort is probably the safest. I wouldn't ask you to put yourself right in the way of danger. You can just assist me, where I know I can keep you safe. That's part of my job right now anyway." She gets up and moves to the back of the plane where they had stored some of their belonging upon their arrival. She pulls out a bag and rummages through it, eventually pulling out a stack of papers.

"Luthir provided me with layouts of some of the government buildings in the city, which has been endlessly helpful. What I really needed from you, specifically, is your experience with military orders. I have a basic working knowledge of some tactics and terms, but if we're lucky enough to come across useful documents and plans, I need someone who can quickly decipher them."

[militarized]

That gets a nod out of Ethan and he steps closer so that he'll be able to glance over the papers from over her shoulder, considering them, then looks to her.

"I can't say my Russian's as good as it used to be, but assuming we can get a working English translation, I should be able to do something about any documents we stumble across."

[socialgraces]

"Well, I definitely appreciate any help you can offer. It will be nice to have someone as back-up. Christos offered his assistance, if it's needed. But he's limited as he can't exactly just walk into the main area of the city. I believe Sir Luthir and Sir Thomas are at least aware of this covert mission, but otherwise we function on a need-to-know basis. Not everyone is good at keeping a secret."

She puts the papers down and motions for Ethan to take a seat, moving to take the one next to him after he sits down.

"If anything should go awry when we're inside, your orders are to get yourself out, alive. I need you to understand that."

[militarized]

Ethan follows her direction and takes the seat, settling into it comfortably and folding his hands in his lap as he watches her intently. Honestly, considering the lecture she'd given him on secret-keeping at his orientation, he was surprised she chose him as the one on the team who could keep one. Pleasantly so, at least. But, it didn't stop him from being surprised that she thought highly of him in some degree.

"With all due respect ma'am, that's an order that I don't think I can follow." His tone was level, casual, but his eyes were firm. There was reason behind his refusal, experience. "Something goes wrong, and I'm not getting out of there without you." For one, she meant a whole lot more to the Knighthood than he did. For another … you didn't leave your men behind. Not ever.

[socialgraces]

She only wanted to protect him as keeping your squire safe and alive is of utmost priority. However, she can accept his refusal, as she feels satisfied his determination is derived from his sense of duty and not some foolhardy desire to be a hero. Besides, he's not a child and she would never disrespectfully deny him his personal moral obligations. In fact, she gives him a little half-smile at his response.

"Alright, I fully respect your decision. I just didn't want you to feel... obligated to put yourself in harm's way simply because you're my squire. But I know this show of loyalty is much more than just chivalry." She's quick to interject her last statement before he can argue with the first.

"We'll proceed with the mission as previously outlined by Wynn until an opportunity arises for us to do more. So if you have any questions, now would be the time to ask."

[militarized]

He did, in fact, open his mouth to argue, but she stopped him with her next statement. Loyalty, more so than chivalry. It was true enough. He was chivalrous enough, but it ran deeper than that. So, he quieted, nodding. And, by the time she was done, he just considered her for a moment, then shrugged openly. He trusted her judgment, which meant not asking questions -- another habit ingrained in him from his military service.

"Just wondering when we start."

[socialgraces]

"Well, now, I suppose. We'll just be watching for any suspicious activity within the city, especially the appearance of government or military officials. Hopefully we'll know enough in advance to make an infiltration plan before they actually hold a meeting. I'm not sure exactly what I'll need you to do yet, but I'll be glad for the assistance. I'm sure you'll be useful in many ways."

[militarized]

"I'm just happy to help where I can," Ethan responds with a nod. "Even if all you wind up needing me for is sitting back and learning something, well, I'd say that's not the worst way this operation could turn out." There's an edge of humor in his voice, made more evident by a smile he's not trying hard to hide.

[socialgraces]

"Yes, it definitely wouldn't be the worst outcome." She tries to return his humor but there's a definite weight to her words. "I must admit this is quite the mission for a squire. But, with your experience, I suppose it's not that surprising. Besides, we're with very capable Knights." She stands up to gather up the papers and put them away.

[militarized]

As she stands, Ethan rises as well out of respect, and gives a kind of cocky smile at her commentary about it not being a mission suited for a squire. There was something satisfying about that, an ego boost.

"Chalk one up for prior service," he jested. "I'll try not to disappoint."