Quoted By:
"You are Lieutenant Gladston, aren't you? From the First Lord's Office?"
"Why, I am, Sir. Though I must admit you have me at an advantage."
"Oh, I had the pleasure of passing you by in the Admiralty office a few times."
He turned towards the Man, and after a moment's inspection under the gas lamp, his eyes suddenly widened in recognition.
"Bloody hell - pardon my language. Aren't you Sir--"
"Yes, yes I am. But please, no names. I am not supposed to be in the capital."
It seemed like such an empty gesture under the circumstances. But old habits die hard.
"Understood, Sir. Don't worry, Sir. My lips are sealed."
"Good, very good."
After a while, the man added:
"I served with your father in the Andores. He was an excellent officer. And a trustworthy man."
"Thank you, Sir. I hope I have the chance to do justice to his name and legacy."
"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that. In the coming period, plenty of opportunity will await young men eager to risk their lives, unfortunately."
The implications lingered heavily in the air. After a while, the young officer said:
"There was chaos at the Admiralty this morning, Sir."
"I must say I was taken aback by the sirens. Why did they sound off so late? Surely there were lookouts over the channel."
"I can't say, Sir. The semaphores were down since last night, and this morning, it turned out, the wire system too. We did think it odd, and the First Lord raised quite a fit. The Indomitable - an air frigate, second rate, Sir - was the one who informed us of the incoming fleet. They were overlooking the Channel. She sent out a light flare signal. Scarcely seconds after, she was sunk. She was barely in range of our observation towers. This was the last thing I heard. The First Lord basically threw us out with mobilization orders."
"So our praised Air wing was taken completely by surprise by the Bosch?"
The shame of it was plainly visible on the young man's cheeks even in this meagre light.
"Aye, Sir. It would appear so." he said, in a very low voice.
