Somewhere in the capital city of the island of Terra, Laplace checked through dozens of reports from the Special Response Unit during the final battle between the Colonial Dominion and the United Navy. After checking through the some of the reports, the dragoness was satisfied of her personnel.
Their false effectiveness in the southern colony of Austerus would forever be a stain, but at the very least, they were much more efficient and potent during the assault of the Magi during the battle in the central region. Though, it doesn't prove much as their enemies were humans.
The questions remains whether or not they would be effective if their adversaries were a part of the beastfolk species. If they remained ineffective, Laplace would have no choice but to pick the radical options in training them. If the radical option doesn't solve the problem, then the Special Response Unit will be drop.
Their ineffectiveness in a battle against beastfolks wouldn't do good for the future operations of the United Navy. They would be unfit to serve in the future, so laying them off earlier than investing deeper would be beneficial for the naval organization.
'I hope it doesn't come to that moment.' Laplace quietly thought to herself, playing the files of reports back onto the top of the desk. She had taken a liking with the Special Response Unit, so seeing it dissolved would be somewhat disappointing.
However, her loyalties lay to the United Navy, not the Special Response Unit. The SRU were but a means to an end, the path for beastfolks to have a voice in the United Navy and wield some power. After all, if the good humans were doing all the work in liberation and freedom.
The future generations of beastfolks wouldn't be able to justify themselves as more than a second-class citizen, which if possible, she would rather avoid.
"It all depends on them." Laplace muttered and was about to continue going through a dozen of reports once again. But before she could do so, an SRU personnel interrupted her. It was none other than Espada, who had a group of black-uniformed men behind him.
"Lady Laplace, they have called for you." Espada wryly smiled and made way for the group of men behind him. One of them stepped forward and saluted to the dragoness. "Lieutenant Colonel Laplace, the Fleet Admiral has called for the summoning of high-essential personnel in the United Navy."
"We will be escorting you to the meeting place along with other high-essential personnel called about by the Fleet Admiral." The captain of the squad of black-uniformed men explained while keeping his salute to the dragoness.
He was a professional and experience member of the Navy SEALs. The dread that the lieutenant colonel emanated from her body was akin to him standing naked in front of a tiger. The feeling of helplessness seeped into his body, like an instinctive fear of something greater.
However, as he was skilled in his line of work. He controlled his calm, appearing normal in the outside. The same could be said to his subordinates. They carefully maintained their calm while saluting to the lieutenant colonel.
Laplace raised her eyebrows and quickly remembered that Abraham had gotten into an Osprey heading somewhere. It seems that something of importance has occurred. After all, the summoning of high-essential personnel was the emergence of a top-level meeting, usually a war meeting of some sort.
But, a war meeting would be too troublesome at the moment. Especially now that the war between the Colonial Dominion of Terra and the United Navy had just recently reached its conclusion. So, Laplace was confident about it being something different.
Though, what it was remained in question.
If she wanted to discover more about it and the plans her lover hand in mind. Tagging along with these squad that Abraham had sent to pick her up would be the obvious option. Although, she wish to go in the location on her own.
There might be some complexities that would be problematic if she went into the location alone.
"Alright, I'll have you escort me." Laplace stood up from her desk and placed the files of reports neatly in their drawers before closing them. The squad of Navy SEALs made way for the dragoness as she walked past them with grace.
However, before she left the camp, she glanced at Espada and ordered. "Take care of the Special Response Unit while I'm gone." Espada nodded in agreement and saluted to the lieutenant colonel.
Laplace smiled and continued walking with the squad of Navy SEALs behind her. Their transport aircraft was an Osprey where she would be transported to the location of the fleet admiral along with many high-essential personnel in the United Navy currently within the island of Terra.
...
Meanwhile, somewhere near the port of the capital city of Terra, Mercedes along with a couple of investigative intelligence officers went through the docks and the abandoned ships of the former disintegrated Colonial Dominion. They were recording the ships as to assure that they would notice if one of it disappears.
The reason why Mercedes was tagging along was under the orders of the lieutenant colonel. The possibilities of stray Magus or colonial guards were slim, but not impossible. It was better to not take unnecessary risks, which the First Lieutenant understood.
After all, it was the view of the fleet admiral in tackling the troublesome problems that surrounds him. Risks shouldn't be taken lightly regardless of the dim chances. Otherwise, the dices of destiny would bring a disastrous surprise to those that dare to underestimate it.
"It seems that merchant ships were also left behind during the deportation. They are some goods from outside Colonial Dominions, some are spices, while others are peculiar objects and instruments." One of the intelligence officers remarked, gazing at a sheet of paper.
The paper contained the list of cargo left behind in the abandoned ships within the docks. It was a lot, to say the least. It would take some time for them to process the cargo, confirming whether it was safe or hazardous to keep and perhaps circulate into the United Navy.
"The spices and the products they keep tells us a lot about the Colonial Dominions they might have gone through before docking into Terra. This information will save us a lot of trouble in future trade." Another intelligence officer commented.
"What do you think, First Lieutenant Mercedes?" One of them questioned, curious about the perspective of the fleet admiral's secretary. After all, she might have some internal knowledge about the plans of the fleet admiral, prompting them to ask for her opinion.
Mercedes glanced at them with a cool gaze and calmly answered. "Trade will become an integral part of the United Navy in the future. There will be some products where we will have complete monopoly over, and these must be where our priorities should be."
"Securing them, and assuring our control over them would solidify the foundation of our future. It would also give us a lot of sway over countries and nations that wishes to make use of our products." Mercedes answered with calm eloquence.
Being beside the fleet admiral had its benefits. Understanding how to talk and speak of their mind without stuttering along with the ability to explain in a concise manner was a skill she had learned from observing the fleet admiral. His eloquence in speech wasn't to be underestimated.
It made Mercedes wonder how good the tongue of the fleet admiral was to speak in such a magnificent way.
The intelligence officers smiled as the perspective of the first lieutenant shed light to one of the strategies in future trade. However, before they could praise her, a squad of black-uniformed men arrived and saluted to the first lieutenant.
The officers quickly noticed their familiar uniforms, understanding what part of the naval organization they may be.
"First Lieutenant Mercedes, the Fleet Admiral has called about for the summoning of high-essential personnel. As his secretary, you have been permitted to join the meeting in the installation." The squad leader straightened his back and informed Mercedes.
Mercedes furrowed her eyebrows, but understood that the fleet admiral had summoned for her presence. Without a tinge of hesitation or delay, she walked towards the squad of Navy SEALs and glanced back at the intelligence officers.
"Apologies, I'll take my leave to day. You should ask someone else to replace me. After all, the port is still a dangerous area to be in." She gave an advice to the group of intelligence officers, who simply gave their nods.
She then returned her gaze to the Navy SEALs and nodded at them. They swiftly escorted her to the Osprey that would be transporting the high-essential personnel in the island of Terra to their destination.
...
On the other hand, Rear Admiral George stood in the bridge, gazing through the windows and watching the boundless lines of the horizon. An intelligence officer soon came up beside him and saluted before giving a report.
"Sir, the Fleet Admiral has summoned you for a meeting. An Osprey is already prepared for you in the flight deck." Following the report of the intelligence officer, George nodded in understanding and walked away from his designated position.
"Understood, the orders of the Fleet Admiral is of utmost importance." He muttered while heading towards the flight deck of the UNS Jaeger of the Blue Seas. As he arrived on the flight deck, another squad of Navy SEALs stood with the intention to escort him to his destination.
When the rear admiral noticed them, his gaze narrowed.
"It seems that the Fleet Admiral has made a great decision."