5254 Substandard Mech Pilots

Ves had a shallow but fairly fruitful talk with Rear Admiral Gori Tensen and Major Simon Jankowski.

Both career soldiers were born and raised within the ranks of the Association, and that showed in their attitudes as well as their professionalism.

Nonetheless, they were not as stiff as the most arrogant mechers that Ves had met. It helped a lot that his actual status and contributions far exceeded anyone else assigned to the 306th Bluejay Escort Fleet. At a certain point, his status as a second-class Senior Mech Designer no longer attracted any further contempt.

When Ves explored the kind of permissions that he had gained, he found it rather confusing what he could and could not do as an 'honorary member of the Red Association'.

Ves did not command his own escort force. Operational command fell onto Admiral Tensen. He was the most senior officer who could command the escort fleet to fight an alien force or beat a hasty retreat.