[ WP ] A Distant Future in the Spacecraft Cemetary

Captain Nathan Deshler had n't in his wildest fantasies ever dreamed that he'd set foot on humanity's birthplace of Terra. Yet here he was, the deck underneath his feet gently swaying to the endless motions of the Pacific while the scent of salt was overpowering in his nose. Everything about the world, from its rich, clean air to the perfect 1g gravity, belied its origins as the cradle of mankind, a fact humbling for Deshler to come to terms with. 
 
 The ship he was on bore the ensign of the Republic of the Sphere, the stylized image of Terra gracing its folds. The sailors and reservists pressed into service onboard also wore the emblem as they scurried about their various tasks and errands, paying little heed to the guests and honored dignitaries that had been invited. Blue-water navies were an endangered species across the Inner Sphere, vulnerable to tactical nuclear missiles and Aerospace Fighter strikes. Only on those worlds with large amounts of surface water, like Terra, was it feasible and practical to invest in such large and costly projects. 
 
 Deshler wore the white uniform with vermilion shoulder boards of the Andurien Defense Force despite the fact that he'd been on his Duchy's reserve list for almost a decade. For reasons unknown to the Ryerson-born mercenary, Duke Ari Humphreys himself had requested him, citing oaths of loyalty and past honors in his letter of recommendation. That, and an advance bonus had n't hurt. 
 
 Various officers from a half-dozen nations and a dozen of the larger mercenary units were present, each carefully isolating themselves from their nation's traditional foes. Kuritans in kimonos and hakama made haughty looks of disdain at the Davion envoys, who returned the looks in equal measure. Steiner diplomats with their chestfuls of medals and awards avoided the hostile contingent from the Free Worlds League, who they themselves seemed at odds with one another. As Deshler represented the lone remaining holdout of the League, they made sure to ignore him altogether, perhaps the only thing those bickering officers could agree upon. It suited him just the same. 
 
 `` Beautiful sight, is it not?'' 
 
 The question came from woman wearing the uniform of a Knight of the Republic, her name monogrammed on the left breast of her white tunic. *Kaitlin McAllister. * 
 
 `` Not really,'' Deshler answered with a shake of his head. `` I can barely swim. This much open water makes me nervous.'' 
 
 `` A shame. There's some beautiful beaches here on Terra. Waikiki in Hawaii, the French Riviera...'' Her voice was tinged with a accent similar to that from the Isle of Skye Deshler noted. 
 
 `` I'm sure. Though I'm more interested in perhaps seeing the Rockies, maybe climbing a few peaks while I am here.'' 
 
 She smiled, and leaned against the railing next to him, her reddish hair fluttering in the ocean's breeze. `` For you, Force Captain Deshler, that very well could be arranged.''
