2015-08-16 - A Glaring Tactical Flaw

Title: A Glaring Tactical Flaw
Summary: In the aftermath of the Jewel Seeds Incident, the TSAB tries to bring the crew of the Arthra back into the fold, for the low price of Fate Testarossa's scapegoating. Lindy chooses her side for good.
Who: Lindy Harlaown, Gil Graham
Where: The Harlaown Residence
OOC - IC Date: 08-16-2015 - 08-23-2014

"You're taking a risk by calling me," Lindy Harlaown said, looking down at the little translucent screen on her desk. "I can't imagine anyone in the Bureau is very happy with me."

Admiral Gil Graham smiled back at her, but the expression on his grey bearded face was tired. The Englishman looked exhausted. Lindy imagined that she was partly to blame for that. She almost felt bad about that. "They aren't," he said. He wasn't one to mince words. "I've been trying to keep everything under control, but it isn't easy. From where we sit, it looks like you and part of the Arthra's crew went AWOL."

"We did," Lindy answered. She smiled at him.

"There is a way to fix this," Gil said. "I don't want you left out in the cold, or your son, or the people who went with you. I owe Clyde that much." Lindy's eyes narrowed just a little at the mention of the name. "I have a suggestion."

"I'm listening."

"Turn Fate Testarossa over to us," the Admiral said. He closed his eyes and sighed. "We can wave the horde calling for your court-martial that way instead. Maybe, and let me emphasize that this is a big maybe, we can get your son and your junior officers reinstated at their previous ranks."

Lindy felt something hot and tight form in her chest. She hadn't felt this angry in a good while. "Is that so?"

"It is," Gil said. "I can manage it. We'll a get a team down there to apprehend Testarossa. We can do it quietly, before we attract the attention of the Magic Association and make this into a bigger me--"

Lindy's eyes closed and she interrupted him in an easy, calm voice. "There's a glaring tactical flaw in your plan."

Gil coughed, flustered at the interruption. "What's that?"

"You don't have nearly enough skilled combat mages to abduct Fate-chan from my care, Gil," Lindy answered. Her mint-colored eyes opened, and looked far more like ice than before. "I'm not turning that girl over to be a scapegoat. We've made our decision. The TSAB is done on this world. We've made a mess here twice, now."

"That--" The older man's eyes flashed with irritation. "Please, Harlaown. Think of your future. Think of your child's future."

She smiled at him, but not kindly. Her finger reached out to press the button to kill the transdimensional uplink, but first she said: "I have."

OOC: Written on behalf of the staff by Lera Camry's player.