The deputy director continued to glare at her sternly for a few seconds before responding.
"I will be completely candid with you, Madam Director. I do not know why the Department of Justice chose to select a twenty-two-year-old for this job, nor how you managed to climb the ranks at LPI so quickly. I do know, however, that I was recruited specifically to ensure the smooth operation of this agency and to observe and advise you. And so I will. I can only hope that you will be receptive to my insights."
With that, Mallory straightened again, suppressing a reflexive urge to salute his superior. Instead, he nodded curtly and turned on his heels to leave.
"I must admit, though, that the Service has been performing beyond expectations thus far," he spoke over his shoulder, before stepping out of the office.
Today was going to be a stressful day as today Becky needed to pluck up the courage to enter the Deputy Director's office and present a requisition form. This requisition form was different. Normally Becky would go straight to the quartermaster to request cloths, armaments and other medial things like that but this time she had to go to the top and this was a daunting aspect. Only sharing a brief patrol with Deputy Director Mallory she thought he would be her best choice as Becky figured that Mallory would be easier to speak to since the pleasantries were already out of the way.
After pacing back and forwards outside Mallory's office for a good 10 minutes she finally decided it was time to actually do something. Come on, come on, come on. She muttered under her breath. All I have to do is knock at the door and the rest will be easy... Yeah... easy. A small nervous laugh was let go by Becky. It was very clear in the tone of her voice she was panicking. But what for? The worst Mallory could say is no, right? Her arm raised slowly to the door where she held it at chest height. She paused for a second and then finally she knocked three times in quick succession. She jumped back and stood firm. Her heart was racing and if the stress wasn't bad enough already it just hit new levels. Oh god, oh god. Hurry up and answer she thought to herself.
"Come in," came the immediate, muffled reply. The door slid open silently and revealed the deputy director's compact but well-furnished and maintained office. Over four decades in the navy Mallory had developed certain standards and expectations of his working space and he zealously kept up with these even in this far less prestigious new job.
Not looking up from the screen that dominated the right side of his oak desk - one of the few pieces of furniture he had been able to salvage from his quarters aboard the Sierra Nevada - he motioned Cotton to enter and approach.
Becky steps in cautiously and slowly, one foot followed by the other until she reaches Mallory's desk. A small sweat drop runs down the side of her face really showing off how nervous she was. She took a second to pause and take a quick look around the room. She was astonished at how well maintained and tidy this office was. Comparing it to her own room this was certainly one hundred times better. Clean, organised and most importantly no dirty cloths on the floor. Certainly miles better then Becky's own room. She definitely had to make some changes when she returned back to her quarters. After taking a look at how open and inviting the office was her nerves suddenly disappeared and the confidence she was known for came back.
Thank you. Sir, I would like permission to requisition one of the Executioner Heavy Fighters that the Marshals recently acquired. I was told there was one going? Here is my requisition form. She offers out the datapad to Mallory...
This is an equipment requisition form authorised only for use by Liberty's Police, Navy, Security Force and Government Personnel. If you are not outlined here please use form LF#254. Repercussions may be in order if you are found to be using this form illegally, falsifying and forging information or posing as a member of the previously mentioned organisations when you are not. Repercussions can include, and are not limited to, large fines, disciplinaries, dismissal or jail sentences. If you find yourself in possession of one of these forms please hand it in at your local government office.
I heard wind of a new vessel entering our fleet that was recently repair and I was suggested by a few people to take a look at it. I instantly fell in love with the vessel once I took a look with my very own eyes. I believe strongly that this ship will give me the flexibility that I need to carry on performing my role as a Marshal admirably. Greater firepower will allow me to take down stronger ships and change my role from only a supporting role to a more " all around " role.
Mallory finally looked up from the screen and glanced at the datapad being offered to him. He raised an eyebrow curiously and took the PDA, scanning over the requisition form. His gaze wandered up to behold the deputy marshal before him, appraising the young woman.
The deputy director knew Cotton to be a promising marshal and had personally advocated for and finally signed off on her recent promotion. Equipping her with a more versatile and survivable ship than the light interceptor she had been flying so far seemed like a worthwhile investment. He nodded to himself once and returned his attention to the form.
"I expect you know the responsibility that comes with this requisition," Mallory stated more than asked, clearly not wanting an answer. With a few touches to the screen, he approved the request and signed at the bottom before handing the datapad back to Cotton. But before she could retrieve it, he pulled it back an inch and locked eyes with his subordinate.
"I also expect your future reports to be up to a more professional standard," the elder man said sternly, though a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. With that, he returned the PDA to Cotton and his gaze to his own screen.
"Anything else?" He asked, his attention already occupied by his work.
Becky can hardly contain her excitement when Mallory approved her request on the spot. Usually requests such as these could take ages to get a response back from let alone approval. With a massive grin on her smile she speaks T-t-t thank you!!!! No, that is all. Thank you!!. She swiftly turns about and walks out of the room with a quick pace turning around only to close the door. Once the door is close she pauses and takes a moment to gather her self wiping the nervous sweat from her forehead. A quiet Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee was let out making sure she wasn't too loud. After all the last thing she wanted to do was disturb Mallory.