Neptune takes her grandfather's hands, and takes the rank pins away. The circle-within-a-circle means things that he does not want. The way he talks about the Lords General - she should really ask Luteus about that, hmm - makes her worried, and this emphasis on loyalty above all else… It concerns her.
God. Just what did Luteus do with her army?
She holds the pin between her finger and thumb and holds it up to her eye. Somehow, she can tell that this is not actually gold. At least, not pure gold. It's not shiny enough… Probably an alloy. Looks like the army has its own problems, huh?
"I think you should go to the award ceremony and stuff," Neptune says, still looking at the pin. It's actually well made. Props to the designer. "But then announce your retirement and stuff. Think the Colonel will be okay with that?"
Joshua smiles, and plucks his pins from her fingers. "I think he'll be okay with anything."
They share a brief hug, and then Neptune belches loudly.
"...You broke the mood deliberately, didn't you?"
"I don't know why, but it tasted like chicken on the way up."
Joshua laughs and slaps her back. Her ears ring softly from the sheer noise, but somehow it did not hurt that much. "Come on, let's get food."
----
The ceremony took place over lunch that same day, while everyone was eating. Colonel Burton presented both grandpa Joshua and Noire with their new rank pins, and both of them gave a small speech at the end. Noire went first, and promised to kick ass and chew robots as their new Goddess. She got a lot of cheers for that.
...Okay, she did not say specifically to kick ass and chew robots, but that was the gist of it. Mostly it was just talking about how she will do her best and being a Goddess changes nothing, she is still Noire and whatnot. Then someone teased her, and she got mad, and everyone laughed, and then she threw an HE shell at someone out of sheer embarrassed frustration. And then apologised repeatedly afterwards.
Someone may have been Neptune. But no one is telling.
After all that, though, Neptune found herself by Noire's table, sitting with her and Kei and K-Sha, joined by Tekken and Falcom. Well, no, she lies. She made a deliberate effort to make it seem like she, Tekken and Falcom just happened to find their way to Noire, Kei and K-Sha. So they sit down, with proper meals - or so the other people on the queue said, this looks amazing to her - and start eating.
Well, they start eating. Noire starts talking instead.
"What are you doing here?"
Neptune looks at Noire, spoon in mouth, still chewing. She continues chewing on her food, enjoying the juices dripping down her throat. Oh my god this is amazing. She could eat this forever. If only they had--wait no the chefs gave them a little box packet thing that was almost certainly pudding best day ever.
She continues chewing. And chewing. And then she swallows and sticks her spoon, ready for the next mouthful. And then she realises that Noire is now halfway behind the table, because she just realised how awkward asking someone that question was. "We're friends, right?"
Noire squeaks and covers her face. "Y-Yeah… Friends…"
Neptune tilts her head and does her best hurt-but-not-actually face. "Aw, but why don't you want me here?"
"T-There's a table right there… I-If you want…" Tekken says softly. Falcom shrugs and keeps eating.
"No no, don't leave! I-I mean…" Noire tosses her hair and tries to look aloof. "You can leave if you want, I'm just asking questions, is all!" She lets out a sigh and nods at the girls by her sides, both resisting the urge to smile at their TC's expense. "You've met Kei and K-Sha, right?"
"Hi Kei! Hi K-Sha!" Neptune says, and waves enthusiastically at the both of them. "Did you know Noire threw two HE shells at me already?"
Kei whistles. "Two? She must really like you. Usually Noire is really stingy with ammunition."
"I-It was going to waste anyways! Waste not, want not!"
K-Sha nods quietly, sucking on a juice box. "She throws things at all her friends… Remember the grenade, Noire?"
"You snuck up on me! A-And it was a dud! I mean, the pin wasn't pulled, and it was a dud!"
Neptune snickers and takes another bite. Ah, this is fun. "Okay, okay, enough teasing Noire. We're eating!"
Noire grumbles while everyone snickers, and they dig in. It is a good meal, and while they eat they talk. And not just Neptune and everyone, but Tekken and Falcom too. Which is good, because wow it would be a dick move for her if she brought her friends and stole all the conversation.
After a while, though, while Tekken and K-Sha are talking about things and Kei and Falcom are stoically nodding about things, Neptune sees her opportunity.
"Hey, Noire." Neptune leans in, nodding at her discreetly. "Hey, hey Noire. Can we talk?"
She leans in, frowning. "Why are we whispering?" Noire asks.
"We're being sneeky," Neptune replies, stretching her vowels. "So, what do you do as Captain?"
Noire speaks normally instead, completely ruining the mystique. "Officially I'm supposed to serve under Major Kaiden in the 33rd Armored and lead up E Company. Captain Lane died to the Avatar during our failed flanking attack." Noire leans back and stabs her fork into unidentified gravy mush - still tastes great though. "In actuality, me and my Company are independent, and we'll just go where I think we can help the most."
"Oooh, Noire's moving up in the world." Neptune leans forward, head resting against her palm. "Do you also get a cool starship? Or an airship? Oh! Maybe a really big tank!"
"...No. Just a Company."
"A small loan of one million bullets?"
"Please stop."
"Maybe the Colonel's giving me a small loan of one million bullets."
Everyone groans around her. Neptune laughs and keeps eating. Noire rolls her eyes and does the same. Despite how much Noire acts like she hates all this, Neptune knows she's having fun too. Maybe she just likes having someone on her 'weight class' to throw verbal punches at. Or maybe she's a delicate little flower that needs someone to pry her out of her little hole. Or maybe that's just how Noire's tsundere tendencies translate into the real world with her around. Like Iffy!
Oh man Noire and Iffy should totally meet that would be amazing.
"Oh, by the way Neptune." Neptune turns to Kei, who passes a note to her. "Colonel and your grandfather wants to see you after lunch. You're going back soon, right?"
Neptune nods. Noire seems to react, but actually successfully manages to restrain her response. Not that it matters, Neptune sees through her already. "We should probably go back soon, or they might think we're dead!" She laughs awkwardly. Tekken and Falcom look at each other don't join in. "Yeah no but seriously we need to set up some communication network between us."
"I guess we'll see each other some other day?" Noire asks.
"We can see each other everyday if you want, Noire," Neptune says. She reaches out to pat Noire on the head, but is harshly batted away again. "Someday! Someday I shall reach the promised land!"
"I will hit you with HEAT this time," Noire warns.
"But High Exuberance Anti-Tsundere is my thing, Noire!"
The newly-promoted Captain grinds her own teeth and bangs her head against the table. Repeatedly. Neptune laughs, and keeps eating. Oh, tsunderes!
----
"I'm willing to send a detachment with you, Lady Neptune, to help you protect your territories. Temporarily, of course. We can work out an arrangement, but honestly your intervention in the battle has more than earned this."
Neptune blinks. The Colonel tilts his head at her owlishly, waiting for her response. He actually just offered her a small loan. Maybe not of one million bullets, but close enough! A thought hits her, though, and she frowns thoughtfully. "Wait, but grandpa just retired. We're not affiliated with the Eopran Army anymore."
Colonel Burton just chuckles good-naturedly, and nods at her grandfather by the bookshelves in his office. "You aren't part of the Eopran Army, but we are allies. We protect our own, come hell or heaven. I can't wriggle as many forces because of that, but I think we can work something out."
Neptune looks at the Colonel. He looks back. Neptune extends a hand to him. He takes it. And then Neptune hugs him.
"Thanks, Colonel! You're a good person."
"Flattery will get you everywhere with a face like that," he teases, and breaks off. He does not, but Neptune knows he just thought of tousling her hair. Everyone wants to do it. Is she really that fluffy? "Regardless, I can get you a company or two if you like. They won't be under your direct command, but chances are the officers I'm sending are willing to take some suggestions. Unfortunately, they'll have to take supplies from your local production, but I'm sure we can work out some way of compensation. Materials, expertise, favours…" He nods and folds his arms. "I'll do my best."
"That's all we ask, Colonel," Joshua says as he walks over. "So, what are our options?"
----
Neptune can choose up to Two Companies (Up to 120 Strength) for the Crow's Nest Bastion to send over to the Refuge alongside them, to protect the Refuge and serve as a vanguard for the future assault on Lanca. She can ask for both, one, or none.
[] Tank Company
Strength: 14/14 Tanks (56/56 Crew)
Combat Aptitude: 3 (Professional Military)
Morale: High
Equipment:
- Tier 2 Tank - T-54 Solidaster Main Battle Tank
- Combat 2 - Standard Issue Infantry Weaponry
- Survival 1 - Standard Environmental Protection
Upkeep Cost: 280 Materials/Week
The Tank Company provides the greatest direct firepower available in a heavily-armored package, ideal to spearhead breakthroughs and support infantry. However, limited size and manpower makes the Tank Company vulnerable to attrition.
[] Mechanised Company
Strength: 14/14 APCs (28/28 Crew, 108/108 Infantry)
Combat Aptitude: 3 (Professional Military)
Morale: High
Equipment:
- Tier 2 APC - C-54 Agapanthus Infantry Fighting Vehicle
- Combat 2 - Standard Issue Infantry Weaponry
- Support 2 - Standard Squad Support Weapons
- Survival 2 - Standard NBC Body Armor
Upkeep Cost: 210 Materials/Week
The Mechanised Company offers mobile infantry and support firepower in a singular package, ensuring that the tanks can maintain their charge without sacrificing their support. However, in actual combat, the APC is vulnerable to anti-tank weaponry.
[] Artillery Battery
Strength: 6/6 Field Guns (140/140 Crew)
Combat Aptitude: 3 (Professional Military)
Morale: High
Equipment:
- Tier 2 Field Artillery - A112 Thermopylae 105mm Field Artillery
- Combat 2 - Standard Issue Infantry Weaponry
- Survival 1 - Standard Environmental Protection
Upkeep Costs: 280 Materials/Week
The Artillery Battery offers indirect firepower at range to pummel the enemy into submission or blunt their advance before they close into range. However, if caught in the open, they will die. Keep your artillery safe behind friendly lines, and they will ensure the enemy line ceases to exist.
[] Infantry Company
Strength: 140/140 Infantry
Combat Aptitude: 3 (Professional Military)
Morale: High
Equipment:
- Combat 2 - Standard Issue Infantry Weaponry
- Support 2 - Standard Squad Support Weapons
- Survival 2 - Standard NBC Body Armor
Upkeep Cost: 70 Materials/Week
Infantry Companies are simple and uncomplicated. Correspondingly, they are the least mobile and most vulnerable of the formations available. However, no other force can secure ground as effectively, and given time can make any territory a killing field.
[] Shocktrooper Platoon (ELITE: ONLY ONE)
Strength: 40/40 ACHILLES Infantry
Combat Aptitude: 4 (Elite Infantry)
Morale: High
Equipment:
- Combat 2 - Standard Issue Infantry Weaponry
- Support 2 - Standard Squad Support Weapons
- Survival 3 - ACHILLES Mk-IV Power Armor
Traits:
- ACHILLES - Reroll all Combat Challenges
Upkeep Cost: 120 Materials/Week
The Shocktroopers are the finest infantry that Eopra has to offer, being highly versatile and capable of multiple roles. They have speed comparable to vehicles and armor to match, while maintaining the stealth and nimbleness of infantry. Eopran Shocktroopers are capable of engaging the dreaded Einherjar and winning. However, they are rare, and very costly to maintain.
[] Black Sun Detachment (ELITE: ONLY ONE)
Strength: 120/120 Elite Infantry
Combat Aptitude: 4 (Special Forces)
Morale: High
Equipment:
- Combat 2 - Standard Issue Infantry Weaponry
- Support 2 - Standard Squad Support Weapons
- Survival 2 - Standard NBC Body Armor
Traits:
- ???
Upkeep Cost: 60 Materials/Week
An enigmatic force offered by the Colonel, cited numerous times for incredible success and capability on the battlefield, though their operations appear to be classified. They appear to be the match of the Shocktroopers in sheer skill, and a number of them were present for the Battle of Crow's Nest. Agent Ironside and his colleagues appear to be members of the 'Black Sun'.