New Links: The Major, Photomatic Telegraphy, Maye People
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June 01, 1899
2nd Lieutenant Reginald Newbury
43rd Trans-Imperial Airborne Regiment
633rd Imperial Anglican Airborne Riflemen
My Dearest Reggie,
I can scarcely believe you’ve been gone a week already. This photomatic telegraphy is a wonderful thing, knowing that in but a few short hours you should be looking on my words and remembering my voice. Blast that the military will only allow one photomatic to accompany each transmittal (the attendant at Carmichael Bros. babbled something about ‘maximum bio-electric tranmissional current’ or some such twaddle). Be that the case, the image I’ve included is one we took from the beach upon your departure. We stayed for nearly an hour as each transport frigate in your flotilla cut the fold and disappeared beyond. Mother was fit to burst when yours had finally passed through. She’s grown quite fond of you, and since our engagement, she’s dreadfully tenuous about your military service. The Major explained to her again that you would be quite safe, that though you are in command of your own Rifle Troop, and destined to be stationed aboard the HSM Indomitable, you are under the purview of the renowned Captain Fallsbright, and no recruit could hope for better. I probably shouldn’t mention this openly, but one of the Major’s contacts in the Imperial Airfleet assured him, just yesterday that the Indomitable has been designated an exploration and reconaissance assignment, and shouldn’t be involved in any serious combat with the Republic.
I must admit, however, that I too felt distress. I’m not sure where you’re headed, but the Caeliverse is vast, and the Empire reaches only so far into it. I’ve never left Decorus Insula, and while I hear that other worlds are just a lovely, or even more so, I still fear you being marooned on a barren wasteland beyond the reach of the Empire to rescue.
Listen to me, talking like a child, how silly. The true matter of it is that I wish so dearly that I were going with you. I want to see these worlds and experience what you experience. Blast the Empire for not allowing the fairer sex to partake of the military! Men get the titles, the dowry and I’ll let them to it, but to abscond with all the fun in addition is positively criminal. I’ve half a mind to flee the Empire and emigrate to the Federation. At least their Democracy has seen clear to approved universal suffrage and we’d at the least have the tools to legislate our own liberties!
Well, lest I prattle on boorishly and deliver you a note of stunningly vapid puerility, I should get to something of more substance or I shall expect you forsake me on the spot! Of minor thrill came yesterday afternoon when I had tea with Hendrick. With his second Lieutenantship secure as well, and I suspect, with your recent embarkation complete, he sent word that he sought to steal an afternoon of me. He showed up adorned both in his crisp new steel gray and crimson epaulet adorned mantle of the 213th Lancer Squadron, Imperial Anglican Royal Marines, and a wry smile. He’d just gotten word himself as to his post assignment. It appears the 213th has been generally assigned to Field Marshal Montfort’s 2nd Army Group, but specifically as reinforcements to Brigadier Whitehorse’s infamous 7th “Bloody” Brigade. Ever the rogue, he spoke dashingly of Her Majesty’s future plans for his involvement in the war. According to him, Whitehorse’s Brigade sees more action than almost any other as it is replete with veterans who never falter in the achievement of their objective. Replacements are hand picked from the ranks of trainees for their skill and bravery, and it was Hendrick’s Regimental Sergeant Major who, following his progression through the academy, offered him up to give his all for Queen and country. I feigned the appropriate degree of astonishment, admiration and adoration I felt he was looking for and set him off to loose his bombast and charm on as many unsuspecting barmaids as could be culled in the waning days before his transport airship departed. I believe I did detect a certain degree of disappointment in his tone as he bid his farewell. I may well admit also, that I found the display appropriately gratifying.
I daresay it was the most stimulating endeavor I’ve enjoyed since your departure. Subsequently that leaves me here tending to my Mum’s rose garden, filling the Major’s tea cup and talking bawdy gossip with the ladies at the Empress Club, not one of which I can honestly fathom where there not spirits present. I’m not entirely sure I will ever be able to forgive you for leaving me in this lot.
No. I won’t end this letter that way. I miss you terribly and go to sleep each night fantasizing about what marvelous things you must be seeing. Please do write soon and please guarantee that you spare no detail of your trip, I fear our correspondence may be my only release from this doldrum.
Yours eternally,
Constance
