Editing On Aerial Support for Naval Operations in the Western Theater

The vaulted marble lecture hall of the war college the Deliberative established in Crane Bay, at the foot of the Fortress of Hungry Birds, was nowhere near capacity. To be fair, it was built to support an audience of thousands - a rare thing, save perhaps for commencement, graduations, and the occasional visit from Admiral Arkadi. Still, the audience was respectable for a guest lecturer. Naval warfare had less clearly defined strata than other aspects of Exalted life. The forms of Lunars, the abilities of Water aspects, and common deployment in small, largely autonomous vessels meant a good deal more freedom for the Solar's "lesser" minions.<br>

Like the one sitting quietly in a seat next to the speaking podium as she is introduced by the chair of the Aerial Warfare department.<br>

"...please join me in welcoming Thousand Headed Viper, Commander of the Western 4th Air Group."<br>

The woman, dressed in a conservative silk dress of deep green, stands, bowing gracefully.  Subtle serpentine patterns on the bodice of the dress follow her curves as she moves, each picked out in delicate silver thread. "Thank you Commodore." <br>

Her eyes scan the room for familiar faces among the sea of students and lecture attendees, mostly Dragon Blooded cadets hoping for postings in the navy. A Night Caste she met once at a party sits in the second row, his feet up on another seat as he fiddles idly with some contraption, likely of his own making. Yet she has the feel he's listening. Her sea-green eyes flick to another form, and her heart catches in her throat for a moment. It is rare that her mate, Golden-Eyed Peacock, had the opportunity to tear himself away from Deliberative business. She beams with pride that he came to hear her speak. It had been more than two decades since they first met, and almost as long since she first offered herself to him, and yet she still blushed like a girl fostering an Academy crush. <br>

She also has news for him, related to the lecture. This is a trial run, Admiral Leviathan had advanced her candidacy for faculty at the college, a fast track to a higher command position, and a considerable honor for a Lunar. But she doesn't want to tell him, not until its finalized. If he knows, rumors will spread, that he pulled strings, or called in favors to have a favored plaything transfered close. She wants this to be hers. ''After Calibration...I will tell him after Calibration.''<br>

Extending a hand, she commits a small amount of Essence into the elaborate three-dimensional map some clever Twilight artificer had assembled.<br>

"Today I will be speaking on the proper use of aerial units in support of Naval operations, drawing examples from the battles against the Fair Folk off Ordenseh, and against the Lintha in the Western Deeps. Please direct your attention to the force organization chart for the Western 4th Air Group. In general, such forces are the largest support unit that is field practical. Ideally, the command for such a force rests in the hands of a Solar or Lunar officer, with a single Sidereal advisor to provide command and logistical advice..."