The Governor's office, at least the portion where visitors first enter, was intended to present an inviting atmosphere. Two khaki chenille couches, one on the western wall and one on the eastern, provided visitors a place to sit. Oak end-tables, stained with a natural varnish, were placed next to each of the couches. The hardwood floor looked old but well-maintained and the overhead lighting, provided via one skylight and several recessed cans in the ceiling, helped provide the room with a comfortable ambience.
Over the western couch hung a large painting of Rhydin's harbor and docks from the viewpoint of a ship approaching at twilight. Of this ship itself, little more was visible other than a portion of the bow; rough and dark water-stained wood, lit by light from an out-of-picture torch, betrayed the ship's age. Dark blue water, dotted by occasional whitecaps, reflected the colors of the tri-moons which rested low in the sky. A trio of birds, their white feathers mottled with black and brown dirt, hovered just feet from the ship's bow as if to guide the frigate home. Light from the city glowed in the distance where dockworkers scurried about in preparation for the vessel's imminent arrival. A small placard at the bottom of the painting's wooded frame read, "The Ostari Comes Home To Rhydin".
Over the eastern couch was a painting similar in theme, but with an entirely different execution. It too was of a ship, but one that sailed amongst the stars instead of on the sea. The entirety of the vessel, a Waterloo-class cruiser, was visible from behind and slightly to the right. Rays from a brilliant purple star danced across the ship's faded and battle-marked blue and grey paint as three Rapier II's ran FORCAP near the cruiser, just off the bow. Although the cruiser's destination, a large shipyard brilliantly illuminated by countless lights, loomed in the distance, several of its elements were presented in striking detail. Four separate wings of fighters, two pairs of Epee's and two pairs of Rapier II's, patrolled near the shipyards. Small tugs lumbered from one part of the yard to another while several hauler-craft, their containers nearly overflowing with tungsten and durasteel plating, hovered next to a half-built Concordia-class carrier. The placard at the bottom of this painting read, "TCS Boyington Approaches Trojan IV Shipyard".
On the northern end of the room, behind a desk, a petite brunette woman with glasses stopped her typing and peered up at Michiko with green eyes. She pushed a few stray locks of hair away from her eyes, tucking them behind her right ear, and glanced toward the closed door to her left. "Hello," she said, with an assumption indicating she was used to unannounced visitors dropping in for a visit, "if you're here for the Governor, he's in a mee"oh".
The door to Matt's office opened mid-sentence and words spilled out into the reception area. ?"rried as well," the Governor stated, unease apparent in his voice. "This is definitely cause for concern, but I don't think it's reason for panic as yet. I want twice-daily reports from the SWACS. Tell Robyn and Chase to work closely on this one," the voice grew louder as it approached the doorway while two others, a small-statured man in an RASG uniform and a woman in a white labcoat, walked through. "Robyn's people are more familiar with the coastal patterns but Chase's squadron has the equipment for these scans. I want them running all day, every day, until we figure out what we've got here."
Governor Simon appeared in the doorway, remaining there while the man spoke. "Aye, Colonel, I'll tell Commanders Pemberton and Jones immediately."
"Good," the Governor replied, "and let them know the Sunliners are at their disposal as well. I don't want to pull resources from Alyson and the one-oh-third unless we absolutely need to".
The man and woman both nodded, making a quick exit while Matt's eyes fell on Michiko. He recognized her from her forays into the Outback's rings, and he hadn't forgotten their last conversation where she'd seemed less than pleased with his action, or inaction, on behalf of the case against Maranya Valkonan.
He gave her a smile, more strained than relaxed, before glancing to the woman behind the desk, who'd finished rolling her eyes moments before, when it became obvious that whatever was next on Matt's schedule would now have to wait.
"Hello, Michiko, please, come in and close the door if you like,? he said. Matt gestured for her to follow him into the office, as he moved away from the doorframe and back toward his desk.
