Citizens of Rhydin,

I have spoken before about the need for increased security and implementing measures to help ensure safety for residents and visitors to Rhydin and surrounding areas. Beginning tomorrow, we will take yet another step toward accomplishing that goal as the Rhydin Air & Space Guard will make its first official flights.

Many of you have noticed an increase in the number of air-vehicles in the skies as, over the past several weeks, we have been recruiting and training the pilots, crews and support staff who will be responsible for helping ensure your safety. I have established three main squadrons who will share duties but have different primary tasks and goals.

The 301st Firebees Atmospheric Defense Squadron (VA-301) will undertake primary responsibility for air patrols and any necessary defense over the city and outlying areas as far out as Star's End and, to start, three-hundred kilometers off the coast. These patrols will not be invasive in nature and will have the ability to respond quickly to incidents within the city as well as assist the footmen of the Watch by providing and relaying tactical information from the air. This group will be commanded by Robyn Pemberton, formerly of the Terran Confederation Space Force. Robyn has a vast amount of both space and atmospheric combat experience and earned my implicit trust over the years we served together.

The 103rd Vanguard Space Defense Squadron (VS-103) will serve much the same role as the Firebees, only in outer space instead of the skies directly above and around the city. Some of you are keenly aware of the importance in keeping shipping and trade routes safe from pirates and raiders on the sea; the same holds true amongst the stars. The 103rd will ensure that freighters, transports, and their respective cargo will reach their intended destinations, and especially our city, safely. Alyson Vokoun, a pilot with thirteen years of experience, will command the Vanguards.

The 209th Kestrels Long-Range Reconnaissance & Early Warning Squadron (VR-209) will fly support missions for the other squadrons but will carry a primary task of tracking inbound trends of land, water, and space traffic destined for the city. This will help us plan for not only who's arriving, but gain a better understanding of the number and types of caravans and ships, the cargo they're carrying, and how we can better trade with and supply them with goods and services they require, thereby boosting our economy. Also, the Kestrels will be responsible for tracking weather patterns and other environmental developments to better warn and prepare the city's population for potential natural disasters such as hurricanes, tidal waves, and fire-outbreaks. Chaucer "Chase" W. Jones, with an affinity for geography and experience in having flown numerous recon sorties, has taken command of this unit.

I have also created a fourth unit, the 81st Sunliner Training Squadron (VT-81) where new recruits will undergo a rigorous vetting process before being assigned to any of the other three squadrons. As a squadron commander has not yet been named for this unit, I will be assuming this duty in the interim.

If any of you are interested in becoming part of any of these units, either as a pilot, crew member or support staff, please contact Lieutenant Jason Penske at the Watch Headquarters.

This is only one, but a very important step in my plans for increasing your safety and security. More phases of my overall plan will be implemented in the coming weeks and I will keep the lines of communication open with you in regard to what?s happening and why. I thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Matthew Algiers Simon

Matt listened as Lieutenant Cowrie spoke his mind and relayed his concerns; when he finished, Matt sat back in his chair.

"First, Lieutenant, I understand your concerns. I'll try and alleviate some of them, but first, let's dispense with this Excellency business. You can call me by name in here, it's perfectly all right."

He thought for a moment, hoping the man on the other side of the desk would relax. "Our costs for the RASG are minimal. The pilots are providing their own ships and weaponry and we've worked out a bulk rate with Star's End, Gateway Station, and Coventry Airbase for docking fees, which we only partially subsidize. Don't think of the RASG as taking resources away from your men; they're as much as part of the Watch as you are. They're there to help you. New equipment's already being distributed to the ground teams; training regimen has also begun and will filter down unit by unit. We should have new, more effective uniforms in the next month or two," Matt pointed to a stack of folders on his desk, "those are some of the submissions. I'd be glad if you'd look them over and tell me your thoughts."

The office seemed cramped, stuffy, and he didn't get the sense that Cowrie was relaxing at all. Matt stood and gestured. "Let's walk."

Leading the Lieutenant outside, he squinted as sunlight met his eyes and began to warm his skin. "This way, I think," he said, beginning a route toward Battlefield Park.

"I'm not interested in protecting the whole of outer space. That's not why we're up there. I'm interested in protecting this city and to do that more effectively, to make the job of you and your men easier, we need to know who's coming and going and what they're bringing in and taking out. If we have knowledge, we'll be more effective. If a ship of colonists comes in, we'll know that we'll need more men on the streets. If there's a valuable shipment of, I don't know, take your pick of anything, that's coming into our ports, we'll know we'll need to protect it. Plus, it will help us better tailor our imports and exports; if we're not bringing in what the people need, we'll find a source who can do so. We can focus on sending our more popular products abroad, spend our resources more efficiently. See, look there."

As they walked, Matt pointed up and to his left where in the distance, a wing from the 301st Firebees was on patrol. "They are being used, Lieutenant. Right now they're aiding in the search for those kidnapped children that were taken from the Ravensheart Academy, coordinating with the team on the ground I've sent to help. I know this is a new concept and that you're not used to having additional support. Believe me when I say you'll come to see it as an invaluable asset in your daily work. If we all become more efficient at what we do, you won't be asking for more men. More bodies isn't the automatic answer, Lieutenant; more effectiveness is what we need to strive for."

Moving across a busy street, Matt continued, "As far as leadership, I've only appointed one of my former people in charge of a unit. I've left the ground commanders alone so far. I trust Robyn with the 301st and, as you've pointed out, nobody who was part of the Watch when I took over has any experience commanding a squadron. And we're not just bringing in anyone and everyone who wants to fly a plane or pick up a rifle. If I find Watch commanders who are ineffective, I'll replace them, but I'm not automatically inserting people I'm familiar with into lead roles. I want people in place where they're best suited for the job. People like yourself, Lieutenant, who are familiar with these streets and these people. And I need those leaders to do what you're doing and express their opinions. I don't want and I don't need a bevy of yes-men. But I also need you to give things like the RASG, like these new training programs, a chance to succeed. Use them, work with them, if they don't pan out, we'll change strategies. But I need you to keep an open mind and to let your men know you expect the same from them."

As the Park loomed into view, Matt stopped and pointed. Families were picnicking, children were playing, an elderly couple chatted on a bench, a teacher lead a group of students through a flower-path.

People were living.

"That's what we're here for, Lieutenant. Not for you, not for me. So those people don't have to worry about Marketplace bombings, so their children can play without fear of a slaver snatching them away, so that if and when terrible events do happen, there's a swift and effective response from us. If that means doing things differently than they've always been done, I'm fine with that.

Matt spent several moments watching; a rumbling in his stomach caused him to look up and away. "You hungry, Lieutenant' I've got a hankering for some of those Snake-Bite Potatoes from the Munro Deli. Let's head down that way."

"Don't worry about the uniforms, Lieutenant. I want you to help me make the final decision. I've selected a few other Watch members to help as well. Once we've gone through the initial round and get some prototypes made, that's when your opinions will really be beneficial. I want them to be what you need."

True to form, Matt ordered more than potatoes. Ian Munro, the shop's proprietor, wasn't there and neither was his daughter, but Matt was there enough that most of the staff knew him on sight. Matt tapped a finger against the glass case which housed a scale-model replica of the Outback before turning to find an unoccupied seat.

Once the pair sat, Matt continued. "We're not, I'm not, just letting anyone who wants to sign on board with the RASG, Lieutenant. Several of them are people I know, yes. People I trust. But there is a screening process, regardless. And they're here to get the operation off the ground, to be the baseline until we can get, as you say, our own people in place. That's why I've established the Sunliners as a training unit and that's why, for the time being at least, I'm personally leading that squadron. Once we've graduated a few classes and incorporated those personnel into the existing squadrons, I bet you'll feel better about the whole thing."

As their order was delivered, Matt doused his potatoes and sandwich with a large portion of pepper.

"I'm a military man, Lieutenant. I know what it means to have loyalty, I know its importance. We may not have the kind of loyalty you'd prefer right now, but we'll get there. And what we have will work in the interim. Conservative measures haven't been working. Conservative led to the Marketplace attacks. Conservative led to bold daylight street kidnappings. The status quo isn't doing enough. We need to change, to adapt. And that isn't always easy, I realize."

He and the Lieutenant ate in relative silence; Matt spoke again once Cowrie had requested coffee. "I know you care for this city and its people. I do, too. I know I wasn't born here but I've spent a fair portion of my life in or around this place. I have ties here, a life here. The last thing I want to do is put anyone in any more danger. This city will, I hope, be around long after you and I are gone. I'm only doing what I think is best to ensure that happens."

Settling back in his chair, Matt watched as a tour group made its way out from the Red Orc Brewery across the street. When the Lieutenant asked his question, Matt looked back at the man. "Sure, what is it?"