Prince Claudio II Naval Base
5:25PM
Captain Giorgio Falco was walking along a hallway, though he barely paid attention to his surroundings or the direction in which he was walking. It was mostly unnecessary in any case, given how many times he had been there and how well he knew the layout of the building. He was headed towards the security office, to notify that his wife would be visiting. Usually such notices were not necessary for the spouses of senior officers, but security had been tightened since the mobilisation orders had arrived. It was lunchtime, so technically he had little to do for at least three more hours, until the Commodore arrived to inspect the latest preparations for departure. Usually a mobilisation this size would take weeks, but they were working overtime, some willingly to the point of exhaustion, given that they all knew what was at stake.
Having distinguished himself as an excellent college student and afterwards as an accomplished mathematician, Captain Falco eventually decided that his calling was in the Sartorian Navy, requesting a leave at his research position to pursue a career as a naval office. He had quickly risen through the ranks, and no more than eight months ago had been given command of his own ship. the SNS Treves, a small but newly commissioned vessel. He had served with distinctions -at least that is what his superiors told him- but had then been reassigned to his current post: Chief of Staff to Admiral Gatti, the Commanding Officer at Principe Claudio II Naval Base. Sure, some might see that as a promotion, considering he was now handling sensitive materials and would often be invited to naval policy meetings, but he saw it differently. He wanted to sail, to led his own ship, to execute policy, rather than set it from the distance of a meeting room.
He was immersed in these thoughts, still on his way to the security office, when someone called out to him. It was a familiar voice. In fact, it was so familiar that he instantly knew to stand in attention and salute.
"At ease Giorgio." said Admiral Franceso Gatti. They shook hands, and the Admiral signaled for them to keep walking. "I know this is your free time, but I have some orders from above that I wanted to share in person.
Falco nodded, unsure of how to respond. The Admiral continued. "It's no secret that you were not pleased when you were reassigned from the Treves to be my Chief of Staff. I have been immensely pleased to have you, but I also realise that your place is in the ocean, not in a desk. I called some favours, and these are your new orders."
Still insure, Falco received a folder. He opened it and read what turned out to be unexpected but pleasant news. "Mobilisation is almost ready, so you will be leaving in command of the SNS Giacomo Costa tomorrow afternoon. Obviously the carrier will be leading the fleet, but the Costa is an important ship, so you will have a relevant position in whatever mission you have in the coming days.
"Thank you Admiral" responded Falco "I appreciate this gesture, and rest assured that I will discharge my duties as captain with distinction."
The Admiral nodded and smiled; not like a friend, rather like an elder approving of a decision made by his protégé. "I know you will."
Still walking towards the security office, Falco took some time to read the brief, which detailed that preparations for mobilisation had actually begun days before the Senate authorised the deployment, so many ships were already ready to depart. Most would begin their journey towards the Nahr tomorrow afternoon, with some other ships and equipment having already departed or being set to leave hours after the main group. He whistled when he saw the amount of ships that would head for Alssahra, wondering how the Sach'aqans would cope with that large a force and the ground forces of Alssahra and Fornoire.
It would be quite a battle.