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To say that Leucite was nervous would, frankly, have been the understatement of the year. He had been true to his word to Stibnite, however, and had gone forward with his plan. He had requested an audience with Queen Laurelite, whom he had not really interacted with prior to this upcoming meeting. To a degree, he was loathe to bring this to her, but he knew that, at the end of the day, she was the only person who would be able to understand his need for this. Not to mention, she was essentially the only Officer that had held full sway over the General Operations branch, and Leucite steadfastly refused to make any waves in the branch he had chosen to take roost in, not until he'd received the Queen's blessing first.

Fingers dug into the Rift Crystal Rosary in his hand, as he muttered a few choice prayers under his breath. He needed calm. He needed to be able to explain to the Queen, in detail, what he had been planning. His request for the audience had given her some idea, that was, his plan to implement what amounted to a full Training Corps in General Ops.

So now he stood before the room that the Queen worked on paperwork and other such needs of her station. Steadying himself, he knocked on the door with a knuckle, and with a clear voice, spoke.

"Queen Laurelite? General Leucite, reporting for my appointment." He managed, to his credit, to keep his voice steady and clear of nerves. He was after all, about to face royalty.

Leucite had honestly been surprised when Laurelite opened the door to her office to greet him personally. He found himself halfway toward taking a knee on reflex when her warm greeting caught his ears and caused him to pause, somewhat awkwardly, between taking a knee and walking forward as she had commanded.

Rising fully, he bowed respectfully first, before moving toward the chairs she had directed him to sit.

Leucite was still not sure where Laurelite fell in his dogma.... He knew Metallia was the Living Saint... Laurelite was her hand picked queen... Which in his mind gave her about as much clout as as the Pope... But, it was hard to say without actually pulling aside someone in the clergy and asking and... frankly? He didn't feel that question would be received with much warmth in these trying times. A question he would ponder later, as it did hold some importance to him on a... academic level.

Though, instead of sitting, he remained standing between the two chairs, deciding he would sit once she had, as was proper etiquette and protocol. This was her office, and she was also Queen... not just a General-Queen... But a full on Queen. He had grown up in a world of authority and rules. Had spent most of his youth bucking, rebelling, and striving to break those rules, so the irony of his current state was far from lost on him.

For a brief moment, he wondered if her final question was a trap. He was more than sure she was aware of what had happened during the Special Operations meeting. In fact, that was the sole reason he was in her office. He took a moment to process his thoughts.

"As well as it can be, my Queen," he said, keeping his voice as neutral as possible. "But as they say, when one door closes, a window tends to open."

Okay, it wasn't a perfect quote of the idiom but it worked as far as he was concerned.

"To that end, I wanted to speak to you about an idea I have been... fostering for some time. As a Captain, I neither had the rank, or the experience to make it effective, plus my time was focused on the mission of Special Operations... As General-Queen Hessonite has seen fit to... relieve me of that mission, I feel it is time for me to bring forth my idea to the head of General Operations..." He spoke, still maintaining his guarded tone.

"With your permission, as you were the General-Queen that oversaw General Operations before your coronation as Queen..." Leucite continued, his eyes following the Queen around the room as he spoke. "I would like to establish a... Training Corps... a specific campus, focused on ensuring that Lieutenants... and others who feel they need assistance... In gaining the skills and experience they need for their future careers in the Negaverse... As well as building camaraderie and improving overall morale and retention..."

As Laurelite sat, so too did Leucite, taking the time to ensure his hands rested in his lap. Fingers curled themselves around his Rosary and he squeezed them a little, to remind himself why he had come here to make this request. Larurelite's questions he expected, because in all honesty he knew that she wanted to ensure that he was doing things for the greater good of the Negaverse... and not himself.

"I am aware," He said, keeping his words cautious at first. "Of the function of General Operations. However, if I may be frank, and speak candidly..." He paused for a moment, wanting to ensure she knew he meant that earnestly.

"When I joined, there was no General Operations... I was directly pipe-lined into Special Operations - for better or worse... That said, the Training Corps would take the General Operations mission and put a name to it. It would be it's own campus - a Barracks with the equipment and tools needed for our Lieutenants to learn and grow and thrive. The focus would be into ensuring that every single Lieutenant that stepped through the doors of the Training Corps came out the other end a stronger, better officer. A Captain or Lieutenant with the skills to properly function in the branch they are best suited. Of course I would also include a curriculum on combat, if only to ensure our Officers are able to fight for Metallia and ensure a better chance of victory. I would also like to open up classes for Captains and Generals with skills they feel would be useful to pass on to these Lieutenants, to ensure these skills reach the largest possible number of people."

"Moreover, I want it to be a place that our Lieutenants can stay if they need the extra support. Morale and retention are... well... it's been better. I want to give these Lieutenants the feeling that they are at home here, that we are a family for them. If we cannot win the hearts and minds of our own members, then how can we expect the rest of the world to follow suit? I want to give these Lieutenants hands on experience with situations they may face in the field when they join their branch... I also want to offer them up for missions for these branches... Or yourself, my queen, feel need extra hands."

"Lastly... This would be voluntary... As much as I know that training in many militant orders is mandatory, those who wish to have a singular mentor should be allowed that. But, in the interest of recruitment... Provided you approve of this plan... I have another request..."

His fingers squeezed a bit more on the Rosary, knowing this would be the hardest part of this. But if he could obtain it... well... It would make or break the success of the project.

"I was wondering if you would be willing to pose for the recruitment posters and other material... You are our Queen, and if you put your backing to this project... well... I am sure others will be more than happy to sign up and receive extra training."

The fact that she was not opposed, and in fact, seemed rather interested in his proposal, to the point of saying he might just be on to something, well, it was more than enough to get Leucite to relax somewhat in his chair and his grip on the Rosary to loosen just enough so as to avoid the rough, angular crystal to cause him any more physical discomfort from his grip.

"I am honored you think so," Leucite said, keeping his voice low and respectful. "With your approval, I will see to getting everything established and built. To ensure that it will foster the greatest benefit to our Officers... Also with your permission... perhaps we could reward our graduating officers with a ribbon... A small memento of their time in the Training Corps. It would also help build camaraderie, allowing them to easily identify other Training Corps alumni and thus, people who they know have taken a part of the course? I plan to keep the door open to all who might desire better training or to impart their skills to others... It is my hope to one day know that the Training Corps helped Build the Negaverse into an unstoppable force."

"As for the recruitment material..." Leucite allowed himself a small smile. "I am an artist by trade... Perhaps we could schedule a good time for you to pose so that I may paint your likeness for it?"

Leucite nodded. "I will draft it up and deliver it to you personally, My Queen," he said, bowing his head a bit as he spoke. He was quite glad she hadn't said no, he felt it would be best if she had some hand in this - after all, it was still basically her branch of the Negaverse he was asking to assist in.

"The Ribbons I can handle myself... I have some... family connections in the military outfitting world, I'm sure getting a small supply run of custom ribbons done as a family favor is... obtainable. Simply a small sign of recognition for people's work in their training, that is all. If need be I can even design them myself, again... artist." He said, with a small inward chuckle.

"No need to drain our resources for something so small." He added with a wave of his hand. "As I said before, a simple morale booster and a sign of solidarity is all they would be."

He grew quiet for a small moment, before he continued. "With... your permission, I would like to also meet with each of the General-Sovereigns and get a list of criteria of traits they would like to see in an Officer joining their branch... Normally I would go to them directly... But in the case of General-Queen Hessonite..."

He held open a hand and motioned to himself vaguely. "While I do not think her the type to hold ill will against me once a punishment is done, I am loathe to approach her without your blessing. I do owe her an apology for my behavior during her meeting... Among other things as well."

There was a moment of silence after Laurelite spoke, as Leucite processed the information he had been given. He was glad to have Laurelite's blessing in this, mainly because he did not dare do anything that would paint a proverbial target on his back if he could avoid it. Being a General meant that to some degree he had to be political, and that meant knowing when to put his own feelings aside.

"To be fair, the majority of us violated protocol that night. She was well within her right to dismiss us. I don't like to admit it, but it is the truth, my pride can bend that much." He said with a dull chuckle. Laurelite was surprisingly easy to talk to he was finding, which was dangerous in its own ways.

"I will see to arraigning a meeting with Hessonite first, then I shall speak with the others. Better to bury the hatchet now then let the wound fester. If nothing else, it will provide me with a good idea of what she needs for Special Operations so I can guide people accordingly."

It was at this point that he rose slowly to his feet, straightening his uniform as he did so. "That about sums up my requests, Your Highness, is there anything further I can do for you, or should I see myself out?" It was about as loose as he was willing to get with her in the current moment, as he would not leave unless dismissed.

Once Laurelite had spoken, Leucite's stanced went to attention, but in lieu of an actual salute, he placed a fist over his heart, and bowed low. One did not simply salute the Queen of the Negaverse. You bowed, or bent knee. Had it been Metallia, he would have done both, and gotten as low to the floor as possible.

She had his loyalty... and his respect. Both freely given.

"No, my Queen, thank you for allowing me this humble request." Leucite said, before rising back to his full height.

With that, he turned a crisp about face, and showed himself out of the room, clothing the door behind him. Then turned down the hall, toward Hessonite's office. He would at least request the meeting now. No reason to wait...

Best to deal with the wound now, than to let it fester into something even worse.