[ Adrien was opening his mouth to argue, when she reached out and pressed her hand over his. She spoke with such conviction, yet also with a soft and almost desperate manner. In the past he might have forced the issue, but for now he merely turned his hand upwards to lightly grasp her own and let it go.

Or at least tried to let it go, as unfortunately she choose a bit of a hornets nest to poke at by way of distraction. ]

That is a very long story, Clara. But I can clarify one point. I am not technically in the military. I was, at one time, back on my home version of Earth but I haven't been in the military since I was forced to resign my commission back then.

It's more that I work in what you might call a strictly structured private entity.