Melina smiled at the president of the Alliance's praise and thought to herself as she stared down at where those responsible for the jump were,<i>and I'm getting paid quite the handsome sum for this voyage in to the 'Great Unknown'</i>. She ran her hand through her braided hair as she observed the goings on from the Hanger Deck, the feel of the braids on her palms drawing another small smile to her face. Another of her habits she'd developed over the years. After Melina had run her hand as far through her braids as her reach would allow, she pulled it out and dropped it to the railing, both forearms resting on it as she leant against it, making herself comfortable. If this jump killed her, she'd at least be comfortable before she died.<br/><br/>Melina shifted slightly for a little more comfort, then froze when she heard word of the Imperator. She'd worked with the Empire long enough to know how revered he was; how much of a legend and how rare it was for him to leave Charon's orbit. She was dead still all through his speech, barely daring to breathe. After his proud words of praise and love faded, Melina stood in a stunned silence, unable to speak, barely able to do more than glance around the Hanger Deck and down at the Bridge to judge people's expressions.<br/><br/>Then she shook herself and came to, her mind returning to her body. She leant against the railing again, gazing down at the Bridge, and waited anxiously for the jump. The Imperator speaking and distilled her with a sense of anxious obligation; as if it was her job to succeed. Not for herself, but for him. And she didn't even serve the Empire unless she was hired to do so, so she couldn't even imagine what Imperials must be thinking and feeling right now.<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>