The Future Signal Corps

The first group arrived on a rainy Tuesday morning.

Ernest had been reviewing production reports from the insulator workshop when a knock echoed through his office.

"Enter."

The door opened and one of the administrative clerks stepped inside.

"Master Ernest, the Royal Army delegation has arrived."

Ernest looked up from the paperwork spread across his desk.

"Already?"

The young man nodded.

"They arrived nearly an hour ago and are waiting in Conference Hall Two."

That was considerably faster than expected.

The demonstration in the capital had taken place barely eight days earlier. Apparently King Edward had wasted absolutely no time turning royal enthusiasm into military orders.

Ernest gathered several notebooks from his desk and stood.

"How many officers?"

"Twenty-seven officers and engineers, sir."

He paused.

"Twenty-seven?"

The clerk nodded again.

"They also brought soldiers."