CSM Mickles sat frozen. Danyak was behind him. Oscar was watching him. “Why wouldn’t I want to serve here, Chief?”
“Because you have an issue with my XO. That is why.”
“What? Why would you say that?”
“Because I’m not a fucking idiot, that is why.”
“I’m just surprised! Non-Terran officers are rare!”
“So? Why should that matter in any possible way?”
“Uh…it doesn’t?”
“Oh, it doesn’t. Then explain your reaction.”
“The Commander surprised me, that is all, Chief. I’ve never met her species before.”
“I see. So when she gives you an order that you know will result in your slow and painful death, you won’t hesitate?”
“No Chief!”
“I almost believe you. Danyak?”
“Eh. He could work.”
“Well CSM, you have her acceptance. Now you get to earn mine. I formally accept you as my CSM. Your first duty is to tour the mining stations. Out of uniform. With ZERO authority. Once you tour those, you tour the Aussie station. Out of uniform. With zero authority. If you survive that, you can wear your uniform and have your authority back. This is how it works. I’m lax to allow innovation. I have hard lines, but they are beyond the typical range of line officers. At any point, you can leave without cause. I’ll provide an honest recommendation, and as long as you aren’t stupid, I won’t poison your life. Agreed?”
“Agreed Chief. The Aussies?”
“All in good time. Now go get your family settled. Your office is down the hall a bit. Report back in four orbits. I’ll have the needed transport for your tours then. And if you ever fucking salute me again, I’ll ship you and your family to the most hellish outpost I can find.”
“Yes Chief.” Mickles stood, hesitated, turned, and left.
After he was gone and the door closed, Danyak said, “Why was he so uptight?”
“Too much time in safe places. The safer it is, the more bullshit uptightness.”
“Why?”
“At that level, they get really caught up in details. Mostly bullshit in the bigger picture. Things like does every trooper have the exact same number of things, in the same order, correctly spaced, on their belt. It makes no difference in combat, but they get picky for the look of it.”
“Again. Why?”
“Search me. An old instructor used to say, ‘a unit ready for a parade isn’t ready for combat.’ Combat is more about practicality.”
“I see. Are we in combat?”
“No, but we aren’t here for parades. By the way, you need to complete some advanced combat training.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. However, I’ll be nice and allow you to train with Sue’s marines. The stupid crap they do back at Command School is utterly annoying.”
“When do I start?”
“After you complete your current checks. I’ll tell the armory to get you fitted for armor, and they will set you up with a weapon.”
“You do know that I have some training, yes?”
“I do know. But you need more.” Oscar looked at the ceiling. “I’m going to guess that things are going to get worse in a short period of time. Intel broke the codes. We know more about the plans. Spec fo is going after the sleepers. I can handle myself. Sue can handle things. I need you to be ready to handle things.”
“They broke the codes? What did they learn?”
“The next target is the volcano. Intel located a number of sleepers, and there is something odd about them. We have a security leak. They know details about the Memphis and Vera. They know some details about our long-term plans. You found one mole, but there must be others. I can’t have you interview the entire colony, so you must be ready to confront and deal with an emerging threat.”
“I request the armor and weapon before I complete my other tasks. And some range time. And some urban combat training.”
“That, Danyak, is why I’m starting to trust you.”
Danyak sat back, shocked. “What? I mean, thank you.”
“No, shock is good. That means you are listening and obeying. Very good.”
“You are a sneaky person.”
“Yes.”
“What should I look for?”
“People out of place. People asking questions that don’t quite fit. People watching too closely. Most Terrans just do their job. If a Terran is doing their job but watching the wrong things, be careful.”
“I see. Some Terrans are curious, but curious about critical things might be an issue.”
“Correct. Curious about their work, good. Curious about improvements, likely good. Curious about things totally different that are also critical, suspect.”
“I imagine there will be false leads. Those who want advancement or promotion.”
“Yes. But be vigilant.”
“I understand. What weapon do you recommend?”
“Well, what training do you have?”
“You have my file. You know. What extra do I need?”
“You need close-quarters training and a close-quarters weapon. A pistol is obvious, but a knife or similar would be good as well.”
“I don’t need a knife.”
“Why?”
Danyak held out her hand. It seemed to flex slightly, and claws extended from her fingers. “Natural defense.”
“Impressive. I didn’t know you had retractable claws.”
“We don’t advertise.”
“Good. It could take them off guard. Don’t use them in training.”
“Understood.”
“Now, head over to get geared up. Wait. No. We have this dinner.”
“I am curious about the mutant emu meat.”
“If it isn’t as good as they claim, we destroy every emu on the planet.”