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Mellisa tried not to let the frustration show on her face. She had still be dwelling on the meeting with her mother yesterday, her mind going over it every free moment she found herself with. So, she had been hoping that meeting with her squad would help her forget it. Or at least give her something else to worry about.

She had seen their service records yesterday, just giving them a quick glance. She preferred to get to know them personally, rather than what is written on a piece of paper. It wasn't as if doing that was going to instantly make her fit in. But she hadn't expected to feel this much of an outsider.

If she was being honest, her reception hadn't exactly been warm. Not cold, but more wary. She would almost have said they didn't know what to make of her. That was okay. She didn't really know what to make of herself in some ways, so..

Movement attracted her attention, the sound of crisp footfalls cutting across the near silence of the wardroom. Mellisa didn't have to look up to know who they belonged to. So she wasn't surprised to see the squads Sergeant standing in front of her desk. This had been his squad, so if anyone was going to be put out by her taking command, it was likely to be him. Or maybe he has just come to make the feelings of his squad known.

'Permission to speak, ma'am?' Redlas said, snapping her a quick salute. Just long enough to be polite but quick enough to make a point. A point she got. It was not surprising he spoke for the squad. He is the longest serving officer. And the most imposing. Out of the four, salamander, mouse, hawk and deer, the buck brimmed with confidence and assurance. Assurance he passes onto the others.

Mellisa noticed that. And his attitude. But nothing could be gained by acting on it. She knew it would take them a while to get used to her. And she can't push them. 'Something I can help you with, Sergeant?'

'Permission to speak Captain?' he stopped in front of her desk, arms folded over his chest.

She heard the undertone in his voice; it wasn't exactly hard to miss. 'Permission to speak freely you mean?' She sees no reason to keep this festering, better to get it out in the open. That's rich. She has the same issue with her mother, well, an issue. And she can't seem to bring it up with her. Maybe she would be able to if her mother asked. But she didn't. Or hasn't. 'Go ahead. If you have something to say, say it.'

Now the rest of the squad are watching them quietly. She has always been up on small details, but these are pretty obvious to see. The three pairs of eyes on her are not hard to miss. Her mother had trained her to pick up on small details. But you don't need to have superb senses to spot these looks. The air in the room had changed subtly, the focused silence replaced by a watchful one.

'Do you have a problem with my leading this squad?' Mellisa sat back slowly. She had expected some issues given the history of this squad. There had to be a reason why they didn't have a commander already. And she had found that out last night. Which is why she is willing to allow his comments for now. And it won't do her case any good if she busted one of them down a few pegs. It would just turn the rest of them against her.

'No, ma'am. Just the way you are leading it. I don't see why we are just sitting around here doing nothing. It's not like we haven't seen combat. Hell, we have seen more combat that most units. We've spent days out in the city, fighting, protecting our own. And what were you doing? Hiding behind the Mercian army.'

So that was it. Is she going to get this reaction a lot? Mellisa certainly hoped not. She'd already had a pretty rough return home, and this doesn't help. 'I had hoped you wouldn't see it that way but..

'Ma'am, what you hope doesn't change the fact that you are keeping us here like a group of raw recruits.' Redlas growled.

'Are you so eager to rush to battle?' Mellisa said steadily. 'Given the history of this squad, I thought you would be more cautious than that.'

Redlas scowled. 'So, maybe we had some losses. That doesn't make us cowards. And from where I stand, that's all I see from you. I expected better from you. Maybe to find something of your mother's fire in you. Looks like something washed it out to me. Maybe all that water magic you like to play around with.'

Mellisa bristled inside. So, they think she has a chip on her shoulder. Or it seems like they do. 'I'm no coward. I just don't see the need to rush to combat. It's not like we are at war. Peace keeping is our mission, not charging blindly into a fight just because we can.'

'Haha. Not at war. Open your eyes. We are at war. Our home is overrun and lost to us. And will be until we destroy the enemy that took it. Or did I miss something?

'Funny, I thought Mercia was our home now. We live here, we help to run the city and we get help from them in return. Or did I miss something?' Mellisa sighed. Nothing is going to be served by arguing like this. 'We will get a mission soon enough. First I want to get the lie of the land first. Like you said, I've been away for a while. I guess a lot will have changed with the concentration of the demons in the city.' Mellisa drags the map closer, resting a finger on the central building that had once been the middle of the city. 'And you have been there. So, show me what you know.'

Redlas holds her gaze just for a few long seconds, then relents. But she can tell this discussion has been tabled, not resolved. He looks at her like he wants to say something else, but seems to think better of it. Or just tabling it for another time. One thing is for sure, she hasn't heard the last of this.

'That hadn't gone too well.' Mellisa waits until the door has closed behind her before that epithet slips from her mouth. She had expected issues sure, but not this bad. And this could the way it is going to be. She took the position. And it is her job to work with her squad. Even whip them into shape. But she would rather earn their respect. She can only hope it will come in time. She can understand their need to get back into the field, she feels like that too. 'Don't you think I want to be out there? I do. But I'm not going to put you and your men at risk just to salve my needs.' Mellisa sighed again. That had been what she wanted to say. But that won't solve anything. She just needs to blow off some steam. But she doesn't have that luxury right now, she does have other duties to perform.

While she had been warring in her head, she had been making her way through the empty corridors almost on rote. And she hadn't been looking where she was going. And it nearly cost her. Her frustration still filled her as her feet carried her quickly out of the barracks, and she has never done well when frustrated. She does get tunnel vision in a way.

'Penny for your thoughts?'

Mellisa turned her head, that voice drawing her out of her thoughts. A Fennec Fox had approached her while she was distracted, the vulpine eyes holding her gaze steadily. 'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry. You just looked like you were a bit lost. Not that I can't say the same.'

Mellisa recognises the armour instantly. It wasn't so long ago she had worn the same uniform. She still feels a bit underdressed without the weight of the armour on her, getting caught by the feeling she has forgotten to put something on, like when you put your hand in your pocket and think you have forgotten something. She just hadn't expected to see it here. Out of the corner of her eye, she can see a second figure standing a few feet away, her armour of the same design as the vixen's. Her gaze suddenly locks on to Mellisa and she shudders, suddenly rattled.

Mellisa can't hold her gaze for long, the steady stare feeling like it runs right down to her soul. Like she knows something about her or recognised her. With visible relief, she drags her eyes back to the vixen. 'You do look a bit lost. This is a bit out of you way isn't it.' Mellisa didn't mean to say that, but she suddenly felt defensive. 'I'm sorry. That was rude of me. I wasn't expecting to see a member of the Mercian armed forces here.'

That is very true. Officers and officials are not uncommon to see here, but the city forces are rarely seen here without great purpose. Or great need. And some instinct says that is very much the case now.

'It's unusual, I know. But our forces do have a long history of cooperation.' The Fennec replied, her voice casual. Yet with a tension she can't miss either.

It is understandable really. They don't have much history. Not that long. Mellisa thinks wryly. And not that much cooperation either. More like a casual alliance, with both sides pretty much keeping to themselves. 'We do, yes. Perhaps that is the reason of your visit?' Mellisa knows that she is maybe asking too much. But she has been wondering that since she saw her. Some help she needs from them maybe? The army normally has enough troops to handle anything that threatens the city, so it is hard to imagine what they could need help from them for.

More the other way as it turns out. 'In a way, yes. But I'm keeping you from something, aren't I?'

'You could say that.' Mellisa admits, trying not to let her frustration show. Her emotions can run to the surface when she is worked up. 'But if I can help with anything, I will.'

'Thank you. I'm just her to meet with Commander Lockwell. I'm hoping to secure some help from her, to get her to lend us some assistance.' The vixen said.

Mellisa nodded, her curiosity instantly raised. But she worked hard to contain that too. She really didn't want to pry. It seems that she has been caught out anyway.

'Are you not curious as to why?' The Fennec asked, sounding more intrigued than angry.

'No.' Mellisa said quickly. 'Well, maybe. But I don't want to pry.'

'It's hardly a secret. I'm hoping to lead a mission into the abandoned city. And I'm hoping commander Lockwell will be able to offer some troops to assist. Your people know the city better than anyone in my company. Heck, maybe even the whole city.'

'Well, my mother isn't going to like that.' Mellisa mutters. 'She's not much in the business of offering help to the regular forces. Or anyone if it means taking people of the city watch.'

'Your mother is commander Lockwell?' Now the Fennec sounded genuinely surprised, one eyebrow raised in manner that said it was more than a habit.

'She is. And I meant what I said. If it doesn't meet with our current goals, she is likely to say no.' Mellisa said, seeing no reason to sugar-coat it. She would find out soon enough.

'I had a feeling. But I have to try. If you will excuse me, she will be waiting for me. And I also have the feeling she is not one to like being kept waiting.' The vixen said, offering a polite nod before taking her leave.

'Among other things.' Mellisa whispers to herself as she watched her go. Something about her looked so familiar. She couldn't shake the feeling she should know who she is, but it escapes her at the moment.

---

One thing she cannot escape is her duties. And one has been pressing on her mind right now. Once her squad goes into the field they will be relying on the equipment they use. And so will she. Which is why she has come down here to do an inspection.

At some point she knows she is going to have to delegate some duties. But not this one. This is one she has to do herself. Nothing else will do to satisfy her. Not that she thinks the mechanics here will do a bad job. Far from it, they are all highly skilled and very well trained. She does have another reason for coming down here though.

A reason that she can see across the hanger. To be honest, it isn't hard to miss her. Alicia's bright red hair does stand out. So bright that it would be bordering on against regulations, if it wasn't her natural hair colour. They always had this joke that she didn't serve on the front line because it would make her a target. But truthfully, Alicia was more comfortable here, usually up to her arms in an engine or something.

Which is just where she was now. Mellisa made a beeline for the head sticking out from under the chassis, smiling at the soft whistling she could hear. Alicia liked to do that as she worked, getting lost in it as in her current project. Something Mellisa has learned the first time they met, her soft call of her name resulting in a clang quickly followed by a curse as she hit her head. She really did get focused on her work to the exclusion of everything else around her. And Mellisa had no desire to have her hurt herself.

So she settled on a crate surrounded by several open boxes of tool and waited, taking a sip from one of the two cups of coffee in her paws. She didn't have to wait long. The gentle rattle of the trolley wheels announced the appearance of her friend, the serval using her short legs to kick herself out; her oil streaked face coming into view and breaking into a smile.

'Heya. When did you get back?' Alicia's greeting was as enthusiastic as her movements, the slender feline leaping to her feet quickly.

'Earlier this morning.' Mellisa said, extending her paw to offer the second cup of coffee. 'I'm sorry I didn't come to see you sooner.

Alicia took the cup gratefully, breathing in the sweet steam. 'Ahhh, don't sweat it. I'm guessing it wasn't the easiest homecoming huh?'

'That's putting it mildly.' Mellisa grimaced, unable to stop herself from thinking about the meeting with her mother again. 'You'd think I'd run off into the wilderness for five years rather than taken a year's secondment.'

'That might be looking pretty good right now though.' Alicia took a seat on another clear crate, her shorter legs swinging above the floor.

'Don't tempt me.' Mellisa muttered. 'I'm not going anywhere though. I'm here and I'm not going to just leave my squad, even if they don't want me to. I just wish they were more open.'

'They'll warm up to you. They just need time to get used to you. I'm sure they will value your experience. No one has seen what you have, right? I bet they haven't even left the city.' Alicia looks over at her from over her coffee cup, her kindly expression making Mellisa smile. It suddenly hit home this are the first friendly words she has heard since returning home. And she isn't sure if that makes her happy or sad. A bit of both she decided upon reflection.

'Maybe not. For all the good my experience has done me.' Mellisa sighed. It's true, she does have experience no one else has. Even if that doesn't seem to matter right now. All it seems to have got her is hostility. She had hoped others would understand what she did. Or at least respect it. Instead all they seem to feel is resentment towards her.

'You saying you didn't learn a lot? It's not like your experience is any less valuable than theirs.' Alicia said. 'Just because you didn't learn it here, does that make if any less useful? I don't think so."

'I guess. Yeah, I learnt a lot. And saw a lot, things I never imagined I would. But I..I dunno...I thought I would feel more..different somehow.' Mellisa half muttered. The sudden truth of that hit her. She had been looking for something to change how she felt, to hopefully reconcile her doubts and move beyond them, to try and find her path. But all she had were more questions.

'Different? How so? You expected to come back a new person?' Alicia sipped her coffee calmly.

Mellisa can't help but admit her attitude is calming, soothing even. She has clarity, clarity that she doesn't seem to have. And right now, away from her mother and her squad, she does feel that maybe her fears weren't as big as she had made them. Fears do seem bigger in a vacuum. 'I don't know...I just thought I would feel something, something that would help me find my way. But I still feel confused.'

'About what you want to do? Maybe you are just over thinking things?' Alicia suggested.

Mellisa is about to reply, having been coming to the same conclusion when movement catches her eye. Alicia had looked up, her expression saying she has seen something that surprised her. 'Who..is that?'

Mellisa feels she has a good idea before she turns, and isn't really surprised to see Hiromi striding across the hanger deck. She really is the only one, the rest of the assembled deck crew watching her with either surprise or distrust. And she isn't surprised when she realised she is making a beeline for her.

'Forgive me for interrupting. But I fear I was rather abrupt earlier. And remiss in not introducing myself earlier. Commander Hiromi Miyasaki, currently of the Mercian Central Forces.' Hiromi says, her paw extended before her.

Mellisa took that smoothly, fighting the odd urge to salute. 'Captain Mellisa Lockwell. But I think you already knew that.'

'I would have not if you didn't tell me. You are very different from your mother.' Hiromi said smoothly

Mellisa liked her forthright nature. It made her feel she could be forthright too, it would feel good to speak openly. 'She didn't go for it.' It's not a question. And the answer is written over her face.

'I'm afraid she didn't.' Hiromi replied.

Mellisa is not surprised. Her mother had always been very circumspect about how she deploys her troops, not deploying them on anything that doesn't benefit her people directly. It had long been a bone of contention between them, her mother focused on issues a long way away but ignoring those closer to home. Just like she ignored anything that didn't fit into her view of duty. A view that Mellisa had almost defied purely by rote. 'Will you go ahead with it anyway? Whatever this mission you are undertaking is.'

'We don't have a choice.' Hiromi said. Mellisa nodded. She had expected no less. But what she says next both surprises her and doesn't at the same time. 'Lady Lockwell was kind enough to extend us permission to enter the city but would not release any troops to escort us.'

Or send any to assist if they got into trouble. No, her mother wouldn't do that either, not unless the threat was very dire. And by then it would be too late. 'That doesn't surprise me.' Mellissa said quickly, her voice running on its own as her mind worked equally fast. An idea was blooming in her head. One her mother wouldn't like.

She would almost have put it down to some attempt to strike back at her mother. But it was not that, her reason purer. This was the right thing to do. And it was as simple as that. She maybe was conflicted about what to do but she knew she could do this. And she had always been taught to do what she could do. So why should this be any different.

'My mother can be a hard case sometimes.' Mellisa downed her coffee and placed the cup on the crate behind her. 'Even if she won't help, I will. My squad will be at your disposal.'

'You can do that?' Hiromi looked genuinely shocked and pleased at the same time.

'I can. My mother put me in charge, said they were mine to command. So why not use them to do something useful?' Mellisa nodded, this decision feeling right.

---

The briefing room was silent, the squad gathered around the low table again. While no sound passed between them, the looks they shared weren't exactly subtle. And Mellisa couldn't miss the way they all kept glancing at the two new figures standing behind her. But she could forgive them their curiosity. It's not like she didn't feel the same thing, most of her curiosity directed to the lioness next to Hiromi, a place she hadn't moved from since she had seen her. Now that she can see her up close, she is able to get a bit of a better feel for her. She had the air of a bodyguard about her, and yet she had an age about her, a sort of deep and sad experience that seemed to cling to her. Even now, she is geared for war in the same way Hiromi is. And yet seems ready to be attacked at any minute. It's like she is coiled and ready to spring on anything she sees as a threat.

Mellisa was careful about paying too much interest, at least not too closely. She didn't want to give offense by seeming to be prying. But she couldn't deny she was curious. It wasn't just what she saw, she could feel something in her. Not dangerous, but strong. Powerful and ancient. She couldn't help the feeling she was staring at a weapon. It was an odd feeling, unsettling but it was what she felt. And made her certain she didn't want to cross swords with her.

'We are really going to do this?'

Mellisa shook off the sensation of the odd aura and nodded from where she stood in full view of her squad, the question from her Sergeant not entirely unexpected. On the other hand, it wasn't as negative as she has feared either. His attitude right now seems more curious than censorious or judgemental. Much like the rest of her squad. She had been curious about how they would react to this. It seems that her mother's issues about working with the regular forces haven't trickled down here. Or they are just putting them to one side for now.

'We are.' Mellisa nodded. 'You said you wanted to get into the field and do something, didn't you? Is this going to be a problem for you?'

'I did, but this wasn't what I imagined.' He sat back with his arms crossed, apparently intrigued about what she will say next. 'What we imagined. And no, it isn't going to be a problem ma'am.'

That caught her by surprise. Not just the use of the word, but that he seemed to mean it genuinely. Or seemed to. Mellisa made a point not to ask which it was, not now that she seems to have them on her side. She was curious about what they were going to do as well, taking a step back so Hiromi could speak. Her squads focus was polite but wary, not that she could blame them. She had no more idea what she had planned than she did.

'Good. I don't want this mission to be any different because we are working with the Central Forces. We may have our differences but we are still allies. And if they feel there is something here of importance to them, it should be of importance to us as well.'

'But what is our mission going to be here, Captain?' That was Jess, those being one of the first words the lithe scout had spoken. Mellisa had got the feeling that she was a mouse of few words, but she had picked a good time to break that silence.

'I'll turn that over to Commander Miyasaki. Commander.' Mellisa said, stepping back to let her take her place. And not just out of deference either. They had been in such a rush to get this organised that in the short walk here, Mellisa had felt there wasn't time for her to explain it properly. And she didn't want to waste time getting Hiromi to explain it twice. Her concerns about her mother finding out what they are doing, she has a feeling Hiromi is on something of a time schedule as well.

'Thank you. This mission should be a simple one, in principle.' Hiromi stepped forward to take the position Mellisa had vacated. 'We don't know much, but I'm going to give you everything we know. It wouldn't be right to hold anything back from you that I have told my troops. We have received information that someone is trying to enter Pluvia to try and collect a sample of one of the demons. This could be blood or maybe they might be trying to capture one live. Either way, I'm sure you can understand the ramifications of this.'

This seemed to have gone down well with her troops, the honesty and respect she showed. Hiromi was either very good at reading people's feelings or this was part of her personality. Mellisa suspected it was the latter. Her squad certainly seemed to be responding to it. Respect and honesty went a long way it seemed..she was going to have to remember that.

'With respect, Commander, the city is a very big place. How exactly are we supposed to find this person?' Redlas asked, one again finding the question that was on the lips of his squad. And hers too.

'I've got a better question.' Kalli said, the salamander's tongue flicking over his lips. 'How are they going to get in? Okay, they might be able to sneak past the air patrols but they would quickly be detected by the land squads.'

'A very good question. Out intelligence suggests they will be entering via the cities eastern side. From there it would be easy enough to collect a sample and get out again very quickly. How, well, we do not know.'

Redlas nodded. 'Makes sense. The demons on that side are pretty weak, the stronger ones collecting in the centre. And since those stronger ones keep the numbers of the others in check, we don't patrol that side of the city that often. So, whoever this is, they obviously know a bit about our routines and procedures.'

'More than a little perhaps. From what we know, this operation has been very well planned out. But they won't be expecting any resistance from the Stillwater, so hopefully we have the advantage.' Hiromi said gravely.

'Not much of one..there are just the four of us. Unless you have brought some additional troops with you?' Redlas asked.

'I have. A small platoon but that should be more than enough with your help.' Hiromi said. Mellisa found her confidence in her troops reassuring. She just hopes it is enough to help her overcome her own doubts. She is stepping out on her own here. This mission is her own, she has no official authorisation for it. Just a loophole really. If it goes wrong, it's on her head. And even if everything goes right, she will still have to face her mother. Well, she would have to face her anyway. And this has to be done. So, they might as well do it. She can face the consequences later. Because the consequences of not doing it will be worse.

---