[b]Like Bees[/b]

"I shall send someone presently, Ms. Jalek"
Claes left the meeting fatigued, but heartened by the chances of success. The operation seemed sound, and if she were a betting woman she would put good money on their resounding victory. It was a good feeling to be on the better-prepared side for once, she thought. Too many times the deck had been stacked against her, or she had had no-one to rely on but her own troops. Now she had the competent backing of a god-emperor and his forces, with funds and fortifications to fall back on. As Claes strode out of the meeting, she saw Jorge waiting for her, his burly frame silhouetted against an open window, seeming calm and patient. She'd kept him waiting longer than she would have liked, but he was used to delays after all this time, or at least she hoped. There was no point in being impolite, however, especially to her subordinate officers.

"My apologies, Colonel Gordon. Our new king wanted every detail established clearly.". Not that she would be impolite to Jorge, of course. He was one of her confidants, someone she would trust longer than almost any other on earth. Jorge spoke in his deep bass, his voice emanating more than a foot above Claes' head, much to her perpetual chagrin.

"A welcome change, I expect. I remember more than one tantrum at 'ignorant, lackadaisical councilors' not having their affairs in order"

"Commanders never throw tantrums, Colonel. When one can give orders to thousands, their tantrums become 'rages' or 'furies'. I will admit, however, there is little difference besides nomenclature."

The two soldiers, mismatched in height, gender and a thousand other ways, walked down a cold corridor to their assigned officer's quarters, both instinctively checking for hostile espionage. Jorge lowered his voice slightly, speaking cautiously.

"What are your opinions on our new king, then? Apart from his fastidiousness? Did we make the right decision?"

Claes thought for the briefest of moments before responding, ascending spiral stairs two at a time. "He is not what I would expect. Less regal, certainly, and brimming with an almost childish enthusiasm. Regardless, he is no fool. I expect we will be well serving him for the time being."

"Excellent. Was he receptive to your proposition?"

Claes smiled as she entered her office, immediately claiming her comfortable chair and kicking her feet up on her large desk. It was rare she was able to escape the meager offerings of tent-living, and was eager to make the most of the permanent quarters while she could. Jorge sat himself on a markedly less comfortable chair across the desk, his posture more formal than his commander. "You will get your command after all, do not worry. I made the case to the king, and he accepted without complaint. Though, I will need you to talk to Agallon: we shall need to procure a competent forger to make us documents of employment. Our king wishes to sow distrust between the Etruscans and our former employers."

Jorge nodded and made a note on a folded piece of paper, covered in other reminders, most of which carefully crossed out. "Also, dispatch Captain Elias. We have been saddled with a score of soldiers, and they need to be inspected. With any luck they will have fast horses, but if not we shall simply have to lend our own or purchase for them. They will be useful in the assault, certainly..."

Jorge cut in as his commanding officer drifted her though off half-finished "but you won't let them compromise our strategic maneuverability?"

"Exactly. I must be more tired than I thought. You are dismissed, Colonel. I have one final matter to attend to, who should be arriving shortly. I will speak with you again in the morning."

Jorge rose, saluted smartly, turned on his heel, and strode purposefully out of the room, eager to execute the orders he had received.

------------------------------------------------------------

Captain Marko Elias, his uniform in disarray after an afternoon [and morning, if he is being honest], of celebrating his escape from his floating prison. His curly black hair was disheveled, and his lithe athletic frame was slouched and tired. He had, however, learned to perform his orders to the best of his ability, regardless of physical condition. Especially when they came from the general. He met up with his charge, the surprisingly attractive Captain Jalek. He had figured he would be meeting a man, not having heard of this captain for more than half an hour, but was not disappointed with the revelation. Female soldiers had always held particular interest to him, and beautiful ones especially. Not the General, obviously; he had learned long ago that she was not 'on the market', as it were, and was still thanking the stars that he hadn't been executed that night outside Lenwick. Shivering slightly to dislodge unhappy memories, he strode up to the waving woman and saluted, his clear tenor ringing out in the quiet courtyard.

"Captain Marko Elias, on behalf of General Astra, ma'am. I've been ordered to report to command about what you have to show.". Hearing his new favorite Captain beckon him, he followed, shaking his head to dislodge the sordid thoughts about 'things that most people don't get to see'.