The small harshly angular spacefaring transport looked lonely in the empty hangar as Shiva clomped towards it. As she approached it, the echo from the clapping of her footsteps along the floor were completely drowned out by the whirring of the engines starting up. At the base of the gangway on the craft's flank was a lone masulu officer that Shiva had not seen before. As expected she noticed his eyes wandering to the mark on Shiva's head before addressing her. "1st Eschelon Tasthagk?!" He said over the engines.

Shiva put down the rigid case that contained all her worldly possessions and straightened up. "1st Eschelon Tasthagk reporting, sir!"

"You're twenty seconds early!"

Although she didn't show it, Shiva didn't know what to make of the man. She opted not to respond.

"At ease, come aboard!" The officer beckoned Shiva up the ramp and turned to board the transport.

Taking a breath, Shiva redjusted her weapon holstered on the small of her back, retrieved her bag and climbed aboard behind the officer. The gangway raised itself shut behind her, blocking out the sound of the engines to a faint whistle.

"Glad you could make it, Tasthagk. I'm 10th Eschelon Desrick, I've been tasked to facilitate your transport to Pax." The officer held his hands behind his back and spoke in a more casual tone than Shiva was used to from officers so high up. He took a seat on one of the comfortable looking seats and gestured for Shiva to do the same. "Please, get settled in. It's a long trip."

Shiva was too busy wondering what was on Pax that warranted reassignment there. She had never been to Pax before. She hadn't even been in an officer's transport before, let alone seen a 10th Eschelon this close up. She stood dumbstruck until Desrick spoke up again. "Is something wrong, Tasthagk?"

"Er, no sir," She apprehensively took off her weapon holster and took the seat across from Desrick, placing her bag and gun at her feet, "I just... this is the first I was told I was going to Pax, sir."

Desrick rolled his eyes. "Pah, trust some credit-for-eight helmet hair 5th Eschelon with being transparent. He only gave you the memo, didn't he? Didn't think to tell you more?"

Shiva kept a blank, if confused expression. "No, sir."

"Then I have some explaining to do, Ghirex?" Desrick spoke into the communicator on his wrist, "We're secure, take off when ready."

A faint "Roger that, sir" could be heard through Desrick's earpiece and both Desrick and Shiva leaned slightly in one direction as the transport began to move. Desrick readjusted and held his elbows on the arms of the seat, weaving his large fingers together in front of his face. "This isn't like the last few reassignments you've had, Tasthagk. You're going to be part of a new initiative by Assembly to help strengthen relations with the other nations. A single, joint effort, [i]interspecies[/i], military team."

"Wait, sorry, I'm going to have to stop you there." Shiva raised a hand up to her shoulder level, "Why have I been picked for this?" She pointed to her tattoo, "I thought this big traitor sign on my forehead meant I was only here to serve my time. It's been twenty-four years, and I'm not allowed a promotion until I serve for fifty, aren't those kind of positions for spec ops elites or something?"

Desrick gave a sly look. "Technically, you're not being promoted, just reassigned. And even though not many like to admit it, as a convicted traitor you've saved more lives than you have taken." Desrick pointed his thumb over his shoulder, "Back in ArmSpecWar, I couldn't find a better candidate. Your record shows consistent work both off and on the field, you keep cool under pressure, not to mention that magical affinity you have makes you dependable." He leaned forward in his seat, "You're the best combat medic in our entire armed forces."

Once again, Shiva was utterly dumbstruck. No one had given her any praise in years, and now a 10th Eschelon was saying she was the best combat medic they had. This wasn't right. She blinked and stared at Desrick with skeptical look. "Is this some kind of joke, sir?"

Still leaning forward, Desrick shook his head. "Not a joke, Tasthagk. This is one hundred per cent real." He leaned back and pushed a button to extend a hidden drawer that held a couple of masulu sized drinking vessels and a flask of drink. He poured a couple of glasses, passing one to Shiva, who just held it and looked into the liquid in thought, pondering this new feeling of importance. Desrick continued, "I was surprised how easy it was to convince your CO to have you transferred, but apparently you don't get on with your squad so well." 

"More like the last ten squads."

Desrick laughed quietly, "Any more questions?" Desrick gulped down his share of what Shiva smelled to be some kind of spirit.

"Yeah," Shiva looked up, "who am I going to be working with?"

Desrick poured himself some more of the spirit and shook his head. "That's where my clearance ends, I'm afraid. You'll find out when we get there."