Xerox's reaction was telling and Duncan leaned forward with a conspiratorial air, whispering just loud enough to be heard. [b]'... Second base? First? Some over the clothes action, or just a sneaky peek when she wasn't paying attention? C'mon, I can tell you've got more details. I can [i]smell[/i] it.'[/b] He too was feeling the fatigue of the day, but Duncan would be damned if he let this kind of story pass him buy. [i]Plus I don't have to feel guilty for looking anymore since they're no longer students![/i] In a way it was probably for the best that Eika would not be accompanying the team; he had always had a soft spot for long black hair. As time wore on and the two of them chatted, the music from the main hall slowed from waltz to slow dance, from slow dance to last call and eventually the ball quietly ended, before many of the guests even realised.

---

[b]'Uh... Instructor? You ok man? I don't think he's awake guys.'[/b] While the sound was muddled by anti-hangover drugs and a sizeable amount of alcohol still in his system, Duncan could still hear Kein's nervous voice loud and clear. After a few false starts, he was able to push himself into a sitting position and reminded himself of where he was; classroom, 0830... he was supposed to give a briefing. A cursory glance around the room helped put things in perspective. Most of the SeeDs who had passed their test the day before were seated around the room, plus three others. When putting together the team for his new assignment, Duncan had been given access to dossiers on all SeeDs below his own rank, which had been quietly boosted a considerable degree for this op. In the end he had decided to add a few more qualified SeeDs to his roster, both to help the younger ones learn the ropes and so that he would have a few jaded souls to pitch in with the more morally grey jobs. Jericho Joranis had been an easy choice, given his contributions during the test and his very recent demotion for instigating a fight with another SeeD; adding Jericho also meant that he could take Gracelyn Trinser. The two had worked together in the past and apparently had a good working rapport; they would do well as his enforcers. The third figure was of course Yoko Ono, his newly promoted adjutant and strategist, although he suspected the girl had taken the assignment purely to stay close to her lover Kein. Regardless of their questionable relationship, Yoko was one of Garden's best strategic minds and a logistical savant; having her on his team was a no-brainer.

After a minute of thoughtful silence and with the meds finally kicking in, Duncan finally opened his mouth to speak. [b]'... Good morning SeeDs. I am Duncan Lerwick and you have all been assigned to my new field command. As some of you may know, I was officially fired after the debacle at Dollet. Offically. But good ol' Corvo never makes things that simple, does he? So instead I've been reassigned to lead this long-term stealth op into Galbadia.'[/b] At Duncan's nod, Yoko stepped forward and activated the classroom's projectors. A series of maps appeared on screen. [b]'I am Yoko Ono, Mr Lerwick's second in command and field adjutant. I will be planning and organising most of our missions together. Now then...'[/b] Showing only pure professionalism and a cool demeanour, Yoko would be near unrecognisable to anyone who had witnessed her and Kein the night before. [b]'Our initial deployment will be by train to the town of Timber, where we shall establish a safehouse and make contact with the client.'[/b] As she spoke, the information on the board shifted to show a dossier on a group of Galbadian soldiers. [b]'Our client is a faction within the Galbadian Army that seeks to overthrow the government of President Deling; they have numerous powerful backers both within the country and without and as such, have amounted enough capital to hire an entire squad of SeeDs. No easy feat, let me tell you.'[/b] At this point Duncan took over, getting up to lean against the side of his desk. [b]'Naturally Garden approves of democratisation in Galbadia; Deling's administration has instigated a dozen wars over the last twenty years and the man himself is a complete cock. I should know, I met the bastard when I was a kid.'[/b] Not a particularly fond memory, but it had served as the inspiration for naming his bitebug years later. Both Vinzers looked somewhat alike in his eyes; a pair of parasitic monsters with poison tongues. [b]'Garden already has agents in Timber, so we have a few good sites for a safehouse. Today we just have to meet the faction's liaison, then set up shop.'[/b] They both sat back down and Duncan leaned forward on steepled fingers, his expression uncharacteristically serious. [b]'And that's about the whole of it. We're leaving at 1000 hours; if you have any questions, make it quick.'[/b]