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	As murmurs and utterances danced across the crowded mass, the commander's stoic composure began to turn, impatience causing her eyebrows to furrow.  She glanced to the robed figure on her right and gave a quick, subtle nod.  The figure lifted a leg and brought it back down with a force that gave birth to thunder.  It was time for silence.  As all eyes turned in their direction, the commander gave the figure a curt smile before looking at the initiates and her fellow hoods.

	“[color=ed1c24]I,[/color]” she began, projecting her voice loudly, “[color=ed1c24]am Commander Blanchette Rouge.  You may call me Commander, Commander Rouge, or Sir.[/color]”  As she spoke, she pointed both of her hands toward her adjacent associates.  “[color=ed1c24]To my left is Captain Anthony Jericho who heads up the Red Guard.  He may be addressed as Captain or Captain Jericho.  To my right is Zeke.  You may not address him at all.[/color]”  Commander Rouge took a step off the stage and started slowly walking among the crowd as they parted to give her way.

	“[color=ed1c24]You are Initiates.  You are not Hoods.  Not yet.  Your path to Red will be treacherous and challenging.  You won't even be Yellow until you prove to me that you're worth the room and board.  You are guppies.  My job is to turn you into sharks.  For those who choose to live life in blissful ignorance, let me explain who we are.[/color]

	“[color=ed1c24]We are the Red Hoods.  We are a sovereign nation of protectors against the supernatural.  We are not bound by the laws of Man, but are sworn to protect them.  That's the trade.  We are licensed to judge, sentence and execute.  There are a few factions within our ranks.  There's the Initiates: The Living Nobodies.  As Initiates, you are visitors in our home and enjoy none of the benefits of being a Hood until you prove your worth.  Once you do, you will be a Yellow Hood, a prospect.  Yellow Hoods will operate under the supervision of at least one Red at all times.  Yellows must have approval before killing and any unauthorized independent operations of a Yellow will be met with severe and swift consequences.  Eventually, you might earn your Red Hood.  More likely, though, you'll simply die trying.  There are Red Hoods and there is the Red Guard.  Think of the Red Hoods as specialized agents of the Order and the Red Guard as it's military.  You don't convince the Lords and Ladies of the land that you're immune to their laws without having armored muscle behind your back.  If you make it to Red status, you can opt to contact Captain Jericho about joining the Guard, but none of you are anywhere close to having to worry about that consideration.[/color]”

	Her eyes met each candidate's as she walked between them all, making a slow circle before she stepped back up onto the raised platform.  “[color=ed1c24]There are monsters in this batch,[/color]” she stated, catching some of the tells from some of the candidates.  “[color=ed1c24]Good.  You will encounter creatures of various natures in the field.  Our mission is to put them down or tame them.  Sometimes it takes a monster to catch a monster.  All initiates will live on campus or be welcome to room at our various satellite sites.  No matter what province you are in, chances are there's a Red Hood base or safehouse.  Your instructors will teach you more about the organization and your personal missions as time goes on.  For now, it's time for you to be seen to your rooms.  You will have bunkmates that your instructor will choose.  Get to know them because later today, your life will be in their hands and vice versa.  Those who survive the first trial will earn their first meal.  Good luck.[/color]”

	Commander Blanchette and her two associates casually left the stage and headed down a hallway, leaving the rest of the brood behind them.  

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	"[color=929292]Right!  Ya heard tha Commander! Move out![/color]" Finlay was quick to shout as he tried to herd the new recruits down a different hallway.  The remaining Red Hoods just stood where they were, watching as the new recruits shuffled away.  Finlay pushed himself to the head of the pack so that he could take lead and show them where the bunks were.  After a right turn down a new hallway, they came across a series of open doors.  Finlay turned around to address the initiates.

	"[color=929292]I am Finlay Dougal. While you're in tha Keep, I am yer point o' contact.  Do as I say and there won't be a problem.  We're gonna split inta groups o' four with one short ta three.[/color]"  Finlay stopped for a moment to retrieve a parchment from his back pocket.  "[color=929292]Dragomir, Cohen, Chase and Fendrel... Move your arses, you're in this one,[/color]" he said, pointing to the room to the immediate right.  "[color=929292]Album, Devout, O'Shay and Whitlock... This one,[/color]" he said, pointing to the room to the left, across the hall from the first.  He began to backpedal to the next set of doorways as he called out the last group.  "[color=929292]Celestina, Von Lilen, and Rivington... Here ya are.[/color]"  All said and done, he put away the parchment and looked to the initiates once more.

	"[color=929292]It's like the Commander says, get settled in, but not too settled.  Hell awaits.  Be ready![/color]"  With that, he turned away, striding back down the hall from whence came.

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