Rishun made absolutely sure she was the last one to enter the ship, taking the time to tug out her pebble out to snap a photo of the outside of the ship. It was a hobby of hers to collect images of things that reside on and in the water, and her library was extensive. All manner of aquatic animals, a plethora of plants, dozens of coral types, and of course, boats and ships. This one was special, though. With her name emblazened on the side, the Corvette HMS Repulse was a fine ship, and she deserved respect like any vessel regardless of size. Rishun had butterflies in her stomach as she gazed at the ship, a little lost in the feeling she had grown addicted to since joining the military. She had a passion for technology and all things that had a net signal, but seeing massive ships bobbing gently in the waves was a huge perk not had back home, where the biggest vessel to be seen regularly was a pontoon boat used for parties. The otter realized she had been standing and admiring a little too long, and quickly scurried up the ramp to follow the group. She chittered worriedly as she zipped by sailors in the tight corridors, her sleek frame making it easy to catch up. Dumping her duffel onto a cot in an unclaimed cot she padded after the backs of those she stumbled in front of on the dock, into another room, this one a rather adorable baby boardroom. Taking an empty seat she started to pull out her pebble out of habit, then an instant later thought better of it. How would it look to record what was most likely NOT a normal reassignment...She squirmed as she tried to retain what was being said, most of her life having an issue with listening and remembering important details no matter how hard she tried. She was a visual sort who could pick out a pattern in a long string of code if she had it in front of her. But her species worked against her in this instance. Otters communicated in a sort of audio shorthand when they speak their language, and as such regularly repeat themselves as a conversation carries on normally between them. In this case, Rishun had to make do without notes. The biggest thing she picked out as the briefing went on was this group, Silent Line. She knew the name, and in her off time had researched everything she could about it. But like the Solernian military, she couldn't find a trace. But she believed they existed. Any cyber swimmer worth their circuits would try and uncover any mystery on the nets, yet Rishun and countless others had yet to piece anything together. She knew of the increased incidents in the last few months. But even with extra clues, there were no links, no currents she could swim down, all the streams ending in eddies of disappointment. The general, which she honestly dd not recognize, handed the briefing over to her new commander, she perked up. At last more specific details! No more history lessons! And what's more Silverwind was detailing their first assignment in the east ocean. While she was not from there herself, she had a cousin (several times removed, typical otter family style) who lived near that coastline. She was genuinely excited, grinning ear to fuzzy ear as talk turned to Intel gathering. This was her chance to get ahead of all the competition on the nets, finally connect the dots, and expose this imaginary Silent Line! It was all she could do to avoid yipping gleefully in the middle of the briefing. None of the other details stuck with her, and the briefing came to a close, with Rishun waiting patiently until Silverwind wasn't occupied by another member of the team, then walked up and gave a firm salute. "Aah'khkh, Commander. Technophile Rishun Sprinsteam. I am officially accepting the assignment, and excited I was chosen. I have done my own research into the name Silent Line, and will lend what I have found to our efforts here. If you wish I can get to work securing the squad com link with my own security systems, or anything you might want for the Dieachuwaz'ounkh. Just let me know. Yehney'Aah'khkh, Sir." She saluted again, and quickly rushed out the door. Otters tend to forget to listen to replies to their inquiries... _________________________________________ Rishun slithered her way back to her bunk, noting the Brown Bear, Fionn, in one of the rooms reading. She blinked. An interesting pass time for sure, and she didn't want to disturb him, instead opting to hop onto her own cot and whip out her pebble, quickly flicking the personal access codes she programmed in before getting to work appraising herself on the most recent kidnappings and instances of piracy or hijackings on the eastern board of Solernia. Who knows, maybe something would reveal itself to her... She was deep in article number nineteen when her pebble pinged at her. She tapped the save page and flicked her screen to address the alert, noting Max the Lion wanted to share the morning. Well, she could keep reading another time. She pocketed her pebble and, out of habit, bounded out of the bunk room on all fours and into the corridors in search of the smell of coffee. ______________________________________ The otter skidded past the entrance to the Mess hall a minute later, having gotten directions from a passing sailor after a few wrong turns. She entered and pushed herself up onto her back legs, waving to the trio already there ahead of her. "Hi! Rishun Sprinsteam, nice to introduce myself! WaitthatswrongImean, Nice to meet you all! I don't like coffee much but I am happy to muyn with you still." *utterly smooth....* she thought, rubbing the back of her neck as she chuckled nervously....