They were loaded into a pelican and sent down planetside. Their supplies and mechs would need to be ported to a separate transport due to their size and lack of connection points.

  The ride was smooth, and she relaxed on the drop down. Less then 20 minutes later, they arrived at the 61st's command post. They off loaded, and they split up.

  The techs went to their new play house, likely to set it up, or maybe offer sacrifices to the machines (who actually KNEW what those people did?). Her fireteam to their assigned bunks. She was betting they got lost, as neither was using the provided map of the base on their pads.

  She, however, had to go to the command post proper to meet the new CO. Oh, the joys of being an officer. Paperwork and meetings.

  She was let inside after guards ascertained her rank and new position in the 61st, and she went on to the CO's office.

  She was met with her assistant, a guy in is 20's. "Hello, just arrived in from above, and was ordered to meet with the CO."

  Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

  "One sec." He said. He called, and was sent a reply. "Your expected. Welcome!" He smiled.

  Nivka nodded, and went to the office. She knocked, and someone called enter. She made a quick final check of her uniform, nodded slightly, and entered.

  The Colonel of the 61st armored brigade was 6ft 3in. Her skin was smooth and dark, her hands calloused with long fingers. She had straight black hair, green eyes and glasses.

  Nivka by comparison was chalk white, 6ft 1, with calloused hands and long fingers. Her eyes were dark brown, almost black. Her hair was blond, with no glasses.

  Hell, Nivka thought. If it wasn't for the glasses, we could be twins.

  Nivka straightened and snapped a salute. "First Lieutenant Nivka Feirbon reporting as requested Sir." Nivka said.

  "Your expected. Sit. This is going to be a quick meet and greet. There's a meeting tomorrow on deployment statuses, positioning and the like at 0600. Now, you've served 7 years?"

  Taking in the whirlwind of words, she nodded after a second. "Yes sir. 7 years in the infantry as enlisted. Recently transferred to-"

  "Yes. I know." She interrupted with a quirk of her lips. "I do have your service record. From Sargent to first lieutenant. Quite the jump, no? Due note that I'm not questioning your capability to lead."

  "Ahem. Yes sir. It was a surprise to me as well. I could have gone down the officers track much earlier, but chose infantry enlisted. To suddenly get a commission was... surprising."

  "I'm sure. Well, to make things quick, your fireteam, as it is, will be acting in multiple roles. This includes scouting, defensive actions, and more besides. Your post is to be decided, likely tomorrow." She said.

  "Yes sir."

  "Good. Now, if there is anything else?"

  "No sir."

  "That will be all then. Dismissed." She said. Nivka saluted, and walked out. First stop now, the mess, then bed. 0600.... why did she become an officer?