The next bit of Zanny's story. =) Greh, awkward pose is awkward. I don't have any good walking refs.

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The door to Commander Vasryn Delaney's office slid open at her personal secretary's tone. The black and gray furred woman looked up from her desk, watching impassively as a blue clad figure entered and snapped to attention. The salute was executed with Imperial precision, neat and crisp. Some of her own officers could learn a thing or two from this earnest child. Even so, Delaney had to suppress a smile. She knew all too well who this girl was, and why she had come. Roxzannah Lyles' request had created a neat dilemma for the commander.

"At ease, kir Lyles," she told the younger woman, using the formal honorific to denote her class distinction. She watched those white ears dip at the word. Delaney stood. "I'm afraid you've put me in a rather difficult position."

"Ma'am." Even at ease, Lyles kept whatever thoughts she might have off her face.

The commander continued. "Your records are good, outstanding even, but I cannot in good conscience unseat a seasoned officer in favor of you. On the other hand, if I place you under anyone's command but my own, this entire organization will come under heavy political pressure and scrutinization from the Aristo class. Either outcome is undesirable."

"Permission to speak freely?"

Delaney raised a brow. "Granted."

"Ma'am, I would neither want, nor expect-."

The older woman waved her comment away, suppressing another smile. "The problem, kir Lyles, is not in what you want. It is in what your peerage expects." She caught the flicker of a pained expression on Lyles' face before the other schooled her features blank again. "I asked you once before, and I will ask you again. Are you absolutely certain you wish to join the defense force? If so, understand that you will undoubtedly come under a great deal of personal and political pressure from your social caste, and I will expect you to deal with it accordingly. I cannot have officers with divided minds or loyalties under my command. Am I perfectly clear?"

Lyles nodded firmly. "I understand what I am committing to. With all due respect, Ma'am, I am accustomed to political pressure. I may have spent the last three years as a cadet on Coruscant, but even that wasn't beyond the reach of my 'peers'. I've spent my entire life under immense political and social pressure. I haven't bowed to it yet, and I have no intention of ever doing so. I will not allow it to interfere with my duties."

Commander Delaney gave a thoughtful nod. It was much what she had expected, given what she knew of Lyles. "I believe you. And that is why I made my decision before you arrived." She held out a datapad. Three small gold rings lay on its screen. They were akin to the six rings that swung from Delaney's right ear.

"Your commission and assignments. I'm giving you command of Fourth squadron, since their current captain is up for well deserved and long overdue retirement. Fourth is a training squadron. They're mostly new pilots, a few remedials, and have no real combat experience. Teach them what you can. From his reports, Captain Borrel despairs of ever getting them to form a cohesive unit, but from now on, that will be up to you. All your starting assignments will be ground based for now. There may be station based exercises later as availability permits. I will expect copies of the schedule you draw up as well as regular progress reports on your squadron."

Lyles took the datapad. "Yes Ma'am," she said, coming to attention again.

"Your duties will commence as soon as Medical has certified you ready for flight. Until then, familiarize yourself with your quarters and the facilities. You will want to see the general quartermaster about uniforms as well." This time the commander did not bother to hide her smile. "Welcome aboard, Captain Lyles."

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