"Two decades..." Guildmaster Raynkin breathed as he looked over Jenrilar's file as she sat in front of him, wearing a loose-fitting and comfortable outfit.

"Two and a half." Jen corrected him.

"A quarter of a century of service. In the combat division no less. And your squad, Epsilon-02, has not suffered many fatalities over the years since you assumed command. That's quite impressive, Jen."

"Thank you, sir." She responded, bowing her head respectfully to the aged human sitting across from her. "The squad has had challenges, but I have risen to face them as best as I can and lead with wisdom."

"That's what I wanted to ask you here about, Jen... Your record is as perfect as any here at the Guild. The only days you missed work was for maternity leave and you always leaped right back into the thick of it. And nine children! Three of them triplets! Oh... well, there was your month of mourning after your husband was killed. But you returned back the very next day after. You have had no reprimands, no major failures, no demerits and no negative citations. Your leadership is well-regarded and you are very thrifty and do not spend the Guild's operational budget more than you must. In fact, in some cases, you've brought back useful salvage. You are the very model of a modern mercenary."

"I am guessing that you did not call me here to flatter me, sir." She responded with a good-natured smile. "I am simply performing my sworn duty."

"The reason I've asked you here on the anniversary of your twenty five years of service is because as soon as ten years prior to now, you would have qualified to be either in the Elite Operatives, leading your own Company. A hundred to two hundred mercs under your command. Your own regional command five years ago. Why have you continued to pass up promotion, Mrs. Denjeigo?"

Jen stood up from her seat and strode to the large window overlooking the Crown City of Galomas, staring at passing airships above and vehicles and pedestrians below.

She almost seemed to be searching for the answer in the chaos.

"I refused those positions because I did not believe I was best suited." She finally replied, turning back to Raynkin.

He folded his huge arms over his burly chest. "With respect, you presume much, knowing better than your superiors in the Guild. Is there a more personal reason?"

Jen sat back down, fixing him with her soft blue eyes. "What in my file suggests I am, in any way, a slave to any personal... what is the term... 'hang-ups'?" She asked.

Jen was known for not using contractions. There's no equivalent in her native tongue and she never picked up the knack. It had the effect of drawing and maintaining attention.

"Nothing, on the surface. But I look at other personnel notes and I find things like your squadmates calling you 'Mama', or the sort. You have a very matronly way and your command style is very personal." Raynkin stated.

"I believe you have answered your own question." She responded.

"How so...?"

Jen smiled. "My command style. It requires trust, intimacy, a personal touch. Something I cannot give to an entire company. If promoted, my effectiveness as a leader is diminished proportional to how many I lead. I am comfortable with ten squadmates and it is why I am so effective. Building those personal connections and learning how best to utilize the talents of those in a small, precise squad is where my leadership latent blossoms."

He frowned, eyebrow arching skeptically. "You sure sound like you've managed to find a professional reason for covering up a personal one. Though I do have to commend anyone who can lead Passadar and Sierra... One's a maniac with a deathwish and the other could power the city if you put her on a treadmill."

She stood, smiling. "At least it is a good professional reason. You are invited to my anniversary celebration in the common area as well, sir. Bring only your appetite and a case of imported beer. Aries prefers the ales and Tseida enjoys the harder drinks."

Raynkin sighed. "Very clever, Denjeigo. But if you're not a general by the time you're sixty, I'm going to be quite cross..." He said, putting his hands up in defeat.

She stood, shaking his hand. "Thank you for your words of encouragement, sir. I shall continue to lead my squad to the best of my ability."

He shook his head. "We'll have this same conversation in another twenty five years, won't we?"

She laughed softly. "If we do, if I live that long in spite of this violent profession, I will give genuine consideration to a larger role. For what it is worth, I have always appreciated and admired your leadership."

"Take care, 'Mama'. See you at the party."

[Art by the wonderful, the indominable, the amazing  kibaandme !]