Day Three, Part 2, Military

Darius was finished with fielding his own fires. He tapped on his tablet to alert Sunny to his side and express his plans. He took a deep breath and entered the Military Tent. "Her majesty the Overlord will be visiting again shortly once she's taken research and Development to Task. Commander can I be of any assistance until then sir?"

Tamara was busy explaining some of the fine points of hunting in the snow of her home island to Keir, when General Steel walked into the tent. One of her ears perked up when she heard the flap being pulled up, then her head turned slightly to get a glance at the newcomer. The tigress quickly snapped to attention when she realized who it was while calling to her comrades.

"Attention!" she called out loud as Darius stepped in, while she stood at attention with her lance held to the right, as she had been shown earlier by Tigermark.

Tigermark had been about to answer one of the recruit's questions when Darius stepped into the tent.  Tamara had apparently spotted him at the same time as she called everyone to attention. The tiger stood tall and answered the General.

"Thank you, General. We've completed all the solid requirements in the training syllabus, but these eager young recruits seem to have a lot of questions about the Citadel and their potential service there. Care to have a go at some Q&A until Her Majesty arrives? Also, would you prefer to sit?"

Keir was listening to Tamara with interest, having never been to the snowy islands with his father, but hearing plenty of enticing stories about the way people lived there and how they survived in the climate. He couldn't image spending more time hunting firewood than feral critters for trade items.

As the tigress was talking, Keir heard footsteps approaching just in time to see the tent flap open up. Tamara had also heard the noise and looked to the entrance as well Keir noticed. General Steele walked in through the flap and in the split second before Keir could say anything, Tamara had called out to the whole tent for attention. After recognizing who was walking in, Keir was almost halfway to full stance before snapping there, placing his lance in the correct form at his right. He also brought his left handpaw up to his brow as the smile faded from his muzzle.

Angus was still sitting next to Razor and polish his buttons with one ear on the conversation between Keir and Tamara. After all he was also from one of the winter islands. Some times he exchanged a word or two with Razor.
Hearing the tend flap being lifted he looked up to see Commander Darius enter the tent.
A tick later he heard Tamara calling for attention and he straightened up and having his weapon in the weapons rack simply salutes the Commander as he was taught beforehand.

Darius blinked at the Tigress and then at Tigermark. Flinching a little as he leaned on his cane. It had been a long and tiring day already and the offer for a chair was exceptionally welcome. "I'm happy to field any questions. Certainly if I can't answer them, her majesty will." He carefully took the offered seat and laid his cane against his knee. His hand still on the pommel. "Ask away then, recruits."

Tigermark remained at attention, as Darius had given no order to go to "at ease" or sit. The recruits were doing a good job of maintaining their stance, even though They were arrayed around the tent in the various places they'd been when Darius had entered. He was glad to see the General take advantage of the chance to sit down, as he knew his leg gave him a lot of trouble. Now he hoped the recruits would not go shy on him and not ask anything, but with this group, he doubted that would happen.

Keir watched the general, awaiting the command to go into a more relaxed pose. "I have a question General, if you dont mind my asking. Exactly how will the military stuff be set up? Like the squads or "groups" and the watches and things like that?" The dark wolf's voice carried a tone heavy with curiosity, though he kept his mind tensed in case what he was asking dealt with classified information he wasn't aloud to know yet.

Keeping her saluting stance, as Darius did not gave the order to go 'at ease', she glanced quickly towards the General. Tamara's tail gave a couple involuntary flicks as she inwardly pondered how a Human could hold such a high position in the Overlord's military. As far as she knew, contact with Humans was extremely limited, and none lived on any of the Calendar Islands. Though, obviously, her information was erroneous, since a Human was standing, or, rather, sitting, right in front of her.

Her curiosity demanded that she investigate the matter, but now didn't seemed to be the right time and place to do that. She'd have better opportunities later, at the Citadel, during the course of her service. Though, she reasoned that delving into the past of a superior officer, even more when he's a general, was probably frowned upon, but she'd keep her ears and eyes open, just in case...

Keir's question was a good one: knowing how things would be set up once in active service was always useful.

"Is there other installations beyond the Citadel that we might be assigned to? Like this camp, unless it is a temporary settlement?"

Darius took a moment to realize they were still at attention and tapped this cane. "At ease..." He looked over at Keir to answer his question. "You work in shifts, for starters. alternating between Patroll, gaurd duty and days off in-between. Some of you will be on Patroll more than you're on Gaurd duty and vice versa. We'll feel you out for what you're best for in the coming weeks and months." He took a thoughtful breath before he continued. "For those of you who show the aptitude, preferably those of you with the light body and physical attributes to climb trees, will be members of my scouting parties. Putting your animal attributes to work." He glanced at angus and razor. "While some others of you are built for protection. You'll make excellent 'wreckers' for the patrol parties. Then of course there are the flying scout patrols, whether you have wings or wish to borrow a pair from Commander Tigermark's flight. They patrol our borders from the air, and alert the ground patrols to where the trouble is."

He discretely tapped his tablet to send a note to Sunday. Requesting tea. He supposed this was going to be an interesting discussion. His eyes fell on Tamara. "Your first couple years of service you will be stationed at the lair. Once you've reached two year seniority you can put in a form with our military department for permanent or temporary transfer to other islands."

After the commander said that they could be "at ease" Angus relaxed his stance and listened to the explanation.
After the Commander finished he cleared his throat and asked the commander
"Sir I know we are mostly a defensive force, serve and protect and such but do we also offer also other things to the population of the island. Like do we act as a policeforce for some citys who asked for help or disaster helpers when a storm or such hits one of the islands."
He glanced nervous in the round and didn´t know if that was a good question or not.

Chilling out with his fellow recruits, Razor was half listening to Keir and Tamara conversing while at the same time watching Angus working at his buttons. Had to make sure the bear didn't miss any grime now.

He was about to reply to something Bear boy had said but found the words caught in his throat as he cringed in response to Tamara's call to attention. Thankfully, he was able to stand at attention with the others, lance to his right side and a sharp salute. He'd never not marvel as seeing an actual human, and one that was his commanding officer at that.

It was really kind of awesome.

Going to a more relaxed stance at Darius' command, he listened intently to his response to Keir's question, straightening himself a little with the human Commander glanced towards Angus and himself. Being a 'wrecker' did sound like the kind of job for him...maybe he'd even get to do some sort of water based patrolling, seeing as it WAS an island and all.

His green eyes shifted to look at Angus as he spoke, before turning his attention back to Commander Steele as the thought about his own question.

Tigermark smiled. The recruits were definitely not shy, and Darius' answers held authority, so he knew he'd not have to add anything to them.

"General, to go along with Recruit O'Brown's question, there have been several inquiries as we've gone through training about what enemies they might face in their service to her Majesty. Care to speak about that for a bit as well?"

The tiger moved to the tent door and stood where he could both listen to Darius' answer and keep an eye out for Overlord Fox's return.

Darius tapped his cane. "We have a police force in place... it's more or less a fragmented sector of this branch, two years seniority to be stationed in towns here on Aukate, and as I mentioned, three years seniority to be stationed to other islands for that purpose." He glanced at Tigermark as if inqiring if Fox was on her way. She wasn't, but it was wishful thinking. " Do bear in mind we're the military, not a common police force. If you want to be apart of the police you'd do better going to your police academy on your home island and applying for a local police position. If you wish to continue to serve her majesty directly you are in the right place."

He turned his head away for a moment to compose the next thought before he continued. "As for the adversaries you will face, the largest threat to our gatherers and base opps teams are the thurvines, a dragon-like beast of semi-sentient intelligence. While not particularly smart they're bred by our enemy for one purpose, to be a disposable killing machine." He got up and retrieved a chart from a basket and unfurled it, showing the basic anatomy of the thurvine. "Her majesty has devised improvements to the electric shock poles your using so that they'd be very effective against them." He pointed to several contact points on the Thurvine drawing. "Behind the neck, along the spine, knees and other joints will quickly incapacitate them." He pulled another chart out of the basket and unfurled it over the thurvine. This time showing two versions of the Sirenidae. One large and fluffy the other lean and snakelike. "These are Sirenidae they're much smaller than the thurvine but in numbers they can quickly overhwhelm a single person. Thankfully they're rarely used in out and out warfare, but instead used as spies. Within the lair all Sirenidae wear collars and have Identification tags. Your shock poles are equipped with scanners that will sound a silent alarm if you scan a suspicious sirenidae in the lair and they're not meant to be there. In the feild if you encounter one it's advisable to try and capture it."

Keir observed the chart of the "Thurvines" as the General called them. Looking rather menacing and dangerous, Keir studied the way they walked on four legs, and memorized their appearance so that should he ever cross one, he would know what it was and be ready to fight it. He also mentally noted the effective strike zones of the Thurvine as Steele listed them off.

When the General lifted up the second chart of the "Sirenidae", Keir smiled slightly at the little diagram. Noting that these creatures were much smaller than the dragon-like thurvines, he also listened to the intelligence on them being used as spies and how the Lair-based ones were collared, much like a carrier pigeon would be. "Excuse me for speaking out of line sir, but those Sirenidae are actually kind of ... cute," Keir said looking General Steele in eye before locking his muzzle tightly and removing the smile on his face.

Tigermark stifled a snicker. Keir's observation that the Sirenidae were "cute" had been made by most who saw them. He did feel the need to throw in a caution while they were on the subject.

"Recruit Mahlonne," the tiger stated without looking away from his vigil at the tent door. "The little snakerats can be called that, but don't underestimate them. They're surprisingly intelligent, and as you can see they do have arms and hands that allow them to use tools to a certain extent. Also, the fluffy ones hide a set of poison spikes down in that fluff. The ones in the Lair are on our side, and can be quite friendly and chatty. Don't let them distract you from your duties, but don't mistreat them, either. The ones you encounter without collars, treat as a danger until and unless it proves otherwise."

"Expounding on that point..." Darius quipped in response. "The efforts of two Sirenidae nearly killed myself, Doctor Silver, my Daughter and her majesty's accountant. Several others attempted to set poison gas bombs in our air ducts which had they suceeded, would have seriously crippled our forces and defenses. While there's little we can do to stop them from getting in. Theres more to stop them from getting back out again."

He pulled out another chart and unfurled it glancing at it himself for a breif moment before showing it to the rest of the recruits. "Continueing with the threats you may encounter is the leaders of the...human... ship Captain Richard Titan and Commander Aria Beryl. Titan is a mad monsterous man standing ten feet tall, and God help you if he catches you in Darnathi Territory. While he rarely leaves the ship when he does he's to be considered armed and extremely dangerous." He tapped at his leg with his cane. "He did this to me...and I was lucky. Dr Silver has endured worse by his hand. He could crush one of you in his bare hands. So please for the sake of myself, and your families if you see him in the jungle do not attempt to be a hero. Run. Run as quickly and as silently away from him as you can." He moved to indicate Beryl. "Beryl is a Sirenidae breeder, by herself she's mostly harmless but I would give her a wide berth all the same. She has strange abilities to control her precious little pets and I'd shudder to think what she'd have them do to a trespasser."

Tamara looked with much interest at the charts being unfurled before them. The advices and warning did not fall on deaf ears though, and she duly noted that the snakerats were not as defenceless as they appeared, and that Titan and Beryl where to be considered as mortal dangers and avoided at all costs. The tigress also thoughts that meeting one of those Thurvines out in the open without a shock lance in paw might be quite lethal, and she now understood Tigermark's advice given after the sparring match with Keir.

"General, Commander, since there's Sirenidaes at the Lair, it means that they chose to switch sides, for whatever reason. Has there been anyone from our side who joined forces with Titan and the Darnathi?" she asked.

While some might think the thought to be silly or revolting, it was a question worth asking. A minion of the Overlord joining the Darnathi might give them some useful informations about the Lair and her Majesty's forces.

Razor eyed the charts with interest, listening intently to the information being offered by his two superiors as well as the questions and comments of his peers. Even thought he fully agreed with Keir on the subject of the Sirenidae being "cute", hearing what they were capable of greatly dampened said cute factor.

And he'd never heard of a human getting to be around 10 feet tall...not that he was an expert on humans, but sheesh that was large. Thankfully, Razor didn't have a death wish and would be sure to haul tailfin if he ever saw THAT guy.

Glancing over at Tamara, he found her question to be a sound one. Switching sides wasn't exactly all that uncommon.

Glanzing over the shoulders of his comrades he noted the weak points of the thurvines.
He also noted the chart of the Sirenidae and he stifled a laugh as Keir called them cute.
Yes they looked cute that he admited to himself but even cute things can be dangerous.
He leaned back pondering the situation when the commander told them all about Titan and Beryl.
He just couldn´t wrap his mind around the fact that a 10 feet tall human should be on Islands
Looking at both charts he memorized both faces of the leaders he was sure that it would come in handy in the future to know who is who.
When Tamara asked hher question about traitors he did nod to himself a good question she sure is a smart Tiger.

After both the Commander and the General stated their previous experiences with the sirenidae, Keir's ears and face fell from astonishment to surprised, to finally worried. Looking over the charts again and then turning to face Tigermark, Keir remarked on the topic. "I will make do to keep that in mind Commander," he said as he straightened himself and continued to review over the charts that Darius was holding up.

When the General began to describe Titan, Keir was interested, but after having made a fool of himself once already, he left it at that and remained silent. As the chart with Beryl came up, Keir noted her strange ability to control the sirenidae. Making a wide berth around these two was definitely priority on the wolf's list. When Tamara asked her question, Keir nodded in agreement that it was a very good one indeed and awaited the General's response.

Tigermark considered Tamara's question. He'd heard.....rumors, but no actual announcement or facts. That being the case, he chose not to start any rumors among this group.

"As far as I've heard, Recruit Tamara, no. Nothing has been sent across official channels. We have had those who've chosen to leave the Overlord's service, but they've gone back home, or off on their own. I......find it hard to imagine someone going to Titan after having served Her Majesty."

He left it at that, knowing Darius would add in anything he felt the recruits should know about the idea. From his observation of the other section tents, there was no sign of the Overlord. he did see lady Bane swiftly overtake a pair of minions heading for the edge of the jungle, one of which he recognized as the young purple quadruped fox they'd rescued the day before. After a moment, Bane returned to the Base Ops tent and the two recruits went separate ways into the jungle. Tigermark simply shrugged to himself, awaiting whatever Darius or the recruits had to say.

Her long tail gave a flick at Tigermark's response. It was carefully worded, yes honest and clear. Which meant that this was still a possibility, and she nodded at the Commander, before glancing towards the General, waiting to see if he'd answer or just skip the question altogether.

"This Titan character seems to be much less nice than the Overlord, but there are those who prefer an iron fist to a silk glove, or whatever the expression is..."

Hmmming to himself as he listened to Tigermark's reply in regards to the whole switching side thing, Razor was..somewhat satisfied with the answer. All he knew was that he wouldn't be joining up with opposing team.

"'Scuse me. Commanders? Quick question. Is there goin' ta be like...any mo' trainin' once we actually git to the Lair? Jest wonderin' cuz as much as Commander Tigermark has taught us, ah doubt the trainin' ends here"

Pondering the answer Angus looked in the sky.
He just couldn´t understand why furs would switch sides from the Overlord to this sinister Titan character.
As far as he saw the forces of the Overlord where well feed, keeped in shape and overall where well liked that´s why he joined in the first place.
He never really meet Her Majesty herself but what he could gather was that she was a good and honest person someone who where worthy to work and serve for.
Razors question draws him back and he looks at the commander still facinated about this human.