Pilot Echo K'k'kthuluxtl,
This letter is to inform you of the impending termination of your position as Acting Commander of the Ryun Ravens. At the time of your termination you will be instated as the Squadron Leader of the aforementioned Squadron. Termination is effective immediately at which time the new Commander will assume command.
Please find attached the necessary documentation and list of duties that come with your new role. To accept your new responsibilities, all paperwork must be fully and completely filled out and submitted no later than...
The small figure set down the official paperwork, her small hands smoothing it out as the news sank in. It was certainly not unexpected. Things had been exceedingly difficult and tumultuous for several months. It was only a matter time before the dragons made their choice and found someone more suitable for the role of command.
Ren had left for vacation, followed immediately by medical leave. While she had never pried, Chu still did not know why and worried deeply for him. He had been a constant friend and companion for over a century. Over the years there had been many Ravens, but Nym, Ren, and Chu had all been there since the beginning. They had always been side by side and had known to a point the things that made each other tick. To then not know what was wrong with Ren, to not be told much of anything for that matter, to be shut out and later snapped at when addressed with concern, had cut her deeply.
Not once did Chu press it though. It was obviously very private and none of her business. It was not her place nor in her nature to push beyond that. She could not help but wonder very briefly at times if she had not been as close to him though as she had originally thought. Blessedly those thoughts were fleeting and few and far between. There just was no time to dwell long on it while trying to keep up with Nym and her new squad duties.
Nym.
That was another can of worms to make her head spin. It was therefore almost a relief when she was placed in command of the Ravens in his place. The elf had only become worse since Ren had left to the point that his neuroticism was impossible for her to temper. The others had taken it in stride and at least on the outside so had Chu.
Inside was a different matter entirely. Her heart ached with each reminder that she had in some way failed the people she had cared for the longest. Her squad was her K'k'k-al'chi, her Collection, her
family. Now all she had was Obi and Pol and it was so hard to tell how they were even feeling about it all. She could only hope they still trusted her. But then, she had thought Ren had trusted her once…
A heavy sigh squeezed from her frame as she placed her head in her hands and her feelers drooped. A new commander would be good for them. The Ravens needed structure and stability. They needed an air of sanity from their leader and someone stronger than she could be for them. Chu could only hope it would be enough, that the damage done was not irreparable at this point.
She could console herself with the thought at least that the two newest recruits had not had to suffer the consequences of the former Commander’s lead, only his absence’s aftermath. They had both seemed like good editions based on their files. Sevastian had served for several years now as a stealth-based CO and had worked with the squad before on a few occasions. Chu had complete faith in his cohesion into their group. Dekval was still fresh-faced and new. Time would tell but, she had admired his enthusiasm. It was time for some change. The stagnation of winter had come to an end. It was time for the fruits of spring to rise up. Chu could only hope that their new Commander felt the same now that it was her time to step down.
It was not a far step either, all things considered. The missive had promoted her to the role of Squadron Leader and while it was something to be proud of, Chu felt a bittersweetness about it. Ren would
not be returning after all it seemed. A pity really. He was a favorite among the squad and one that they all could rally behind with ease. She had some enormously large shoes to fill now.
Chu nodded her head firmly, sitting up straight again with determination. There was no sense letting her emotions control her. She was above all that. The mind was far superior to the heart. Those softer parts of her were best left at home where they belonged. There was work to be done here. As she slid her desk drawer open to collect a pen, a single black feather gleamed ominously back up at her.
Mirror Mirror on the wall, which of us is next to fall?
