Melody got out of dodge and left Tom alone in her office. While he was waiting, Tom tried to achieve a relaxing way to sit in this damn metal chair. He wielded a mix of gravity, magnetism and fire to reshape it. The chair lost two inches in height, the arm-rests were more spaced out and now he could lean back. By the time someone knocked on the door, Tom all most nodded off to sleep. Sitting up and adjusting his suit coat as he uttered.

"Come in."

A kobold commando marched in full combat kit. She inspected the small room and appeared to be unsure how to greet him. She did the only thing she knew, fall back on her instinct and training. She gave him a salute and focused her attention on the wall behind him.

"Sr. repoting for the private briefing."

All the military movies and games he's experienced over the years kicked in.

"At ease. Now then, even if I were in uniform. I'm not your superior, so why are you saluting me?"

Dropping gracefully into parade rest as she answered him.

"Sr. as written in the regs, you are second in command."

Tom just gaped at her like she was an alien. Her flat expression didn't twitch a muscle as she stared at the wall. Snapping out of his bewilderment.

"Oh shit, your serious."

Face-palming as he gestured to the set on the other said of the desk.

"You can sit over there if you like. I can't do this commanding officer thing."

Remaining where she was.

"Sr. I can't-"

List night and todays events were making him short-tempered. Throwing mana into his words by accident as he cut her off.

"Sit in the damn chair."

Some how she stood up more upright and stepped over to it. Sitting down on the at edge of her set, she was spring loaded and ready to go. Tom sighed as he examined the door.

"Sorry about that. It's been a long night. I've lost a friend lest night and I need a beer."

He got silent and tried to get his gray matter back in working order. She relaxed by a couple of atoms, but was still wound up.

"What is your name?"

Responding promptly.

"Sergeant Zabel of Beta-6 squad Sr."

Tom stared at her impassively. The Sr. thing was getting old quick.

"Right, let me explain why I am here."

Zabel eagerly seized a pencil and some paper from the battered desk. Tom refused to acknowledge this.

"The Dark Sun Guild sent someone after my friend and killed her. I want all the info you can provide on them and I need guns."

When she was finished something in neat writing, the sergeant inquired.

"Lots of guns Sr?"

Not sure if that was intended to be a joke or not, he clarified.

"No, a standard kit will do."

She assembled some more notes.

"Do you know the name of the target in the guild Sr?"

Tom nonchalantly said as he crossed his arms.

"All of them."

Looking away from the paper to carefully examine his resolve, she was not disappointed.

"Understood Sr."