Fire Team Alpha

Dustin and the others had decided not to update the rest of the crew about the situation just yet; to do so might have potentially delayed their return to Uinn space, and after much discussion they’d come to the conclusion that it was better to get everyone - Clyff included - on board, then make an announcement. When Rye raised the question of what they’d do at that point if people thought this new mission wasn’t what they’d signed up for, Dustin was decisive. “If they don’t like it, we’ll drop them off with Queri border control to head back to the hospital planet. I don’t want anyone to feel like they have to tag along. On which note, Dr Bleu? Your thoughts?”

The Queri medic dismissed any concerns that she might not like the news that any of the others might have had with a shake of her head. “I will not be returning; if anything this change to the mission makes it even better for me, no doubt the increased danger will mean ample chances for me to focus on doing my job. I suspect most of the medical staff will feel the same way - I was rather careful to only pick the very best when I made that list I gave to you. I figured that if I set the bar so high you’d probably fail, it’d make my life easy if you actually managed to succeed.”

Admitting that she’d been angling for them to fail was no real surprise to the rest of Sola’s crew, so they had left it at that and moved on to other matters. From there, the travel time to the Uinn world was a bit of a haze. Suddenly going from a crew of six to one of fifty was a shock to the system for all of them; Dustin made a point of scheduling individual meetings with every member of the new medical team while they were in transit, virtually his entire day being spent in getting to know even the most junior of his staff. Trea’k had pointed out that this might not be sustainable long term, especially if they started rotating fire crews with other Earth ships once the mission to investigate threats got underway - but for the time being, he wanted to ensure everyone had at least an hour of his time when they joined his ship. That was especially true for the forty-something junior staff that had been recruited by Emely and Meli without his input.

“You know, li’ah’a, when we first met you were so unsure of yourself as captain.” Meli mused during the final night of travel. She was sitting propped up against one of the cushions in the ambassadorial bedroom with Emely’s head in her lap, gently stroking the redhead’s hair as she spoke. “And as a lover as well. And now look at you; not just acting, but fully being the captain for our new crew.” Dustin nodded, biting his lip as he did so before replying. “Yea. I… fuck, let me slow down a second… I guess I have grown in the time we’ve been together.”

As he said that, a grumbling sound from in front of him made him pause. Trea’k stopped what she was doing as well, shifting backwards slightly so that the bunny girl between them could speak. Wiping her mouth on the back of her hand and glaring at Meli, Rye’s tone was irritated. “Dusty, shut up. Nerd, I love ya dearly but please stop distracting him when he’s in the middle of something, I was getting close right there.” Returning his focus to double teaming the Rabyth with his Vex’ess lover, Dustin wasn’t sure if he imagined Emely giggling about the fact that it was Rye who was actually “in the middle of something” or not. Either way, a pair of powerful thighs covered in golden fur wrapping around him rapidly took all of his attention, leaving any further thoughts of his own development to be had another day.

The senior staff of the Solar Ascent did not all meet up for breakfast for once the following morning. Dustin had risen early, slipping out of the tangle of flesh, fur and chitin in which he’d ended the night somehow without waking any of his partners, and had left a note for them to all meet him on the bridge in uniform when they awoke. He’d opted for his own formal uniform for what would be happening that day - or rather, for both things that would be happening. First, Rocky and Clyff’s wedding - the Uinn medic had shyly asked if Dustin and the other senior officers would like to attend - and then secondly the formal transfer for Clyff from the Uinn combat academy to the Solar Ascent’s crew.

Meli joined him first, looking amazing as ever despite the mostly plain grey of her formal uniform. To his slight surprise, when she arrived she was accompanied by Bleu - who was a surprise all on her own. Where previously the slime had been “dressed” in clothes formed from her own body, today she had opted for a jumpsuit made of some kind of synthetic fabric that hugged her almost as closely. Seeing his expression, the doctor shrugged. “I prefer not to bother with external clothes, but for formal affairs and special occasions I do have a handful. I trust this is acceptable?” That question coming out more as a statement backed by a threat than as any kind of real query.

Dustin nodded - while the suit was very form-fitting, it wasn’t distractingly so, and just the presence of clothes on the opaque blue woman looked formal. As he was about to explain as much to her, the door slid open again to reveal the two Vex’ess women. Yril’k was wearing an outfit that didn’t look a million miles removed from that of a martial artist - all flowing trousers and sleeveless top - again, the presence of clothes on someone who usually relied on her chitin for covering instantly making her look more official. Trea’k on the other hand remained in her usual half-dressed state - however she had replaced the jackets and buttoned shirts she usually preferred for covering her mostly chitin-less upper body with a top that was partway between tunic and toga.

When Emely arrived some time later she had opted for a floral-patterned summer dress. “My formal uniform is too close to the dress Rocky’s mother will be wearing, so we selected this as an alternative” was her explanation when Dustin asked. Given that the Feliax’s uniform was over halfway to just being a sundress in any case, he let it slide. Rye arrived last, finally walking in just before they entered orbit around the Uinn planet - and while still rubbing sleep out of her eyes. “Next time I ask to be the centre of attention right before we do something important, do me a favour treacle and just pin me to the wall and tell me no? You’re the only one strong enough to do it, and I know Dusty’s too kind to refuse if I ask him for anything.” The bunny girl said, haphazardly adjusting the sash that held her formal outfit together as she did so.

The wedding itself was remarkably swift. Dustin had been expecting more of a spectacle from the amount of planning Emely had been discussing with Rocky, but the actual ceremony was over and done in under fifteen minutes. The guests were all escorted by the couple’s parents into a long room and lined up like an honour guard; the couple then walked down the line and stood with their foreheads pressed together while someone (that Dustin presumed was a priest of some kind) wrapped them in what looked like a ribbon, then the parents of both Rocky and Clyff unwrapped the ribbon, tied it into a bow and presented it to the couple - and that was it. From there they all filed out into another room, where what Dustin clearly could recognize as the wedding reception began.

“We can leave whenever you wish now captain.” Clyff had said politely, handing Dustin a drink while Rocky chatted with Meli nearby. “You don’t want to stay for the rest of your party?” Dustin replied, raising an eyebrow. “We don’t need to rush off; if you’re worried about the other matter Flint’s happy to work to my timescale, any time today will be fine.” The Uinn shook his head at that. “It’s bad luck to stay for too long at your own party. Part of the ceremony is about you becoming one with your partner, leaving behind your previous connections. The party’s a thing for those that you’re leaving behind.” Then he glanced at his watch and added “And because of that, we will be leaving in about twenty minutes regardless. If you wish to stay longer please do - we’ve got a shuttle booked to take us up to the orbital for my transfer, so we will meet you there.”

After a quick discussion with Emely to ensure he wasn’t accidentally missing any other Uinn cultural differences around weddings, Dustin and the others then opted to stay for a few more hours to mingle and talk with the gathered families. The presence of an ambassador was perhaps unsurprisingly a matter of some delight for the parents of the happy couple, although they also seemed quite content and perhaps a little relieved when Dustin said his goodbyes citing the need to continue his mission.

The mood in the shuttle up to orbit was cheerful - Emely hugging his arm as he flew, Meli and Rye in discussions over post-wedding parties with a certain level of active intent now it seemed, and the other three taking the chance to doze after the amount of socializing they’d just undertaken. The sleepier passengers awoke with a start when their shuttle was scanned for docking at a military orbital however; Yril’k’s bladed arms half uncurling before realising that there was no threat and settling once more. “Why are we here, Captain’k? Surely’k, Clyff’s transfer does not require our presence’k?” She asked, rubbing sleep from her eyes with one hand. Dustin smiled back over his shoulder. “I have a surprise of sorts for you, security chief. Let’s go.” With that, he led the crew out of the shuttle and along the narrow gantry that lead into the station. Inside, they found a group of individuals in plain fatigues standing or sitting around, as well as a small raised platform onto which Dustin escorted his crew.

In the middle of the platform Rocky was waiting, talking quietly with an older-looking Uinn in a far fancier uniform than that of the others present. Seeing Dustin approach he held out one hand rather stiffly. “Believe this is traditional for your kind? We do a similar thing but with the backs of our hands.” Dustin shook the offered hand, before releasing his grip in order to slap the back of his hand lightly against the naval commander’s - he’d had Rocky teach him the gesture previously. “Glad to meet you in person Commander Flint. Are we all prepared?” The commander nodded, before stepping up to the nearby lectern and blasting out a short burst of what sounded like static but was actually high-speed binary - the augmented secondary Uinn language.

The assembled troops stopped what they were doing and snapped upright, falling into two neat ranks at attention. From his vantage point, Dustin could make out Clyff in the middle of one of the rows practically vibrating with keenness. “Fire Team Alpha. As per the mission briefing, you are hereby transferred to the command of Human General Axworth, with the exception of gunnery sergeant Clyff as per prior transfer orders. You will travel under orders with Ambassador Smith to Earth for further assignment. I expect to hear the very best reports from the general and ambassador about your service.” Dustin turned and grinned at Yril’k. “Not permanent staff yet, but here you are security chief. An entire fire team for you.” The Vex’ess gave a vicious grin of delight and stepped forward, both blade arms shifting out and spreading like wings above her head as the commander ceded the lectern to her. “Fire Team’k. I am security chief Yril’k. For the duration of your transit, you will be under my authority’k. Collect your effects’k and prepare for transfer to the Solar Ascent’k. I will hold a full briefing’k on the observation deck once you are all aboard’k. Dismissed.”