Hi.  Thanks for taking time to read my story, I really hope you like it.  I like writing about Dilandau Albatou because during the Esca series, I found his character the most intriguing.  The other characters do make appearances, but usually briefly.  If you feel the desperate urge to review, then all criticisms and flames are welcomed.  How else will I learn to improve?

Disclaimer:  I used to own Escaflowne and all its characters but I lost them in a bet involving three racing snails and a small Chihuahua.  Since that wager, I don't own a thing.

Chapter 1:  The Gathering

The vast hangar was filled with about 5000 troops, all in full battle uniform and stood to attention.  At the front was a large screen which was currently filled with the pixelated face of their leader, Emperor Dornkirk.  He was addressing his troops on the Vione and also simultaneously on other floating fortresses, reminding them of their dream of a perfect future, a united Gaea and the need for the war against the Allied troops.

Commander Sienna Clavell was giving the impression of utmost attention but really she was idly scanning the hangar, waiting for the lecture to end.  Whilst it was good for morale to hear the Emperor himself speak the words of destiny and triumph, they all knew most of the speech off by heart.  Her eyes flickered briefly to her men; they were a small but specialised troop who initially had not taken kindly to a female officer over-seeing them.  It had taken Sienna many months to gain first their trust, then their respect.  She could still remember the first day she had taken over the group, they were lined up ready for inspection and she could feel the resentment radiating off them.  She had offered to resign on the spot if one of them could beat her in hand to hand combat.  Two had taken her up on the offer but had been sent off to see the sorcerers to treat a broken arm and a broken collar bone respectively.  18 years of intensive and highly specialised Zaibach training had made her more than capable of handling herself, and others.

Her gaze passed over the assembled troops and then landed on the familiar face of Folken Vanel, strategos of Zaibach, she afforded herself a small smile.  She owed so much to him and yet still had not found a way to express her thanks in a satisfactory manner – words just didn't seem enough after all he had done.  She would one day repay the kindnesses he had shown to her – somehow.

Standing next to Folken was Lord Dilandau Albatou, Zaibach general and leader of the Dragon Slayers.  He too was stood to attention but had a bored look on his face.  Sienna narrowed her eyes slightly with faint dislike, she only knew Dilandau by reputation – a brilliant swordsman and pilot but hot-headed, maniacal and a hard person to work for.  She knew many men who had tried to join the elite Dragon Slayers, the success rate was rumoured to be about 1 in every 800.  Dilandau was very choosy about who he trained. She didn't really approve of his methods of training or the way he treated his men, but then she knew that he didn't approve of females in high ranking positions so she guessed that the dislike was fairly mutual.  They had managed to avoid each other so far in work and social situations and Sienna was quite happy to keep up that status quo.  She had heard that Dilandau was not a person to have as your enemy.

Her gaze kept wandering although her face remained directed at the image of Emperor Dornkirk.  She saw the sorcerer's sat together in the darkest corner.  They were the only ones not giving their attention to the leader of the Zaibach empire, occasionaly, they would whisper amongst themselves.  Sienna gave an involuntary shudder; her dealings with the sorcerer's had so far been beneficial for her, but you could not ignore the numerous stories and rumours that circulated about that strange and mysterious group.  It was very rare to see them out of their laboratories, they were extremely secretive and anti-social to the extreme.  She had never seen them in any of the mess halls so she assumed that they slept, ate and relaxed, if they did anything as normal as relaxing, within the laboratory complex.  Her mind briefly touched upon her childhood but she pushed those thoughts away crossly, now was not the time to be bringing up past memories.

Her attention snapped back as the Emperor made his closing speech and the tele-screen flickered and then went blank.  It was official then – the battle with Asturia would commence tomorrow morning, all troops were to be in position by daybreak.  The soldiers broke ranks and started making their way back to their quarters to prepare for the upcoming manoeuvres.   Sienna gave a nod to her men who also broke ranks and headed back to their shared mess hall.  They were not going to be involved with main assault, they never were, her company always received separate orders. 

Sienna had assumed that she would have been briefed by now if they were to have a mission so she was about to make her way to the training hall when a familiar voice spoke behind her,

"Commander Clavell, I wish to speak with you within my private quarters."

Sienna spun round,

"But of course Strategos," she smiled and fell into step with him. "Can I assume that we are to have a mission after all?"

"Yes, it was decided only a few hours ago. It will be a small, low key affair – only two members of your team will need to be involved."

Small and low key, she thought to herself with amusement, so nothing new there then.

They reached his quarters and she followed him to the ante room attached to the main living area and sat down at the table, waiting patiently for him to continue.

"I assume you are ready to do your part?"

"Of course," replied Sienna, "so who will it be this time?"

So – what do you think?  Short and sweet or short and ditch?  This is my first attempt at a fanfic but that is no excuse to go easy on me, flame to your hearts content if that's what it deserves. 

Wow, this chapter seemed so much longer when I wrote it but it's not very much when uploaded – bummer!