So, after a great bolt of inspiration struck, I decided that flashbacks would be needed in this story. However, after beginning this chapter, I realized just how long said flashbacks would be. I was caught between either writing an extensively long chapter, or cutting the chapter short at a good stopping point, and leaving you with an inconclusive ending until the next update. The second option was just so appealing.
The new captain strode confidently onto the Observation Dock. Already present were two other captains, both highly decorated. Neither acknowledged the new arrival until he spoke first;
"Sh'parr. Col'nn." He addressed each with a nod. One captain, Col'nn, returned the nod, but Sh'parr showed no sign that he had heard the young captain, only intensifying his gaze at the training field below. The new captain joined the other two men at the window, observing the actions of the fifty-plus new recruits assembled below. The newcomers varied in size and shape, ranging from short and scrawny to large and built, and every possible combination in between. On Mars, a soldier was not judged by their appearances, but by their skill. The group, however varied, showed no discernible difference from the other new recruits that the captain had seen in the past few months. He struggled to see exactly what had caught a hardened veteran like Sh'parr's eye.
"Is that," the new captain tried to hide his incredulity, "A girl?"
Col'nn stepped back, crossing his arms over his chest. "Exactly. It's K'sonn'dir's daughter."
"K'sonn'dir's daughter?" the captain asked skeptically. K'sonn'dir M'orzz was a legend throughout the branches of the White Martian militia. The new captain had even had the honor of meeting the man face-to-face on a few occaisions. K'sonn'dir had already sent his nine eldest sons through the ranks of the militia. Seven of them became decorated and honored generals. The other two received the highest honors for committing the ultimate sacrifice for the White Martian's cause. While the man also had quite a few daughters, many of whom had moved on to become great faces in government and media, this was the first anyone had heard of a daughter joining the militia.
"Yes! What was he thinking?" Sh'parr turned from the window and threw his hands into the air. "Nobody's going to take us seriously. I mean, a female in the militia?"
Sh'parr continued his rant, but the younger captain wasn't listening. He directed his full attention towards the small girl with the bright red hair. If he had to guess, he'd say she was nearing her thirteenth birthday. She was small, but she fought with the skill that could only come from years of training, most likely under K'sonn'dir's watchful eye. She had drive, something that set her apart from the others around her on the grounds. She knew that nobody would take her seriously. She had to show them just how serious she was, all of the time. It was proof enough that she was even here. Most women that joined the fighting forces never made it past being foot soldiers. Reaching the selection phase for the special forces groups was a feat in itself.
It was then that he decided. "I don't know quite what K'sonn'dir was thinking…" he turned his gaze towards the elder captains behind him, "But I'm thinking I'll take her."
The two others were shocked into silence. "You can't be serious." Col'nn said.
The new captain shrugged. "Why not? I need at least one more for my task force. Besides… there's something about her. Maybe you don't see it. But I do. She has what it takes."
Col'nn leaned against the wall, contemplating the words just spoken. Sh'parr, however, was fuming. "You really think a female will make it in special forces? Let me tell you something, Captain…"
"Cr'taar Macl'nn." Macl'nn knew that professional titles among equals was unnecessary. Sh'parr had only exaggerated the use of Captain to mock the fact that Macl'nn was new.
"Captain Cr'taar Macl'nn. Let me tell you something. You take that girl into your force, you're a laughing stock. A team is only as strong as its weakest link, and you've just set your team on a crash-course for failure. I'll give you one chance to reconsider your decision."
Macl'nn held Sh'parr's gaze. "She's on my task force. Send the notice, and tell her that the air-lift will leave for base camp at 0500 tomorrow morning."
Macl'nn turned on his heels and strode out of the Observation Deck, the same air of confidence surrounding him as when he entered.
"Listen up! Fip's men will be here in three hours! We have a mission that will take the fire power of two squads. All of my men report to the briefing area!" Macl'nn's commanding voice echoed over the loudspeakers of the camp. His force had set up a temporary base camp alongside three other forces, each on separate tracks for separate missions. The brawl that M'gann had been partaking in, between a fellow force member and herself, came to an abrupt halt when the message reached their ears. She shook hands with her opponent, a larger Martian by the name of "Laan", and resolved to finish the match later.
Little did M'gann know, later would never come.
Well, it's more appealing for me, leaving the story like this. Considering how long the flashbacks will be, in addition to the original intended length of the story, this will now be a four- or five- shot. Honestly, how long does a fanfiction have to be before you stop considering the "chapters" as "shots"?
On an unrelated note, I had one small technical error in my previous chapter, an error that I hope to be fixed by the time anyone reads this. When M'gann addresses the figure, she calls him "captain". However, unless preceded by an adjective that would generalize the title (which was not, by the way, the case), the term "captain" should have been capitalized.
As always, reviews are welcome.