Ch 10: Good Times
Around an hour later, I went and checked my inbox. I found a few dozen information sheets. Even though I had requested this, I still groaned at the amount of paperwork and hassle this was going to cause me. Taking the papers and, tucking them in my shihaksho, I went to find the various people. I reviewed several of them, and only found three that might actually be useful. They were quick eyed and had already been assigned to our squad so there was nothing for me to do. Then I found another one who was, different.
"Hello. You're name is Maria Kasha right?" I greeted as I walked up to her. She had red hair that she wore in a thin pony tail and almost pearlescent blue eyes.
"Oh…hello lieutenant. Um…yes. That's my name." she greeted, jumping slightly. "Can I help you?"
"Yes. As a matter of fact you can. Would you like to sit down while we talk?" I asked, pointing at a bench.
"Um…ok." she said, looking awkward.
"Now then," I started as we sat down, "You've been assigned to the 9th squadron?"
"Yes lieutenant." Maria answered.
"According to the information I have on you, your scores in Kidou were impressive, even by Shinigami standards. You also had a knack for memorization." I said, stating it as fact.
"I…really don't think I was THAT good. I mean, I did what I was told." Maria stammered.
"No no. You're good. But I want to see what else you might have to offer. How fast can you think?" I asked her.
"How fast?" she questioned.
"If seventeen hollow are attacking, what do we do? Assuming you were left in command." I said, giving her a scenario.
"Send double the amount of Shinigami. At least eight of them would be skilled in Kidou, adding adaptability. A small detachment of the 4th squadron would be on standby to take care of any wounded." Maria answered after a seconds pause.
"After slaying four of the hollow, six menos appear." I said, adding to the severity of the scenario.
"…pull the unit back and send a fresh set of forty Shinigami. While they hold the hollow at bay, the 4th squadron heals the wounded, sending the fresh ahead several meters to act as guards." Maria answered.
"Now then, lets say you only have a small unit of five Shinigami. Two are skilled in Kidou, one has a small knowledge of healing Kidou, and the other three are skilled in Kenjutsu." I asked, increasing the odds against her.
"The Shinigami with healing knowledge would send a distress signal while the other four engage the hollow. The Kidou users would focus on casting high level Hadou, using the time gained by the Kenjutsu users to enable full chants." he answered.
"Great…now I have to talk to Captain Mugurame." I muttered, standing up. "Thank you."
"What? Did I…do something wrong?" Maria asked, looking worried.
"No. Don't worry about it. Just check your inbox in the next few days." I told her, heading off to find Captain Mugurame.
I found him later, fuming over something Mashiro said.
"Excuse me Captain." I said, causing him to turn to me.
"What is it?' he asked, gruff as ever.
"Sir, may I request a transfer of one of your squad members?" I asked.
"Who?" he answered.
"The new girl, Maria Kasha." I told him, handing him the information on her, which also had a picture.
"Hmm. And why do you want her?" he asked, giving me a suspicious glare.
"She would be a great asset to our Overseer unit. We recently lost several members and are currently looking for new recruits." I answered, unfazed by his glare.
"…alright then lieutenant. You'll have to inform Central and Captain Yamamoto about the change and the reasons for it. They'll ask you their own questions." he answered.
"Thank you sir." I said, turning to leave.
"Dammit! Stop bitching!" I heard Mugurame complain to Mashiro.
I was still smiling when I was allowed to enter Captain Yamamoto's office.
"Sir." I greeted as I walked in.
"What is it?" he asked, getting straight to the point.
"I am here to inform you of the transfer of Maria Kasha from the 9th squadron to the 14th squadron. If that is to your agreement?" I asked.
"Would you kindly explain your reasoning?" Yamamoto asked.
"Sir! Our Overseer unit suffered a tragic loss several weeks ago. We lost several members on an expeditionary mission. While Overseer Captain Naomi was ordered to replace them, she insisted that we wait for the new entries arrival, in the hopes that they would bring new talent to the division." I explained.
"Then why are you doing this, Lieutenant Tobias? Should it not be her responsibility?" Yamamoto asked.
"I feel that as lieutenant, I should oversee anyone entering our division. Overseer Captain Naomi has already seen the reports on those recruits, and I was asked to screen them, due to her being busy recalibrating the system." I explained.
"That is acceptable. Do as you wish." Yamamoto said, dismissing me.
"Thank you sir!" I said, bowing and walking out.
After waiting a few day's, I was allowed an audience with Central. After explaining the same thing to Central as I did to Yamamoto, I was given permission to transfer Maria to our division. I sent a letter informing her of this and asking her to meet me in front of the barracks. She, along with the seven others I had recommended, were waiting for me when I walked out in the morning. They were men and women, mostly young.
"Morning." I said, walking on front of them. They snapped to attention.
"Lieutenant!" they said.
"At ease at ease." I said, growing weary of them already.
"Sir!" they said in unison.
"Alright, well. You've officially been Shinigami for a few days now. How are you feeling?" I asked, noticing that some kept sneaking glances at me. I was still young after all.
"Excellent sir!" they answered.
"Good, good. Now then, you are a member of my squad. Which means, I expect some things from you. First off, even though Captain Yamamoto has probably told you the ground rules and expectations, I expect more. Understood?" I asked.
"Yes sir!" they answered.
"I expect heart from all of you. I expect bravery in all forms of situations. It takes courage to walk into the mouth of death. It takes bravery to send someone else when they are the only ones. You are members of the Overseer division! On the battlefield, we play the role of savior! Those who march are led by our hands! However! We are there to guide them! Make sure they don't die! No man or women here is worth any less or any more than the person on the battlefield!" I told them.
"Sir!" they answered.
"So then! What do I expect of you above all else!? You need only look as far as your arm or your heart. I expect a strong arm! I expect a stronger heart! We are the ones who lead others in combat, therefore, you must be stronger than them! Take heart! We are also the ones who feel the most regret! We are responsible for others deaths as much as the enemy! Any error on your part, any form of slacking, will result in death! And you'll have to bear that weight! So keep your heart strong! Hold you head high! Lead as if you were walking into the fire yourself!" I shouted.
"Yes Sir!" they answered.
"Follow me." I said, beckoning them.
They followed me as I led them to the Nexus. When I walked in, I found that it was buzzing with activity for the first time when we weren't on duty. Apparently, Emma wanted to make a good impression.
"These are the new recruits?" Emma asked, walking up when I announced myself.
"Yes. This is Captain of the Overseer Unit Emma Naomi! Treat her with as much respect as myself or Captain Shino!" I ordered. "I leave them to you."
"Right." Emma answered as I walked away.
I walked back to the barracks and began to search for Shino. She jumped me from behind, wrapping her arms around my shoulders.
"Hello Shino." I greeted.
"What if someone heard you?" she asked, faking concern.
"If they could hear me, you wouldn't have jumped on me." I stated, turning around and hugging her.
"True. So, that was a pretty impressive speech." Shino said, smiling her widest.
"I thought so." I said.
"Well, you probably scared them." Shino told me.
"If I scared them, how will they survive the likes of Hiyori or Mugurame?" I asked.
"That's true." Shino said with a laugh. Shino looked around again, then leaned close and whispered in my ear, "Come by tonight, we'll play a little."
I snapped to attention when I heard that.
"Yes ma'am!" I answered enthusiastically.
"Jeez. Don't sound so depressed." Shino said in monotone, smiling the entire time.