As promised, here is the next chapter. It doesn't look like anybody read the last one. Maybe a two-fer will get some of my audience back after my lengthy hiatus. Everyone enjoy!

The block of rooms used by Delta-7 was as busy as a hive of Geonosians as the unit prepared for their mission. They would be leaving in one hour, but each member wasted no time in checking and double-checking their equipment, gear, weapons and rations. The assignment seemed straightforward; a sneak attack on a small rebel outpost and refueling depot. Kill or capture all enemies, seize any intel, and destroy all materiel in place. As they knew though, it was always better to be prepared for any contingency. As the rest of the team prepped, Commander Tharcourt had Ekks and Lago load a case of ammunition and grenades, as well as an extra day's rations onboard The Huntsman as an additional precaution. At least they'd had time to train in their new armor over the last two days. That was a minor relief to Tharcourt.

"Think we'll really be needin' all a that?" Thorne asked as she watched the two troopers pushing the small crates out of the room into the corridor.

"Mm." Tharcourt hummed. "Hope not. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it though. Been on a couple missions where we could've used a combat resupply."

"Aye." She agreed. "Like that ol' sayin', right? Chance favors the prepared mind an' all."

"Yep. Know what one of my favorites is though?"

"What's that?" Thorne asked.

"Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean people aren't trying to kill you." He said with a grin. Freya snickered and swung her helmet at him playfully.

"Ah, ye tosser!" She returned. "Now who be tryin' ta kill ye, Drakken?" Instead of smiling, he scoffed lightly and nodded.

"Pretty soon? An unknown quantity and quality of rebel soldiers. As a rule? Generally, anyone higher up the chain." He noticed that she looked as though she didn't understand. "To be a good soldier, Thorne, you have to love the military. To be a good commanding officer…you sometimes have to be willing to order the death of the thing you love."

"Yer talkin' about losing men." Thorne guessed.

"Yeah." Drakken replied. "And you don't want to. If you're any good, and you care anything at all for your troopers, you'll mourn every one lost. But that's a trap, isn't it? You have to be willing to send them into the breech, to give orders that might kill them…and yourself. But you can't hold back, Freya. When the fire opens, you gotta commit fully to it."

"Aye." She said somberly. "Why we have to live…because me might be dead tomorrah."

"Yes. Though I personally plan on winning, and I will do everything in my power to get these men back in one piece to boot." She nodded. He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Into the breech, Freya. You'll do fine. I know you will." She smiled a little.

"Course I will." She stated. "We'll be watching each other's backs."

"Always." Drakken answered. "I uh…I have something for you, by the way."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, I figured we might be out a couple of days, so I'll just give it to you now." He left her to return to his office, and emerged a few moments later with two small boxes. She put her helmet on to free both hands, and took the packages curiously. She didn't know what to think. It was her birthday, but she hadn't mentioned it to Drakken or anyone. Could he have somehow found out? It wasn't that hard. It was right on her file, after all.

"What is it?" She asked.

"Why would I tell you that now? Go on and open them." He said back. Freya opened the first box to find an assortment of chocolates. A smile came to her face.

"Aww…Drakken…" She sighed.

"I know you like sweets." He commented. "You could even take a few along. Morale boost." She popped one in her mouth immediately and made a satisfied sound as she savored the confection. She didn't like candy, she prized it. This wasn't even any normal chocolate though, she could tell from the delicate, silky texture and the mild but complex taste that these were no doubt expensive bonbons. She could just about hug him for buying her these.

Freya wondered now what was in the small metal box. She handed the box of chocolates to Tharcourt and began to open the other container as she slowly chewed the treat. Freya slid open the top of the thin metal box and paused, staring at the contents. No…this was almost too much. She felt her cheeks growing warm, and swallowed the chocolate in her mouth. She drew out one of the black gloves, and gently rubbed it against her cheek.

Oh stars, the leather was so soft and smooth. Where had he gotten something made of a material this fine, this magical? The smell of the rich hide from which the gloves were made reached her nose, and mixed with the aroma of the chocolate. For a moment, she wasn't standing there in the war-room, getting ready for a combat mission. No, for a brief moment, she was in heaven. And Drakken was her reward for being a good girl.

"Freya?" Tharcourt called gently, snapping her out of her gift-induced trance. "You alright there?" He asked with a smile.

"Yes…I'm more than alright, Drakken." She answered. She handed him the metal box, and took off her gloves, placing them on the small stack she was already making him hold. She drew out the matching glove to one of the pair, and slowly…gently, slid them on, allowing the supple leather to caress her skin as they formed perfectly around her slender fingers. She snugged them up, and tried them out, slowly making fists. She almost let out a hitched breath. She had some expensive pieces in her collection, but nothing that felt this good. Freya couldn't help herself. She clasped her hands together, and rubbed the back of her knuckles against her left cheek.

"Mmmhmmhmm…" She tittered lightly. Tharcourt raised an eyebrow.

"I um…I take it you like them?" He asked. Her eyes shot open. She was almost mortified. How could she have allowed herself to make such a spectacle? Nobody knew about the admittedly bizarre fondness for gloves she had developed back in academy. She felt embarrassed, but knew the best thing to do would be to play it off.

"I love them, Drakken." She answered. "Sorry fer blankin' on ye. They're just so soft and comfortable. Ye must a' paid a regular ransom fer em." He shrugged.

"I knew you liked gloves. Thought you might like a crown jewel for your collection." He laughed a little. "I don't know anything about fine handwear. Mine's about become casualties of war." She giggled. "The man said they were the best leather you could get. Sullust leather, I think he said."

"Sullust?!" Freya remarked, and looked at her hands again. "Stars, Drakken…that's downright posh! I've wanted to try a pair fore'er now, but they were way too expensive." She met eyes with him. "Ye ne'er should a' done this…" He had to move the chocolates out of the way to avoid them being crushed as she grabbed him in a tight hug. "Thank ye so much. I'll treasure 'em." He couldn't help but smile. It was always the smallest things with her that made her so happy, and Drakken always enjoyed seeing her in good spirits.

"Glad you liked them." He said softly, giving her a friendly hug with his free arm. "Happy birthday, my friend."

"Mmm. Best one in years." She whispered. She let go of Tharcourt as the door to the room opened, and she drew back. He could see the faintest trace of tears in her eyes. "I'll go an' get meself ready now."

Freya entered Drakken's room, which she had been using as her quarters, and deposited her gifts on the side table by the small bed. She sat down, and then fell back on the bed with a satisfied sigh. She once again examined her new gloves, holding her hands out at arms-length to admire them. Then she hugged them against her chest. The last few days had been a crazy ride of emotions. That ganky old heifer Raliss getting merked by Tharcourt was a surprise out of the bloody blue. She had never expected him to go that far for her. He'd even killed Drier, the pervy little bludger.

Then she had been assigned to Drakken's unit. Her, the skinny, awkward, ginger bird everyone made fun of in academy, a member of an elite Special Forces unit. His unit at that. Freya almost expected to wake up at any moment from this lovely dream. The only thing that made it seem real to her was the fact that their kiss had been so bolloxed up that they'd both taken a legger from it far and fast. It was too much, too soon…for both of them. In a way, she still secretly wished that things could work out romantically between them somehow. If not, Freya was more than happy to be friends with him, and she could see them being close as her clan until the end. Still…

She knew she had to get her gear together and crack on. They were leaving on their mission soon, but she wanted to take a few seconds more to savor the moment. Drakken was in a good mood again, and he had gotten her an amazing gift, a slightly and comically erotic one, but he had no way of knowing that. It made her giggle. What a fine thing Drakken was, especially when he wasn't trying to be, which was most of the time. She sighed. She was never going to get over that damned kiss. She looked over at the boxes on the small table and smiled.

"I love ye, Drakken Tharcourt…" She muttered. "E'en if I can't." Another sigh, and Freya sat up. It was time to go. Her first mission, and on her twentieth birthday. What amazing luck. It was a Breoh'an's creed to be a great warrior, and she was finally getting the chance. A chance she never would have had if she hadn't left home, or if Drakken hadn't entered her life when he did.

Freya readjusted her chest armor and helmet, and then fastened on her leather utility belt, checking to make sure everything was in place. Holster, check. Her collapsed fighting staff? Right there where she put it. Small med kit, spare blaster ammo and dump pouch? In place. She took a look at herself in the mirror. This was it, her chance to prove herself, to make her family proud, and to do right by the man who saved her and gave her this opportunity. She was a little nervous, and despite a lifetime of training, the concept of war, death and the chaos of a real battle seemed like some unfathomable concept she couldn't wholly embrace. It was like trying to imagine exactly how big the galaxy was, or describing what a sunset looked like. She placed a fist over her heart and for the first time in nearly four years, she said a prayer to one of her people's deities.

"Mother War…be with me." She said in petition to the high goddess of her culture. "Watch o'er us an' help me an' me crew win this thing today." She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, before blowing out her breath. Her green eyes opened. She seized her blaster pistol and holstered it, fastening the snap before giving her reflection one last look. "Alright…let's do it."

Looks like Thorne is cautiously optimistic about her first real combat mission. How will it turn out? Tune in next time to find out! And don't forget to leave me your reviews and PM's, my dear readers new and old alike. Until next time, Cheerio!