I'mma back, baby, with a whole new chapter. I know, you're all so pleased :D Anyway, I should point out that the first few chapters of this story might seem pretty rushed, and that's because they are. I was trying to get to the good bits as quickly as possible, as I have a tendency to ramble and make things take much longer than they need to. Just like this note-thing, for example. I'm also having a go at naming chapters, because why the heck not? Anyway, I'll shut up now. Commence reading!

Disclaimer: See first chapter. I'm not saying it again, no matter what you say.

The door was huge. Keelan gulped and the otter behind him sighed in exasperation before pushing him forwards. He struggled to regain his balance and opened the door, and all the heads in the large, ornately decorated room turned towards him. He'd never seen so many dogs in one place. He jumped as the door slammed shut behind him, and the tallest dog-which was also the one with the longest ears-raised an eyebrow.

"Captain Aubrey, who is this? This is a private war meeting, you know." The otter nodded.

"I'm aware of that, sir, and begging your pardon for the intrusion, but this human comes with orders directly from the Commodore in Skull Island." At that, all the dogs' eyes widened, and a voice spoke from the darkness in the back corner.

"In that case, let him speak for himself." The speaker stepped forwards and revealed themselves as a brown dog dressed in navy blue, a black and gold tricorne hat and carrying a cane, and he crossed his arms as Keelan didn't respond. Captain Aubrey nudged him roughly, and he snapped out of his daze.

"U-uh, right. W-well, um...the Commodore sent me here to ask for one of your soldiers to join an elite group formed to sabotage the Machine." The brown dog nodded slowly.

"Did he, now? And I take it he had a specific soldier in mind for this job?" Keelan nodded.

"Yes, sir, he did. He asked for someone called Iridian Elfirth." The tall, tan-coloured dog suddenly slammed both hands down on the large war table, knocking over several pieces and making everyone else jump.

"He must be mad if he thinks we're going to give her up, especially now! You can't possibly be considering this, M! She's the backbone of our entire military!" Everyone turned to the dog-who Keelan assumed was called M-and waited for his response.

"...I am afraid Lieutenant Springer is correct. We simply cannot afford to give up our best operative, especially now that the Armada has established their base here in Westminster Skyway. I'm sorry, son, but we cannot allow you to take her."

Keelan was heartbroken. He had only just started out on his quest, and he had already failed. What was he going to tell the Commodore? He quickly wracked his brain to think of something he could say that might change their minds, but he was distracted by a soft voice behind him.

"What's all this about, then, M?" He turned to where the voice was coming from, and his jaw dropped. Standing behind him was a young girl. Her hair was pitch-black apart from a white patch on the left side of her head. She was clad in a navy blue mid-thigh length overcoat, the traditional garb of the Marleybonian army with a matching tricorne and tall black boots and trousers. Her bright yellow eyes scanned the room, resting briefly on Keelan for a moment before moving to M.

"Ah, Iridian. Is there something you needed? This is, after all, a private meeting." Said the shortest dog of the assembled group. Iridian scoffed and tossed her hair over her shoulder.

"Oh, not at all, Admiral. Just an explanation of what's going on here. I heard my name mentioned several times, so I think I deserve to know." M blinked for a moment before sighing.

"Very well, my girl. This boy has come to us with a message from the Commodore on Skull Island, requesting your assistance. He wishes for you to join a team which will be sent into the heart of the Armada's territory and destroy their main base. Do you understand?" The girl nodded, crossing her arms over her chest and thinking hard.

"I do, and I think it's a good idea." Everyone's jaws dropped.

"E-excuse me?" Lieutenant Springer stuttered. Iridian nodded.

"I think it's a good idea. In fact, I think it's a great idea. I mean, think about it. If we keep fighting at the rate we have been so far, it's pretty clear that we're going to eventually lose this war. The clear solution is to hit the Armada where it hurts them the most, and to hit them hard and fast. Destroying the Machine will be sufficient to that aim, I believe, and a small team of experts will be less noticeable than a huge assault force. With enough precautions taken, I think this plan may just work. Count me in."

"B-but, Iridian, we need you here!" Admiral Doggett whined. The girl grinned and shook her head.

"No, you don't. You'll be perfectly fine without me. Besides, this one mission has the fate of the entire Spiral resting on its shoulders. I can't just pass it up. I'm doing this for the good of Marleybone. Anyway, it sounds like fun. I always have a blast when I'm destroying the Armada." She winked cheekily, and Keelan swore his heart stopped beating. There was silence for a moment before M sighed.

"...Very well. It's decided, then. Iridian, go to your room and pack your things. If this mission is as important as the Commodore believes it to be, you must leave immediately. Boy, go with her, and take her to your ship when you are ready. Farewell, Iridian, and good luck. By Jove, you're going to need it." To Keelan's surprise, all the dogs in the room suddenly unsheathed their swords and held them up, pointing them towards Iridian. She nodded seriously and gestured for Keelan to follow her as she left the room, the door closing behind them. He followed her through the building and helped her pack in silence, and less than ten minutes later they were walking towards the docks. As they climbed onto the deck he turned to her.

"Thank you." She frowned in confusion.

"For what?"

"Coming. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't turned up and changed their minds like you did." She blinked before shrugging dismissively.

"It's no big deal. Besides, if this job is as dangerous as I think it's going to be, you're going to need all the help you can get." Ain't that the truth, Keelan thought gloomily as he showed Iridian where to put her things before he headed back onto the deck and raised the anchor, sailing the ship swiftly back into the wind lane and heading towards the Stormgate, allowing himself a moment of satisfaction as he crossed Iridian's name from the too-short list.

...Yay. Stuff is happening! People are coming! More characters! Hooray! ...Yeah, I really don't know what to say. Anyway, the more you review, the faster I update, so keep them reviews comin' in! :D