That night after dinner, all the soldiers and staff of the West base had to be called in for inspection, by the commanding officer of this base. Our cream colored dolly just kept to herself, while everyone else conversed until...

"Attention!"

Each and every one of them ducks turned to the direction of the voice. Stepping forward was a middle-aged, honey colored drake. His feathers were roughed up, and he had a scar on the left side of his face. He looked very intimidating. This was Commander Duck. Canard saluted to him, while he saluted back

The Commander cleared his throat, then barked. "Silence in the Ranks!" The soldiers stood still. Though they were bending their knees a bit.

"Dress up that line!" Every duck, minus Wally did as they were told. Commander Duck took a Hockey Stick, and smacked the stout bird right in the rear end.

"OW!"

Trying not to snicker, Canard whispered to his friend "Pull it in, Wally."

Wally did as he was told but grumbled a bit, soothing the pain in his butt. "I thought this was a war, not a dress rehearsal."

There was another loud smack, this time the hockey stick coming down in front of Wally. The Commander stood face-to-face with the younger soldier, eyeing him sternly.

"Nobody likes a mumbler, Soldier... unless said mumbler can do a hundred laps around the ice?" Wally gulped, he couldn't handle that. He's sure he'd die of a heart attack if he did. "Anything else you want to share?" Wally shook his head, fearfully. "S-sir! No, Sir!"

"Good."

Danielle kept very still and quiet, but she felt that even her feathers were sweating. This Commander might make her do excessive exercises if she said or did something wrong.

Commander Duck walked away from him. He looked at one soldier and scowled. "Wipe off that silly grin, Soldier! This is the army!"

Said soldier, went from grinning to moping. The Commander turned to Bluefoot. He clicked his tongue. "Private Bluefoot! You're late for inspection. And the state of your appearance is hardly qualifying.

Bluefoot saluted. "Resources are limited, sir."

The commander paused, glancing at the rest of the ducks in line. "Funny. Seems like the other soldiers managed to come here with tucked-in shirts and unwrinkled jackets."

Bluefoot did not respond.

"Next time you," the commander stepped back, "or any of the rest of you, for that matter, want to argue that we can't be presentable during a war, can take it up with me on the surface." He walked along the length of the group, studying each of them. "Saurians attacking our very lives does not excuse anyone for standing up straight," he eyed Wally, "or managing to hang our jackets up before we go to sleep."

"We. Represent. Puckworld!" he bellowed. "Act like you give a damn!"

All of the ducks, including Danielle saluted. "Yes, Sir!"

"I. CAN'T! HEAR YOU!"

"YES, SIR!"

The Commander reached the end of the line, then he noticed Danielle. Seeing him look at her, Danielle stood straighter and saluted. "Sir!" She better not mess up, or it's gonna mean trouble.

Stroking his chin, Commander Duck barked. "Captain Thunderbeak! Is this the new recruit you spoke of?"

Canard stepped forward. "Yes, sir, new medic on the base," he clarified.

The Commander paused, watching Danielle squirm under his relentless stare. "Name, soldier."

"Danielle Angelwing," she said quietly.

Commander Duck's eyes were wide. "Angelwing..."

"Y-yes, Sir?"

The middle aged duck cleared his throat. "My apologies, Angelwing. I would like to talk to you and Captain Thunderbeak in a moment."

"Uh, yes sir!"

"Sir! Yes, Sir!"

The commander walked away then turned around sharply. "Dismissed!" The ducks all walked away briskly. Danielle was worried. Was she in trouble? "I must have done something wrong...Whatever punishment he has, is what I deserve."

After a thorough reprimanding of the soldiers by the commander, they were eventually dismissed to tend to their duties. Danielle and Canard stayed behind, waiting anxiously as the room cleared.

The commander walked over to a small corner office and walked inside without a word. Canard instantly followed, ushering Danielle to follow. When they entered, Commander Duck was gazing at an old picture. Then he turned to Danielle. "Now, Angelwing. I s'pose you're wondering why I called you both here?"

Danielle looked at her boots nervously, then glanced at the older drake. "A-am I in trouble, sir?"

"At ease, Angelwing. Before I tell, let me ask you, Captain Thunderbeak. Where did you find her?"

Canard stood up straight in an at-ease position. "Center square, sir. She was not recovered from our evacuation of the area."

"Bluefoot, I presume," Commander stated neutrally, picking up the small frame of the picture. "You have a sibling, Angelwing?"

"Y-yes sir. I have an older brother, Derek. H-he's at the uh...South base with his family."

Commander Duck showed the two younger ducks the photo. In the photo, was the commander as a teenager. Next to him, were two older drakes. One of the drakes was looking toward the camera and saluting, the other male was looking at the younger duck with a fatherly smile. Danielle's eyes were wide with wonder. "That's Charles Angelwing, my grandfather."

"Indeed," Commander Duck said again, his eyes still on the picture. "He and Gerald Thunderbeak were an intimidating pair in their prime."

Canard hid his surprise, but it was clear he wasn't aware of this fact when he said, "Sir? My grandfather and Angelwing..?"

"Yes, Captain. I had no one to call family at the time. But Charles and Gerald changed that. I couldn't have served under two better drakes than your grandfathers. I was already amazed to see Canard in Special Ops training, but now you, Danielle. This is truly an honor."

Danielle wasn't sure what to think about that. She wasn't used to such praise, especially from a stranger. "Uh...T-thank you sir, but I think the honor is mine. I...I never really knew my grandfather. But I've heard a lot about him from my grandmother."

"Perhaps not. But his blood is yours, and I've heard about your strong will." The older duck paused, walking up to her. "Weren't you the one that recommended L'Orange be recruited?"

Danielle felt her face flush. "Y-yes sir, but-" Canard also interjected with, "Sir, they all got up in arms over nothing-"

"It ain't nothing, Son." he firmly interrupted, shutting both ducks up. "You believe him to be fully reformed, do you not?"

"Well...h-he did save my brother for one thing.' Danielle replied timidly,' I-I wouldn't have suggested him if I had any doubts..."

The honey colored drake stroked his chin in thought. "...A strong intuition. Just like your grandfather's." Canard watched the interaction curiously. "Sir?"

Commander Duck ignored his question and said instead, "Thunderbeak, first thing in the morning I want you to draft up the papers for L'Orange." The tan drake starred incredulously at the leader of the resistance, while Danielle furrowed her brow at both of them. "What does that mean?"

Canard didn't answer her. He took a deep breath and said, "Yes, sir."

"Dismissed."

"Thank you, Sir." he replied before walking out of the room. Danielle watched him leave, even more perplexed.

"What just happened?"

The commander smiled at Danielle. "Much to Thunderbeak's chagrin, L'Orange is going to be offered a full pardon if he is willing to continue his vital role within the Resistance."

"Oh! Oh, my..." Danielle didn't think her idea would come through, but for it to actually happen..."So he's going to join the resistance?"

"If he accepts Angelwing. You're dismissed."

"Thank you Sir. Goodnight."