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It was just another day in the Leopard Army Barracks, seventeen minutes until lunch. A handful of soldiers were in the barracks, most of the rest in the game room or library. Caitlin was engrossed in her current pastime - reading military fiction on her desk - when the door hissed open. She wasn't on doorguard duty, and didn't look up - until a calm, adult voice called, "Can I have everyone's attention please?" She slid off her bunk and saluted - not needing to call out a notice of the staffer's presence, since he'd already announced himself. After a moment, her eyes narrowed, recognizing the doctor. She was curious, but not enough for it to show in her expression. All around her were soft thumps as the Leopards present saluted. Dr. Kiritani waited, and then after a moment of checking his datapad, asked, "Could Miss Emory please step forward, I'd like a word with her." Curiosity turned to apprehension as Caitlin stepped forward, obediently. "Here, sir." Sutef watched his toon leader silently, while Dani slumped in noticeable relief. After a moment, Dr. Kiritani reached into his pocket and pulled out a many-times folded piece of paper. It had been folded and refolded so many times that it was nearly impossible to detect the paper's original size. He held it out to the waiting girl with two fingers. "I believe this is for you." Teachers are sadists. Why else would they fold it up that small? Caitlin accepted the slip, unfolding it to finally reveal a half-sized slip of paper. At least she wasn't icing out.Caitlin read it quickly and then looked up at Dr. Kiritani, still quite expressionless. "Thank you, sir." The doctor hadn't been the one to fold it that small - that had been Lieutenant Colonel Rodriguez's idea. He only nodded to Caitlin. "Congratulations, commander. I'm sure you will serve the fleet well. Your army... will be expecting you." Sutef smiled slightly, careful not to show too much emotion. "Congratulations, Commander," he told Caitlin, and saluted. Kiritani left without another word, and Caitlin turned to return Sutef's salute. "Good luck with whoever you get as a toon leader," she replied, continuing, "and I'll tell Czar that if GungHo doesn't want the toon (again) he should give it to you." |