Commissions

Captain Vaughn, this is Major Howells, your new O-4.
— Major.
– Captain.
She’ll be taking over your Company under a newly commissioned Special Taskforce.
— Ma’am.
You will be the only Company under her command, I’ve paired you up not only because you’re the best, but because I think you’re both suited to the rather delicate task at hand.
— Is this your first Zero Cycle Captain Vaughn?
– No Ma’am, I was activated just before the first. I fought in the first war.
Captain Vaughn has exceptional field-experience in the Corridors, as well as extensive recon off-world. She’s the best Captain I have.
– Thank you Colonel, I appreciate your efforts in assisting me.
I’m right behind you Elise, and I’ll be hanged if I don’t take this as seriously as our top-most priorities. I’ll leave you to it.
– Ma’am.
Salute
— Ma’am.
Salute

– At ease, Captain.
— Ma’am.
– Walk with me. So – Catherine? May I call you Catherine?
— Of-course Ma’am.
– You can drop the formalities Catherine, no need to be All American Army around me, if you take my meaning.
— Thank you.
– Not to suggest that what we’re about to do isn’t serious; it is, I just want you to be more… relaxed.
— Relaxed?
– I think you’ll understand in time. So… Catherine.
Pause
– How are you getting used to it?
— To what?
– Names. Catherine Vaughn. Elise…
Her own name seems to roll off her tongue, sustained
– … Howells. First and last names. Titles.
— It’s very strange Ma’am, if I may say so.
– Indeed you may. You fought in the first Zero Cycle – off-world?
— Yes Ma’am. We didn’t have names then. I haven’t fought in any other wars, but I imagine what happened then, what eventually was called the Zero Cycle, was exceptionally rare.
– Because of communication?
— Because of the instant nature of communication, yes. We were very synchronised. This… verbal communication is very new to us – my unit – it’s very new to me.
– Yes I can imagine. It’s new to us all.
— I feel so… and the men and women of the company…
Pause
– Go on Captain.
— We each of us feel… isolated.
– Your troops tell you this?
— Some of them do. I talk to them about it, my lieutenants as well.
– Hmmm. Your unit certainly stands out from the others. Your records are outstanding.
— Thank-you Ma’am.
– You’re very welcome. Your company is comprised almost entirely of veterans from the first Zero Cycle, or the Zero War as it’s called on the street, it’s no surprise that you’re all slightly more aware of the situation than the average soldier.
— Thanks again.
Pause.
– You have a question?
— Ah, um, yes – of-course. I suppose the rumours about you are true.
– Which ones?
— That you can read minds.
A laugh
– Not exactly, I’m think I’m just… perceptive. I think you are too Catherine, and your entire unit. I’m sure they’re all wondering what their Captain was called to Regiment for.
— I’m sure they are.
– And your question would be the same, wouldn’t it?
— More or less ma’am. I’m wondering what this new Taskforce is for.
Major Howells stops
Captain Vaughn stops also
Howells exhales
– Get your officers together and meet me in the mess.
— Right away?
– As soon as you can – don’t interrupt them if they’re busy, but I’d like them all present if possible. It’s best you all hear it at the same time.

– Ladies and gentlemen, we have a new commission. We are now a Corridor Special Taskforce, as the name suggests, we will be focussing on the External Exchanges. Yes Lieutenant?
— Apologies Ma’am – Exchanges?
Nods
– There are more than one. In-fact we have discovered at least four Exchange-zones since the second Zero Cycle began.
Pause
Silence
– Your unit was chosen not only for its exceptional abilities in the field, but for your experience in off-world combat during Zero War One. Catherine was there from the beginning, I understand that most of you joined her shortly after.
Nods all around
– We have been observing increased abnormal activity in the External Exchange – I’ll use the singular form to denote the whole system, inclusive of however many zones it is comprised of. While most of the forces general are less aware of this; your unit, I’m sure, is more aware of it than most, including to some degree your superiors in Regiment. A Zero Cycle never happens unbeknownst to its citizens, let alone the best of the armed forces.
Nods again at Howells’ acknowledgement of their skill
– The abnormalities in the Corridors range from packages of lithium-devices appearing to whole new entities being born, again, which your unit has been integral in discovering while working with the Law. There has been, however, a clear difference between those entities discovered this time around than in Zero One.
Pause
– Though we’re only just discovering them, they seem to be old. Some possibly even dating to before Zero One. Older than us all.
Pause
Vaughn looks at her
— Is that possible?
– Anything is possible. We’re dealing in perception, filtration, active-evolution, the operating parameters of Zero Cycles are anything but defined. The armed forces themselves may be just as old, only our awareness doesn’t stretch back that far.
— Jesus – no offence ma’am, but the rumours about you are true – you are a headspin.
– None taken Lieutenant, I take that as a compliment. None of us knows exactly how the Construct works, I doubt we will ever clearly define it, something which doesn’t exactly sit well with the structure and order in which we work. Nevertheless, we must progressively and dynamically address these issues.
Pause
Silence
– Yes Lieutenant?
— Is Creativity aware of this? I mean, these things are probably a part of them…
– It’s hard to tell with Creativity. The lithium-devices don’t seem to be directly connected. The other phenomena are more difficult to define. Some contact has been made between General Dynamics and Creativity, more than the usual at any rate, however information is slow in getting back to us. Needless to say, we will be working more closely with them than we ever have before, which again I know doesn’t sit well with us. Another reason your unit was chosen.
— Will we have civilians from Creativity with us?
– No,
Sighs of relief
– not at this stage in any case. As many details of our Tasks are ambiguous, I will try and keep this as much in the realm of General Dynamics as I can, unless absolutely necessary. Should we enter into Combat Events, civilian company is absolutely forbidden. If we find the nature of our Tasks to be safer, then I’m not against involving Creative citizens of the Construct if it benefits us, and indeed, if we can assist them. We must remember that the Zero Cycle is happening to us all. As much as it seems to harm General Dynamics the most, there are countless ways in which Creativity also suffers. Working towards a solution may be something we must cooperate to achieve.
Pause
— Yes Sergeant Mahdavi?
—- Sorry to ask Ma’ams, but what will our Tasks involve?
– No need to apologise Sergeant. Our first Task is to make contact with one of the new entities.
— In an Exchange-zone?
– Well, that’s the tricky thing. I’m not entirely sure it is an Exchange. It certainly isn’t anything like the Corridors.
— Where are we going?
Pause
– The bridge to nowhere.
Silence