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 Glade said. “By all means I want the Oath made, and I am relived that you do see it needs to be done with his. I was worried what it would do to you to try and keep mine closed as his set. I can help you thorough setting them both. However it is going to echoing a good deal to those around us the first two days so is there a safe place here? I have no problem putting the rank tags on, but best the rest see you give them to me. Three are going to walk out when you do, but we can do the run without them. The Navigator is a good second, but he won’t cut it alone. I do think he will see it and say so. Al and Vic have done well but there are some others that need cut soon. They are good, but not for us. I already sent the list of open spots out, so we should be getting a few asking. I knew you wouldn’t care if they were service so said trails were open to all that could prove skills.”
 Jade kissed him. “Thank you love, I am glad you put it out there. I know Thon is looking, but your word will get to places his can’t. I need a well rounded crew. Both for those that will bond and those that won’t. The Black Knights keep places for those setting new bonds, and only those that know what it means are let near them. That is where we will stay after the swearing until the bond is stable. Ours is going to be louder than most, but it has to be done publicly and that is as far as I will be able to go after. Now in spite of what I just said there is something you need to know that they don’t. Manly as it wouldn’t mean a thing to most of them, and there is nothing we can do right now. Fullton has failed. The brass is sure it is just a senors acting up. But it isn’t. I was watching the screens and it is the alarm pattern. I will pull the records later so we can see how long it is been and you might be able to see if it is saying anything. That was me asking you to come home with me.”
Glade kissed her. “I am delighted, just as long as you don’t think it will be to upsetting. I am different enough to make the Earthlings uncomfortable. Then to it will make it harder to hold that shield. I will try of course, but it is hard not to touch.”
Jade lowered the shield some and he relaxed. “That is all I can do right now, but more should be possible tonight. I need to start now and the contact will help. Come on, we do need to get going.” She wrapped her arm around him and he wrapped his around as they started to the door.
Glade said. “Thank you, just that helps, Love. There is going to be a bit of confusion. Al just told them that I was a Doctor, and left it at that. So they are going to wonder about us holding on to each other. Likely I should let go, but it is hard.”
She just led him out the door, there were a few coughs, but Al smiled. It was good good to see them together. Jade said. “Now before we head out there is a matter that needs to be made clear to all of you. There will be officers that are not in the service, not just crew members and wings. If that is a problem, then this is not the place for you. Albert will let you know if he is willing to give you a recommendation to a different team, but there is no shadow cast by leaving. It is expect that a few will now that I am back as I am known to be unorthodox and hard to work with.” She called and a box appeared in her hand. “Now then Al thank you for taking on the task of getting a team started, but we all know it is not a good fit for you. You belong in command of the bridge, and that is where you will be. However for all that is normally the second’s place you are third, and so this is your correct medal not the one you have on now. Then this is for the bond, for all it isn’t formal if you are going to act like it is then it needs to be there.” She was pleased that none there looked outraged, that said they at least did know what a Commander should be.
Albert took them smiling. “Thank you Captain. I thought there should be a different tag, but this is what the brass issues me. It is good to have the right ones. I didn’t mind starting the crew, but it bugs me that some thought I was fit to command.” He put them on.
Jade took a few more out and turned to Vic. “Vic thank you for keeping the wing together. You have proved beyond a doubt that you are fit, here is yours for Second in the Wing and for the bond, if you wish it to be there ahead of time. Also this is the pair that can be used to mark your control, if you want it publicly known.”
Victory took the pins smiling. “Thank you Captain, I am happy to serve you. Thank you for agreeing to accepting my Oath when the time is right. I am glad to be able to wear the symbol of the pledge.”
Jade turned to Glade smiling. “Don’t worry. Love I don’t expect any formality with you. They have had it trained into them and can’t do otherwise. No matter how much I say it isn’t needed. They need to know who is second so for all it is odd to you you do need the rank tag, for all you are not and will never be in the service. I can’t believe you were actually silly enough to try and join it just because I was in it.” She fixed the pin on his shoulder then kissed him. “We will work out a bond symbol that fits your traditions, but for not here is the tag used in the Knights.” She put it next to the Second’s star. Then turned to the others. “You are all good service men. None will hold it against you if you find you can not take orders from one not in service. You are free to leave now. You need not make the run if it upsets you.” Sure enough three stood up. “Glade is not the only chief med officer to hold the post of second, but is the only one currently not in service so use that is the reason. May you find places that fit you better, go with no hard will.”
Albert said. “You all served with honor and I will speak for any of you with a free heart, should you need a reference. Take what time you need to gather your things. If you need you may stay in the ship bunk this night.”
Jade nodded and started to the door. “Come on the transport is waiting.”
The navigate came up to her and handed her the tablet. “The routes you asked for Captain, I included the standard for comparison.”
Jade nodded. “Thank you.” She waited until she was on the transport to look them over and nodded. “Well done and you even hit on the route I want us to take. It is the second one here. There were no errors in any of the jumps, however, I suggest you take another look at the second jump on the third one. What you have is fine, but there is a way it could be improved.” She passed the tablet back to him. “Feel free to talk to Henry about it if you want to, and you can always ask him to check any you are not sure of. He is not fit to serve but is well taught all the same. There is nothing wrong with looking to one that has more experience even if they are now a servant. There are things you can’t learn in the schools.”
He nodded. “Yes ma’am, thank you. I do have a different idea for that jump but I wasn’t as sure of my calculation, so did not feel it fit to offer. I will get with him and see what he thinks of it.”