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Villanelle wrapped up her rifle. Well anyway, they all weren’t rookies anymore. Even guitar-girl here learned, as they’d all had to learn. Killing was an art. As long as they stayed alive, they’d learn.
Carla was humming an abridged lyric to the tune she plucked with ungloved fingers.
“‘When I'm sad, she comes to me~ with a thousand smiles… she gives to me free…’”
Carla smiled at the Chiss woman.
“‘Oo-oh, fly home little wing~...’”
As she played, nobody noticed a small group of cloaked officers walk up the path towards your little campfire except you. A tall lady in a neat, light-blue Éclaireur uniform stood at the edge of the light, listening. Suddenly, Henry put down his booklet and sat upright. Villanelle did the same, taking her eyes off of Carla. She frowned, glancing at the visitors before quickly looking away.
The other soldiers from the adjacent bivouacs made an attempt to stand up, but they were motioned to be at ease by a gloved hand’s gesture. You noticed the chatter around the campfires subside to a whisper. As Carla played on with a tune that whistled into the night, the Sith Commander crossed her arms patiently. The planet rose above the moon’s sky as darkness fell.
When Carla came to the final bar, she messed up some of the keys and the tune of her guitar rolled off abruptly. Someone tapped her on the shoulder. The white-gloved hand dropped something which she caught instinctively. It was a golden credit in the shape of a flat rectangle. When Carla looked up, she blushed.
The face’s deep blue eyes glowed for a moment and there was absolute silence. Presently, Lady Bocchi spoke up:
“Any of you from Ilium?”
Villanelle was quiet. Her scarlet eyes turned to Henry, who began to lift his hand. You lifted yours as well.
“Name.”
“SS-1980, Private First Class, ma’am - Ninety-sixth Light Infantry, 5th Division, Master Caro-Kann.”
“What’s your real name?”
“H-Henry. Henry Louis, ma’am.”
She smiled. She turned to the red-faced Eredyne girl. “And you?”
“My name’s Carla Rose- I mean, SS-679- er, SS-6971, ma’am! I’m from the Eredyne system…”
Sith Bocchi glanced at their half-Chiss comrade.
“That’s Villanelle, SS-2187, ma’am,” Henry said politely.
“Avē… It’s my pleasure to meet you, Henry, Carla, Villanelle.” The Sith lady smiled. “No-one on previous deployments?”
At this, only you raised your hand.
‘At the first battle of Rhodes, Your Grace,’ you say.
“SS-1777.”
Sith Bocchi walked towards you. You stood up, meaning to salute her, but before you could do so, she pressed her hands on your collars and began to brush them off.
“The late Sergeant Jean would be proud to see what a fine team leader you’ve become, SS-1777.”
She smiled at you. “Take care of the children for me. Tomorrow, after the pyre, we’re going on an advanced mission. They need you as much as I do.”
