The Knighting

Posted on 02/04/2024 @ 1:43am by Colonel Jack Patton & 2nd Lieutenant Erin Inferson & Master Sergeant Robert Schiano & 1st Lieutenant Baaru Ixalia & Sergeant Audie Fitch & Sergeant Lance Faraday & Captain Brina Tracy-Hall & 1st Lieutenant Anthony Hill

6,721 words; about a 34 minute read

Mission: Pages...
Location: The Throneroom - Command Tier Deck 19 - Poseidon Station

The Kingsmen seemed to never stop expanding. As such it seemed they did a ceremony at least once a day. However, Jack would never want to stop these induction ceremonies. He truly felt that they were nothing if not for their traditions.

Jack had already performed his usual preliminary interview. However, in this case it seemed a little different. This was the first time that he was not sure if the person would actually be accepted. Nevertheless he had replicated the obligatory wooden box which contained the appropriate patches. He stood in the Roundtable room and exhaled sharply through his nose. He liked this part the quiet calm of the room before the heated exchanges of an induction. He took this in for what seemed to be a few minutes and then tapped his comm badge. "Songbird, Meatball, Ivy, Spitfire, Magic Hands, Sparks, and Sergeant Faraday report to the Roundtable on the double. It is time... Patton out." The table and seats were there, the candles were lit and now it was time to bring another into their family.

Faraday smiled, although there were some nerves, he was not really a fan of surprises, or of introductions like this, which he had not participated in in years, but it was what it was.

He stood, straightened his tunic, and stepped to, and through, the doorway to the Round Table, where he waited for further instructions.

Brina had known this was coming but hadn't said anything to Faraday. This was something that needed to be natural and not being forwarned. She stepped into the room taking her place not too far from Jack. She did not know how this was going to go with the others, she though had a bit more of an idea of what she may ask. When the time comes.

Audie didn't need to await instructions -- they'd been though this a few times, and was a matter now of the ceremony. As she passed Faraday, she gave him a light, playful nudge, then took her seat at the table.

"Here we go again." Anthony joked with Erin as they walked up together. "I'm beginning to think the boss likes taking in strays." he continued his jovial tone.

"You know I think we may need a bigger table at some point." Erin joked back with the man that she still tried to work out her feelings for. "If that is the case then they may call us all strays and change this unit's name to the Pound." She shot a small wink at Faraday as they passed. Jack always seemed to make this ceremony so serious. She understood the need for it but thought it should also have some lightheartedness to it as well. Erin took her seat at the table next to Hill.

Faraday overheard the 'strays' comment and thought that might have been directed at him, after all, this was the throne room and that was the 'Round Table', and those inside were the Knights. Where to sit, was the immediate problem, actually what to do with himself. So he stood, hand clasped behind his back as he looked over the array of officers present. So far Audie had been one to smile and nudge him. Well, whatever was about to happen must be important and not solely about introducing him around.

Brina watched with interest to see how Lance reacted, she though caught his eye and gave him an encouraging smile as well. She felt that he'll be able to get through this.

Robert 'Meatball' Schiano was the second to last to arrive and he hated it. However, in his role as First Sergeant he was overloaded with paperwork and that often delayed him. "Look at dis motley bunch." His New York Italian accented voice could be head as he made his way to his seat.

For his part Jack watched everyone arrive with interest. How they took to a newcomer was always telling and interesting. He noticed how most thus far did not acknowledge his presence. Jack decided it would be best to leave him at attention until it was time to proceed.

The last one to arrive, Baaru ‘Ivy’ Ixalia stopped for a moment beside the new arrival. It wasn’t all that long ago that she was in his position, but unlike her, he wasn’t thrown into a combat situation right off the bat. Giving him a quick side eye, she was a little impressed by his figure, even though it was pretty standard for a marine. “good luck” she simply said before making her way over to her seat.

Lance nodded to the Bajoran Lieutenant, the only one to have spoken to him, thus far. Maybe that blowback was about to hit, and send him packing again to some remote outpost far from anywhere.

The room that they all sat in seemed like it had been assembled from a different time. A time that in some ways was simpler and in other ways more complex. This room was dominated by a large stone circular table. Emblazoned on its center was the crest of the Kingsemen with the credo in latin around it 'Frater ad fratrem tuum in vita et in morte" (Brother to Brother yours in life and death). The chairs around the table were high backed and made of wood. Sconces on the stone walls had torches that burned and created a dim light throughout the room. This was a room of equality, a level playing field and it was just the way that Jack and his people loved it.

Now that everyone had arrived and settled it was time to begin. There was one empty seat at the table, and a wooden box which had the seal of the Kingmen emblazoned upon it sat on the table in front of Jack. Jack banged his fist on the table and everyone rose to their feet. "Whose men are we?" he asked and everyone replied in unison. "We are the Kingsmen..."

Faraday Had no change of expression, but he was impressed, he had seen the credo and liked it.

"You're damn right we are. And now we find ourselves faced with someone who wants the honor to call themselves that which we fought hard for. This man claims that his service record speaks for itself. At times that can be a horrible sign, a sign of narcissistic conceit. However, I have spoken to the man and have realized that at the very least he can talk the talk. So, now as is our way the time has come for you to see if he can walk the walk." Jack had been walking around the table and as he spoke he would tap various people on the shoulder. It was a sign of fellowship. When he got back to his seat he continued. "Now let us begin. Everyone be seated. Not you Meatball. First Sergeant as always has the honor."

Robert 'Meatball' Schiano not only remained standing but he made his way toward Faraday. He could see that he did not know what to expect. Those that knew Schiano knew that in these situations he tried to get the new comer to back down due to his size. Jack had told him of the newcomer's ego and so Robert would try to take him down a peg. Schiano loomed over the other man having four inches in height over Faraday. He allowed the silence in the room to hang heavy in the air as he chose his words and gathered his thoughts. "Youze are perhaps da first person to come to us without us receiving any knowledge save for yer jacket. Dat said yer file says you are da best at what you do. What I say you ain't. I say dat Sparks can run miles around you in her sleep while playin da harp. So youze have to tell me what makes you so special, and make me believe it."

Most of the Kingsmen Jack included were slightly surprised by Schiano's approach here. It was different but it seemed that it would work. Jack knew that they would have to come to trust that Faraday could rely on the rest of the team and not try to be the best of the best. The Kingsmen worked best when they worked as a team.

Faraday fully understood what was happening, and it was not anything he liked. He then very slowly looked up at the bigger man until he was staring him in the face. He stood, almost toe to toe with the bigger man, “Nope I didn’t get an invite here, I was sent. And, yeah, my record speaks for itself, the good and the bad. If it says I’m the best at what I do, that would be the writer's opinion. As for this Sparks, if she can run miles around me, in her sleep, what was it? Playing a harp? Then there won’t be much for me to do when I get there, will there? I do what I do, I am good at it, and I like it.” He did not move a muscle but continued to look the bigger man in the eyes.

“So, First Sergeant Meathead, You’re telling me that I have to tell you what it is that makes me special? I dunno, maybe you need to ask those officers who wrote those things in my jacket. I have no control over any of that. And no, I don’t have to explain anything to you, except maybe that you could make good use of a breath mint.”

Audie almost laughed out loud at Faraday's comment, certain that he was probably right, and appreciating that he wasn't easily intimidated, but she managed to hide it in a cough. Well, so far, the new guy was holding his own, and she was glad of that...she liked him, and so did Buster!

Erin sat in her seat at the moment she was of two minds about the newcomer. First what the hell did the Kingsmen need with another Demolitions Specialist. There was a part of her that was offended and at the very least her ego bruised. The other part of her thought that this Faraday would not last five minutes in the Kingsmen with that attitude. However, she would save that for her turn.

Robert was taken aback for a moment, the response he got was not the one he anticipated and it threw him for a loop briefly. However, he made sure that no one saw that. He decided that he would lead with comedy and go from there. "First off it is Meatball, and secondly yeah I brushed my teeth this morning, but that ruben at lunch..." His voice trailed off as he gathered his final thought. "Actually, yeah you do have to explain yourself but not to me. You have to explain yourself to us... All of us... The Kingsmen are not just a unit. We are a family, not a family by blood. But one by choice. So, yeah you have to explain yourself and we have to explain ourselves to you. That is how all of this works. So, I will ask one more time and hope that you take these new words into account. We all know why we are here, however, as you said you were sent here. So, tell us what makes you special, why are you here, Why should we choose you to join our family?" Schiano's thick accent was tempered here as he spoke. Something he did only when he meant real business. Those that knew him well, knew that the jokes were over when he hid his accent.

"Fair enough First Sergeant, fair enough." Faraday began, "You probably know that I was an instructor on Rigel Ten, teaching boys and girls how to effectively blow things up, and some combat tactics both offensive and defensive. Plenty of war games. So why am I hear? Long story short, my class was to hold a position against a larger and more experienced class. Our Comms acting NCO was asleep when the assault began, and the artillery and air support we were to have, minimal as it was to be, never got the word and we were overrun. Well, I decked him for it. Cost me a stripe, and me a one-way ticket to this place." He grinned.

"I told you before why I'm so special, your words not mine. But, what I didn't say is that I am the best at what I do because I was trained by the best, and served with the best. Marine Covert Ops, Beta Brigade, Demolition Team, Starship Endeavor, and the Marine Forward Assault Forces, Alpha Brigade aboard the Starship Retribution. While I was there I was trained by members of the First Marines, Marine Raiders. I can blow your kitchen table while you're sitting at it. So me and Sparks ought to hit it off."

"Now, I came here uninvited, and if you like, I can leave the same way. Up to you." He added, starting to turn, he turned back and offered his hand, "No harm, no foul."

Erin's eyes widened unperceptively as Faraday spoke. She had wondered how she knew the name. Now it all came together. Back in Boot they had studied one of his missions. He really could blow the skirt right of a woman and she would thank him for it. She smiled at her own thought, and now knew who they were dealing with. She awaited her turn.

Robert took the hand and smiled. His stature relaxed a bit, as if some unknown agreement had been reached. "Youze may have been trained by da best. But now youze are working with da best. USS Endeavour, that is where the Kingsmen got their start all those years ago. I expect you to hold us all to the same code that you held that NCO to." Robert shook Faraday's hand and then punched himself in the chest with his right hand and placed it on Lance's right shoulder. "I of my own free will and accord welcome you to my family. Brother to brother, yours in life and death."

Master Sergeant's grip was as strong as the man was tall, Faraday popped his chest just as Robert had, as he released his grip, "Brother to brother, yours in life and death." He repeated, mean the words he spoke. It was their credo, but it was that of the Marines as well, just spoken differently.

Jack sat in his position at the table as was the custom. This was a rocky start to the ceremony that usually went smoothly with some humor. He hoped that Faraday began to understand what made the Kingsmen special. "Ivy the floor is yours." Jack said as he turned to the resident Bajoran with a smile.

Standing up from her seat, Ixalia walked over to stand in front of the new arrival. it wasn't all that long ago that she was in his position, and now it was her turn to test this Marine. Sizing the man up, Ixalia took a breath in before starting, "so, you're well trained, Best of the best and all that, I can respect that. However, I've found that book learning alone means nothing without practical application and experience." she said, pausing for a moment to judge his reaction. "we all have that one mission that sticks out to us, what's yours?"

He had hoped that Lieutenant Inferson would have been next up, but not how it went, though he would likely face her soon enough. “As an instructor, ah, a former instructor, I must agree that book learning can only take you so far. It is in the field where the real lessons are. But then too, what is learned can be applied, so it is not really ‘nothing.’”

“That one mission? Have to be the one with the Raiders. We all need to remember that first and foremost we are riflemen and women. After that, we do what we do as specialists. I got tapped to go along, on what was a rescue mission. A small island on Rinax, a moon in the orbit of planet Talax, Delta Quadrant. Pirates had captured a Starliner with the intent to hold it for ransom.

Intel had their strength at fifteen, they were wrong. Well, this place where they had the liner was an island in the middle of the Rinax marshlands, no vacation spot, where temps could reach fifty degrees Celsius, with a good ninety percent humidity. A real treat for some starship-based Marines. Oh, did I mention the lava flies?”

“So, we were dropped in maybe six hundred yards off this island and we began slogging our way toward the target when the pirates, Kazan and Talaxians, opened up on us. We lost four Raiders out of the gate. Then, it was trying not to die while making our way to cover. That was when the rain started, and it was no drizzle, I mean like a real gully washer, and that saved our bacon!”

"We made it to cover and then pressed the attack, and the weather became our ally. Now, I’m an in, get it done, and out kinda guy, so sustained fighting had not been my forte, but I learned real quick. Long story short, it never got to hand to hand, just, as they put it, seek and destroy. We lost four, had five walking wounded, out of what would be two squads. Killed upwards of twenty, and watched that liner lift off before we were evacuated. Not something I’ll ever forget. Those boys were merciless and taught me a lot that day." He looked at her, waiting for the next question.

listening to his story, Ixalia gave a approving nod, "good, at least you've had the chance to put your learning to the test. In my opinion, a marine that hasn't been tested yet is a threat to not only themself but also their squad. Just remember that there is always more to learn" she said, before placing a hand onto his shoulder, then punched herself in the chest with her remaining hand, "I of my own free will accept you as a member of this family. Brother to brother, yours in life and death."

He smiled briefly as the mood turned somber, whether by design or that was how he interpreted the repeating of the oath of acceptance from the Lieutenant. Whether or not it was appropriate he thumped his chest and repeated the oath, "Brother to brother, yours in life and death." Something he was beginning to take quite seriously, even if the Corps had its own statements of brotherhood, the Knights seemed to have something special.

Jack continued to look on without any sign of emotion as Ixalia took her seat. He knew who he would call on next and in truth Jack was rather excited to see how this would develop. "Right, well some of us have had the pleasure of fighting our mirror selves in another universe. That however, is a story for another time. In the here and now we get two experts at destruction to duke it out. Sparks try not to hurt him."

Erin stood up and walked around the table. She sized up this new comer. Inferson was no fool, she read this man's file and new that he could actually teach her a thing or two. But what she wondered is if he learned the lesson that she recently learned. One that remained constant in her head. As she walked by Hill she gave his shoulder a loving squeeze. Most of the unit knew they were an item by now, and she simply needed to know he was there with what she was about to say.

When Erin finished her walk she found herself in the pool of light face to face with Faraday. "I have read your file. In it I learned that unlike most Marines your boasting is backed up by competency and knowledge. I commend you for that. With all that knowledge you should know that our shared profession is perhaps the most dangerous in our Corps. Tell me what do you do when you realize that your charges are set and counting down and there is no way out?" She stared him directly in the eyes, the back of her throat tickled with the emotion, she refused to allow the tears to well up. Erin Inferson needed to know that he would give himself for the mission, for the unit, and for her.

"Ah, the trick question." Lance said smiling, "If the situation you have presented me with happened, and believe me, Lieutenant, it is certainly possible for that to happen, I'd be killed, of course. No way out is always an option on any mission, at any time, for a myriad of unavoidable reasons. It's not something I care to think about. I have a job that has to be done, so, I go out and do it."

Erin nodded solemnly she understood what he said, just as he understood that she had lived this exact scenario. "In the core we don't believe in the no win scenario. However, we know the price you pay to win. I can see now that you are more than a pencil pushing desk jokey. You are willing to pay the same price that each and every one of us are willing to pay." She took her right hand and punched herself in the chest, then placed it on his right shoulder. "I of my own free will accept you as a member of this family. Brother to brother, yours in life and death."

The gravity of the ceremony was beginning to take hold of the oft-times brash Sergeant Lance Faraday with each passing question. And, it was obvious that Lieutenant Inferson had a very personal experience with such a situation. Before he could think his right fist thumped his chest, the left hand going to Inferson's shoulder, and the words came forth, "I, of my own free will, accept you as a member of this family. Brother to brother, yours in life and death."

Jack used these ceremonies for a lot of things. One of them was to gauge the state of his people, both mentally and emotionally. At this moment he took note to make sure that Erin was checked on. "Right, now we turn our attention to Magic Hands. The floor is yours."

"Oh!" Audie jumped up and strode over to face Lance, giving him a stern look...well, as stern as she could manage. "Sargent Faraday," she started, almost in a growl, "I understand that you like peanut butter on your pancakes and one-eyed ginger cats." She broke into a grin then. "Can't be all bad! I, of my own free will, accept you as a member of this family. Brother to brother, yours in life and death." She punched herself in the chest, letting out a little cough as she gripped his shoulder with her right hand.

"Yes, I do." He responded, taken off balance by Fitch's statement about pancakes and peanut butter, and just as suddenly gripped his shoulder and recited the credo. He held back the smile that wanted to appear on his face and then slammed a fist into his chest, his right hand on her shoulder, then repeated her words of the tenant as solemnly as he could.

You never let me down... Jack thought with a smile about Audie's statement. He called on her at that moment to lighten the mood somewhat knowing that she would not disappoint. "Right... Now Spitfire. What do you have. Fire away..."

"Fire away..." Anthony chuckled. "Always a way with words sir." he said moving forward. As he passed Erin what she had said to Faraday was not lost on him. The fact that her experience was shared with him, the situation they had found themselves in and his refusal to leave her spoke more than a million words in the eyes and ears of the Kingsmen.

They locked eyes as she passed him, that knowing look he'd come to get used to. However, now his eyes locked on Sergeant Faraday.

A man older than he, with more experience and a man after his own heart in that he trained in demolitions. Anthony had read his file as well noticing that the last few years he had been an instructor.

Anthony had moved towards the man and looked at him with thought. "I think it goes without saying that most have mentioned we are more than a unit. We are a family. In my opinion there are no-one like us, no-one that would do what we do for each other." he looked back over the group, his own team and Erin before turning back to the Sergeant. "I know you were an instructor, and you have my respect for your service, even more so that you are trained in demolitions..." he looked at his scarred hand for a moment, the rest of his uniform covering up its extensive continuation up his arm. "but simply, why leave your instructors gig to join us? Why do you want to be a Kingsman? What does it mean to you?"

“What am I doing here?” Faraday began, “Not even a long story to tell. I would suppose that there are any number of Marine who would like to be standing where I am at this very moment, but I did not ask to come here, I did not ask to be a part of what I see as a close knit family of Marines. But, I am here.”

"I am here as the result of striking a communications NCO for sleeping on duty during a field training mission. We were to hold a position against a more advanced class. And, we failed the exercise as a result. I am here.”

"To be honest, I did not want to be here among you, the fact is, I had never even heard of the Kingsmen. But I am here, standing before the Round Table, and all of you. All I can say is, Lieutenant, I will give the best I got, every day to justify my being considered a Kingsmen.”

Jack watched thoughtfully, he now had a reservation or two about this newcomer. Patton only wanted people who wanted to be in his unit. He found that when people wanted to be there they accomplished more. However, this man was simply pushed here. Perhaps it was for Jack and the Kingsmen to bring him in line. He decided that he would let the ceremony come to its conclusion and see if Faraday still felt the same way that he does now.

Brina watched from her vantage point, in essence monitoring the body language of those in attendance of bringing in Faraday into the fold. It seemed to be a mixed bag, but then she could be wrong. However even though Faraday hadn't known about the Kingsmen until now, she firmly believed that Faraday could become one of the Kingsmen and be a proud member of it. With his revelation of what had happened, she could seen that there could be trepidation on his part, however she felt that he would find himself a niche in the fold. Now she waited for Hill's answer to Faraday's answer.

Anthony arched an eyebrow at the reply. A seemingly normal looking, balanced man had struck another marine. He understood the reason, he'd have been pretty pissed off as well if they'd failed an exercise due to another's gross negligence and lack of resolve. If it had been in the field, a real mission then it is possible lives would have been lost, the mission a failure.

"I appreciate your candour Sergeant." Hill replied. "You are right in that we are a family here. One that you are joining and one you will be welcomed into should you choose to be. We fight to the bitter end for each other, and I ask no more of you than I would of myself, or what Lieutenant Inferson would ask. We don't do sleeping on the job... if you heard Meatball's snoring then you'd understand why..." he chuckled to himself. "I, of my own free will, accept you as a member of this family. Brother to brother, yours in life and death."

With nothing to add Faraday, still unsure of his repeating the vow, thumped his chest and repeated the words in a loud clear voice. Grateful suddenly for the opportunity that lay before him, this was something unique, special in every sense of the word.

As one rose through the ranks of the Corps, one learned how to read other's body language to gauge what they thought and how they were going to react. Jack Patton was one of those people who took that lesson to heart. He stood and allowed the silence to hang in the air for a moment. Jack looked at his new officer and he could see a man who had begun to see that things were different here, who could see what was in store for him. "Songbird you are the last wall he has to climb. What say you?" Jack handed the floor over to his second in command. A woman he had come to rely on almost as much as his wife.

Brina had gone and did some research on Lance, after her first initial talk with him. She had found there was tragedy in his life, the loss of parents while he was on duty. She knew he had a brother. Now whether they were still in contact she didn't know, as that would have to be something he was willing to talk about. She rose from where she had been seated, and walked up to Lance, this time giving a really scrutinizing gaze, Brina utilizing her artististic eye to get a read on him. She saw an uncertainty in him, maybe in some aspect a lost look in his eyes. From what he had told her as well as those gathered here, a mistake he had made and was still punishing himself for it. He didn't know where he was going to next. She akined him to a ship which had lost its anchor, and trying to find a way to make some roots. Brina at first had thought she knew what she was going to ask him she wasn't certain at the moment. Her mind yet again went to Gaagii, how he had brought her into the fold.

Brina had spoken to Faraday about the amount of Marines that were stationed here. Half were out and about doing different duties, while the others were on the station. This place was an anchoring point, a harbor which drew in those who needed something solid, even if marines moved from place to place they still had a place to return to.

After another long look at Lance, Brina spoke. "You had mentioned your mistake as to the last place you were at, to those here. And being dropped down in rank. You were uprooted and sent to a place you are unfamiliar with, and people you are not certain of either, there may even be the question of how long will you get to stay here. As possibly there is the chance that you may not get to make the connection that is needed to give you an anchor."

Brina walked around Lance observing his stance, as she walked, the marine XO asked "Have you ever had the feeling that you were supposed to be somewhere different than where you were at, that something was pulling you, calling to you and yet you knew not where?" Brina stopping in front of Lance locking her gaze with his.

"Somewhere other than where I was?" He asked, "Embassy duty in the capitol, ShiKahr, at our embassy on Vulcan. Now where that might have been? Good question, but I suppose the answer would be yes. Anyplace where there might be trouble would be a really good guess."

"Yes, Captain, that mistake is the one and only black mark on my record. One I truly regret, one that stays with me. Well, the part about being uprooted? Marines get orders under all manner of circumstances, that I was shipped out after that event would be a normal consequence, and I accepted that."

"Now to the meat of your question, Ma'am," He smiled, briefly, "Uprooted, not the first time, likely won't be the last. People I'm uncertain of, does that include me? Ah, and the real thing, How long would I get to stay and make that connection you speak of? None of that is in my hands, but I will guarantee you, all of you, this, for as long as I am here, as long as I am serving with you, no matter what the circumstances, I will give you my absolute best with my dying breath."

Brina mulled over his answer, it was a great answer but she had more to say, and he needed to hear it. She then spoke, her voice strong and firm. "This is a new beginning for you, Sergeant Faraday, that black mark, it should be just a reminder of what not to do, however, that will not be addressed anymore. Here and now, you have a new slate to write upon, one that is clean, a chance to form bonds and take root."

"Yes, Captain. Thank you, Captain. I'll make the best of it." Lance said, appreciative of a fresh start where he would not be judged by his past mistake.

She dug in one of her pockets and pulled out an acorn, which one of her sons had given to her, part of their collection. She held it up for Lance to see, as well as the others. "This is a symbol of growth, as well as a new start; are you willing to accept this, and accept that this is may well be a place to be part of this family, one that can you can connect with and set down roots?"

"I will accept the acorn, and the opportunity to fully connect and well as set down some roots. It will be an honor, Captain." Lance agreed, adding his promise which he truly felt at that moment.

She gave the acorn to Lance, took a look at those gathered there, the ones who had welcomed her intto their family. To each one of them she gave a smile, then she turned back to Lance.

"I of my own free will and accord welcome you to my family. Brother to brother, yours in life and death" her fist to her chest then to his shoulder.

Lance Farady was seldom, if ever, caught without something to say, this was that time. He accepted the acorn as was instantly choked up, unable to speak as tears welled up in his eyes. All he could do was stand straight facing forward.

Brina stepped back and smartly turned to Patton. "Colonel Patton, the floor is now yours."

Patton stood in the dark just out of the pool of light in silence. He allowed everyone to remain silent and absorb the moment, to live and breathe this moment. It seemed that Brina managed to reach Faraday in a way that no one else could. This was something that should be processed and so he allowed the minutes to pass.

In a short time Jack smiled to all who were present. "It seems that our family and this table is filled more and more with each passing day. This is something we should be proud of. It is not only an honor to serve with you all or in this unit, it is a privilege. One that is granted and affirmed each and every time we do this."

When he finished speaking Jack stood in front of Faraday. "Sergeant Lance Faraday. Attention!" All of the Kingsmen came to attention as Faraday did. Jack handed him a wooden box that contained the seal of the Kingsmen. When Lance opened it he found the official patch of the Kingsman, and a patch that bore a single word 'Lethal.' "Men, I present to you a new member of our family, a Demolitions expert. May all of his explosives be well placed, and may we all be safely away to enjoy the fireworks. He is a man that you have accepted and swore your oath to. He has his place at the round table, Sergeant Lance Faraday code named Lethal. Three cheers..."

Grinning broadly, Audie stood along with the rest of the company, and let out a cheer with the others. It was a powerful sound, and more-so, she knew, for the subject of the celebration. It was good to have new numbers -- more people to haze!

Slowly Lance began to smile, still not quite sure what it was he should do, salute, say 'Thanks', or just smile. But the Knighting appeared to have concluded, he was accepted as one of them, which meant a great deal to him now that he had been through it. He was a part of something big, something far better than he had been involved in before.

Jack extended his had to Lance and they shook. "Sergeant welcome to The Kingsmen. This is the beginning of the rest of your life. For now enjoy the party work begins tomorrow." Jack raised his hand in a salute. It was not protocol for the senior officer to salute the non comm. However, at the end of every ceremony it was an honor he afforded the new comer. When the salute was returned Jack smiled broadly. "Dismissed! Now go enjoy something..." He laughed and left the round table room with the knowledge that his unit, his family was growing and there would be no stopping them when needed.

"Thank you, Sir. I am glad to be here, and to have been accepted as a member of 'The Knights.'" Lance said, "Quite the emotional roller coaster today. Not sure I was prepared for it, but glad that he happened." He smiled, as it had been a turbulent situation for him. He received and returned the salute. He watched Pastton as he left the round table, he was an extraordinary leader. that much was clear

Now to follow orders and 'go, enjoy something.'

Brina clapped her hand upon Lance's shoulder, "Congratulations" Giving a bright smile. Today was a good day.

"Thank you, Captain. I have my acorn and a personal mission to accomplish." He replied, still holding the oaknut.

Schiano lumbered over to where Faraday was. "You know if you have balls. I like officers wit balls. You heard BlackJack we should go enjoy somethin. I will see you at the White Stag, round on me." Robert left with a broad smile on his face, and a thirst.

"I'll be there for sure Robert, and thanks, man." He promised.

Erin grabbed Hill by the shoulder. "You heard Meat. He's buying we better hurry before his generosity runs out. Welcome to the family Lethal." She said as she clapped him on the back.

"Thank you, Lieutenant, I am glad to be here."

"See, now, it pays to be nice to a cat!" Audie quipped as she passed by Lance, giving him a playful nudge. "Welcome home!"

"Hey, hey, hey, watch the brutality, Sergeant Fitch! I bruise easily!" He chided, "Yo headed to the White Stag?"

tag Hill/Open responses



Sergeant Lance 'Lethal' Faraday
Demolitions, Swords Platoon
The Kingsmen
Poseidon Station

Colonel Jack 'BlackJack' Patton
Commanding Officer, The Kingsmen
Executive Officer
Poseidon Station

Captain Brina 'Songbird' Tracy-Hall
Executive Officer, The Kingsmen
Poseidon Station

Robert 'Meatball' Schiano
First Sergeant, The Kingsmen
Poseidon Station

Erin 'Sparks' Inferson
Platoon CO, The Swords
The Kingsmen
Poseidon Station

Sgt. Audie 'Magic Hands' Fitch
Medic, The Kingsmen
Poseidon Station

First Lieutenant Baaru 'Ivy' Ixalia
Platoon Commanding Officer, The Knights
The Kingsmen
Poseidon Station

First Lieutenant Anthony 'Spitfire' Hall
Platoon Commanding Officer, The Castle
The Kingsmen
Poseidon Station

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