Maid-Squire Varrot

She was accustomed to sitting among the panel of higher authority in the Gallian army. Every major step they took required the attendance of all forces' generals and captains to ensure that the units comprising the military didn't clash needlessly, or move to fulfill the same objectives.

What she wasn't accustomed to was court-martials. Anyone above the rank of lieutenant rarely fell out of line. They understood the need to set a good example for subordinates and go through the proper procedures before enacting plans. That included gaining clearance for missions not handed down by superiors.

"Captain Varrot. Your actions are reprehensible. You may provide a few last words for the record before we give our verdict."

She stared at the judge of the high court, thinking through the best words for the situation. Blunt and direct, that was always the best policy for her. "I would do it again. Giorgios Geld had to be stopped. I knew that if I waited and went through the proper channels, he would have escaped a perfect opportunity for capture."

"You refuse to admit to your abuse of power?!"

She shifted her glasses higher up the bridge of her nose. "I needed the 7's to ensure a successful mission. Without their aid, I could not have captured that war criminal."

"See? It's exactly how I told you," General Damon said with the common boastful swagger of a noble. "Captain Varrot cares about her own interests before that of the army. You should hear her contempt for me whenever I give her orders she doesn't like."

The judge was quick to silence the general. "Captain Varrot. Though you have shown excellence in command, we cannot overlook this blight on your record. You must be punished for making reckless use of your authority to command Squad 7 into an unauthorized mission."

Varrot listened to the verdict carefully. She knew before assigning the mission that if her superiors learned about it, regardless of testimony from the 7's had they been able to give it, the court would need to sentence her with a punishment fitting the act. Abuses of power, even when justified, set a bad example for the troops under her command. Lieutenant Gunther could control his squad without her for the next few months of her discharge, and when she returned, she could have tactics and resources set aside for the war. That was her original plan... BEFORE General Damon's suggestions behind closed curtains.

"Under ordinary circumstances, the court would put you on temporary discharge from the service," the judge spoke with all the law vested in him by his status. "The court recognizes that the extraordinary circumstances of this case warrant a different punishment to instill full understanding of appropriate uses of authority. Following General Damon's request, you will be re-assigned as a member of Squad 7 until further notice."

This hardly seemed a strict punishment; she occasionally thought about joining the squad on the field and helping their missions with her sniper skills. Only protocol kept her from making that a reality. With her at their side, Squad 7 could finish missions with ease.

It was a marvelous plan. A brilliant one. But not what the judge had in mind. "You will act as Squad 7's maid-squire, under the command of every soldier in the squad. There, you will perform every task requested by your superiors without question."

She went livid, the pupils of her eyes shrinking to dots, words flowing off her tongue faster than she could grasp what she was saying. "Judge! At a time like this, I hardly think such a move is wise." Her hand clapped over her mouth once she caught up with her own remarks.

"You dare to tell the court how to act? Maid-squire Varrot, you are not in a position to make demands."

"I'm sorry sir, I-"

"Your re-assignment in Squad 7 is intended to remind you of what it means to serve your squad, while gaining a healthy respect for the troops under your command by understanding the position you hold over them as their captain," the judge laid out plainly, frustration over the perceived disobedience from Varrot clear in his rising voice. "To disobey an order from you as a captain is insubordination, and for your time as Squad 7's maid-squire, the same will be said of disobeying a directive from any squad member. Your outspoken disapproval of this sentence shows that we cannot trust you to uphold it properly without oversight. Until such a time that we deem your sentence fulfilled, you will report to General Damon and accept orders from him at a higher priority than your squad. Do you understand, Maid-Squire Varrot?"

She hung her head as she weakly sighed and muttered, "Yes sir."

"I didn't hear you."

She knew what the judge really wanted. Military life meant showing full compliance and willingness to follow the chain of command. Fake as it was, she gave the judge a resolute face and saluted, voice booming with firm pride built on a shaky rock bed of thoughts and feelings. "Yes sir!"

"The clothes of a Gallian Maid-Squire will be delivered to your quarters overnight, and tomorrow you begin your sentence. Court dismissed."

The smug, self-satisfied look of the general as he waddled his way out of the court made Varrot's hand ball into a fist. Still, orders were orders. As ludicrous as the sentence was, she could take small comfort in the company she would soon regularly keep.

---------------------------------------------------

"Have you seen Faldio? This concerns his squad too."

"No Captain Varrot, he's still on temporary leave."

"Very well. Lieutenant Gunther, how has your squad been since the recent mission?"

"Our soldiers report increased morale after successfully saving the hostages and capturing the war criminal Giorgios Geld."

"That's good to hear," maintaining her stern composure took more resolve than she thought she had. This felt like more of a test than a punishment. Every second, she felt ready to crack like she had when that vicious monster Geld stood before her, herself zealously eager to give him a shot to the head with greater ease than it took to load her rifle. "General Damon discovered that I ordered the mission without authorization."

"Don't tell me they discharged you! We need you to guide us now more than ever."

She adjusted her glasses from the left side of her face. If she were not so practiced in flattery, she would have blushed. "Yes, well.. ahem. They didn't discharge me from the military. Quite the opposite."

"Ohhh, I see. They demoted you. That must be why you wanted Faldio here. It'll be an honor to fight alongside you."

"Welkin..." he wasn't making this any easier for her. "Yes, I've been re-assigned. As of today, I will be a member of your squad. I won't be a sniper."

"But... you were a sniper during the First Europan War. What other training did you have?"

She closed her eyes, trying to forget the sense of indignity welling up inside her over what she was about to say. "My new position will have me helping your squad from behind the scenes, serving you in any capacity I'm needed." She tied the lacy white hairband on her head and rose to her feet, ignoring Welkin's flushed cheeks and wide-eyed stare. The red ribbon tied around her neck did nothing to block the chill of cool air on her cleavage, the neckline of her dress plunged deep with her apron providing the first real cover just inches above her aureoles. The puffy shoulders of her Gallian red and blue 'uniform' only served to accentuate the looks of her bust. Frilly arm and wrist bands completed her appearance above-desk when the most notable duster came into view, hanging down from the waist-strap of her apron. Knowing that military life demanded she not show an ounce of disdain for her new position, she gave Welkin a soldier salute. "Maid-Squire Varrot reporting for duty."

"Maid... squire?!" Welkin stammered. This was going to be more than a little awkward.