Chapter 18 - Preparation

                                    

                                          
Lillian 
                          
    The next day, Kolivan and I sat down to a meeting.  We needed to plan another mission and talk about the intel we had gathered. 
                          
    "What have the analysts found out so far?" I asked. 
                          
    "We don't have many analysts left as most of them are on missions with their units, so I had Ella and Adrien begin to look over it," Kolivan explained. "They have been deciphering it a few different times in multiple ways and through many different codes.  However, they get the same thing each time.  So, I'm assuming that this other supply route is new and needs to be investigated."
                          
    "But we don't know where it is," I pointed out. 
                          
    "Yes.  I'm organizing a team to investigate it.  I'll let you know the developments because Delta will probably be doing most of the missions to the route.  Right now, we need to plan the mission that you are going to take Keith on," Kolivan said, and I felt the slightest discomfort at his words. 
                          
    "Wait, I'm the only one taking him?" I asked, shocked. 
                          
    Kolivan nodded. 
                          
    "Why?" It came out as almost a whine, and I was not happy about my tone of voice. 
                          
    "As the Captain of the unit, it's your job to make sure that everyone on your team has a strong relationship with you.  Their job is to make sure they get along, but your job is to make sure you get along with each of them, know their trigger points, weaknesses, etc, so you can keep them out of certain situations or push them.  I'm assuming that the minimal training you did with Keith didn't give you much time to analyse him.  However, I know you analyse quickly.  I'm giving you this chance to bond with him and make an assessment of him from the viewpoint of a mission rather than training," Kolivan explained. 
                          
    "And where would you have us go?"
                          
    "That's up to you.  I'm going to give you the mission log, and you get to decide which base will get the information best," he said, sending me the mission info.
                          
    I looked down at my wrist device as it pinged, signaling the arrival of the information. 
                          
    "Just make sure you follow Blade protocol and let all of your unit know where you're going as well as Central Command and myself." Kolivan stood. 
                          
    "That's it?" I asked. 
                          
    "I suggest you begin planning." He crossed to the door.
                          
    I groaned.  Sometimes he was a little too official.  
                          


                          
I left the meeting room and went to find Kiana.  I'd need a second opinion for which Galra base to infiltrate.
                          
    She was in the training arena fighting Josh. 
                          
    "Lamar!" I called. 
                          
    She quickly defeated Josh and sprinted over to me, polishing her blade and deactivating her mask. 
                          
    "General?" She asked. 
                          
    "I need your help." 
                          
    "Can I be of use, Lillian?" Josh called. 
                          
    "If you want to listen to girl problems," I called back. 
                          
    Kiana arched an eyebrow.  
                          
    "Ooh," Josh grinned. "Even better.  Spill the tea, sisters!"
                          
    I laughed.  "Come on, then."
                          
    Josh, Kiana, and I sat in the lounge area of the barracks.  It held a few couches and a television monitor that was mainly for meeting purposes.