not given the opportunity to prepare for it.
“There is no need for concern, Elite Warrior Re’Vahl. Just report to the conference room.”
“Yes, sir,” Re’Vahl answered. He stepped over to a bench he’d left his shirt on and picked it up, slipping it over his head as he began to walk away, headed toward the exit of the exercise facility.
“Oh, Re’Vahl…” Rokai ahl called out.
Re’Vahl paused and looked back at Rokai ahl.
“Congratulations,” Rokai said before grinning and moving to take Re’Vahl’s place in the rotation of friends weight training.
Re’Vahl looked at Rokai for only a moment longer before turning and hurrying out of the exercise facility and up to the Command Deck and the small conference room across from it. He knew the only way he’d find out what Rokai meant was to report there.
~~~
“Commander Zha Quin Tha?”
“Yes, Missy,” Quin answered.
“Elite Warrior Re’Vahl approaches,” Missy answered.
“Thank you, Missy,” Quin answered as he, Ba Re’, and Lo'San all got to their feet and adopted the Cruestaci military equivalent of standing at attention — all on the same side of the conference table, facing the doors that Re’Vahl would enter through.
A few seconds later and the doors swooshed open granting Re’Vahl access. Re’Vahl came to an immediate stop when he saw the three males awaiting him. They were quite imposing. He inclined his head, and came to attention.
“Elite Warrior Re’Vahl, reporting as requested, Sirs,” he said, his eyes trained on the wall behind the three males who faced him.
“Thank you for coming right away, Elite Warrior,” Zha Quin said. “I apologize for the lack of notice, but, once decided, we were anxious to speak with you.”
“No apology necessary, Sire. I am pleased to be of service,” Re’Vahl said.
“Have a seat, Elite Warrior,” Lo'San said, gesturing to the chair across the table from them.
“Thank you, General,” Re’Vahl answered. He was a bit nervous around General Lo'San, because after all, he’d had designs on General Lo’San’s female. Though, at the time she’d not yet been the General’s mate.
As soon as he was seated, Ba Re’ began speaking. “As we are sure you’re aware, Elite Commander Kol Ra’ Don Tol has been assigned as Consul on Earth.”
“Yes, Sir,” Re’Vahl answered.
“And you're also aware that he was one of the Lieutenant Commanders who was in rotation to lead the ship should it be required,” Ba Re’ said.
“Yes, Sir. I am aware.”
“The others are myself, General Lo’San of course, and our Sire,” Ba Re’ said.
“Yes, Sir,” Re’Vahl said.
“We, all of us who share the responsibility of command of this ship, have recently been mated, or are planning to be,” Lo'San said.
Re’Vahl gave a single nod.
“We anticipate more of our males following suit. This is a good thing for us and our people, we encourage those in service to our military to claim their mates if they find them. As my Sirena has stated, a highly lethal Cruestaci Warrior is even more dangerous when they have an Ehlealah to fight for,” Quin said.
“I am not personally mated, Sire, but I absolutely agree with our Sirena,” Re’Vahl said, giving a firm nod.
“Our status as an active war vessel has recently been updated to that of a diplomatic envoy. We are all aware that we keep a warrior force onboard, but those not of our people, are not aware of this fact.”
Re’Vahl allowed a slight smile to flicker across his features. “Yes, Sir. We do not stand down, even when on a diplomatic mission.”
“Exactly. And because of this, we continue to operate as a Warship, keeping a Commander on the Command Deck at all times.”
“This may become a strain in the near future because of the fact that we’ve all taken mates recently. And as we are not at war, or involved in a conflict of any type, our attention will naturally be split between our duties aboard ship, and our mates and/or families. With Kol being out, it puts a strain on our time. None of us wish to retire to Cruestace, so a natural solution is to find another Warrior that can help us shoulder our duties,” Zha Quin explained.
Re’Vahl for the first time allowed his eyes to stray to Sire Zha Quin Tha’s, but he did not yet speak.
“Let me be clear, Elite Warrior. We have a ship full of Warriors to choose from, and even more stationed about the other ships currently patrolling different quadrants of the multi-verse, and those guaranteeing the safety of our home planet,” Quin said, pausing for effect.
“Yes, Sire,” Re’Vahl said, indicating his