Please review. I'm experimenting with using multiple points of view at the same time, breaking a lot of rules, I know. The story deals with issues of abuse, cultural differences, some violence and sexuality.

Ch: 1 Old School

The claxon roused them from their sleep earlier than usual. Roque set the alarm to give the squad extra time to prepare for the new colonel's required inspection.

Low groans fill the bunk room as the lights slowly brightened and the squad began falling out. Roque padded softly through the room into the bath hall, threw his towel aside and turned on the shower farthest from the door. The cool water roused his sleepy faculties. I wish I had some private space to think today! This damn inspection is making me crazy. I can't find out anything about Col. Mavery, except that he's old school and favors discipline. He said that much himself. Why is it the one time I'm actually listening for the gossip it's utterly useless? Discipline... Even now, years and many parsecs from it all, the term alone raised a cold chill along his spine and a knot in his gut. Unconsciously, he ran his fingers along the fine, faded scars on his shoulders. We can't be going back to that.

No. I don't think Draper is that way. But damn, the Flights Squads are a bloody mess. If something doesn't change, this latest Raider push will have them all dead in two seasons. At least Alpha isn't like that. It was worth waiting all that time to get Ari on the team rather than setting for a big mouth hot-shot. Roque shook the water from his face and hair. No, we're the best in the Fleet. And we know Discipline, as much as we avoid talking about it. Mavery can't throw anything at us we haven't seen.

As he shut off the shower and pushed the water off his arms and legs, he heard Ari's voice from the door of the bunkroom call out, "The other shower's free!" He smiled slightly as he flipped up his towel, wrapping it around himself. She did her best to keep the rest of the squad from resenting her privacy, rushing through her own preparations and inviting the others to use the tiny private shower as they wished. It was a small consideration, but it went a long way toward keeping them a tight knit, smoothly running team. That and the java she brewed. The welcoming scent wafted through the bunkroom.

Longshot and Pogo brushed passed him as he slipped out of the bath hall.

"Get a move on there!" He laughed, clapping their shoulders.

"Ahhhh…" they groaned in unison, ducking into the showers themselves.

Acer, heading for the other shower, edged past him on the way out into the squadroom. Ari met him at the door with a mug of steaming java. Gratefully he took the mug simply holding it under his nose, relishing the perfume.

"Mmmmm. How you manage to get the ration beans to brew up like this is beyond me! You'd be worth having on squad for your java alone!" He teased good-naturedly.

Ari rolled her eyes, laughing; her short cropped dark hair still clinging wetly to her head. "If that were all I was good for, you'd be dead by now!"

Roque grinned, but did not reply. I wonder if she realizes that it's not joke. We'd all have died this season if it wasn't for her. Been a bloody rough one for sure. It's nice though that she can brew java like this though.

A plate of sausage biscuits was already on the table. He helped himself to one. The food was still warm enough to taste good. "This hits the spot." he murmured.

"Then I'll take one now." Came a voice behind him, followed by a long arm snaking out to snatch a biscuit. Freeman grinned as he wolfed down his breakfast.

Acer, still damp from the shower tagged Freeman's shoulder, "Your turn," He murmured heading to pour himself a cup of java.

Minutes later, the entire squad was seated around the table, finishing breakfast and awaiting direction.

Roque checked his watch, fifteen minutes from claxon to ready, not bad. "We've got inspection this morning." Not that anyone's forgotten that! "And guys, I have no idea what Mavery's looking for. I can't seem to find any dirt on him, no one knows anything about him."

"Other than he's old school…" chimed in Pogo from the far end of the table.

"Other than that, yeah." Roque's voice was a touch grim, certainly stressed. "So, knowing that, we'll just have to cover all our bases. Acer, you're the resident neat freak, so you and Freeman double check the quarters. I want all the foot lockers and wall lockers open when he comes in, show him we're ready.

"Longshot, I want you to double check all our flight records, make sure they're complete and pulled up on the first workstation. Pogo, do the same with our maintenance records on the second. Ari, you cover our ground shift records on the third."

"Crap! I forgot to tell you Roque. I was working on that this morning. I forgot to save the last two forms and when I went to submit them, the system hung and I lost everything. I don't think I've got time to re-enter everything now. I'm sorry, I should have learned by now to save before I submit, but I was so flustered by this inspection I just lost my mind!" Ari shook her head in frustration.

"Damn." Roque muttered under his breath. "Well, do what you can with it, and we'll deal with what comes. That system is a monster and everyone knows it. Anyone else who tried to submit this morning will have had the same problem, so at least it will be a known." he wasn't happy, but the system was in need of an overhaul and glitches like this were common. We've all done the same damn thing, I can't tear her up over it. "I'll cover whatever's left. Let's move." He pushed away from the table.

The squad scurried to get to their tasks. We've got half a bell before inspection, plenty of time.

Time passed quickly, though. Just five minutes before their deadline, everyone reported back. Ari's reports were still not finished, the system still hung, but they were now saved in backup files.

At precisely the appointed time, the door whistle sounded.

"Attention!" Roque boomed, opening the door for their new colonel.

Colonel Mavery briskly strode in, followed by Lt. Agelen, a slight man with nondescript blonde hair and a quiver in his voice. "Colonel Mavery, this is Pilot Roque, squad leader."

Mavery extended his hand, brushing past the diffident lieutenant. "Pleased to meet you." He took Roque's hand in a surprisingly firm handshake.

"Thank you sir." Roque replied, somewhat startled by the breech of protocol. This is not 'old school'. "May I introduce the rest of the squad? This is Ari, my wingman and Squad Second. In the center are Acer and his wingman Freeman and over there are Longshot and his wingman Pogo."

A small smile crept over Mavery's face. "So you are the Third Fleet's Alpha squadron?"

"Yes sir!' They replied in unison.

"It is nice to see some traditions don't die out. I've always like Alpha flight names. But Ari sounds like a given name. What does the squad call you?" He turned to the slight young woman quizzically.

"I'm afraid my flight name isn't one that engenders a great deal of respect." She laughed softly.

"Oh, really? What is it?" the colonel asked, a lilt of humor in his voice.

When Ari paused a bit too long in answer, Pogo spoke up for her, "We call her 'Little Bit'"

"I can see why." The colonel laughed. The girl is tiny, she can't be a hand span more than a meter and a half with her boots on. A strong wind would blow her away. There's no way she meets height regs. But then Roque and Longshot don't either.

"Java sir?" Ari asked, handing him a large mug.

His first instinct was to refuse, he had seen the mess counters in too many squadrooms, but as he took in the fragrance, his frown melted into a smile. "Where did you get your hands on decent pods?" He gushed, drinking in the savory aroma.

"Oh, these are regulation alright!" Assured Pogo, "Ari just has away with them. Maybe we should call her Java!" he laughed heartily, but cut it off abruptly, remembering the colonel's presence.

"At ease men." Mavery reassured them. "Lieutenant, why don't you return to your other duties, I'll call you when I'm ready to move on." nodding towards the door.

"Yes sir," Agelen saluted, turning on his heel, obviously relieved to leave.

Mavery waited until the doors slid shut behind Agelen. "So, shall we begin inspection? We'll start with the obvious, then move to the paper work." Cradling his steaming mug, Mavery wandered through the bunkroom, bathhall, squadroom, and finally the tiny lead pilot's closet and bath. He nodded, muttering approval under his breath.

"To be honest, this is the first squadroom I've seen where I'd be willing to sit down, much less share java." Mavery murmured, drinking deeply from his steaming mug.

"I am truly sorry to hear that sir." Replied Roque sincerely.

Startled, Mavery looked up at Roque, meeting his eyes for a long time. "Yes," he finally said, "I believe you really are." he paused for a long while. "Well, let me check out the paper work now."

Freeman pulled out a chair for the colonel and plugged in the officer's module into the computer console. A panel in the table slid open to reveal a monitor and input pad. With quiet efficiency, the colonel quickly scanned through the reams of forms required by Fleet. "Very good order here."

Finally, he pushed his chair back. "I have to be honest here, you have definitely lived up the Alpha reputation. I am glad to see it." He sighed. "Please, sit down, I need to speak to all of you, off Records."

The squad traded glances, wondering. What is he about? Roque nodded at his team and sat down. The rest followed without word.

I wonder how deep their loyalties to each other run. Mavery turned his focus to their leader. "Roque, I noticed that Ari seems to have the closet that should be assigned to you. Don't you resent giving up your privacy for her?"

A dark look crossed Roque's face. He paused, chewing his lip before speaking, Bastard! He's setting me up. "Sir, we are a team. Decisions are based on what is best for all of us. When Ari recruited in, she was the best pilot in the recruits. Hell, she's the best damn pilot any of us have ever seen. Since she's been on board with us, she's pulled our butts out of the fire…well I've lost count. Bottom line is that every one of us is alive right now because of her. She's part of the team, a damn good part. The team runs better if she has a little privacy. Giving her mine is a small price to pay for what we all gain, sir." Still angry, he didn't meet the colonel's eyes.

"And she makes a drinkable brew!" Pogo chimed in, trying to lighten the increasingly ominous mood.

Mavery let the silence echo for a few moments. Drawing a deep breath, he responded. "That's what I was hoping to hear, exactly what I hoped to find. You see, the Third Fleet is in trouble and I've been sent in to try to straighten things out around here. You see that yourselves. It is no secret that too many fliers have been lost and it isn't all due to the offensives. Too many are lost to stupid reasons and it has to stop. That is why I am here.

"I am sure you have heard that I am 'old school' -that was once my flight name-and am here to reestablish Discipline. The practices fell out of favor due to abuses in their name. I am certain you know that full well." he scanned the room, taking time to meet each pair of eyes. As he did, each pilot lowered their gaze, not willing to face his inquiry. "I asked at the last assembly, who had been raised under Discipline. Only ten responded yes. Six of them were you."

His words hung uncomfortably in the air. None was willing to break the ensuing silence.

"I'd be a fool if I did not know what that meant.' Mavery continued undaunted. " I am certain all of you bear the same scars." The air in the room became thick and heavy, filled with deafening silence. "but you survived and you are here. You are the best squad in the Third fleet, possibly the entire Armada. I have to believe there is a relation.

"I will bring back Discipline. Right Discipline, not Madness. I think it is the only thing that will save this fleet from ruin. I want your help in doing it."

Drawing a deep breath and swallowing hard, Roque began, "I don't think you know what you are asking here…"

"I do. Truly, I do. Hear me out, though. I do not mean for there to be abuse, but without Discipline, see what the Fleet has fallen to. How many have died because they disregarded protocol? How many lost because they shirked mundane responsibility? How many because of lack of respect for others or disobeying inconvenient orders? Far too many."

Mavery's statements weighed on them; all had watched the needless deaths of friends and even rivals. They were all tired of it.

Mavery pressed on. "I can see what you have done to try to change that. You have tried to show the rest what they could be. You have tried to lead by example and excellence. But it hasn't worked. Not through any fault of yours, but because they didn't understand what they were seeing. The other squads don't understand that they need to be like you. They don't understand that they can. They see you have the best pilots, the best shooters and think that is what makes you Alpha. What they don't see is the discipline, the respect, the responsibility that makes you excel. That's what I want to train them to."

Roque glanced around the table and seeing his team nod asked, "So then, what do you want from us?"

"I want to make an example of you. At Assembly today I want to explain that there will now be Discipline in the ranks. I want to take a fortnight and focus on your squad. Have you demonstrate the Formalities of Discipline, the consequences and the honors. To show them an example of what I'm gong to demand. You already know the Codes and Protocols. They need to see it to understand."

"What haven't you told us? " Acer interrupted.

Mavery turned to study him a moment, his piercing green eyes sizing up the bold young man. "It means that for the next fortnight, you will be under the tightest scrutiny you've ever known. You'll be called to Discipline over the slightest oversight, for things that under normal circumstances wouldn't raise an eyebrow, much less a belt. Everyone of you will take hard stripes for things that don't deserve them and you will do so in front of the entire Assembly." He paused for a moment, allowing them to consider his words. With a deep breath, he continued. "And you'll do so without resentment, anger or complaint. You will not vent frustration over the obvious unfairness, the Discipline, or anything else to anyone outside your squad. You'll quietly demonstrate your dignified submission to the new fleet Discipline and approve of it to anyone who asks."

Roque quietly met the eyes of each of his squad, his own dark eyes clearly revealing his feeling. "You're asking a great deal colonel. Why don't you just order us to it?"

Mavery nodded slowly, setting down his mug gently. "I could. I could do that, but it wouldn't work. You're pilots, not actors. Unless you chose the course yourself, believed in it, you'd convince no one. I need you to be convincing. So I give you a choice. You can stay here and do as I have asked or I can have your entire squad transferred, to the First Fleet. There will be no shadow cast on any of your Records, but in all likelihood, you would be assigned separately. I can see several of you becoming squad leaders there. It could actually be a good career move for some of you. Think about it, I won't force your hands over this."

"Why should we do this?" Ari whispered timidly. He doesn't understand.

Mavery turned to her and locked her eyes with his, startled not just by their unusual clear deep amber color, but by their very expressiveness. In their depths, he saw what he was asking was almost unthinkable. But he was undeterred. "That is a fair question." He chewed his lip a moment. "And it deserves an answer. But I'm afraid what I have isn't much. Just as I won't order you to this, I will not bribe you to it either. I have little to offer as a reward for you. The truth is I believe that the fleet has the greatest chance of survival if this squad gets on board with this plan. I will implement Discipline with or without your help. I wouldn't ask this of you if I didn't honestly believe that it would make a critical difference. Bottom line, I think it'll be accepted much more readily with your help and at the end of the day I think that'll translate into lives saved. If you do this I think…I believe, a lot of young pilots will be spared needless, stupid deaths. That it turn could make a material difference in the offensives we are currently facing. You know the implications of that."

Mavery watched at the squad exchanged meaningful glances. "And no, I'm not exaggerating anything here. I'm not prone to inflate my arguments. I suppose the other good for you is that your squad would remain in tact, you'd continue to serve together as the Alpha squad. I know there are certain perks that go with that in the Feet, in transferring you would lose that and your team. Only you can judge how important those things are to you right now."

Roque looked around at his squad, then silently extended his closed fist into the middle of the table. Each member followed suit. Mavery watched intently wondering what he was seeing. When the squad leader gestured with his chin toward Longshot, Mavery understood. What he did not know was that Longshot had established himself as the team's risk evaluator. Whether on the Triplet court or in flight formation, Longshot had an uncanny knack for judging risk and reward. His opinion would hold great merit with the others.

Longshot looked at the ceiling for a moment, as if making mental calculations, then looked at each of his fellow pilots. Slowly, intentionally, he opened his fist and extended his hand palm up on the table. Roque nodded and extended his palm up as well. Acer's penetratingly dark eyes flickered from Longshot to Roque, then to Ari and Freeman. Finally, frowning he turned his ebony skinned hand palm up on the table. Finally Pogo and Freeman exchanged nods and added their hands to forming consensus. Ari alone remained undecided.

Mavery watched as those who had decided carefully averted their eyes from hers, as if not wanting to sway her decision She's got the deciding vote here, I'm sure he wants unanimous agreement. Mavery caught Ari's eyes once more and for a moment saw unmasked fear.

"Let me show you something." He said quietly unbuttoning his dress coat. Quickly he doffed both his navy blue coat, clanking with medals, and his stiff white dress shirt. He stood before them in his silvery gray silk undershirt for just a moment. Turning his back to them, he peeled off the silk from his heavily muscled shoulders. He flexed his shoulders slightly to draw their attention to the familiar scars crisscrossing his back. He was one of them. "I understand." He said softly.

A tear slid down her cheek, she could not hold it back as she added her palm up to the rest.

Nodding at each of his team as if to confirm their positions, Roque finally broke the silence. "It is agreed, " his deep voice soft now, "we will do our part in your plan. I need your word that the heart of Discipline is to be followed, no humiliation, no injury and no unnecessary exposure for anyone. The moment that boundary is crossed, the contract is broken."

"Good man, Roque." He clucked his approval. "You have my word. Discipline will only come by my hand and I will honor the heart of it." He extended his hand to the young pilot.

Roque took the offered hand in a firm grasp, "We have a handfast contract sir. Off Records, but a contract nonetheless."

"Yes sir, we do. And I will honor my part and trust that you will yours." Mavery shook the squad leader's hand, then turned and saluted the rest of the squad.

They stood and returned his salute. The colonel quickly donned his uniform once again.

"And back on Record, you have passed inspection with highest marks." He smiled, walking to the com unit by the door. "Lt. Agelen….Meet me at the mess hall for the next inspection." He turned to face the squad once more, "Good day gentlemen." He left the squadroom.

No one wanted to break the silence. Finally Longshot offered a long low whistle. "I sure hope I've called this one right guys. If I didn't, I'm ready to take all the blame for this…"

Laughing, Pogo reached over an slapped Longshot on the back of the head. "That's what you say every time we listen to you!"

With that the tension finally broke.

"Guys," Roque began, "we've made our decision and we'll get through this and maybe even do some good in the process. If this could prevent some of those hotshots from killing themselves for nothing I'm willing to take a few stripes. Their lives are worth that. Even if they are lousy pilots."

The squad chuckled in a dark unity.