Chapter Text
Though as Captain of the Royal Guard, Teela had her own private office within the Palace Administration building, she rarely spent time in it. Usually a flying visit each day to file written reports from her Lieutenants in the metal cabinets that lined the wall behind her desk, flanked by various computers and communications equipment. She had always been a woman of action: personally overseeing Palace security, responding to emergencies all over Eternia and lately, training her dear Ileena for her eventual role as an officer.
Still, in situations like this, the chance to sit down and attend to business in private was welcome. Two folders were laid on her desk. One recently arrived, the other retrieved from the Guard archives. The pages were yellow and dusty, it hadn’t been touched since before she was born.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. “Enter.”
Lieutenant Dian cautiously peered her head through the door, as if expecting a bomb to detonate inside the room. “You wanted to see me, Captain?”
“I did, Dian. Shut the door and take a seat.”. Her subordinate complied. Seconds passed as Teela gathered her thoughts, while the other woman waited anxiously. The open file on the desk bore her name, something that instantly caught her eye.
At last, the Captain began. “You can appreciate that to finally have another woman serving in the Royal Guard, especially one with such an impressive service record, is something I have wanted for a long time. When we are carrying out our duties, I am your superior officer. But outside of duty, I would like to call you my friend, Dian. That is why I called you here for this little chat. ”
Noticing that Dian’s attention was on the personnel file, Teela moved to reassure her. “This is an informal conversation. Nothing is going on your record right now, nor will it be a matter of official discipline. However, there are matters regarding your conduct this morning that need to be addressed.”
Dian was once again apologetic. “Captain, I realise now that I overreacted…”
“We’ll get to that in a moment. Let’s deal with the first issue, in order: you kicked Ileena out of the throne room.”
The Lieutenant was confused. “How does that constitute an infraction, Captain? I read all of the relevant Guard protocols ahead of the promotion ceremony. The girl has neither rank nor birthright. By her own admission, she shouldn’t have been there.”
Teela let out a breath and clasped her hands together on the desk. Maintaining impartiality would be a challenge when hearing her partner being so casually dismissed. Perhaps she was too personally involved to be addressing this matter. But then again, Dian’s actions had left a bad taste in everyone’s mouths, so it’s not like there were any unbiased alternatives available.
“If you’re going strictly by the written regulations, then you are technically correct. However, there were six people in that room who outrank you, including three quarters of the Royal Family, all of whom knew of and approved of Ileena’s presence in the throne room this morning. A keen eye to spot those who appear to be out of place? That is useful in our profession. However, you did not ask any questions, you did not ‘read the room’ as we say here. You made an arbitrary decision, based on a rigid interpretation of protocol, and humiliated an invited guest of your Commander-in-Chief.”
Not one to back down when she believed procedure to be on her side, Dian countered. “Perhaps I was hasty, Captain. Certainly I did not seek to cause offense to His Majesty. But how can the Royal Guard function properly if it does not abide by the written rule? What makes this girl so special that protocol is being waived for her convenience?”
Teela’s irritation became too much to suppress anymore. “Her name is Ileena, and when you speak of her, you will use it. In answer to your question, Dian: Ileena lives at the Palace as my student by the authorisation of King Randor. Both myself and others are providing her with the training and education she needs to one day become a Royal Guard officer herself.”
Dian raised a suspicious eyebrow, the idea of this civilian receiving such preferential treatment sat ill with the former private soldier. “Begging your pardon, Captain. If joining our ranks is what this…Ileena seeks, then why is she not studying at the Royal Academy? Why has she not enlisted in the Eternian Guard like the rest of us?”
Teela testily replied. “Ileena has proven she has the potential to be an outstanding officer. I agree that her circumstances are a little unconventional, but she has earned every bit of what she is being given. You don’t need to worry, Dian. Ileena is well aware of what areas she has permission to access, which weapons she is certified to train with and which vehicles she is permitted to pilot under supervision. The rest of the Guard is also well aware of her security status.”
“I…see.”
“Generally speaking, those around the Palace with relevant experience are certainly welcome to lend a hand with Ileena’s training, provided it does not interfere with duty.” Teela’s voice hardened. “But if anyone should hinder her progress, or show her up in a public forum…”
Dian took the hint. “It won’t happen again, Captain. That I promise you.”. She noted the vehemence behind Teela’s warning and suspected there was more to this arrangement than she was being told.
“Good. That brings us to the other incident which can not, will not happen again: you drew your sidearm in the presence of the Royal family without sufficient cause and aimed it at a member of the Royal Court.”
Dian lowered her head. “Once again, I apologise, Captain. I made a mistake.”
Teela was not mollified. “I don’t think you quite realise just how serious it could have been. Imagine if my father had not ordered you to stand down in time and you pulled the trigger. You could have hurt Orko, or he could have blinked out in a panic and you would have hit whoever was behind him. You could have hit the King, or the Queen, or Prince Adam, or your Man-at-Arms, or me. Even worse, what if there had been representatives from another kingdom in the room, say from Avion or Andreenos, and you hit one of them? You could have plunged Eternos into war with its closest allies.”
Dian’s jaw dropped as she realised the severity of her actions. “I…I hadn’t thought of it like that.”
“You’re an officer now, you’re one of the grown ups. It’s your job to think about these things.”
All self-confidence gone, Dian was conspicuously eyeing her personnel file on the desk. “Perhaps…I am not cut out for the Royal Guard, after all.”
Seeing the misery in her officer's expression, Teela sighed and stood from her chair. “I disagree.”
“With all due respect, Captain, I fail to see how you could reach that conclusion. The Royal Guard can’t afford someone fouling up the way I did. His Majesty can’t afford it either.”
“You don’t think I made mistakes on the road to becoming Captain? My father will tell you, I’ve made plenty.” Teela made her way around the desk to sit on the corner nearest her subordinate, arms folded. “Matter of fact, I let you down today and for that, I apologise.”
Dian was astonished. “Let me down?”
Teela nodded. “Until a few days ago, you were an enlisted Guardswoman. Picked out and promoted for your bravery, then thrust into an entirely different role with no time to adjust. I should have sat you down and had a conversation like this before your promotion ceremony. That’s on me. If you can forgive me.”
“There’s nothing to forgive, Captain.”
“Please, when we’re not doing duties, like now, just call me ‘Teela’.”
The idea of a commanding officer allowing such familiarity was a little strange for the new Lieutenant. “As you wish…Teela.”
Teela grinned. “There you go, you’ll get the hang of this in no time. Because you will make mistakes sometimes, Dian, nobody’s perfect. What matters is that you have someone there to tell you not only where you went wrong, but how you can make it right in the future. I’m willing to be that for you.”
Dian’s mood brightened. “Thank you, Teela.”
“Case in point, let’s examine where you went wrong this morning and how you can improve. I imagine that when you were stationed at Far Westland, telling friend from foe was simple. If it wore the uniform, it was on your side. If not, it was probably an enemy. Am I right?”
“When you put it that way…aye, it was easier.”
“Here at the Royal Palace, it’s not so simple. You’re going to be around Lords and Ladies, members of the Royal Court, civilian petitioners, foreign ambassadors, even rulers from other kingdoms. Part of the job is to keep an eye out for intruders and infiltrators, but as an officer, you must be careful. Don’t be so quick to reach for your weapon. Take a moment to think, observe, analyse. Only once you have verified a threat to the Royal Family’s safety, then you respond with force.”
Dian nodded. “I understand.”
“The same goes for your role as C.O. of Item Company. You have a hundred men under arms who will be looking to you for leadership. They don’t need an officer whose instinct is to shoot her way out of a problem, that’s what you have them for. They need you to have a plan, to think of a solution and give them the orders to carry it out. See the big picture, because they will be too busy with the small details.”
Regaining confidence, Dian solemnly pledged. “I won’t let you or the boys in Item down.”
“I know you won’t. I like to think I’m a good judge of character, and I can see you’ve got what it takes.” Teela walked back around the desk to sit in her chair once more. “The Eternian Guard sent your file over this morning and I’ve been having a look. There was something there that caught my attention, so I cross-referenced and had a file pulled from our own archives.” She reached for the older document and blew the dust off its folder, before opening it up and reading aloud. Dian suspected she knew what was coming.
“You are the daughter of Sherilynn. Lieutenant, Royal Guard, Able Company. Previously a Sergeant in Able’s Mechanised Squad. Served with distinction during the Horde War under Captain Duncan and Man-at-Arms Dekker - my father and his predecessor. Says here that she won her commission at a battle on the Plains of Perpetua, by driving her Attack Trak through heavy artillery fire to rescue a wounded Dekker. Granted an honourable discharge under King Randor’s Repopulation Incentive program.”
Dian concluded. “And I was the result. Mother never talked much about her service. She wasn’t exactly thrilled with my decision to become a soldier, and she was horrified when we last spoke on the holo-vid and she saw this” Dian pointed to her facial scar. “But when I told her that I was coming here, to the Royal Guard, as an officer…she was so proud of me. She was so happy, she started crying…which meant that I started crying.” Having recalled such a vulnerable moment, Dian gave an embarrassed shrug. “Guess I’m not as tough as I look.”
Teela grinned. “No, you’re alright. I know how that feels. Must be quite a legacy to live up to.”
Dian sheepishly admitted. “It is not only my mother’s legacy that I want to live up to…Captain.”
Stunned, Teela pointed to herself. “Me?”
Dian nodded. “I wouldn’t say there are an abundance of women in the Eternian Guard, but there are enough of us that we can occasionally meet up and swap stories. Every Guardswoman I’ve met agrees: we all look up to you. We hear about your deeds, protecting the Prince, fighting alongside He-Man. To us, you’re our hero, you’re an inspiration.”
Teela blushed. “Well, it’s nice to know I’ve got fans. Tell me, Dian: do you have hopes to become Captain yourself some day?”
The question made her uneasy. “I, umm, I don’t want to sound as if I’m coming after your job…”
“No no, let us speak honestly here. I won’t be Captain forever. Even now, my service to the Realm is taking on a different form. Especially now I’m helping to build the Sisterhood.”
“Sisterhood?”
“The Sisterhood of Eternia, an all-woman team of specialists - warriors, mages and so on - brought together from all over the planet to pool their skills and act as a fighting force. Similar to the Masters, some of whom you’ve already met.”
Dian was intrigued. “Could there be the possibility of a new recruit in the future?”
Teela caught her drift and winked. “There could be, given enough time. But back to the matter at hand: do you desire to be Captain of the Guard?”
Dian worded her answer carefully. “I will serve you faithfully for as long as you are Captain, Teela. But when the day comes that you move on to greater success… then yes, I will want to make my case.”
Teela smiled. “Well, I don't get to pick my replacement, but I wish you the best of luck. Because I have given some thought as to how the Guard will fare once I leave it behind. With you and Ileena as officers, serving together, I know it will thrive without me,”
Dian bristled at the mention of the blonde girl’s name, but said nothing.
“For now, though, let’s turn our attention to your main objective…Dian, do you know why you were transferred here?”
The new officer was uncertain, wondering if this was a trick question. “The King felt I had distinguished myself.”
“Indeed he did, that is why you hold a commission and why you wear the Star of Valour. But do you know specifically why you were brought to the Palace?”
Dian shook her head. “If not for that reason, then I have no idea.”
Teela fixed her with a grim look. “The Horde, Dian. I presume you’ve heard of them.”
The veteran’s daughter felt her blood turning cold. “Aye, what little my mother would tell me. Sounded like the stuff of nightmares.”
“An accurate assessment. What do you know about Princess Adora?”
“Only what came over the bulletins a couple of years ago: that Prince Adam has a twin sister who was kidnapped by the Horde as a baby and raised to be one of them, until he brought her back.”
Teela nodded. “I have the privilege of knowing her personally, and I hope you will have a chance to know her in the future. Right now, as we speak, Adora leads the Great Rebellion on the planet Etheria, fighting to liberate that world from Hordak’s armies. On her most recent family visit to the Palace, she confided in us. The Rebellion will soon begin a major offensive that could turn the tide of their war, perhaps even lead to final victory. Adora fears that if he runs out of options, Hordak may take the forces that remain through the Space Portals and use Eternia as a fallback point. To regroup, rebuild and most importantly in his eyes, avoid Horde Prime’s wrath for losing Etheria. I trust Adora’s instincts and if she is afraid, I sit up and take notice. If such a scenario comes to pass, Eternia must be ready to finish what the Rebellion started and destroy Hordak’s forces before they regain full strength. That’s where you and Item Company have a role to play.”
Dian straightened her posture, drawing on the same courage that made her a decorated hero. “What is required of me?”
Teela let out a breath. Acknowledging the Guard’s shortcomings was not easy, as she felt it reflected on her leadership. “I fear that since the time our parents fought the Horde, the new generation are ill-prepared for such a threat. They are loyal in their defense of the Royal Family, but most of them have not seen sustained fighting. You have. I want you to bring that experience of yours and turn sentries into warriors. Toughen them up, hone their combat skills, give them their best chance at surviving what’s to come. They need to be prepared to not only meet the Horde on the open field, but to sniff out any saboteurs looking to infiltrate the Palaces. If the worst comes to the worst, we could be looking at a potential siege of Eternos City. That is your charge, Lieutenant: make Item Company ready for war.”
Dian leapt to her feet and saluted. “It shall be done, Captain.”
Teela stood and returned the salute. “Then starting tomorrow, you will meet with your Sergeants and devise a training program for your Troopers. I expect your plan to be finalised and ready for implementation within one week.”
She closed up the two folders and placed them in her top desk drawer. “I’ll make sure your mother’s file gets safely back to the archives this afternoon. Meanwhile, let’s help you get settled in. Have you had anything to eat?”
“Just some basic rations at sunrise.”
Teela walked around the desk . “I was hoping you would join me for lunch. Let’s put this morning behind us and get to know each other better.”
Dian smiled. “I would like nothing better, Teela.”
The redhead then spoke softly, delicately approaching a sensitive subject. “Just one thing before we leave this office…your, err, your scars. We do have restoration mages at the Palace who could heal those for you. I mean…if you wanted…”
Dian reached up to feel her forehead, her smile made clear she took no offense. “Thank you, Teela, I plan to get them healed as soon as I can. You can appreciate we didn’t have such luxuries at Far Westland. I just felt it was important for Item Company to see them first.”
“Looking to make a statement, eh?”
“Indeed. I want them to know that I‘ve done the drills, dug the trenches and bled in the mud to get here. I’ve been in the barracks long enough, I know what the enlisted man thinks of a new officer. Especially when it's a woman. I want them to know that when battle comes, I’ll be right there with them. I’m not some privileged, pretty face who was given rank because of who she slept with.”
Teela could have sworn that last statement was referencing a specific pretty face of her acquaintance, but Dian’s expression gave nothing away, so she shrugged it off and put an arm around her new friend’s shoulders.
“Well, here’s one privilege I hope you’ll gain a taste for: no more stale rations. The King declared you a hero this morning, it would be rude not to provide you with a hero’s feast. Let’s see what Chef Alan has in store, before Cringer gets to it.”
Dian reciprocated with an arm over Teela’s shoulder as the pair headed out of the office. “Lead the way.”