(2025-08-21) A Cobalt Lieutenant

Details

Author:	Alli
Summary:	Dane Atley comes to a meeting with Ben, Elohad, Jocoza, and Paluuva. There's urgent news about Cobalt's next mission, as well as Dane's position in the company. ~2500 words.
Rating:	T for Teen

Arc: Season 17: From the Mists

The air is tense with expectation in Cobalt Company's Ironforge HQ this August afternoon. Captain Jo Sparkwire sits in a chair, legs swinging gently and a small travel pack at her feet. She's in her formal battle robes, her hair in neat buns, and she waits for others to arrive.

Ben Hazan comes jogging down the stairs a few minutes earlier than the appointed time, so either he has absorbed the seriousness of the occasion or his statesman training is having an effect. He isn't even whistling.

He is still dressed in work trousers and boots, suspenders, and a flannel shirt with rolled sleeves, though. He still needs a shave. Baby steps.

"Ma'am." He nods respectfully to Jo and crosses the room to take a seat.

Elo is sitting in his usual chair, but it's clear that for the moment his mind is on Something Else - he's staring at the notice board but not at the notice board, and he hasn't moved much in a few. He looks over and smiles at the sound of his son's voice, though.

Ben settles in the chair beside his dad's and immediately makes his hair worse by dragging a hand through it. But very seriously.

Elohad looks with brief, wistful envy at Ben's copious hair before turning his attention to Jocoza.

Atley marches into headquarters. His hair has been somewhat tamed, pushed back, and combed into russet waves against his head. He wears his matching leather and gold boots, pants, and vest, with a long-sleeve form fitting blue shirt underneath. Always present on his form is the Lion Horn, hanging from his left hip, with the addition of a vrykul dagger sheathed on his right.

He descends the stairs and nods first to Jocoza, then everyone else. "Hullo' then, you lot." he greets amicably, in his usual growl.

Jo nods, straightening, and then gestures to an open seat. "Hello, Dane. Please, have a seat. We've got… a few things to discuss today."

Elohad gives Dane a dadly smile.

Atley grunts and nods, taking a seat. It squeaks just slightly underneath him, and he rests his gloved hands in his lap.

Ben gives a chipped-tooth grin and slouches down farther in his seat, pushing his hands into his pockets. Statesman hour is over.

Paluuva (who has definitely been here the whole time) inclines her head respectfully to Dane, offering a welcoming smile.

"Things have been reasonably quiet for Cobalt since the Battle of Bladefist Bay," Jo starts, glancing around at everyone before settling her gaze on Dane. "That's about to change. The next thing coming up will not be a large operation — a small force, on a mission for the crown. We're working on arranging the team for it now, and naturally we want you to be a part of it. But that's not all."

Atley knits his brow, and nods slowly, eyes on Jocoza. He idly clenches his jaw in thought.

"You have been a pillar of stability, trust, and leadership in Cobalt Company from its very inception," Paluuva chimes in. "Under the Cobalt wings, you have flourished from stalwart soldier to a knight of the realm. We feel you should know this has not gone unnoticed, nor is the value you bring to this organization underappreciated."

Elohad makes a hmmmm face at 'from its very inception' but allows the rest of it without facial protest.

Atley looks to Paluuva and lifts a brow before he inclines his head. "Thank you, Paluuva."

Ben nods respectfully.

"Over the years you have shown again and again your capacity to lead your squads in a variety of tense, complex situations in the field," Elohad says, as though continuing Paluuva's speech for her. "And to those here in this room, it seems that this speaks to a general leadership capability that we would be remiss in not fully acknowledging." He looks to Jo as though she is in possession of the third part of this speech.

Ben does not seem to have been assigned any parts of this speech, but he nods concurrence again.

Atley shifts his gaze to Elohad now and tongues the inside of his cheek, nodding once with respect.

Jo nods, and picks up her portion of the speech. "As we move again to face unknown dangers on behalf of the Alliance, we would like to ask you to once more serve in a leadership capacity, both on the field and off of it. However, this time, we would like to ask you to do so not only with the authority of a squad leader, but as a lieutenant of Cobalt Company."

Elohad beams.

Ben folds his arms across his chest and grins.

Atley raises his head, grim features subtly shifting. He looks between each of them before he settles on Jocoza, speaking with a brief shake of his head. "I'm honored," he growls. "And I accept the charge."

Jo breaks into a brilliant smile. "I knew we could count on you."

"Good man," says Elohad, in a way that would make a doggo's tail wag.

Hey that's Siamus's line. Ben looks briefly suspicious.

A smile reaches Atley's eyes, but not much else. The warmth it conveys is obvious to those who know him. He glances between them all again before settling on Jocoza. "Wot's next, then? You've mentioned other things?"

Elohad begins to look slightly fretful, and stares at the notice board again. There is really nothing interesting on it. But it's a place to look that isn't going to look back at him and see him going aaaaaaaa.

"Those were the two main things — the mission and the promotion," Jo says, ticking them off on her fingers. "We can go over the details of the mission later, but it's urgent and top secret, and you'll be heading out tomorrow. I'll be coming with you, but you'll be the ranking officer in the field."

Atley discreetly studies Elohad's expression before he shifts his gaze to Jocoza and nods once. "Very well. I'll bugger off and get prepared, then," he lightly pats his thighs. "Thank you for this opportunity to serve in a greater capacity."

As Atley says "bugger off," Elohad looks briefly like he might lightly regret his life choices, but then he smiles again.

"Oh… well, yes, if you don't have any more questions?" Jo says, looking back at him. "Like the team — most of it will be people you've worked with before, I believe, but there's a few new faces. Or about the position itself?"

"Our Red Knight isn't usually much one for a lot of questions," Elohad says affectionately.

Atley settles back down and scoffs with amusement. "Aye, f'course. I warrant I'll be brought up to date on handling Company paperwork, and the like?"

"Mostly it's writin' a lot of reports, an' lookin' over applications when they come in," says Ben. He has written a lot of reports. To everyone's chagrin.

"We also like for at least two lieutenants to be present at interviews," Elohad notes.

Ben tips his head toward Elohad. What Dad said.

"And," Elohad adds, "You'll be wanted to vote on any major changes in the company's direction, finances, policies, et cetera. You're part of the decision-making process now, not just someone taking orders on where to go and whom to kill."

Jo nods. "For the next while we might be a little isolated, on the mission, but in general we do consult with one another before any large decision."

Atley looks back and forth between Ben and Elohad before he nods. "While I don't expect there to be many, if there's a disagreement between lieutenants, how are disputes settled?"

"Usually we vote and abide by the majority. We haven't had a two-two split before, but if we did, Jo would have counted as two. Now I suppose we have an odd number, which is nice."

Ben nods. "Nothin' we ain't been able to vote on before. An' we talk things out an' all."

Atley grunts. "I'd be grateful to learn about the paperwork and filing system so I can handle it correctly, as we advance. P'raps after this upcoming mission, if viable."

Elohad smiles and nods. "It's not very exciting, but when you need to look something up in a hurry you'll be glad for the systems we have in place."

Atley nods. "I'm certain of it. Wot' do you need most from me? Will I continue on, primarily as a leader in the field?" he asks the group at large.

Elohad nods. "Similar to Ben, before I started filling his life up with politics and social obligations."

"I'll be pleased to guide you through the paperwork procedures," Paluuva chimes in. Paperwork makes her happy.

Atley nods to Paluuva. "I'd be grateful."

"Havin' a field leader who got clear an' full authority not just in the field but the company structure is pretty important sometimes," says Ben. "Less division between the field people an' the high-ups, when the high-ups are down in the field with everyone else, an' everyone in the field got one of the high-ups right there to talk to."

Elohad gestures to his son as if to say what he said.

"Oh, and I should note — the other squad leader will hopefully be Gwen this time," Jo adds. "She'll be new to field leadership, so I hope you can offer her guidance along the way."

Atley nods slowly at Ben. "Right. I see the wisdom in that." He shifts his gaze to Jocoza and grunts warmly. "Gwen, mm? Very well."

"Wot’s expected of me at home, here in headquarters? Am I to be present for every vote, or only when I’m not currently deployed in the field?"

"The really important votes about the Company's future can wait until you're not deployed. For things that need to be decided quickly, we work with who's available, and sometimes lieutenants are even forgiven for making minor unilateral decisions in cases of extreme urgency."

No, just you, Elohad. They just grit their teeth and let you do that. Because Dad.

Ben gives Elohad a crooked smile.

Atley grunts and nods. "I'm familiar with commanding authority at a squad level, but f'course the squad rosters are no stranger to change. How far does my authority extend beyond my own squad, now?" he asks them.

"You speak, at least in part, for the entire company now," Elohad says gravely. "You can bring anyone in for disciplinary measures, for example, no matter where in the company's structure they fall. Or you can answer the public's questions about recruitment and so on, officially, on behalf of the Company."

Atley shifts his gaze to Elohad and detects his tone. He inclines his head slowly, making his understanding clear.

"How often do the officers meet, all together, when some of us are not on deployment? Are there minimum office hours where I am to be here, or in Dalaran?"

"We've already got an officer in Ironforge HQ a good portion of our business hours, and when we don't we usually schedule a volunteer to answer questions and let people know when officers will be available. As for Dalaran, it's been more on an as-needed basis since things cooled down in Northrend. That office is only open a few days a week currently, and we've got assorted mage members there as needed to make sure no books disappear off the shelves. But it's pretty quiet there. Mostly people go there to work a shift if they want time to read."

Atley nods a few times, taking a quiet moment to mull that over before he inquires further. "If discipline needs to be dealt with in the field, do you want me handling it immediately, or bringing it back for review here?”

"That can be at your discretion, depending on the infraction," Paluuva says. "We trust one another's judgement. If there is a concern about how something was handled, we will meet and discuss it later."

Atley links his fingers together and gives Paluuva a slow nod.

"If it is goin' to be an issue for the work you are doin' in the field right then, you handle it an' then write it up after so the rest know what all happened and what you was thinkin'. If it ain't imminent then you can report it for discussion." Ben shrugs.

"And we don't meet up for officer meetings all that regularly," Jo adds. "But we all keep up on the reports from the field, and we have mage mail if we need to send information urgently."

Ben nods. "I only ever had to reprimend a person in the field and tell 'em they could take it up with the other officers later, nothin' worse. I don't recall any of 'em did. But you can remind 'em they do got the right to report on you, too."

Elo's smile becomes slightly strained at 'reprimend,' but he says nothing to object.

Fortunately, Paluuva is very practiced at maintaining her composure, even in the face of Ben's consistent abuse of language.

Atley nods, looking between them all. "That's useful to know," he says.

"You lot have been a squared-away officer corps. since day one. Cobalt Company has changed my life, and I believe in it. I'd like to see it grow and strengthen even further. If any of you should have any advice you wish to impart on me at any time, I'll have you know that I welcome it and look forward to earning this new appointment, day in and day out. I am eager to learn."

Elohad beams proudly. "Both you and Cobalt Company have come a long way since the days of Edwin Van Cleef's reign of terror. Watching you both grow has been one of the greatest pleasures of my life, and I look forward to the next stage in Cobalt Company's history with you in our circle of leadership."

A warmth returns to Atley's eyes. "As am I." He gives a sharp nod. "I'm certain I'll have future questions, but I'm sated for now." He looks to Jocoza, as if for permission. "I'll get properly sorted to set out tomorrow. I look forward to learning more about the mission. P'raps tonight?"

"Yes, I could come by Eastvale?" Jo offers. She pats her travel bag and adds, "I'm mostly finished packing myself." Gnome clothes are small. "But for now, yes, take the time you need to tell Ivri and the little ones you'll be away."

"We'd be glad to have you," Atley says, before he slowly pushes himself up. "I'll take my leave and make my preparations then."

"Take care," Jo says, with a nod of farewell.

Atley gives her a firm nod and marches out and off.