7.Murphy's Law

***Thyra's POV***

Today feels like Muphy's Law decided to set up camp and follow me around. In the Army, we all like to joke about it. The thing you need, broken or disappeared, the weather is going to be crap for training. Or in my case, the travel approval orders you were supposed to get to go to a leadership academy aren't there when you need to start turning in equipment to get ready for that move. Murphy's Law is basically, anything that can go wrong will go wrong, usually, at the worst possible time. Of course, while I was standing around the supply office trying to turn in gear, I don't need to take with me the hard ass behind the desk said she couldn't accept anything because her system didn't show my orders.

As I walk to the Admin Shop for the garrison, I get a chance to look around at all the activity on post. Creatures that are just getting ready to start year one in gaggles while waiting to get their own supplies issued, or heading toward the barracks that year one's share. At 16 years old, they look like babies. Wide-eyed and in shock, but they will be in a real shock when year one starts next week. The instructors won't put up with gaggles then, and these pups will be marched everywhere for everything. Need to see a medic, march, need to get food, march, need to go to the latrine... you get it, march. Since these pups don't have their wolves yet, most of the training will be around history, Army customs & courtesies, drills for marching, and physical fitness. Next year they will start to spar in their own forms, learning the basics, so that when they add their wolves it is just the next step in training.

In year 3 through 5 all of that keeps up, but then you start adding strategy courses and occupational specialty training. Like Ana working at the clinic during the last year. And year six the focus is only on your specialty, almost like an apprenticeship, before you are considered fully qualified. Thinking of the clinic, nothing was wrong with me except I was a little dehydrated. Not enough to even need a bag of fluids in an IV, but enough to explain the headache. Ana is still worried and until we left the barracks this morning she kept checking in on me.

We don't all have to serve in the military, but after The Darkness our society had to shift. Each pack is required to send 16-year-olds off to training for some sort of civil service. Most services only need two years to train them before they meet their wolves and are able to go start working for the 5-year commitment. Soldiers won't start active duty until they are done with their 6th year, so they get at least 4 years of training their wolves as well. Then they have a 5-year commitment, but can stay on if they choose. With the other civil services, creatures can go back to their packs after training and complete their commitments in their own communities. Unless there is a shortage of personnel, and the Regency always tries to get volunteers to fill those gaps.

***Unknown POV***

"Well there is nothing I can do for you, with all the work surrounding the new cycle changes, the Staff Adjutant and his office are too busy to set aside time for you," I was able to hide my smirk as I told her whatever I needed to keep her from the academy. She is getting so frustrated, which is making it hard for me not to smile in her face. I want to rub it in and tell her it should have been my spot in the first place.

It was now finally paying off that I volunteered to take shifts as a receptionist at the Admin Shop. I thought if I was able to befriend the Staff Adjutant, that he would be able to provide me with a recommendation for the Officers Leadership Academy. But he ignores me and is as stuck up as they come. Thyra Cynth is getting super frustrated and started shifting her weight from side to side between her feet. "I am sure if you come back next Monday-"

"I am supposed to be leaving for Capitol City on Friday evening," Thyra interrupts me. She dropped her expressive hands down to her side as she sighs in exasperation.

"As I was saying, if you come back Monday," I start again, nearly grinning this time as she interrupts again.

"And as I was saying, I am supposed to be gone by Friday. I can't come back on Monday, which is the day the course starts and if I am not there, I wouldn't even know where to report!" Thyra started to raise her voice. I need to get her out of here before-

"What is going on out here?" The Staff Adjutant steps into the entrance area from the hall to the back.

"Sir, there is nothing to worry about I am handling it." I try to get him to leave before he hears about her order issues.

"No sir, it isn't being handled. My orders for the Officers Leadership Academy disappeared from my admin records," the pain in my ass spoke up. Her voice grates on my nerves and, no longer able to keep my face neutral I glare at her.

"Thyra Cynth, right?" The Adjutant asks. He continues after she nods her response. "I remember your application, you are the fourth year accepted to start their year five at the Officer Leadership Acadamy. I personally authorized your orders, so I know they are in your admin records."

"Sir, when I went to logistics to turn in gear the supply clerk couldn't find the orders. That was this morning." Why isn't he complaining about her whiny voice like he has complained about me in the past? He doesn't know I heard it under his breath when I was trying to ask why my application wasn't accepted.

"Come with me back to my office, I will look them up there and get this resolved now." The Adjutant said, ruining my plans to keep her here. And it isn't like I can kill her, the warlock will be pissed at me if I do anything to draw attention to myself like that. Why does SHE get everything?

"Thank you sir, I am sorry to interrupt while you are all so busy with the cycle change," she sucks up like it is her job as she is walking toward the hallway.

"It isn't a problem, we get most of the cycle change prep done weeks before the cycle change to make sure we only have to handle issues like this," the Adjutant placates her. Thyra looks back at me confused, and I have to make myself busy before I get called out for the lie. I hate that this plan went wrong, it was so close to keeping her from taking my spot at the academy. Fucking Murphy's Law strikes again.