[Backstory] Resignation

Robyn waited on the parapets overlooking the main gate, glaring out at the Wastes. It wasn't that guard duty was beneath her - far from it, every Skirmisher knew the importance of the basics and did their fair share. But she and the Stormwalkers had been on routine details for nearly a month, and separated across the Tower - both points that people were starting to notice.
 
It didn't help that they had hardly seen their captain since this all started, with orders being sent to them by runners.
 
Madoc stomped in later that evening, straw and muck sticking to most of his body. "I ain't shovelled this much shit since I was a recruit."
 
"How was it up on the Gate, Roby?" Elyn asked. She had been seconded to help with the hospital inventory, while Caine was taking on healer duties.
 
"Same old," she said with a shrug. "At least the weather's been holding."
 
"Aye, would be some good hunting if we were allowed out," Madoc grumbled.
 
"Is it some sort of new Captain thing to get given all the shite assignments?" Brennan asked from his bunk.
 
"Not that I've ever seen before."
 
There was a knock on the door and a runner appeared, a young elven recruit. "For Sergeant Robyn Stormwalker, sirs."
 
Robyn took the sealed paper and returned the recruit's salute with a polite nod, letting them hurry off to their next delivery. She cracked open the seal, had a quick read, then let out a long breath.
 
"Is it time?" Brennan asked the question quietly as he stepped towards her. She nodded.
 
"Shatterstar can see me now."
 
Madoc let out a low whistle. "You sure you want to do this?"
 
"I feel like I've not got much choice."
 
"There's always a choice."
 
"Right. I could stay on gate duty for the rest of of my service. I could stop us from going out into the Wastes again. My name could stop your futures too."
 
"Don't be silly Roby," Elyn said soothingly. "This isn't your fault."
 
"No but the Council and similar have long memories and lifetimes. Whatever happened is going to stick."
 
Brennan pulled her into a hug first, and Elyn joined in where her smaller frame allowed. Madoc, not exactly the group hug type, just laid a hand on Robyn's back.
 
"If you change your mind, I'll stay on Gate duty forever with you," Brennan said. Robyn snorted.
 
"Liar."
 
"Worth a shot."
 
Madoc cleared his throat. "Best not to keep the Colonel waiting."
 
Robyn extracted herself from the group hug to clap Madoc on the shoulders. "Thank you old friend."
 
"Less of the old, kid."
 
"You know what I mean."
 
"I do." He smiled ruefully and returned her gesture, clapping her arms as high as he could reach. "Remember you'll always be welcome here. They can't keep you away forever."
 
She kept those words in mind as she headed up to Shatterstar's office. The clerk ushered her through, and she saluted smartly, standing at attention.
 
"At ease," Shatterstar said, looking up from the report he was reading. "I understand that you've been waiting to see me."
 
"Yessir."
 
"You have concerns over your future in the Skirmishers."
 
"Yessir."
 
He gestured for her to sit, and she took the chair opposite. She wasn't sure how long she talked, and she surely was taking liberties with what she was saying to the Colonel. But Shatterstar was always more than just a commander, even if she had to treat him as such all the time. This was the man who brought her a new family all those years ago after all.
 
Shatterstar listened intently to her concerns, his fingers steepled against his chin. "I'm afraid I don't have answers for you, Stormwalker."
 
"I didn't expect you to, sir. There would be no evidence of this, naturally. And any suggestion or investigation would bring Command into disrepute."
 
Robyn let out a long, slow breath. "It seems Captain Stoneshield will not be comfortable with me being on his squad. I am content to try but I’m likely to provoke him when questioning his decisions, and being on Gate duty is not going to be the way we forge any trust as a team. Moving me to another squadron is an option, but it will be perceived as us having a grievance, and that the solution to disputes is to move squads."
 
She took another steadying breath. "Then there is the matter of what there is for me. It's clear that I am not trusted, whether that's deserved or not. My dreams were all in the Skirmishers. I hoped to make Major one day." Robyn paused, turning her head to get her emotion under control. "Now I don't see how to go forward. I don't think I can stay a Sergeant forever."
 
Shatterstar hummed in agreement. "No I can't see that being sufficient for you either."
 
"Therefore, it is with regret that I tender my resignation from the Skirmishers."
 
Shatterstar frowned and let out his own sigh. "I hope you know what you're doing."
 
"So do I."
 
"Very well. I regretfully accept your resignation, with effect from a month. That should give you time to find accommodation and sort your effects."
 
"Thank you sir."
 
"There's a landlady in the Smithing District who may be able to help you in that regard. Mara Glimmerstone."
 
"Much appreciated, sir."
 
"And you may wish to stop calling me sir."
 
"As you say. Sir."
 
Shatterstar snorted. "Dismissed."
 
“Yessir.” Robyn paused at the door after she stood up. “And, sir?”
 
He quirked an eyebrow. “Stormwalker.”
 
Her smile was soft by sad. “Thank you. For everything. I’m sorry I couldn’t serve you longer, but you’ll always be family. Whether you like it or not.”
 
She spared him any awkwardness of having to reply (Shatterstar was not known for sentiment after all) by saluting smartly and taking her leave, her throat tight and eyes stinging. By the Shepherd, Robyn, you better know what you’re doing.