"You... you mean you're not mad?"

Alethia smiled again, "Of course not! You ment me no malace. Like all emotions, there is a time and a place for anger, but this is not one of those times."

Dusty calmed down a little. "Well, thank you. I thought I'd ended my Road Rover career before it began, running over a member of the command staff....hoo boy..." Dusty felt dizzy, she leaned against the nearest tree and put a hand to her head.

Alethia watched Dusty with sympathy. The Austrailian Shepard leaned against the tree, rubbing her tepmle and panting.

"The poor thing," thought Alethia, "so new here and so afraid of doing wrong." Then out loud she said, "The Road Rovers are a casual group. Even a member with high rank can recognize an honest accident. Don't fear punishment for such a small thing, we're all friends here."

Alethia could see Dusty relaxing and regaining her composure. Comforting the nervous young recruit made her feel good. It took her mind away from the unpleasant visions which had been plauging her, but more than that, she was helping somebody. The knoledge that something she did or said had made somebody feel better always gave Alethia a warm feeling inside.

"I haven't yet had the pleasure of meeting you, though you certainly seem to know who I am." said the spitz, extending her hand.

The young recruit brightened further, "I'm Dusty." she said, a smile finaly making its' way onto her face.

"Dusty," Alethia repeated, "an unusual name for a female dog."

Dusty looked down and smiled shyly, "Yea, I know. My original owners clled me Brandie, but my present master decided this name better suited me because I... liked to play in the dirt."

There was a change in Dusty's voice when she mentioned her master, very slight, but all too obvious to Alethia. Not a hostile change, more of a longing.

"Are you homesick?" Alethia queried, keeping her voice soft and understanding.

"Somewhat, yes." Dusty's response contained a hint of embarasment. "I suffer from seperation anxiety, I've been on my own all day long and it tends to get to me."

Alethia smiled warmly, "I enjoy quiet time alone, but I also enjoy a peaceful walk with a friend. I'd be honored if you would join me."

"Me? Really?" Despite Alethia's prior statement about the Road Rovers all being friends, Dusty was still surprised that a high ranking officer would want to spent time with a nobody like herself.

The spitz just gave a simple nod. "Yes, accompany me, let's get to better know eachother. We'll be serving together after all."

Alethia's warm personality and calm demeanor finaly won Dusty over. She fell into step beside the spitz, and they started down the path again."