Tash Petersen eyed the new recruit critically, taking in the very professional demeanour of the expression.  Cool eyes, determined set to the mouth and jaw.  Stance firm and alert but not rigid.  This new one certainly looked the part, but that was no indication of skill.

At 43, Tash was still fit.  Not as fast as this one perhaps, but 30 years in the business had taught her a lot more too.  She moved in sudden attack and the recruit responded quickly.

Hand-to-hand combat was a very telling method of judging the talents -- and flaws -- of hopeful entrants to TFE. Apart from fighting skills, one could learn about the person's temperament.  Did they get frustrated by obstructions?  Did they get vindictive in pressing home an advantage?  Would defeat dishearten or anger them?  These things were important if one was expected to work alongside, and trust, these people.

This one was cool-headed though.  No tantrums or carelessness due to frustration.  Fast, accurate and quick to spot an opponent's weaknesses. Tash had to change her approach several times to maintain he status quo.  Fifteen minutes gave her all the time she needed for a judgement and called a halt to the session.  Matthews took over for the next leg of the try-out and Petersen went to make her report.

Ham Tyler and Chris Faber were both in Tyler's office discussing some point of a recent case when Tash joined them.

"How's the new recruit?" asked Tyler, reaching for his coffee.  Tash nodded slowly.

"Doing well.  The problem with the quick temper looks to be under control.  Stubborn, but flexible enough to recognize when one approach isn't working."

"Objective opinion?"

"Objectively -- good material.  Very good."  Tash smiled, "In hand to hand anyway.  We'll have to wait and see what the others think."

By the end of the afternoon, the reports came in.  In stealth and covert tactics the recruit had proven resourceful and quick to learn.  A tendency to over-confidence would have to be checked, but that was not assumed to be a problem.  Marksmanship was at 98%, with points lost on minor wastage of ammunition.  Experience would alter that.  Technical knowledge was quite good.

Tyler nodded in satisfaction.  "Good.  put her on communications tomorrow morning."

Chris arched an eyebrow at him.  "Not on field traineeship?"

"Still some things to learn before then."

Chris smiled.  "No worries.  You want to break the news or will I?"

"Nah, I'll take care of it."  Tyler walked out to the holding room.  He eyed the waiting recruit sternly.

"Tomorrow, communications station 3.  8:30."

"Awrriiight!!!"  A broad grin spread across the young woman's face.  Ham had to smile, although he tried not to.

"Welcome to the firm, CT."

"Thanks, Dad."  Her grin broadened.  "I mean, Mr. Tyler sir!"

He arched an eyebrow at her.  "No cheek," he warned.  She sobered instantly.

"Yes, sir.  May I leave now sir?"

He nodded sharply, and she broke irrepressibly into another grin.  "I gotta go tell David!  Bye!"

Tyler smiled again as she left.  His own daughter was about to join the ranks of Tyler-Faber Enterprises and it felt good.  He'd always wanted to own a family business.
 
 

"I got in!!" she announced excitedly as she bowled through the door.  "I passed!"  She caught David in a bear hug from behind and hugged him fiercely, and only squeezed harder and shook him when he claimed to be choking.  "Hey, what's that?"  She released him abruptly (he made a great show of gasping for air) and reached for the stiff white envelope laying unopened on his desk.  He shooed her hand away.

"That's from the university isn't it?  Why haven't you opened it yet?"

David shrugged.  "I keep trying... but... "  He sighed.  "It's been there for a half hour, and I'm too scared to open it.  What if they say I didn't get the scholarship?  It isn't cheap studying lunar medicine.  What if they don't even want me on the course?   What if... "

"Well, open it and find out!" Direct as always, CT reached again for the letter to settle the problem.  David instantly snatched it up.

"Okay, okay, I'll open it... "  He paused again, "But... "

"David... " she spoke warningly.  He tore the envelope open, slipped out the folded parchment and stared at it.

"If you don't read that letter, David," CT glared meaningfully at him, "I'm going to... to... " she thought of the most cruel thing possible, "I'll tie you to a chair and tickle you!!"

Having survived that particular punishment once before, he obediently, and swiftly, opened up the letter and read it.

"Well...?"

"Umm... I... "

"You what?  David, tell me!  Come on!"  Her fingers made a dive for his sensitive rib cage, "Tell me!"

"Okay!" he wriggled out of reach, laughing.  "I'm in!"  He jumped off the chair and danced about, waving the letter of acceptance in the air triumphantly.  "I got the scholarship and everything!!  I'm in!  I just KNEW I'd get it!!!"  He wrapped his arms around his older sister and crushed her ribs, "This is great!  This is unbelievable!  This is... "

"Let's go tell mom," CT interrupted his joyful ravings.  "She'll be so buzzed!"

The door of the infirmary flew open with a loud accompaniment of chatter and stomping feet, setting the animals into disturbed cries and whimpers of their own.  Alex Bailey glanced sharply at the offending intruders.

"I thought I told you two to be quiet when you come in here," she admonished sternly.

"We're in!" announced CT happily, ignoring her mother's softly-spoken reminder of the rules.

"I can see that," said Alex wryly, "You've woken up half my patients."

"No, mom," CT said impatiently, as though her mother was really obtuse, "TFE -- Tyler-Faber Enterprises -- they took me!  And the University... "

"I'm in for lunar medicine mom!" David whooped, and suddenly hushed as a number of animals moved restlessly at the sound.  "They took me on a scholarship... "

Alex was grinning now.  She'd never doubted that either of her children would get what they wanted, but it was great to hear the confirmation.  "You know we would have paid for that course," she said.

"Yeah, but it'll cost a heap.  The scholarship will help some.  Don't worry, mom, there'll still be plenty to pay for."

Alex got out of her seat and ruffled his hair before hugging both son and daughter.  "We've always needed a doctor in the family," she laughed, "And now your father doesn't need one so often, you'll have CT to practise on."

She smiled inwardly as the two departed hurriedly to call their father about David's good news, reflecting on how medicine ran in this family.  Herself and David to administer it to Ham and CT who required it.  Brimming with pride at her children's achievements, she returned to her work.
 

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