He straightened, standing almost at attention, and his words were a little rushed, too. "If I serve the cause well, there should be no reason not to. This has been the procedure before." And he had no reason to expect it to change.

But her dismay...

He reached to touch the back of her hand as she reached to him. Just for a moment. And his eyes locked on hers, though his voice was quieter, softer. "I have no intention of failing." Even if he had no idea what the particular assignment would be. He doubted it would be a surprise of any sort.

Distraction? Possibly appropriate. "I don't know if I've been to Africa before. That's where the preparation order indicates." Probably the northern half, but it wasn't very specific.