The sun sat high in the sky. Blazing in its brilliance. Blasting the surface of the planet in oven hot temperatures. The ground crunched under the feet of warrant Officer Tam Salters as he strode towards the operations tent for his company. He nodded to a young corpreal as he passed. Lifting up the flap of the tent door he stepped into the room and removed his beret. stepping towards the desk he nodded to his superior.

"Sir, we received a report of an rebal activity in the Pranjei district... lightly armed rabble terrorizing the locals. Blackbird 29 did a flyby and can confirm sir, orders?"
The Major though for a minute.

"alpha just got a batch of new recruits yes?" At the WO's nod he continued "Assemble alpha, find Captain Rodgers, Il meet them in the breifing room in 10 minutes, Dismissed". He looked back down at his papers. The warrent replaced his beret and headed to the door.

'Alpha platoon to assemble at northwest briefing tent B3 ASAP' The intercom in Sections 2's quarters. Sergeant Hopkins looked up from his book and adjusted. Yawning as he stood. "Corpreal Garan, get the squad to the breifing tent.. On the double" He said tiredly and grabed his Beret. His combat fatigues bore the Imperial eagle of a Candarin veteran. With 6 lightning bolts in its claws. Each bolt representing 5 years of service. "Com'on boys and gals.. time to be about it..Il go get the master corpreal..." He strides to the door and exits. The rest of the squad start to gather up their gear. The vets secluding themselves to one side of the room. the newer recruits on the other. Private Farrel turned to Phillips. "So Terrance, looks like were gonna get some action huh? exited?" He smiled for a second before realizing what she just said. " I mean... uh..that.. are you looking foraward... oh... frack, Im sorry Terrance, I didnt mean to seem rude...." She looks at him sadly, hopeing he wont mind her slip up.

"Uuuuggh..."

That was all Anie seemed able to give as a form of reply to the sergeant. She was lying on her bunk, face-up, in her pants and t-shirt, drenched in sweat. Whatever fat she had once had in her body, she was probably losing the last grams now. She opened her eyes, yawned, and more or less rolled off her bunk and onto her feet. The heat was killing her. Anie felt like a sponge soaked in hot water as she struggled with her uniform´s sleeves, then with the vest.

The funny thing was, she had the same expression when she was lying on her bunk, when she got off it, and when she finished gearing up. She pulled at her pistol holster to secure it, checked the light indicating her resuscitator worked, and pulled at her shotgun´s grip to make sure it was properly placed and secured too, on the right side of her back. The resuscitator was on the left, right beside and above the various medicines and first-aid thingies on her belt. With her lasgun hanging under her right arm, she felt noticeably more comfortable, a sheepish smile creeping onto her lips.

Finally, with the knife stuck to her chest and the regimental beret on her head, Anie walked out of the tent. Her helmet hung loosely on top of her back, with the strap around her neck. Anie wasn´t suicidal, she didn´t intend to go out into the hellish heat wearing her helmet...

"Alpha platoon to assemble at northwest briefing tent B3 ASAP"

Victor looked up at the vox hailer of the intercom from where he had been sitting against his bunk slowly whittling away at a piece of the local wood which he had found; it had a vague shape which may or may not be the beginnings of a carving of a bird.
With a ponderousness borne of never really needing to rush about in his life, but belied by a speed owed more to his Guard training, he put the piece of wood into one of the pockets on his trousers and his combat knife back into it's customary place just behind his right hip.

"Com'on boys and gals.. time to be about it"

He could see that Anie had already got herself ready but everyone else was still tripping over themselves in their haste. At least, the fresh recruits were; the veterans were off to one side, as usual, and were going at an easy but quick pace. Victor had noted almost immediately that they had separated themselves and it bemused him, They prob'ly don't like that we're replacing their friends... he thought.
In that time he had gathered up his pack and webbing and stood up, picking up his beloved stubber. He carefully checked to see if there were any obstructions in the firing mechanism or chamber before holding it at rest. Like all the other days on this planet it was very hot, but Victor took it in his stride like most things, tying a bandanna round his head to keep off the sun then heading to the briefing tent.

"Alpha platoon to assemble at northwest briefing tent B3 ASAP"

Solara nodded to Sergant Hopkins, but said nothing, her icy blue eyes glaring toward the sound of the announcement.
And so it begins.... she thought with an irritated sigh as she uncrossed her legs from where she'd been meditating on her bunk.
Slowly she began to gather her gear, slipping her laspistol into it's holster and her combat knife into it's sheath. She then picked up her pack and slung it over her shoulder, making sure it was secure before lifting her Long-Las Sniper rifle from where it had been resting against her bunk. She looked it over for a moment, checking to make sure it was fully loaded and that the sights were in proper working order. Then she gently slipped it's strap over her shoulder and reached down for the last of her equipment - her helmet. At this she scowled, half tempted to leave it behind. I hate helmets, she grumbled inwardly, but she knew better than to leave gear behind that could have use at some point and time in the mission. So with a sigh she attached it to the strap of her pack, and clipped her long, reddish brown hair up in a clip to get it off her shoulders.
Finally, with all her gear in hand, she looked over to the other recruits. It seemed Anie & Victor were well on their way, but the others seemed to be straggling behind.
"You heard the Sergant....to the briefing tent, now." Her voice was soft but powerful, pushing those who were lagging to hurry all the more. She crossed her arms irritably, her cold blue eyes flashing wrathfully at having to wait on the rest of the recruits.

"Alpha platoon to assemble at northwest briefing tent B3 ASAP"

Terrance tensed up slightly as he heard the intercom go off, before he forced himself to relax and stir, as much as he really didn’t want to. The sandbox was about the same as he remembered it, from his previous experience here more than two years ago, irredeemably hot. As he dutifully rolled up into a seated position on the edge of his bunk, he couldn’t help but immediately notice the difference as he rubbed the left side of his face tiredly, observing where everyone sat through his squinted eye.

Back when I was here, everyone was one squad. Now it’s two out of one, and I don’t fit either. I’ve been to this planet before, which puts me apart from the recruits, but not being from this particular squad puts me apart from the veterans. Human nature, or soldier’s instinct, cause are we even human anymore? Maybe I’m not. Perhaps we are no better than the herds back home.

"Com'on boys and gals. Time to be about it.”

He caught himself reaching to touch the other side of his face, but caught himself, and instead used the other hand to push himself off of his bunk. Terrance didn’t have to throw on his jacket, as he usually always wore it, so he just lashed on his vest and equipment belt. He didn’t like showing the scars; especially because of the way some of the younger replacements looked at him. Some of them had seen combat and were used to seeing much worse, but the others were fresh faced and new to the game, and Terrance was sure that frightened them.

"So Terrance, looks like were gonna get some action, huh? Exited?" Terrance looked around at the young girl, Kristy, who happened to be brave enough to bunk next to him. He was just quick enough to see her bright smile turn around as she caught her words. "I mean... uh..that.. are you looking foraward... oh... frak., I’m sorry Terrance, I didn’t mean to seem rude...."

That’s what hurt Terrance more than anything, was the kid got concerned about his feelings; and making herself feel like she had. He wished that she would ignore him; as it would have been so much easier, as others had done. What made it worse; on top of the fact that she already reminded him of his younger sisters back on the farm, is that her youthful idealism was much like his own when he was her age. The life of a Guardsman would snuff out idealism, as certain as the sun rises, and all Terrance could hope for was that she wasn’t snuffed with it.

“You heard the Sergeant.... to the briefing tent, now."

Terrance reflexively clenched his right hand, catching its movement again, before tentatively patting her on the shoulder with his left hand. He nodded his head, indicating her gear by her bunk as he grabbed his rifle that was resting against his bunk.

“Don’t mind me, kiddo, don’t mind me at all.” Terrance dropped his voice down to as much of a whisper as it could go, “How about we get going before the Corporal gets even more irritable, hmm?” He gave a wink, more so because of how the side of his face was now arranged than anything else, and gave her shoulder a squeeze and another pat on the arm before turning back around to his bunk.

Terrance grabbed his helmet, which he had been using as a footrest, and put it on his head as he waited for the young guardswoman to finish making herself ready. The rest of the squad could whine and moan about how hot they were, because he had learned the virtues of a helmet almost three years ago. And he hadn’t, and couldn’t forget, that very hard lesson.

“How about we get going before the Corporal gets even more irritable, hmm?” She smiles Impishly, showing a dimple on her cheek. Grabbing her kit enthusiastically she rushes to get it on. The veterans gather up their kit, pulling on only what they didnt already have on. Heading out the door into the heat. Their helmets on the belts and their berets perched at an angle on their heads. They headed toward the big briefing tent. The sun beating down on the cracked earth.

The sergeant and Kolia came out of a nearby supply tent. wearing their full combat gear. Their helmets on their belts and their berets perched on their heads. Hopkins had his at a steeper tilt than anyone else. far past the accepted regulations. None of the replacements knew why. All the had been told is that it was an award for something he had done. "Come on... MOVE IT!" The sergeant yelled. The veterans grumbled amongst themselves but started to double time it towards the briefing tent. Hopkins stared at the replacements. His gaze cold enough to crack ice, it became Especially cold when it passed over the young corporeal.

Inside the tent the veterans of the original company secluded themselves in the back rows, forcing all the replacements to sit up front. Hopkins moved over to the captain and stood with the other squad leaders. The vet's chuckled amongst themselves, talking quietly and softly. The majority of the replacements just sat quietly. Showing signs of nervousness. Willes moved up behind Anie "So babe... 10 minutes says were going to get some action eh?" He smirked playfuly at her. Kirsty looked between Terrance and Garran "So... um...what do ya think is the news?... think its going to be another boring food distribution mission?" she smiled sheepishly, trying to get them to open up. one of the veterans whistled at her and she blushed, ducking instinctively behind Terrance.

Hopkins abruptly turned and glared at the veteran. Who in turn shrank into his seat trying to hide. "Private Greens... you will report on your next evening break to me on the parade square.. in full march gear. Ruck and all mister..." His face turned a slight shade of green "y..yes sarge" As he turned back the replacements suddenly noticed that his sleeves were rolled down and his tunic fully buttoned up. His uniform completly done up. It looked incredibly hot but he barely sweated. The captain stepped up to the podium and began.

"Allright.. listen up, this is the first time I have met you new replacements so his is for you new people. I only have two rules. Rule one, everyonefights. Rule two, no one quits. If you don't do your job, I'll kill you myself. Do you get me ?"

Solara followed everyone out of the tent, her eyes deathly cold as she walked quickly behind them.

When she noticed Sgt Hopkins and Koila stepping from the supply tent, she regarded them with the same icy indifference as everyone else. It wasn't until she met glares with Hopkins that she stopped for a moment, her icy gaze holding his. If you think you intimidate me, you're wrong, she thought hatefully as she finally turned and followed the others into the tent.

She took her seat at the far end of the front row, hoping to keep at least a seat between herself and her companions. She listened quietly the Vets chatted and poked fun while her comrades all sat nervously silent.

Finally as the captain began to speak, Solara turned her stoney face toward him and listened, nodding quietly to answer his question.

Anie noticed how strange it was for all the front row seats to be empty, waiting just for the replacements. One would think the veterans would want to sit there so they could listen perfectly well. Unless there was a danger, though, and Anie couldn´t think of any that could be avoided easily, it was a good thing. She walked past the veterans with her poker face, sat with her poker face, and waited with her poker face, her lasgun resting on her lap like some kind of pet, with her legs crossed comfortably. She was short and thin enough to be able to do that.

"So babe... 10 minutes says were going to get some action eh?"

At Willes´ comment, Anie turned over on her chair to look at him with the same bland expression she usually had on. Willes didn´t look like the kind of guy who gave up easily, Anie had met a few of those already, but that didn´t mean she was going to suffer him. She grinned, and put a hand over the chair´s backrest.

"I´m sure of that, Willes. But do try not to get hit in the stomach. Those wounds are the nastiest. In fact, you can´t survive them without surgery."

That said, she turned to face the front again just as the captain and squad leaders assembled.

"Allright.. listen up, this is the first time I have met you new replacements so his is for you new people. I only have two rules. Rule one, everyonefights. Rule two, no one quits. If you don't do your job, I'll kill you myself. Do you get me ?"

"Aye aye, sir!" Anie answered quickly, loud and clear.

Victor obediently made his way to the briefing tent, remembering where it is without needing to think and getting there in good time. Inside, he had barely registered that the veterans had left the front rows empty and quite contentedly went and sat down at the front with the other replacements, dutifully waiting to listen to the captain.

"I´m sure of that, Willes. But do try not to get hit in the stomach. Those wounds are the nastiest. In fact, you can´t survive them without surgery."

The sound of conversation reached Victor's ears and he only now realised he'd sat next to Anie, the small girl seeming almost comical next to his bulk. As usual, the big man wanted to be friendly with the other recruits and decided to join in with the camaraderie.
"S'a nasty one, alright, a buck on my farmstead had one. Got hit by poachers," he supplied, grinning at Anie, "But 'm sure our Anie can patch owt else up nicely."

"Allright.. listen up, this is the first time I have met you new replacements so his is for you new people. I only have two rules. Rule one, everyonefights. Rule two, no one quits. If you don't do your job, I'll kill you myself. Do you get me ?"

Victor turned back to the podium just in time to see the captain deliver his opening line to the assembled Troopers, getting to the point quite quickly and without any sugar-coating.
"Yes cap'n, sir." he rumbled.

Terrance merely nodded his head as he walked past each pair of hard eyes that he encountered, not really letting them bother him as he double-timed it to the tent, meeting the cold looks with an impassive look of his own. While Terrance knew that the Hopkins had more than earned his bones, and so had the hard-edged Corporal, steely looks just didn’t have the same effect on him that he used to.

Once he passed the gauntlet and entered the shade of the tent, Terrance permitted himself to remove his helmet, securely cradling it in his right arm as he went towards the front of the room. He could hear the casual banter of the veterans from the back of the room, as well as the whistle, and feel the girl moving into his protective shadow- he didn’t mind, nor did he mind the nervous question of hers, merely shrugging about the purpose of the summon. It didn’t surprise him in the slightest, either reaction, in some ways it made him feel like he was home. If half the siding was ripped up and- Terrance clutched his helmet slightly tighter, and stepped back to allow the young private take a seat first.

Terrance parked himself a seat sort of near the rest of the recruits, clutching his rifle loosely between his thighs, patiently waiting for the seniors to start the briefing off. He couldn’t help but listen to some of the other replacement soldiers talking behind him, as he tapped one boot heel up then the other.

"So babe... 10 minutes says were going to get some action eh?" That was the slick one who usually was either gambling, scribbling something or other down, or ogling just about anything with curves.

"I’m sure of that, Willes. But do try not to get hit in the stomach. Those wounds are the nastiest. In fact, you can’t survive them without surgery." Ah, the dark haired gambler, and Medic. I wouldn’t be surprised if she had more than a few admirers around here somewhere.

"S'a nasty one, alright, a buck on my farmstead had one. Got hit by poachers. But 'm sure our Anie can patch owt else up nicely." And our stub-gunner… I suppose it’s good to know who they are, or at least what they do.

He thought about turning around and adding his peace, but decided not to, contenting himself by drumming his fingertips across the lip of helmet. Terrance just took a deep breath and took another look around the room before snapping his eyes forward, or as much as he could, towards the captain who took center stage.

"Alright. Listen up; this is the first time I have met you new replacements so his is for you new people. I only have two rules. Rule one, everyone fights. Rule two, no one quits. If you don't do your job, I'll kill you myself. Do you get me?"

“I get you, sir.”

"Exellent, Allright, Listen up and listen good!" The captain barked. "We got word of insurgents causing trouble in the Pranjei district. Now as you know the Capitol is divided into 5 sectors, like a pie. Pranjei is the farthest from us so your going to be on your own bar some air support. Your orders are to go in, find and clear out this nest of insurgents, and then get your rears in gear back to base. Be careful while your out there Watch your sixes, clear your fire lines, No black crosses.... Commissar Dragonus Will accompany the company. Allright.. thats it.. Report to your transports... Dismissed!"

He nodded to the platoon commanders and left the tent. Hopkins barked out as soon as the captain was gone. "Allright listen up, Gear up and move out, Weapons and ammo in easily accessible positions, extra water for you greenhorns. Double time... MOVE!!" He strode towards the door, adjusting his webbing. outside the door he removed his beret and replaced it with his helmet as he stepped to the side. The platoon began to file out at double time towards the nearby motor pool. As the squad moved by Hopkins called out. "Master Corporeal, Lead Chimera, I will join you in a moment". Kolia nodded and lead of towards the rumbling APC. "Everyone in, Get seated, Farral, Phillips, Sal Left side . Harshe, Garan, Willes on the right. Keep your eyes peeled when we roll through town..." He spoke in a gravelly leaden voice. Before seating himself up behind the driver.

Hopkins strode surly up the ramp. A man in the dreaded black uniform of an Imperial Commissar following him grimly, fingering the hilt of his sword. Hopkins silently climbed up into the turret of the chimera and plugged his headset into the vox network. "Alpha one to Alpha Major, Charlie Delta accompanying us, over" His voice crackled across the link. Kirsty leaned in close to Phillips. "So Terrance..." she started nervously, her eyes downcast "I know you .. dont like talkin about it but.. whats it like" She looked up into his eyes.

Willes laughed Joyously "AHH Commissar Dragonus... I didnt realize you were still alive sir, tis been a few years since you were last at the recruiting office..." He smirked at the grizzled old commissar. Dragonus looked at Willes before smiling, somehow making it look like a grimace. "I remember you... Full of Fervour at the chance to serve....Still are I see". Willes smiled and thumped his chest proudly. "The 'Fervour' is Goin strong sah!" He laughed and elbowed Anie slightly "me and the commissar there.. we go Way back, old frinds you can say" he chuckled. The ramp whirred and lifted, clicking into place. The vox link crackled again as the interior of the APC was light by red lighting and the streams of light filtering through the gun ports.

"Alpha Major to All alpha units.. Move out, say again Move out" The chimera lurched into action and they were away.

"Allright listen up, Gear up and move out, Weapons and ammo in easily accessible positions, extra water for you greenhorns. Double time... MOVE!!"

After the Captain had finished speaking to the assembled company, the bellow of his sergeant brought Victor into action, him obeying his words automatically and with barely needing to think. He had already brought extra water, a habit which was useful when he was out for lengthy periods tending the fields and would be certainly useful now. It never hurt to have a little more.
He moved off to where their allotted APC was idling, waiting for them to embark and be off, and broke out into a smile. He loved riding in the things ever since he'd been bundled into one for the first time during training. There was something reassuring about the feeling of having a slab of metal in between you and the harshness of the outside world.
Inside he dutifully sat beside Terrance and Kirsty, being vaguely mindful and wondering how the former, a veteran of the squad, would be about being sat next to a couple of new recruits. As it was, he ended up being sat closest to the exit hatch than the two of them. The way the veterans behaved bemused Victor, if they were going to be risking their lives for each other couldn't they be nicer?
As it was, barracks gossip had led him to know that the two of them were from the same region of Candar as him so at least he had some grounds to start a conversation and try to be friendly.

"I heard that you're both Lower Cand'rin, like me," he offered, "Us Lowers need t' stick t'gether, like back home."

He moved his eyes from the two of them to briefly take in the imposing figure of Commissar Dragonus following Sergeant Hopkins up the ramp. Like all officers, Victor respected the man and even moreso as he was an embodiment of martial values and what the Guard have a duty to uphold. Dave seemed to have a familiarity with him, also...
Victor felt a slight thrill of excitement as the ramp whirred and lifted, clicking into place and the interior of the APC was light by red lighting. Seconds later, the vehicle lurched into motion and they were off. Off on their first true assignment.

"Alright listen up, Gear up and move out, Weapons and ammo in easily accessible positions, extra water for you greenhorns. Double time... MOVE!!"

Terrance didn’t have to worry about checking over his equipment again, as he already had packed it like he used to during his previous tour, but he did so anyways. It was his first time going back out into the sandbox after two painful years, and he wasn’t interested in having to re-live the experience. I don’t think I could go through that again, Terrance thought as he gave his pack another once over. I don’t think I’d want to.

As soon as he finished his neurotic check of his gear, Terrance picked up his rifle and put his helmet back on his head, and double-timed himself over to the vehicle. At the sergeant’s instruction, he went up the ramp and sat down at his appointed spot. Terrance watched the rest of the squad troop into the transport, with Kristy and Victor taking their seats next to him. He merely watched them take their seats, slightly stooped forward to see them, except for when the Commissar marched through. It was an ingrained response to the uniform that made Terrance sit up and with his back straight.

"So Terrance… I know you.. don’t like talkin about it but.. what’s it like?"

At that Terrance took in a bit of a deep breath of air, as he caught Kristy’s eyes, a bit caught off guard by her question. What, about combat? About getting hit? Argh… Terrance wasn’t really sure how to respond, and took a few seconds to look away and around the cabin, trying to figure it out. After a moment he looked back, trying to give her as good advice as he could, about well as he could. He looked completely uncomfortable in doing so.

“Well, as you can see…” his right hand clutched his rifle just a bit tighter, as his network of scars scrunched together just a little; like a wince, “I’m probably, ah, not the best soldier to umm… consult. But, just do like you were trained to, and especially be careful… you don’t want to, you know, end up… yeah.”

"I heard that you're both Lower Cand'rin, like me. Us Lowers need t' stick t'gether, like back home."

Terrance looked immediately relieved at the change of topic, and couldn’t help but smile slightly because of it, glad to hear that both of them were low stock. The smile only lasted for a fleeting second, before Terrance self-consciously stopped it, but at least it seemed to have lowered the depth of his eyes. It was only briefly, as the transport sealed up and started to roll out, and some of the briefing ran back around through his mind.

Pranjei is the farthest from us so your going to be on your own bar some air support.

Terrance paused for slightly longer than what would normally be expected, before he shook his head in an affirmative. “Yea, the scuttle-butt is right on that. Come to think of it…”, he looked at the two of them in a thoughtfully appraising manner, “Where from on the Lower for you?”

"Allright listen up, Gear up and move out, Weapons and ammo in easily accessible positions, extra water for you greenhorns. Double time... MOVE!!"

Solara rose quickly as they were dismissed and started off toward the transports, double checking her equipment in her head. She already knew she had everything she needed, but it was a habit that she wasn't about to give up.
Satisfied, she started to enter the transport, but hesitated for a moment on the ramp. As cold and hard as she seemed, her one weakness was enclosed transports like this. She hated them - to her they were like a tomb...no breeze, no sun, no open space to move. She shivered inwardly, trying to hide her discontent as she forced herself into the transport and took her assigned seat, slipping her sniper rifle off her shoulder and resting it between her knees.
She didn't bother ingaging the others in converstation - she just let her eyes wander over each of them, mentally sizing them up. Then she listened quietly to the others' conversation, finding herself slightly surprised that one of the recruits, Willes, seemed to know the Commissar so well. Interesting, she though, as she listened to their brief exchange, then suddenly her attention was drawn to the noise of the ramp lifting in to place. She felt herself shiver again but managed to keep her face expressionless, unwilling to let the others see a potential weakness in her. To keep her mind busy as the transport rumbled out she began rechecking her rifle, making double sure everything worked flawlessly.

Anie liked Chimeras. They were her kind of transport. Ample, well armoured, well armed... sure, there could be better ones, but those crashed when hit.

She sat down, her lasgun on her lap and her backpack and multiple pouches, as well as her back-slung shotgun, fitting nicely against the seat. She had made sure they did, and had also made sure she had plenty of water on her. And not just that necessary to treat wounds, but at least a couple of extra canteens´ worth. Anie felt the weight of all her equipment, and the heat was pretty bad, but at least she wouldn´t lack the necessary resources if things went awry.

Her eyes centered on the other members of her squad as they went in, specially on Amy and her bionic prosthetic. Anie was curious about that kind of thing, although not more than was healthy. And speaking of unhealthy things, it seemed the commissar was joining them on the trip. Anie snuggled a bit down into the seat, her equipment seeming to become a little bigger than her as she tried to make herself a little smaller in the commissar´s eyes. Or, more accurately, to make Willes bigger than her in them.

"Me and the commissar there.. we go way back, old friends you can say."

"Mmmmhhhhmmm..." Anie nodded, getting comfortable on her seat.

The convoy of armoured vehicles rolled out of the base. The sun baking down onto the hulls of the armoured transports. Inside the lead Chimera, the AC was pumped full. The driver had his sleeves shoved up past his elbows. He wiped his brow with his forearm and mumble under his breath about the sun. The hull heavy bolter gunner leaned back in his chair, keeping his half lidded eyes on the road ahead through the targeting sights. Hopkins still sat in the cupola, idely tapping his foot in the air to a rhythm that he was humming.

“I’m probably, ah, not the best soldier to umm… consult. But, just do like you were trained to, and especially be careful… you don’t want to, you know, end up… yeah.”

Kirsty nodded and sat back in her chair. Her face took on a thoughtful expression as she closed her eyes. after a few moments she turned to solara. "how long you been a marksemen corporeal?" She asked curiously.

Willes smirked at Annie, aware of what she was doing. "So Commissar, whats the news youv' heard on the insurgents?". Dragonus looked back over his shoulder. The man was cold. His eye hardly blinked. The bionic replacment that served him for a second eye glowed a sickly bright green, softly under lighting the brim of his cap which he had pulled down low, partially obscuring the network of scars on his face. The black storm coat was pulled tight and done up all the way, the bulk of a bionic arm visible beneath the coat sleeve and black leather gloves. His eyes roved over Anie calculatingly before snapping back to Willes. He grinned, his scars twisting it into a grimace. "Written any more of those most 'interesting' books recently young one?" He chuckled dryly. "And who's your young friend hmm?" He looked back at Anie

Hopkins slowly clamperd down from the turret seat, pulling the hatch closed behind him. He stiffly sat down beside Solara and looked over at Terrance. The Mcpl. Kolia slowly stood and moved over to the weapons locker. opening it he pulled out a plasma rifle and the ammo pack for it. Moveing back over to his sister he had her help him put it on. Hopkins looked over at Victor "Upper candar is the best... I love the snow..." He spoke quietly, but when he talked, all the veterans eyes snapped on him. He blithly ignored their unobtrusive stares as he continued to talk. "But.. I want on vacation down in lower 2 months before i shipped out to boot.. calgaria is a .. Fairly Large city.. il say.."

"how long you been a marksemen corporeal?"

Solara looked up from her rifle and turned her cold blue eyes on Kristy, equal parts suprised and annoyed that someone had bothered to try and engage her in conversation. What makes you think that's any of your business, she thought irritably, but instead she replied, quite morosely, "Long enough."
She paused, eyeing Kristy for a moment, then added, a little softer, "My father trained me as a child - I've been comfortable with a gun in my hand for as long as I can remember."
She dropped her head, turning her attention resolutely back to her rifle, hoping she's satisfied Kristy's curiosity.

When Hopkins took a seat next to her, she too stiffened momentarily. This is going to be a long fething mission... she thought with a sigh as she finally finished with her rifle. She listened quietly as Hopkins spoke, crossing her arms across her chest as she watched the Veterans all snap to attention like a bunch of trained puppies. How pathetic is that, she thought, scowling as she glared their direction. Hanging on his every word... She almost couldn't stop herself from telling them just how pathetic they appeared, but she quickly bit her tongue and kept her comment to herself. Instead she sighed, closed her eyes and rested her head against the wall behind her. For the love of the throne will we never get out of this transport?

“Yea, the scuttle-butt is right on that. Come to think of it…”, he looked at the two of them in a thoughtfully appraising manner, “Where from on the Lower for you?”

Victor broke out into a genuine grin of delighted surprise at the fact the scarred vet had deemed him good enough to warrant a response to (let alone engage in conversation!). He spent a moment thinking about his home, the buildings of his farmstead, the way the corn glowed in the summer sunlight... He realised that he was unconsciously fingering the pendant his mother had gave him and responded to Terrance.
"Me 'stead was around ten mile from t' nearest city," he replied, "Ledz, if I remember..."

"Upper candar is the best... I love the snow... But.. I want on vacation down in lower 2 months before i shipped out to boot.. Calgaria is a .. Fairly Large city.. il say.."

If Victor had been surprised when Terrence had spoken to him, there was no word for what he was when Hopkins decided to join in the conversation. He was also dimly aware that all the veterans had turned to stare this way.
"Too cold up north for me," he said carefully "Hmm... Calgaria's a bit o' a way from Ledz, I think, but I never been meself."

Me 'stead was around ten mile from t' nearest city, Ledz, if I remember..."

Terrance took that information, once again pausing for that slightly more than normal bit, and then nodded. He seemed to be looking over in his head, as if trying to put together a mental map as to where that city was in comparison to his farm, trying to find a way to continue the conversation. The past two years hadn’t allowed for much conversation other than medical adepts telling him when and how to do things, as they labored to mend is shredded body, and to mould him back into something approximating a human being.

“Upper Candar is the best. I love the snow. But, I went on vacation down in lower two months before I shipped out to boot. Calgaria is a… Fairly Large city… I’ll say."

"Hmm... Calgaria's a bit o' a way from Ledz, I think, but I never been meself."

Terrance also nodded his head to that, his right hand just clutching his weapons slightly tighter at the mention of Calgaria.

“Spent two bad… pretty bad, years at Calgaria… Not sure that I’d be in a rush to, ah, go back. Think I’d rather go north than go back. Or maybe home to the farm near Fort Sascatche.”

With that Terrance suddenly found it rather important to check over his lasgun and its maintenance again, ducking his head down, completely engrossed by the work. Of course the weapon was as well enough maintained as any veteran trooper, but the urge to do so just came over Terrance, the scar tissue wrinkling in thought as he did his checkup. Evidentially, he is done with the conversation for the time being.

"And who's your young friend hmm?"

Damn. The Commissar´s bionic eye was spooky. It reminded Anie of a chameleon´s. Perhaps he didn´t even need to look in one direction with both eyes, maybe he could actually look in two different directions with it. Still, Anie looked away, not wanting to seem rude, and much less seem aggressive. "I´m not that much of a friend, so far. More a comrade in arms, and the gal who´s got to keep an eye on these guys."

Not that any of them looked that needy of her services, truth be told. In fact, most of them maybe knew something more than her in her own field. Of course, if they wanted to be the ones running under enemy fire, Anie wasn´t going to stop them. It wasn´t that she didn´t care about them, it was just that they didn´t seem to care about her, and she had her own neck to look after. Anie closed her eyes, and sighed, the air conditioner doing wonders. She wondered how the Commissar could walk around wearing that cloak on him, buttoned up all the way. If Anie hadn´t heard about how tough Commissars were supposed to be, she would have thought he was simply stupid. But she didn´t dwell too much on that, and instead listened to the conversation going on between the veterans. Looked like they were getting along...

"I´m not that much of a friend, so far. More a comrade in arms, and the gal who´s got to keep an eye on these guys."

"ahh... I see, tell me young one. Do you think your ready for this?" The commissar attempted to smile reasuirngly. The scars on his face however, turned it into more of a grimace. "I am sure you will do well though, Mr. Willes here will definetly keep an eye open for ya im sure... Wont you Willes..." He neded in a menacing tone, his steely gaze fixing the man on the spot. Willes shudderd and spoke meekly "yes sir... il keep my eyes open, protect her like she be my own flesh and blood sir..."

Hopkins turned Solara and spoke queitly so noone else could hear. He smiled softly at her and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "There some things I have been meaning to say to you but I.. I aint been able to find the time... I want you to know that, if the time comes... They will follow you... so.." He chuckled somewhat nervously. He reached into his chest pocket and pulled out a small envelope, looking down at it he spoke even softer. "I know there are many people I could trust this too... but.. most of its to you..." He looked up at her "I wont pretend that what I feel towards you is any less than l..." He looked down, took a deep breath and spoke again "well... I think you know how I feel... I dont know If you feel the same but... well... dont open that unless I fall... of course..." He squezzed her shoulder reasuingly and the stepped up behind the driver.

"Entereing the Pran Sar'ent" The driver spoke over his shoulder. The gunner sat up straight in his seat, adjusting his cap and racking the bolt of his weapon. Hopkins clamperd back up into the cupula of the turret and grabbed ahold of the pintle mount. "Keep your eyes peeled gents and ladies... never know where a frem is gonna pop out at ya!" called the autocannon gunner as he rotated the turret slightly. "Tangoe's to the Front!!! Weapons Free!!!" Yelled the sargeant to the gun crew in the vehicles cabin. All three weapons opend up almost at the same instant before falling silent after only a few seconds. "Targets down.. keep your eyes peeled, check all sectors, use those fireing point troops!" He orderd as the vehicle continued to rumble down the increasingly narrower and more crowded streats.

“Spent two bad… pretty bad, years at Calgaria… Not sure that I’d be in a rush to, ah, go back. Think I’d rather go north than go back. Or maybe home to the farm near Fort Sascatche.”

Victor nodded at this, because like most of the people from around where he was born he'd heard a few rumours about how rough some of the people living in the city could be and how the quality of life for most citizens wasn't exactly on the high side. He didn't bother replying to Terrance, though, because he could see the man was busied with his lasgun and didn't want to be disturbed.
The young trooper sat in silence, save for an exchange between at least one of the other squad members and the commissar, and busied himself with periodically checking his weapon for the umpteenth time or staring out at what little patch of sky he could see through the firing point opposite him. It was a good dozen of minutes till something else happened.

"Entereing the Pran Sar'ent."
"Keep your eyes peeled gents and ladies... never know where a frem is gonna pop out at ya!"
"Tangoe's to the Front!!! Weapons Free!!!"
"Targets down.. keep your eyes peeled, check all sectors, use those firing point troops!"

There was a bustle of activity as some of the troopers in the confines of the chimera clambered up onto the firing steps to be able to use the firing points. Not all troopers could fit to use them and, as Victor was the user of the bulky squad support heavy stubber he was one of those exempt from using them. He kept the weapon at the ready though, just incase he was needed to make a quick exit from the vehicle.

Solara couldn't help flinching slightly as Hopkins touched her shoulder - her dislike of physical contact with others was almost as strong as her dislike of conversation. Not only that, but his actions and mannerisms caught her slightly off guard. He's always seemed so harsh and distant, she thought, her eyes narrowing curiously as he began to speak. Why the sudden change?

"There some things I have been meaning to say to you but I.. I aint been able to find the time... I want you to know that, if the time comes... They will follow you... so.."

Her cold eyes searched his as an uneasyness crept into her stomach. This isn't like him, she thought, clearly noticing his nervousness.

"I know there are many people I could trust this too... but.. most of its to you..."

At this Solara blinked, surprise clearly evident in her eyes. No one had ever talked to her like this before and it didn't sit well with her. It felt strange...uncomfortable.

"I wont pretend that what I feel towards you is any less than l...well... I think you know how I feel... I dont know If you feel the same but... well... dont open that unless I fall... of course..."

A feeling like ice water washed over Solara, causing her to gasp sharply and drop her eyes to the ground. Her mind was blank but her heart was racing, and for the first time in a long time she didn't know how to respond. The only thing she knew was that she had to get ahold of herself - now was not the time for frivolous emotions.
Clutching the envelope tightly in her hand she closed her eyes and sighed heavily, trying her best to release all these feelings she didn't understand from her body. I have a job...a mission to focus on, she reminded herself. I don't have time for distractions....and as Sergant, neither does he.
Lifting her head, she met Hopkins gaze as he squeezed her shoulder. Before he could remove his hand, she quickly reached up with her free hand and grabbed his wrist. Holding it tight so she was sure she had his attention she glared at him, her eyes cold as stone.
"Forgive my abruptness Sergant, but I believe it would be in your best interest to stop acting like you're going to die." Her voice was quiet and cold - a bit colder than she actually meant for it to be. "Lead your troops with courage..." her voice trailed off and her eyes softened ever so slightly, "...leave the rest to the will of the Emperor...."
Gently she released his arm, watching him turn and step up behind the driver. For a moment she sat still, trying to take in all that had just occured - then the sound of yells roused her from her thoughts and moved her to action.

"Tangoe's to the Front!!! Weapons Free!!!"
"Targets down.. keep your eyes peeled, check all sectors, use those fireing point troops!"

Quickly she tucked the envelope Hopkins had given her into the inside pocket of her uniform and reached for her rifle. Sliding swiftly up to one of the firing points, she lifted her rifle to her shoulder and began scanning for enemy targets. Finally...some action, she thought with a sigh as she readjusted her sight and continued to scan the area.

Anie smiled to herself at Willes´ reaction to the Commissar´s question. Not that she hadn´t been nervous when he asked about her capabilities, but Anie was good enough to hide that kind of thing. And now she thought about that, maybe she could... ´use´... the Commissar to keep Willes off her. Although, was it really worth the risk?

Suddenly, the vehicle´s crew called out targets, and opened fire. The sudden firing startled her, and Anie slumped down to clear the way for the people rushing to the firing positions. It wasn´t that Anie was a bad shot, but it felt safer not to be the one shooting, not to mention that she was the squad´s medic. She was not supposed to be handling weapons. Anie made herself smaller in the compartment, and looked around, eyes open and nerves at skin depth.

Wasn´t it a bit too early to be attacked? Damn! And she wondered how long the sergeant intended to keep the squad inside the transport. She wasn´t an expert, but it was probably safer to have the squad out and dispersed than in a huge target...

"Entereing the Pran Sar'ent."

At that Terrance snapped out of the daze that had overtaken him since finding his way out of conversation. He was slightly surprised to find that he had stopped keeping up the pretext of weapons check and had simply been staring off at the floor of the transport. But Terrance was most surprised to find that his knuckles of his right hand had turned white from gripping his weapon so hard as he had been subconsciously thinking.

Terrance discreetly lessened his grip as he looked around, trying not to show any expression on his half of a face. He saw most of the squad doing weapon checks or whatever mundane things a soldier can do to occupy their mind before rolling into a hot zone. The NCOs were having a word about the mission it seemed, and the bantering between the medic and the slickster was still going on. All was right in the world.

"Tangoe's to the Front!!! Weapons Free!!!"

Terrance suddenly found himself catching his breath; caught by the surprise of cannon fire, before it came back to him in an uncomfortably unnatural way. He coughed slightly before starting to mouth some of his childhood hymns to calm him down and focus his attention. Well, that is, as much of them as he could remember of them. That old familiar feeling was creeping up, and Terrance wasn’t at all sure that he liked it.

"Targets down.. keep your eyes peeled, check all sectors, use those firing point troops!"

At that Terrance stood up on the bench and popped the firing port that he had been sitting under, and flipped the safety off his weapon. He checked the charge of his weapon to make sure that it really was ready for action. While some of the squad couldn’t or shouldn’t be firing out of the weapon ports, as it wasn’t necessarily the safest position in the vehicle, Terrance really didn’t have that option. Which is why he slid his weapon into position and sighted on the hauntingly familiar architecture and environment that he had never expected to see again, thinking as he did so.

I’m a rifleman in the service of the Emperor. It is my duty to serve, and most likely, to die for Him.

The Chimera rumbled down the narrow streets, The crew and passengers warily watching out the fire ports for sign of enemy activity. As they turned a corner Hopkins noticed the glint of sun on metal as an insurgent stood up from behind the rooftop wall of a building up ahead. The terrorist brought a tube launcher up to his shoulder and aimed down at the approaching vehicle. "Up on the Roof!!" Shouted Hopkins. as he swung the Storm bolter to bear. He was a split second to slow. The rounds he shot cutting the insurgent down scant seconds after he had triggered. the missile launcher he was holding.

The missile smashed into the right side turret, destroying the track and several cogs. Several electronic systems inside the chimera fizzed and popped as the shock of the explosion damaged delicate circuitry. Hopkins drooped down into the cabin and smacked the emergency door release.

"Everyone out!!" he roared "Take up positions on the left side of the street, watch your sides and those buildings, fire only when fired upon Move Move Move!!" He turned to assist the gunner in helping the injured gunner out. As the Guardsmen exited the vehicle several terrorists appeared down the street. coming out of alleys and doorways. Taking inaccurate potshots at the guardsmen that didn't come close. Hopkins and the gunner stumbled down the ramp. Holding the driver between them. The corporeal yelped in pain as his leg got caught on the bottom of the ramp slightly, a piece of shrapnel from a damaged control panel jutting from his leg.

"Get In Cover!" Yelled Kruschev as a round zipped past his ear. More insurgents had appeared down the street, some of them wearing battered old guard gear, cadian issue. Hopkins dropped to his knee in the middle of the street, his lasrifle smoothly coming up to his shoulder. He gently exhaled and blasted a las round through the head of one of them.

"Wheres the Medic!!" called out the gunner, resting the injured driver in a doorway and spraying rounds from his lascarbine inacuretly down the street. The veterans in the squad calmly returning fire with their las weapons.

"Up on the Roof!!"

This was the first indication that told Victor that the insurgents had been spotted already in the town. It hadn't been that long since they actually entered the urbanised area and already it seemed like they were about to come under fire. A second later he heard the bark of a bolt weapon, evidently the pintle-mounted storm bolter, though somewhat muffled by the armour plate as Hopkins took matters into his own hands.
The second indication was slightly more obvious than the first as the whole vehicle bucked as an explosive round of some kind smashed into the side of it, causing the thing to jerk suddenly to a stop and for Victor to brace his legs to stop him flying out of his seat. That sounded pretty bad... he thought, as he noticed the lightning and the auspex inside the cabin had failed completely. It definitely was bad when Hopkins himself dropped down from the cupola and started shouting at everyone.
"Everyone out!!"

"Get In Cover!"

The Commissar's shout was entirely justified as Victor could plainly see the insurgents down the street in what looked like a motley assortment of old Guard-issue equipment, sending sporadic small-arms fire their way. Using the damaged Chimera as cover, he dropped prone and started sending controlled bursts of heavy stubber fire back in reply.

"Up on the Roof!!"

Solara heard Hopkins shout, and just as she lifted the scope of her rifle toward the target, she heard his shot ring out and watched the falling insurgent loose a missle in their direction.
Oh Feth! was all that crossed her mind as she jerked her rifle from the firing port and braced for the impact.
As the Chimera rocked with the hit, a sense of clostrophobia and panic began to rise in her chest, but Solara kept her face stone cold as Hopkins opened the emergency doors and barked out their orders - "Everyone out!!" he roared "Take up positions on the left side of the street, watch your sides and those buildings, fire only when fired upon Move Move Move!!"
As she started to move with the others, Solara paused for a moment, her eyes falling back on Hopkins. Inspite of herself, a look of longing appeared in her blue eyes as she heard his words echo again in her head - "I wont pretend that what I feel towards you is any less than l...well... I think you know how I feel... I dont know If you feel the same but... well... dont open that unless I fall... of course..." For a moment, her hand reached up to touch the breast pocket where the letter he'd given her was hidden, but then she suddenly brought herself back to the task at hand and the longing in her eyes was quickly replaced with a determination to see that he and the rest of the squad were given proper cover.
Stepping quickly down the ramp, she was relieved to breathe the free air again and all her clostrophobic fears from before dissipated into the wind. Quickly she scanned the area for a good sniping point to help provide the best cover. When her eyes came to rest on the remnants of a small shedlike compound just to the left of the Chimera she knew that was the most useful spot for the time being. It was really no more than the remains of the corner of a metal-reinforced building with a small section of the second floor still intact. Still, it provided enough cover for her own protection and gave her the perfect line of sight to protect her fellow troops as they moved into cover.
Quickly she dodged toward the cover, shots pinging off the streets and other rubble around her. Once behind the short wall and out of sight of the insurgents, she leaped up and grabbed the edge of the broken wall, using it's jagged edge to hoist herself up and position herself just above street level and with a better vantage point of the insurgents that were firing at them.
Glancing around to see that no enemies had taken up firing positions near her, she looked to the side to see where Hopkins, Kruschev, and the injured driver were. She then quickly positioned herself to give them and the other members of the squad as much cover fire as possible.
Adjusting her sight on the insurgents who seemed the greatest threat, her icy blue eyes narrowed as she focused in. Then with the hint of a wicked smile crossing her lips, she began sending single but deathly accurate shots toward any insurgent firing in their direction.

It was the smell of burning metals that really got to Anie in the IFV. When she saw her squadmates running out of the vehicle, she thought for a second that the smart thing to do was stay inside. It was an armoured vehicle, it probably would protect them better than a building´s wall out here. Unfortunately for her, it didn´t seem the squad leaders or the commissar thought the same. A quick yank on her helmet´s strap to make sure it was in place, and off she darted with her head low, following Hopkins and the gunner as they dragged the wounded driver out of the transport.

Anie squeezed off a couple of shots at the moving shapes down the street, almost absent-mindedly. It was strange, but it seemed her lungs and body heat played a bigger part in these moments of her life than everything going on around her. The heat... it was strangely stimulating now.

"Wheres the Medic!!"

"Right here!" She grunted as she kneeled by the casualty, flicking her lasgun´s safety on and letting the weapon hang off her arm as her hand went down onto the wounded´s leg, pushing it down firmly against the ground. Quickly, she passed her hand by what part of her forehead her helmet didn´t cover in case she was sweating, and had a quick look at the wound. Classic shraphnel puncture. Didn´t look too bad.

"Ok, hold him still. Let the others deal with them." Anie told the gunner, before turning to the driver with her usual gentle, vague smile. "Now, let´s patch you up. I have to cut into the wound to dig out the shraphnel, and after that I´ll just bandage you up. That´s it on my part, somebody else will have a proper look at you. It´s nothing bad, if it hurts I´ll give you an aspirin, Ok?"

Before the man could answer, Anie had her scalpel out, and sliced with precision into the wound, opening it a bit to facilitate extracting the foreign body. Of course, he would probably need more than an aspirin, but there was no sense in wasting a perfectly good vial of morphine on a walking casualty. Not if she might need it later, or got a good price for it.

Anie was so focused on her task she almost forgot about the shooting going on all around her, until a small cloud of dust came down in front of her eyes, but thankfully not into them, from a stray bullet hitting the doorway. Anie dropped the scalpel onto the ground and pulled out the broken, bloodied metal out of the driver´s wound, tossing it away. The blood on her fingers certainly made her cringe, for some unconscious reason probably related to the fighting going on.

"Doesn´t look bad, sergeant, but I think I´d like a roof and a couple walls around him!"

"Up on the Roof!!"

Terrence only had the time to raise his rifle up towards roof level before the shriek of the missile in transit transformed into the roar of impact, which threw him up against the side of the vehicle, clutching for dear life to the grab bar to keep him on the firing step. Terrene could feel his hand tighten on the grip of his rifle while he kept himself from falling, and after a few seconds, relaxed his grip. Then he had a moment to wonder if he had been accidentally squeezing the trigger, too. He wasn’t really sure.

But that luxury evaporated as the squad leaders started howling orders at the squad, and like a compliant pup, Terrance withdrew his gun and moved to comply. He paused at the top of the ramp to check the skyline and upper floors of the nearby buildings before sprinting towards a dumpster against the side of a building near an alleyway. Terrence waved to Kristy, hoping to have her join him behind the cover where she could keep an eye on the alley to prevent the squad from being flanked so that he could focus on keeping the upper floors across the street cleared. Terrence kept a skeptical eye and even more skeptical lasgun down the alley in the meanwhile, while glancing at those floors every once in a while, ready to shoot if necessary.

As the squad spread out on the left side of the street the Rebels slowly began to advance. Eighteen men in mismatched uniforms. The biggest threat being a two man flamer team. lagging behind a not of five rebels as they lugged their heavy weapon up the right side of the street. The other eleven stayed to the left side. Keeping behind the piles of rubble and burned out cars littering the street side. Solara's sniper blast hit one of the enemies in the head, knocking him to the ground.

A las round cracked into the ground in front of Hopkins' knee, spraying hot earth onto his thigh. He moved back in behind the back corner of the Chimera. "Aright.. Sal, give that heavy flamer team on the right a taste of your stubber... See if ya can take out the crew without damaging that weapon... we might need it... Phillips.. Farel, On me NOW! Greer put a frag into that group on the Left, want them pinned at best you get me!" The trooper looked up with a malicious grin "Oh I got you Good Sarge, it will be My pleasure, Amy, a hand my dear"

The missile team works with a grace born out of years of battlefield experience. Greer hefts the tube to his shoulder and eases up enough to lean on the back of a burned out car. Amy slides a frag missile into the tube and pulls its primed, slapping the back of Greer's head when done. "Ease!" He shouts, the vets nearby open their mouths slightly as he pulls the trigger, sending the missile jetting out down the street. The missile detonates in the chest of one of the traitors. Scything down 3 others with metal shards and bone fragments. The remaining 9 traitors hunker down behind cover, not wanting to share their comrades fates.

Another Lasblast from Solara smashes into the obvious leader of the left side group, sending him to the groan with a nasty looking stomach wound. "Willes, Stick close to Harshe" Hopkins orders, watching the young man eagerly move the few feet to kneel between her and the enemy. "Allright... Farrel, Vox command, tell em our situation, advise them we will begin our assigned patrol on foot ASAP" She nods and he pats her arm reassuringly. "Don't worry.. you'll be ok". "Alright Phillips, were going to work our way up the street to that flamer team, Il move out first, when I signal, you know the drill follow my lead, lets go get us some glory mate" He grins broadly and claps him on the shoulder.

"Allright folks, ere we go, lets kill some traitors.." Covering FIRE!!" He yells, standing up and blasting a flurry of las rounds down the street before booking it out into the open. lasblasts fly out around him as he dives and rolls in behind a pile of rubble.

The driver looked up at Harshe "Could you have given me a moment to ready myself ?...but.. thanks" He smiles slightly and starts to pull out his laspistol. The Commissar appears behind Harshe silently his bolt pistol still smoking as he takes advantage of the cover to reload. "The sergeant is somewhat... occupied, but I do believe we will be moving out soon.. can you stabilize him for walking?" The drive looks up at the commissar and bites back a groan "Il be good to go sir, dont worry about me"

Sal, give that heavy flamer team on the right a taste of your stubber... See if ya can take out the crew without damaging that weapon... we might need it...

Victor stopped firing long enough to acknowledge that he had heard the sergeant's order with a quick nod. He looked down the street and saw what the man was talking about. A few Rebels lugging a flamer down the right of the street. He switched his aim to the group and began sending a scything hail of heavy stubber rounds towards them at knee-level where there was less chance of cooking off the flamer by accident.

Covering FIRE!!

Solara loosed multiple blasts from her Las rifle, firing on any ememies she could catch. Then she carefully began scanning again between the left and right groups of enemies, pulling off las shots where she could. Knowing that Sal was consentrating on the right side, she tried to work in combination with him - keeping the left side in check when necessary, then moving to the right to help provide cover for Hopkins and the others advancing. It took all her consentration, but she didn't like the idea of taking her eyes off any advancing comrads.
C'mon boys... she thought with a sigh as she pulled off another las blast toward the insurgents, ....let's take that flamer and get the feth out of here!

"Could you have given me a moment to ready myself ?...but.. thanks"

"Come on, don´t be such a ninny."

Anie sighed with a grin, sorely disappointed by both the Commissar´s and the driver´s words, as she started to tie a bandage around the driver´s leg with some extra firmness. Move around? Sure, not like carrying a wounded man and fighting at the same time was anything difficult.

"Ok, now we´re going to stand up..." Anie commented aloud as she secured her lasgun at her side, and quickly cleaned her scalpel on the driver´s shiny new bandage. She moved to his side, sliding his arm over her shoulders at the same time she looked up at the gunner. That was when it hit her, and she quickly stopped, gesturing at the gunner to do the same. Turning her head, she saw Hopkins moving like a hare, lasers cris-crossing the air. "Sarge, he´s a walking wounded. Orders?"

"Phillips, Farel, on me NOW!"

Terrence leaned back into cover behind his dumpster after hammering out another burst of fire towards the insurgent position. He turned himself away from the street and towards the girl, tapping her on the shoulder with his left hand to get her attention, his other hand firmly locked onto his rifle for dear life.

“Ok, kiddo, time to move. I’ll lay down some cover for you while you get over to the sergeant and then if you could be so kind as to do the same for me? Ok, on my go.”

At that Terrence slipped back into the position and raised his left hand and counted down from two before leaning back out into the street with his rifle once again in the lead. He popped off a burst of fire at anything that wasn’t wearing a friendly looking uniform that happened to be in his vision until he saw the girl reach the safety of the vehicle. Once she stared to provide cover, Terrance slipped out from behind the relative safety of the dumpster and hustled across the street to join the girl and the sergeant, arriving just in time to hear the last bit of his briefing to her before he became the focus of the sergeant’s attention.

"Alright Phillips, were going to work our way up the street to that flamer team, Il move out first, when I signal, you know the drill follow my lead, let’s go get us some glory mate."

Terrence felt his hand twitch on the grip again, but was thankful that his finger wasn’t on the trigger again. He merely nodded blandly as the sergeant clapped his shoulder, and responded with an equally as bland affirmation. Once the sergeant bolted up from cover after having let off his peal of shots, Terrence seamlessly slid into his position and started to pump out shots just like the rest of the squad was doing. All the while Terrance was tensing himself up to break from cover once the sergeant started shooting again, and on to move on to the next piece of cover, regardless of the fact that he was going to be advancing toward a flamethrower.