Black Boots

Dedicated to William Rose

"Old soldiers don't die, they just get posted out."

A vast and empty city stretched out into the horizon filled by a transient October wind. The buildings silently decaying into oblivion as the potted and broken highways periodically shed loose rubble from their outer edges. The mid day sun hung high burning out all the shadows, save the ones taking refuge within the derelict structures. Among the forest of roof tops sat a man with grey speckled, dark crimson hair by the name of Garand. He watched the scenery while humming Along the Watch Tower, a well known Jimi Hendrix song. A salty breeze brushed against his face rustling his Multi-cam uniform, an invisible indication the sea that was not far off yet out of his line of sight. The dead city was a sight that soothed the man. He found a beauty in the silent decay, more so here than other similar places he had been. Chechnya, Rwanda, Iraq, Afghanistan he had been too many places in many countries with cities and towns like this one. However he felt this city was far superior to the others. There was a deep silence here that could not be found anywhere else. The man felt an over whelming feeling of contentment watching the sky line of this once great forest of concrete as it steadily marched towards its end. He absently ran his thumb across the right side of his face, tracing a scar that stretched from the corner of his mouth across his cheek to where a section of his ear lobe had been severed.

The ear bud of his radio clicked as a transmission came in, "Charlie One, Tango One," The cheery and high pitched female voice pulled him away from his humming mid song.

He keyed his throat mike, "Charlie One, Send," Garand answered.

"Sierra, I say again Sierra."

It was the signal to begin. No more time to loaf around there was work to be done. He had not come to Mid-Childia simply to enjoy the scenery, he had a tasking to perform. Garand placed his bush cap with the up turned sides on his head, followed by his clear ballistic goggles and olive drab lower face wrap. Standing up he made a quick 360 degree check around him and spotted a glint off in the distance to the east. Pulling back on the charging handle of his 7.62 XCR assault rifle, he casually stepped off the edge of the building and resumed humming. As he plummeted towards the pavement, he snapped his right hand onto the grip of his side arm. A custom made olive drab and black 1911 pistol. With it he fired 3 rounds towards the ground directly below him. Beneath his feet a stack of three green magic circles appeared, floating in midair. As he fell the man passed through each circle. Every time he contacted one he decelerated. When his boots finally hit the ground he allowed his legs to absorb the shock, rolling in order to spread the impact of the sudden stop across his body without causing injury. Quickly rising to his feet, he sprinted across the street into an ally. Hanging a right then a left, he dashed out into the next street over, across the road and into a building. Leaning close to a pillar near a large hole in the structures front face, he watched the street.

Shouldering his weapon, he peered through the four times scope. The glint he had seen earlier was larger and seemed to have some idea where he was. The glint quickly became a silhouette of a person flying through the air at an amazing speed. The instant the person's figure spanned the distance from the top to the bottom of the rifle sight he released a 6 round burst. The figure seemed to lose its balance as the rounds struck it, causing it tumbled out of the air colliding with a pile of rubble resting in the street. Garand had no intention of confirming the kill, he knew better than that, at best his target was a little dazed. He had to move quickly to a new position. Dashing through the building he exited the back into a large open parking lot. This was disadvantageous, but he had no choice he had to make it to the next building or he would be in dire straits. He started running for the building to his right. It was small but it was the closest and just behind it was an alley way.

The wall behind him suddenly exploded, large chunks of concrete nearly hitting him. There was no need to look back he knew it was the same attacker from before. As he sprinted across the parking lot he pulled out a smoke grenade. After a quick pull of the pin he dropped it behind him. Instantly a small magic seal on the top of the device glowed and a massive cloud of grey smoke filled the parking lot. Using the smoke as cover, Garand altered his plan and ran to the far building on the opposite side hoping that his assailant would assume he would continue on the shorter route to cover.

Once inside the opposite building he sprinted up several floors. Reaching one of the upper most levels, he waited for the smoke outside to clear. Hidden from view he grinned, he was very much enjoying this skirmish. With a chuckle he peaked up over the window sill. The smoke had cleared and there was no sign of his pursuer. It would seem his ploy worked but there was no room for errors or assumptions. He would have to move again. Now that Garand had lost his pursuer it was his turn to hunt them down.

There was a sudden blast of light from the opposite side of the floor. All at once the windows along with the wall they were mounted in disappeared in a shower of debris. Despite the bright flash Garand could still make out his opponent he fired several bursts of full auto as the figure ducked and dodged. His opponent suddenly rushed towards him. Quickly, he scurried into the hall like some startled animal to avoid the incoming attack. Running past two open door ways he ducked into the third and hid lying on his back behind a low rubble pile as he changed his magazine. Footsteps began to carefully approach and search each room. When the sounds stopped at his room he calmly ceased breathing and lied as still as a corpse, listening ready to react but hoping that they would not make a thorough check of the room. The footsteps moved on.

The instant they did Garand broke cover then emptied a full magazine into the wall, the other side of which was the hall his assailant was using. He bolted back out of the room running to the opposite end of the corridor while swapping another magazine into his weapon. Nearing the end of the corridor he pulled out his 1911. Leaping out the large hole in the wall at the far end, he fired his side arm. Using four shots he created a bridge of magic circles to the next building. As he jumped from circle to circle each would disappear as he made it onto the next. Inside the next building he whipped himself around and aimed his weapon at the hole he had just escaped through. Watching carefully he saw a flash a movement. His assailant quickly emerged again and flew towards him. He let lose burst after burst of fire but each was dodged, or blocked by a magic shield. In moments the fast moving figure was on top of him. It swung its weapon at him and struck him squarely in the chest. Garand was thrown across the room and slammed into a wall. Ignoring the pain from the sudden strike he got to his feet and reciprocated with a long burst of fire from his weapon.

As he put rounds down range, Garand took a quick survey the floor of this new building. It was open but filled with a large amount of derby from the floor above that seemed to have collapsed. This was the best he could hope for the area was too closed in for his enemy to swing their weapon properly and with all the cover available he had plenty of good firing positions. However, he needed one additional thing in his favour. He took out his last smoke grenade and pulled the pin drooping it at his feet. As the smoke filled the confined space he loaded a new magazine. Tapping the side of his goggles his field of vision was changed to a grey scale that eliminated the smoke from his line of sight. He could now easily see his opponent. Firing a burst at the silhouette it quickly ducked for cover. The two combatants ducked and dogged, moving from cover to cover attacking and guarding. With each attack the excitement in Garand grew he was enjoying the fight more and more. He could not get enough of it, he was so intoxicated with adrenaline that he could be declared legal impaired. It was fights like this that he lived and breathed for, the intensity the ferocity. The whole building could collapse on them and he'd still keep fighting.

"Fuck'en eh this is great!" He called out as he loaded his last magazine. The top of the pillar he was using as cover suddenly disappeared as it was sliced in half. A quick combat role and he emptied his magazine into the figure before it scurried away again. Letting go of his rifle, Garand took up his 1911. He quickly slammed a fresh magazine in to it. Pistol at the ready he started scanning the area with its barrel. A flash of motion in the corner of his eye drew his attention. He swung his weapon towards it but it was already gone. The smoke was starting to clear. Soon he would lose his advantage he needed to end the fight swiftly, despite part of him wanting it to continue.

Another blur of movement this time he caught it in time to fire two rounds though both missed. Garand chased after the figure. Once it was in full view again he double tapped his trigger. The two rounds flew strait for the centre of mass but were blocked by a magic shield. Not missing a beat the assailant rushed him. Garand fired again and again as it drew closer. His enemy drew back its long weapon, looking to end this fight with a single swing.

"Come on!" Garand barked. Lowering his stance, he pulled a trench knife from the small of his back. The figure swung down at him with full force knocking him to the ground. He managed to block the strike with his knife while pushing his 1911 into his opponents' sternum. "I win," he smiled. As the smoke cleared he pulled the trigger but there was only silence, "Crap."

When the last of the smoke cleared it revealed Garand holding back a sword between the knuckle guard and blade of his knife, with the barrel of his gun firmly planted between the breasts of Signum a woman who could be best described as a samurai in pink, complete with pony tail. She withdrew her sword and methodically sheathed it.

"I'm impressed you did much better this time." her approving smile greatly dulled his feeling of disappointment in himself for not being more careful about how he used his last few rounds. She reached out a hand to him. Returning his knife to its sheath he grabbed her by the wrist, accepting the help. Standing next to her he was a full head and a half taller than her. Yet at time he often felt she was as big as he was. The proud way she carried herself, her skill and her professionalism. He knew that in a fight, she would be the best person you could ever ask to have watching your back.

"Thanks Sig," after dusting himself off he released the slide catch on his pistol allowing the action to go forward before returning it to its holster. He snickered, "The carts seem to be about as ready as they're going to be, same with the body armour," the two started making their way to a set of stairs in the far corner.

"Hopefully when the development is finished they will be enough to fill the gap in combat abilities between our lower class personnel," Signum told him. Garand stopped at the stairs and gestured with both hands for her to go first. Leading the way she continued, "It's ironic that we are using a system based on the same Anti Magic Fields and Combat Cyborg technology that demonstrated the military's short comings to improve ourselves."

"Only fools don't learn from their enemy," he pointed out as he pulled down his face wrap, "So how much damage did those rounds actually do, despite your Jacket I mean?" He asked with great curiosity.

"The ones from your rifle made it past my shield only about fifty percent of the time. After penetrating the shield my Barrier Jacket stopped them as well as reduce the stopping power," a small smirk slipped across her face, "Although, Belkan Jackets are designed to withstand attacks that would destroy a Mid style Jacket. That said, we are only using training rounds."

"True," Garand responded, "But the live rounds have already been proven to punch through most Jackets. Their plenty effective, not much will stop multiple bullets with 2,460 Joules worth of armor piercing energy. Besides I would rather not shoot at you with live rounds," he told her with a chuckle, "Any way we aren't out here to test the rounds. These last exercises are meant as acid tests. We need to ensure the new kit can handle a serious beating," Garand smirked, "Like being thrown across a room into a brick wall."

Signum briefly touched a spot just above her naval, "I know," she paused, "Well Jacket or not it seems I'll have the bruises from those training rounds."

"Really? Can I see?"

She sighed, "Shouldn't you try to be more professional while working?"

"I' am being professional, in my own way, beside we're in the field."

She concealed a small chuckle, "Your professionalism seems to leave something to be desired."

"Sorry ma'am I'll work on that," he answered sharply.

"See that you do," Signum seemed to be teasing him rather than scolding him. Once on the roof Garand sat down on the ground and took a drink from the hydration pack on his back, "How did your body armour perform?"

He tapped his torso, "I think you bruised a rib or two when you knocked me around. Other than that scrapes and gashes mostly."

"Are you all right?"

Her concern seemed to please him. He took in a deep breath and slowly released it, "I'm still breathing so I'm good to go, up for round two?" His confident smirk made her wonder if he was serious. He keyed his throat mike "Tango One, Charlie One."

"Tango One, send," It was the same female voice from before.

"Tango One, Sierra complete. Request air lift, over."

"Charlie One, Roger ETA one zero mikes over."

"Roger, out," He looked over to Signum, "After the debrief want to grab an early dinner?"

"Thank you for the offer but there is some work I would like to attend to once we are done."

"Oh well," he was a little disappointed, "What about after your shift? We could go for a drink and its wing night at the pub?"

"Perhaps."

It was not long before they could see the helicopter making its approach. The aircraft stopped in a hover a few feet above the building and opened its rear hatch. Garand climbed on board, pulling himself up onto the ramp. Holding onto the actuator for the rear hatch with one hand he reached out to Signum with the other. She took hold of his wrist and he pulled her up into the aircraft. As the helicopter began its assent Garand used the chance to pull her in closer to him then was really necessary.

"Signum!" a small voice shouted, "Did you kick his butt?" A very small girl, with red hair and bat like wings, wearing a brown TSAB uniform fluttered about the cabin, punching a nonexistent opponent.

"That's not important Agito," Signum gently pushed away from Garand and deactivated her device, switching her cloths back to the same uniform worn by Agito. With only one minor difference, a white trench coat worn over her uniform, "We came here to test a new weapons system, not have a duel."

The tinny girl clicked her tongue, "But you still beat him right?" she placed her hands behind her head, "All these fancy new weapons don't mean anything. No matter how hard a Black Boot try's they'll never hold a candle to a real mage."

Garand looked at Agito confused, "Strange don't mosquito's normally die off this time of year?"

The mocking grin on his face ignited anger in her voice, "What was that!" She shouted crossly, "I think you need to be taught a lesson!" The small girl promptly formed a fire ball in her hand and hurled it at Garlands' head.

"Gah! Fucking fairy!" After slapping out the flames on his head he glared at her, "I got a can of one hundred percent DEET with your name on it!"

Agito flew right up to Garlands' face, parking herself just in front of his nose, "What was that?" She steamed "This time I'll do more than singe a few hairs!" This time she prepared two small fiery spheres, fully intent on burning off every hair on his head.

"Try it Tinker bell!"

"That's enough, both of you." Signum calming scolded.

Agito grudgingly allowed the fire balls to dissipate. Garand circled past her and sat down on the jump seat. There was the distinctive rip of Velcro as he removed his plate carrier then placed it on the floor. Rotating his left shoulder he sighed displeased. He recalled Shamal's face and shuttered slightly at the thought of being in her care. Though well aware of her skill as a doctor something about her, just made him feel irrationally uneasy.

"Looks like I'll need Shamal to check me out when we get back," he leaned back in his seat hopping to relieve a portion of the discomfort of the bruised ribs. The amount of relief he gained however, was merger and made little difference.

The helicopter made its way over the old city and across the bay. On the opposite shore was the TSAB training facility where the development program was run from. Circling around the main building the helicopter landed on a concrete pad in front of a large hanger. As the rear hatch opened Garand gathered up his kit and slung it over his shoulder. Stepping off the aircraft along with Signum, they found Shamal waiting with a smile that made both of them slightly uncomfortable. Though no fault of her own, despite being genuine, it often made them feel as if she knew their darkest secrets and was merely waiting for the chance to use them to black mail them.

"Welcome back," she cheerily greeted. Immediately she noticed that Garand was holding his left side, "Oh? Are you all right?"

"He seems to have bruised his ribs," Signum responded. Again Shamal smiled this time it made Garand even more concerned, enough so that he felt he had to speak up.

"It's just a bruise ma'am it's not like I need major surgery," his firm tone seemed to have no effect on the woman at all.

"Well I'll be the judge of that, I'm the only doctor here, so I'm the only one who's qualified to make that decision," she gestured with one hand towards the main building, "Just follow me to the infirmary,"

Uneasily, he complied, "I'd like to know who gave you those qual's," he said under his breath making sure not to look at her back. Thinking for a moment on the subject of injures he realized Signum had not spoken about hers' though he shrugged aside the thought deciding she would tell her by the time they got to the infirmary

"Signum how are you? Any injures?" Shamal enquired

The question made Signum oddly nervous for the same reason as Garand, "I'm Fine,"

At the same time Garand let go of his side in order to lift his shirt and examine the site of the injury, wondering just how big his bruise was.

"Nothing significant," she continued.

Hearing how Signum replied to Shamals' question drew him away from his self-examination, "Wait didn't you say you had some nasty bruises?" Signum gestured to him to be quite but he happily ignored her. He enjoyed taking the chance to tease her a bit, "Yeah I remember you told me I got you really good right here," he reached over attempting to tap the spot above her naval with the back of his hand but she easily avoided it.

"You're mistaken!" The knight insisted.

"You mean right here?" Shamal prodded Signum in the same spot he had tried to hit and she winced slightly, "I guess you'll be joining us won't you Signum."

Agito fluttered her way over to Garand and pulled on his ear, "You big idiot!"

"Hey stop that!" He shooed her away with his free hand.

Reaching the rear entrance of the building the group encountered Nanoha Tachamchi along with Vita as they were leaving. The moment Garand spotted Nanoha the first thing that popped into his head was the word, bitch. She was the last person he wanted to see. It was as if she had appeared simply to ruin his perfectly enjoyable day.

"Good afternoon." Nanoha greeted politely.

As soon as she started talking Garand felt the need to stark barking at her but instead chose to simply glare at her.

"Hey guys," Vita added.

"Are you done for the day?" Shamal asked.

"Not quite," Nanoha brushed aside a few loose strands of hair, "We still have one last training session with the new recruits before we finish for the day.

"It must be tough working these long days when you'd rather be at home with Vivio," Shamal's voice had a slight air of encouragement.

"It's fine, Fate was able to go home early today so she wouldn't be alone."

Signum took a moment to look over at Garand, concerned that his head might soon explode. She was well aware of his disdain for the young woman but hoped he could keep his temper under control. She found him scowling at the Ace of Aces.

Until Vita drew his attention, "Hey big guy," the small woman grinned, "Scare any small children lately?" Though it seemed she was trying to be humorous Signum could detect Vita had slightly less than humours intentions for her comment.

"Nope," he said proudly. He had forgotten about Vita's presence, the two of them shared a kind of rivalry based on insults. They would regularly try to outdo each other sometimes taking the jokes a little too far. Garand felt relieved that Vita was there to distract him from Nanohas' presence, "Did you get mistaken for a lost child again?" The two glared at each other grinning like they were trying to egg the other on into throwing a punch.

"Nanoha we need to get going," Vita urged breaking off from her glaring contest with Garand.

"Right, we'll see you later," Nanoha hurriedly chirped. As the two left Garand angrily gave Nanohas' back the finger.

Signum sighed relieved, "At least you didn't get into another shouting match with her," she noted as they continued into the building.

"I hate that rabbit. Everything about her just pisses me off," After the brief vocalization of his hate for Nanoha his mood improved somewhat.

"Maybe you have an inferiority complex?" Agito chuckled.

"No comments from the peanut!"

"Now, now calm down," Shamal urged as they climbed the stairs to the second floor. Following Shamal down the corridor they were lead into the infirmary, "Step into my parlour," she told them with the same disconcerting smile she had used earlier.

Garand snickered and pointed towards the door with his thumb, "You first Sig."

A roll of bandages and a cold compress later Signum and Garand waited on opposite sides of a white curtain divider for Shamals' approval of their condition. Garand looked himself over briefly examining the bandages on his torso as if searching for a flaw in the workmanship then got up from the bed and hopped up and down twice.

"Is something wrong Mr. Garand?" Shamal asked looking away from her computer terminal.

"No, just glad you left all my limbs attached."

"Pardon?"

"Never mind, so can I get dressed?" he asked picking up his pants from off the bed.

"Yes that's fine, by the way are your knew tattoo's finished now?" Shamal added.

Garand showed her the outside of his fore arms. On them ingrained into his skin were two broad swords the tips pointing to his wrists they were intricately designed and beautifully collared. On the blade of each was an inscription had, on his right was Absolute and on his left was Force.

"Yeah, what do you think?"

"I think tattoos are a silly thing to do to your body," Garand sighed in disappointment his hope for a compliment dashed. Shamal stood up and turned off her terminal, "Well I have a few things to attend to so I'll see you at the debriefing. After gathering up a few things she left with a smile and a farewell.

"Still alive Sig?"

"Of course." she told him plainly.

"Still got all your body parts?" He could hear a faint snicker from behind the curtain.

"Garand?"

"Yeah," he responded as he put on his pants trying to avoid disrupting the bandage on his left leg.

"Why do you dislike Nanoha so intensely?"

"Well a lot of little things I guess. The way she talks, her training methods, her trick smile, the list is just too long to go through really," the unexpectedness of her question caught him a bit off guard, there was a more specific reason for his dislike of her but it was one he did not have interest in sharing.

"You really shouldn't allow your personal feelings to affect your work relations," her sound advice was something she had brought up several times in the past in regards to Nanoha.

"I know and I don't. Well most of the time," as he sat down on a stool next to the bed he started to slip on his boots. Growing tired of the subject of Nanoha he wanted to change the topic before the name irritated him any further, "So how's the boss been doing? It's been a while since she was with us for a debrief."

"Hayate is well, but she seems to be a little over whelmed recently."

"Well we are nearing crunch time I guess. The projects' completion date is set for January but we still have plenty to do," Garand stood up and reached for his shirt. He could sense an air of concern for Hayates' well being emanating from Signum. In the hopes he might be able to somehow help lift some of that concern he continued, "Is it just me or do the higher ups enjoy running her ragged?"

The knight did not respond immediately, instead she took a long calculated pause, "A lot of people still feel threatened by her abilities and by we her knights."

"Even after all of you've done for TSAB?" He slipped into his shirt he gathered up his kit.

"Yes, despite what we have done to assist TSAB they seem to try their hardest to keep us separated or buried under a mound of assignments, and recently Nanoha and Fate have been receiving a similar treatment as well."

"So are you concerned TSAB is going to intentionally run Hayate into the ground?"

"Yes," the simplicity of her answer spoke volumes. It was not hard for him to realize that this was not a mere idle concern but at the same time he believed that it was merely the result of her over protectiveness.

He approached the fabric barrier, "You decent?"

"Yes," he rounded the curtain and found her fastening the last button of her white dress shirt.

"Don't sound so concerned she has you and the other knights looking out for her."

She reached for her tunic, "I'm aware of that and I will defeat anyone who would dare to harm Hayate or those she is close to her. However, there are some threats that cannot be defeated with simple strength."

Garand scratched his chin as he watched her put on her tunic, "Stop sweating it I highly doubt anything is actually wrong. You're just letting your over protectiveness get the better of you."

"I suppose you're right."

"Besides you got me around now too," grinning confidently he struck his chest with his fist.

"I mean no offence but you're."

Garand stopped her, "Not part of your family right? Doesn't mean I don't hold similar sentiments. You're forgetting just how big I owe Hayate. Risking my neck for hers' would be the least I could do," his grin reappeared, "Although, if you're really hung up on that, not in the family part, there is a way around that."

Signum shook her head exhibiting a slight smirk, "Very funny," She brushed past him headed for the door.

"Who said it was a joke," he had said exactly what he was thinking, though it was truthfully in part still a joke. Their relationship was still, at this point, just one of friendship despite his attempts to advance it.

"We should hurry." she instructed unfazed.

"Yes ma'am."

Outside they were joined by Agito. Who had gown rather impatient, "Are you finished?" The miniature red head asked.

"Yes, Shamal cleared us to return to our duties," Signum told her partner.

"You didn't think we were that badly hurt did you? Give us some credit," Agito seemed perturbed at the prospect of Garand being relatively unhurt. He held out his hand, "Come on days not done yet," Agito ignored his hand and fluttered over to his left shoulder and perched herself on it.

"Let's get this over with," she ordered pointing down the hall.

After a lengthy and in depth debriefing with Hayate and a representative from Trident Industries the company manufacturing the new weapon system Signum and Garand parted ways. Garand had been tasked to review potential candidates for a full platoon to be outfitted with the new equipment, now that the last of the stress testing was wrapping up. Signum had various paper work and other smaller tasks to complete. What remained of the day wore on and the Sword Knight had been fully immersed in her work. When she finally took a moment to relax and look around she realized she was the only one in the office.

"Agito?" She called stretching out her arms.

Normally Agito would have promptly answered but only a lazy silence responded to her. She looked around then checked the clock on her desk. It was well past ten pm she had likely gone home with Hayate. She then recalled Garlands' invitation to join him for wings and beer but it was too late. By the time she would arrive at the pub the kitchen would be closed. She sighed in dismay at her forgetfulness though it was her own fault for letting herself become far to immersed in her work to even notice the passage of time. Gathering up her things she prepared to leave for home. After a quick check to ensure she had everything she shut down her terminal and left making certain to turn out the lights. The halls of the headquarters building were empty and only partially lit. As she made her way through the halls she had a strange feeling of laziness and loneliness mixed together in the silence of the empty building.

These long nights seemed to have become more and more frequent over the years. Every time she worked these late nights she always felt the same sense of loneliness, but this was not all she felt. A creeping unease crawled up from within her. Sometimes, it felt as if she was being observed, at others a small nameless fear bubbled up from within her heart. It was disconcerting for her; she was unable to understand what caused these feelings. She had always been happy and satisfied living as Hayates' guardian and as a soldier of TSAB and she had no shortage of friends, but for the last few years every now and again this feeling would emerge. Worse still, this issue was becoming more frequent. The only solution she had found that could alleviate this feeling was to return home, but even then it did not seem to completely vanish. She stopped in the hall and leaned her back against the wall and looked up the darkened white ceiling. This was becoming a problem she thought. It was something she needed to address but at the same time she could not bring herself to show this developing weakness to those she had to protect she needed to think of another option but for the moment all she could do was stare at the empty ceiling as the feeling seemed to worsen. Eventually she was able to push aside the feeling far enough to start back down the hall, eager to return to her family. As she arrived at the front entrance an elderly guard behind the security desk politely offered a farewell as he tapped the button to unlock the front doors.

"Sig!" She turned around. Walking towards her from the mess hall was Garand. He held up a six pack of beer in one hand and a bag most likely containing chicken wings in the other, "Beer and wings as promised," his friendly smile further chased away her earlier feelings.

"Thank you Garand," a small relieved smile slipped across her face.

"Not a problem, besides this way we can drink at one of my favourite spots, come on," he waved her over and Signum promptly followed, though she was slightly concerned where exactly this drinking spot was.

Stepping out into the cool stillness of the night they made their way out to the break water that jutted out into the bay giving them a good view of the city on the other side, as its lights glowed gently in the distance. Garand stat down hanging his legs off the edge of the break water, he looked up at her.

"This is it, have a seat," accepting his invitation the Sword Knight sat down while he placed the beer and the box with various flavours of wings between them.

"Did you find any units that meet our requirements for testing," she asked.

"Negative, I didn't even look. I'm going to build a unit from scratch to make sure we get exactly the right personnel," he took a beer bottle from the box and after opening it he handed it to Signum, "Got wrapped up in your work again didn't you?"

"Yes, it seems to be happening more often recently," she took the open bottle from him. Garand took a bottle for himself and twisted the cap off, "But why are you still here?"

"Cause I invited you to beer and wings," he raised his bottle to her with a grin and she smiled in return her feeling from earlier now gone, "To the best CO in TSAB."

"To good friends," she added raising her beer to his. Both then promptly to a long drink, "Did you give any thought to what I said about joining TSAB after this project is completed?"

"Not really," he took a wing from the box, "I've served in the military, I've worked as a PMC and even as a mercenary. I was thinking of trying something new," he took a large bite out of the wing in his hand.

"Such as?"

"No idea."

Signum snickered and shook her head. The two sat watching the city in the distance filing themselves with beer and chicken while enjoying conversations about nothing and telling amusing tails. As the time crawled forward and the bottles of beer began to run empty the two felt an enjoyable contentment both from the food and the company. As they neared the end of the last two bottles snow began to float down from the starry sky highlighting the evening. They silently watched the snow fall as they drank the last of the beer. Signum however paused and stared into the nearly empty bottle.

Garand noticed this right away, "Something wrong?"

"How are we getting home?" She asked with utmost seriousness.

Garand took another drink of his beer, "Worry about that after we're done drinking."

"I'm not walking again, it was two am by the time I got back last time," she scowled.

"Nothing wrong with walking!" He shouted proudly. Signum chuckled at his apparent enthusiasm as the last of the beer disappeared from their bottles.

Authors notes:

I've learned a lot since I started writing this fan-fiction and I expect to learn a lot more before I'm done. As a result of what I have learned thus far I have decided to back track a bit and re-edit the earlier chapters. I won't change anything story wise aside from a few blatant discrepancies and the like. As always thank you everyone for all the help you have given me. One last thing the dedication at the top is for my Grand Father a man who I respected, even though at times I did not like him. We both chose the same way of life and I'm proud to have called him family.