The sun shone down on Shadowsword's Rangers' campsite as the troopers, technicians and mechwarriors stretched their legs and enjoyed the crisp spring air of the planet Midale, a welcome relief after spending over a month travelling from the core of the Inner Sphere to the edge of the Periphery. Trooper David Wessex sat cross legged on his poncho as he assembled his newly issued webbing.
"Peter, how's this look."
Lance Corporal Peter Leeson looked up from the laser rifle he was clearing and chuckled.
"No, just no," he said with an amused smile as he started to disassemble David's webbing. "You don't need half of this," he continued in an instructional tone. He handed back the decimated webbing. "Try this, feel how much lighter it is."
David frowned as he took his webbing back. "Light sure, but what about the rest of my kit?"
"We're mechanised infantry, if you don't need it in a firefight, it goes in the APC." Peter instructed.
"But." David started to protest.
"No. Repeat after me, it goes in the APC." Peter interrupted.
David bristled for a moment before complying. "It goes in the APC."
"And again, on your own." Peter said straight-faced.
David laughed. "It does in the APC."
"Damn right." Peter said with a grin. "Hey, it's the same as my rig. It got me through Operation Bulldog, it will get you through this pirate hunting we're doing. Remember we hunt mechs, which means we have to move quick and you can't move quick if your carrying too much weight."
"Ok." David conceded the argument. "Thank you."
"No problem." Peter said. "It is my job after all."
The whistle of the camp kettle boiling interrupted them.
"Cassy, you getting that?" Peter asked.
Trooper Cassy Williams put down the sock he was darning. "What did you last servant die of lance?" he complained wearily.
"Not getting the lance corporal his tea quickly enough." Trooper Jian Smith commented dryly as he adjusted the sights on the section machine gun.
"It just because you make the best tea in the platoon Cassy." Peter added with a badly concealed smile.
"Yer, yer." Cassy grumbled as he started pouring the boiling water into the waiting mugs. "What would you three do without me I don't know."
David thought about it for a moment. "We'd probably die of thirst."
"Cheeky young pup!" Cassy chuckled as he handed David his mug, behind him Peter was laughing loudly while Jian had returned to his adjustments.
"Thanks." David replied as he took the mug. He made to continue and then stopped. "Look sharp, boss is here."
Major Nicholas 'Nick' Shadowsword was walking towards their tent. Short with closely cropped hair, he was wearing his dress uniform with ceremonial sword. Besides him walked his intelligence officer Captain Max Rivers, dressed noticeably less conspicuously. As they approached a flash of recognition passed over Nick's face.
"Peter isn't it?"
"Yes Sir." Peter replied, surprised and pleased to be recognised.
"I thought I remembered you, you dropped with us at Port Arthur. That was bastard of a drop." Nick said.
"Aye, but we won in the end." Peter replied with pride.
"That we did." Nick agreed with a smile. "And we will again if we need to."
"Is there something we can help you with sir?" Peter asked, unsure of why the unit CO seemed to want to indulge in old war stories.
"Yes, there is." Nick replied. "I'm going to meet with the Planetary Governor and apparently," he glanced over at Max, who kept a tight poker face, "I need an honour guard. Captain Zhao volunteered your fireteam. Get your stuff together, I don't want to be late."
"Roger sir." Peter said as he climbed to his feet and slung his rifle. "David, go tell Anne to bring the APC round."
"On it." David replied as he took off towards the vehicle park.
Do you want us in our best uniforms?" Peter asked. "Or will this do?"
Nick thought for a moment and then swapped an amused grin with Max.
"No, I think this works." Nick replied. "I think the look we want is dangerous mercenaries."
Peter grinned. "I think we can do that sir."