Welkin ran his eyes across the report in his hands as he strolled through the corridor. He'd gone over it once already, but he wanted to make sure he got everything right before presenting it to the captain. He tried to watch his surroundings as best he could, but he was finding it difficult to read and walk at the same time. So far he had bumped into one secretary, two soldiers and a wall.

"I guess Faldio was right when he said I shouldn't read while walking..." He thought as he took a quick break from the reading. "Well, the captain's office is just around the corner. I should be in the clear."

Welkin had barely finished thinking when he crossed the corner and crashed right into someone as he was about to go for the door. There was a loud thud as Welkin and the other person fell on their backs, along with some cursing from the stranger.

"Son of a-! Watch where you're going, will ya?" A young man with short, auburn hair lay in front of Welkin and was rubbing the back of his head.

"Ah, sorry about that." Welkin apologized to the man and helped him on his feet. "I tend to get lost in thought."

"What does it matter to me? Just try not to hit me again, okay?" The man replied with a blank face. "And, if you don't mind, I've got business to do."

"Oh, sure. I don't mean to keep you."

"Thank you." The man bowed slightly then proceeded to enter the captain's office.

"Wait, you've got business with Captain Varrot?"

The man said nothing, but walked further inside and saluted the captain.

"Ah, Lieutenant Gunther. Good timing." Varrot gestured to Welkin to come closer. "I assume you're here with the report on Vasel?"

"Oh. Yes, ma'am. I've got it right here." Welkin handed over the report he'd been reviewing earlier.

"Very good." Varrot placed Welkin's report to the side of her desk and turned back to the two men before her. "Now, onto the real matter here. Lieutenant, this is Private Raves, he's been transferred here from the Regulars."

"A pleasure." Christian bowed.

"The report I recieved from his superiors is quite a handful. Disrespectful, questioning or not following orders, improper behavior, you name it. To sum it all up, the higher-ups have had enough of his attitude and sent him here."

"I see. But what does this have to do with me?" Welkin asked with a puzzled look.

"Isn't it obvious, Lieutenant? I've decided to place him under your command." The captain answered and leaned back in her chair. "From now on, Private Raves is a member of Squad 7. Here's his profile. I'm sure you can handle him."

"Yes, ma'am!" Welkin took the folder containing Raves' profile and saluted.

"Very well. Dismissed!"

_________

After a quick change of clothes, Christian made his way to the training field, where the lieutenant had asked to see him. Fort Amatriain was a fairly large place and bustling with activity, but it wasn't long until Christian reached his destination.

"Ah, you're here!" Welkin greeted the new squad member. "I'm sure you're wondering why I called you here. The answer is simple, I want you to get familiar with the squad. Or, well, not me personally. I've got too much to do."

"Well, then who will?"

"One of my subordinates. He should be here any minute now."

"Yo, bossman! You needed me?" A large man called out and waved. He had dark brown hair, a beard going down the sides of his jaw, ending on either side of his chin, and a distinct scar across his nose. "Came as soon as I could. What's up?"

"Ah, Largo!" Welkin greeted the man cheerfully, then turned back to Christian. "Largo, this is Christian. He just joined our squad."

"A rookie, eh?" Largo pulled a cigarette out of his pocket and lit it, taking a deep breath as he did. "Name's Largo. Largo Potter."

"Christian Raves." Christian said in kind and shook the man's extended hand, which had a strong grip.

"Anyway, Largo, I need you to help Christian get familiar with the squad."

"What? So I'm a babysitter now? No offense there, Chris."

"None taken..."

"No, no, no. That's not it." Welkin replied and nervously scratched the back of his head. "It's just that I'm a bit busy right now, and you've been around longer than I have."

Largo let out a loud sigh and took another smoke. "Alright then. I'll show 'im around." He quickly finished the rest of his cigarette and threw it away. "Ok, kid! Let's go introduce you to the gang!" Christian nearly lost his balance when Largo hit him on the back before dragging him into the training field.

______

"All right, let's who we can find here." Largo's stride turned to a halt by the firing range and he took a quick pause to overlook the nearby soldiers. "Ah! Over there we have Hannes Salinger, shocktrooper." He said and pointed at a stout man with long, black hair by the firing range. "You can always count on him in the field."

"Hmm, let's see... And over there is Jane Turner, also shocktrooper." Largo gestured at a pale, brown-haired woman by the gun racks. "Used to be a florist. Don't let it fool you, though. She's like a mad dog out there."

"Oh, and then we have Aika Thompson and Vyse Inglebard, scout and shocktrooper respectively." Largo continued and pointed at a redheaded girl with pigtails sparring with a darkhaired boy, who had a transparent eyepatch over his right eye. "Very reliable, both of them, although Vyse might drag you into unwanted situations."

Largo took another look around the area and scratched his head. "Well, seems there are no more around here. The rest is probably at the mess hall or the barracks. Follow me."

At the mess hall, Largo identified a few more of his squad mates.

"The goof over there is Ted Ustinov, scout." He said and pointed at a spiky-haired boy. The boy was talking to a woman with black hair, which covered her left eye. The woman seemed to be ignoring him, but the boy kept talking. "And the woman he's trying to talk to is Marina Wulfstan, one of our snipers. Not much of a social person."

Largo sighed and shook his head while mumbling something in his breath. "Anyway, next there's Freesia York, scout. She's quite a good dancer, but no less a soldier." He continued and pointed out a tanned girl with dark-brown hair. "And finally, there's Wendy Cheslock." He gestured at a woman with brown hair, hidden under a white cap. "She's the closest thing we've got to an explosives expert. I suggest you keep your distance at a ten feet minimum."

"That's all?" Christian asked after being silent the whole time.

"No, there's plenty more. But it's getting a little late. I think you'd better find your room before lights out." Largo grinned and placed his hand on Christian's shoulder. "Come on, kid. Time to get ready for bed!"

"Hey! I'm not a damn ki-yaaah!" Christian was unable to finish his reply as Largo yanked him towards the door and dragged him outside.