Ch.3

Ranger's POV

Lt. Stone eh? I studied the man as he held out his hand for a handshake. He looked probably either around my age or a few years older, with short brown hair kept under a burgundy beret. His one chocolate brown eye was probably studying me; his other eye was hidden behind a black eye patch. His sigma suit was similar to mine, except where mine had green trimming, his was burgundy as well. He had a slim build, but his muscle definition was visible, this guy was in top physical condition. He had a handsome, chiseled face that looked ready to smirk at any given point.

"Ranger is it? Finally glad to meet you lass." I firmly returned his handshake.

"Nice to meet you to, Stone-sempai." The Japanese translator looked ready to explain, but Stone waved him off.

"Sempai, anyone who is one's senior in a hierarchical organization. Am I correct?" I had to be impressed, this guy did his homework. "I'm a man that takes pride in knowing facts."

I let a small smirk cross my face. "So I noticed." I turned back to General Hawk. "Mind telling me what exactly is this project that I'm supposed to be joining?"

The general merely looked amused. "You'll find out soon enough. You are both dismissed." Stone and I gave salutes before heading out.

Lt. Stone's POV

I had to admit, I was dubious when General Hawk contacted me and stated that he had found a new member to join Sigma 6 that had unique skills. We had many people who had potential to join the team, but I thought we were set. When he invited me to view a demonstration of the new member's skills, I had to see for myself. When I saw Ranger's skills against the training bots, to say the very least, it was bloody brilliant. She didn't even break a sweat as she smashed them.

When I had my chance to meet her face to face, I could see why some might doubt her skills. She was of a little over average height, straight backed and proud. Long raven black hair was tied carefully up into a high ponytail while dark green eyes portrayed nothing, but confidence. She had the distinct features of a full blooded Japanese, with almond shaped eyes and delicate features. When she had shaken my hand, I could feel the strength that churned just below the surface, this lass was someone who could take a hit and give it right back.

"So, Stone-sempai, judging from how your accent is different from the others around here, I'm guessing your not exactly a native?"

I smirked slightly at her. "Indeed, you're from Japan, my home country is England." Ranger looked a little confused. "I take it you've never been there?"

She shook her head. "Most of the missions I had to undertake were all in Japan, my…handicap made it hazardous for me to do missions outside of the country." I raised an eyebrow. "Handicap?"

A wistful smile crossed her face. "Long story, but let's say I'm a bit unique where I come from. I'm limited in what I can or cannot do compared to a normal shinobi." She gave me a look. "But that doesn't mean I'm helpless."

I held my hands up in a mortifying gesture. "I never implied that lass."

She gave an impish smirk. "I never said that you did." Well, that was…surprising. This was going to be an interesting day.

Ranger's POV

I gaped…and gaped some more. That…thing was huge! Stone explained that it wasn't finished, but I couldn't help it. It apparently was supposed to be a sea mobile base that Sigma 6 was going to use when it was completed.

A hand waved in my face returned my attention back to earth. "Lass? You looked like you've seen a ghost."

I coughed and hid my face as I could feel the heat rising. "Um, it's just…I've never seen anything on this scale before." Well, I was lying; there was ONE thing I had seen that could kind of compare to this thing…"This…thing is supposed to be a base?"

Stone gave me a smirk. "Yes, and 'it' is known as the Sea Titan, as I said before, its not yet operational, but a few more months…"

"Uh…yea, I got the picture." I rubbed the back of my head; this was definitely a lot to take in.

Stone gave me a look like he understood what was going on through my head. "Well then, I'd better introduce you to the last member of our little group." I looked up; there was one more person? Stone suddenly looked behind me and smiled. "Oh good timing chap, I was just about to call for you." I whipped around to face the newcomer.

He was about Stone's height, probably a few inches over six feet, with black hair cropped partly short. Equally dark eyes were studying me, set in a handsome face, in a roguish way, complete with a small and neat goatee. His sigma suit was more elaborate then mine or Stone's, with flame orange trimming with metal plating on the shoulders and elbows. He had a single steel earring on his left ear. "Who's the new chick?" His voice had a rough tone to it, compared to Stone's smoother voice. He was also just slightly more muscularly built then Stone was. I bristled; no one called me a chick.

Stone's hand was suddenly on my arm, he had probably sensed my irritation. "Firefly, meet Ranger, she'll be joining us." Firefly gave me a closer look once he learned my name, before a cocky smile crossed his face.

"Ranger huh? I must wonder…" He held my free hand on the arm that wasn't being held by Stone, which happened to be my left and raised it. "Can you fight as well as you look?" Before he could kiss my hand, I darted it back.

"We'll just have to see about that won't we?" I gave him a cautious look, this guy seemed a little too confident in himself. "I just joined, so you'll have to wait." The guy gave me another look I couldn't decipher, until the grin came back.

"I look forward to it, so what are your humble skills to the team?" I gave Stone a confused look, what was this guy talking about?

Stone gave me another understanding look. "He means what your specialties are. For example, my primary functions within Sigma 6 are being a pilot and a covert ops specialist."

Firefly smirked before pointing a thumb at himself. "I happen to be the team's, or will be the team's, sabotage, demolitions, and electronic warfare expert." By the word electronic, I had a blank look at my face. I had no clue what they…wait a sec. I had recalled a conversation I had overheard with General Hawk talking to his own superiors, what did he say I did? Oh, now I remember.

"Uh…well." Stone and Firefly looked at me expectantly. "I think someone mentioned my specialties were enemy infiltration, sabotage, and reconnaissance. Also another ninja to the team I guess…" I decided not to mention that the general had said my…assassination skills might also be useful.

Firefly looked at appreciatively at me. "Hey, you're a combination of me, Stone, and that ninja Snake-Eyes." I blinked at him, who the hell was Snake-Eyes?

As if reading my mind, Stone answered. "Snake-Eyes is a chap that's on current active duty with Sigma 6." Oh…he was a ninja? It would be interesting to meet him…and I noticed that Stone had released my arm at some point without me noticing. "Now then, Ranger, I still need to give you the rest of the tour." He gave Firefly a look. "We'll see you later chap."

Firefly waved his hand in a dismissive manner before striding off. I watched as he disappeared around a corner, I got the feeling I had to watch myself around him. But I quickly turned my thoughts back to the task at hand as Stone led the way; I still had a lot to learn.

Some time later

After the tour, Stone had shown me my room before leaving to perform whatever duties he had overseeing this project. My room was pretty plain, he had stated it was temporary and we all would have permanent quarters on the Sea Titan itself when it was ready. Not that I had a problem with that, I've stayed in far worse.

As I lay on my back with my hands folded behind my head, I stared at the ceiling. I had already removed my sigma suit and was dressed in a plain pair of black pajamas. A lot had happened to be within the past week, a whole lot. I sensed that I was never going to able to go home, which meant I would have to adapt to this new home. I smirked; it was going to be interesting. I let all my thoughts wash away for now, it had been a long day, I was going to need all the rest I could get. I welcomed the darkness of sleep as I closed my eyes.

Thanks again to Jared for helping me with ideas and proofreading. There might still be minor errors, oh well, I'll fix them later. ;) Anyways, enjoy!