Right, we're going to start to see the OCs coming in here, the next two chapters are already written, just proof-reading and waiting to publish, and they use the OCs quite heavily, so that should be good :)


SSV Cambrai, Horsehead Nebula

1245

"This is Colonel Hunter, we're coming in for landing."

The shuttle lurched slightly as it swung to a halt in the Cambrai's hangar bay, and the two men in the back both clutched at the shuttle's sides to stay upright. As the shuttle finally levelled out, the colonel took another look at his companion – Captain Murphy's armour, like his own, sported the distinctive N7 badge on the chest plate, and he was examining a Mantis sniper rifle with interest.

"We're here," Logan muttered. Zach slipped the Mantis back onto his back, and joined him at the door. "Ready?"

"Well, it can't be as bad as the real N7," the captain chuckled. "Their training's a crash course, ours was a bitch."

"True enough," the colonel nodded. With that, the two of them lapsed into silence, and the shuttle door swung upwards to reveal the Cambrai's hangar. A square-jawed officer was waiting for them as they stepped off the shuttle, flanked by two Alliance marines in full uniform.

"Colonel Hunter, Captain Murphy," the man grunted, throwing a rough salute. "Ops Chief Palmer. I'm in charge of the N7 teams."

"Funny..." Zachary murmured. "I was under the impression Hackett was in command..."

Logan cracked a little smirk at that, and tried hard to suppress it as the chief glowered at them. Smirking or otherwise, he turned his back to them and set off across the hangar. As he did, the colonel caught the eye of one of the marine bodyguards through his visor – the marine simply rolled his eyes, as if to say, "Yeah... I know."

"Operation Chariot was carried out this morning," Palmer continued, shouting over his shoulder. "Four of our more able operatives infiltrated a Cerberus base to recover deployment data. The Admiral wants to follow up with strikes to several of the Cerberus deployments uncovered –"

"Damn right," Logan growled, under his breath.

"– but I still have doubts over the volunteers' combat abilities."

"I thought you said the first operation was a success?" Captain Murphy interjected, sounding confused.

"That only tested four of the recruits," the chief sighed, as if speaking to a three-year-old. "We don't know whether the others are up to scratch. You're here to find that out."

"I've read the dossiers, Palmer," Logan scowled. "These aren't FNGs, they're highly trained individuals – commandos, marines, mercenaries..."

"Nonetheless," Palmer continued, ignoring him almost entirely. "Admiral Hackett pulled you from your previous deployments because he wants these teams to live up to the name N7... From tomorrow, you'll be running combat drills with the volunteers to make sure they're up to scratch."

"Got it," the colonel muttered – Palmer was already starting to annoy him. "Where are our quarters?"

"The Admiral insisted you be given officers' quarters."

"I'll pass," Murphy interrupted. "Just point me to the bunks, I'll stay with the other volunteers."

"Very well... The crew quarters have been insufficient for the number of soldiers on board, I believe the other N7 recruits have been setting up a makeshift dormitory here in the hangar."

Sure enough, as Logan looked to one side, he saw a makeshift collection of bunks, mattresses, hammocks and other articles scattered amidst a collection of cargo crates on the far side of the hangar. It looked surprisingly comfortable, not that that mattered to the average marine...

"As for you, Colonel Hunter, you'll be in the XO's office, it's on the crew deck, behind the mess hall. You should find everything you need to co-ordinate the team's efforts in there."

"Much appreciated, Chief," the colonel muttered, through thinly-veiled sarcasm. "We'll introduce ourselves to the men tonight. What sort of time frame are we looking at for training?"

"You'll have tomorrow and the next day," Palmer replied, shortly. "The next operation is planned for three days' time, and it's going to be a big one..."