I know that everything seems slow at the moment but I promise action soon. Please send feedback and I'll make changes if necessary. As for pairings I'm considering Faldio and Avril at the moment. The additional OCs will only play supporting roles, only one per chapter perhaps.
The first thing Alan did after leaving Torres' office was to find out where he would be billeting. He remembered that it was supposed to be in the Bachelor Officers Quarters as opposed to the main barracks buildings for enlisted personnel. The BOQ was where most commissioned officers without dependants stayed. After asking at least four different people for directions he finally found himself in the right corridor. Finding his room he unlocked the door to a sparsely furnished room with a single bed, wardrobe and a desk. Between each pair of rooms there was an additional room that connected the two containing a small kitchen and behind that a bathroom. This area was obviously meant to be shared between the occupants of both rooms.
Thinking that he'd better find out who he'd be sharing the toilet with, Alan walked outside to his neighbour's door and knocked. No one answered so he checked the room number but there was no name in the slot yet. Cursing under his breath he turned around to look at the pair of rooms opposite just as Faldio exited one of them.
"Oh hello there. Lt Reyes I presume?" he greeted.
"Yes that's me and you're…?"
"I'm Lt Faldio Landzaat the commanding officer of Squad 1, your squad and mine will be working together."
"I see, I'd only just been briefed twenty minutes ago. How did you know who I was so quickly?"
"Ah…" replied Faldio, "Under the new joint command structure each commanding officer is assigned to billet next to his counterpart. And that room you're standing just outside happens to be Welkin Gunther's, I happen to know that you've been assigned to him so that's how I know who you are."
"Well I guess that would make sense Lt Landzaat."
"Just call me Faldio."
"Alright Faldio, call me Alan then… So do you know Lt Gunther?" asked he after a slight pause.
"Of course I do, same university year but different classes, he was into biology, mainly zoology or something like that. I did archaeology."
Alan noticed how he and Faldio were similar in age and asked, "Did you finish your studies?"
"Nah, the war obviously interrupted everything and under policy of Universal Conscription everyone was called up for active duty."
Alan was truly taken aback. "Straight out of college and into the firing line? That's kinda sudden. How long did you guys get to train?"
Strangely enough Faldio waved it off. "Don't look so surprised; even before conscription into the Militia everyone who goes to school has military training. Tertiary education doubles as officer school."
"Wow and I thought West Point was intense," thought Alan aloud.
"What's that? And how did you start military service?" Faldio questioned curiously.
"I enrolled at West Point Military Academy when I was 17, spent four years there and graduated in the class of 2019." Alan held up his class ring. "Didn't know what to do after that, so since I had an officer's commission in the army I went to Ranger School and then the Special Forces Qualification Course. Then I got sent out with the Force for my first mission and here I am."
"A newly trained spec-ops officer huh? You're already way overqualified here," said Faldio; it was his turn to be surprised.
"But I never saw combat till…" Alan stopped and chewed his lip. "Well until last week. I almost got my chance at the start of the year when Artemis Corporation went to war with us; it took… say less than 3 days before they capitulated. By the time we'd mobilised from Ft Bragg the war was over and the job of hunting down the head honchos went to some unit called D Company, 4th Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group." He stopped, realising he'd gone off on a tangent.
Faldio stood there with his mouth open. As soon as he'd regained composure he said, "Wow, a war fought and won in less than 3 days… That's really beyond my imagination. You sure are a lot more open than my liaison living next door."
"Who's that?"
"Lt Avril Dolburn, from the 10th Battalion of the 4th Psychological Operations Group. That's all I got out of her after she moved in."
Alan started chewing his lip, suddenly feeling uncomfortable which Faldio noticed.
"Something wrong?"
"No, it's just that Avril and I aren't really on speaking terms."
This caught Faldio's attention. "Oh, so you two…"
"No," cut in Alan, "What you're suggesting is totally in the opposite direction. What I mean is that we had a personal rivalry during our time at West Point, it extended beyond simply the curriculum you see…"
"So you and her were like… enemies?"
He nodded.
"Geez, but she said you were friends and she even checked up on you in hospital."
"Yeah, that was the first time I saw her ever since graduation, caught a glimpse of her at the door to my room and that was it. They say she's intelligent, adaptive and competitive. I say she's cunning, manipulative and ruthless."
"Ah well, I didn't think she was too nasty to me… she just needs time I reckon…" Faldio replied with a wink.
Alan didn't look convinced. He was tempted to ask how many of Avril's ex-boyfriends Faldio had spoken to.
Faldio checked his watch and said, "Listen I'd better get going now, time really flies you know…"
They shook hands and he said, "I look forward to working with you in the future.'
As he left Alan called after him, "Hey Faldio!"
He turned, "Yeah?"
"I almost forgot to ask… what's Lt Gunther like?"
Faldio just smiled wryly in response. "I won't spoil the surprise but I think both of you will work together well."
Alan studied the personnel files alone on a table in the mess hall. He arrived halfway through lunch after studying the Vasel and Kloden victories by Squad 7. He shuddered at the thought of having to work with Avril again; remembering the hours spent 'walking the area' in the barracks courtyard as punishment because of her.
He first looked at the files which consisted of JSF specialists, picking out only the important details. According to the set guidelines only one will be available for each operation.
Sergeant Liam Rossi, 26. Born in Utah, joined the Marine Corps and then Force Recon and trained as a scout sniper. Repeatedly earned Expert grades as a rifleman for his Marksmanship badge. Tours of duty in Brazil during the war with Las Trinidad and north-eastern US during the Artemis conflict.
Semper Fidelis
Eagle, Globe and Anchor
Typical jarhead cut and the face has a pinkish tinge due to acne scars. Maybe I'll troll him by asking if he's in the army.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Eric Bell, 28. Philadelphia born and bred. Navy SEAL Team 2. Pioneer infantry which combined the roles of a combat engineer, EOD specialist and anti-tank gunner. A member of the team during the botched mission in Copenhagen. Fought in the Baltics, Russia and Germany in the war.
The Only Easy Way Was Yesterday
Eagle and the Trident
Look at those BCGs (Birth Control Glasses), but he looks like he can carry all his gear without the Pioneer exoskeleton.
The next one which was unexpected.
Staff Sergeant Sierra Harris, 27. Lived in New Orleans during and in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Completed a nursing degree at John Hopkins University. Joined Air Force Pararescue. Brief peacekeeping stint in Mali before the war, no prior combat experience otherwise. Combat medic assigned to a support role for Squad 7.
That Others May Live
An angel holding a globe in front of a parachute.
From an angle she looks a bit like a slimmed down Beyonce. Seems like she'll be getting her front line job after all.
Sergeant Syd Martin, 25. Commando from the New Zealand Special Air Service, CQB and hand-to-hand combat specialist. UK, Canadian, Australian and NZ Special Forces regularly went on exchange with the JSF following its inception. Operated alongside Australian forces in counter-drug and terrorist operations around the Pacific Rim.
Who Dares Wins
The famous Winged Dagger
Looks more like a surfer kid, what's more is that he's older than me. The girls will surely fall for that light tan of his.
Alan looked up as he heard the clamour announcing the arrival of Squad 7 in the mess hall.
"Can't believe it we're going to be last. Everyone else gets to try out the new toys," complained Wendy Cheslock as she picked up a tray.
"Oh quit whining, I heard we're going to meet our new guy today," said Hermes behind her.
She didn't seem to care, saying, "But gave you seen Squad 5 out on the field trying out the Mk.47 grenade launcher? It looked sooo awesome how one gun made the field look like it was under concentrated mortar bombardment. The sooner he comes the sooner we get to try the new toys."
"The sooner he comes the sooner we can meet those new specialists. I heard one of them is some hawt paramedic," said Salinas Milton as his meal was slopped onto his plate.
"Hell yeah!" replied Hermes enthusiastically, "Let's see who can get her number first."
"You're on!" The two of them fist bumped.
Wendy scowled as she looked from her two overexcited squadmates to the pile of food on her plate. Unsure which she was more disgusted with she stalked off to find a seat.
"Who are those two strapping lads? One of them looks familiar," thought Alan as he opened the folder with the Squad 7 roster.
He flicked through the photos, finding the ones that matched the two men at the line. The profiles of Salinas and Hermes confirmed they're competent in their roles as shocktrooper and scout respectively. Both seem to enjoy the company of the fairer sex. Salinas however appears to have an unusual affinity for tanks while Hermes had an important notice concerning his below average performance in PT due to chronic fatigue.
Mildly intrigued, Alan checked on the girl with the white cap and the brown streaks under her eyes whom he heard first. Wendy was a recluse who apparently blew the roof off her house before the war. Though she was a shocktrooper she enjoyed fielding homemade explosive weaponry and had been reprimanded more than once for this.
Probably threw sodium into water just for the kicks in science class.
He looked over at a large gnarly guy sat there with sideburns and a bowl of salad in front of him talking to a red headed woman.
"I heard that the Imperials stopped their advance a few days after the arrival of the Americans, maybe they got wind of their arrival," Largo mumbled through a full mouth.
Rosie shook her head, "Don't talk through a full mouth, Hans has got more manners than you I swear. Anyway if the Imperials know of their capabilities they would be withdrawing."
Largo swallowed and answered, "But right now it looks like they're just holding territory, there has been no major deployments this whole week."
"I guess we should be thankful for that… but half our country's now under occupation so this war's far from over," she replied, wiping her mouth before changing the subject. "By the way I got an idea of who this new liaison is going to be."
Alan watched as she leaned towards Largo and whispered into his ear. Largo's face changed from one of surprise, disbelief and then disgust. Hopefully they weren't talking about him he thought as he checked their profiles.
Largo Potter, a veteran from the first Europan war. Has the role of lancer or anti-tank gunner. Also the unofficial squad nutritionist and encourages vegetable consumption. Also values combat experience above all else.
Looks like I'm off to a good start.
Brigitte 'Rosie' Stark, a former bar singer now shocktrooper. Parents were killed in her early childhood. Not much after that. A post-it note on her file indicated that she's strongly prejudiced against Darcsens.
Alan checked the folder contents but there wasn't anything in the folder about Darcsens though. He might need to find an encyclopaedia or ask Lt Gunther in his spare time.
Right on cue Rosie got up to leave but bumped into Nadine on the way out.
"Next time make way, dark-hair." She shoved the blue-haired woman away before stomping off.
Thinking that was a pejorative or slur he checked for the woman with blue hair. Sure enough Nadine is a Darcsen. Feeling a little guilty about the manner in which this discovery was made he read on. She's an engineer so she's meant to repair equipment, provide ammunition and defuse explosives. Also happens to study literature at university.
Hearing a loud yelp behind him Alan turned to see a boy with orange juice running through his hair. A girl with silver hair in pigtails sat next to him holding an empty glass.
"Homer next time don't make such a silly suggestion," said Edy.
"Ahh, it feels so sticky, I need a shower after this," complained Homer. He licked some of the juice that had dribble down his face.
"That's gross Homer. I'll teach you how to behave around a lady," groaned Edy before shoving him off the bench.
It's clear who wears the pants in this relationship.
At that moment the PA system summoned Squad 7 to their hanger. Knowing that it was his cue, Alan got up as well and followed the rest of the Squad at a discreet distance.
Just outside the main hanger Welkin was waiting with Isara for the Squad and Alan to show up. Slowly the Squad streamed inside organised themselves into ranks.
Isara spotted Alan approaching, "Hey Welkin, is that him?"
"I think you're right."
Welkin put on his most welcoming smile as Alan came up.
"Are you Lt Gunther?"
"Yes that's me, Lt Reyes but just Welkin will do, we do things a little differently here."
"Alright Welkin… I guess I've got to introduce myself don't I?"
"Yeah, I've read up on your credentials and I'm impressed. The rest of the Squad don't know much about you so it will make sense. This is my sister Isara by the way."
Alan raised an eyebrow. "You're both siblings?"
"Yes, I was adopted into the Gunther family and Welkin has treated me like a sister ever since."
"I see… well pleased to meet you Isara." He turned to Welkin, "I've done some reading on your team and I'm intrigued by your unconventional style of leadership as well as your team."
Welkin smiled. "Thank you Alan, shall we go meet the Squad?"
As the three of them went inside Welkin thought, "Hasn't anyone told him that he looks like he hadn't slept for days and that tick below his eye won't really inspire much confidence."
They stopped in front of the Squad, all of them standing at attention.
Any moment now the Squad sergeant should appear thought Alan, expecting someone along the lines of Sergeant Tierce to appear. But instead a long haired brunette with a red cloth in her hair appeared.
"Squad 7 present and accounted for!" Alicia announced.
Alan was taken aback but recovered, "Umm thank you Sergeant Melchiott." He kicked himself for failing to research longer.
After an awkward silence Welkin suggested lightly, "Perhaps you would like to inspect the Squad?"
Alan answered a little too abruptly, "Yes I would Lt Gunther."
Very professional Lt Reyes.
As he walked along the front he took in the variety of faces, heights and features. He wondered how he was going to keep track of all the names. Even the captains that led ODA teams in the Green Berets only needed to remember eleven names. There were at least twenty in Squad 7.
As soon as he was done he rejoined Welkin in front for the part he was dreading most of all.
"Good afternoon everyone my name is Lt Alan Reyes. I'm a member of the United States Army Special Forces and I'll be your advisor and liaison of the rest of the Joint Strike Force. I don't need to tell you how to fight but as…" he regurgitated the speech he memorised before lunch.
Largo grunted quietly in disapproval, making eye contact with Rosie next to him. Another officer fresh out of school and one who got his whole team killed no less if what Rosie said was true.
"A sergeant once told me that on the field we're a family, we trust each other, we protect each other and we watch each other's backs. We let everything else go. I'm expecting that's the same with you."
Alan stepped back and handed over to Welkin who gave him a sympathetic pat on the back.
Who am I kidding? I'm just making a fool out of myself in front of a bunch of battle-hardened weekend warriors.
"We've got new operational orders," he began confidently, something Alan immediately envied.
"We're being sent to the central front in the Barious desert, we'll be stationed at Firebase 23-Golf for a week. When I know more I'll let you know but we need to get ready to move by 1900 this evening."
At this the Squad dispersed, the façade of unity changing into a chatting crowd of individuals wearing the same uniform.
"So…" Alan tried to find something to talk about. "What guidelines does the Militia follow for such operations?"
"In this case we just refer to FM-126," Alicia replied, "Anything the military has to do more than twice is written down in the Field Manual series as Standard Operating Procedure." She grinned goofily, "We're just that lazy."
"Amen for SOP, we do that too," said Alan.
General Devsky snapped shut his folder upon hearing the news. The click it made reverberated around the room. His aide stood, quivering at attention in front of the desk.
"You can relax..." said Devsky coldly, motioning for him to sit.
"I made it clear that we were supposed to withdraw from the Barious theatre but it seems that Damon has refused my advice," he said, more to himself as he looked up into the ceiling.
He turned to his aide, sitting on the edge of the seat. "The units of concern are Squads 7, 4 and 1 am I correct?"
"Yes sir."
Devsky pondered for a while, running his hand over his scars.
"Notify the Intelligence Support Division, outsource from the usual places if necessary."
Devsky pulled out a blank page and a fountain pen before writing in a calligraphic style.
"I'm authorising payments from these accounts, untraceable as always."
He unlocked the vault in his desk, pulled out a pair of stamps and used them on the forged note.
Colonel Jessop is acts upon my direct and personal orders in a matter of the utmost importance to the Principality of Gallia. He is answerable only to me. All personnel, military and civil, without distinction of rank will assist him in any way he sees fit.
Signed and countersigned by Cordelia gi Randgriz and Maurits von Borg respectively. It was also embossed with the Seals of House Randgriz and House Borg.
"Don't forget to return this to me as soon as you're finished," said the General as the aide got up and headed gratefully for the door.
Devsky waited until he was alone before lifting up the phone.
"Yes sir?"
"Prepare the UAV the Americans gave us."
