A stubby walks towards a dead soldier who is leaning against a destroyed car and observes the gun on his hand. It ponders how a weapon so primitive and almost ineffective towards its kind was enough to wipe out an entire army of them. The machine walks towards the weapon...only to be shot in the head by an unseen shooter. In the distance is a militia soldier accompanied by a squad of three. The soldier shakes his head in annoyance at the machine trying to desecrate the dead. His team is a reconnaissance one and is among a division known as the 718th aka Spearhead division. A division known to go head first into unknown lands to explore.
"Another one Alex? This whole mission feels like a target practice range and the machines are the dummies." A soldier sarcastically sighed while smoking. He's armed with a spitfire light machine gun and a smart pistol holster on his waist. His helmet has a dent on it alongside goggles on his chocolate colored eyes and clean shaven face and skin. Beside him is a soldier wearing glasses and drinking from a water pouch while another is looking at the surroundings through his binoculars. Private James Alex has always been the sharp shot of the group, his skills are so sharp to the point he can clear out a group of machines from a distance.
"Can't agree with you more Aiello. A waste of ammo and resources, it's better off we carpet bomb this place to hell." James replied. Its bad enough they're in a planet that was once the home to mankind that was turned into a Terminator-esque wasteland draped in grey but the Militia is just a glorified janitor to YoRHa. Cleaning up there mess. At least the recruits who wants some action have something to shoot at for practice. The squad is busy taking a breaking after an hour of patrol as guns cackle in the distance because of Militia and YoRHa forces sweeping into buildings or on the streets to clear out the machines.
"Well at least this doesn't involve time travel and the machines aren't shooting back." The white skinned soldier near Aiello added.
"You're right Stiles. Now if there are machines nearby that understood English, it's gonna be your fault when they decide to time travel and kill us all before we leave earth." Aiello sassed Stiles who chuckles. The two were always Alex's friends since basic training and nothing could change that. All three of them grew up in the same neighborhood and got into Goonies-like adventures minus the criminals. They've been through numerous engagements like Typhon although mostly as backup when they're in ships. James doesn't know how they got into Spearhead, maybe its because of there strive to keep on moving or going headfirst into battle but here they are. The most elite of the grunts...but not as elite as a pilot.
"Can you keep down both of you? I'm trying to focus on anything metal and walking." Then there was sergeant Duhamel. Tough as nails and never knowing when to quit which has been a problem. The motto of spearhead was taken from an old division from the US Army called the 1st infantry division which was No mission too difficult, no sacrifice too great. Duty first! And Duhamel...Duhamel took that motto seriously. But he's settled in with the three despite his harsh mood. Alex spots a small biped walking across the road with eyes glowing red and its small arms spinning and heads straight towards them. The soldier shoots the machine in the head which kills it immediately. What they don't notice is that they are being watching by someone on a building.
"Hey Alex, doesn't this take ya back to when we just stuck around waiting for the bus?" Aiello asked.
"Yep. Sitting around as the bus schedule near the stop is downright useless and bus came in late...Sometimes a little too early to the point they had to come in pairs." Alex replied and takes a sip from his water pouch on his back. Duhamel turns to them wondering which stop was this on in Harmony since he is from the city but doesn't recognize the stop they are talking about. The male android continues observing them as they take a break and sit on the ground to eat some rations.
"Wait where was this stop at?" Duhamel replied while eating some crackers with ham on them. The 1st stole food from the IMC most of the time after raiding a base since IMC POW's would end up eating some food in a prison. The results end up with most of the division having more exquisite food compared to the others although they acknowledge that its stolen which puts them in the same place as the other grunts of the Militia but earned them the nickname of vultures. Alex opens his rectangular shaped ration pack revealing it to contain some crackers, peas, ham, and beef stew. He never did like to steal from others though. The rest of the team opens more of there food. Alex turns his head around feeling that something is watching them from the building behind him.
"Guerrero street." Stiles answered as he ate his spaghetti.
"Oh damn. I heard that street had some kind of domestic dispute that resulted in a lawyer killing himself." He sighed remembering that from his childhood. Alex continues looking up as the conversation fades behind him knowing that someone or something is looking down below them. Its that gut feeling that he always taught since basic. Something is in that building and watching them closely. Now it could be anything but machine is on top of his list of possible threats. According to intel reports, its going to jump straight at them and attack like most of its combat maneuvers work.
"Something the matter?" Duhamel asks him.
"Think someone is watching us..." Alex replied causing a sense of urgency among the group causing him to pick up his rifle. He looks around for a moment at the building as if something is there. The soldier puts on his night vision goggles in the process to see what is watching them. So far there is nothing but he could see a shape that resembles a human in someway. The other soldiers too notice as Alex tilts his head behind the sights of his rifle. Duhamel motions Alex to call out to the unknown watcher. Alex gulps and breathes out...
"We know you're up there! Come out or we will fire!" Alex ordered as Aiello pulls out his rocket launcher from his back and points it. He sees a pair of hands raised with both being human. The figure walks up revealing himself to be an android which is distinguishable because of his Resistance outfit causing all soldiers to stand down. He has brown skin and black hair with a rather cleanly look to him alongside a clean shaven appearance.
"Wait! Wait! I need your help." The android pleaded to them.
"What do you want?" Duhamel asked.
"Machines have stolen a couple of classified data. I need your help in retrieving it."