So, things are going to start building up – for a lot of things… Enjoy!

Bulldozer sighs deeply, before he stands up and shoves his chair under the table. For a moment Issy thought he was going to walk out. "Well, come then. Let's go put in our request before I change my mind."

The whole squadron, now with Lani added to their ranks, got up and walked out of the garage and to the Leadership offices. The receptionist next to the lifts told Issy that Harrison was in a meeting, but they could leave a note with her and she'll pass it onto Harrison.

Issy looks to each of her squaddies in turn, pausing finally on BD, who motions her forward. "Squadron 226 would like to submit a request to transfer over to the frontlines."

The receptionist quickly writes it down before smiling up at them. "Okay, I'll get that passed on as soon as Harrison is free."

It had been a couple of days since 226 had put in their request to transfer and they hadn't heard anything about it so far. While Issy understood that Harrison was busy, she thought he'd jump at the chance to transfer a squadron over. During these couple of days, 226 were stuck in limbo since Harrison was too busy to set them a rota for the normal sectors. Instead, Issy used the time to show Lani to where her locker is, the armoury if there's anything wrong with her rifle – Lani almost got tackled to the floor by Soren and Elliot, who were very hyperactive for their first day on the job – and introduce her to some of the guys Issy talks to at her station.

Hector joined them when Issy was introducing Lani to Vinny, who had a was working on a truck engine.

"What's a sweet thing like you doing joining a bunch of misfits like 'em?" Vinny winked at Lani, who giggle.

"Well, thank god I'm just as crazy."

Issy laughed, nodding. "That's a good answer."

"Hey Beta," Hector started when Vinny went back to work, and Lani went off to join her brother for lunch. "You hear anything from Harrison yet?"

Issy shook her head, a frown forming on her mouth. "No. You would have thought we would have by now."

"You wanna go up and check?" He offered as they begun to walk out of the garage.

"Yeah, I was thinking of going up anyway."

Since it was lunch, Hec and Issy didn't see many people on the climb up to the Leadership offices. The same receptionist greeted them when the pair stepped off the lift.

"Hello again." She smiled. "Your request has been cancelled, there's no need to worry."

Hector stopped a step behind her in shock but Issy shook any emotion from her face and instead appear thankful. "Oh, has it?" Inside, Issy was nothing but furious. It had been hers and her squad's decision. It wasn't right from someone to withdraw it without asking her opinion first. Though even if they had, Issy would have told them to go fuck themselves.

"Yes. It's okay, the front lines are a scary place nowadays, there wouldn't have been any shame if you had come here yourself to withdraw it." Rather than speaking condescendingly, the receptionist spoke with a soft voice, like Issy was some frightened rabbit… "Though I can understand why you sent Eric instead." Everything nerve in Issy froze, her breath stuck in her lungs. "That man would really do anything for you."

Of fucking course it was Eric.

Issy kept the kind smile plastered on her face. Her eye twitched in annoyance and a quick look to Hector and she saw he was as equally as angry. His eyes met hers, stepping up to stand at her side, before an equally fake smile was plastered on Hec's face too. "We'd like to speak to Harrison, is he in?" Hector motioned down the corridor.

The receptionist typed a few words before beaming up at them. "Yes he is."
"Thanks."

Without another word, Issy and Hec strode down the corridor, shoulder to shoulder. When they reached Harrison's office, Hec bared his teeth in the direction of Eric's door as Issy knocked. She didn't want to look at his door. Issy couldn't believe it, she didn't want to believe it. She was too furious, too hurt that Eric had gone above her head and made a decision that wasn't even his to make.

Harrison called them in and Issy held the door open for Hector to enter before she slipped into the office herself, closing the door behind them. Harrison's office was still a mess and he seemed to be in the process of filing some reports away when he turned to greet them.

"Oh, hello again Issy, Hector." Harrison nodded at them and continues to file away the folders. "What can I do for you?"

Issy was stood in the middle of the office with her hands clasped in front of her. Hector stood just a step behind her; hands positioned in the same way. "A couple of days ago, my squadron and I put in a request. After not hearing anything for a few days, Hec and I thought we'd check it out and it seems there's been a problem." Issy smiled. "No worries though. We now know it's better to come directly to the Leader in question."

"What request is it?"

Hec speaks up. "We want to transfer over to the front lines." Harrison drops the file in his hands and faces the soldiers in shock. "We're aware that there are limited squadrons with too much to cover, making them have longer shifts. They shouldn't have to go through that."

"We're also aware that we might not be able to transfer back once everything has calmed down and we're willing to take that risk."

Harrison opens his mouth and closes it again, looking from Issy to Hector. "You're all sure?"

"Positive." Issy answers.

The Leader nods before going over to his desk and pressing one of the buttons on a device. "Max, it's Harrison. Please come over to my office right away."

It's a few moments before the door opens and Max strides in, shutting the door behind him. the Head Leader stares at Issy, who inclines her head in his direction, and Hector. "What is it?"

"Um," Harrison starts. "Captain Beta and her squadron have requested to transfer over to the front lines."

Max's head whips from the soldiers to Harrison. "What?"

"Sir," Hector intervenes. "We're aware that there's too much ground for the advanced squadrons to cover, making them have ridiculously long shifts. We just want to help."

Max turns to Issy, staring her down. Issy meets his gaze confidently. "Are you sure? It's nothing like the skirmishes you've been in."

"We believe that peace is hard won, that sometimes it is necessary to fight for peace." Issy quoted the manifesto at him.

Max sighed, rubbing his face. "Harrison can you make sure that 226 have the necessary kit for their transfer? Choose a good squadron for them to shadow as they learn the ropes and make an appointment with Christina to get their measurement for their armor." He turns back to Issy and Hector, both of whom are trying not to outwardly smile. "I hope you know what you're doing."

"Sir!"