A few notes:

I do not own Command & Conquer, Tiberian Sun, or Firestorm, nor do I claim to. Based on my opinion, some aspects of the games have been changed to suit the story I want.

Additional information on this story can be found on my profile. I suggest you read it.

Warning! May contain excessive cursing.

You have my sincere thanks for viewing my story! I would greatly appreciate any reviews – after you've read what I have, of course. R&R, basically. Enjoy!

------------------------------------------------------

They stared after him, equally surprised by his reaction. Rico hoped Mikura wouldn't turn on him. Anger always seemed to be contagious, and was usually directed at the youngest, most inexperienced person of the group. He sighed, slowly forming an apology in his mind, fearing that any more disputes could grow into a problem. Without the cooperation and friendship of his comrades, survival was just that much more difficult.

"They're just upset that you didn't seem grateful," Mikura said suddenly.

"Uh – but Larairus –"

"Larairus," he interrupted, "is no one to worry over. He's usually alright, but comforting others is something he won't tolerate if he can get away with it. And with the way Aera acted, he's on edge – tense. He'll probably avoid referring to what happened here."

"Why? Is Aera usually calm?" Rico was beginning to feel more annoyed and sulky over guilty and shameful. What was with everyone? They were so uptight and quick to anger. Was someone pulling on their leashes? Was Rico going to be caught in that net as well?

"Well… yeah. He's the leader right now." Rico felt alone now. He'd thought he'd found a friend in Aera, but he'd made an enemy. Mikura's voice dropped to a whisper. "And… he can't decide if women should have the right to be soldiers."

Rico blinked, utterly confused. What did that have to do with anything?

"It's not that he can't… Larairus, I mean… he can't decide if women can be soldiers. It's not that he can't – doesn't think they should be allowed." Mikura's hands came up and gripped his helmet as Rico waited for him to continue. He pulled it off and set it down on the bench.

Rico, who was studying the floor at the time, saw the piece of armour come down in his peripheral vision and looked up to come face to face with a woman likely in her early twenties. Her blondish-brown hair was spiked towards her right, and was only just long enough to catch the wind. She had a slender jaw that tapered off to a tiny chin, but she looked like she was built for war, not comfortable living or play-fighting. She regarded him steadily through hazel eyes and said, "He just doesn't know."

"But…" Rico was surprised and puzzled, not quite believing. But he knew what was going on. There was nothing wrong. One did not become someone else simply because one put on a mask. She was no different. He had made assumptions. He knew the facts now, but he could not let that change his perspective. She was still Mikura. "It doesn't matter. You made it this far – you're a veteran!"

"With help."

"No one gets by alone."

"Some do."

"They don't fault themselves for it."

"How would you know?"

Now it was Rico's turn to be angry. "Are you trying to prove you can do this or you can't?" he demanded. "Pity never got anyone anywhere!"

Mikura seemed taken aback by the sudden outburst. She didn't say anything, and she did not avert her gaze, yet she didn't appear to focus on Rico, either. She was looking past him. Rico then realized that someone was standing almost behind him. He turned slowly, then snapped back to face straight ahead. A big hand settled on his shoulder. "Rico." It was Aera. He turned again. "Where's Larairus?" Aera didn't sound angry.

"He got out," Rico responded, determined to show he could be useful.

"That idiot," Aera muttered. "I hope he didn't plan on walking. He could get himself killed."

"Larairus knows better," Mikura said with a small smile.

"Well, with us or not, we're moving in 30 seconds. He either dies or he makes it." Despite Aera's words, there was little doubt that 'he either dies' would be a lot more punishing than he made it sound.

Mikura nodded and sat back. Rico found it hard to settle in. Everyone seemed to be so tense and quick to anger, or was acting oddly. Or, at least, oddly around him. Was something going on? He frowned at the floor. If everyone was keeping a secret, they were going a good job. He wondered if it had anything to do with status. They were all superior soldiers – maybe the 'new people' were often found to be burdens. But that wasn't fair. He'd hardly ever been out – they couldn't judge him like this. Not this early.

The door in the back suddenly slid open and Esheika – or supposedly Esheika- stepped forward, shutting it behind him. Or her. He strode forward, and Rico could just sense the authority in his firm and steady steps. He gave Rico and Mikura a swift nod without halting for a proper greeting, and disappeared to the front. He didn't seem to have even acknowledged Aera's presence, but Rico had the notion that they had exchanged glances through their crimson visors as he passed. He guessed that Esheika was not going to be someone well-known to him, nor someone he would be talking to anytime soon.

The APC started to rumble, and it jerked in such a steep downward motion that Rico found himself thrown sideways against Mikura. But she was ready. She'd held her arm towards the ceiling with he elbow at shoulder height, and her other hand was grasping a handle above her that Rico hadn't noticed before. Obviously, this was to be expected from veterans who knew how to stay comfortable in vehicles. At that moment, all Rico knew was pain in his shoulder from slamming into Mikura's armoured forearm. He was surprised at the strength she had to remain exactly as she was, and prevent him from throwing her into disarray as well, at the same time.

Aera hadn't moved – he'd clamped a hand on a bar built into the wall. When the APC righted itself and caught a regular pace, Rico was grateful he'd been holding onto his launcher, as he returned to his former seat. He didn't bother apologizing – no one would care. Why would they? It was his own fault and he'd paid for it in bruises.

Aera and Mikura let go. Mikura put her helmet back on, and Rico lost that sense of knowing and understanding; as if she had just shrouded herself in a darkness that he could not penetrate. It was just him now. He had no fog in which to hide – only the beacon of light that marked him as useless. No, just worthless.

He glanced at the door through which Larairus had vanished, realizing no one had closed it, only to find it shut. Aera must have closed it. The APC likely wouldn't have been able to get underground if there was a protruding object.

Aera sat down close to the edge of the opposite bench after what felt like hours. Rico wondered if Esheika had more power than Aera. But in the back of his mind, he knew it was so. Esheika seemed to have an air about him that made everyone hurry to their duties and respond to his orders without question. He acted like a real commander whom not everyone would have a chance to meet. He also likely knew everything that was going on. But just how high was Esheika on the chain of command? Mikura had said Aera was the 'leader.' So what was going on?

The three spent the trip lost in their own thoughts, and no one left or entered the room, nor did anyone speak a word. But it wasn't an uncomfortable silence. It was rather relaxing, or, at least, calming, and all the anger in Aera seemed to have evaporated. This, Rico was glad for.

When the APC angled upward – Rico was ready this time – and finally halted, Rico was almost asleep. There had been nothing much to do than think. Esheika appeared and did not even look at them. He pushed through the door before the APC had completely stopped, hopping out nimbly with his rifle at the ready. Aera stood up and motioned them to follow. He stepped outside with Mikura close behind. Rico did the same, and blinked in the sudden light. They were at the major NOD base of the region.

They were just outside the black stone walls. Ahead was a grey gate marked in yellow and black stripes at the top. On either side was a gigantic gun-like structure painted red and black – lasers for shooting down unwelcome guests. Groups of bored-looking light infantry guarded this area, chatting, practicing, and surveying. There was a sound of a weight being dropped on the sand behind the newcomers, and Rico turned around, wondering what was next. Larairus, visor down, had jumped from the back of the APC to the ground – Rico knew it was Larairus from the way he had slung his rifle over a single shoulder instead of over the head as well. But how had he gotten to the base so quickly?

"Rico."

A cold, rough hand seized his jaw and forced his head back towards the base. It was Mikura. But she wasn't looking at him. Esheika was approaching the gate, and they were to follow. Mikura took a few steps before releasing him, and did not make sure he was following. He went with them, clutching his launcher tightly to his shoulder.

One of the guards noticed them, and nudged another soldier nearby to alert him to their presence. It wasn't long until both groups, large as they were, had formed up in precise ranks and files and, standing at attention, were saluting. It seemed that Esheika was an officer. Rico found it strange that even with armour, everyone knew each other; but then, posture and the way one carried oneself was very important. And Esheika was definitely an intimidating figure demanding regard.

He was relived to see that there were newer soldiers such as himself amongst the veterans – so he wasn't the only one.

Then someone approached from behind the ranks and stood before the gate. Esheika didn't hesitate and continued. He stopped just in front of the other man.

At first glance, Rico had thought this other person was another veteran, but he was wrong. The armour was different. The edges of the different pieces – such as the shoulders and knees – were engraved with a single line of polished silver. His helmet was adorned with a streak of the same hue, one on each cheek, and the NOD emblem – a scorpion's tail inside a triangle with its corners missing – on his chest was grey. This was certainly no veteran. This was an elite. There were very few of them in the entire army. With the requirement of so much experience, skill, and leadership, it was extremely difficult to rise to such a rank.

Esheika must have spoken, and very quietly, for Rico haven't heard any of it, because the elite nodded and stepped aside, slinging his rifle over his head. Esheika gestured towards the gate, looking back at his comrades, before moving forward again. The big structure trembled, and Rico felt the floor vibrate as it slid roughly into the trench in which it was built. Esheika stepped over it and everyone else followed suit. He gave Aera a nod, and, before a word could be said, he was already gone into the maze of buildings.

The gate closed behind them, and Aera stepped forward. "Right," he said. "We're dismissed for now."