Alnus Hill, Special Region

October, 2016

The new base isn't that bad, all things considered. It had been set up in record time in unfamiliar territory and has a pretty nifty, if a wee bit impractical design.

Still, at least there is a working kitchen and mess hall.

First Lieutenant Yōji Itami hums lightly to himself as he brings a tray to the table, where the rest of the newly formed 'Third Recon' await.

He isn't that over the top of being put in charge of the team, if he is being honest. The responsibility to bear is a bit too much for his taste. Still, it's what the General decided on and he's in no place to complain. Well, not to him, at least.

"Oh, hey!" Sergeant Takeo Kurata greets him, "come on, Itami! We were just talking about-"

"Whether or not you'd find catgirls out there?" Sergeant Shino Kuribayashi deadpans. She glares at the two of them over a bowl of udon, no doubt silently judging the two of them. Scratch that, more like openly judging them.

Kurata's indignation is therefore understandable and Itami winces as his fellow otaku yells, "It's not just them! I'm talking about all the other cool stuff! Don't you realise what we can find out here! We can find cat-err, elves! Dragons! Orc-"

"-aliens?"

They turn to face the speaker, Sergeant Akira Tomita. The man himself sheepishly rubs the back of his head letting out a light chuckle, "I mean, it's possible, right?"

There is a brief moment of silence, before Kurata bursts out into sudden laughter, slamming his fists on the table, "Aha- that's a good one Tomita! Aliens!" He devolves into snickering, but upon noticing the older man's expression, his eyes turn comically wide, "wait, you're serious?! Dude, what made you even think that!?"

Even Kuribayashi can't help but smirk slightly. Itami simply sighs and sits down next to Kurata, giving thanks before digging into his meal.

"Well personally," Sergeant Mari Kurokawa says, smiling gently as she pats Tomita on the back, "I think his idea is just fine. Who knows! Maybe we will meet aliens here!"

Kurata wipes off an imaginary tear, still chuckling, "You serious Kurokawa? Aliens of all things? This is a fantasy world! We're not going to find any aliens out here."

"It'd be cool though…" He trails off, sighing sadly as Kurata explodes into laughter once more.

Personally, Itami doesn't really see the appeal in aliens. Too spooky in his opinion. Elf girls and wizards on the other hand...yeah, much more nicer. He shakes his head, raising his hand, "all right, geez, stop teasing him. He's had enough."

The laugher dies down as Kurata returns to his meal while Tomita sighs in relief. Well, at least that ended on a happy note.

"So, when are we heading out, Itami?" Kurokawa asks.

"Three days from now," he mumbles, picking through his food, "we're heading by the eastern roads for recon purposes."

"Such as?" Tomita inquiries, having gotten over his embarrassment. The large soldier could actually put up a kind of a serious face all things considered.

"Well, firstly we're supposed to find any settlements to make contact with," Itami replies, "establish good relations with the locals and try to acquire stuff that could be of use, like a map or something."

"Doesn't sound that tough," Kuribayashi declares, "let's try not to scare the locals, eh? Then again, that's what our mission is all about, I guess," she finishes off, a bit grumpily.

"Well, guess we'll be finding out what really lies beyond soon enough," Kurokawa says, ending the convo on that note, "I'm sure we'll all find something. It's a brand new world after all!"

There is a general murmur of agreement amongst them as they resume their meal. Personally, Itami doesn't really care what they'll find out there, as long as he and everyone else gets to go home.

He looks around the members of his team and recalls the general's words as he was given command of them. Yes. Getting everyone home...that would be nice. Very nice indeed.

[=]

SSV Daring, Space

October, 2398

Fabian von Lorica sighs, stepping out of the shower. When he looks in the mirror, his father's smooth and pale face stares back at him, different only by the auburn hue of his hair. The operative slowly began the process of putting on his uniform, a grey jumpsuit made of synthetic fibre with lots and lots of pockets.

He notes the order, as his instructor told him long ago. Socks, trousers, the top. A harness that contains a holster for a weapon and even more pockets. He keeps them mostly empty for now, save for hygiene equipment. This isn't hostile territory after all.

The clothes fit loose yet snugly. Comfortable, as is what the designer intended.

He steps out of his quarters and into the gunmetal hallways of the ship. Crewmates nod at him as he passes by, while other operatives like him occasionally offer a salute. His feet guide him to the mess hall.

It is a place of relative cheer, with the crew mostly sitting in groups and dining. He debates joining them, before he eventually spots a duo dining by themselves.

"I'm telling you Booker, this is a delicate matter. One that doesn't require the heavy hand of the military," begins Gloria Daniels, a redheaded green eyed woman. From what Fabian knew of her, she is part of the Systems Exploration and Expansion Directorate (SEED), and is part of a team of scientists who study the planet, dubbed 'Nova'.

"It is for that exact reason that we are getting involved," says Booker McRemitz of the Systems Intelligence Office (SIO), a pale man with neatly combed dark blue hair and dark grey eyes, "as you should know, failing this mission is not an option. The Chancellor wishes to ensure that everything will go as smoothly as possible. While military might is rarely needed, it is always a safe bet to have a backup in mind in case the natives turn...hostile. All you need to do is look at the Yondari's attempt."

Gloria wrinkles her nose at the mention of that, and returns to her meal, "I still think this is all excessive…"

Anything else Booker has in mind is interrupted as Fabian chooses to take a seat near them. The older man looks at him and nods, "Hello there. I take that you've heard Miss Daniels' attempt at dissuading you and your peers."

Fabian takes a moment to think of his reply, "even if she managed, I would still be here, as a member of the SIO's Special Operations Squad. We're not military. Not anymore, at least."

The agent smirks slightly, and nods, "Indeed. You and I are here regardless of whether or not the military is getting involved. Have you seen the rest of your squad?"

"We're here, Booker, no worries."

And finally, the other two members of the team appear. The first is a pale, brunette haired woman clad in the same uniform he wore, albeit with the purple highlights that denotes her as a psionic. Dull grey eyes stare at them. Evensong Delamere nods slightly in acknowledgement.

The speaker is the only non-human member of the squad, despite his appearance. His hair is a light shade of brown, eyes an almost blinding blue. His skin is deeply tanned, and his muscular toned chest is revealed through his open jumpsuit, defying all regulations. Only his elongated ears and shark-like teeth conveyed his true heritage as an Argentan hybrid.

Ishmael winks at Gloria as he takes a seat, and to his chagrin, the scientist simply scoffs, "well, cold shoulder aside, I'm getting the chills man. We're reaching the Nova system in a few days, right?"

At Booker's nod, Ishmael practically grins, "I've been reading a lot on that place. Heard that they're a lot of different races living there, all inhabitants of the same planet despite vastly different biologies."

Gloria pauses and looks at him, "that's...correct. I wasn't expecting you to do your research. I thought the only thing you would be interested in is finding out if you could sleep with them."

"Oh that's exactly what I'm saying!" Ishmael says, grinning wildly, "if they all live together, that means they're compatible with each other right? So screwing them won't actually kill me if I do it? Since there are humans there?"

"You're not human, Ishmael," Booker deadpans, to which he laughs.

"But I'm Argentan! And you know it'll take more than sickness to take us down! And if a human can survive, then so can I!"

That...isn't too surprising, considering Argentans had been bioengineered to peak physical condition, able to withstand most, if not all, biological diseases and extreme conditions, if their intel is correct. Fabian sighs, pushing his comrade's perversions out his mind as Gloria debates with him regarding the science of all this.

His mind drifts towards the planet Nova, and he finds himself wondering what kind of place it would be. Would the mission go as planned? Would the locals be recipients towards them? Or would history repeat itself, like what had happened to the Yondari?

He feels Evensong's gaze on him, and he shakes his head, signalling her that it is all right. It didn't matter. Whatever will happen, they will simply do their best.

He's just glad Evensong is controlled enough not to read minds on a whim. Who knows what she sees in Ishmael's head.

"Attention. We are entering hyperspace. This next jump will take us to the Nova System."

The jovial mood dies down. Booker frowns, quickly finishing the last of his meal before standing, "Well. SOS, I want you three to meet me in the briefing room when you're finished. Once we reach the system, you'll be deployed planetside. Am I understood?"

Fabian nods in affirmation before returning to his meal. Booker departs the dining hall, with Gloria following soon after.

A pit forms in his stomach. He has a feeling that their mission on Nova is going to be far, far harder than most.

[=]

"So this is just gonna be recon?" Ishmael asks, leaning against the wall. His light gaze fell upon the scowling form of Gloria, who simply sighs and points at the holomap.

"Yes. We figured that it would be better to make contact with one of the smaller villages rather than immediately heading over to a bigger city. Best to get as much info as possible from the locals."

"We also wish for you to scout out a possible base of operations," Booker says, stepping forward, "we've located several possible areas, although we believe this to be the best place."

The map zooms into a place. If his intel is right, then it's roughly in between one of the major cities and the Gate itself. It is also close to more than a few villages. Already, Fabian could imagine the purpose. To essentially make it a small fortress-city in its own right, that could easily attract the locals and hopefully establish dominance in the region.

"Understood," Fabian replies. Evensong simply nods while Ishmael scoffs, though neither seem to disagree with him.

"Good. Suit up and head to the teleporter bay. We'll have some drones on standby should you ever encounter any hostile forces. Though I trust that they won't be needed," Booker says, giving them all a cursory glance, before dismissing them. The three share a look, before they leave the briefing room towards the armoury.

"Recon and First Contact huh. You'd think they'd come with us for the second part at least," Ishmael scoffs.

It is Evensong who 'speaks' out in reply, her voice transmitting into their minds, "We're not just military grunts Ishmael. We're the SIO's finest. It's expected for us to undertake any mission that they deem too dangerous for the standard operative.

"Still, I think some more assistance would be nice," he grumbles, "Don't get me wrong, we've all been trained for this, but we all know that the two of you aren't exactly the best at talking."

Neither of the two say anything, and simply walk in silence towards their destination.

In the armoury, Fabian stares at the silver visor of his helmet, before he slowly begins to don the familiar weight of his gear. It is painted a deep black and outlined with silver, making anyone in it stand out regardless of any environment save for a UDS city.

The robotic exoskeleton, covered with thick armour plating, makes him and every soldier of the UDS feel nigh invincible whenever they are in it. Upon wearing his helmet, the heads up display pops up, revealing that all systems are online, from a personal shield generator to a targeting matrix.

Nodding to himself, he turns away to face Evensong, who wore similar armour, only hers had a purple outline to mark her as a member (or former member at least) of the Psi Corps.

"You ready?" he hears her ask in his mind. He simply nods, and they both turn to face the odd one out of the Special Operations Squad.

Ishmael's armour is best described as a hybrid of Argentan power armour in design and a UDS rocket trooper's armour in utility. It stands out from the two due to it being painted an eye catching bronze and designed with an Argentan aesthetic in mind, that being that of a medieval knight's . The man himself smirks as he dons a helmet of far cheaper quality, "Well, let's go."

The trip to the teleport bay is short, and by then Booker awaits their presence. The man is frowning as he reads over a holopad, before raising his hand.

"Is something wrong, sir?" He asks.

"Indeed. We've received some...peculiar, scans. Namely, primitive radio chatter," Booker replies.

His eyes widen behind his helmet. That...wasn't supposed to be a thing, right?

"But I thought the locals were supposed to be in the early medieval age," Ishmael speaks, looking at his holopad.

"They are. This is highly conflicting information. We'll be sending a recon drone to the area where it's most intense. For now, your mission parameters remain the same. Scout for a base, contact the locals, and gather as much information as possible. And if the opportunity arises, find out what you can about these signals. Special Operations Squad, you have clearance to go."

Fabian looks at Evensong and Ishmael, before stepping onto the pad. The other two follow.

"Preparing for teleportation in five, four, three, two-" the teleporter operator says, pressing a few buttons

A bright light begins to coalesce around them as the teleportation pad activates, and Fabian closes his eyes on instinct.

"-one!"

And then, there is a brief feeling of weightlessness and the feeling of having blinked, and Fabian finds himself not on the pad, but on a soft, grassy field.

[-][-]

And that's this chapter done! Thanks to Cef Havoc and SomberFlight for helping me out with this chapter! I do want to let y'all know that I've been debating adding a codex or index information at the end of each chapter, and I've been wondering what the consensus on that is. Thank you for all your kind words and reviews everyone! Much appreciated :D