Off we go.

Dislaimer: I don't own anything but the characters, and really not even them.

Only War: Apophis

Fate's Mercy

Lead Corporal Coyne Bjerke

06:00, Day 1, 946.M41

100m above Korsk…

Coyne burped quietly, not bothering to cover his mouth. The Arvus he was currently being transported in was hardly packed, and he doubted the slim figure across from him was going to complain. Flight never quite agreed with him. It wasn't the motion so much as the idea of being so far away from the ground. He had always thought that gravity was far too clingy. Space was okay, though, if you didn't count the void. At least you wouldn't fall a thousand feet, with the whole time to think about what waited at the end. Coyne shuddered. He looked around the cramped craft. Other than the unknown person he was facing, it was just the pilot at the helm, and an engineer lurking around somewhere. Coyne shrugged and scratched himself, grunting. He craned his neck curiously, not trying to be subtle. Who was this guardsman across from him? He couldn't see rank or even figure really, but they were small enough to be a woman, and he was trying to make sure before he decided to be attracted to them. Noticing his attentions, the person raised their head and he got a complete glimpse of their face for the first time.

Light gray eyes that seemed nearly translucent stared back at him briefly, before nervously darting away, as if to assure themselves that the area was secure. They were quite remarkable- in fact, Coyne may even have called them beautiful, had he been the type. However, that was where the beauty ended. It seemed there was not an unscarred inch of flesh anywhere on the…woman? He was almost sure they were female now. But it was hard to tell, as the scars caught the eye and distracted from any existent feminine qualities on her face. After staring in mild shock for a moment, Coyne laughed with his typical booming quality.

"Wa ha ha! You've been through the mill and then some, haven't you lass? A broad like you must be tough to keep down. I hope you dinnae intend to collect any more like that on this deployment! Wa ha ha!" He slapped his knee for emphasis, his thick brogue strong in his speech. The woman smiled, and Coyne realized that his previous assessment had been mistaken. There was one more quality where her beauty resided still, after all- her gently teasing grin.

"Frankly, I'd rather no one on our side collect anything like this, ever." She said primly, amused by his antics. "I am Lieutenant Ockmann. No need to tell me who you are. Short as a ratling, rather louder than an ogyrn, and can't keep a promotion if it's forced on him? The one and only infamous 'Lead Corporal' Bjerke. The pleasure's mine." Her tone was lightly chiding, with just a bit of humour. As she spoke, her attention shifted away once more, checking the exits and corners of the small craft, before coming back to Coyne, whose genial mood had faded in a hurry.

Coyne scowled, the expression somewhat intimidating on his bearded face. He hated people mentioning his rank- and height especially. He couldn't help either. Well, technically he could help the rank but- it wasn't his fault! How was it his problem if the orders his superiors shat out were pants-on-head stupid? They must have been, since the ones who had given them were now dead. Just like the rest. Regardless, he decided to be offended, no matter how good-humoured the remarks were. He grunted ungraciously and stared at her scars a bit, trying to make her uncomfortable. She didn't seem to notice.

Finally he spoke again, goaded by her lack of reaction and his wounded pride.

"So what's a girl like you gonna do for us? Carry our guns, maybe? Keep the spare ammo handy, comfort the men, if you catch my drift?" he ground out, leering unpleasantly. He now knew she was a lieutenant, but rank had never stopped him before- he just wanted to bring her down a bit. Ockmann shifted her attention from her careful watch of the room back to him once more, a severe frown gracing her scarred visage briefly, before melting into an almost twisted smile.

"Emperor forbid I take on such difficult roles! After all, that would require me actually finding your manhood, and I would need better quality magnoculars than any that exist. Instead, I'll have the singular pleasure of scooping your intestines back into your stomach, or trying to keep all of your limbs attached. And if you or anyone else wrong our squad-" And as she said this, her voice became significantly colder, a high-quality laspistol came into her hand almost faster than his eyes could follow- "I can deal with that in a wholly different fashion. Does that satisfy you, Lead Corporal?"

His face turned a deep red behind his beard at her initial remark, but his indignation faded almost immediately. Her willingness to joke at his expense and make barefaced threats impressed him more than her words. He knew that he wouldn't need her healing, since he never got hurt, and he somewhat doubted her ability to hit him with any shot. But she was gutsy to keep sassing him. He snorted once, satisfied, his manner switching abruptly from spiteful to blasé.

"You want to patch up the grunts in our group, fine. I'll make sure no one bothers you while you do it." He crossed his thick arms across his chest and sat back against the uncomfortable seat, losing interest in the brief spat. Across from him, narrowed eyes glared briefly before softening and darting away to check the entrances once more. Did he imagine the quick smile that flitted across her face? He couldn't tell.

Before either of them could say more, the Arvus began to noticeably slow and descend. They had arrived. As the troop door opened, light flooded the dim room, and they both stood up, ready to face Korsk. Home again, Coyne thought. He had never thought to see it from the ground again. He figured his superiors didn't want to risk any stray patriotic feelings floating to the surface. He glanced at the impassive woman beside him. Her scars gave nothing away.

"What's your name, Ockmann?"

"Maine…Lead Corporal."

"Wa ha haa!"

Thanks for reading. Reviews appreciated! But it's not like I need them.