Echo and Hazard were in the Mess hall at the recently restored Attu Station eating breakfast. While Hazard was studying a new weapons manual Echo was trying to strike up a conversation.

"This posting kinda sucks doesn't it?" States

"You clearly have never been to Fort Polk. I was there for 5 years, it is literally the worst posting in the military. A Ex-Coast Guard base recommissioned as the personal home for one of America's top Enforcers and her non-military Girlfriend is honestly one of the better postings you could get." Hazard says not really caring about the topic.

"I can kinda see what you mean, at least we are not taking part in 'Operation Taco Clean Up', such a terrible name."

"Everyone knew the USA would eventually invade Mexico with the goal of stabilizing it. It feels a little early for something like that, however I can kinda see why the President would order such an operation now."

"I think I know too, however just to make sure we are on the same page could you explain?"

Zach puts his weapons manual down, sighs and then starts explaining. "Mexico is a National Security threat. The longer it's unstable the longer other nations and corps can use it to imbed themselves and use Mexico as a staging ground to strike at us."

"Basically that yes. But less complex. What about Canada?"

"Canada is stable at the moment so we can't just invade, however I heard the Queen of England is coming to visit the President soon."

"That should be interesting."

"Yes, I assume Britain has their own plans for Canada but won't try anything without getting us involved."

"Sounds about right. By the way what's those books you're reading?"

"Weapons manuals on the new weapons I have to deal with. It's going to be a fuckn nightmare as these things are all energy weapons ranging from laser pistols to Tesla Canons. Then there is the fact I have to deal with shit like the Fatman launchers now which are portable nukes and also know how to repair power armor despite that also not being my job."

"At least you are here and not on the front lines."

"You would think but no! As I had to help get someone out of their power armor the other day because it broke and I was the only one qualified to fix it at the time, because our Veteran Power Armor Mechanic got sick and had to be sent to Anchorage because our Medic couldn't help him."

"Sounds fun."

"Oh it was."

"But hey at least we can suffer together."

"What do you mean together? All you do is purify water and drive trucks."

"I am a Marine who sleeps in barracks with 19 other Marines."

"Valid as you guys eat a lot of Crayons and fuck each other in this as."

"Crayons, yes. But hey we are not the Navy, however unlike you who probably pisses away the Army's money on experimental shit."

"Yeah, the Army does like pissing away money but it's not like I have any power over it."

They then laugh and go back to eating as Judy walks by to also get lunch very confused.

"What are those Jarheads talking about?" Judy asks herself. Wishing Asuna was there however she had to oversee the Operation into Mexico as the situation was delicate and Frank Horigan's presence would send the wrong message.