Coming back home after such a long time fighting was pretty much what the troops of the Gallian defense needed. Greeted by the garrisons of their respective forts, the Third Regiment and the Cadian Thirteenth walked in to find that both forward ops bases had been expanded rather drastically, with Kasr Creed now able to house even the ten thousand Death Korps soldiers and their vehicles. The perimeter had also grown, with many more troops now manning a more elaborate system of trenches, gun emplacements and defensive towers.
The buildings had also been expanded, with a massive barracks built underground, alongside a garage to house the vehicles of the combined forces, while the munitions depot and a string of artillery ports had been built into the wall, which had been reinforced with rockrete, or how little of it they could afford to expend to do so. Death Korps soldiers on patrol greeted the convoy of Cadian and Gallian troops wordlessly, while, in the distance, Fort Amaranthine's own buildings had grown, now including manned anti-air defenses in the form of Self-Propelled Hydra batteries loaned at Captain Varrot's behest to their defense.
Indeed, Amaranthine had also grown, enough so that Cadian troops could probably walk to the first gate from the main one of Kasr Creed. Matt listened over the Vox as captain Varrot explained to the returning elements why the development of the defenses had been accelerated. Specifically, the battles for Dillsburg. The Imperial Army was amassing lots of assets nearby the bridgehead, but so far, the Regular forces under general Siegfried were managing to stave them off. More divisions, including, as per reports, the two led by the Gassenarls, had been re-routed to engage alongside the good general's.
Matias had asked for a short period of leave:Three days, so that he and his men could get some rest alongside the Third Regiment. So, now, sat atop his Baneblade as his forces finally began to settle in, he spoke, "Soldiers of the Imperium, hear me!" receiving their attention, "We've been away for long enough. Our fighting against the traitors has led us through forest and desert and city. Our next objective lay in repulsing the enemy forces gathering at Dillsburg, but, as per our allies' word, their forces are holding the East Imperial army gathered there."
"To that effect," he smirked, "I've requested that we receive a small leave of at least three days before we engage in the salient ourselves."
A short cheer erupted among the Cadians. They let Matt continue, however. "Of course, while we are all free to enjoy our time as we see fit, I've ensured that we can travel to and from the capital as per negotiations with the Gallian government. You are free to visit the locales of the great city of Randgriz, take in its sights and enjoy yourselves to your heart's content while we prepare for the deployment to Dillsburg. I and the others will, however, still be working. We have another set of issues we will discuss with you as time passes, but for now, you are all free to enjoy yourselves as you see fit. Dismissed!"
To the cheers of the lads and ladies of his regiment and the stares of the Death Korps, the man descended from his tank, letting it be parked as he looked around at the expanded facilities they now had, including a building he hadn't spotted before they came in:The Church. An Ecclesiarchy building specifically designed with the same old Imperial gothic architecture as all those he knew, including statues of the Emperor's Angels acting as the pillars that held up the roof hanging over the entrance. Standing guard at the door were two of the surviving Sisters, both of whom smiled as they saw the Colonel.
He offered them a curt bow, making a mental note to visit the Church later for a prayer, turning to his own command building. Entering the now-two-story Command Post, the heart of the entire Kasr, he was met by actively working staff he'd left behind, among them Munitorum workers from Ace's trailing civilian party and even a few Techpriests. Climbing up to the second floor, he found the Vox room, which was currently occupied by a single operator belonging to the Krieg regiment and a Techpriest working on the radar system. Following that, he entered the command room.
Said room was lined with the consoles and technologies of the Death Korps and their own, including a hololith table that displayed the information their sensor suites had allowed them to discover about the planet, including the planetary continental formations, mountain ranges and the division of the continental mass of Europa between the enemy Empire, the Atlantic Federation and Gallia herself.
Bidding greetings to the staff working in the place, the man entered his own office, which sat at the rear of the FOB, before sitting himself down in his chair and staring out the massive, archway-like windows. He sighed. The place was not opulent by any means, but the windows did give it that air. Still, he had the necessities. A Cogitator system to the left of the room, a desk and chair in the middle, facing the door and a set of shelves on the right, some of which were occupied by random paraphernalia and his own personal effects, including his Imperial Faith Icons.
He sat himself down, settling in and looking over his desk. Pulling a few documents out after searching the shelves, he looked over that little project he'd left behind. More of an idea, really, about how to properly integrate the Darcsen into the force to supplement the dwindling numbers of Cadian troops. The Darcsen Volunteer Corps, of course. In honor of the good major Ryan and his officer staff, he figured it would be a good idea to start up the work and officialize their joining.
An hour or two later, Matt had written four pages worth of ideas and information regarding forming the subgroup of the Regiment. First, he'd need to get someone to train the kids that Ryan had brought in into proper officers and look through them if they had any good ones left. Any Lieutenants and above out of the few hundred that joined. Next, he figured it'd be a good idea to spread out flyers...
Bar a few more hours of work figuring out the logistics, Matt had mostly been left alone with his own thoughts about the developing situation. He sighed, standing up as the afternoon sun still shone down upon the camp. He'd asked once for Colin to come and start spreading out information regarding the idea of the Volunteer Corps. What he saw in the courtyard, however, caused him to do a double-take.
Three dozen people, men and women alike, ranging in age from 16 to 35 from the looks of things, stood before him, lined up. Colin appeared beside the group and walked up to Matt, whispering, "The moment I asked some Gallians to spread information about the Darcsen Corps, including good corporal Yuri, they started sending out letters or heading into town... Before we knew it, they showed up."
The ragged folks were clad in civilian clothing that came in the form of stained, tucked-in shirts and jackets of varying colors, jumpsuits, jeans and assorted shoes and boots, complimented by bonnets, armbands, scarves and shoals with the Darcsen pattern on them and makeshift webbing for their equipment. Matt was staring at another dirty dozen carrying lever-action rifles, some with scopes, while others carried seemingly antiquated models of Sub Machine Guns, which were loaded from the side and had stocks similar to those of rifles, with the grip integrated into the wooden form of the stocks.
The three dozen smiled brightly at the Colonel, saluting firmly and without hesitation. He saluted back, eyes still wide.
"How many more...?" He asked.
"According to Yuri... Word has already slipped into the Darcsen refugees in the camps around Randgriz..." Colin replied, a smile growing on his face, "I'd expect quite the record number of volunteers within the next couple of days."
"... I'll be damned..." Matt murmured, then whispered "Ready a training regimen. We need to start immediately if we hope to whip them into shape for any future operation."
"Sir," Colin nodded, then suggested, "You may wanna introduce yourself to them."
"Right..." The boy sighed, dumbfound. He cleared his throat, then stated, "At ease, ladies and gentlemen!" watching their sloppy movements. Though they maintained the formation and were eager, it was pretty clear that, compared to much of the Militia, their combat training was lackluster... Though it was present. A solid base and a good silver lining, at least. He spoke on, "It's a pleasure to see you, the first of this new unit in our regiment, here... I'm Colonel Telos. Welcome to Kasr Creed, our home and yours for the immediate future."
"While I appreciate the clear enthusiasm you have for serving with us... God-Emperor knows why that enthusiasm exists..." He actually seemed unknowing of the effects their presence alone had had on Darcsen morale, even as he continued, "Know that you are joining the Guard... The Astra Militarum. Your upcoming few weeks will put you through your paces, through possibly the hardest training anyone can undergo. A training worse than even your own Militia's or Army's."
"We're ready to meet it, sir!" Replied one of the seeming leaders of the group, to the nods and murmured agreements of others. A fifty-something man with a five o'clock shadow and near-skin shaven head over which lay a bandana with the Darcsen pattern and colors. He wore scars on his arms and face that said to Matt 'this is yet another veteran'. Of course, many would follow Veterans of the Great War into battle, or into the arms of a new unit.
"I'm happy to hear that..." He paused, "What is your name?"
"Sir. Viktor, sir," The man smiled a pearly white smile at Matt, "Was a sergeant in the Militia way back when. Some folks figured I was too hurt to put up much of a fight nowadays, though... But the moment I heard the folks throwing us a bone called out for volunteers, I couldn't just say no, could I?"
Matt smirked, "Definitely not, sergeant. Definitely not... Very well, then. So, you all must share the same sentiment if you are here."
Three dozen heads nodded almost in unison. Matt hummed, then stated, "Very well... Within the coming days, we expect perhaps hundreds more of your kin to join us from the refugee camps. You are the first among the Darcsen Volunteer Corps to join since the battles in Kloden and Barious... I welcome you all openly and may the God-Emperor of Mankind have you in his watch. Read your scriptures, learn of our faith, embrace it as your own and be as brothers to us, for we will be so to you."
"The Emperor Protects!" Chorused the men and women, smiling even more broadly. Of course, they'd be aware.
The word of the Imperial Faith must've spread like wildfire among Darcsen.
He saluted them, then said "At ease! Dismissed! Find your bunks with the help of your new comrades. You shall begin training as soon as possible!"
"SIR!" They roared proudly.
Matt nodded, watching them disperse, hauling their equipment to their newly-acquired Cadian comrades, who took to aiding them proudly. Among them, Elaine and her squad seemed most happy to aid the Darcsen, of course. Matt looked to Colin, giving the man a simple order:to ensure proper integration between the Darcsen and the Cadians and to welcome the next groups of volunteers. He still had his work cut out for him, too, with the desire to properly supply them forcing him into working on the req forms for supplies and materiel for the Manufactorum.
Meanwhile, in Fort Amaranthine, new recruits also came pouring in for the Militia. Welkin watched as almost a whole new Regiment of Militia, sibling to their own, was being raised and rallied from the Refugees. Among the groups of people streaming in to receive their kit and report in. Still, Welkin was told to wait here for a couple new Recruits joining the ranks of his own squad.
Two of them had, in fact, just walked up to him. A shy, seemingly clumsy, young man with a balding head, black hair and thick-rimmed glasses. He was an engineer, carrying the tools of the trade, his new rifle included. Beside him, a tall, dark-blue-haired beauty with her hair caught in a ponytail and clad in the kit of a Shock Trooper, armor already on and SMG slung over her shoulder. Both saluted promptly and the girl spoke, "Sir, private Lynn, at your service."
"C-Corporal Karl Landzaat, sir," The man saluted, "A pleasure to be here."
Welkin saluted them back and said, "Glad to have you both... Captain Varrot did mention we'd have another squad folding in with us, now that we're back home... Something about casualties in Barious... Wait, Landzaat?"
"We're it, sir," Karl remarked, sighing.
"We were part of Eighth Squad before..." Lynn shuddered, "Those... Things..." and Welkin could see their fearful gazes. He nodded understandingly, well aware he and his entire team were still having trouble sleeping thanks to the Necron. It was still a sore spot for even the Cadians, from what he'd seen, considering they'd lost over a fifth of their active fighting force in there.
"I understand," He spoke, "I'm Welkin Gunther, the Lieutenant of Squad 7. Follow me. I'll get you two to our barracks."
The two smiled to one-another awkwardly, then to the Lieutenant, falling in-step behind the man as they strolled forward. Passing by the training field, the two saw the Drill Instructor running several soldiers through the training courses, but focused mostly on the Snipers this time. Welkin explained to them how things went in the Seventh Platoon and that he'd requested for the DI to train the Snipers up a bit more.
They did stop for a moment, though. Several members of the Third Regiment, both new and old, ran out to see what was happening on the main road that led into and out of Randgriz and their small fortresses. Welkin and the two newcomers climbed onto a watchtower near the Barracks and watched with wide eyes as Darcsen men and women marched together, smiles on their faces. Many of them held in their hands old rifles or weaponry that was used in the First Europan War.
They sang a song in an old Darcsen dialect, some riding atop horse-drawn carriages in which several people fit. Other carriages hauled luggage and what looked like supplies alongside the people:Crates full of ammo for the myriad assorted weaponry that the Darcsen were marching with. Lynn smiled, then said "They must be headed to the Guard, then... You and your forces are friends with them, right?"
"Uh-huh..." Welkin said, wide-eyed as the chorus of the song welled and died down as they went into their second verse, "I thought Darcsen were peaceful..."
"Truth be told, sir, when the word spread about the Cadians and their allies and how they treat Darcsen, well..." Karl smiled, leaning onto the watchtower's low walls, "A lot of them decided that, even if they couldn't fight, if called, they would join to well the ranks of the Guard. If you'll look, a percentage of Darcsen marching in the crowd are not equipped with weapons."
"Yes, but still..." Welkin murmured, "I knew they had an effect, but... How far and wide did it spread?"
"Far enough that I and Karl received letters from our families in Fouzen asking us about them," Lynn answered, "We'd seen them fighting from afar in Barious and were rearguard for a battalion of theirs in Kloden, but we never really saw them live."
The Darcsen now switched to a song in the language spoken by just about everybody... A young man sang from atop an old repurposed truck, "I drove me Prince tank into yer garden last night!"
"Sing up the Rah!" The group chorused
"I kicked yer front door down 'round at midnight!"
"Sing up the Rah!"
"Oh somethin's tellin me, boy, yer avoidin' me! And I bet when I find ya, ye will run for yer life!"
"I've got a brand new shiny helmet and a pair'a'kinky boots! I've got a lovely new brown jacket and a lovely Khaki suit! And when we go on a Darkie Hunt, we hold each-o'ers hands! We are the Eastern Army and we're here to kill ye, lad!" The chorus of Darcsen sang proudly. That was an old Militia war song, one sung during the Gallian Independence War, by the Gallian Rebel Army, to mock the beliefs of the Imperial Forces as they pushed them back. The 'Rah' was a reference to the Rebel Army, as it was being called by the East Imperials during the War. A name adopted by them for the fight.
Karl and Lynn chuckled at it, while Welkin hummed and smiled too. He'd had a great aunt that'd fought as a Gunther and a Gallian Rebel leader in the Independence War. Some Darcsens waved at the Militia, others gave thumbs up and salutes, but most just focused on their war songs that pretty much worked to slander the East Imperial Army, be it directly or indirectly.
"I'm amazed by how far a little goodwill goes some times," Welkin remarked, "Especially to a people as hurt as the Darcsen."
"You're aware of our struggles, then, sir?" Lynn raised a brow. He nodded.
"My sister is a Darcsen and several other members of our squad are, too, so yes."
Lynn smiled again, "I cannot wait to meet your squad, then."
Welkin nodded, leading them off the tower and toward the barracks. Upon entering, they found the messy place a hive of activity. Alicia was speaking with Largo and Rosie about something, while a few other new arrivals, among which another Darcsen, an engineer by the name of Nadine and a Sniper by the name of Cezary Regard, sat, some apart from each-other like the aforementioned two, or together and talking.
The Barracks was still half-empty, though, surprisingly. Lynn looked to Welkin and asked, "Sir... No offense meant by me asking this, but... Did you lose people?"
"None so far, thank goodness," Welkin remarked, "If you're asking why our barracks is half-empty, I don't know either..." And he laughed awkwardly. The trio approached a set of empty bunks nearby and Welkin and Alicia waved to one-another when they saw each-other. The two new members of the team dropped off their bags and equipment at their bunks and approached the Sergeants and Rosie.
"Yo, bossman," Rosie smirked. She then saw Lynn and her expression shifted for a second, not to disgust as Lynn would've expected, but to surprise, "Huh... New Shock Trooper?"
"And a new engineer. Alicia, Largo, Rosie, meet Lynn and Karl. They're our new members... Folded in from Squad Eight after Barious, it seems," The boy stated. All three XOs of the squad winced and gave them understanding nods, before Alicia looked to Welkin. The two then stepped aside and engaged in their own talk, while Rosie and Largo smirked, watching them.
"I swear, those two've been acting different since Barious..." Rosie chuckled, "Takin' bets on'em?"
"Nah. Not fair for me," Largo quipped, pulling a cigar out of his pocket and sliding it between his lips.
"Heh. C'mon, big man, ya afraid to lose a few Ducats to a lady?"
"Uhm..." Lynn and Karl both voiced. Rosie turned to face them.
"Right, sorry... Welcome to the squad, I guess... Hope you kids ain't too worried about facing down Imps and their freaky allies... Or meeting our own, for that matter," Rosie seemed genuinely nice for the first time. Especially to a Darcsen girl like Lynn. Largo was surprised, but he listened on, lighting his cigar as Rosie talked to them, "Didn't think they'd fold in the Eighth... Shit, I'm surprised you two survived the Necron."
"It was a rough day..." Lynn admitted, rubbing the back of her neck, "To see we were the last two?"
"Can't imagine it," Rosie shook her head, smirking, "I started growing fond of the bunch here, quite honestly. The whole lot of'em... Even the Darkies."
Ah, there it was...
"Ah..." Lynn paused, while Karl stared at Rosie, confused.
Rosie hummed, then stated, "Don't worry. I was way worse when we started. Largo can confirm, as can a lot of the people here, like our tank driver, Isara. Heh. Like I told the Feddies when they came about, I grew fond of the folk in my squad because we watched each-other's backs. And our allies? The Cadians and their folk? I grew fond of'em cuz they can put up a mean fight... Seeing you two survived the skeletal bots that got your whole squad, I'm gonna imagine you're both some good in a fight... And hey, you're a Shock Troop, like me," She looked to Lynn, "That's already some points extra."
Lynn's momentary apprehension seemed to vanish. She smiled at Rosie and asked "I do hope we can all work together, no matter what our beliefs may be."
"'Course," Largo nodded, "Gallia's our home. All of ours."
"Don't worry. No matter what I may say or think, I'll have the backs of anyone throwin' their lot in with us," Rosie noted. She hadn't seen the point of arguing with or against Darcsen for the better part of the few months they've all co-operated. That the kids grew on her was despite their Darcsen heritage and it showed to her that these were still people. Damn it, she still thought of them as something to scoff at, but she wouldn't do it while there was a war on.
She'd have plenty of time to think things over. This war wasn't gonna end so fast, anyway. And if she still felt like she hated the Darkies, that was on her. Sighing, the woman finished up, "Y'all should probably head over to your bunks and rest. We've got about 3 days' worth a break that the Colonel and Captain managed to get for us, so..." And she nodded to them. After a quick bid goodbye, Largo and Rosie were sat farther away, near their own cots.
"Color me impressed, Rosie," Largo said, his cigar almost a burned-out stump between his lips.
"Hmm?" She raised a brow.
"Took you all of three seconds before you called the girl a Darkie," He flashed a grin, "New record for you and newcomers."
"Oh, hush," She rolled her eyes, "There's no point in pissing on the bonfire now. We're at war. If I was gonna start railing on Darkies again, I would've already... But nah, we've got a war to win and they can pull their own weight. After the war, though? I'll... I'll see. Cadians been dragging a lot of'em near to, last I heard. First that Yuri kid, then that whole small company of them in Kloden..."
"Their entire cadre died sealing the Tomb," Largo remarked, his face now grim as Rosie noticed when she looked up. Eyes wide, the woman felt her mouth dry.
"That Ryan fella did...?" She asked. He nodded, then she hummed, looking to the floor, "Damn..." She whispered. Poor bastards threw themselves in to outright stop the damn Necrons before they spread out across the planet and wiped out everything near-and-dear to them. She swallowed air, feeling her throat dry up, before she stated, "Crazy bastards..."
Largo huffed in agreement, letting Rosie process things. Once she had completely made peace with the idea that the Guard's newest bunch of recruits had thrown their lot in to halt the very nightmare that was still haunting their minds. Worthy of respect, the lot of them. And if more went to join the Cadians willingly, like Ryan and his company, well...
Rosie had left the Barracks for a bit, to get some fresh air, as she'd excused herself. Still, as she walked through the courtyard, she only heard the sound of boots crashing against dirt, stone and even concrete. Ahead, more troops and supplies were being brought in through the main gate. She walked up to and through it, showing her ID to the guard in the booth and looking up and down the road. From Randgriz and Vasel, the supply convoys came and went. From the way out and away, came the noise of marching boots.
She paused, looking out at the stream of troops in desert-tan greatcoats, Lasguns over their shoulders. Many boarded transport vehicles, while others moved on foot, with the support of a battery of Cadian guns rolling in behind them. She ran toward the column, watching the faceless Death Korps each moving in perfect harmony, in unison, like they were a force of machines.
Among them, Rosie saw a flock of messy white hair emerging from one of the hundred gas masks. The girl-Rosie could tell she was a girl thanks to her more thin frame, even behind that coat-turned her head from atop her horse. On her back was a scoped, longer-barrelled Lasgun similar to what she'd seen some of the Cadian kids use during combat. A Long-Las.
Their Commissar stopped, turning to face Rosie. The young woman spoke, "Gallian," her voice uninterested.
"Where the hell are you and your troops going, captain?" She asked, concerned, "Thought Telos said we'd be hangin' around for a bit."
"Our forces are needed in combat. They grow restless without action," Replied the Commissar, turning to Rosie, "Do not concern yourself... We will see you in three days at Dillsburg."
"... You kids gonna be fine?" She asked. The Commissar simply nodded, turning back toward the line and joining her men and women on the long march, while Colonel Stern rode in with a Krieg Steed and her company of Horsemen behind her. She nodded to Rosie and the Redhead took a step back, watching them all depart for the battlefield without saying another word, while more Darcsen troops streamed into the Imperial Guard's fort.
She returned to their Barracks a few moments later, sitting herself down just as a bunch of her Shock Troops came back from a little training session. She waved them over and said, "Turner, Cheslock. How're things?"
"Just fine, actually," Jane said, her voice the usual gruff one that Rosie was so used to, "We were just talking about the Cadians and their folk."
"You seen those Mechanicus fellas, ma'am?" Wendy smirked, causing a slight shudder as images of Valon and his Techpriests replayed in her mind. She nodded curtly and Wendy continued excitedly, "They've been working with the other bunch's group of Techpriests! Apparently, they found a lot of stuff around Gallia that they're planning on searching through once the war is over. Hope they got some nice explosives here and there! Hehe..." She giggled.
"Over-excited by bombs as usual, eh, Wendy?" Jane remarked, grinning, "Well, no biggie... Long as we get better ways to kill Imps, I'm chill with the Tecchies searching anything they want."
"Agreed with you on that one," Rosie remarked, "I wanna get back to my singing job."
"Oh, you were a singer, boss?" Jane leaned forward, smirking still, "Didn't know and we've been working together for some months now."
"Yeah, well," Rosie shrugged, "Unlike certain people," She cast a sideways glance at Edy, the silver-haired, self-proclaimed idol and rival to her, "I don't babble about my work... It's not much, anyway. I mostly sang at the odd restaurant or pub in my village before the war anyhow."
"Fair enough," Jane nodded, "Oughta sing for the squad some time."
"Honestly?" Rosie snorted, "Maybe when the war's over and done with... If I even survive to see the end."
"Heh," Jane grinned devilishly, "Oh, don't worry. We'll kick those Imp fucks outta our land soon enough."
Rosie nodded, while Wendy was fiddling with the pin on one of her grenades. The two Shockers had half a mind of yelling at the hat-wearing third of their line-up on the couches and bunks here. They only stopped as they saw members of Squad 2 entering the place, to meet up with the bossman in the middle of the room. One of'em was that strange half-breed Darcsen kid.
Matthew Siegfried and Ragna had come to check up on the gang after the debacle, of course. The good Sergeant Siegfried spoke to Welkin, "... And we figured we'd come by and check on you guys and gals, seeing as what happened in Barious had our squad pulled off the front. We lost some five of our own that are getting replaced as we speak, but... Well..."
"I understand," Welkin nodded, "I'm glad you and the others are alright, though."
"Same here, Welks... Man, you should've seen Kai out there. He dumped every single shaped charge he had with him and barely managed to kill two of those skeletal bastards," Ragna remarked, arms crossed to his chest. He hummed, looking around at the newcomers to the squad and stating, "Folded the Eighth in with you, didn't they?" as he saw Lynn and Karl.
"Yeah," Welkin nodded, "I'm actually sorry for them..."
"We all are sorry for our own... Switching a bit to the Cadians," Matthew raised a brow, "We saw the line of Darcsens marching toward their fortress down the road... And Ragna heard through the grapevine that they're calling in the Darcsen for integration into their ranks as Volunteers. Everything alright with them? We didn't get to find out how many they lost before we were shipped back to Amaranthine. Lots of goodwill between them and the Darcsen, too, so..."
Welkin winced, then sighed, "They lost about a fifth of their fighting force..."
Both men of the Siegfried house were left speechless for a moment, before Ragna muttered, "Poor kids... Must be the reason they're rallying up the Darcsen as a Volunteer Corps, eh?" He looked to Matthew, who nodded and took a thinker's pose. To Rosie, however, it was hard to hear what was being spoken. Still, even a kid was able to guess they were on about the fact that the Cadians were taking in Darkies. Half of Fort Amaranthine saw the line of carriages and people marching, armed with hunting equipment and any assortment of random rifles they could grab. The kids would have to train, feed and equip over a thousand Darcsen for replacements...
Man... She pitied them, seeing as the Darcsen were all about the non-com thing, but...
Maybe, just maybe, they'd dropped it.
Which slightly spooked Rosie...