Cat Patrol (IC)

[Torsiedelle]

OOC Thread Below!
viewtopic.php?f=31&t=404522

---

---

“Erimos?”
“Yes. High Command has intel that points towards a lead there.”
“Great. Ostri have the whole north coast locked down, Stivali stormtroopers, Izmari Janissaries, the whole fucking lot of them.”
“And all we have are some too-giddy recruits in the 8th and 2nd Armies and some Aurexi Outcasts? Not even the Yank volunteers?”
“We do have one trump card.”
“Do tell.”
“The Ostri archeologist. Mister Jahn? He can point us to our destination. Fritz has moved up on Sector 32, small force ahead of the Kebab expeditionary. They HAVE to be hiding something, or trying to find it.”

"Sector 32? Looking at the ruins along the foothills at Hallaf, then it goes 'round the valley, we have two villages along that line. You think it could be around those?"
"Maybe."
"Can we even hope to get those teams through?"
"They'll make it through. They're tough ones. We chose them for a reason."

---

North Erimos, Stanford

Room 205 of the dilapidated "Command Building" was small, but it accommodated the small crew of misfits assembled inside. Old chairs and various crates were scattered about, a large board at the front of the room. The dim lights provided adequate illumination, though an open door to the outside sat to the right, letting in some more. The main door in was already closed, however, the set time for the meeting having already come.

Stiglitz
Polzin
Le-Vif
Finch
el-Malik


The names were written on the board, each one underlined. The crew itself had already arrived for the most part. Any leading NCO's or Officers were absent, however.

Outside of the building, a group of four was approaching the room.

“Well, this should be fun.”
“No worry’s, Sergeant, it’ll be a right blast, aye?”
“Yes, it’s going to be a fucking party.”

“Move along, guy!”, A voice rang out. The barrel of a pistol dug into Mr. Jahn’s back. “You move slower than my mother’s escargot!”

“That wasn’t as funny as the garlic bread joke.”

“It wasn’t, but I don’t care, I’m trying to move our prisoner.”


“Well, this should be fun.”
“No worry’s, Sergeant, it’ll be a right blast, aye?”
“Yes, it’s going to be a fucking party.”

“Move along, guy!”, A voice rang out. The barrel of a pistol dug into Mr. Jahn’s back. “You move slower than my mother’s escargot!”

“That wasn’t as funny as the garlic bread joke.”

“It wasn’t, but I don’t care, I’m trying to move our prisoner.”

---

The shuffling of footsteps outside grew closer. One set picked up. A young woman stepped in, a Corporal in a Commonwealth uniform. She waited...another figure entered the room. "At ease!", She called. The sergeant waved her off, signaling everyone else to remain seated. The corporal resumed her walk next to the Sergeant. Behind them, a young civilian man was herded in, a pistol held to his back by an Aurexi girl. He was pointed to take a seat among the other soldiers, and the three NCO's grouped up to take the board.

The Sergeant, Elizabeth Lancaster, approached, flanked at either side by a Corporal. To her right was Corporal Wellington, a slim woman who looked like she couldn’t hurt a fly, who had various pouches and items about her uniform, including a medic’s pouch and a red cross displayed on both her uniform jacket and her headgear. On the Sergeants right side was Corporal Sauveterre, a short Aurexi girl in a uniform that was slightly too big for her, her short hair parted and showing off a disinterested face, and all the while toting a machine gun from a strap on her shoulder. While Wellington and Lancaster were silent, the baguette was mumbling along a familiar tune.

“Au pas camarades, au pas camarades,
Au pas, au pas, au pas,
Au pas camarades, au pas camarades,
Au pas, au pas, au pas.”

The Sergeant said nothing about it. She looked to be the most “means business” of the three, though something about her said that she wasn’t that serious about her job. She took the front of the board; The medic stood a bit behind the Sergeant, and the Aurexi Corporal hopped atop a crate, letting her weapon rest in her lap, sliding her pistol into the holster at her hip. She eyed the males in the group and had to do a double take. “You, guys!”, She pointed. Her accent was apparent. She looked half surprised, and half confused, and even half angry, or was that a mischievous grin? She was up to something in that head of hers.

“Yes, Corpora Sauveterre, Males.”, Said the Sergeant without much thought. She clapped loud. “Alright then! Gather around, take a seat if you haven't already, take a knee, I don’t bloody care what you do.”, She started. “Let’s get our happy little family briefed, yes? Before we get into the meat of this, shall we introduce one another, or does anyone have any questions? The briefing itself is short and sweet, so we have time to spare."

[Sonitusia]

Stanford, North Emiros
Corporal-chef Maria Le-Vif

Minding her own business as usual, Maria was too indulged in drawing porn of her fellow crew members. It was a blissful time, moments like these, when you could 'play around' with your friends in the depths of imagination, drawing them out in positions that people wouldn't have dreamed them to be in without support from a knowledgeable Aurexi. That wasn't to say the lance corporal was a veteran of that sort, but she had her ways. So when the male stepped in, it only added more fuel to her intense sketching, a soft giggle exiting her mouth along with steamy panting.

"Oh you shouldn't be doing that Stiglitz... Not with Polzin!~... Ahhh, it seems that Finch and Malik are going for the civvie~~"

Then the mumbling came and she followed along.

“Un seul oignon frît à l'huile,
Un seul oignon nous change en lion,
Un seul oignon frît à l'huile
un seul oignon nous change en lion.”

It reminded her of home, back in the barracks of her former unit. While she'd have preferred a lazier job like back then, the things she could experience with this rag-tag gang would probably be useful for her own artistic skill. And so she continued to draw, more or less ignoring what was going on around her, or more accurately words coming through one ear, and exiting the other, the brain acting as a filter.

[Barapam]

Private Valkyria Stiglitz, for the first time wearing a Commonwealth combat uniform (which she thought was much uglier than the Ostri uniform), was absently listening to the briefing with half an ear. She was sitting with her boot-clad feet on the table, and rocked the chair while cleaning her fingernails with a knife and smoking a cigarillo. The knife had an inscription: "My honour is loyalty". Quite ironic, since Stiglitz had none of that. The knife wasn't even originally hers - she had just stolen it from an Ostri officer and used it to incapacitate said officer when she deserted. Stiglitz wasn't sure if the officer had survived or not, and in all honesty, she didn't really care either. Stiglitz were carefree like that. That was one of her more positive traits.

The grizzled criminal was one of the oldest in the room but she still held the lowest rank. That bothered her a little, but she understood why, and so she accepted it. In their seat, she wouldn't promote someone who at the same time was both a former enemy and a former convict either. Now, she was almost done with her manicure, and eyed her new comrades, taking mental notes of their faces. Then she blew some smoke rings towards the ceiling and turned towards Lancaster.

"Yes Sergeant, I have a question." Valkyria then pointed her knife, in a sort of non-threathening way, towards Maria Le-Vif, and addressed her directly. "Hey, frog-eater! What are you drawing?"

[The BranRiech]

Moritz Jahn

"Am I here to be... Briefed, as well?"

Moritz had been less than pleased with his treatment thus far. Having a Hessian sack thrown over his head was the least bit fun, but then again, the pistol barrel digging into his back had been rather annoying too. "Or are you going to put me in a different bumpy truck drive with a bag over my head?" He rolled his eyes, taking his sweet time, sauntering around several of the open chairs. He grinned, facing away from the woman in charge, as he let his swishing tail brush against everyone sitting on the outer row. "Entschuldigung, bitte."

His tone was sarcastic, as he sat down directly behind Valkyria and Maria.

"You two know why we're here?"

The two may have been surprised to hear a male voice, considering Moritz figured he was one of the few in the room.

[Vitainia]

It was blatantly axiomatic to state that Camille was in a choleric mood, and even moreso than the usual.

She looked over Marie's shoulder, which was a rather bad decision if future Camille could say so herself. But being a temporal entity beyond the bounds of this moment, future Camille is unable to communicate with these cretins, assuming that she could do so in any other circumstances.

Her irritation was by no means quelled by Maria's insistence on portraying such lascivious and lewd obscenity, panting as if she was the one getting fucked in the ass in the first place, which would look silly in every other context--except this one, that is.

She was aware that protesting against her whims would be a futile effort, for she noticed that doing so would only allow her to observe her words going through one ear from out of the other. In other words, shouting at her angrily would be a pointless effort and wouldn't bother to stop. But it made Camille feel a smidget better, and for once, she had an excuse to spew vast expletives from her mouth in the first place. Nobody would have approved of that, anyways, but it wasn't like she cared about that at all. Absolutely no way. None. Zip. Nada.

Whatever other synonym for the word 'no,' that's what it was.

"What the everloving fuck is that anatomically inaccurate abomination," she hissed under her breath, preparing to unleash yet another devastating tirade upon the bruised and battered world. One could only wonder how she became a combat medic, but it should be noted that combat medics weren't hired for their bedside manners, but rather for their actual medical experience; something that Camille actually was equipped with, thank you very much. But the gods were merciful for today, as before she could release the verbal representation of her fury, someone else walked into the room, interrupting her quickly derailing train of incomprehensive thoughts.

[Sonitusia]

Stanford, North Emiros
Corporal-chef Maria Le-Vif

Camille was correct for the most part; Maria was not paying attention to Stiglitz, or even the male who had sat down behind her. She had already begun putting ink onto the paper, finishing her work that had begun for perhaps a half hour or so. It wasn't her problem if people were annoyed by her drawing; she'd do it anyways. However, insulting her drawings was another things. She couldn't just get angry back at Camille though, she'd do it the way she normally does.

"If that's so, how about you undress?~" Maria said without looking at her, "Perhaps I can learn a thing or two about anatomy, Madame Docteur~" She giggled a little, but there was seriousness in her words, perhaps noting that Camille taking off her clothing may actually help a bit. While Maria was someone who had no medical experience, her knowledge on anatomy came from sight. So it wasn't odd in the past for the girl to spend some nights hiding in the shadows as couples did their business, or for her to hunt for public nudists to examine. She learned the body by memorization, not from the pages of a book or cutting one open.

[Danceria]

-Ask and ye shall receive-

Standford, North Emiros
Allied Encampment, Meeting Room
Morning, I'm not sure what time exactly

---

The person in question would be none other than Junior-Sergeant Polzin, Fyodor Valery Polzin. An Oskii veteran of the Hayastani Theatre, he casually swung the standard issue trenching shovel from a relaxed position over his shoulders and leaned it at the entrance. Snapping his feet together at attention, he straightened his posture to announce his arrival.

"First...Private Polzin, Fyodor Valery Polzin." he began in a pleasantly accented tenor, not used to returning to a lesser rank as he was a Junior Sergeant. "Of the 28th Assault Engineering Brigade, present and reporting for duty. I trust that I am not too late to the meeting." His eyes wandered to the captured soldier, and a predatory and smug smirk "Ah, newcomer to our happy little beach resort." Polzin gracefully walked over to the brown haired male.

1.73 meters Polzin stood, slender like a saber who's wiry build was beginning to develop noticeable muscles and broad shoulders. His ash-grey eyes and white hair gave him the appearance of an upright shark, or a smug ghost. Pulling up a chair and sitting half a stone's throw from the prisoner, he took small delight in the newfound prey. By his well groomed demeanor and haughty air, they must have surely snagged an officer.

But then again, most Ostri were like that. Arrogant bastards.

"I trust the early-morning ride didn't disrupt your beauty sleep too much." the Oskii continued to tease the Ostri. "But do not worry, these krasivyye devochki will no doubt find ways to...make your stay, shall we say...comfortable." Fyodor chuckled darkly and flashed a smirk and wink at the Aurexi doodling in the corner.

[Barapam]

Normally Stiglitz would be enraged at Maria for ignoring her, but with Camille passionately lashing out at the girl she felt that it was unnecessary... for now at least. Especially since their conversation soon took a rather interesting turn. Valkyria grinned. They were quite a bunch all right. An ex-con, a pornographer, a spitfire, and two men. It would be interesting to see how this would work out.

To her annoyance, the Ostri male seemed to want a conversation with her. Stiglitz wasn't a religious woman, but there was one quote from the scripture that she liked, and that summed up her view on men pretty good: "Men are to be silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says." To her, it was a mystery that they even were allowed to fight in the first place.

Slowly, she put the tip of her knife against the skin of Moritz's cheek as she stared into his eyes. "Listen carefully, because I will only tell you this once", she growled. "Never, never, brush your tail against me again, or I'll cut it off and force feed you with it. Understood?"

She then leaned back in her chair again, put the knife away, and proceeded in a more jovial tone. Since Moritz was Ostri like her, she found it suitable to continue in their own language. "There's a treasure to be found, apparently. But I don't see how you and that Oskii, the 'first private', can be of help. This ain't gonna be no flower picking, lad." As if to accentuate her words, she blew some cigarillo smoke into his face.

[The BranRiech]

Moritz Jahn

These people are unhinged...

Moritz surveyed the room as people started walking in, one by one.

Who fights over a drawing?

He kept his mouth shut, deciding that these people were definitely below him. Not in status or rank or anything though, in fact, they probably were all much better off than such a scoundrel such as Moritz Jahn. No, they were below his patience for caring. He scoffed, blowing a kiss in the direction of Polzin. "Will there be room service? I don't recall a valet or anything." His head danced to either side, looking flushed and worried.

Stopping a second after, his face turned deadpan.

"You guys need me for something." He wagged his finger towards the rather tall man, one of the only others in the room full of rather pretty ladies.

[Torsiedelle]

Briefing

Out of absolutely nowhere, the too-happy Commonwealth Corporal was behind Stiglitz, Le-Vif, and Moritz. Two gloves hands clasped, standing over them, she didn't seem like she could have been that upset, though-

"Hi! That's some SHARP stuff, isn't it?", She asked about the drawing. "And Miss Stiglitz, it's rude to talk down to a civilian or a fellow soldier. Perhaps you three should try to get along better."

She didn't reply to Jahn's question, merely letting her smile grow a bit wider and backing off.

Over in her corner, the Aurexi corporal perked up. "Frog eater? I'm offended!", She whined.

The Sergeant cut her off. "Yes. Well. That was a bad idea, so shut your mouths and let's get down to business, okay?", She said aloud. The Aurexi Corporal shut up and adjusted her seat. The happy Corporal bounced away, back beside her Sergeant. Everyone shut up, she began. "Mister Moritz, you don't know why you're here then.", She started. "You're here because...Sauveterre?"

The Aurexi girl piped up. "You're valuable! You are archaeologist, no? You will show us where valuable item is!"

Sergeant Lancaster nodded. "Exactly. Your profession and reputation make you an asset to our cause. We have reason to believe that the enemy has located an...energy source...in the desert, although they have yet to get their hands on it. It's our belief that you can determine that location and point us to it.", She said. "So, YOU will be our guide to finding this energy source so that we can snatch it from the Ostri. As for everyone else..."

She wrinkled her nose. "You'll be under my command, unfortunately. You're all needed in some way. None of you play by the rules, neither do I or my Corporals, and that's good for once! We'll be on our own and killing a lot of Krauts. I hope that interests everyone? I'm sure our Aurex friends will enjoy it."

The Aurexi Corporal raised her hand. "It interests me!"

[Taldaria]

Shakoora had been sitting quietly near the back listening to the conversation. She had grown up being told that if she had nothing to add she should just remain silent and had lived up to those expectations. Most of her childhood was handled with a calm hand but when she over stepped her bounds she knew it and she did not know these people's bounds. Besides she had nothing to say to them, her dark skin and thick accent got her into enough trouble and there was nothing worth saying.

The sergeant silenced them and then went on to explain why they were here. Once she had finished speaking she decided to ask a question. "Beg your pardon sergeant," she said standing up like a school girl, "but what intel to we have on the AO? Force distribution, terrain, weather conditions and the like"? She glanced at the corporal who had been rather enthusiastic about the whole thing, "I enjoy a good killing field as much as the next person but what are we expecting to go into out there"?

[Torsiedelle]

"Glad you asked!", Said the Sergeant. "Wellington, Sauveterre, pip pip."

Her corporal got to work. They illustrated three circles, running horizontally across the board, a slightly-curving line running right above them, while a more wavy line was drawn about a foot below them on the board. The left one was marked "A", the middle "B", and the Right "C", and an oval with a smaller over in it between B and C. Finally, Corporal Wellington drew what looked like a railroad track running from the top, past B, before stopping.

It was very crude.

"This is a...rough...depiction of our objective.", Said the Sergeant. "Point A is an enemy outpost, mostly for communications and supplies. It's connected to Point B, which is a village under Ostri occupation. The tracks run north to a mine in the hills, which rise up above the three points. Between point B and Point C is a mesa, and Point C is an outpost situated in a patch of abandoned ruins. The line beneath all of these is for a send ridge, which should keep up out of sight. Either Points A or C should have intel on operations in Point B, and hopefully data on our prize. We'll need to take either point before we move for the village, as intel on it is low."

She cleared her throat. "We have a small team, but I'm suggesting it split into two squads. Numbers will be roughly even, and allow simultaneous attacks on A and C. We can also requisition two light vehicle to move in, close together until we hit the ridge at nightfall."

Corporal Sauveterre piped up. "We will be fast, and unexpected, which will work greatly for us."

Corporal Wellington nodded. "It'll be smashing!"

The Sergeant agreed with them both. "I'll be moving with one squad, which means that one of my Corporals will be in command of the second.", She told the group. "I recommend you come to know my right and left hands. Corporal Wellington here is a nice woman, and she'll stitch you up when you get shot. Don't get on her bad side, or she'll dissect you."

Wellington's smile didn't shift.

"Corporal Sauveterre here is my other second in command. She's a bit younger, but don't get on her bad side either. She got Corporal after she stormed an Ostri trench. She isn't a very patient person."

"Damn right."

The three soldiers all snickered. They had some sort of in joke, perhaps?

"Anyways, I'm willing to go over any further questions before the briefing is over. Any takers? Speak now or hold your piece."

[Taldaria]

Shakoora stepped forward and examined the map, a simple enough strike with terrain features that would not hinder movement to severely. She looked over the locations and began working on a plan. "Sergeant," she said standing up right, "if the Alpha point is the key communications facility in the area then perhaps we need an early silent hand". She reached out and pointed at Alpha with her finger, "any sentry worth a damn would hear a fast mover miles before we get there and once an alert is raised reinforcements can be called in from all over the area before we touch down. The enemy will be on full alert and we will have even less time to get in and out of there in one piece".

She paused and turned to the room, "however, if we send in a two person team so secure the communications center then we can keep the dear and blind for the duration of the mission. It will be much longer before anyone even know we are there". She caught her breath and sighed to herself unable to believe what she was about to suggest. "What I am proposing is that myself and a marksman move in just ahead of the main strike group. I can sneak in and secure the communications room with a marksman giving me cover. Once we have that the main assaulting forces can finish securing the site while we hold the area against a counter attack. With the marksman outside the compound covering the door and me inside with my submachine gun we should be able to hold out until relieved and prevent a general alert along the enemies front".

She stopped and turned to the sergeant unsure if she had overstepped her bounds, "that is just one idea of course and I will acquiesce to those with more knowledge on the subject than I". She sat back down her tan face a slight tint of red from the embarrassment of opening her mouth.

[Sonitusia]

Corporal-chef Maria Le-Vif

"As SHARP as a needle," Maria joked, closing her book as the briefing began, "And thank you, Stag, I very much enjoy frogs."

She listened to the mission details, which basically made this out to be a treasure hunt in the middle of the desert. While it did excite Maria to venture out into a sandy wasteland, she hoped to get more time to use the new male as reference. No matter, she'd probably get her chance as everyone began sweltering under the desert sun. The thought made her drool a little as she stuffed the sketchbook into her rucksack, drawing utensils following after.

"Yaaaaay~" Maria joined in with the Corporal, raising her hand as well, rather lazily. As much as she loved killing Krauts, there was a certain beauty in drawing them before they were sent off to Azrael. She then watched as they began drawing, sleepily listening to the entire mission objective, while studying the picture with admiration. While it did get the point across somewhat, she'd be hard-pressed to really understand it unless they were given a map of some sort. So when they were given a chance to ask questions, Maria raised her hand once more.

"Why do the two corporals suck at drawing the same way they suck cock?" she asked simply.

[Torsiedelle]

Sergeant Lancaster hadn't expected the brown girl to hop up and begin suggesting her own plan. At first, she was annoyed, but something had told her to not interrupt, and as the girl went on, she found herself both skeptical, and a bit impressed. When she thought about it...they would be loud. She knew the girl was also pretty good, and they had some scouts among them. Whatever squad they were assigned to would have to stick behind a bit, but it could work. From what she knew, the outpost itself was very small, and not very well guarded...

She found herself grinning. "You're a hotshot, eh?", She asked, not expecting an answer. "Well, if you think that will work...you make a point about vehicles and noise. You and one other person however? Why don't we discuss it on the way? I'll go with that plan if it seems to be the best one.", She said.

Maria's joking question drew shock from all three commanding NCO's. Wellington dropped her grin, her eyes wide, her jaw dropped in shock. Margot, the Aurexi Corporal, raised an eyebrow, ready to throw down. Meanwhile, Sergeant Lancaster was simply trying to not erupt into laughter. The nerve on that girl!

While the medic in the back looked as though all the color was draining from her face, her compatriot jumped forward, directly in front of her. "You keep your mouth shut! I ought to take you outside and show you!", She spouted off, every little word slanted and accented with that accent of hers. She seemed to be newer to speaking English than Maria, for sure.

"Sergeant!", She said, whipping around. "I want this one in my squad! Males, too!"

Lancaster whistled. "Here that, needle girl?", She laughed. "Corporal Sauveterre wants you and the men. She's the tough cop of the bunch!"

Corporal Wellington was still pale. Maria had offended her sensibilities...

[Sonitusia]

Lancaster whistled. "Here that, needle girl?", She laughed. "Corporal Sauveterre wants you and the men. She's the tough cop of the bunch!"

Corporal-chef Maria Le-Vif
Maria squinted slightly as she felt the breeze of a hearty breakfast fly past her face, the smell obviously leaving its mark on her. While it wasn't exactly likable, she heeded no real warning, and mentally restated the sentences that the Corporal shouted with a proper Commonwealth accent. There was something about how the Aurexi spoke, however it wasn't much of a problem in the artist's case. Back on topic, it seemed that Sauveterre wanted Maria on her squad. The one who'd confronted her now wanted her to be a member of the expendables squad.

Fantastic! Perhaps there'd be moments of daring to immortalize, and all the men would be alongside to become the heroes that were normally only found in fairy tales. After all, there were only heroines in the world. Maybe these guys could change that?

"Haaaaaik," she replied in Japanese, another salute flying forwards, "It's an honor to work with the Aurexi slut who wants all the men~"

[The BranRiech]

"Dr." Moritz Jahn

"Archeo... Archeologist! Yes!" His eyes shot open, already half bored to death. With someone drawing steamy porn of everyone, everyone else trying to pick fights about it, and the rest just looking like a bunch of incompetent assholes, Moritz knew the other half of his death would probably be because of one of them anyways. "I was searching the ruins of Ampau." He confirmed, eyes shifting around again.

Was he really gonna' have to play that one out for the rest of his time here?

The young man huffed, shoving his hands deep into the pockets of his emptied-pants. The lies he'd told them were mostly smeared with a thin veneer of the truth. He was looking for the lost treasure of Ampau, he did see some of his fellow countrymen digging a bloody-big mine. Shakoora had just finished her explanation by the time Maria had dropped the greatest bombshell of them all.

The slender man nearly fell over, face tearing up even.

"Aaaaaaahahahahahaaa!" Moritz laughed for a few seconds. "Ja... Ja. They definitely need better cartography skills. Oh God... I wanna be in her squad." The man pointed over at the sharp-tongued Aurexi girl.

And so it was.

Apparently they'd been wanted on the same squad anyways, and Moritz breathed a sigh of relief. At least he'd probably end up dead spending his last moments with someone funny for a change.

[Danceria]

Lancaster whistled. "Here that, needle girl?", She laughed. "Corporal Sauveterre wants you and the men. She's the tough cop of the bunch!"

Corporal-chef Maria Le-Vif
Maria squinted slightly as she felt the breeze of a hearty breakfast fly past her face, the smell obviously leaving its mark on her. While it wasn't exactly likable, she heeded no real warning, and mentally restated the sentences that the Corporal shouted with a proper Commonwealth accent. There was something about how the Aurexi spoke, however it wasn't much of a problem in the artist's case. Back on topic, it seemed that Sauveterre wanted Maria on her squad. The one who'd confronted her now wanted her to be a member of the expendables squad.

Fantastic! Perhaps there'd be moments of daring to immortalize, and all the men would be alongside to become the heroes that were normally only found in fairy tales. After all, there were only heroines in the world. Maybe these guys could change that?

"Haaaaaik," she replied in Japanese, another salute flying forwards, "It's an honor to work with the Aurexi slut who wants all the men~"

Standford, North Erimos
Allied Encampment, Meeting Room
Morning, Just after the briefing

---

"Hey, just because you're my bosses doesn't mean I'll do everything you will ask me to do." he chuckled, not shying away from the chance to banter. A cruel idea entered Fyodor's head, and he hoisted up the Ostri male. "This one seems eager to become the, ah, valet if you know what I am implying. Let this be motivation for us to come back alive."

Upon releasing the Ostri, he turned to the tan girl. "You bring up good suggestion of doing more with less. Let us first get headcount about who is good at who. I have idea for what to do about inevitable reinforcements, but I want to be sure about what I have. Also suggestion," he motioned for both the tan girl and the commander to listen closely as he whispered. "Let's not bring in the prisoner. One less civvie to worry about, one less traitor to potentially stab us in back, da?"

[Stormwrath]

Some random town in the middle of nowhere

Let's just say this decrepit building wasn't exactly the best place to hold a squad meeting, but at least the roof hadn't crashed on their heads, or a dust storm didn't blow in their general direction, or that the enemy wasn't here yet. Not that Nancy would pay any attention to any of that.

Far from the rest of the infantrymen who were gathering towards the middle of the room, she was content sitting on this crate by the wall. Compared to sitting right next to her comrades, this was the closest to peace and quiet that she could get. And she rightly wanted it to be kept that say, since she was already immersed in her book. The novel was all about an alternate universe where men without cat ears were fighting a world war over land, resources, and ideology—set in a time period very close to theirs. It seemed silly that someone would think that there was a race of people lacking cat ears, or that men were prominent in that society, but regardless it's an interesting fiction to keep reading. And keep reading she was going to do.

Yet her cream-colored ears began to twitch. Oh gods, the others are being loud again. It almost always happened every time that they gathered to meet—often one of her squadmates would begin to start teasing and poking around, and then the other person would react in a borderline violent manner, and then it was reciprocated among everyone and then everyone began to get so loud... Nancy's teeth began to grit from the noise and she was about to call them to shut the fuck up.

But then the Sergeant had beaten her to it.

Now the briefing was finally beginning. Putting her book down, Nancy shifted her buttocks and turned towards the board. The mission didn't seem to look too bad—take the two outposts, find any intel on the village in between, and infiltrate accordingly. What could possibly go wrong? Though that "Maria Le-Vif" girl could use some work in trying to make good timely jokes as well as control her crude and uncivil tongue. Geez, the Aurexi are always like this. But with her and the males being brought under Corporal Sauveterre's group, she figured that the rest will go with the Sarge. Which was relieving considering that she wasn't likely to get along well with Maria or that barbaric Oskii.

"Careful with the archaeologist," Nancy finally spoke up, glancing at Fyodor. "He's vital to this mission, and we wouldn't want a liability on our hands." Smirking she added, "Unless of course, if that Divinite isn't at all important."

[Danceria]

-somebody's bein a sassy-

Standford, North Erimos
Allied Encampment, Outside the Meeting Room
Morning, shortly after the briefing

---

"Very well." the Ostri shrugged passively, "If he is injured or shoots us in back because he is Ostri double agent or stupid civvie tupista that enjoys running towards the bullets...don't say I didn't tell you so." he answered with an equal smirk. "Most "liabilities" shouldn't be put in line of fire, da? If he has intel, then intel ought to remain as far from enemy hands as possible. But of course." Fyodor added with a patient but sardonic smirk on his lips. "I am an Oskii, and a male. I not know much of things."

Fyodor didn't pretend to be blind to the myriad of reasons males were treated as second class citizens west of the Baltic. No doubt in many of his "comrades" minds males were only good for plowing the fields and plowing them in bed. At the moment, he did not deem it necessary to state that he was a part of an elite group of soldiers that helped quell resistance in Hayastan. About the three years he spent after being transferred to an Assault Engineering Brigade, where he worked digging trenches under artillery fire and sweltering heat by day and sniper fire and freezing cold by night. He did not mention how he earned his position here by his swiftness of work and setting up needed foxholes and supply routes.

He intended to show these suki why exactly he survived. Because he knew how to kill the enemy and accomplish the objectives before the enemy could do the same to him. This routine intel gathering mission would be a perfect opportunity to shine. They may laugh and sneer now, but they will learn.

[The BranRiech]

Mr. Jahn

And of course...

He was mad now.

"Get your fucking hands off me now, worm." His teeth were bared, just his fangs really. One could look at his soft, youthful face, and think that such a man wasn't capable of intimidation, but he could definitely prove them wrong. Were Oskii men really that confrontational and well... Dumb? Moritz brushed off his jacket as he sat back down. "Neanderthals..." He whispered under his breath, shaking his head. While the prospects of sharing the squad with Maria was quite entertaining, it was equally brought down by having to spend time with Polzin...

"Did someone step in your Borscht this morning?" He went for the good old targeted joke, still hearing the grating alcoholic accent spouting off scathing things. "Or wait... That'd improve the taste, sorry."

The Ostri scoundrel looked away, kicking his feet up on the bottom rungs of Valkyria's chair.

[Torsiedelle]

Cadre

Sergeant Lancaster was giggling to herself the entire time. The poor bastard, all of them. It would be a fun mission, definitely. That was, if they didn't die during it. She enjoyed banter and whatnot, although this...was getting a bit out of hand. No worries.

She needed to get everyone outside and ready to team up...

"Wellington, Sauveterre, get the doors.", She said quietly, curtly. The two did as order. Margot went back to the door which they had entered through, and closed it tight. Marie secured the inside door. Now that they were all to themselves...

"Listen up you fucking worms!". The Sergeant's voice boomed. She began to walk, slowly, her boots clacking with each step on the hard floor beneath her. "You grabasstic cocksucking pieces of shit better fucking listen for once in your miserable lives, because you'll sure wish you did once Jerry skullfucks you!"

She stopped, just short of the motley little crew. She found herself chuckling; she didn't yell often.

"Okay then.", She began, calmly, but loudly, clapping once. "We'll form up outside and team up, aye? Corporal Wellington will be my assigned leader for Squad One, and Corporal Sauveterre will be for Squad Two. I'll be with Squad one as well. Treat your Corporals well. They'll be keeping you alive."

With that, she nodded back to Margot, who popped open the door to the outside and waved for everyone to follow. She looked disinterested, as did the Sergeant, being somewhat drained after such a short outburst. Marie was just as chipper as ever, though notably silent as she shuffled past the woman, hands clasps in front of her. It seemed like neither of the Commonwealthers were used to raising their voices.

Sergeant Lancaster waved her hand. "Fall out and get ready for a little road trip. We'll use a transport, it'll be nice and cozy, but as the Private pointed put, we will be stopping earlier than planned in order to scout ahead without being detected."

[Barapam]

Stiglitz had gone increasingly more irritated with her comrades. It was hard to point out what exactly it was that disturbed her, but maybe it partially was the general Commonwealth cheerfulness. This was war, and sure, killing was fun, Stiglitz would be the first one to admit to that, but why was it necessary to be so damn jolly about it?

She was irritated by the Aurexi too, but that was simply because she didn't like those arrogant wine-drinking frog-fuckers no matter what they did.

And of course the two men would begin to fight. Men! Who's idea had it been to grant them rights in the first place? If Valkyria ever met the woman responsible, she would certainly punch her.

Given all this, it was only natural that the Ostrian outlaw dozed off. She closed her eyes and didn't listen to the instructions provided by the officers, instead she just finished her cigarillo and thought back to the happy pre-war days in Furlin, when she had been a part of "Tabby Abby's" crew. The heists, the parties... sweet memories.

She was violently brought back to reality when her chair crashed down on the floor. The added weight of Moritz Jahn's feet caused it to tip over, and Stiglitz cursed loudly when she hit her butt hard. Enraged again, she got up and grabbed Moritz by the collar. "You're lucky we're not in the same team form now on!" She then let him go, and got out the door, eager to get away from all these idiots. Even serving under the Aurexi officer would be an improvement.

[Torsiedelle]

Formation

After falling out, soldiers were expected to form up outside. The formation area was open, though small, as the ground sloped up around them, sandbags and boards placed around the perimeter; two medium-sized transport trucks had been pulled into the back, already loaded with small water tanks, rope, and some other supplies, while a small group of soldiers were still at work loading up more.

Formation was short, just a recap of the briefing to everyone, and assignments into squads. Sergeant Lancaster tallied everyone together into roughly equal groups, each one having its own truck.

Squad Apples
Sgt Lancaster
Cpl Wellington
Mr. Mortitz
PFC Finch
Pvt El-Malik
JSGT/PFC Polzin

Squad Baker
Sgt Dragoyarev
Cpl Sauveterre
Cpl Trémoïlle
LCPL Le-Vif
Pvt Stiglitz
Pvt Al-Hashim

Six to a squad, each squad with at least one medic and marksman. They were roughly equal, and separated into Commonwealth and Aurexi units. The addition of the Osk Sergeant was something that Sergeant Lancaster had not anticipated however, her giving a confused "What the hell.", As she looked over the new addition.

Margot was annoyed; she had expected to lead the squad as her Sergeant had intended, but the addition of a second Sergeant meant that she was only a second-in-command.

"Alright, Sergeant...Dragoyarev..."

Lancaster clapped her hands together once more. "You will be assigned to Squad Baker, which will consist primarily of Aurexi soldiers, so do mind their sensibilities, and...we do have another Osk soldier, a private, who will be assigned to Squad Apples with me.", She said. She wrapped a pen against the paper, which she was holding out for the woman to take. "I've selected my Corporal Sauveterre to Squad Baker as well. We hadn't planned on receiving another ranking NCO, so she was slated to lead the Squad. You hold rank, so I can't stop you from leading, though Corporal Sauveterre is quite knowledgeable, and should be helpful. She's a conscript, though, so she might be a bit unruly sometimes, you should know how that goes, eh? Oh, and Don't let their bloody onion song drive you mad."

The trucks were loaded, and every soldier would receive a small bundle of gear - lensatic compasses and field maps for land navigation with their three points already marked out, and for everyone, a pair of Mark 8 Aviators Goggles, just like the RAF pilots used. The goggles were meant to protect their eyes in case of sandstorms or rough rides.

"Alright, lads, let's get ready to roll out.", Shouted Lancaster, rounding everyone up into their trucks. They'd be off in no time, splitting when they neared their targets; Squad Apples would tackle Point A, where Private El-Malik had pointed to, and Squad Baker would attack the ruins at Point C.

[Tsuyoi Tekikoku]

Starshina Sonia Dragoyarev

The Osk female simply nodded and didn't give any emotions, not, that she needed to. The thought of commanding an squad consisting mainly of Aurexi soldiers slightly disappointed her as they seemed bit a snobby in her honest opinion but she kept that towards herself, and herself only.

"Then i'll make good use of her." Dragoyarev's voice was clouded with a thick russian accent that oddly fitted well with how monotone and calm it sounded, it would be easy to tell that this sergeant had the emotional range of a toaster. 'Their songs will not annoy me, i can simply block it out with tunes from my own country."


The Osk sergeant after being dismissed hearing orders was the first of her squad to load onto the truck, she placed her AT Rifle between her legs and stared at it intently, only one could wonder what she was thinking. But for her, she was thinking about her life before joining Osk's army, the life she had with two parents and the hard job of being a tough yet caring mechanic's assistant that she had to take up after losing one. Her main goal was to rise to the highest rank in the Osk army as high as she could get, and as quickly as possible but her reason for fighting was for her family.