“That we are.” *He nodded his head to the armory on their left, directly beside the control room. Through the trees tucked away on the farthest wall, but still clearly represented. It normally sealed off while there is a session in place, but Leon made sure to leave it open as he had figured Raven would come with her sniper rifle packing. Leon himself came with his casual attire and weapons, but he switched his pistol for another energy sword, for optimum melee ability given they will be fighting Alven.* “It’s Alven and Inglai today and we have a marksman coming. Go grab something for melee weaponry.”
*That’s when the message from Clarissa flipped onto his helmet. The great thing about these suits was that they could be equipped with Smart AI’s, and these AI’s normally were based off the wearers mind. Thus, they always knew what was necessary for the person it served. By keeping a connection to Leon’s computer back in his office, he was able to bring any messages or information directly to Leon’s helmet HUD. After reading it, he smiled beneath his helmet, and thought his reply, watching it fill the screen in words. One could never explain his love for this suit.*
“At ease soldier. You will find out, as often in the combat situation a Dire Wolf is put into, there is little to no info on the enemy. The most I can say is that both Alven and Inglai are doing battle here. It is up to you to discern friend from foe, as designators will not be permitted to you. You must think fast, and act faster. Your performance will determine what class of soldier you will become, the better the performance, the higher the class. We are to eliminate all Inglai, discern friend from foe among the Alven, and get home before the sun rises. Is that understood?”
*Leon leaned in close at the final words to young man’s face, his voice taking on a rather intimidating tone. A Dire Wolf is strong and has a will to compete with the greatest of gods, he had to make sure this was installed in the boy else he wouldn’t survive the modification process. From the record, he had high hopes for him, but in the end it’s up to him what happens.*
“I suggest you gather from the armory on your right an SRS99-S5 AM, you will need it. We will be facing Inglai heavy weapons. You know what that means. Heavy armor, and we need something long range to punch through it. You’re our marksman today. That will be your job.”
*Then his eyes fell upon the female who entered the room. To his surprise, incredible surprise at that, it was the pilot he’d played ball with the previous night. Confused, he rose a brow beneath his helmet. In his mind, he could not understand why Mack would invite her, of all the people in Echo Base, her. Leon would’ve settled better for the lead of Trydent Squad, not…their pilot. She was fast, crafty, and intelligent, but she was not a ground trooper, at least in his opinion. However, her salute was taken well, and he was happy his confused look was hidden behind his Helmet. Though he still asked his questions.*
“Lawrence, you’re the pilot of the SCAR Hermes correct? I’m assuming Sergeant Major Steele sent you….did he explain why or give any reason for his decision?”
Entering the simulator, what met Clarissa’s line of vision was a jungle setting, and the calls and hoots of wild animals, added to the realistic atmosphere. Clarissa’s heavy set gravity boots crunched through the leaf litter and foliage, while her face remained obscured behind her visor.
Leon was most likely the first to have arrived, and of course, when Clarissa entered, she found he was already in conversation with the others. Notably Raven was in attendance, just as the communiqué had mentioned. She was practically bouncing around, wearing the body hugging stealth suit, that accentuated each curve and..feminine bumps. Course, Clarissa’s suit was not designed to show perky breasts, that were hidden behind her armour. Easy to see why so few even regarded her as female beneath her suit.
Rodger was there, wearing his full stealth black Sky Runner Mark V, and full loaded with the latest custom M395 DMR with high powered scope and extended barrel. By the looks of it, the M395 had some new modifications, perhaps he had worked it over himself. Clarissa would ask, but then messages came up within her helm, thanks to the marvellous technology the Mark X provided. ~Lovely, I can text and fight at the same time~ she thought to herself with a smirk.
Clarissa turned her head to see that Anna was also present in this exercise, wearing the Sky Runner Mark V. Fancy was all that came to mind when Clarissa gave it the once over, still keeping to herself with her thoughts, since it was Leon that was running this operation, and she would speak when called upon, not before.
She happened to notice that Mack had failed to make an appearance yet, and turned to look back to where the door had been. Must have been running late, though it was unlike him to be tardy in his duties. Clarissa stepped forward, knowing full well, she better make her presence known. Holding the MA5D Assault Rifle in her gloved hands, she gave each a nod in turn, before lowering her weapon, and saluting her Commanding officer.
“Major Grant…reporting for duty.”
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*Using his Helmet HUD, he established a camera link to her’s, one that went both ways, and smiled once he saw her. This feature was something Leon had Harver, his AI, install into his helmet for training and combat purposes, to better relate with his men on the ground. It’s proven that, with the right expression and tone, soldiers react as desired if given a direct link to their commander. This device has proved useful over many situations The look he gave her word of said it all, sorrow, and apologetic words were flooding his mind as he seemed to get quiet for a few seconds. When she approached, he gave a simple nod. He looked to Anne, and spoke.*
“Very well, just don’t get us killed.”
*HE looked to Roger then, and rose a brow, his face becoming stern and strict. Telling him to get a sniper rifle and what he was going to tell him now were far from suggestions. They were orders, to make this combat sequence run smoother. He Stepped close to him, and leaned down a bit to get in his face.* “I suggest you run home and get your helmet. If I see you in a combat situation without it, there will be consequences.” *He then leaned up, and stepped back, retaining his place, speaking to the group.* “Now we wait for Sgt Major Steele, and we can get the briefing underway.”
[I]Ok from here on out Boys and Girls, we are referred to by our Call-Signs. I am Warmachine. Call me SgtMaj or Mack and I’ll lobotomize you where you stand. Clear? We will insert from the air. The roof of this room is nearly a thousand feet. With full synthetic weather systems. He let the sequence continue while he briefed them.
Pretty Boy…..China Doll.. He paused a moment to appreciate how odd Anna looked in her borrowed Mark V. And Widow Maker, you don’t make drops like us, so this goes for you as well….I know the Sky Runners think you’re hot shit when you make a drop and chute in…..Dire Wolves do things a bit different. He stepped off the platform fully suited and grabbed his helmet from the nearby table. When a Dire Wolf is called into battle, it is the razor’s edge of shit hittin the fan. We need to get from where we are to boots quicker than the Ladies’ wet their Hanes Her Way for Pretty Boy here. He didn’t worry about about offending anyone, they were used to the talk. Roger was a bright red underneath his camo. We don’t fuck around with no chute…we use a temporary shield that buffers the impact. So when you jump, it’s basically ALL free fall, then you pray to all your Gods or Devils that the shield works, or you’re getting poured into sandwich baggies to mail home. Since you lot are new to the club, hear you go. He handed out the shield generators. They work in a single 5 second burst. Safety notes…this is a Simulation of combat….however, the jump will be very real…so do as you’re told and don’t die in my Sim Room or I will personally shit on your corpse. Now….is this all in anyway unclear?…..well tough shit….lock it up! He slid his helmet on and grabbed an assault rifle & plasma blade.
Roger took on his Soldier persona as Mack spoke. He blushed just a bit at the joke at his expense but didn’t show any change of face. He wasn’t totally surprised by the shield generator. After all he wanted to be a Dire Wolf; of course he did his homework. As for Anna being there, he never asked for that, he just mentioned how much a part of the Team she was. But, she was tougher than she let on, and he trained with her sometimes to help her keep the edge up on other Female Troops. She had a reputation as a Pretty Face, and had a hard time earning respect as a Soldier, so this would get her major points and shut some of the Males up. He leaned in to her and squeezed her hand reassuringly. No sweat China. You got this. Stick close to me and just picture all those Haters who will have to pull their foot completely out of their mouths before they can try to doubt you’re a Soldier. You’re more than just a Beautiful Woman….and it’s time more People than just me, knew it. He winked at her, then tapped his visor closed and straightened up as Mack finished the brief. Roger that! Clear as fucking crystal, hooah!. He had traded his rifle for a sniper rifle, which he had already went through functions checks on and loaded.
*Once Mack was done, Leon’s pursed lips formed a smile of never before seen proportion as he drew his Energy Swords from his hips and began heading toward the elevator that brought everyone up to the drop off room. The room was designed to look like the inside of a Hermes, since that was the only ship that could drop from so high in the air, it was realistic and more necessary than one would think. As he headed in it’s direction, he stopped and spun around taking steps backward as he reactivated the outbound speakers of his helmet.*
‘Let us have new contest!” *The smile could be heard on his words.* “Then see who is worthy of the title of Dire Wolf.” *Once finished, he turned around quickly, stomping into the elevator, ready for a fight.*
Feeling someone squeeze her hand, she looked to see it was Roger and then she listened to his little speech which made her smile. She nodded, “Thanks Pretty Boy,” she said. He was right, this was her chance to show she wasn’t just a pretty face and that she was a soldier. Boy, was she going to do her damn best in doing that. “Lets do this,” she said to him after the wink. She then walked with Roger to the elevator.
Right on cue…in came Mack, and he threw a helmet at Rodger, speaking in a tone that would have younger cadets piss their pants and crying for momma. When he spoke, to the group assembled, it was enough to put the fear of God into them, but course, Clarissa had seen it all before, and kept her place as he spoke.
“Ok from here on out Boys and Girls, we are referred to by our Call-Signs. I am Warmachine. Call me SgtMaj or Mack and I’ll lobotomize you where you stand. Clear?”
~Crystal..~ Clarissa thought to herself, not wanting to interrupt him when he was on a roll. He addressed each in turn by their call signs. Pretty boy, China Doll and of course, Widow Maker. When a Dire Wolf is called into battle, it is the razor’s edge of shit hittin the fan. We need to get from where we are to boots quicker than the Ladies’ wet their Hanes Her Way for Pretty Boy here.” The language Mack was using, and putting it so vividly, Clarissa had to bite her tongue to refrain from laughing about the one called Pretty Boy. But then she heard Leon’s voice coming through directly to her helm so only she could hear his thoughts of Pretty Boy. .* “Lacks focus around women. Maybe you should keep your helmet on Rissa. Wouldn’t need him dropping his shield too early. Or too late.” Clarissa smirked up at his image in her helmet and replied into her mic. “Yeah, well I think he already has doe eyes for young China, and besides, if he looks at me THAT way, I am personally going to rip off his right arm and shove it so far up his ass, he will be able to tickle his own tonsils.” She wasn’t afraid to let it be known, that she was not going to be taking no crap on this exercise…from anyone.
Leon took the floor at the end of Mack’s speech and then with his outbound speakers on, he yelled out; ‘Let us have new contest!” Clarissa beamed from within her helm and adjusted the hold on her rifle, before following behind Leon towards the elevator. “Then see who is worthy of the title of Dire Wolf.” He said, much to her delight. ~Oh this is going to be fun.~ She thought. Maybe she was no pole dancing beauty, or fancy like those civilian girls, but on the battle field, was where she shined.
With her outbound speakers on, she sung out.
“Step aside…Queen Bee’s got this one in the bag…..HOOAH!”
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