"Ah reckon yer right." April responded to the Abwehran security guard, craning her head to watch what was going on inside for a moment before deciding that it was safe to go back inside. "Yer probably jus' invited 'cause ya were part of our group. While we'll kindleh give ya food an' rest and even some clothes to borrow while washin' yers, Ah doubt the Star Army is gonna upgrade yer Power Armor, 'Specially if it's a personal unit." April nodded sagely at that as she found herself a seat near the middle of the larger table near where Sif was sitting, and flopped down unceremoniously. Cupping her hands over her mouth, the blonde whispered at the mini Neko "Yer scarin' tha newbies, Hun," in a Joking manner.
*************
The Juni seemed impassive, simply observing the two new Nepleslians as they made quite a bit of hot air and not much else. Obviously, they were both inexperienced, which could be a bad thing, but it also meant that they were ready to be taught in a proper manner. Hopefully, this lack of experience wouldn't lead to their deaths in battle, as it had for the previous Nepleslian. Speaking of whom, it seemed he had been resurrected and summarily transferred to another unit. Kai wasn't really one to ask why in a situation like that, though he wondered exactly what command was doing, transferring so many soldiers in the middle of combat. Perhaps they were working out kinks in the system the hard way, by trying to break it and see if it still worked. Regardless, Sif was correct. Though not everyone had arrived yet, he would have to begin the meeting for those who were here.
The Juni addressed James and Brandon first, however. "Please, you two, take a seat and try not to speak for a short while. I have logged you both as reporting in, so your task is completed for the moment. Any further distractions will likely cause nothing but delays, and perhaps bruises, neither of which are necessary. If you will allow me, I have a meeting to begin with the rest of my Squad." The previously impassive soldier seemed to be staring intently at the two, his gaze piercing into their apparently thick skulls in either some form of disappointment or annoyance, despite the fact that nothing about his features had changed from before. After about half a second of this, which might have felt like several minutes, Kai spoke again.
"As you all may know..." Nakamura Juni began, slipping off of the small front table in order to make sure he could properly project his voice, "The Power armors you have been using are a newer model, the Daisy II. Unlike its predecessor, it is compatible with every modular component available to the Star Army, including the back modules that the Daisy I was unable to mount. Since you have survived your first day of combat, you have been awarded modifications to the loadouts of your armors, including the ability to use the new Origin Industries GR-series rifles you have seen myself and Jackson Heisho using."
Kai produced a datapad from his uniform, and laid it on its side, allowing it to project a volumetric image of a standard Daisy II for the squad to observe. "Currently, you are all using the standard
General Issue Loadout. This, as Nishizaki Heisho so eloquently pointed out before, is simply 'Good enough' and indeed is also one of the cheapest configurations the Star Army can field while still giving you what are considered effective weapons." The Juni pressed the Datapad again, and the image changed.
It was again a Daisy II, but this time it had been modified. "This is
Grimace, My armor. As you can see, it has been changed in several ways. I have moved my sword from the back mount to one of the shoulder armatures, and added a barrier shield module to increase my defensive capabilities. I have given myself a shoulder-mounted missile pod, as well, I have broadened my mini-missile capabilities by adding both Offensive and Defensive pods to my unit. This does have its drawbacks, however. I am unable to carry a secondary rifle, and because I have a mix of missile types, I will run out of either in half the time of someone whom has a full compliment of a single type."
The datapad was pressed again, and the armor changed once more. "This is Jackson-Heisho's
armor. As you can see, she does have a secondary weapon in case her primary becomes ineffective. She also carries only countermeasure Missile pods, as well as a backpack that has extra ammunition. Her main armament is also a fire support weapon. As you can see, she has set up her armor as a support unit. While she does not have the most offensively effective loadout, she is more than capable of lending aid to any of you."
Having given his two examples, the Juni sent a
List of equipment choices to the squad at large. However, Brandon, James, Simo, and of course Fieke, did not receive the list. The Juni seemed aware of this as he immediately addressed those who did not get the list. "I would like all of you to select a loadout for your power armor, and then submit it to me for approval. Alken-Hei and Starks-Hei, you have yet to earn a customized loadout, however, you will be awarded one pending your survival of tomorrow's battles. The rest of you have two hours to submit a new loadout to me. As for Simo-Hei, I would like to speak with you privately after this meeting. Dismissed!"
With a bow to his squad, the Juni then made his way back to the small table, sitting down as he had been before, observing those present.
