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[NSMC 309th] Mission 2: Creating Hope

The Geshrin listened to the briefing and made note of the video footage. The walls were familiar as were those turrets. "I wonder, how old is this footage? The Reds have a bad habit of planting improvised explosives along the road ways..." Autumn asked, as she fiddled with her helmet in her hands. Her gaze scanned over her new squad mates curiously again. Her impression of the governor was fairly neutral, the woman was ambitious. She remembered the failings of an ambitious woman outside her depth on Rok'Veru... the actual Violetta. She never thought much of politicians but was concerned when they decided that they were tacticians.

She nodded as she was introduced and moved to join the squad. The holding pattern was simple enough, make allies to fight alongside.
 
Joe was a little embarrassed by Fitz's comment about it being tight, seeing the innuendo there. He did however consider it a breakthrough towards good relations with the tank crew.

He listened as the Governess spoke plainly and really felt where she was coming from. It never even crossed his mind that she could be covering something up or manipulating anyone. He was ready to follow through and do the best he could for her, Nepleslia and the Lieutenant.
 
Militia HQ

The idea of using the Sōkō Neko as some sort of showpiece for Nepleslian strength rang hallow with Ella. While the prospect of recon was at least bearable in the that she wouldn't have to get out of tank but the plan and try and get some hicks and some hobos on their side elicited only a faint grimace from the back of the group.

Thankfully, the new new person would be staying outside the tank. If only the other two would take her as an example...
 
Militia HQ

Fang Yin had taken to silence because she wasn't quite sure about several small aspects of the plan, yet the woman had still bought her good nature through simple flattery and the promise of new kit, for sure. It's not like the soldier would have been unmotivated if they outright called this a challenge, but then again, this was a civilian governor they were talking about. Even if it was an attractive, bossy lady, clean cut with those mysterious synthetic-shell legs...

Stay on topic, Zhou...

Why did they even need the walls? Surely the towers alone would have done the job? Who's idea was it to name the entire region swear words and innuendos? And why did they need two explosives experts for a mission that was supposed to be winning local support? They must be extra Nepleslian, for the last one to work...

"Erm, Sir?" The ashen-haired woman blinked, then raised a hand up towards Juno with rather ill-fitting schoolgirl nervousness. "May I just ask, what level of authority do local forces have over us? During that last mission, we collaborated with some nice cyborg fellas, but we also darn nearly got sucked into joining their own personal offensive, ya know?..."

The half-glance that they were giving Minnie suggested the sheepishness might actually have been because of what they said, surprising the large woman by talking about something so grizzly as if it was polite conversation. They didn't disapprove, just... It was scary. Talking about that stuff casually was scary.

Two seconds ago, they were all chummy like a nice new family, and now this group had gone and turned this battleplan all serious and stuff.
 
Militia HQ

Ignoring Fitz after tossing his hat was the only way to focus in, Juno's voice cut through clearly even as the governess was forced to stand silently after making her plea.

"None, Fang. And no need. We don't need to know shit about their health, Doc. They'll be dead by the time we're done." The man's gaze turned then to their newest member. "Private Wilde, we were brought in to kill Reds, but it's not them we're even dealing with yet. These pirates have been providing a buffer and the fucking red-wearing cowards have been hiding and working in the confusion. We can start worrying about those fuckfaces once we reach them."

The stern leader turned and gave a nod to the Governess, the short red-head simply sighing and turning as she made her way outside. The planning had ended, but Juno's lack of movement said it all to the collection of soldiers. Instead, the man moved to the front of the group and sat back against the table with his arms crossing. The man's personal submachine gun was stuck to one hip while his sidearm was on the other, causing quite the jingle as he decided to reach out and wait for Fitz to return his hat.

"Now, before we get going... I want everyone to know something and remember this. Our enemies are the scum of space," he let the statement hang in the air, bringing his large Nerimium-tipped hand out and opening the palm to emphasize. "All of this has nothing to do with them, but they're in our way. The 309th aren't here to make nice with them... we're here to end the Red threat here. Whether or not they're really part of that group, we can't know for sure... but what we do know is that they're putting the prosperity of our planet at risk."

"We don't need to listen to any of these locals... but it'd be best for us to remember that we're here for them. We play nice, they play nice, and we all get to fucking paste the mountains with those shitstains and get rid of criminals who probably keep sex slaves and shoot those weird dogs those Abwehrans have."

His hand returned to beneath his arm, looking the group over in the silent humming of the command room. The battle before had been gruesome, but it wasn't but a notch on the belt of a seasoned soldier like himself. Among the group, few had endured more than one or two conflicts in comparison to the tank commander. He still remembered his earliest command, when the old Maximus back then had been shot through the track and the shell detonated beneath the driver's cabin. The old driver back then had crawled out of the machine while on fire, only to be gunned down by the Mishhu scum. They thankfully had nowhere near that sort of battle yet, save for perhaps Wilde and Fitz, and if it was up to him he would prevent that.

"We'll be taking the recommended trip. You don't need to fucking smile at them, but sure as shit do our job and look at least half as tough as you actually are. We do that, then the platoon moves up to the wall. Way I figure it, the corporations built the things back in the early days of the colonial conflicts to fend off the Reds... now, they just make really impressive forward bases. The locals will fight their own campaign in the northern expanse, but our friends from the previous battle will likely be assigned to us. That big fuck and those two who were sparring outside will be our local faces and help us keep out of trouble. So suck their dicks, eat them out, or just show them your gun, I don't care. But make sure we stay in the thick of it with them. The only people we need to save face with are the Governess and those three, since they're useful."

Standing up straight, the lieutenant turned his gaze toward Ella before pointing at the Hanako doll-carrying mess of a driver.

"Duville, head out with the Corporal and Bat Boy and get the big beast roaring." His gaze shifted then to Fang with a nod. "The squad and I are going to go round up our locals, get our shit packed, and then get us out and on the road. Fang here will handle checking everyone's bags to make sure you're not missing anything, either. Once we're moving, there's no telling when we're going to have the rest of the platoon catching up. So no leaving behind anything important like your fucking guns or grenades."
 
Militia HQ

"Oh". She mumbled to herself grimly at the Lieutenants decision, Seeing her mistake. What was normal and commonplace conversation for someone in Minnie's profession might come off as disturbing for the common marine who didn't have to concern themselves with the aftermath of their actions she realized when she caught Fang's concerned glance.

Minnie got up from her chair, Tied her hair back in its usual bun behind her head, And eschewed her Beret back afterwards and nodded to herself. Nothing was easier for a doctor than something like this. All she had to do was wave around a capsule bottle and promise medication from all that ails them from the various sexually transmitted infections and diseases a backwater like this was rampant with, And half the garrison would be following the Maximus out the gate, singing praises towards the 309th and its heroic doctor.

"Should be a piece of cake." She nodded to herself again and looked back to Fang. Hopping to raise the mood again between them on the topic of the militia "Elite" they would have to round up "Are we going to take our shirts off too for this too?" She grinned, hopping Fang would see the comedy in this considering all the other females present beside Fang where either lacking like Minnie Or already armored or departed.
 
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Militia HQ

The embarrassment on Joe's face was enough for Fitz, she had done her job for now. But she had a devious smile on her face to let Joe know it was not over, rather it had only just begun.

What really interested her, however, was the order to go and prepare the tank. It was why she was here after all. The corporal licked her lips and stood up with a smile. "If you have any shells you want on board, send a message to my DJ." She then gave a salute and went to make her way out. For the first time, she actually looked eager, and more than a little excited about her upcoming assignment.
 
Militia HQ

Hearing Juno's orders, Ella looked up with some surprise of being noticed. She stood up and gave a weak salute before shuffling out and towards the tank. She tried to keep some distance between the other crew and herself, not wanting to risk any conversation with anyone.

But while the driver was concerned about the annoying Chad and Stacy or whatever the hell their names were that were going to be stuffed inside the tank with her, she more concerned about what the grease monkeys in the maintenance would be doing inside the sacred Sōkō Neko. Their blackened hands smudging the pain jobs or worse, defiling the little shrine she had set up in her compartment. Her pace quickened and her nervousness turned to fear.
 
Autumn nodded her understanding of the situation. She was still concerned about improvised explosives being present in the debris along the road, more so with a tank in their unit. "I'll just scan the roadside debris ahead of the tank then. She might be able to take a couple blows from an IED but it'll weaken the under armor plating."

The Geshrin demolitionist was already wearing her equipment with her load out but it never hurts to check it again for a 20th time. She casually watched the rest of her squad who seemed jovial enough. Juno's talk of getting intimate with the militia was an interesting idea but even with her nature, she felt it was not the best time to try to get laid- it was why she hadn't tried to engage in such activities since she was planetside to train the militia.
 
Joe tood with the others and saluted before moving of with Ella and Fitz. He sidled up beside the Ella, who he had alrady deemed a "nervous nelly."

He watched her grow a little too frantic and said casually, "Um, everything ok? I'm Joe by the way, you're Ella right, you're the driver? What do you think of the Maximus? I have only ever done training drills in it so any advice would be it."
 
Fang Yin buttoned up, caught in daydreams over the idea of this random group of underequipped greenhorns being the 'elite'. Herself most definitely included...

This lead to them feeling self conscious and smoothing back the ghost of their braids, right as Minnie started talking about their bust of steel.

"One of those hicks comes near my airbags an' I'm gonna crack 'is noggin like a chestnut!" The woman responded with a flexing of guns, miming a head lock, though contrastingly blushing with a flustered tone at the exact same time. "Don't care if they are a bear hugger or a backwater cyborg, imma do it!"

Childish show of strength over, they then immediately seemed to realise how dumb that sounded, and retreated back to silence with their hands on their knees.
 
Autumn raised an eyebrow at Fang's outburst about airbags, "I got the distinct impression that Lt Rickett just ordered us to let those 'hicks' play with our respective creative euphemisms," she commented in a friendly, playful tone. "Are you shy, marine?" The Geshrin demolitionist moved closer to Fang Yin, mindful of her Golem armor to not accidentally step on or hit anyone in her path. She smiled, as her deep green eyes appraised the sheer size of the other demolitionist in comparison to herself, even with the Golem armor, she was a foot shorter than the heavily muscled Nepleslian woman. She had yet to truly meet her slightly greener counterpart in the 309th and only knew what was fed into her Data jockey about her squad mates.
 
"P-P-Please d-don't torment me!" A sputtering, high pitched response. Fang Yin's face had gone considerably redder, chin lowered into a failed attempt to hide such things, with a straight back and arms. They were trying to look a little more butch and intimidating, but squeaking indignation didn't really do anything to help matters. "I-I'm still Nepleslian you know!"

Shy about being shy. Such was a green green's lot, especially somebody from a tight family. At least when they were on the battlefield you had a big gun, or an axe, or a big party bag of bombs in your hands...

As for the armored woman, Fang could obviously tell they were fellow infantry. But probably a veteran?... Clean cut hair, sure, but also that sort of simultaneously tired and yet also self-confident look about them... If that was true, though, where were all of her scars and hardware?...

Man, they didn't just embarrass themselves in front of a new NCO, did they?... Were did she leave her data jockey?... Took it out of her pocket to avoid snapping it during that work out, and, well...

Rank pins. Yes. Those were a thing. Crisis averted.

"Private Fang Yin Zhou is exactly as moderate as they need to be, to get the job done!" Sounded better in her head, but there it was. "How about you, First Class Private Lady? You look like a model! Some how I don't think I'm gonna be the first one they'll be hitting on."
 
The Geshrin laughed gently. "That is adorable." She smiled brightly before continuing, "It's nice to meet you Private Zhou, I'm Private First Class Autumn Wilde, I believe you are my fellow demolitions specialist." Autumn tossed her short black hair and batted her eyelashes for emphasis at Fang before she laughed again. "Well, thank you kindly for the compliment but these guys are used to seeing me around. You are the exotic one with all those muscles, scars, tattoos and an adorable face."

"True Nepleslian women were fairly rare back in the Corps a few years ago but even though you are more common now, it's like seeing a unicorn to most of those 'backwater hicks'," She leaned closer with a wink. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me. These guys are all about some sweet, shy woman that can beat their asses- they are masochistic really. Nothing spurs on open advances like looming death on the horizon and that's just been about every day since I got on this planet."

Autumn stretched and the armor shifted with her movement. She was used to the weight of the suit pressing against new organic muscles and normal bones but she still needed to move around to keep from keeping fatigued. Things were easier when she still had her implants but a well placed mortar round ended that for her many years ago. "I don't imagine that these boys see me more than one of the guys by now. I've been kicking their asses in training but they still aren't marines."
 
Militia HQ.

Minnie had been stiffing a grin and chuckling silently at fangs shy remarking, Which had broken her out of the sour mood the lieutenant had put her in after shooting down her proposal, When the newest squaddie had strode over. The image of the savage berserker a month prior suddenly struck from her mind by the scene before her that almost bordered on being downright adorable.

It was suddenly a lot easier for Minnie to believe that Private Zhou's medical profile listed her as her junior, At least age wise. So with a quick wave to get her attention from the side, Minnie waved a silent goodbye and softly mouthed the words "Good Luck" and gave her a wink and a thumbs up as she completely misread the situation and turned towards the exit so she could head back to her makeshift office to gear up, Assuming Fang could use some more time to bond with her senior.
 
"...So, you're saying... I'm achievable?" Fang Yin blurted out, following Autumn's logic to a rather extreme conclusion.

Trying to figure out why the smaller framed, calmly direct woman looked such a way... It had to be said, either Wilde had spent a serious amount of effort becoming a full body cyborg, or they were just 'that good'. Neither did any favors to the confidence of the heftier lass perched on the little plastic chair before them.

Wide, surprised eyes darted towards Minnie, as if shocked at her squad member leaving her to face this alone. She wanted to grab the medic before they had the chance walk off, but was frozen by the idea of looking even more childish. Did their friend think that this new lady was too cool to be around, or something? Was it bad that Fang herself kinda did feel like that?

Damn it, you're a marine! Don't start again with this schoolgirl crush bullshit! You stuck an axe in a guy the other day!

Looking back, the sheepish bear narrowed her eyes slightly, put one boot onto the other knee, and re-adjusted her sitting position to a slight recline. Counter-cool mode. She could confirm that there were definitely no stars glimmering around Autumn's glossy black hair, and therefore, it was possible to talk to them like a normal human being.

"Erm... And... Y-you think I should beat some more guys up then, or what?" Spoken like a totally wise person who totally does wise things. "Like, that would make them take me seriously, right? I don't wanna look like an easy mark..."
 
"Just act natural and you'll be fine. If you rush out to beat them up, you look over eager to get their attention," Autumn replied with a wink as she watched the other squad mate run away out of the side of her vision. "Wow, another one. It's amazing how many of you there are in this squad. So many little things." She chuckled again. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare your friend away.

"Little Mouse! Don't run away!" The Geshrin called after Minnie, raising her armored hand to the side of her face to call after. "It's dangerous to go alone!" She teased.
 
Outside Militia HQ

While the three ladies of the infantry played grab-ass, the cook of the unit slipping off to handle some food for the day, the tank crew and the lieutenant had made their way over just in-time. A few of the tech rats were spilling out of the top, popping down and to the ground as Juno himself approached alongside Fitz. There wasn't need for him to mount up yet, instead turning his cap-covered head to watch the trio of tankers. The machine was laying dormant now, but its slight damage from being thrown around was definitely all patched up. The massive Maximus was ready and hungry for war like the three ladies were hungry for each other. Back in Juno's day, the tank was named after a tough fucker and the squads were mostly ID-SOL cannon-arms and Nepleslian clones. It was almost like staring at a different generation entirely for the Kuznyetski as he finally grasped the grips of the tank's massive body and raised a foot into its gears to quickly push up and atop it. A simple and well-seasoned mount-up that let him walk over and sit atop the turret as he grasped his neckband for the tank. A simple tap after placing it within his collar was all it took to get the speakers aboard the machine to hum to life.

"Alright bullet-noses," a wave of his large cybernetic hand at the trio of infantry came before he turned his gaze to the tank crew, "Let's get the old beast roaring. Once it's on full fire-up, we're going to pack our gear onto the front saddled positions. Infantry can lay out and grab onto the tank's hull while we relocate the tank."

Pointing over at the still-training militia, just in time to highlight one of the girl's getting punched in the tit and sent to the dirt to the cheers of many, Juno's voice boomed even louder.

"And pick up the pace! I want to make sure we're ready to move well before any of these local yahoos! Yes, you, fatty in the skirt-coat!"

A very embarassed militiaman diverted the attention from the wrestling gals, the ID-SOL man moving about to usher the militia off and away from the square. The lady on the ground, grabbing her breast and cursing, reached out to get helped up by her metal-chested comrade. A flick of her nipples was followed by a smirk from the more metal girl... but the metal-jawed B-cup loser pulled a small dick-shaped magnet and simply stuck it to her flat Durandium chest and gave her a shove so she could turn and retrieve her gear in peace.

New Bernese sold dick-shaped magnets, it seemed, between its mega-corporations trying to ignore their blatant piracy problem.
 
"Duty calls!" Autumn finally stopped teasing Fang with another wink and hurried outside to join the rest of the squad outside the tank. She grabbed her extra bag of gear from where she stowed it during the briefing. The demolitionist waited for her cue to store her gear, watching the crew scuttle around the tank. "Never rode on top of a tank, this should be interesting."
 
Zhou was pulled upright by Autumn leaving, taking a moment to just stare blankly before realizing it was them who was the odd one out, completely forgetting about the mission that they were supposed to be preparing for. Cumbersome boots immediately slogged to the armor workshop, then were thrown off of her feet. Their personal Golem's leg apertures compressed around the woman's thighs, but the rest was still left hanging backwards, in order to grab the rest of her loadout as quickly as possible.

Guns and explosives were already prepared. Half because they were reorganizing their kit based on the experience of the last battle, and half because the superstitious girl had reserved everything she needed in order to personally test it's psychometry. Both of those things took too much time and care to risk emergency deployments.

Short barrel M3 with no stock, combat axe, styrling silver pistol, and six extra mags. Bandoleers went on only as they sealed up the chest plate, by then having slogged the unpowered weight half the way to the meeting point. Two frag, two plasma, one smoke and one restriction polymer.

Visor clasped into place and internal systems finally connected together, the overbearing war giant that returned in haste might as well have been a completely different creature.

"Is Private Valentine... She here yet?" The lumbering monster questioned towards Wilde, looking up with electric eyes below a shaded helm of polished steel. Their heavy breathing was due to getting ready so quickly, but the mask digitized the wheeze into sounding like a hungry robotic animal. Wasn't really much kit to bother stowing. Guns and bombs were like holiday tree ornaments on the barrel-chested thing. "She's small, and they ran away before and all, but... but..."

That naivety in the voice, though... Somehow, clambering up and leaning over to their new comrade's similarly armored form, that had still stayed the same.

"They can take care of you. You should trust Minnie."
 
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