>>5889502"Oh. Specialist, sir! I'm trained to use the M-101A3 Regina. Ready to take down those giant zeek bastards, sir!" you say confidently. You go to the back of the jeep to pick up your Regina to show your squad. The weight is considerably noticeable, but weeks of training have gotten you used to it. Still a bitch to pick up and lug around though. The weapon is spotless, partly because it's fresh off whatever factory it came from, and partly because you take damn good care of your equipment. "That makes you my partner, then. I'll be your spotter." Stefan says, extending his hand for a handshake.
"Let's give those spacenoids a run for their money, sir!" you say, returning the handshake.
"Sounds like you're our gunner, then. You a good shot?" Stefan says to Gaspa.
"Good enough." Gaspa says with a carefree shrug.
"You damn well better be, or it's all our asses." Stefan says, a harder tone in his voice. He doesn't seem to appreciate your friend's more lax attitude.
"Easy there, Stefan. I've seen his academy records. He may be green but he's a damn good shot. Wouldn't have accepted him into the team otherwise." says your sergeant, stepping in. "Same with the other rookie, too. His simulated training success ratio with the Regina was 97%." This gets a few surprised reactions, and you puff your chest out with pride. Maybe it's skill honed from years of vidya, maybe its strict discipline and training, or maybe it's just luck. Whatever it is, you've proven yourself to be damn good at what you signed up to do. "Don't let it get to your head though, kid. Those were just controlled training environments. The real deal isn't so neat and tidy. The situation can change at any moment, one wrong move and it's not just a failing grade at risk, it'll be your life and the lives of every soldier around you." says the sergeant, sharp eyes that have seen more things than you could probably imagine looking straight into yours as if in search of something. "
You meet his gaze and it feels powerful, dominating. But you don't buckle under the pressure, and you give him a resolute look. "I understand, sir. You can leave it to me!" You say.
The sergeant seems to relax a bit, so subtly that you almost don't notice it. Whatever he saw you in you, he seems satisfied. "Very well. Like Stefan says, he'll be your spotter, and Gaspa will be your support gunner. Stick together and keep each other alive. The other half of your squad is Justine and Yunnus as our second team of specialists, with Benjamin as their support gunner. I, of course, will lead your teams and relay orders. Our next mission will tomorrow. Do what you wish until then, but do not leave the base and do NOT miss briefing tomorrow.. Any questions, seek me out."
