Ivan Kal - Sanctuary

“Noose are you up for a bit of role-play?” Sahib asked Claw’s Squad Leader over the comm channel.

“What do you have in mind?” Noose asked.

“Perhaps we should have a bit of a misunderstanding, a conflict of interests.” Sahib said cheerfully. “Perhaps Rock and you could have a bit of a confrontation.”

“Ah… that could be arranged.” Noose answered understanding Sahib’s words, then he closed the channel. A minute later, Cub entered the clearing, and rejoined the rest of his squad. And a few minutes later both Fang and Paw squads reported movement, closing in on the Claw’s position. Noose and Rock had gotten into a bit of a spat, gesturing widely with Rock pointing in one direction and Noose in the other. Sahib hoped that his opponents would think they are fighting and try to take advantage of the situation. It was known that Noose and Rock don’t really get along much, actually they didn’t stand each other. But Sahib knew that they were soldiers at heart, and would never jeopardize the lives of their squad mates by fighting over command. Rock understood that Noose was in charge, and Noose knew that Rock would follow his commands without any hesitation. Then Fang, and Paw started feeding the locations of the enemy troops to the Claw and Alpha squads. Counting the dots on the minimap Sahib saw that Regis decided to send three squads. He gave the instructions to let them close the distance a bit more. His snipers designated their targets, with the rest placing themselves in the position to cover Claw squad, Sahib’s own team was ready to offer covering fire when Claw started their dash towards cover. Then just as he was about to order his teams to engage his comm went off. He got an urgent message alert on his HUD, saying that he had an incoming call from the Army Headquarters. He noticed his teammates all getting out of cover, and his opponents stepping into the clearing.

“What the fuck Wolf!” One of the men that just entered the clearing yelled over his speakers. They must have gotten some kind of message as well.

“Don’t know!” Sahib responded over his speakers, and then he accepted the call.

“Go for Adin.” Sahib said.

“Adin, Commander Gin here, gather your men the exercise is over, we need you back at the base as soon as possible. The Orphans are being recalled as well.” Commander Jack Gin said.

“May I know why sir?” Sahib asked.

“There has been a development, that is all I can say for now.” Commander Gin said.

“Yes, sir. We will be there in an hour.”

“Good.” With that Commander closed the link.

Sahib looked around at his men, most a have gathered in the clearing, including some of the Orphans. Sahib joined them.

“What’s going on Wolf, Jacks is saying the exercise is canceled.” The man leading one squad of Orphans said over the open link, now when the exercise was over the beacons were again turned on. His HUD showed the name above the man’s head, but even without it Sahib recognized the voice, it was Pyro. He got his nickname when he almost set fire to the changing room, he accidentally fired his rifle filled with incendiary rounds. But he was just a noob then, he got off lightly. Three months of cleaning duties, and double shifts.

“Yeah, just got the call from the old man. He expects us back in an hour.” Sahib said.

“You know why?” Squad Leader Zhu ‘Pyro’ Zhang Wei asked.

Sahib shook his head, “No, but it looks like something happened.”

Zhu started to say something else when he tilted his head for a few seconds.

“We got to go back, Jacks is calling.” Zhu waved and him and the rest of his squad started jogging back towards the tree line. Orphans home base, Rook, was in the opposite direction of the one Platoon Wolf called home. Sahib gathered his Platoon and they started jogging back to base.

Less than an hour later they arrived, and were met by their Company Leader.

“Adin, you have half an hour to shower, change and grab something to eat, then go to the main briefing room. The rest of you do the same, then pack your stuff and get ready for deployment, you will be briefed by your Platoon Leader soon enough.” Company Leader Okoro said as soon as they entered hearing range.

Sahib removed his helmet, and approached CL Okoro.

“What’s going on CL?” Sahib asked.

“You’ll know soon enough, suffice to say we are moving out.” CL Okoro responded.

“Moving out? To where? We are all alone here.” SL Petrov asked.

“You’ll get briefed soon, now go do as I said.” CL Okoro ordered.

Lola looked like she wanted to stay and asked more questions, but Sahib stepped up to her, “Go NGD, make sure your squad is packed and ready.”

“Sure Alpha.” She responded. She turned to CL Okoro and executed a precise salute, fist to chest and then led the rest of the Platoon inside the base. When they moved out of sight, Sahib turned to his Company Leader. “This is something serious then?” He asked.

“Very.” Okoro nodded gravely.

Twenty eight minutes later Sahib entered the main briefing room, it was already filled with other Platoon Leaders, quickly he noticed that not all of Platoon’s were represented. Aeris base was home to 10 Companies, with each Company having 6 Platoons. That put their numbers at 1690 personnel with the 10 Company Leaders. The full number of people on the base, including staff and support personnel was more than 2500. Sahib sat down next to PL Mira ‘Night Owl’ Johannes. “You know anything about this?” Sahib asked.

Mira glanced at him and then returned to studying the room. “Nope.” She said.

“Surely there are rumors?” Sahib asked cheerfully. He used his “happy” voice on purpose, as he knew it irritated Mira. Sahib had always fancied her, though she wouldn’t give him the time of day. She was also older than Sahib, much older, around 100 years older. She turned back and looked at Sahib for a moment. It gave Sahib time to study her in turn, she had brown hair tied in a ponytail at her nape, brown eyes, too big nose, and crooked smile. In essence, she was the most beautiful woman Sahib ever met. Sahib took one look at her and had fallen for her, now all he had to do was make her fall for him. And Sahib could be very, very persistent.

“Of course there are rumors.” Mira said, exasperated. “Doesn’t mean we should join in with the rest of rumormongers. At least I won’t.”

Sahib just looked her in the eyes and smiled widely for a moment. Then when she shook her head and turned to look down at the podium Sahib let out a laugh. “I guess you are right” Sahib said just as Commander Gin entered, followed by Company Leader Okoro, Hughes and Mao “we will know soon anyway.” Sahib added. Mira ignored him, and kept her sight on the three men on the podium.

“I will make this short.” Commander Gin started, “There has been a development in the Nuva system, the system governed by the alien race called Nel. A force of Sowir Dominion has entered the system and is on its way towards the planet. Our leaders had decided that Olympus will provide aid. The Sowir are supposed to arrive at the planet in twenty two days. And we will be there to meet them.”

Immediately most of the Platoon Leaders started speaking amongst themselves, and then one stood and spoke. “Sir, the news concerning the alien system said that it is more than ten light years away.” He said.

“That is correct.” Commander Gin said.

“But how is that possible? It would take us more than twenty days just to reach the hyperspace barrier!” The PL said.

“I don’t know the details. The only thing I know is that the fleet plans on us arriving at Nuva nineteen days from now. Three Aeris base companies have been assigned to the First Fleet. Our orders are to land on Nuva, and help in its defense should enemy forces manage to land troops.” Commander Gin said. At that, everyone grew quiet, the prospect of actually going into battle was enough to make them speechless. Seeing that no one had any questions, or was capable of asking them at the moment, Commander Gin continued. “You will be briefed in detail about the enemy on the way. Their capabilities, know tactics and weapons. All the equipment you will need has already been sent up to the fleet. Transports will land on the base within the hour, they will transport you to the Olympia where you will be met with ships that will take you to the fleet. That is all.” Commander Gin said, and then turned and left the room, the Company Leaders following.