Army of the Southern Cross

[Silanon]

"Quite a traditional name, considering the brand-new equipment we have - it's got a nice sound to it, though. Not sure if I'd make winged part of the official call sign, makes it a bit clunky if you ask me. Maybe hussars will do the trick, and the rest of the story will spread once things get public. I'd advice against the wings on the tanks in either case - you'd have to make them giant to let them look impressive, and I'm not so sure what they would do if someone ordered a shit load of swan feathers for decorational purposes - most likely, a new defense tower has higher priority."

 

[Orikanyo]

"Alright alright, Hussars it is. Didn't say we should dress up our tanks mind." he grumbled slightly before getting back to the thought at hand. "Now.. where in damn hell do we find the booze in this place?" he asked, pretty certain their private guide didn't mention a bar... he just assumed there was one, they knew where their bunks were regardless...

But... there had to be a bar!

 

[Psychie]

Moira can sense the tides turning towards the name Hussars, and says, "We could paint small wings on the mecha, especially if you want the 'winged' part of the name. Or we could just go with the Hussars, and I'll have to spend some time reading up on these scouts that you have told me about. I won't be a member of a squad named for these people without knowing about our namesake."

 

[Sherwood]

Your guide does show you to your rooms, and when the question of a bar comes up, he tells you that there is no alcohol at Anton-17, but there is a small town not too far away that is a short car ride to get to. You'll need to request a off post pass in order to get clearance to leave. Since you just arrived, you may be able to get some down time at La Fuente before you have to check back in for lights out.

Turns out that 1st Sgt Wilcher is the one that you all will need to see in order to get any off post passes, and he is currently in the Operations Center taking care of his piles of work. When you get there, he can be found at his desk, surrounded by camo netting and sandbags with a M-60 machine gun mounted on the wall above his head. Needless to say, he has an eccentric personality.

He offers up a firm hand shake to you all in greetings. "Welcome to Anton-17, where we may not be the armpit of South America, but we're close. I have been expecting you so I can give you the various codes and the locations of our security systems we have in place around here. We also have a sign up sheet for people requesting time off at La Fuente. As far as today's list, the cut off time has already passed, but since you are all new here, I suppose I can make an exception for you this once. You can sign out a set of hover cycles, just so long as you are back on post by 2000 tonight. The navigation system on the bikes will show you how to get there, and you can find your way to a bar that will appeal to your personal tastes. Any questions?"

 

[Silanon]

"That exception would be appreciated - after the flight, two check-ins and the fighting, it'd be great to take a few moments off. How long's the ride to La Fuente? Just so we know when to leave there, no need to be late on our first day here." It's a shame that there's no bar right here - usually the best place to gather news and get to know the other soldiers. Maybe there are activities in the canteen, or something else to spend the spare hours - she'll have a look later on, no need to waste any more time right now. After all, the sarge is running dry, and the overall warmth calls for a refreshment of some sort before the night falls.

 

[Orikanyo]

Heinrich introduced himself before listening more to the 1st Sgt speak.

Be home by 8?

"Only one, have we had any trouble in La Fuente? Anything we should watch out for while we're there." the man asked as he ran his eyes over the sign out sheet. "Wont hurt to check the town out, in eventuality something does go wrong we have Moira, and I'm pretty certain she could bench press a tank." the man commented as he wrote down his details and looked to the Sgt. "Lets get those codes and security systems down pat."

 

[Sherwood]

"La Fuente is about 15-20 minutes away by car, depending on how suicidal you are when you drive. If you are on the way by 1930, you will make it back in plenty of time. The locals there are friendly to us, and thankfully we have not had any trouble there other than a couple of drunken fights that the MPs have had to step in for." He gives everyone a stern look. "I want you to know that maintaining the good relations with the locals is very important to our own security. If you were to do something to damage that, I would be a bit upset." He gives you all your security passes that you'll need with a nod. "You can head to the motorpool and check out what we have available in the way of transport. Last thing you need to know is to take your sidearms with you. You should check your rifles into the armory, but you are to be armed at all times." He pats his own hip to show you that he is packing a laser pistol of his own, and now that you think about it, everyone you have passed in the base so far has been armed.

Above ground once more, you find your way to the motorpool to see what is there to take to La Fuente. You find a half dozen one person hovercycles and three larger hover staff cars that can seat as many as seven. None of these vehicles are armed, but they are armored up a bit, enough to take a bit of a pounding and still get you home.

 

[Psychie]

Moira heads over to the sign-up sheet for the vehicles. "Lets go ahead and take a car; we can all fit in there at once. Well, everyone but Eric and Adrian, since they are going off on their own to go hunting. I'll drive."

 

[Silanon]

Upsetting the locals is certainly the very last thing they have in mind - so that'll hopefully not be a problem. Both camera and pistol at the ready in case things go either well or horribly wrong, Fia follows the others towards the vehicles, first mustering the hovercycles, then the cars. Usually, she'd take one of the cycles, just to be independent of all the others. But if someone else offers to drive - no point in complaining about that, right?

"Ten minutes to La Fuente it is, then - let's take a look at what they've got there, might be the last time off for a while. Remind me to get something for the others as well, just in case the hunt doesn't go as planned; wouldn't want anyone upset right at the beginning."

 

[Orikanyo]

"Wouldn't think of it." heinrich replied before writing his name down, getting his pass and heading off with the others to get their asses moving. Who would want to ruin a good thing anyways?

"Ah, your a Chauffeur now Moira? You offered." he shrugged, a smirk spreading across his face as he climbed into the back seat of the car. "have the front Fia, see what pictures you can take as we roll in, likely your readers would want to see where their heroes visit hmm?" he offered with a small motion of his hand pointing forwards. "I do hope our wayward friends aren't causing trouble, I'd hate to have to perform disciplinary actions already... Even if technically they aren't under my watch." he chuckled, with a slight hint of deviousness in his tone.

 

[Psychie]

She gives Heinrich a evil grin. "Make sure you are strapped in. Its not like we have to worry about a speeding ticket, and I plan on making this car go fast! Lets go!" Using the navigation system in the car, she punches in the town of La Fuente and makes her way out of the armored walls until they are on open road. At that point, she hits the accelerator, pressing everyone into their seats. As they approach the town, she slows down to a more reasonable speed and starts to look for a bar.

 

[Sherwood]

The town of La Fuente is a typical small town, with a population of only a few thousand people. While it is a South American population, there is plenty of signage in English around that you can see, showing that there is a lot of contact with the local base. Several older cars line the streets, but there are a lot of pedestrian traffic on the roads. As you make your way into town, you find a fairly large bar with several RDF vehicles parked out front, giving you a hint that this is the preferred watering hole for the troops from Anton-17.

 

[Orikanyo]

"Well, guess we've found the popular place hmm? lets see what here. maybe make some new friends huh?" he patted the back of the seat infront of him(Fia's) before looking to the others. "Or will you leave the good doctor dry and parched?"

 

[AldarisLordOfLight]

"Sorry, sir, but gonna keep my sniper rifle with me too besides the sidearm. Gonna take the initiative and scout around the area. Maybe link up with Jungle Squad as well. But most of all, gonna hunt me some game for the cafeteria. Lord knows you and the rest might need some extra meat in your bones..." Adrian said with a light but serious tone with his words.

After the briefing, the warning, the acquisition of the passes, the last minute decision of not grabbing anything from the supply depot since ti's just going to be a simple meet-and-greet as well as a short hunting trip, and the general pleasantries associated with meeting the head of security for any complex, Adrian and Eric made their way to the motorpool along with the squad. The pair took the bikes while the rest took the car.

After a quick systems check and when the hoverbikes hummed to life, Adrian eased himself in the controls. "I just hope our little walk would be fruitful, Eric. Not like the bullshit we had to deal with before arriving here at base."

 

[Sherwood]

When Eric and Adrian head out to do their walkabout, Eric decides to leave his heavy laser back at base, and only is packing his laser pistol. You are both required to keep your radios on you, just in case of an emergency requires you to report in before 2000 that night. With your eye for tracking, you can see the signs of various types of game roaming about the area. Unfortunately, you don't find any creatures large enough to shoot and have anything left over to eat when you are done. You do manage to look around and get a good feel for the jungle around the base. In order to get in touch with the other ASC Jungle Squad members, you'll need to spend more time than you currently have before evening formation.

At La Fuente, as Moira pulls up outside the bar, you can hear muffled music playing inside the bar even from the curb. When you swing the door open to go inside, there is a faint fog of cigar smoke that comes out with a wave of loud music. There is roughly fifteen or so servicemen and women inside, along with a few locals. You can hear the occasional clack of a pair of billiard balls smacking one another, along with the sounds of a few video games being played.

An attractive Hispanic woman comes up to welcome you. "Hey guys. Haven't seen you here before, and I know just about everyone at the base. New in town? Can I get you a table?" As she says this, several of the soldiers in there stop their conversations to look you over, wondering what these newbies are going to be up to.

 

[Silanon]

She feels the hands on the back of her seat, just as much of a signal that it's time to jump off the car as Heinrich's words. "Wouldn't want anyone to die of thirst right in front of a bar - that's something for gossip magazines. Make sure to not drink yourself into oblivion, sarge, just doesn't make a good first impression to get dragged back to the outpost by your fellow squad members." She adds a couple of pictures of the village to those she made along the way, then turns towards the bar's entrance. "Let's get this poor man a glass of water before his skin gets desiccation cracks."

Entering, the welcoming noises of music and companionship can be heard; quite a few fellow soldiers are here as well, as already indicated by their vehicles. Apart from them, a few locals as well - a good sign that both groups share the same places, if only to grab a beer or two. The waitress probably is a match for most who arrive in this rather isolated place, Fia herself certainly included - not that she'd be envious or anything - and is luckily mindful enough to speak decent English right away. "New in the area in general - just arrived a few hours ago and had our very first taste of what the jungle has in store for us. Wouldn't mind to grab a table and a few refreshing drinks. Seems like a busy day today - got a few moments to spare regardless? Would like to know more about this place - and how to avoid dropping a brick unintentionally, haven't been this far south thus far."

 

[Psychie]

Moira nods at the waitress. "Yes, please. We are parched, and in need of something cool to drink. Can you recommend something from the local vendors?" She lets the women guide them to a table, and as she does, Moira looks around the room to get a feel for the 'vibe' of the place.

 

[Orikanyo]

Heinrich watched the ladies speak to the woman, but looked towards the other soldiers in the place. giving them the universal nod, those who know of the nod need not have it explained. it is something that is done around the world without even needing to be explained, the single head movement that tells one of two things. Down is for respect, up is for recognition of a person you did just see or wish to be seen by. one of those strange things that just sort of happen.

"Moria, it's a bar, you drink here. Depending on the place you can eat as well, good idea to mind." the doctor filled in as he followed the two, finding himself a comfortable seat and stretching out beneath the table, slip his flask out into his hand. "Rum? Gin?' he waved the flask slightly in his fingers towards the waitress. "Please."

 

[Sherwood]

"Rum, gin, tequila, beer, and much more. We have some really good local microbrews if you are looking to support the local vendors, as you put it." The waitress shows you to a empty table with a smile. She takes your orders for drinks and sways her way back to the bar to place your drink orders.

While she is doing that, you are approached by three of the soldiers already in the bar, two men and a woman, and from their shoulder tabs you can see that they are all enlisted infantrymen. One of the men, a corporal, asks, "You guys the reinforcements we've been waiting for?" He looks at your unit insignias as he pulls up a seat. "ATAC and GMP? Cool. You guys dive those new tanks we've been hearing about? Not for me, thanks. A moving foxhole attracts too much attention."

 

[Orikanyo]

"In the flesh. Sgt. Heinrich Schnieder. I dare say Adrian, our Myrmidon driver would agree with you, talks more about the bush more than anything." the good doctor smirked as he sat up. "what they lack in stealth they make up for in armor and firepower, lovely things." a small chuckle as his eyes began to wander. Which he corrected with a swift push to his glasses, putting them back upon their perch upon his nose.

"How has the jungle been treating you all? I trust you aren't giving the doctors to much work."

 

[Silanon]

"Local microbrew sounds exactly like something I'd like to try right now - a decent glass of one of those, and I'll be fine for now." Fia watches the waitress as she hurries away, then musters those fellow soldiers coming over to bandy a few words. "Don't forget the aircon, sarge - probably the most crucial feature from what I've seen here thus far. You're here for a while already, I take it? Pretty much arrived a minute ago, haven't seen much of the area yet. At least, we found this place already - glad to see a few friendly faces." She carefully puts her cam onto the table, just in case it will be needed. "Name's Fia Tayler, by the way. Here to back the whole squad up and document the progress."

 

[Orikanyo]

"And be a general snoop." Heinrich added taking abit of a jab at her, a light hearted chuckle and a smirk along side it.

 

[Silanon]

"Not my fault if noone else cares for all those little details. Someone's gotta read the files and make sure that you don't screw up big-time." A smile reaches the journalist's lips, before she adds in direction of the soldiers: "Not that he'd need all that much help out there - patched up pretty much the entire convoy after that little skirmish today. Almost decided that one as well - Moira here stole him a bit of the show, though."

 

[Sherwood]

The soldiers' level of interest seems to increase when you mention the ambush. "We had heard a little about that, but never got any details. Just had to go on alert here at Anton-17 in case the Zentraedi decided to make a general attack against us. What happened out there? We've heard rumors that some gear was taken, but we don't know what it was."

Another one of the three gives Moira a longer appraising look. "You're a Zentraedi, right? I can't say that I'm surprised that you'd be a awesome fighter, given some decent equipment."

 

[Psychie]

Moira laughs. "I must admit, I'll take my hover tank over my old Glaug any day. But I have put that life behind me; I'm a proud member of the ASC now, working to help protect my new home. Eventually, the rest of the Zentraedi on Earth will figure out that they can't stop humans. You are too adaptive, and you never give up, even when faced with overwhelming odds. That's why your people won against High Lord Dolza and his fleet." She gives an empathetic nod and takes a deep drink from her beer with a satisfied smack of her lips.