The ATCV bumped along the rough terrain as the firesquad neared the mine. It was a silent trip for the most part, a side effect of being in a firefight, and knowing the mission wasn't done with no end in sight. Esailia, for her part, had just finished up her reading on the quick information that she had requested via text to control back at base. There had been a friendly casualty already, and another out of commission. A slew of questions filled her mind, as it always did during breaks in the action.

[i]~Were the hostages safe? Dead? Not even there? How many bodies will there be by the end? How many more comrades will fall?~[/i]

All the information and intel that had been gathered before mission start had been skewed. These were not normal bandits. The weaponry was far from the salvage from the crawler, and why would bandits even worry about taking hostages? It simply made no sense. Esailia slammed her fist into the door in frustration, and her squad pointedly ignored it, focusing on their jobs. The feline captain looked up as Edward started slowing the vehicle "We're nearing our destination, Ma'am." The fox reported. "Alright," Esailia nodded, "park it and cut the engine at a safe distance from the entrance. We can hoof it from there. Naida, grab your kit, Nathanial, I doubt a sniper rifle will be useful in a mineshaft. Let's go!" She slid her PADD back into its pouch on her vest, and pulled her rifle from her side before hopping out of the ATCV with her squad in toe, making a run for the entrance.

They were just at the edge of the shaft when Aidan approached Esailia, who saluted in return, but barely slowed to do so "Doctor, a pleasure, but don't salute on the battlefield. You'll single out officers for snipers or enemy surveillance. You act like we're all foot soldiers, you follow my orders, and we'll get out alive. Fall in and keep silent. Your voice'll carry in these tunnels." Her tone was clipped and professional, the usual for a strict officer.

The firesquad rushed along the edge of the mineshaft behind the GEARs, letting them take the brunt of the enemy fire. Esailia raised a fist once they were just outside the cavern to stop her squad, and awaited the order she knew was coming..."Esailia," Blade called over the comm system. "We'll keep you covered! Locate the hostages, and call in if you need fire support from us! Nawlin-" She stopped listening at that moment, dashing into the cavern under cover fire and quickly assessing where to go. Her Augmented Reality on her helmet quickly overlaying possible exits and enemy locations. It didn't take her five seconds to run for a smaller tunnelway, with Naida and Edward on her tail, Aidan behind them, and Nathanial bringing up the rear.

Once out of the GEAR firefight, the firesquad made their way down the tunnel, not knowing if enemy bullets or a cave-in might prevent their advance...