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[sub]SOLDIER Encampment // Zalera Tundra[/sub]

[indent]It has long been a habitual stratagem of his to put flattering remarks over his inaugurated interactions, all for the purpose of embodying his swaggering display of gallantry. But Nic chose to be wise and not be full of himself. Most of them may be younger than him but that simply didn't mean that he could be anything more prepotent. Long before any of this, he was a man eager to machinate his way on top of everyone else, but his ignorance towards the awaited consequences had become the ultimate detriment of his precedence. He knew what his mistakes were; lessons were learned in the long process of acceptance. Nic wouldn't again dare to effectuate them, at least not when the memories of his losses still haunted him in his sleep. 

A sheepish grin acknowledged Carmen's response to his offered handshake, relishing the moment brought by his bold attempt of accustoming camaraderie. A nod accompanied her spoken words, and afterwards, spared a quick glance to the rest of the SOLDIERs. The remaining half had put up their introductions. New names were delivered along with swiftly accompanied sentences to back up their individual character. So far, Nic was intrigued. He now has a personal assignment, of which was to know each of the cast and dig up whatever mysteries enshrouded by their own, respective universes. 

Nic went back to Carmen, observing as her words enunciated what seemed to sound as meager antagonism, all aimed towards a man named Kain. He didn't intervene, and while he wanted to avoid any initial acts that could possibly perpetuate an argument, he felt as if he was in no position of doing so. Luckily, it was short-lived. When food was distributed, Nic intercepted with a cough, gesturing the meal's presence and how everyone should loosen up for a grand moment of indulgence. 

He walked back to his seat, his drowsiness yet again reminding him of how weary he should be feeling. When he neared the table, his eyes met the man who was generous enough to prepare the feast. Nic greeted with a convinced smirk. Corr was his name, as he remembered.

[b]"I-we ... appreciate the effort given. I gotta say that you're quite good at what you do. Keep it up, comrade!"[/b] Nic praised and with a quick pat on the man's back, he wasn't certain if that was enough to pay tribute towards the hard work, let alone give the deserved credit.  

Everything seemed to commence into a joyous assembly. Each had taken the introductory platform and Nic was able to address some newly acquainted individuals. Rest would eventually find its way, but when an air raid siren wailed throughout proximity with its blaring screams suddenly hurting his head, it quickly became a distant achievement that could never be reached. It felt too soon for things to escalate, and while Nic has prepared himself ever since the initial briefing, he had hoped that he could at least find time to make up for his lack of sleep. Unfortunately that has to wait ... again. He then reached for his pack of cigars, pushing a stick out from its hold and placed it pressed between his lips. As the lighter tagged its flame at the cigar's tip, Nic inhaled the stirring scent of tobacco and released thick wraps of smoke. He watched the wispy trail disperse freely through the spacious establishment, then paid his immediate attention as an officer stepped inside. He sighed afterwards.[/indent]
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[right][sub]Aboard the Shyp // The Canal[/sub][/right]

[indent]The departure was swift with no time given to outline different details of the perils ahead. Though Nic was aware that it has already been reviewed right before their arrival to the encampment, it just seemed unceremonious for things to be abruptly carried out. Even with a simple need to be wished good luck, it was completely dismissed as desperation grew from how urgent the mission was becoming, or perhaps the officers just forgot. He found himself in a the same situation as before. Buckled in a cramped seat, struggling to sleep or even stay awake and worst was that Razgor kept on intruding his mind whenever his thoughts would drift away to somewhere distant. He took out a third cigar, striving to keep himself awake. There were only two left, and glancing at it prompted a sigh. 

Combat boots drummed the steel flooring of the vessel, inadvertently composing a rhythmic beat that he wished none would notice. Wisps of smoke swept freely as he took a puff of his cigar. He fell silent for the duration of the trip. Opening up a conversation seemed to be the next attempt he would plan out, but his sleepiness started to take its toll. When he disposed the last bit of his cigar, his vision began to blur. Resisting immediately snapped him out to his senses, but the third attempt failed on doing so. In no time, Nic's consciousness sank as it was replaced by an inconvenient slumber. 

Through a vast space of emptiness, there it was again. Images rippling out of nothingness, taking shape of an amorphous blob before it could finally manifest into something known to Nic. It was his family. Rosela and his daughter Selena were there, earnestly reaching for his embrace with glee painted into each of their smiles. He had known this dream before, he had known how excruciating it was to suffer from an elusive wonderland only to reveal a masqueraded nightmare. Nic resisted, his head hung low, sitting down and pulling his knees to his chest. He hid his eyes from the sight of his family, remaining to be curled almost like a ball. 

[i]Nicholaus ... Dad! ...[/i] Their voices echoed, repeating the same words until Nic would raise his head. He withstood, bringing together the strength he has left in his fortitude. But the voices refused to go away. Now unhappy, they sank into a deep guttural howl of manic. Screaming in its effort to express frustration, anger and disappointment. Nic froze in terror. He raised his head, knowing that the voices could no longer resemble his family's. Now it was a silhouette of a man shrouded by the murky fog. It was wielding a gun, a pistol from the looks of it. As Nic got to his feet, the weapon was aimed at him and instantly fired a shot the moment he took a step towards the harrowing figure. He felt the bullet in his chest, but he couldn't feel death following up. He was still standing, bloodied. When the figure vanished, the ground shook violently. Nic stumbled and fell to his knees. When a second wave struck, his eyes opened. 

Freed from his restraints by someone he haven't caught doing, Nic lost his footing against the vessel's steel platform, falling hard towards a metal plate near a seat adjacent to his. His body slid, plummeting towards the direction headed to the pilot station. He moved his legs, arms struggling with his nails scraping the metal surface of the vessel. Luckily avoiding his descent, he grabbed a steel shaft of another seat, using it to climb himself back towards the upper levels of a now listed Shyp. Exhausting as it was, he finally got to the point where most of the SOLDIERs were. The doctor was up there. Natalya, as he remembered. The rest had already dove into the cold waters, but Nic was concerned if anyone was left behind or worse, descended down to the flooded depths. 

[b]"What happened?"[/b] Nic asked Natalya, his voice raised from the loud clattering of metal parts. It was an apparent incident, though he needed to know if there was an alleged attack or just a malfunction on the vessel's part. He wanted to ask where the others were, but time was seemingly running short. His thoughts focused quickly to Razgor, closing his eyes in an attempt to communicate. Threads of shadows swarmed his left shoulder, swirling to form conjoined spheres until a pluck of black feathers danced in motion and a pair of wings spanned out of nothingness. Six eyes glowed in red and a famished caw instilled a raven's manifestation. Nic's right eye altered into a crimson red colour, now sharing the bird's vision. The creature flipped its wings as it left in flight, hovering around the wreckage in search for anyone who could still be trapped underneath. 

With the bird now summoned, Nic braced himself as he plunged into the cold waters. 
 [/indent]