As the group got ready to begin their trek to the beast's last known location, the Sergeant reached the top of the tree, where the platform and small outpost that resided in it were found. His spotter and second in command of his usual squad was already in position, communicating with the garrison as things progressed, though she ended the conversation when he arrived. "Sergeant, good to see things went accordingly." Monreu grunted as he started to set up his rifle.
"Almost didn't, as one of the mages wasn't too keen on the idea of a sniper watching their backs at first. Suppose I can't blame him, with relations with most of the garrison being what they are." His SIC snorted.
"They should consider themselves lucky that we haven't chased them and their bloody foreign guild out of Rembrandt already. Fiorans are no-" A cold look from the sergeant silenced Corporal Weaver instantly.
"You're a fucking member of the Pergrande Military, Rembrandt Township Garrison. Damn well act it. But we can discuss that outburst after the mission is done. Keep your rank and job in mind,
Corporal." The way her rank was mentioned was filled with venomous ice and she could only nod and take up her spotting position, mentally cursing herself for her breach in protocol.
The Corporal opened his mouth to argue when a loud hissing roar echoed through the forest, reaching the group inside the mist and almost seeming to vibrate the very air. The swarm hissed loudly in response, still trying desperately to force their way past the plants, before they all faded away, assumably with disappointment. One of the guards dropped his visor over his eyes and it glowed briefly before he raised it with a sigh of relief. "Thermals are clear, the beasts pulled back. That was likely the Alpha we heard, calling them back. That...worries me..."
Corporal Nalen looked around, counting the heads of everyone present and nodded to himself before turning to Nolan and turning the radio back on. "I know we agreed to follow your lead, but kindly refrain from messing with our communications." He resumed speaking with whoever was on the other side, and the conversation quickly became heated again. PFC Tanson rode over to Nolan and sighed as he signaled they were all clear to the drivers as the two members of the Guard had their visors down, the glow from earlier that had been on Tanson's visor showing as to allow them to more easily see through the mist and foliage.
"Don't mind the Corporal, as he's the commanding officer for us Guardsmen on this, so he's getting a lot of heat. He'd been trying to get some artillery support or see if one of the officer's could call in a favor with some of their..." he hesitates and seems to struggle to find the right words before continuing, "some friends that could have helped quickly." It was clear there was information he was under either orders or oath to withhold, likely due to the sensitivity it had to keeping Pergrande's military secrets exactly that. "Now he has to pass off you switching off the comms unit as a brief malfunction on our end. Just...be easy on him. We're all stressed, especially since we know there's
actually an Alpha out there..."
As the group interacted, unbeknownst to them, another group of three had followed them from the guild hall, wearing combat armor from Pergrande, though it wasn't like that of the town guards, it seemed more advanced and the helmets enclosed the entirety of their faces. One of them spoke quietly into a radio while they observed them. "Aye, just some younger members and a couple of newer ones. They all pass the test on power, nothing too crazy, just like you'd expect." They fall silent as the voice on the other side says something more extensive and then sighs. "Sir, with all due respect, this is just an escort job, I doubt anything crazy will happen. A couple of the mages
do look more than capable, so if anything does happen, we might not even need to intervene." Another tirade before they can speak again. "Of course, we'll maintain observation pattern and continue reporting back."
Rembrandt Township
April 13, X903
Rising Starborn Guildhall
@CitrusArmsIt was several minutes after the group bound for the escort job had left that another mage approached the giant of a guild master, who was in the midst of arranging for a meeting with the town Garrison's commander to discuss steps to further repair relations between the town and the guild, a task that was proving monumental, though not impossible. When she spoke up, Jenna looked down at her and smiled warmly. "A pleasure, Miss Trinity. And I'd be happy to have you, though, I am curious as how you heard about us. I've heard mixed stories and always want to see what the latest gossip is."
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