Hunter nodded his head as he heard each soldier's story and background, attempting to memorize each one. He needed to know his squad like the back of his hand, but he also knew it will only come with time. From the looks of it, the squad was a talented one with huge potential, but he could see how the differences in personalities and traits could be a problem. 

"Quite a squad we got here..." began Hunter as the last person finished. He didn't want to elaborate too much on his background, which is why he only partially revealed his credentials in his opening speech. The Sergeant couldn't help but decided that if openness, honesty, and comradeship would enter the squad environment, it would start through him. Not yet, though... They will have plenty of time on the ships before their engagement. 

The Sergeant took another swig of the ale, attempting not to get his beard in any of it.

"Heavies, marines, mages, and a sapper." said Hunter, with a thoughtful expression in his eyes. "Hopefully you gentlemen know your roles, but we'll go over some of that stuff on the ships."

The Sergeant ran a hand over his beer mug, before he looked back at the squad, his eyes instantly hardening. 

"But if there's anything that I want you to remember, is that this squad right here will be the reason you either die or live. I will do everything in my capabilities to get us through the thickest of situations. Survivng, [i]hah[/i], you could say I have a knack for that. But if anyone in this squad poses a danger to the others, if you don't have your squad mate's back when the arrows start flying and the swords start clashing, you will either die alone on the field or I will make sure you get kicked off the squad as soon as it is possible."

Hunter hoped he didn't go too far, but heck, on second though, he didn't give a damn. When joining the mercenary company he was hoping for some coin. Now that he was placed as a Sergeant of this squad, his main objective was to make sure no one in his squad died. He would do anything necessary for that, as was his responsibility. Hopefully he wouldn't like his soldiers too much, as his overprotective stance would only increase.

"Let's get to the port, wouldn't want the army leaving without us, eh?"

---------------At the Port---------------------

The squad made their way into the chaotic atmosphere of the docks. This place looks even more hectic then it did before, with supplies and rations being loaded onto the mercenary dromons. The company makes it there in time, just as the first ship is being loaded with supplies and the same recruiter is about to start listing the squads that will be traveling on that ship.

Hunter leads his squad up to the recruiter before beginning a careful examination of the squads around him. There were some formidable characters, without a doubt, but he could feel his squad stand out. Other squad sergeants eyed his group, but did not let their eyes settle for too long. After serving in the Jadelyn army for so long, Hunter knew that fellow squads better then these have broken on the battlefield before, or have been unable to cover his own squad when they most needed it. But these are the cons of joining a mercenary army, aint it?

The squad continued to wait, before the next ship docked in port. This looks like, by far, the freshest and least damaged of the ships. No mage fire damage on the hull of this one... In fact, Hunter found it suspicious as to why this ship is so much damn newer and better built then the others.

"Here we have the [I]Raggaton[/I]" states the Recruiter, with a strange smirk suddenly coming over his features. 

The Sergeant began to notice how on every Fifth Echelon ship, even the ones farther away from port, the mercenaries seem to all have gotten up from their tasks and were now eagerly looking at the newly recruited squads, as well as the [I]Raggaton[/I]

"One squad will board the [I]Raggaton[/I], this will either be Sergeant Hunter's 5th Marines Company, 9th Squad, or Sergeant Helon's 2nd Heavies Company, 3rd Squad."

Hunter smiled as he looked over the docked ship. The squad couldn't have picked a better ship to sail on, this one looks like it could weather the worst of storms.

The squad's opinion quickly changes from glee to horror as they see peculiar wagons rolling up the gangplank onto the ship. The wooden crates inside are marked with a special insignia similar to a griffon: The symbol that marks the crates as being full of Moranth munitions.

"Hood's balls..." begins Hunter. "There's no way my squad is getting on that ship!"

"I'm afraid your squad numbers have been drawn in randomly. However, it is a tradition of the Fifth Echelon army, to let a squad get out of this... Adverse situation. 4th Squad and 9th Squad will fight, without weapons, until one unit is left standing. The squad which looses will sail aboard the [I]Raggaton[/I]. You have a minute to get ready."

Sergeant Hunter quickly understood why the mercenaries aboard the farther ships were now so interested. He could see money being passed around, bets being made. He couldn't help but grind his teeth, annoyed that the Fifth Echelon would make entertainment out of them like this. 

Hunter began unstrapping both his swords, and laying them down on a supply crate nearby, while looking over Sergeant Helon's squad. All twelve of them heavies, big as boulders. They're not going to be easy to bring down. [I]The heavier they are, the harder they fall[/i] thought Hunter as he turned around to look to his squad.

The Sergeant gives a quick glance at the two squad mages. "The only instructions was no weapons..."

[I]Never said anything about warrens, did he?[/I]

Hunter turned back to look at the squad of heavies, which had already put down their weapons, and, seeking initiative, were already charging toward Hunter's squad.