High atop the observation tower, Meulemann extended one hand expectantly to another officer, grinning slyly at his comrade's annoyance. [b]'... Ambushing is a coward's tactic... but fair's fair. Take your damn money... sir.'[/b] She stalked off to the ladder in a tiff, disappearing down the ladder with fire in her eyes. Squad Six was in for one hell of a beasting... Tarquin had taken a bit of a shine to Squad Four, part of the reason he hadn't assigned them a Lieutenant like the other squads; there was always the option to do so later, he reasoned, or else take command personally. He keyed the tannoy system. [b]'Cease fire, cease fire. End exercise, I repeat endex. Squad Six, assemble at your starter area and await Lieutenant Gelens' instruction. Squad Four is dismissed and to reassemble on the parade square at 1500 hours. Well fought, all of you.'[/b] With the show over and a few hundred ducats burning a hole in his pocket, Tarquin took his leave and stopped in at the NAAFI before heading back to his office. Regimental Command had recently issued warning orders for a large scale offensive and he had volunteered his company to be the vanguard; now he just had to plan the damn thing...

[hr]

[b]'You know what, I think we did...'[/b] Harald's reply conveyed more relief than it really should, revealing how uncertain he had been about the plan. In all honesty he had expected it all to go tits up, perhaps due to one of the more individualist squad members doing something out of turn. It was proof of the squad's growing sense of cohesion that the plan had actually worked out. Once everyone had rallied on his position, Harald removed his helmet and sparked up a post-combat cigarette. His trademark laid-back grin had grown even wider than usual. [b]'Cracking good job, team. Woe betide the poor bastards who let you flank that tank; they'll be on PT for the next twelve hours.'[/b] Despite the inherent unfairness of the match, Squad Four had come off very well; only a handful of casualties versus an entire squad with armoured support wiped out. But his expression hardened. [b]'Pat yourselves on the back, but listen closely. I will not tolerate a single casualty in the real thing. Jatmoore, keep your head down as you run or you'll lose it. Meyers, pick your targets with more care and only fire when you've got sound cover; they had you marked from the first shot. And you, Bons... Don't be a bellend. Stay in cover when you fire.'[/b] Ignoring Alonso's dirty glare, the Sergeant dismissed the squad and sent them back to the barrack house. There were a few hours before next duty and they had acquitted themselves well in the exercise; they had earned a bit of rest.