[h3]Private Alonso Bons, Gallian Militia[/h3]

Of course, it would be the Darcsen that answered first. It galled him that [i]she[/i] had been accepted into the Army when he hadn't met the cut, but Alonso kept that little titbit to himself. Darcsen or no, at least she was Gallian. Better than some. The next woman echoed his unspoken sentiment, albeit with a bit more distaste than he would have used. Her other comment confused him though. [b]'Other action...? What, border guarding or something?'[/b] Alonso's confusion was rooted in his utter lack of experience, more so because his parents had been violently traditionalist and homophobic. The idea of a [i]woman[/i] bragging about sexual conquests? Blasphemy. As he was trying to figure out the hidden meaning, the others chimed in. The lancer spoke his language at least. [b]'You should'a been there last night then. We near enough got wiped by a tank.'[/b] Despite the terror of the experience, he couldn't help but feel a flash of pride for delivering the killing blow. [b]'I got the bastard though, just about.'[/b]

Alonso sat back to chug some water as the fourth and final recruit said his piece. Once again the innuendo went well over his head, but something he said sounded off. [b]'Wait, first part of the war..? It only started two weeks ago! Must have been a light wound then.'[/b] He squinted at the Shocktrooper, wondering if maybe he had simply grazed his arm rather than actually get hurt. Unfortunately the meathead interrupted their conversation before he could ask any awkward questions. [b]'Yeah, yeah...'[/b] Once they switched around and got on the move once more, he tried to tune out the booming voice behind him. Didn't really work. Hell, when Carn went into full Sergeant Gusto mode, Alonso jolted the steering wheel in shock. [b]'Calm down, you old cunt...',[/b] he growled under his voice. [b]'At least try to be quiet.'[/b] Technically they were still in unsecured territory. Never knew when another Imp patrol might find them. Carn's 'encouragement' didn't help either and truth be told, he wanted to run into every damn pothole he could find, just to spite the bastard...

An hour later they trundled into the village of Le Haye Sainte, a veritable wreck of a place. Half the buildings were damaged or destroyed and smack bang in the middle of the road stood a wrecked tank. A pillar of smock rose from one of the farmhouses, in fact the only one left standing. [b]'End of the road guys. Squad's probably in there, rock up and follow...'[/b] Carn had already bounded off the APC and his characteristic voice boomed from inside the house. [b]'... Valk's sake. Just go in there.'[/b]

[h3]Sergeant Harald, Gallian Militia[/h3]

Having made damn sure that everyone had gotten a decent cup of stew, Harald was finally pouring his own portion when the door suddenly exploded inward. [b]'[i]Fucking hell[/i] Carn, learn how to knock man!'[/b] What was left of his lunch dripped sadly from his upturned tankard and he sighed a deep, resigned sigh. [b]'Yes, yes, [i]thank you very much[/i] Carn. Take Bons and Glaive and start laying those mines. Remember the briefing? East and west roads, about ten per side.'[/b] When he had finally gotten rid of the nuisance, he turned to his newly acquired squad members. [b]'Well, good morning and welcome to Squad Four. I'll be frank, I don't know how he managed to get so many of you. What did he do, just kidnap you or something?'[/b] He leant back against the kitchen sink, sipping a cup of tea with a bemused, if tired smile. [b]'As PFC Carn mentioned, I am Sergeant Harald, your new squad leader. Squad Four has no officer, don't ask, don't know why. I've had to pick up the slack, so I'll be relying on you all. I look forward to working with you.'[/b] Giving a little bow, Harald couldn't help but notice the high percentage of women in this new cohort... Not that it was anything new to the squad, Hell, half of the men had quit or been transferred already. [i]Maybe the Captain's just an old lech,[/i] he thought amiably.