Fareeha nodded at Angela's response. "Spoken like a true jumper. Let's not waste daylight then."

Fighting against her leg's screaming protest of walking once more, she promised she'd berate her superiors in giving her company some rest. Even take in replacements. Just from the quick look about, the remnants of the 5th was half strength. Maybe even more so towards the low end of the company size brackets. It was good they pulled out when they did. She prayed her actions hadn't doomed any other companies still holding the line. A thought she didn't want to entertain.

"Everyone up; break's over! NCOs, equipment and personnel check. We're almost home. Officers, to me." The company roused from their temporary, welcomed stupor as platoon leaders made their way to her. When they were accounted for, she opened a tactical tablet pocketed away in her armor compartment. "Gentlemen."

They all nodded to her.

"1st and 3rd were hit hardest. As such, said platoons will comprise the core guard. The wounded will be centered there. You shall be the shepherds. Do not lose them. Clear, Ansaf? Alawa?"

"Understood," said Alawa.

"No one left behind. Got it," copied Ansaf.

"2nd, will be our buffer. Nero. Split your platoon into a forward and rear guard. The composition is to your discretion. Radio in any contact and engage at will."

"You got it, Cap," said Nero.

She looked at all of them. "We're almost home. Supplies. Some rest. Get everyone home. We've lost too much. Get me? Good. Get to it."

The officers departed without another word as Fareeha made her way to the mouth of the circle. After a period of shouting and shifting, the buffer team proceeded with the rest in tow. No one would get left behind. She felt the compartment next to her chest, a bulge from the dog tags. 

No one.

[center]---[/center]

They arrived at the safe zone almost two hours later. 

Fareeha sat at a table in the officer's mess hall. She had stripped off her armor with only her g-suit to cover her. It felt wonderful. The ventilation. She forgot what it felt to not wear her armor. It was suggested that jumpers remove their exo-suits/armor daily, but she never had the chance. The fighting was non-stop. Everything was being resupplied for her company. Displaced jumpers filling the spots recently opened. She had two days before her company was to deploy again. Barbaric though the times necessitated it. 

The other officers of her company sat with her, each also in their g-suits. No one talked. There was no energy for it. Fareeha had given full privileges for her company to R&R. Within reason of course.

"Did it again, Cap." Fareeha looked at Nero who smiled. He stirred the contents of real coffee in his mug. "Brought us home. You did it, by god."

Ansaf laughed. "Brown nosing ain't getting you anywhere. Not in the military, [i]boy[/i]."

Nero feigned hurt. "Brown nosing? Me? Never. But charming? Different story altogether."

"That scar kills the looks."

Nero pointed at the burn scar on his face and smirked. "Ansaf? This scar makes the looks."

Fareeha sighed and shook her head. "Alawa, did you check the resupply? Up to snuff?"

Alawa, who'd been tucking away the rubber-like chicken nodded. "As much as I could get it. The whole ESF is low on ordinance. Managed to dig some deets. We're getting supplies from other countries. Factories are being erected on the southern borders or Egypt. Long story short? We're boned."

"Thanks Mr. Op-to-mis-tic." Nero downed his coffee. "Replacements look green, Cap. Greener than grass. We'll weed out on our next deployment."

"They are soldiers of Egypt. Regardless of the quality," Fareeha said with an edge to her tone. "We will treat them like our own." She looked at Nero than to the others. "Am I clear?"

The officers nodded.

Fareeha went back to her meal. "But Nero's right. We'll lose a lot, if your evaluation is correct."

"Meant no disrespect, Cap."

"I know, Nero. I know."