[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/L1ZXR4zm.jpg?1[/img][/center]
[center][img][/img][h1][color=00FF7f]Leblanc Farris[/color][/h1]
[b][center][color=gray] [[ Location : Abandoned Settlement]] [/color][/center][/b][img]http://66.media.tumblr.com/51fc61ac770a524e9468f174afa94d7f/tumblr_inline_n1xc79Kcic1rb3m8r.png[/img][/center]

[color=00FF7F]"This is more then I would have invested, but you are the commanders."[/color] Leblanc opined with a shrug, not overtly concerned considering Szeren and Regina would be far enough back not to increase the odds of detection significantly. [color=00FF7F]"No point waiting around if just turns out are running toward a left over wind chime, so let's head out now. Hmm Viola, if we are to not return here, could you grab my sleeping roll and kit? I'd rather remain light right now."[/color]

It was a bit bizarre that they had now split themselves from squad strength to a near full fireteam without either Gradon or Ires involved, though skillsets involved excluded them from anything requiring subterfuge.
 Looking over Natsu, Regina, and Szeren, Leblanc opted to skip the formalities of democratic election-
 A laughable novelty for the Imperials present- and hitched her thumb towards their objective.

[color=00FF7F]"Alright, let's move fast and quiet. Those ruins look pretty compact here so let's approach and surround in a reverse wedge formation. Natsu and I will take the tips while our marksmen take the back center. We surround them, ascertain the situation, and engage as appropriate. This could be a goose chase, or we could come across some audacious bandits hiding beyond the long arm of the law, or simply despert citizens looking to make their money where they can, so look for any signs of identification and leave the bodies intact. Natsu and Regina, exercise restraint in utilizing firearms and explosives, as we are deep in the thick of monster country and I'd not want to stir up every nest between here and the objective of this overall mission. Any questions?"[/color]

She punctuated the briefing with the click of her heel, completing the imitation of the cadet's once feared drill sergeant to a T. They were by no means obligated to salute the NCO but she would have broken character to grin if they had.

[color=00FF7F]"Now then, let's be off."[/color][hr]

The ensueing trek through the woods and hills to approach the faint glimmer was the endeavor of a few hours, coinciding with the rough timing of the captured Cadet's awakening and ensuing escape attempt. Where they not cautious of traps and needing to keep apace of one another, Natsu and Leblanc could have been there and back, but as it were their concerns were well founded.

[color=00FF7F]"Another one."[/color] Leblanc remarked lowly, signalling towards the back pair of marksmen that she'd encountered a snare prepared along the brush, one curiously placed without the expected bait with which to catch wild game and left far from the nearest animal trail. Either it was intended for an unimpressive monster, or someone was looking to take humans alive. They would be no great concern if they kept abreast of their presence, though beating a retreat may be complicated if they didn't have a cleared path. 

Her hands waved forward, motioning them onward and expecting Regina and Szeren to relay the same to Natsu on the other end of the wedge. Circumventing the traps which grew more populace as she approached, Leblanc dropped to her stomach and crept beneath the last few inches of bush to come across the dilapidated remains of a settlement, hardly worth calling a hamlet for all that was left of it. 

And it was readily apparent their paranoia was paying dividends, as from the nearest building was the barrel of a scoped rifle, aimed in what could be surmised to be the direction of the Cadet's own camp. The flash of a sniper's scope- Blessedly out of range- had given their pursuers away.