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[sub][color=Silver][i]Outskirts of Amone, September 9th - [b]Order No. 76[/b][/i][/color][/sub]
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[color=Silver]	Lucia was once again listed as a broken mess. She tried so hard to suppress her emotions, as her Captain had indicated, but felt her muscles fall prey to the immense atrocity that happened only a few hundred-odd metres away. The cavalry. Those stallions, all of which were managed and assorted by the top-tier commanders of the Federation, found themselves joining their riders in an unholy manner of death and deceit from their own comrades. It wasn't just human life that was being wasted here on the frontlines but those of the animal kingdom equally. Lucia understood little to none of this situation. Why had command ordered such a mission? What benefit had it garnered? She couldn't see the defences they ran into and wondered whether or not they'd actually done enough damage to make interception of Amone smooth and swift. Either way, Lucia was but a small isolated girl who had no true understanding of war and anguish. Anything that these pompous dictators that declared themselves democratic were clearly insulting towards those who truly understood, but Lucia had been raised to know nothing of the peers around her. Perhaps it was for the better as the truth almost hurt more than the ignorance she was forced to abide by. Silently, she looked at Isaac with an intensely weak smile, nodding with some nervousness once more. Her rifle clearly trembled in its place, its components shuddering as much as her bones were. At least, for the sweetness of her new and beautiful uniform, the insulation of her attire was warm enough to keep out the cold elements once again.

	Just as Isaac had clearly been trying to do, Lucia tried her hardest to think of something happier. Perhaps she could've thought of the clear inspection Michael had of her when she wandered out with her new uniform, or maybe the spiteful, yet hilarious, trick Isaac played on her whilst she snooped around inside their mail. For a second, the first second she read it in fact, she was surprised and adamant that he was speaking the truth and trying to flatter her, which would've been problematic considering how she thought of him as an elder sibling, however the small addition to the end made it clear that it was simply to catch her off guard. Freya, having spoken to Lucia after about the mini-prank, stated that there was a lesson to learn from it, and that could be ideally implemented into her combat strategy, including not doing the same actions over and over again until someone comes up with a method of interception. Despite her [i]questionable[/i] ways of talking to both male and female soldiers, often making remarks that Lucia would fluster over involving her somewhat unaware connection to Michael, Lucia saw Freya as an icon to look up to. She'd been introduced to [i]Marathon[/i] and was equally as impressed by the kindness and wisdom both had to share.

	However, despite that quick moment of relief, where she thought about the happiest recent memories she had held in the past week, Lucia was quickly reminded of the Cavalry charge once more when the final burst of a machine gun was heard, announcing the end of the conflict and clash of tradition and modernisation. Lucia wiped a tear from her face, trying her hardest to hide the face from her superior, Alexander. Motions of appreciation overcame her quickly as she looked towards the gunner with a nod. He announced that nothing was going to happen to her and that he personally wouldn't let her die. It warmed her heart to know of that, but the sudden voice from behind caught her off guard.[/color]

[color=0AB100][b]"Private Farris, come to me, now!"[/b][/color] [color=Silver]The demanding call couldn't have come from anyone else. Alexander-John Middleton, her Captain of orderly detainment. Lucia couldn't help but instantly stand to attention when his voice boomed over the rest of her thoughts, to which she answered almost immediately as per her newer calibrations that he'd made.[/color]

[color=A9FF7D][b]"Y-yes, Sir! Right away."[/b][/color] [color=Silver]As she turned to make her way over towards him, Lucia looked at Isaac quickly and whispered the acknowledgement of appreciation, just to make things clear with the Lance Corporal.[/color] [color=A9FF7D][b]"Thank you, Mr Isaac!"[/b][/color]

[color=Silver]	With each murky step she took closer towards the Captain, she could feel her heart race faster and faster, and not for any good reasons like that around Mickey. It was something of a distinguished nervousness, fearing for her worst. However, she believed entirely that what Alexander wanted was for the best of her, to unlock that hidden soldier within her to survive the war. Lucia was completely under that impression that he wanted a successor, one who could continue the war effort where he couldn't, whether that be of a bullet strike or by the unlawful act of death. Beside the Captain was someone else, of a large rank too, who held a stance as high as Alexander usually did too. This time, however, the man looked a bit more elderly, holding a thick poster-boy moustache that looked as if it could paint four fences in one stroke. She'd only seen such large growths of facial hair in the infamous campaigns to recruit more and more of the youth and factory workers into the conflict. As she finally reached Alexander's side, which was slightly detached from the rest of the soldiers around them to give them confidentiality, she made a very weary salute towards him. Immediately, the Captain and the now-identified Major continued their conversation.[/color]

[color=0AB100][b]"So you say I shouldn't advance with my troops? With all due respect, Major, I cannot stress the importance of my accompaniment for...my Platoon, yes. Whether its to inspire or keep them in order, a Captain must be prepared to stay as close to the frontline as the enemy will let him."[/b][/color] [color=Silver]Though by rank Middleton held no authority over the Major, there was that tension between the two that led to the heated debate. The Captain was clearly under a small amount of surprise and stress to receive the news so late into their departure, yet he seemed to at least attempt to clear his name of such orders.[/color]

[color=662d91][b]"The Orders are for you to remain here until Amone is secured. You will have your time to head into the breach with your Regiment [i]after[/i] we confirm that the threat of Green Fox is no more."[/b][/color] [color=Silver]Lucia listened with perked interest. Who was this Fox they were on about? Was Middleton not allowed to join them for the campaign? Were they going to be alone? A mixture of emotions rushed through Lucia's mind. A bit of that much-needed freedom could finally be achieved, yet she would no longer have those calibrated directions she was so intoxicated by that it seemed like a requirement. Thus, to answer these queries she had, the conversation continued with more flame in each of their voices.[/color] [color=662d91][b]"So far the Federation has lost three Warrant Officers, twelve Captains, two Majors and even a General who'd been setting up an operating base inside the city walls. You of all people should understand that he is a threat to the highest commanders. If you truly value your Regiment then you should at least surrender your watchful eye for a few days until they complete their mission. Losing you could have disastrous effects, especially when we are running low on replacement COs for regiments. You will remain here until further notice, and communication with those inside the city will be minimal, minus the opportunities to telephone them a few times. Stay patient and for God's sake follow the procedure. Dismissed."[/b][/color]

[color=Silver]	The Major left, leaving both Lucia and Alexander to stand there in silence. She had a few questions yet she couldn't force herself to speak out of line around the Captain, so instead she remained silent. Alexander paced slightly, back and forth, before standing beside Lucia and placing a hand on her shoulders. He always did this when he had a personal order to give to her, and it always felt as discomforting as the last. Attentively, Lucia forced herself to listen with a stern face, scared of what might come out of his lips once more. Either way, she knew that it was the [i]right thing to do[/i] if she followed them. Eventually he turned back around to face her and gave a quickfire of orders, reminding her of the situation and what she was instructed to do by him.[/color]

[color=0AB100][b]"Listen here, Lucia. It is imperative that you understand these words that I must shower upon you. You are going into this city of fire alone, without me. I will not be able to protect nor guide you until I am personally allowed to enter the city myself. And whilst I am putting an uneasy amount of faith that Corporal Robin-Charpentier and the rest of the squad will ultimately maintain your safety, I must tell you this. Out there, it will be very dangerous. You will be forced to adapt and to kill. Imperials, this time, at least. You must remember that out of every single living, breathing organism that resides within that city you are the most important. No one else is as important as you are. If you die, that's it. You are not a burden by these people but you cannot let them order you into danger. As soon as Jean, or anyone, orders you to do something that might compromise your life, you refuse. Do you understand? I am not having you die. Do you fucking understand?!"[/b][/color]

[color=Silver]	Middleton shook her slightly, causing her helmet to almost slide off of her head. Lucia was fearful of this anger he showed, yet she'd already experienced far worse from the man. It was a surprise she hadn't been struck by the butt of his rifle or the back of his palm yet, but perhaps the audience nearby might've changed that incentive that the Captain had. Intuitively, Lucia silently nodded, trying her hardest not to slip up on tears. She'd been indoctrinated to not disappoint Middleton, and if she did it resulted in punishment. This was something that left her broken whenever his outbursts came like so. However, just this once, she didn't cry, but had a conflicting argument about what he meant. What if the orders were going to benefit her? It was no matter, she was taught by Alexander to put herself forward, to suppress emotions, to galvanise all fear and true intentions for the sake of becoming whatever the Captain wanted her to become. It was for his experiments and for his research, whatever that research was, to do as he said. She never knew why she was picked to suffer from such a fateful life, yet as her superior taught her she was not to question the reality she never knew.[/color]

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[sub][color=Silver][i]The Siege of Amone, September 9th - [b]Departure[/b][/i][/color][/sub]
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[color=Silver]	As he first listened to Reyna, speaking of a place and a time where life could've been simpler, the Captain returned with a somewhat depressing look upon his face. Jean had never seen the man look like that before, and thus he made it strangely worrisome for those who were yet to see this side of disappointment. Perhaps the soldiers had done something he was yet to punish them for, or there was a lovely reminder that the attack had been called off. However, it was instead news that came with a bright and darker side to its telling. With foreboding stress, the Captain looked upon them and spat out the words with a poisonous tone, truly exasperating the grimness of his situation.[/color]

[color=0AB100][b]"Listen here, Squad 1. Platoon's 1-8 have already departed for the city, and you are all going to be setting off any minute now. The Cavalry charge has proven to be effective in creating the breach and those defenders have fallen back. I can only imagine that this is where we would all cheer, however I come with saddening news."[/b][/color] [color=Silver]He took off his officer's cap and unsheathed a map from his pocket, holding it for Lance Corporal Daniel to hold by forcefully placing it into his lowly hands. Within the paper's folding was the mapping of the tunnel system they would be eventually going through, however Middleton gave the new NCO a glance of intensity not to open it until the time was ready for their mission.[/color] [color=0AB100][b]"I will not be joining you in Amone, however. Command has just forced me against my will to pull out because of the presence of an Imperial Captain, an infamous marksman simply known as [i]Green Fox[/i]. As he is a master marksman, and a danger towards the Federation, if he is encountered I highly recommend you kill him at any given opportunity. He's gladly murdered hundreds of soldiers and officers throughout the war, and thus you should be careful. After all, why not cripple the Imperials where it hurts in their morale and propaganda. Corporal Charpentier should know what he wants to do when it comes to approaching your tunnel system, but by all means do not let any harm come towards...Private Farris. Anyone who harms her will personally taste my bullet. Now seeing as you get a small break from me, fuck off and get going. The Federation needs you to win this."[/b][/color]

[color=Silver]	Jean watched as the Squad began to shuffle in the direction of Amone. Quickly, he turned around and briefly, just to calm his nerves, slipped his fingers in-between Reyna's. It was a sudden reaction that even took Jean by surprise, but he held it tightly and simply looked at her, feeling slightly embarrassed himself as he quickly unwound his hands. They were only held for a few seconds, but those few seconds were enough to comfort him to a degree. Jean quickly bowed his head and hesitantly began his apology.[/color]

[color=Aqua][b]"U-uhh...my bad. I was just...I went for comfort and I guess I reacted a little fast. Let's...uhm...Let's just go, shall we? We don't have to run to Amone luckily, because the gunners aren't on their defences, but it should only take us around ten minutes to get to the gates."[/b][/color] [color=Silver]And so, Squad 1 began their movement towards Amone, slowly but surely.[/color]

[centre][sub][@Bushman501][/sub][/centre]