The effect of being left alone in the empty warehouse was sobering. The cavernous space seemed somehow completely inappropriate to the two of them and Rene had to work to suppress a shiver. They had known from the beginning that reaching a PEA alive was a long shot. Frankly their chances of getting off New Concordia had been slim to none and the odds had only grown longer since. There were many things Rene wanted to say, but as Solae had pointed out, now that the plan was in motion there was little time.

“Let me help you,” he told her, helping her out of her regular clothing and into the black body stocking that underlay the lightweight combat armor. Ironically Solae seemed to have few difficulties adjusting the various straps and closures to strap the ceramic composite armor into place. Perhaps years of the tyranny of Imperial fashion gave noblewomen mastery over all types of clothing. He helped her to affix her webbing as well, and was pleased that Ten had been thoughtful enough to leave most of the pouches empty. A full load of tactical gear was well over thirty kilos and there was no need to weigh Solae down. If this took more than an hour they were likely dead or worse. 

“You even make that look good,” he joked, feeling a need to lighten the tension, though not succeeding particularly well. 

Rene’s own gear was within a few kilos of regulation, belt and pouches laden with grenades, breaching gear, extra ammunition and the half dozen other staples that any marine carried into battle. He picked up the electromagnetic carbine and slung it over his shoulder, then clipped his plasma pistol to his belt. Finally he picked up the light weight automatic he had requested for Solae, the calibre was small to keep the recoil down but the rounds themselves were heavily pressured and armor piercing. He would have prefered Solae not carry a gun at all but he supposed if he was getting wishes granted that wouldn’t be where he started.

“Its lightweight and stabilized,” he told her, flicking the safety catch on and off to demonstrate.

“There are thirty rounds in the magazine and if you need to reload they are in that large pouch at the bottom,” he explained tapping on of the pouches. He gave her a quick tutorial on how to reload, walking her through it twice and watching her do it on her own. When he was satisfied he picked up a second carbine and draped it over her shoulder.

“This is just for show,” he explained to her, it would look very strange indeed for a soldier to be without a long arm, but there was neither time no real need to instruct Solae in its use.

“If things go bad, just drop it,” he advised. It was a lot of information to convey in a few moments but there was no more time left.  If things went well, they would be incontact with the Stellar Empire in a matter of hours. If things went badly… well Rene doubted he would live to see it. He put a hand on each of Solae’s shoulders. He didn’t want to have to put her in danger, but only her DNA would allow them to cut this disastrous rebellion short. 

“If things go badly or if I … if I get hit, I want you to promise me that you will run, get back to Ten if you can and get far away from here,” he entreated.