[right][img]https://i.imgur.com/sxd3fD9.png[/img][/right][hr]It was a beautiful day.

[i]Not[/i] that Zak could particularly take the time to enjoy it at the moment. The first part of their trip had gone so smoothly it was almost a dream now - and by smoothly, he really meant the road. The even pavement around the Citadel was like a gods' send compared to the rougher, dirt road they now found themselves on. Still, whenever the path in front of them stretched out flat for a while and the warm breeze passed over him, the chatter of his squad mate's drifting into the cab from behind him, Zak couldn't help but think that the team roadtrip was already the best idea they'd ever had. 

...aaaaand then the potholes returned. A particularly nasty one drew complaints from the passengers, and Zak couldn't blame them. He winced as the truck landed back on the dirt.

[color=EB829A]"Yeah, yeah,"[/color] he muttered, his tone light and a grin on his face. He looked over at Galahad beside him in the cab, before leaning his head back to call an answer into the bed.

[color=EB829A]"Be happy to! If there wasn't - "[/color] the young man started, stopped by another ill placed pit in the road. Really, really poor timing on that one. The sudden bounce of the truck nearly had him biting his tongue, but he recovered quickly and continued. [color=EB829A]" - weren't holes [i]all over the road![/i]"[/color]

It was a single, narrow stretch of shitty highway, kind of hard to avoid anything, but hey. Zak refocused on the road ahead after a quick glance at the map. It was mostly unneeded, he could see for miles ahead in the open landscape and the road was straight for as far as the eye could see, but it was good to see how close they were getting to any semblance of civilization. He was sure all of them would appreciate a chance to stretch out, himself included.

As they continued rumbling down the path, Zak was quite content to listen to the others talk over the sound of the newscasters. Honestly, he'd gotten used to tuning out the public reports. In the barren, somewhat peaceful scrub-grass land they were passing through it would have been hard to believe there was a national conflict going on if he didn't know any better. Still, music was much preferred, and nodded in approval as Galahad found them some tunes.

The notes struck familiar with Zak and his small grin grew wider before he reached over to turn the volume up.

[color=EB829A]"Not much longer!"[/color] he said - raising his voice, chuckling and competing with the singer for the squad's attention, [color=EB829A]"then you all can get off your high horses and stop complaining!"[/color]