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[sub][color=758186]EMILIA "GARUDA" LANGE[/color]   [color=cecece]—[/color]   [color=758186]UDF: CETRA EAST COMMAND [Briefing Room][/color]   [color=cecece]—[/color]   [color=758186]Day 1 - 05:00AM[/color]   [color=cecece]—[/color] [@Prisk][/sub][hr][color=8d8e8f]Being a career UDF rat meant always being half asleep and half awake throughout every day. This particular morning was no different. As a 'valuable' asset, as the UDF called it, it was ordinary or maybe even [i]customary[/i] to be pulled in a hundred different directions at the same time. Some Division wanted this or that, a desperate general jacked up on adrenaline wanted something else, and then soldiers in the dirt somewhere pleaded for assistance with something entirely different. Oh yes, it was a ride that never ended. In the beginning, it was overwhelming and extremely stressful. But, after a couple of years, Emilia had gotten so used to it that she barely noticed it. Whenever there was a spare moment, she tended to instantly fall asleep just like many other soldiers did. Emilia never did understand how the boys in NavDiv were able to constantly stay on the move, especially Air Mobile.

The UDF: Cetra East Command had an enormous underground facility. While there were vehicles, containers, and other equipment parked at the surface compound, much of it was eventually shipped down into the ground. The briefing for the third edition of the [i]Special Warfare and Reconnaissance Group[/i] was held in one of many spaces for similar purposes. Emilia and everyone else had been requested to wear official UDF colors while staying at the Command Center. Shirt and pants with a black/grey digital camouflage pattern and dark boots had been provided for everyone in attendance—the UDF had even gotten everyone's surnames right on the name tag. The shirts also had three patches on them. First, the standard UDF Division patch, which was in some cases different for the attendees. Second, a UDF Guardian Corps. patch to indicate Aeon status. Lastly, the all new and fancy Special Warfare and Reconnaissance Group—S.W.A.R.G.—patch with the famous or maybe infamous wolf head biting a sword on it. This was Emilia's first time being in the Group. While she previously had doubts and felt slightly anxious, being in the here and now with the patch stuck to her shirt made those feelings lighten up. There was a mission and directions to follow, which made things easier to grasp, instead of relying on her devious ego to fill the gaps.

The briefing was held by Jeffrey "Jeff" McMahon, a Four-Star General overseeing many of the UDF operations in Southern and Eastern Cetra. He was man of great discipline and routine, eating once a day and sleeping only four hours a night. The grunts and soldiers loved him as man of the people, but he was also stubborn, overly ambitious, and sometimes antagonistic in his high pursuits and attention to mission detail. McMahon was the type of man that would get off a helicopter with a straight back, have a cigar in the middle of a fire fight, or carry a wounded soldier on his back for many miles. He was a man of long military history, serving his country for many years before the UDF, and he had more medals and prestige than most could ever hope to achieve.

[color=c2c2c2]"Listen up—roughly 72 hours ago, we lost communication and visual contact with one of our assets on the ground, near Steelwater."[/color] The general pointed to a tactical map on the frontal screen opposite to the fancy seats. [color=c2c2c2]"It is of the utmost importance that this asset is recovered, [i]alive[/i]. We've had reports coming in that the asset either has support from an Evolved or can manifest into one himself."[/color] The term [i]Evolved[/i] was something the UDF used instead of saying [i]Archon[/i], for whatever reason, just as they were obsessed with using dense acronyms that nobody understood. [color=c2c2c2]"Our friends at IntDiv estimate that the asset is the Evolved, which means that manifestation is possible and makes the situation Advanced Risk. This is why the order for [i]Special Warfare and Reconnaissance Group[/i] composition came down from UDF High Command."[/color] The general sighed and rubbed his eyes with spare fingers. [color=c2c2c2]"The asset in question is..."[/color]

[i]Fuck... please, not him.[/i]

[color=c2c2c2]"Benjamin Regardie, code name 'Bahamut'."[/color] Emilia felt as if she melted into the cold, steel chair she was sitting in. Her heart dropped to the ground, grew legs, and ran away to jump off of a building. This was beyond embarrassing, beyond any drama that day-time television could come up with, and beyond anything she could ever prepare herself for. This was [i]him[/i]—the guy she had tried to forget for years, who constantly haunted her mind worse than the monsters the entire war was fighting—her old flame. This was also an Aeon legend, UDF extraordinaire, 1st edition S.W.A.R.G., who single-handedly did more for the war effort than nearly all other Aeon put together. He was also unmatched in physical dominance, spiritual power, or whatever anyone wanted to call it—and nobody understood how the fuck it happened. He was just a run-of-the-mill sports guy before the comet arrived. And then there was his code name, [i]Bahamut[/i], which in mythology of his home country was a huge fucking dragon that shot laser beams out of its mouth. That alone was enough for people to shit their pants when going up against him.

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[sub][COLOR=cecece]B E N J A M I N  " B A H A M U T "  R E G A R D I E
◄  [color=758186]32[/color]   ▎   [color=758186]6'4[/color]  ►[/color][/sub][/center]

The general exhaled deeply, muttered gibberish to himself for a moment, and then seemingly went off script and threw all military formality out the window.

[color=c2c2c2]"Do you know anything about this, Lange?"[/color] He huffed and puffed, sounding almost agitated by Emilia's presence.
[color=6598c4]"Why would I know anything about this, sir?"[/color] Emilia responded with a deeply resting bitch face.
[color=c2c2c2]"Don't bullshit me, Lange—I can see it in that pissy expression on your face. You and Ben used to date for fuck sake! The media couldn't shut up about it for months. Now they're going to spin this as if the UDF can't keep its walking, talking 10-megaton nukes in line for two seconds without the world coming apart."[/color] The general ranted.
[color=6598c4]"With all due respect, sir-"[/color]
[color=c2c2c2]"Cut the crap!"[/color]
[color=6598c4]"Alright, fine! How the fuck is this my fault? And don't fucking imply that you're not trying to pin this on me. I had nothing to do with this!"[/color] Emilia spoke with a stern tone.
[color=c2c2c2]"Listen to me like you've never listened to anyone before,"[/color] the general said and pointed a finger at Emilia. [color=c2c2c2]"If this turns out to have anything to do with you, you're done—dishonorable discharge without pay, and that's it. You'll be lucky if I don't put you up for Renegade status while we're at it. This is your mess for all we know, and you're severely mistaken if you don't think you're cleaning it up."[/color] This interaction with the general and Emilia was not completely unfounded. They had history, both good and bad.
[color=6598c4]"I'm here, aren't I? Just tell us what we have to do."[/color] She pouted like a teenager.
[color=c2c2c2]"Oh, get off your high horse, Mia. Just because the retards in WarDiv parade you in skimpy outfits all over their propaganda doesn't mean you're better than anyone else here."[/color] The general finally started to calm down. Emilia kept her mouth shut. The situation was embarrassing enough without any further escalation. Besides, it would not get them any closer to resolution than this.
[color=c2c2c2]"Anyway, excuse me, folks. Your mission is to investigate Steelwater and find out where the asset is. You will hitch a ride with NavDiv Air Mobile from here. They'll conduct a bombing run to clear out most of the hostiles, but there will be plenty left to go around once you hit the deck. The infection has reportedly reached a new phase, of sorts, being extremely aggressive and showing mutations we haven't seen before. IntDiv suspects that it has something to do with the asset. The 'World Eaters' battalion of WarDiv will provide ground support, should you need it, but they'll be on standby on the outskirts. Don't keep them waiting for too long, though, or they'll start shelling the city with or without your order. Whoever thought it was a good idea to put all the UDF psychopaths in the same battalion needs to get their fucking head examined,"[/color] he muttered. The general showed arial reconnaissance footage of Steelwater on the briefing screen in front of them. The town looked pretty banged up and depleted. It had obviously been evacuated. [color=c2c2c2]"Now, you've got great talent on your team here—the especially useful ones being Ms. Eun-Ji Park and Isolde Featherswallow—controversies aside. Both of them have substantial understanding of the infection in different ways. Any and all doubts concerning this new phase goes through them. Besides that, you're all leaders in your own right. Whatever happens on the ground, you take control of the situation. This group being what it is means that some may be called away, new additions may come later—that's just how this thing is designed."[/color] The general turned off the briefing screen, and the lights in the rest of the room returned. [color=c2c2c2]"So, grab your gear, don't forget respirators, and get topside right away. Emilia here will be responsible for your success. Direct any and all complaints to her before you pester me or anyone else."[/color]

Half an hour had passed. The order was fairly simple at this stage. As people began to clear out of the room to get their gear and weapons ready, the general pulled Emilia to the side for a few silent words.[color=c2c2c2]"You see that young lady over there?"[/color] He said and indicated at Scylla Fleurane. [color=c2c2c2]"That's Tenebrean royalty—you make sure that she stays in one piece, otherwise we are truly fucked. Do you understand? There are a lot of moving parts behind the scenes."[/color] Emilia glaced at Scylla, then back at the general. [color=6598c4]"I know who it is, Jeff. Will you relax, already? I've got this, don't worry."[/color] Despite their volcanic outbursts at each other, the general had taught Emilia a great deal about leadership, tactics, and necessary philosophy for this line of work over the years. He had been a beacon away from home.

The escort provided by Navigation Division Air Mobile was fueled and ready to go. An assortment of light and heavy attack helicopters dotted the C.E.C compound surface. A single dual-rotor personnel carrier was also on standby with various soldiers hitching a ride. Air Mobile was used to picking up all kinds of stuff that needed to go in the same direction as them. While the light attack choppers could not carry additional passengers, some of the heavier gunships could take one or two people. The upside was that the gunships would only land near rooftops, which was ideal for tactical maneuvers from above or simply taking high ground. The personnel carrier would always touch ground, so there were two options to follow when riding with Air Mobile.

[color=99945e][b]Post Summary[/b][/color][hr][color=99945e]The Special Warfare and Reconnaissance Group assembly meeting is held underground at Cetra East Command (CEC). Four star general Jeffery McMahon is the man in charge of this 3rd edition of the group. The identity of the missing Aeon is revealed. The general has a bit of back and forth with Emilia, resulting in her having to take responsibility for the group's success out in the field. Everyone is ordered to ready up and hitch a ride with NavDiv Air Mobile to Steelwater.[/color]

[color=7f5e99][b]Quest Steps[/b][/color][hr][color=9482a2]The main interaction between characters here will be in the escort provided by Navigation Division Air Mobile. After the briefing, one can describe characters getting their stuff and heading for the surface—optionally, interaction can be made during this transition. So, character interaction: After the briefing, while getting gear and weapons, elevators to the surface, or boarding personnel carrier/gunship helicopters—or wherever you deem appropriate for interaction. Third option, your character moves with focus/silence. This is the very beginning of this professional partnership, so it might take some time for more reserved types to open up.

Your character can have any kind of history with Benjamin Regardie. You guys could've been on a mission together, maybe you served in the same station for a period of time, maybe you had a more personal relation with him, or no history at all. It's totally up to you. If you do write something, we will add it to his own 'character sheet' in the Codex.

I also want to remind/tell about [b]Flashbacks[/b]. This is a way to keep interactions going in a separate part of your post even after the 'main story' has moved on. This is very useful for many reasons, but especially useful with large casts. With flashbacks, we also don't have to wait as much for people to reply, while also not limiting their character interactions. So, please, keep this in mind.

If you feel stressed out about reading a lot: remember that you don't have to read everything, unless you want to. If your character isn't part of some character interaction or Flashback, then it's fine to not know what happened there. Using [b]post summaries[/b] can help fellow players to quickly get the gist of what happened in character interactions that they were not part of.[/color][/color][/cell][/row][/table]