[center][h1][color=8dc73f] Chuck Simmons and Duke[/color][/h1][/center]
[center][H2] Callsign: [color=8dc73f]Boomer[/color][/H2][/center]
[center] [url=https://ibb.co/8N0t8dH][img]https://i.ibb.co/TYkdhbs/Team-Chuck.png[/img][/url] [/center]


[center][h1]Camp Hannula, Pöyrisjärvi National Park, Finland[/h1]
[h2]0800 Local Time[/h2]

[h2][color=8dc73f]Settling In[/color][/h2][/center]

Chuck had felt better after his run. Running allowed him to be in the moment and helped reduce his stress. He felt like himself again. Duke was settling well after the run. He no longer was showing signs of stress or heightened awareness. His body language was relaxed. When he had gotten back from his run, he had spotted his favorite Kiwi helping unload supplies by a warehouse. He shrugged figuring that was probably where he would find the quartermaster for the group. 

He approached Tahlia with a grin. [color=8dc73f]“Morning Tahlia, how are you doing?”[/color] 

Tahlia had a serious expression on her face and looked worried. He had never seen his serious teammate quite like this. He sighed knowing that the events of the last three days were most likely the reason for her unusual expression and demeanor. 

[color=f7976a]Tahlia was having a hard time settling in. She was support personnel so no one was keeping her informed of what was going on with the team. Skye had shared those details with her support personnel so that they could source the things the team needed. It had been her job in New Zealand. Here she was being treated like just another set of hands to unload and move supplies. Her skin itched as if the role didn’t fit her anymore after Columbia. She was a warrior not a supply clerk. Being forced back into this role didn’t sit well with her. She was directing some others as to where to put the supplies they were unloaded when a shadow fell over her blocking the sunlight. Then she heard a familiar voice calling her name. She looked up to find Chuck towering over her. She saw Duke give a soft happy chuff of greeting as he sat tail wagging at Chuck’s side. [/color]

[color=f7976a]She smiled and reached down to rub Duke behind his ears. “Such a handsome guy. Did you enjoy your run?” She kept petting Duke even as her face turned up to look at Chuck expectantly. [/color]

Chuck smiled and nodded as he plucked at the sweatshirt he was wearing. [color=8dc73f]“Do I have you to thank for the clothes? I was pleasantly surprised to find them.” [/color]

[color=f7976a]Tahlia nodded and stood back up straight. “Yes I knew you were going to need them. Besides this base has several male giants to provide for. They were easy to find and acquire. While you are here, let's get you some more gear.” She pointed at Duke. “What do you need for Duke? I am not sure if they have any canines on base but we can order what he needs. I just need a list. Oh and get your armor over to the armory so that it can be looked at, repaired, and charged.” [/color]

Chuck nodded feeling relieved. Chuck’s deep voice carried and revealed his Southern American roots with his slow honeyed drawl. [color=8dc73f]“Thanks Tahlia. I appreciate your help. I don’t speak Polish or Finnish. I had a little food for Duke with me. He has almost gone through it. I will get you a list of what I need for him. I have the basics for now other than his food.” [/color]

Chuck looked around appraisingly. He saw that there were men eyeing him and Duke warily. Some of the men showed an obvious interest in their conversation. He was pretty sure the base was humming with gossip about his team and their exploits. Soldiers and mercenaries were as bad about gossip as nosy neighbors. He raised an eyebrow at Tahlia  and lowered his voice. He knew how much Tahlia struggled with losing her legs and what a blow it had been to her pride and independence. He knew she wouldn’t want the others around them to hear her reply. 

Chuck asked her softly. [color=8dc73f]“How are you settling in?”[/color]

[color=f7976a]Tahlia looked up at him sharply with a growl and frustration printed all over her face. “I am getting along fine.” [/color]

He could hear the stress and anger in her words. He tilted his head to one side as he gave her an appraising look. She was so prickly but he understood where her frustration came from. He had seen it with a lot of veterans that suffered life altering injuries. He put a hand on her shoulder and gave it a soft reassuring squeeze. 

[color=8dc73f]“I am around if you ever need to talk. I know this place is different but the work is the same. Are they giving you a hard time?”[/color] He nodded his head towards the men who were trying to listen in on their conversation. 

[color=f7976a]Tahlia looked down and away with a shrug. They were not treating her overtly hostile or anything. She was irritated because she kept catching them staring at her legs. She caught them whispering and just knew that they were talking about her and the team. She knew the drill and she expected it to some degree after everything that happened. It triggered her own insecurities and issues with her disability. She had proven herself at the New Zealand base and was a well respected member of the team. Skye had never treated support personnel like they were superfluous and could be replaced easily. Here she felt like an anonymous face in the crowd and that everyone was trying to be polite and tip toe around her without telling her they didn't really need her. 

She looked up and met Chuck’s eyes and shook her head. “No, not really. It is just very different. I will adjust. It is just going to take time.” [/color]

Chuck nodded and gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze once more. 

[color=8dc73f]“I will always have your back Taniwha.”[/color]

He gave her a meaningful look and was gratified to see her spine stiffen as he reminded her that he respected her as a warrior. He looked around at the men working nearby and watched as they hurried on their way as if they hadn’t been eavesdropping. He saw a few fearful looks come his way. Chuck just raised an eyebrow in amusement. He dropped his hand and motioned towards the inner workings of the warehouse. 

[color=8dc73f]“After you Taniwha. What have you got for me?” [/color]

He followed Taniwha deeper into the warehouse as she grabbed a duffle bag and asked him to hold it as she began to pull things from shelves and stuff them into the duffle. He was very amused that Taniwha had an easier time helping fulfill his needs than Samantha’s. Chuck had gotten used to having to have clothing custom made for him. He had also gotten used to making sure he had extra clothing with him. Sadly there had not been time when they had jumped right into defending the base. He had to leave everything behind. It amused him that the petite Samantha who could probably buy clothes at any mall or department store in the world was proving the difficult one to procure stuff for. 

When he left Tahlia was in a better mood and more herself, and he had a duffle bag with necessities. He had enough clothing for now. He had come away with two pairs of standard BDU pants in his size, a white and black long sleeve henley t-shirt, wool socks, a warm winter coat, and a pair of black water resistant combat boots. 

[hr] 
[h2]0900 Local Time[/h2]

Tahlia had given Chuck a map of the base and pointed out all the necessary areas for him. He was grateful. He had gone back to his room and showered and dressed in a clean pair of pants, the new cargo boots, and the white henley t-shirt. He then went in search of breakfast. He was grateful to see that the cooks were used to feeding Giants. He made a plate for his canine partner from the stuff on offer. He was out of food till Tahlia could fly some in. He was used to making do in the field. Duke loved the change in diet. He put some boiled eggs and cold cuts on the plate for his dog. He then piled his plate high with the Polish version of breakfast sandwiches and a few pastries. He and Duke then ate breakfast. Chuck was aware of the looks and murmurs being cast his way. No one joined him though. 

After breakfast, he went back to his room and began the laborious task of getting his armor to the heavy armory. He followed the map Tahlia had given him. Duke was an ever comforting presence at his side. He found the armory and began cleaning his armor. He plugged into charge. He then began to clean and look over Duke’s armor. There were a few frayed pieces on the harness. He frowned and wondered if Samantha would have time to look at it before the next op. He didn’t want the armor to fail his buddy at a critical moment. He would make a note to ask her if he saw her today. He looked around wondering if they had a locker to store Duke’s armor in. He began to look around for someone to ask. He was curious about who else might use the armory. He had not met or worked with many giants before. He grinned as he remembered making a date with Freya on the plane. He wondered if he would get a chance to see her before their next op.