The echoing or core engines, the loading of soldiers into shuttles, and the barking of orders from officers all mixed into a familiar sounds to Weston. He had first heard this medley before fighting the insurrection, then again when raiding illegal core distributors, and now ten-fold. Something big was coming and Weston Meyer could feel it in his bones.

---
[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hKbfV2z2iQ]MUSIC[/url]
"According to extremely reliable intel, the capital of Sovereign may be in immediate danger from hostile forces," the colonel had said moments earlier during the briefing. "The orders are to supply the city with heavy military presence and employ a state of martial law in the extreme circumstance of enemy occupation." The room was silent with confusion for w while after he finished. The orders were vague and illogical.

"Sir," another captain replied, "I'm sorry but what enemy? That kind of occupation is better suited for a siege than protecting our own capital." Weston couldn't help but agree, since dozens of platoons were being sent [i]into[/i] the city rather than around it's border protecting it. Not to mention that Sovereign was far from the sea where Henele or Tribus nations would attack first. The only way to attack the city directly would have to be from inside the province, but there hadn't been any insurrections in Gaia for decades.

"These orders come straight from the top and are as need-to-know as it gets," The Colonel continued in his gruff, commanding voice. However, Weston could hear a shred of doubt inside the man's tone. "And all you need to know is that the troops stationed here at Maxwell are to deploy to Sovereign at once, is that clear?"

The captain lowered his eyes humbly and relpied with a simple "Yes sir."

The colonel eyed everyone sitting at the multiple rows of desks before finishing, "Will that be all with the questions?" Each officer remained silent. "Well then you're all dismissed. Begin loading all shuttles and prepare your men. We leave at oh-nine-hundred." Each officer in the briefing room stood up almost in unison and saluted before exiting one-after-another."

Weston found himself being one of the last to leave, and was surprised when the colonel addressed him. "Captain Meyer," he said in a quieter voice than with the briefing, "may I speak with you for a moment?" Curious, Weston nodded and stepped toward Colonel Reyborn as the last of the other officers left the room. "Captain," the colonel began, "where was your objection?"

Puzzled, Weston replied, "Excuse me sir?"

"Where was your objection captain? In every major moperation by this company you've spoken out against the inconsistencies in orders or the needless use of force. You were quiet just now."

Weston wrinkled his brow in confusion, recalling his outspokenness, but also recalling the colonels disdain of it. "I'm sorry sir, would you rather have me defying orders? If I recall, you don't approve of such behavior."

Reyborn raised an eyebrow before stepping forward and placing his hands on Weston's shoulders. "Do you know why you're here right now, leading the 104th like I did when you first joined? It's not because you're a soldier, but a leader: A man. We've had our disagreements, but you'd have no value if you were a mindless drone."

"Sir," Weston answered, now completely perplexed, "What are you trying to say exactly?"

"I'm saying..." the colonel pause, apparently in thought, "I'm telling you to keep your head screwed on straight, because all those boys out there might be counting on you when it comes down to it. Big things are coming, and I can feel it in my bones."
---

The more Weston thought about it the more he began to worry. Something in his stomach just wouldn't sit right, and somehow he knew it never would again for a while. 

"All hands prepare for ascension!" He suddenly heard a voice call over the intercom. "Next stop, The Gem of the Mainland, Sovereign." Weston suddenly felt himself rising as the shuttle doors sealed and the craft took to the sky.