Observation team- Vellios, Virmire Jungle
Vellios was disappointed when he was denied any of the first meal Kasyra made. Through, he felt the price was worth it as he satisfied his needs with the stale Turian rations they had within storage. It wasn’t nearly as good but better than starving in his opinion and he had had worse. For the majority of the trip he been on bed rest within his quarters, either idly playing chess or talking with whoever visited him. Mostly Serena and Dex, with a few occasional visits from Drono, Tayna and others. He couldn’t honestly say he fully behaved with Dex and followed doc Kasy’s orders within his own quarters but he did make sure not to overextend himself anymore.
At least anymore than was needed.
When they arrived, he was finally happy to be able to walk and move about. His legs were itching to do something rather than be elevated higher than his head and pouring blood into his crest all day. It was, unofficially, decided by the team that it would be best if he was with the observation team. No matter how advance the medicine was in the modern era, his wounds needed time and so made passing off as hired muscle rather hard in his current condition. It also made intimating difficult when he would be flinching a few times after trying to play his part and heavy lifting was clearly out of the question. Vellios deep down wanted to argue but knew it wouldn’t get him anywhere. After all, bitterly he had to admit their reasons were made with good reason.
He couldn’t help but note the relief, subtle as it was, on Serena’s face about the team’s decision. She naturally would’ve been relieved he was forced to take it easy on this mission and could keep her eye on him. Not trusting himself to be calm about the situation for the moment, he didn’t say a word as the meeting concluded, his aura likely betraying his sour mood while they prepared.
"Before you complain, flying this low keeps us under the radar. Take the opportunity to appreciate the view."Iosif’s voice broke out over the intercom causing Vellios’ eyes to peer through the glass. The greenery of jungle passed by the window, animals chirping in the tops then darted away when the metal behemoth passed through. His irises flickered past, following a pyja trying to chase them away for several moments, then he pressed backwards into his seat. The seat was comfortable as it pressed into his back and the belt across his chest was prevented rubbing by the gel-like cast about his torso. Causally, his head pressed along the window’s frame again. He felt the vibrations of the machine rock through his figure bring a little relief to the cocktail of emotions he was feeling inside.
He adjusted in a slightly sulking mood through his expression seemed blank on the outside. Almost empty. For the moment, he regretted the decision to go down into the fighting ring for some extra cash but then pushed the thought away. In his mind Armis’ voice surfaced with a chuckling, her mandibles turned up in a smirk.
‘What did you expect, love? You always get hurt when you’re thinking about the risk, but you’re never down for long. So cheer up and stay safe despite how hard it is, also stop being an oversized hatchling.’ Vellios smirked at hearing his dead wife’s scolding. His fingers started to fidget and toy with his knife by flipping it up then down a few times in boredom. His figure paused in his actions when they reached the drop off point for the observation team causing him to get up. When the door opened and hot air whipped through, he was blasted immediately by the humidity as Iosif then offered some parting advice.
"This is about as close as I can get you before they can detect the shuttle. I'll double back to cover your tracks and then head back to the ship. Assuming all goes well, I'll see you back in one piece. Thank you for flying with Shevchenko Shuttlelines." “Currently everything going well is the last thing I expect.” His figure leaned down to pick up the lightest equipment available for him and hopped off. Haze had went ahead in order to scout and lead the crew toward their set up location.
Vellios and the others waited for him to give the alright, keeping them updated with his progress. They distracted themselves by sorting who would be carrying what, double checking, and the order they would be heading.
"Ground team, Haze here. I'm almost to the base. I'm in the clearing a few minutes trek away from the road. Route's all marked, gonna keep going." Haze’s voice erupted over the communications causing Vellios to nod. He turned to the others and gestured for them to get ready to move out, each following the markers left behind by Haze’s efforts. This way they would make it to the destination before night fall and still give Haze enough gain to prevent issues.
“Come on, let’s go before Haze gets lonely.” Vellios jested then started to help the others.
Along the trail Vellios felt that Haze had created far too obvious markings on the trunks of trees or other notable surroundings. This had made him uneasy during the trip and slightly paranoid, his head seeming never ceasing to study their surroundings. If any of the smugglers discovered the markings of intelligence here than it would risk the infiltration team. At least in his mind it did.
Unlike Haze, Vellios brought up the rear to cover the team’s tracks. This kept him from being required to haul anything and possibly risk injuring himself anymore, yet still be useful. When a mark stood out on a tree he then made to intimate markings similar to wild animals scratching up the trees to sharpen their claws or mark territory. It easily hide the obvious arrow markings that made it impossible for animal to make. In addition, he carefully removed plants that was too trampled or directed the team how to walk carefully over key elements like mud that imprint. Any prints were ‘swept’ away easily with surprising easy that it seemed nothing ever passed through. Naturally, some factors he found too difficult to hide like when Del clipped an overhanging vine but he tried his best.
He knew, should things go south, at one point the radio silence would be the least priority among the mercs. So leaving a trail for others besides the observation team to find wasn’t something he wanted to do through if someone was good at their job, it was possible they would notice and things would get messy. He hoped it wouldn’t be until his team were safe and long gone. Helping whom he could, Vellios adjusted the weapons he brought along across his newly repaired light armor. He honestly, in his pride, hadn’t really picked much from the stash that the military offered save for a basic silencer for his rifle which only quieted his gun fire, not doused the muzzle fire, and instead let the others have their choice.
The turian had brought along his shotgun and sniper rifle, making sure his pistol was strapped to his hips. His only haul were his actual supplies which were light enough they didn’t rattle too hard against his back and risk hurting him more. Haze’s voice came on the communications again, their current position about a third of the way there, announcing he made it.
"Haze, in position, beginning preliminary surveillance." “Alright Haze, be there shortly. Just busy hiding our trail as I don’t want any ‘lucky’ smugglers getting a wiff of our trail and deciding it would be worth chasing.” With those words, Vellios pushed the others farther along.
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