originally posted in:The Black Garden
Chapter 4
The hanger door clanks and screeches open high above me until it disappears - hardly the quiet entrance I was hoping for. I hoist the heavy brown worn leather saddle bag over my shoulder, pick up my rifle and walk into the unknown. My favourite smell of grease and cordite is heavy in the air. Sparks flew out from under an old Cabel tank some monkey wrench was trying to get working again. My fingers trace the edge of the hulking beast finding plasma burns. Most probably from a battle raged by now old grey haired men.
"Who da hell are you? No unauthorised access in dis area." The warning came from a Warlock with a strong Russian accent.
"I'm Titan Baker, I have orders from General Sammer to report to this hanger". I fumble my saddle bag from between my armour and shoulder, so I can present the folded orders.
The unidentified Warlock searches the document I handed over for much longer than he needed. No doubt trying to seem more important than he already thinks he is.
"We'll then my little clanker you'd better come with me."
The Warlock's back was turned and making distance before I could rejig my belongings.
"Keep up clanker" said the Warlock.
We all have our little nick names for each of the military groups. I'm not deaf to being called a clanker. Some of us even like it, you should know when a Titan is coming. So you can get the -blam!- out of our way.
The techno priest stops at another door, this one was far less grand in size than the hanger, yet it housed something far more dangerous than a Cabel tank.
"Are you sure you are ready to, how do you say. Ride this pony?"
"As soon as I know what I'm here for. I'll be able to give you an answer"
"Ah yes. We'll den let me introduce myself. I am the great Siergay Kristof, at your service" he says bowing deeply. I lower my neck in reply. He opens the door and nods me in.
"Dis is Kronos fire team". Kristof swiped his arm around the room introducing everyone and no one. The room was dim, lit only by some buzzing green fluorescent lights. Each of the four cones of light bathed another member of my new team. The Russian Warlock left my side and walked over to a dark cloaked figure in the corner, handing my orders while whispering to the shadow. I drop my bag and stow my weapon in a nearby arsenal. The dark figure appeared behind me in silence.
"Welcome Titan, I hope your as good as Sammer said you are".
The officer was different. The Armour was nothing like I had ever seen before. It was Hunter in style but the chest plate was Titan for sure, but the blue illumination coming from the cloak harps back to Travellers beliefs.
"I'll do my best sir." I could hear Kristof smirking as I smashed my salute to my chest.
"There's no need to be formal here Titan. More often than not a officer will get there head blown off first if the enemy can Identify who they are and a salute is a dead give away. Basic training is good for learning how to march in a straight line and making sure that your pretty armour is kept sparkling clean. Out here in the wild you will learn to move fast and kill even quicker. Do you understand me?" The feminine voice was strong but calculated. You knew it was a typical response from a seasoned officer who has had to make the same speech too many times.
"Yes ma'am"
"We run a six man squad. Two fire teams of three. You will be in fire two, Kristof will show you round. And Titan"
"Yes ma'am"
"Call me captain"
"Yes captain"
Kristof jumped into my new captains grave as soon as she turned and left.
"Making friends already I see. You vill do well to listen to the captain. She smart cookie." Kristof removed his helmet and revealed a young man with a healthy black beard and long dark hair.
"Come clanker, I will show you around. Come."
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Kristof; Warlock, Russian, and beard. Enough said. This captain seems like she may be a handful.