The Devil Inside Ch.6

[Shinobi]

Notes: Here's the next chapter. Thanks for all the encouragement. This chapter starts heading into the actual series. Not wanting to rewrite the entire freaking dialouge of the 1st episode (why mess with perfection) I instead jump around a bit. Hope it's not too confusing. From here on out assume anything not directly mentioned happens as it did in the series.

And stuff.

Oh and see if you can spot the Star Wars refrence.


The Devil Inside
Chapter 6

The former Soviet province of Kahbarovsk

Sgt. Sousuke Sagara eased his M9 through a copse of trees overlooking a snow-covered country road. While the ECS rendered the Mithril sergeant?s Arm Slave nearly invisible, it was not infallible. Therefore he took great care to guide his AS through the treacherous ground and conceal any signs of passage. This deep in enemy territory a mistake could be fatal.

"The best equipment in the world means nothing if your dead."

Those words of advice had saved the sergeant from situations that ended the lives of men twice his age and experience.

Sousuke settled the Arm Slave amongst the trees and prepared for the most difficult task of all: waiting. The plan was simple. He and his teammates were to lay in wait for the target. An informant of Mithril?s had located the target and would perform the actual extraction. It was his team?s job to make sure the informant succeeded.

The young Sgt. frowned as he recalled his CO?s final words before he left the de Danaan:

?Sgt. Sagara a word please?? Lt. Cmdr. Kalinin had called out to him as he walked toward his M9.

When Sousuke stood before the officer, Kalinin said unexpectedly, ?I want you to be extra alert on this mission Sagara.? At Sousuke?s affirmative nod, the Russian placed a hand on his shoulder and stared him in the eye. ?This mission is vitally important Sgt. Do you understand?? His hand squeezed Sousuke?s shoulder and then it was gone.

Sousuke?s attention was wrenched to the present as the M9?s threat indicators blared to life. The ground shook from an explosion and he quickly targeted a Soviet-era Mi-24 ?Hind? swooping over a wrecked and still burning small-scale military transport.

Sousuke broke radio silence when the Hind?s chain gun began firing on the transport?s surviving passenger. ?This Urzu-7. I?m moving in!?

**

Tuatha de Danaan; thirty-six hours later.

Sousuke?s hand froze as he reached for the door leading to the main infirmary. An hour ago he received new orders. He was to go undercover at a Japanese high-school called Jindai High and protect one of its students. He should be resting. He and his teammates would deploy early in the morning. Yet sleep eluded him and Sousuke found himself here.

Sousuke finally opened the door and stepped into the infirmary. He was surprised to see Lt. Cmdr. Kalinin talking to the Medical Officer. They were in deep discussion in the black woman?s office. Sousuke turned and walked to the only occupied bed in the infirmary. In it was a pale girl with long-red hair. She was unconscious.

?W-what are you going to do with me?? He frowned as he recalled the girl?s frightened words.

?Can I help you sergeant?? The on-duty medic?s question snapped Sousuke from his musings.

?Has she regained consciousness?? Sousuke asked. Straps lay across the girl?s torso and legs and secured her to the bed frame.

The medic hesitated and then nodded. ?Yes, she did, but we had to sedate her.? The medic regarded the girl, ?She kept screaming hysterically and wouldn?t calm down. She even tried to gnaw her own fingers off.? At Sousuke?s disbelieving stare he declared defensively, ?It?s true!?

?Is there something you needed Sgt?? Kalinin?s voice interrupted the two.

?No sir,? Sousuke turned on his heel to face the Lt. Cmdr. ?I was just leaving.? He saluted the Russian Officer and strode out of the infirmary.

Kalinin watched the young sergeant exit the medical bay and returned his attention the Medical Officer, ?I?ll expect a full report on my desk by 1300 hours tomorrow. I won?t keep the captain waiting any longer.?

?Of course,? the medical officer agreed and held up a CD-Rom, ?and I?ll see what I can make of this also.?

?Thank you.? Kalinin bowed his head briefly and left the infirmary.

**

Back in his office, Kalinin sank into his chair with a groan. He pulled out a shot glass and a half-filled bottle of Vodka and helped himself to a drink. Warmed by the alcohol, Kalinin picked up the preliminary medical report on the girl SRT-Urzu had just brought in.

He knew the basic?s of bio-chemistry and biology, but he found the results completely baffling. Unfortunately, the Chief Medical Officer had no better answers, for the moment at least. However, with the CD-Rom retrieved by SRT-Urzu he was confident a break-through would be made.

?Ironic,? he mused, ?that the Captain is one of the Whispered and yet we understand so little about them.? The Marine officer suddenly wished Cpl. Daniels was still on board. He had a feeling the temperamental engineer might be able to make sense of this data.

Kalinin was pragmatic enough to realize that ?Black Technology? was very dangerous, perhaps more so than anyone realized, and without understanding its secrets or that of the Whispered, Mithril was only delaying the inevitable.

?And that is unacceptable!? He thought fiercely.

Kalinin sighed as he stared at the medical photo taken of the young girl currently sedated in the infirmary. The image made the veteran soldier?s blood run cold. He looked upon the eyes of a lost and tortured soul struggling to end its torment.

With a look of distaste, he placed the photo (and its attached report) in the master file he compiled on the Whispered. Across the top the letters ?TOP SECRET- were stamped in red ink. It was the same file he?d shown Cpl. Daniels twelve days ago. Within, was a half-dozen photos and files that showed the same thing as this latest one. Lost and tortured souls their minds, and sometimes bodies, destroyed by those seeking to unearth the secrets of the Whispered. And as he?d explained to the young lance corporal in the brig, most of them were young women.

?Dirty business,? he thought darkly and downed another shot of Vodka. ?All these years and it never changes.?

**

?So what?s this about some kind of back up?? Sgt. Kurz Weber inquired of his team leader the next morning. The rumble of the Six-Pack?s engine made it difficult to be overheard by the flight crew. So the blonde AS pilot figured it was safe enough to broach the subject.

?I can?t really say,? Melissa Mao confessed. She flicked her eyes to the pilot?s compartment. Mithril operated on a strict need-to-know basis, so it was necessary to insure not even their fellow crew mates knew the details of their mission.

Satisfied they wouldn?t be overheard she turned to Kurz and Sousuke, ?You know as much as I do.? She regarded her orders once more, ?Judas-1 is to make contact with us within twenty-four hours of our arrival at the LP/OP. He?s supposed to provide a complete topographical analysis of Angel?s neighborhood and a medical report on her WBT status.? She looked back up and met the eyes of her teammates, ?He?s also supposed to give us a run down on the local?s temperaments and disposition regarding outsiders like us.?

?Please,? Kurz scoffed. ?I grew up there! I don?t need some damn spook telling me what it?s like living in Japan.? Melissa just shrugged.

?Still,? Sousuke finally said, ?It would be wise to have the most up to date intelligence. Mistakes are not an option.?

?Oooh,? Melissa said, ?Sousuke?s fired up!? When she got no response she tried again, ?You know Tessa was worried about you??

?Capt. Testarossa? Well, it is an important mission.?

?That?s not what I meant.? Melissa exchanged a grin with Kurz.

Sousuke stared at the two in confusion as the Six-Pack?s blades extended and lifted off from the Tuatha de Danaan?s flight deck and set a course for Tokyo, Japan.

**

?God damn,? Crispin Daniels yawned as he waited in line at the gate to Jindai High. ?I?m wiped out!? Last night he had secured an apartment across the street from Kaname?s as an LP/OP for the incoming Special Response Team. Of course, he?d had to pay the deposit AND the first months rent out of his own pocket. ?Old Man better pay me back!?

?What was that Mr. Daniels?? Eri Kagurazaka, the brown-haired teacher for Class 2-4, stood before him arms akimbo.

?Looking good Sensei!? Crispin whistled in appreciation as he handed her his book bag. Several students in line snickered.

?Th-that?s no way to talk to a teacher, Mr. Daniels!? Kagurazaka-Sensei sputtered. ?You may not be one of my students, but don?t think I won?t give you detention!? She snatched the proffered bag from the young man?s hand.

?Aww, don?t be that way!? Crispin smiled, ?I?m a healthy young man, who?s paying a nice-looking young woman a compliment. Nothing more than that.? He prepared the final blow, ?Or is there?? He asked innocently.

The teacher flushed in embarrassment, and the other students in line started laughing and cat-calling. She thrust the bag back into his hands without looking at it and scolded, ?Enough of that, Mr. Daniels, or you?ll find yourself in detention! Now get to class!?

?Yes ma?am!? Crispin grabbed it and walked toward the main entrance with a triumphant smirk on his face. ?Sucker!? It would be a cold day in hell before he let some high-school teacher paw thru his things.

The student?s continued to cat-call and laugh until Kagurazaka-Sensei finally yelled. ?That?s enough! Or would all of you like detention instead??

The noise stopped.

?Are you satisfied with yourself?? Kaname interrupted the Mithril operative?s self-satisfied musings.

?Yep!? Crispin declared. ?Best way to start the day.? At Kaname?s disgusted sigh he scowled, ?Hey what?s your problem?? Suddenly, he smirked, ?I get it. Still recovering from your hot date??

?Oh please,? the blue-haired girl rolled her eyes. ?You?d make a better date than that loser!?

?Ouch,? Crispin winced. ?That bad huh?? At her nod he shrugged, ?Well that?s nice, but I gotta get to class.? This time he rolled his eyes, ?Nakumura-Sensei?s threatened me with detention if I?m late just once this week.?

Kaname laughed, ?Well if you actually applied yourself, maybe she?d give you a break.?

?Bah, that?s crazy talk!? Crispin called over his shoulder as he entered the school.

**

?What the?? Across the street in his cloaked M9, Kurz Weber stared at his view-screen. He only got a look at the back of guy talking to Angel, but there was something about him?.

?What?s the problem?? Melissa Mao?s voice cracked over the tac-net.

?No problem,? Kurz answered, ?just something about a student talking to Angel that seemed kinda strange.?

?Well, keep your eyes open.? Melissa cautioned. ?Can?t be too careful.?

?Roger that.? Kurz answered when Sousuke was suddenly accosted by the teacher.

**

?Kyouko!? Kaname yelled at her friend. ?How can you be so blas? about everything! I hate guys like that and you know it!?

?Well, he asked me too.? Kyouko shrugged.

?I don?t believe this,? Kaname moaned. ?Would you sell me to a foreign country if somebody asked you too? I really curious now!? Friend or not she was ready to strangle the girl.

?You?re in big trouble mister!?

Kaname trailed off as she saw a boy with spiky black hair and a scar on his chin get yelled at by her teacher for bringing a model gun to school. ?Some kinda Military maniac, how sick is that??

?Really,? Kyouko turned and looked. ?Cool!? She whipped out her new camera and took a picture. At her friend?s sigh she turned and took her picture as well.

?Oh,? Kaname groaned, ?I?m going inside.?

Once the girls were in class, Kaname had a profound sense of foreboding.

?Kaname! Did you hear!? Kyouko asked her suddenly. Apparently she forgot Kaname was mad at her. ?A new transfer student is being assigned to our class!?

?What?? Kaname looked up. Before she could inquire further the classroom door opened and their teacher entered.

?Attention class!? Once they?d quieted she continued. ?I?d like to introduce a new student today!?

Kaname felt her stomach tighten as Kyouko mouthed the letters: M-A-N-I-A-C, and made a shooting gesture with her finger.

?I am Sgt. Sagara Sousuke!? The boy with the black spiky hair and scar announced his name and stood rigidly before the class.

One word ran through Kaname?s mind: NOOOOOOO!

**

?I don?t believe him!? Kaname slammed her locker with a yell. She and Kyouko we?re getting changed for softball practice. ?He?s been following me all day!? She started tying her shoes violently, ?And where the hell is Crispin? He didn?t even show his face at lunch! The one time the jerk would actually be useful and he?s not around!?

?Don?t be like that, Kaname.? Kyouko said in defense of the American.

Oblivious, Kaname continued her rant. ?And that Sagara! I catch him staring at me and you know what he does? He just looks away like it was some kind of coincidence.?

?Well, maybe he thinks your pretty??

?Thanks Kyouko,? Kaname groaned, ?It?s nice to know you?re so worried about me when I have a stalker!? She punched her locker at the last.

?Gee,? Kyouko snickered, ?you?ve been talking about Sousuke all day. Do you like him or something??

?What? Oh, please!? Kaname laughed. ?Me like that bozo? HA!? She stopped as a thought occurred to her. ?Tell me Kyouko,? she drawled, ?what about Crispin??

?What do y-you mean?? Kyouko stuttered and hid her face behind her glove.

?Well, your always talking about him.? Kaname leaned over her friend with a smile, ?maybe you like him or something??

?WOW!? The other girls suddenly exclaimed. ?Is that true Kyouko!? They gathered around the bespectacled girl, ?That American, the third year in class five?? They asked for details, ?Have you kissed him yet??

Kyouko stuttered and blushed bright red from the questions.

SWISSSH!

All eyes turned toward the locker room door as the curtain was swept aside and revealed one Sousuke Sagara.

?IEEEEEEE!?

**

?What in the hell is that?? Crispin paused midway across the athletic field. He was going to meet Kyouko and Kaname at the bleachers after practice again. They had an kanji test tomorrow and wanted help studying for it. ?Whatever,? he finally shrugged. ?Like I give a shit!?

?GET HIM!?

He stopped again and turned back toward the main building. ?That sounded like a bunch of violent girls.? He pondered what to do when he felt a cold wind pass though him ?I feel a presence, something I haven?t felt-.?He repressed a shudder.

?LOOK OUT!? A voice called out in warning.

WHAM!

A soccer ball slammed into the side of the Mithril agent?s face and knocked Crispin on his back. He moaned and tried to sit up, but the world started spinning. He plopped back to the ground and starred at the clouds above instead.

He frowned as a strange thought occurred to him: ?That cloud looks like a RK-92.?

**

?I don?t care! He had it coming!? A shrill voice roused Crispin from his slumber.

?What the hell?? Crispin groaned and nearly fell off the bleachers. ?Ack!? He quickly caught himself and slowly eased upright.

?Cris!? A girl?s voice cried out. The sound of approaching footsteps could be heard. ?Are you all right?? The voice breathed and hands gently probed at his face.

?Ah!? He hissed in pain and batted the hands away. ?I?m okay!? he looked up and saw Kyouko standing before him looking relieved. ?Just don?t do that, okay?? He looked around and missed Kyouko?s hurt look. Instead, he noticed Kaname standing nearby looking very indignant.

?You disturbed my nap.? Was all he said.

?Excuse me!? Kaname?s nostrils flared in anger and she turned on the American. ?But if you think-what happened to your face?? Her anger died and was replaced by confusion when she saw his face.

?This old thing?? He gestured to the bright red checkered-pattern mark on his left cheek ?It?s what happens when you get smacked in the face by a soccer ball traveling at high-velocity.? He explained the last as if talking to a child.

Kyouko gasped. ?Are you sure your alright? Do need some ice??

Kaname also looked concerned. ?How?d you get hit by a soccer ball?? The soccer club practiced on the other side of the athletic field.

?No, I?m fine.? Crispin directed his first comment to Kyouko. ?I was distracted and got hit on the way over. Some guys from the soccer club helped me to the bleachers? The second was for Kaname?s benefit. ?You happy now? Can we go? I?m hungry. I missed lunch.?

?That reminds me,? Kaname remembered her earlier anger at the boy. ?Where were you? You were supposed to meet us at lunch, and I had to put up with that stalker staring at me the whole time!?

?He?s not a stalker Kaname, he?s just shy!? Kyouko tried to calm her friend down.

?SHY? He wasn?t shy about grabbing me in the changing room!? The blue-haired girl turned on Kyouko in anger, ?Would you stop trying to defend him!?

?I?m not trying to defend him?? Kyouko said reproachfully. ?I just think-?

?SHUT-UP!? Crispin leapt up. ?Both of you shut up!? He panted in exasperation as the two girl?s stared at him. ?Look,? he finally said, ?if I kill this guy you keep babbling about, will you PLEASE just shut up??

?Yes,? Kaname smiled for the first time since Sousuke Sagara entered her life. ?I knew you were good for something.? She patted him on the shoulder. ?Big strong guy like you, ought to have no problems with that military freak!?

?Glad to be of service,? Crispin drawled. He looked at Kyouko who frowned and turned away. With a sigh, he took Kaname?s hand off his shoulder. ?As fun as it sounds, I?m going to have decline.?

?Yay, Cris!? Kyouko clapped happily. ?I?m so proud of you.?

Crispin turned to tell the girl not to call him that when Kaname grabbed him by the shoulders. ?No, you have to! You?re my only hope!? Her eyes were desperate and she was practically in tears, ?The freak is ruining my life! I can?t take it anymore! He?s probably watching us right now!? She shuddered at the thought.

?Kaname, you hand cuffed him to a chair.? Kyouko pointed out. She repressed a frown at the sight of her friend clinging to Crispin, ?I don?t think he can follow you anywhere.?

?Yeah, you?re right Kyouko,? the blue-haired girl let go of Crispin?s shoulders with a sigh. ?I?m sorry I yelled at you.? She turned to Crispin, ?And you don?t have to kill him. I didn?t mean to imply that your some kind of thug.? She bowed to both of them.

?Uh, no problem,? Crispin shrugged and chuckled, ?but you?re not the first to think so.? The girls chuckled too and he asked, ?So who is this guy that?s got you so worked up anyway??

?Argh!? Kaname growled at the thought of her stalker and spun away. ?I don?t want to talk about it!?

?Oh don?t mind her,? Kyouko grinned. ?She?s just upset that the new transfer student in our class, Sagara Sousuke, hasn?t asked her out yet.? She laughed at the end.

?I AM NOT!? Kaname whirled back in protest.

Thud. Crispin fell onto the bleachers. He starred ahead blankly. After several moments without moving, Kyouko waved a hand in front of his face. He didn?t blink. Suddenly he grabbed her hand and asked desperately, ?What did you say? His name? What was this new student?s name??

Kyouko blushed and stammered at the boy?s intense look. ?Uh, it?s S-Sagara Sousuke.? She repressed a sigh when he dropped her hand.

?I have to go.? Crispin said in a monotone. He mechanically gathered his things and brushed off their protests. ?Sorry. Something just came up.? He quietly left the school.

As he walked away, one word ran through Crispin?s mind. NOOOOOOO!

**

Several hours later, Sgt. Major. Melissa Mao adjusted the reception on the directional microphone pointed at Angel?s apartment. She frowned as static crackled through her headset. She made another adjustment when clanking could be herd behind her. She ignored it and continued fine-tuning the microphone until the clanking was accompanied by a grunt.

?Will you knock it off!? She spun and yelled at the source of the noise. She blinked at the sight of Sousuke hand-cuffed to a folding chair. ?What is this??

?It?s a folding chair, Sgt. Major.?

?I know what is!? Melissa snapped. ?What I want to know is what you?re doing hand-cuffed to it!?

Ignoring her question, Sousuke glanced over his shoulder. ?She put the cuffs on so the keyhole faced away from my shoulder. Miss Chidori is more resourceful than I thought.?

Melissa resisted the urge to sigh and turned back to her surveillance. Angel had just received a phone call.

**

?Hi Kyouko, what?s up?? Kaname asked into the receiver. She watched her hamster run around the apartment in its ball.

?Nothing much, I just wanted to make sure you?re all right.? Kyouko?s voice was concerned.

?That?s sweet of you Kyouko. I?m fine. Obviously, I made it home with no problems.? Kaname airily answered.

?That?s not what I meant,? Kyouko trailed off.

?I don?t want to take about that freak!? Kaname huffed. ?I mean the worst part is that I have to see him tomorrow and ugh!? She moaned in misery.

?Come on Kaname,? Kyouko teased. ?It?s not that bad. And who said anything about Sousuke?? She added slyly.

?Who? You?re the one who-? Kaname broke off and smiled. ?Okay Kyouko, what about Crispin??

?W-what do you mean?? Kyouko meekly asked.

?You can?t fool me,? Kaname pressed. ?You were hanging all over him at the practice field today!?

?H-he was hurt,? Kyouko stammered in protest.

?Don?t try denying it! I saw how you looked at him!? Kaname smiled as her friend stuttered in protest and finally trailed off into silence.

?I think? he?s nice.? Came the breathy response.

?Y-you do?? Kaname stammered. She was surprised the girl actually answered. ?Wow, that?s unexpected.?

?Now, it?s your turn!? Kyouko asked excitedly.

?M-my turn?? Kaname reeled at her friend?s energy. ?I don?t know what you mean.?

?Come on Kaname!? Kyouko chided, ?I answered your question. So, what about Sousuke? Come-on fess up!? Her voice grew in volume as she spoke.

?Okay,? Kaname smiled. ?I don?t know. I guess?he?s kind of interesting? She giggled.

**

?Oh!? Melissa exclaimed. ?Listen!? She shoved her headset over Sousuke?s ear.

?I guess?he?s kind of interesting.?

Sousuke?s eyes widened. ?I had no idea. That doesn?t make any sense.? He frowned and Kurz laughed.

?Would you rather she called you that really boring loser?? Melissa smiled.

Before Sousuke could respond there was a knock at the door. All three Mithril agents glanced up at the noise.

?Do you think we?ve been compromised?? Kurz asked as he readied his weapon.

?No, I?m sure I wasn?t followed.? Sousuke glanced around. This was a bad time
to be handcuffed to a chair.

?I?ll see who it is.? Melissa readied her own weapon. ?Urzu-6, cover me. Urzu-7? She turned to the still chained Sousuke. ?Just? stand fast.? She sighed.

Kurz crouched behind the corner of the entry way and Melissa moved to answer the door. She held her weapon behind her back. At a nod from Kurz, Melissa threw open the door and stared in shock.

Crispin Daniels stood there grinning. His grin grew into a huge smile. ?Judas-1 reporting for duty, Sgt. Major!?


End Chapter Six.

[Shinobi]

The Devil Inside-Glossary of Terms

MCMJ -Mithril Code of Military Justice. Basically the legal code and rules of conduct all Mithril personal are subject to.

CO - Commanding Officer (This is actually used by the US military)

MCF- Mithril Correctional Facility. Most ships and bases have their own brigs or jails, but those are only designed to keep a prisoner for a short period of time. The MCF serves as Mithril?s more permanent jail. It?s used to hold those who are awaiting their hearing or trail, and for those who?ve been sentenced for longer than a month, to a maximum sentence of a year or two.

MDC- Mithril Detention Center - basically prison. This is where Mithril throw's their hard-cases and long terms sentences. It's a great place where you get to spend twelve hours a day making little rocks out of big rocks. Sounds fun doesn't it?
Basically, think of it as Mithril's equivalent to Ft. Lebonworth.

Old Man - just an affectionate way the soldiers of Mithril have of referring to Kalinin. Of course, they'd never address him like that!

LP/OP ?Listing Post and Observation Post.

FARP ?Fuel And Rearming Point. It?s a forward staging area combat-vehicles (such as an Arm-Slave) can use without having to leave the combat zone.

Mikes ?short-hand for minutes.

ETA ?Estimated Time of Arrival

Hawkeye ?Refers to a US radar plane. The Hawkeye usually flies ahead of a US naval task force (among other things) and gathers useful information about the area and reports it back.

AS- Arm Slave. Ya know, those big freaking robots Sousuke and the others pilot.

SRT- Special Response Team. Sousuke, Melissa, and Kurz are member of Mithril?s SRTs. The way I look at it, the Special Response Teams are Mithril?s equivalent of Special Forces. They do many of the same tasks as special forces: Recon. Infiltration. Sabotage. Lightning raids, Hostage rescue, and assorted other tasks.

MOTC ? Mithril?s Officer Training Course. Most military organizations have additional requirements for their officers besides just time in service and demonstrated ability. Most officers under go specific and grueling training and are usually required to have a four year college degree of some kind.

M9- Called the ?Gernsback? it?s the AS used by Mithril. Considered the next generation of AS.

M6- the AS used by the US Military.

RK-92- Soviet era Arm Slave. To quote Sousuke. ?Move you Soviet-made piece of Junk!?

Ninety-six- refers to the ASG 96-B manufactured by Bofors. It?s a 57 mm smooth-bore rifle and part of the M9?s standard armament. It?s the rifle Kurz used in episode five during his duel with Gauron.

NCOIC- Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge. It refers to the highest ranking enlisted person within a unit. In the case of Crispin?s orders it refers to Melissa.

DI ?Drill Instructor. Another way of referring to a Drill Sergeant.

SitRep- Situation Report. Basically a quick run down of what your situation in a field (or combat) environment.

WA2000- very high-quality German sniper rifle. Considered by some to be one of the best in the world. It?s only down side is its weight. (16 lbs) and cost. It?s highly customizable and sleek in design. It seemed appropriate for Kurz to use. Though I?m think the one he?s shown actually using is a PGS-1(another German rifle). I?m not certain.

Tac-Net- Tactical Network. A radio network set up and used by members of the same unit during tactical (i.e. combat) situations.

HE- High Explosive.

Fifty Cal ? shirt hand for fifty caliber. Which is the size of a heavy machine gun. A machine gun this large must be mounted on a tripod or vehicle in order to fire it. A fifty caliber round is about six inches long and can tear a man in half, and it can also destroy trucks, light armored vehicles and buildings.

NVGs -- Night Vision Goggles

EOD ? Explosive Ordinance Disposal

[pilot03]

Ya, I'm first to review!! Pretty good blending of the first episode into the story. I can't wait to find out why Crispin doesn't like Sagara and why he has a split personality. Keep up the good work and I can't wait til the next chapter.

[necowaffer]

Excellent chapter! I'm really looking forward to finding out what's between Sousuke and Crispin.

[PeRiDoTs13]

and so they meet! wonderful! i can't wait to see how sousuke and crispin react 2 each other. ^_^